The Spirit Summarized

This past Saturday, my newest book arrived from the printer. Actually, it was written in 1994, but the most recent edition has a more handsome cover than past editions, and it has been revised slightly and proofed again. The Spirit Summarized encapsulates the fundamentals about the Holy Spirit. Differing understandings by various writing brethren about key facets of the Holy Spirit were consulted, and several quotations regarding studies by those scholars appear in the book. While the 90-page treatise is intended to be informational rather than confrontational, I do make recommendations for consideration and belief regarding the Holy Spirit. Chapters include:  Introductory Matters, The Holy Spirit: A Divine Person, The Word: The Holy Spirit’s Medium of Operation, The Work of the Holy Spirit, The Baptism of the Holy Spirit, The Case of Cornelius and His Household, The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2:38 and the Gift of the Holy Spirit, Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Blaspheming and Sinning Against the Holy Spirit, Sealed in the Holy Spirit, The Intercession of the Holy Spirit, The Holy Spirit: True and False, Questions. An extensive Works Cited and Works Consulted conclude The Spirit Summarized. Copies may be ordered online at Gospel Gazette Online and World Evangelism Publications or by calling World Evangelism in Winona, Mississippi at 662.283.1192. Retail is $8.00 each, but quantity discounts are available for classroom use. One can also view a PDF version of Spirit Summarized online at Gospel Gazette Online Digital Library. Louis Rushmore may be contacted directly at rushmore@gospelgazette.com.

My Three Aren’t Wee Anymore

A few days ago, I surrendered over 150 old slides to Walmart (it farmed it out to one of its contractors, apparently). I wanted to explore converting numerous trays of slides into digital photographs to preserve them as well as to use some of them perhaps in upcoming publications. They’re not all family pictures, but there are scenery pics and teaching material (e.g., archaeological slides). The first batch recovered an old photo of Bonnie and my three children on the brink of Niagara Falls on the US side. How things have changed. I suspect Rebecca will be the least amused, but that will amuse me.

Rushmore Newsletter and Gospel Gazette Online

Over the last few days, we have been able to publish the August edition of Gospel Gazette Online and the Rushmore Newsletter for July. The former is only available over the Internet at www.GospelGazette.com. The latter is available via snail-mail as well as over the Internet at http://www.gospelgazette.com/Newsletter/2019/July.pdf. In addition, I have a new book published, which will soon be available. Until such time as it arrives, please make free use of about 100 issues of The Voice of Truth International and around three dozen books—all in PDF files in the digital library for Gospel Gazette Online; go to http://www.gospelgazette.com/library/ and scroll down to the magazines and books. Enjoy, and let us hear from you at rushmore@gospelgazette.com.

Team Meeting and Such

Sunday, July 14 Martha and I assembled with the Wildwood, Florida Church of Christ. I presented my PowerPoint “2019 Guyana, South America” for the Bible class hour. That morning, I preached, “Youth Ministry Begins in the Home.” Later in the day, I preached, “A Lost Generation.” About 1 p.m. the next day, Martha and I left for Winona, Mississippi. (Rebecca had already departed in the morning for her home outside of Memphis, Tennessee.) Though Martha and I would like to have traveled farther, we lodged Monday night in Demopolis, Alabama.

Tuesday afternoon, Martha and I had dental cleanings in Jackson, Mississippi. Later, we arrived in Winona and were guests of brother Jerry and sister Paula Bates through Friday morning. I had worked with them from day to day in Winona for 11 years. Martha, of course, joined me in the work following our marriage a little over 2 years ago.

Wednesday evening, Martha and I met with the Elliott, Mississippi Church of Christ. I showed those present the PowerPoint, “2019 Guyana.”

Thursday and Friday, other missionaries and we gathered at the annual World Evangelism team meeting in Winona. We encouraged each other, told of what we had been doing and shared our plans for the coming year.

Friday night, Martha and I traveled to Meridian, Mississippi to the home of brother Therman and sister Sadie Hodge. They weren’t there, but they opened their home to us. Martha and I rested on Saturday and were treated to a superb supper at the home of brother Bill and sister April Koch.

On the Lord’s Day, Martha and I assembled with the Union, Mississippi Church of Christ—about an hour away. Once more, I made my PowerPoint presentation, “2019 Guyana,” and for worship, I preached my lesson, “Youth Ministry Begins at Home.” We were pleased to share a fellowship meal with the congregation following worship. Afterward, we returned to the Hodge Lodge and awaited the arrival of brother and sister Hodge. Monday, we returned to our home in Ocala, Florida.

For me at least, returning to Winona and spending time with coworkers resulted in a rush of eye-moistening emotions. The earthly remains of my late wife Bonnie lie about 30 minutes west of Winona in the cemetery of the Old Union Church of Christ—only a small clearing in the kudzu-covered woods permitting the presence of the meetinghouse and the graveyard. In addition, some of our fellow missionary families are battling cancer and other maladies; this too, is a little unsettling. Several associates have passed away in the last dozen years.

During the week, I managed to get the files for the next Rushmore Newsletter to the printing company in Minnesota. Further, I was able to get all of the files for my next book to the same printing company. My books are the result of studies over decades that occasionally make their way into print.

We were looking forward to sleeping in our own bed. We had only been home for about two weeks from our last trek before making this trip. Tuesday was a down day; we relaxed. However, I was able to do a quick mowing of the yard before the rains began. Later, Martha’s son and daughter-in-law shared our afternoon and a meal with us. That was pleasant.

Wednesday was punctuated with doctor appointments for both of us. We received the results of recent lab tests. I’ve flunked my AC1 test twice in a row, and so, I will begin taking diabetic medicine again. In the afternoon, I had a biopsy on my thyroid.

There is always something to keep us busy and give us purpose in life. We hope that by what we say, where we go and what we do stateside and abroad that we can glorify God and edify our fellow man. Hence, among other things, I need to feverishly work on the next edition of Gospel Gazette Online, and soon I must devote primary attention to a future issue of The Voice of Truth International. Shortly, I need also to arrange travel plans for our anticipated trip to Myanmar and India. It hardly seems that we’ve slowed down any since we moved from the daily activities at the World Evangelism Building in Winona, Mississippi to my office in our Ocala, Florida home. Martha and I are driven in the service of our Lord no matter of where we reside. We are fortunate to be associated with some of the most enthusiastic servants of our Lord, and we are thankful for good brethren who make it possible for us to devote ourselves fully to the cause of Christ.

Long Overdue

Long overdue, I just uploaded dozens of lauds concerning Gospel Gazette Online. Words of encouragement from time to time such as these reassure us that the time, effort and money expended to publish GGO are worth the investment. You may go directly to the “Guest Book” at the following URL.

http://www.gospelgazette.com/guestbk/index.shtml

The Voice of Truth International #101

This morning, I put the finishing touches on The Voice of Truth International #101. Of course, this is not a singular effort but the result of collaboration between several brothers and sisters in Christ. Sister Betty Choate (who along with her late husband J.C. Choate began VOTI decades ago), brother Jerry and sister Paula Bates, brother Shane and sister Emily Fisher, several brethren whose articles we use, and Martha and I team together to make the quarterly magazine possible. Naturally, without the financial participation of subscribers and congregations of the Lord’s church, The Voice of Truth International would not be possible.

Volume 99 is in circulation, while the 100^th edition is in route to Winona, Mississippi. Soon, volume 101 will enter into production, the next edition has already been started. All issues of The Voice of Truth International are available without charge online as PDF files at the following URL address: Www.TheVoiceOfTruthInternational.com.

Past issues are available in printed form for $2 each plus shipping. Personal and congregational subscriptions are available by contacting the office in Winona at 662.283.1192 or online at www.WorldEvangelismMedia.com.