Moving to Washington

I (Barry) was born in Gatesville, TX and lived in Gatesville, TX until I graduated highschool and attended college in Austin. Years later, I began pastoring a church in Gatesville, TX. I have relatives buried in the cemetary in Gatesville, TX where I assumed I would be buried as well. But now, I am moving to Washington state.

As you can imagine, it will be hard for me to move 2000 miles away from family, life-long friends, and some new ones I have made along the way. As a pastor I wonder if I have completed the work that God had me here for. I think of all the sweet people of Hay Valley Baptist church--how loving, patient, and hard-working they are. I have been praying for my replacement there ever since it became clear I would be moving to serve as a pastor of a church near Spokane, Washington.

So why am I moving? The short answer is that God calls the shots in my life and it is clear to me that He is leading me to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in an area of the U.S. that is desperate for it.

"But," you may say, "isn't there a need for people to hear about Jesus in Texas and in Gatesville?" Yes, of course there is. In fact, looks can be deceiving because Gatesville has a church on every corner in town but there are still so many people who are not Christians. Many of these go to church regularly but it evident by the way they live Mon. through Sat. that there has been no new birth in their heart like Jesus talks about in John 3:3. In other words, they are as lost as a ball in high weeds. I should know because I was one of them.

Let me explain. I grew up going to church and was by all outward appearances a "good kid." I got baptized. I knew a lot about the Bible and called myself a Christian (in other words, a follower of Jesus Christ.) But I, and everyone else I knew lived a double life. Church and Christianity were simply a cultural thing we did on Sundays. This was part of growing up in Gatesville. I am sure there were true Christians that I knew then but at the time everyone I met called themselves a Christian and the waters got so muddy. Ironically, it wasn't until I was in college in the morally decadent town of Austin, that I became a true, born-again, follower of Jesus Christ. You see, in college, everyone my age just stopped pretending to be something they were not and gave up outward appearances of Christianity. People dove into sex, drink, drugs, etc. It became clear what their "god" was. As for me, I realized during this time that my heart was wicked. While I may have fooled others into thinking I was good, I knew who I was. And worse than that God knew who I was, too. I began to fear that God would judge me (and rightly so) for my sins and that I would perish in Hell when I die and that there was no hope for me. I came to a point where I was so desperate to be forgiven for my sins that I cried out to God, "If you don't save me then no one can. Please, if you will save me I will follow you." This all sounds dramatic but if it's happened to you then you understand that I am not exaggerating. In fact, this is a short summary of a lot of difficult things that God used in my college years to bring me to the point of surrender to Him.

Well, what happened was this: I knew from the Bible that Jesus was God's Son and that He died on the cross for sinners. I knew that if I trusted in Jesus, His sacrifice on the cross would make me right with God. Jesus' goodness would cover my badness. It all finally made sense, I was a sinner and I needed a savior, Jesus. Instead of God being my judge, by faith in Jesus, God became my savior (Ephesians 2:8-9). I would be saved from His judgment. What a loving God!

I can tell you that God radically changed my heart in college. I began reading the Bible and understanding it. I had new desires, like wanting to follow God and do what He says. I said earlier that God calls the shots in my life and I meant it--He is my boss. I want to tell others the Good news of Jesus Christ. I want to tell them that they can be saved too from the judgment of God for breaking His laws and instead given a new life.

This has been a long explanation for why I am going to Washington: to tell others the Good News about Jesus and because I want to obey God, my boss (Matthew 28:19-20).

I am excited about Washington state but I still am praying for Gatesville. It is a town that I think is especially in spiritual darkness. The people have a hard time listening to the truth because they have a "been there, done that" attitude towards anything Christian. But sometimes, when things are the darkest, is when the light shines the brightest. God is alive and giving life to those who turn to Him. Where do you stand?

Alcohol & Money

Recently, a couple of members from our church asked some good questions during a Weds. night meeting--"What does the Bible say about alcohol" and "Is it wrong to pray for financial gain?"
I like the challenge of questions like these because it gives us Christians an opportunity to go to God's Word, the only authority, and see what it says about very real issues we face today. Here are the verses I shared with them and I hope it will be helpful to you as well. Acts 17:11 -Barry

ALCOHOL & DRINKING CONSIDERED FROM SCRIPTURE

It is not wise.
Proverbs 20:1
1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.

Warnings against
Proverbs 23:29-35
29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
35 They struck me," you will say, "but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink."

Clouds judgment
Proverbs 31:4-5
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

Medicinal use
Proverbs 31:6
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

1 Timothy 5:23
23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) [this was a note from Paul to Timothy]

It is better to be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 5:18
18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

IS IT WRONG TO PRAY FOR FINANCIAL GAIN?
Consider these Scriptures.

It is wrong to love money but money itself is not evil.
1 Timothy 6:10
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

Are we asking for selfish reasons or for God’s purposes?
James 4:3
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Jesus answers every prayer according to His will
John 15:7
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Seek God first and He will honor you.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

We are to pray for daily provision.
Matthew 6:11
11 Give us this day our daily bread,

We are to invest what God gives us for His kingdom. Whoever is faithful with little will be given more
Matthew 25:14-30
Parable of the Talents

God provides for His children, in general.
Psalm 37:25
25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or his children begging for bread.

Spring 2010

Everything is beautiful this time of year here in Gatesville, TX! The first picture was taken in our backyard and the rest were taken by our church. We have been enjoying much fresh air and outdoor playtime. John Dalton is now 9 months old. Abigail will be 5 on May 4th and Reuben will be 3 a few weeks later.

Thoughts from the Bible

For some time now I have been wanting to put my thoughts down in writing on my beliefs from the Bible. I finally had a chance to sketch out some of them and I thought I would share them with others through this blog. Hopefully, these issues will help you think through what you believe and search the Bible for yourself (whether you agree with me or not.) In the future I hope to expand on these topics and others. If this already sounds too boring then check out this link or this one. --Barry

THE TRINITY
I believe that the God of the Bible is a triune God. Although the word “trinity” is not contained in the Bible, it is an accurate description of how God reveals Himself in His Word. There is only one God (see Deut. 6:4) but there are three distinct, separate persons in the Godhead: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each of these persons are fully God but not each other. The Father is God, the Son is God, the Spirit is God BUT the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Father, the Spirit is not the Son, etc. In short there is one “What” and three “Whos,” that is, one God and three persons. This is unique to Christianity and difficult to grasp but it is what the Bible teaches and what Christians have always believed. If someone does not believe in the Trinity, whether they claim to be a Christian or not, then they have the nature of God wrong and therefore the wrong god. For this reason, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and Oneness Pentecostals should not be considered Christians. Examples of the Trinity are throughout the Bible but one quick example is in the creation. The Father created everything (Gen. 1:1), yet through the Son everything was created (John 1:3, Col. 1:16), and the Spirit took an active role in creation as well (Gen. 1:2).

THE VIRGIN BIRTH
I believe that Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary as scripture clearly indicates (see Lk 1:34-35, Matthew 1:18, 25 and the prophecy in Isa. 7:14.) The fact that Mary was a virgin attests to the supernatural power of God.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES
I do not believe in speaking in tongues, as it is popularly understood today. When the Bible talks about speaking in tongues it indicates a spiritual gift for speaking KNOWN languages (see Acts 2:7, 1Cor 14:10). Furthermore, if someone speaks in a “tongue” it must be interpreted for the edification of the church or else not used at all AND only 1 person at a time may speak in a tongue (1Cor 14:27-28).

For this reason, most of what is considered “speaking in tongues” today is unbiblical because it is unintelligible gibberish. Neither do many of those who practice them follow the biblical guidelines of having an interpretation when there are tongues or speaking 1 at a time. Furthermore, some denominations and movements try to use speaking in tongues as an evidence of a second blessing or baptism by the Holy Spirit. This is simply wrong. The Holy Spirit is received at the time of conversion by the believer. (Acts 10:47)

BAPTISM
I affirm the Baptist Faith and Message 2000 and I can not summarize my thoughts on baptism any better than it states in Article VII:
“Christian baptism is the immersion of a believer in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It is an act of obedience symbolizing the believer’s faith in a crucified, buried, and risen Savior, the believer’s death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ Jesus. It is a testimony to his faith in the final resurrection of the dead. Being a church ordinance, it is prerequisite to the privileges of church membership and to the Lord’s Supper.”

CALVINISM/ REFORMED THEOLOGY
Although I know many wonderful Christians who are Calvinists and I appreciate many of the emphases of Reformed theology, I am not a Calvinist. Based on 1Jn 2:2, I believe that Jesus died for all people and not just the elect. I believe that God is all loving and loves all people based on John 3:16. However, I do not believe that all people will be saved but only those who believe (receive, trust, have faith) in Jesus. John 3:18 says, “...but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” Also, Acts 4:12 and John 14:6 make it clear that Jesus is the only way of salvation. God alone saves but we must receive this gift of salvation through faith (Eph. 2:8-9). For non-believers there is a real and eternal Hell at death (Lk 12:5, 16:19ff, Isa. 66:24, Mk 9:47-49). This sobering fact is one of the motivations for Christians to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with non-believers before it is too late for them.

CREATION
I believe that evolution is completely incompatible with the Bible. Furthermore, based on Gen. 1-11 (specifically chapter 1) and Exodus 20:11, I believe that God created the earth thousands of years ago rather than millions or billions.

END TIMES
I believe the Bible clearly states that Jesus will return visibly and bodily one day soon and judge the living and the dead. He will establish His kingdom forever where righteousness will dwell. Beyond this, I am still studying out the details from scripture but would describe my current view as premillenial.

WOMEN IN THE MINISTRY
Men and women are both made in the image of God and therefore are equal in value (Gen 1:27). Furthermore, the Bible reaffirms all Christians equal status in Christ (Gal 3:28). Women have figured prominently in Jesus’ ministry from the beginning (Luke 8:2-3) and women still should serve in the church. However, the roles for men and women in the church and in the home are distinct. Specifically, women are not allowed to be pastors/overseers/elders. This is based on 1Tim 2:12 and the requirements for an overseer found in 1Tim 3 and other places. The reason for this is not because a lack of ability, status, or desire on the part of a woman but because of God’s order in creation (Gen 1-2). Likewise, husbands are to be the head of their house, a spiritual leader, who love their wives unconditionally as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her (see Gal 5:23ff.) My view would be described as complementarian.

Greetings and Happy New Year from the Bishop family!

Greetings and Happy New Year from the Bishop family!

We did not get a chance to send out Christmas cards or pictures this year so we are sending an update letter for the New Year about our family. Thank you so much, as our friends and family, for all the love and support you have given to us!

2009: A Year of Triumphs and Trials

In January, I (Barry) began the year by traveling to Monclova, Mexico as part of a team of seminary students, in order to share the Good News of Jesus Christ there. Once again, I was amazed at the awesome power of God to change lives for eternity, as many responded to the message and put their faith in Jesus. Our team distributed 15,000 gospel booklets, hundreds of Bibles, and proclaimed the Good News door-to-door, in special church services, through music, and children’s activities. God blessed the trip immensely. Here’s a link to a video from last year.

While I attended classes at seminary, Karen (a stay-at-home mom) held things down at home. In addition, she earned a certificate in Seminary Studies for Student Wives and was awarded it in April. This meant that she had to take seminary level classes at night over three semesters. For the last year of seminary, Karen, the kids, and I would travel every weekend 120 miles south in order for me to pastor at Hay Valley Baptist Church in Gatesville. My wife is truly an amazing woman!

In May, I graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. After 3 years, 97 credit hours, (not to mention several part-time jobs and ministry positions) I finished! Seminary was one of the hardest things I have ever done but a wonderful time of spiritual growth. There were some low points where I thought we could not make it—the demanding schedule, turning in papers, finances—but God always brought us through.

One example of how God was good to me is that I won the 2009 LifeWay Pastoral Leadership Award in May. It was awarded to one graduating student who is going into pastoral ministry. But more than the award, I was happy to get a $500 gift certificate that went with it which allowed me to buy books for my ministry library.

In June our family took a much needed vacation to San Antonio to see Karen’s parents. Our good friends, the Kurths, joined us and we had a great time together at the Riverwalk and Alamo. Our kids played with their kids and ignored all the cultural things that the adults enjoyed.

By July I had almost forgotten that we had a baby on the way, but John Dalton Bishop came into the world on the 15th. He was a chubby little cherub (9 lbs. 1 oz., 18.5 in. long) that reminded us of what it was like to have a newborn.

Less than two weeks later, we bought a house and moved to Gatesville, Texas, my hometown. Once again, God worked out the details for us to get a newly remodeled house that we could afford. Also, the house is one street over from my mother and she has been an immense help to us with our kids! Best of all, we finally live in the same town as the church that I pastor.

In August, I started a rewarding (yet challenging) job as a high school Spanish teacher. I took this job to supplement my income as a pastor. However, the job has some great advantages such as allowing me to make a difference in young peoples’ lives and helping me identify better with those church members who are in education as well.

Karen joined a group called HOT Moms (Heart of Texas Moms). It is a group of Christian mothers that meets for a Bible devotional and fellowship while the kids play.

Abigail (4 1/2 yr) is in a Ballet/Tap Dance class. She likes it and is quite the comedienne. She pretends to fall down and dances to only the songs she likes. Karen has been homeschooling her with a preschool curriculum from My Father’s World. Abigail loves it and knows all sorts of stuff I never knew at her age, like all the names of the planets and that “Pluto is icy cold.”

Reuben (a.k.a. “Mr. Mess”) is a typical boy. He is 2 1/2 yr old and is into clobbering things with toys and playing with everything that is not a toy. He loves to tackle me and be tickled. I love his roughness too, except when he scores a solid hit against me.

John Dalton is 5 months old now and he is a very happy, chubby baby. He is at a fun age. Lately, he has started swiping at things like glasses and noses.

We always thought that after completing seminary the pace of life would slow down, but it seems to be just as busy as ever! Karen is a wonderful wife who keeps me and the kids going each day. She is a hard worker and a great encourager. On any given day in our household there is drama with the kids and laughter at ourselves.

One day recently Karen said, “I sometimes wonder why I worked so hard in the business school at UT only to be wiping bottoms now.” I told her that Moses probably felt the same way, because although Moses was schooled “in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” he spent 40 years in the desert tending sheep before God called him and used him in mighty ways (see Acts 7). Sounds like a pretty good answer, right? But I, too, have had similar moments.

And so, like Abraham, we walk by faith. “For he was looking forward to the city... whose designer and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:10.) I do not regret basing my life on Jesus Christ, I only regret times when I have been disobedient to Him. Jesus is my King and my Savior. He loves you and can be yours, too. Yet, you will never be reconciled to God until you confess that you have broken His laws and been an enemy to Him. Then put your faith in Jesus alone and trust that his payment on the cross can make you clean and forgiven before God the Father.

The Christian life is not easy, but there will be rewards in eternity. After all, there are only Two Ways to Live.

Happy New Year! I pray that you too might walk in the “newness of life” that is available through faith in Jesus Christ. And please keep our family in your prayers as well, that we will keep to our new year’s resolutions to lead more disciplined and godly lives.

Love,

The Bishops (Barry, Karen, Abigail, Reuben, and John Dalton)

Romans 6:4

We [believers in Jesus] were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

John at 2 months old

Welcome John Dalton

The photos from the past 2 months are finally uploaded! check them out by clicking on the link directly above to take you to our web album.

Welcome John Dalton Bishop

 

Our sweet son, John Dalton Bishop was born today (Wed., July 15th) at 4:46 pm. He weighed 9 lbs. 1 oz. and was 18.5 inches long. God is so good to bless us with our 3rd child!

Pictures from first half of 2009 & Life Update

OK, so seminary was really busy there toward the end, and now I'm in the ninth month of pregnancy, so I'm not going to feel too bad about not posting in so long. But since a picture is a worth a thousand words, here are the photos that tell the story, roughly, of our life for the past 6 months. Enjoy!

Jan to May 2009

BTW, our baby boy is due July 13th. Still deciding on a name. We are currently living in Fort Worth, but will move to Gatesville to be closer to the church that Barry pastors shortly after the baby is born. Barry just signed a contract today with Gatesville High School and will be their new Spanish teacher for the fall (as his second job -- he's a bivocational pastor). I'm proud of Barry and so thankful to God for providing for us in this way and answering our prayers. God is good!

Zacchaeus

Barry Bishop

Truths as Found in the Story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-8

The account of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-8 is a beloved and well-known story. Some are familiar with it because of the children’s song “Zacchaeus was a wee little man.” There are many colorful details in the story, unfortunately this has caused some to miss the main points of the account, namely, that Jesus came to seek and save the lost and also the repentant response of Zacchaeus to Jesus. A short examination of this passage will show that its truths have significant application for Christians today. First, some minor details will be discussed, followed by the main themes and application.

The setting of the story is this: Jesus is resolutely traveling to Jerusalem and to his passion on the cross. On the way he enters Jericho and crowds flock to him. Zacchaeus, a short, rich, chief tax collector (ἀρχιτελώνης, only used once here), comes to see him. He climbs in a tree to see Jesus, which would have looked awkward for a man of wealth. These details make it easy to focus on Zacchaeus. However, Jesus is the one who looks to Zacchaeus and calls him by name (perhaps knowing his name supernaturally.) In other words, Jesus is the one seeking, for He tells Zacchaeus that He “must” go to his house. As typical of Jesus’ ministry, there are opponents who grumble when they hear that Jesus would eat with a notorious sinner like Zacchaeus. The response of Zacchaeus however, is the correct one. He receives Jesus “joyfully” (a theme in Luke), admits he has cheated others, and vows to give half of his possessions to the poor and four times to those he cheated. [1] This is repentance before the Lord that is evidence of faith. Jesus then declares Zacchaeus to be a son of Abraham. This is of course means a true, spiritual son by faith since Zacchaeus was already a Jew. Jesus then declares his mission, “to seek and save the lost” and shows that salvation is found in only Himself.

Unfortunately, one technical issue has to be discussed. Some like Evans believe that Zacchaeus was already a righteous man. This ignores the grumblings of the crowd. Based on the present tense of the Greek verbs used in v. 8, Evans believes that Zacchaeus was simply declaring what he already customarily did, that is, was giving half his goods to the poor, was paying back four times anything he (accidentally) took from others.[2] This is simply wrong for it ignores the context. Jesus said today salvation had come, not previously. Further, the Greek allows for Zacchaeus to have a change of heart which leads to a (near future) change of action.[3] Jesus also states that Zacchaeus was lost.

Two main themes from this passage are significant for Christians today. First, Jesus is the one who came to seek and to save the lost. If there is hope for a notorious sinner like Zacchaeus there is hope for others like him. Christians should realize that Jesus is able to save even the worst of sinners and that many times he seeks out such notable ones (like Paul). The application is that Christians should not write off a person simply because they have a messy, sinful life. Jesus is powerful to save them and change their lives just as He is able to save the moralistic sinner as well. Christians need to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all people, regardless of their backgrounds knowing that God is powerful to save (cf. Rom. 1:16).

Second, true repentance is necessary for true faith. This biblical understanding of repentance is necessary for Christians. Zacchaeus was a rich man who was about to become poor. He would give away half (!) his possessions and four times back to those he cheated which was probably many since he was rich. Unlike the rich ruler of Luke 18:18f, Zacchaeus was willing to leave money behind to follow Jesus. A biblical understanding of repentance is necessary or else cheap grace, Lordless “salvation”, and false conversions will be perpetuated in America. The Lordship of Jesus starts for a Christian at conversion and continues to death. Wherever Jesus leads, whatever He commands, the Christian must do. There has to be a true change of heart, like Zacchaeus.

One last thought is that Jesus is the hero of the Zacchaeus story. Anyone who would focus on Zacchaeus misses the point of the passage. Zacchaeus was the sinner, Jesus was the seeker. How beautiful of a picture it is that Jesus called him by name and declared him a son of Abraham. This too is the greatest joy of any Christian, to be known by Jesus and to be in the family of God.

---

[1]Robertson says the condition in the Greek assumes Zacchaeus has cheated others. A.T Robertson, Word Pictures in the NT (Nashville, TN: B & H, 2000), 167.

[2]Craig Evans, Luke: NIBC (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1990), 280.

[3]Bock allows for “present future” use of the verbs. Darrell L. Bock, Luke: IVPNTC (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 1994), 307.

Devotional

Those who visit this blog know that I have a bad habit of letting months pass by (more like seasons) between blog posts. In an effort to change my ways, I am re-posting here some of the things I send out to the members of our church. I hope this short devotional and other material will be helpful to you. I do plan to post more personal stuff when I get time. -Barry

DEVOTIONAL
Luke 21:1-4 Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

Jesus reminds us repeatedly in the Gospels that those who are most important in God’s eyes and God’s kingdom are not always those who are in prominent positions. God sees the heart of each one of us. The spotlight is often on those who speak in front of the church or lead in some way but that does not mean that those who don’t are of less value than them. In fact, they may be more valuable to God. Trust the Lord with all your heart, live for Him, He is the one who sees your hidden deeds. He is the one who loves His faithful servants.

EVEN SHORTER DEVOTIONAL
Jonah 2:9b “...Salvation belongs to the Lord!”

The Bible is clear that there is nothing we can do to be saved. We can not work our way to heaven with good deeds. We can not earn God’s favor because we have broken God's laws and rebelled against Him. Instead look to the Lord for salvation. Look to the Savior, Jesus Christ! Put your trust alone in Jesus and have your sins washed away by the bloody work of Jesus on the cross. If you do not turn to Him in this life, you will sink down, like Jonah, but to something worse than a watery grave. However, Jonah was given a second chance at life. There is no second chance after this life.