Author Archives: Royce

Jun 11 2011

Synchronized Dying?


Perhaps it was several months after I began my second half century of living that I started to face the reality of dying. The decade of the ’90’s was the decade of death for me. Within a short time span my wife’s parents both died, she suddenly with heart failure, and he from a combination of heart ache and lung cancer. It was a tough period of our lives. My wife was not good at grieving and although it was seldom if ever mentioned, her parents deaths were always standing in the shadows of our minds. Three years later my father died and my grief was painful and lasting. And then in December of 1997, only 10 days before her 44th birthday, my Jeanine suffered a fatal heart attack. Now death was really personal, and ugly, and unavoidable forever more.

Meanwhile, in the small community where I lived in North Texas, friend after friend lost battles to cancer, heart disease, diabetes,  and old age. And, back home in the mountains of North Carolina aging aunts and uncles and alcoholic cousins were dying. I started to notice the ages of people whose obituaries were in the Dallas Morning News, and that maybe half of them were younger than me.

After being remarried to a wonderful woman in 1999 and our shared ministry to people in grief for about eight years, my personal mortality is never far from my consciousness. This month, Lord willing, I will have my 66th birthday. Sixty six years of high mileage, mostly on bad roads with little maintenance, has left me with my share of aches, pains, and scars to remind me of the “good old days”.

I don’t mind dying. I don’t dread it one bit so far as I can tell. If God and His Word are reliable (and they are!) I am not only ready, but some days eager for that transition. My problem is the distance between today and that day, whenever it is. You see, my body is aging at a faster rate than my mind. Often I’ll catch myself dreaming the dreams of a much younger man, not one who is riding at a quick gait into the sunset. I have quite a “bucket list” but most of those things are no more realistic than the visions of a little boy who hopes to take on the super-powers of his super heroes on TV.

It isn’t easy to stand flat footed and look reality full in the face. There are things I would like to do that will not happen, not only because of the brevity of life, but other reasons as well. Don’t mistake this seeming pessimism as me giving up on living, nothing could be farther from the truth. I still have a jest for living and count myself among the most fortunate to have the life I have.

I am disappointed that minds and bodies don’t usually age at the same speed. Some people’s bodies function well long after their minds have stopped being useful. Others have great minds, wonderful dreams, and fresh ideas trapped in bodies too worn out and disfunctional to give real meaning to what they imagine.

Give up? Never! Often when I go to my tool box it’s the old tools that are the best ones. Maybe it’s true as well for what some folks would consider old fools. So, I’ll keep hope alive, keep dreaming big dreams, and trusting my God and who knows? It is such hope, a fresh optimism at the start of each new day, that gives texture and vitality to living and causes an old man to walk with his face into the wind and his eyes on the horizon eager for the next challenge.

To my young friends: No, life isn’t fair. But, God is faithful! Even if you put your whole trust in Christ and follow Him the days of your life it might not end well…on earth. Good men and women, holy people, die in auto accidents, fall victim to cancer, and even are tortured and killed because of their faith. The good news is eternal life trumps all of our troubles and trials. One day the eternal day will break out and darkness and every evil will forever be no more. Live, and love, and learn, all day every day. Every life is a gift, use yours wisely.

Life is a unique gift not to be taken lightly.

Royce Ogle

Jun 1 2011

Sorry Peter, you don’t qualify to preach here.


The chairman of the pulpit search committee begins speaking to the other elders and members of the committee.

As you know brothers, we have been praying for a preacher for some months and we have had little success. We know that for our beloved East Jerusalem Church of Christ to prosper we need an able man to preach, do evangelism, visit the elderly, and teach the young people in the temple court twice weekly.

I have good news! God might have answered our prayer, in a big way! Although he is getting older, the beloved Apostle Peter has shown interest in the job. He is no longer able to travel extensively as he once did and thinks he might like working here with us. He should be here soon for an interview. I will begin the questioning and each of you may ask any question in turn after me. Let’s hope we have found our man.

In a few minutes Peter is ushered into the shaded area of the court where the interview will take place. Greetings are given back and forth, one of the elders leads in prayer asking for God’s blessing and for wisdom for all concerned.

The chairman makes some comments and asks the first question.

Of course we heard about your ministry a few years ago and rejoice in the way God has blessed you. I want to begin by asking this question.

Will you describe for us your theological training? And which brotherhood school did you graduate from?

Peter: I have no formal theological training. I only have the experience of working with Jesus and others for the building of the kingdom of God.

Elder 1: Oh? None?

Peter: None.

Elder 2: We want to make sure we remain a sound congregation so will you confirm or deny that you have spoken in tongues? I saw a copy of a manuscript by Luke the physician that said you did.

Peter: I did more than once.

Elder 2: Oh my! Are you Pentecostal?

Peter: Not being a trained theologian or churchman I’m not sure what that means. Let me only say when I was baptized in the Holy Ghost it just happened to God’s glory and the salvation of souls.

Elder 2: Uh…that’s it for me..

Elder 3: I don’t know how to ask this in a subtle way so I’ll just ask, Do you believe in faith healing?

Peter: Of course, don’t you?

Elder 3: I believe God answers prayer… but I’m…I’m not sure. I don’t have any other questions right now.

Elder 1: I have been told that you told the elders some years ago in defense of baptizing Gentiles that you received the Holy Spirit when you believed. I think you are reported to have said that twice. Is that right?

Peter: That’s exactly what I said. How could I not baptize in water those who had received the Holy Spirit just as I and the other disciples did when we believed? The leaders accepted my statement and me and rejoiced that God had granted repentance to the Gentiles.

Elder 1: That leads me to another question. Do you believe God chooses people to come to him, that He gives repentance?

Peter: I do with all my heart. I have written about it and distributed it to some churches.

Elder 1: We believe that the doctrine of election is a dangerous teaching, is that what you are talking about?

Peter: That is precisely what I am talking about.

Elder 1: Does anyone else have a question for brother Peter or are we about done?

Elder 4: I’m always concerned about our young people. If you were to come here to be our minister, what would you do for our youth? Please tell us 2 or 3 things.

Peter: I’ll tell them about the life and work and worth of Jesus. I’ll teach them to live holy lives. I’ll tell them to submit to authority. I’ll teach them to be prepared to suffer if they will follow Jesus. I’ll teach them to beware of false teachers. And I’ll teach them to be looking for the return of Christ and to keep themselves unspotted from the world. That’s about it.

Elder 1: Are there other questions? …Thank you brother Peter for coming and answering our questions. After a season of prayer and consultation we will make our decision. Oh, by the way, we can’t pay much for your sustenance, but there is a room you could sleep in.

Peter: God provides all I need and more. May you be learners about Jesus and be clothed in his righteousness without spot or blemish when He comes. Good day.

Peter is ushered out and the conversation ends with some final comments.

Elder 2: If I didn’t say I’m shocked I would be lying! I don’t see what is so special about him. No education, believes in Holy Ghost baptism and speaking in tongues, believes in faith healing, predestination, salvation by faith… He seems like a “holy roller” to me. And, what’s more, I don’t ever recall anyone talking about when he was baptized. And I refuse to accept anyone who believes a person can receive the Holy Spirit before they are baptized in water. The very idea…!

Elder 4: I agree! And, he has nothing to offer our youth. They don’t want to be preached to, that would drive them away from the faith.

Peter wouldn’t get the job would he? I wonder sometimes how many miles off the mark we are. Our idea (I include Royce) of what is right and good and necessary hardly resembles what is obvious in Scripture.

Not long ago I posted this, “Questions churches should as when hiring a preacher but don’t“. it continues to get lots of readers but few comments. One thing is sure, we can and should do better.

Royce

May 30 2011

Political Correctness and Men With Lacey Underwear


I have had my fill of “Political Correctness“! And, I am equally fed up with those who live every waking moment afraid they might offend someone. In my view there are lots of folks who need to be offended.

Today I read a tweet from a Dallas area preacher wondering if it is wrong for a church to display an American flag in church. After all it might offend someone. There might be a passivist in the crowd. Yes, Rev, and there could even be someone who hates America in the audience too. Well guess what, you have offended me!

Political correctness and the herd mentality have walked hand in hand into our everyday lives and into our houses of worship. Preachers avoid certain Bible topics because they are so afraid of offending someone. News Flash!! There are topics in the Bible designed to offend! Jesus promised that the good news about him would be offensive to many, if not most. Preacher, if you aren’t ever offending anyone you should be worried. I am not elevating the presence of the American flag to the level of importance of the gospel. I am saying that being paralyzed by the fear of offending someone is foolish.

In our politically correct culture and even in our churches we are largely following the “herd mentality“. Consensus is the rule and the result is that the herd (or congregation, or small group) never rises above the level of the smallest mind in the herd. What is desperately needed in our governments and in our churches is bold leadership. We need men and women who make judgments, take risks, and lead based on principles and not on the direction of the political wind.

Several members of my family have given their blood in defense of the country the American Flag represents. And it is true of almost every family in any church in the United States. Even the hint that it is wrong to have an American flag in a church building, especially on this day, is insulting.

Royce Ogle – A proud American

 

May 28 2011

Memorial Day, Don’t Waste It.


General William Tecumseh Sherman said “War is hell!” It is especially so for those who are doing the bleeding and dying.

My ancestors paid the ultimate sacrifice in the Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783), the Civil War 1861 – 1865), World War 1 (1914 – 1918), World War 11 (1939 – 1935) and the Korean Conflict (1950 – 1953). To my knowledge my family members escaped death in Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

I entered the first grade at Haw Creek Elementary School in Asheville, N. C. in the fall of 1951. I think it was in mid 1952 when the word came that my mother’s brother Warren Fox had been killed in the line of duty. And then just months before the war ended, and one day before he was to begin his journey home to Cleveland, S.C., the word came to my grand parents that my father’s brother, L.G. Ogle, had been shot in the head by a sniper as he walked guard duty on his last duty assignment.

War is hell for those who answer a knock on the front door and see two uniformed military men, nothing needs to be said at that point. The only question is “When?”. It is hell for young wives and small children who after the military funeral have a few pictures and a neatly folded American flag to replace a husband and daddy.

So, on this Memorial Day let us remember the fallen heroes and their loved ones who paid the most precious price for our liberty. My family is typical of most American families. Our ancestors reached the shores of America swept along with the dream of a better life, a life of liberty, a chance to make their own way, to worship their God as their hearts dictated, and to have peace and happiness. They fought to the bitter end to keep that liberty and to pass it to the next generation, and the next, and the next, and…every month young wives get the dreaded news, another loved one is gone.

There are some things worth dying for. There are some things so precious that families are willing to see their precious children get on a train and go off to war to defend them knowing well it might be a one way trip.

We must never forget those who paid for our liberty in blood and tears. On the beach at Normandy France, in the fields of Germany, in the waters of the worlds oceans, and the sands of the middle east, American blood blotted out tyranny and oppression and gave promise that our shared dreams will not become a night mare.

God bless our brave men and women from the lowest grunt to the Commander-in-Chief. Please God, bless America, and bless the memory of our fallen heroes.

Royce Ogle
Monroe, LA