October Update

Here it is the third week of October and I am not in Cannon Beach, OR. For the past 15 or so years I have been teaching Walk Thru the Bible at Ecola Bible School. Not so this year. I did not realize how hot it gets in So. Cal. this time of the year. I miss Ecola but I look forward to teaching at the Baja Bible School in Tijuana. They were going to start this fall but have postponed the opening of the school until next year. By the way, if you know of anyone who is interested in a one year Bible study program with excellent instructors, let me know and I’ll put in touch with Baja Bible School.

However, things haven’t slowed down without the Ecola schtik. I have been busy teaching a seminar for Walk Thru the Bible entitled, Raising Up a Child. This is a new parenting seminar from WTB and I am teaching it for the first time at Bonita Valley Baptist Church. On top of that, I was the mission speaker at Carlsbad Community Church, and the speaker for the Pinewood Derby races for AWANA at Bonita Valley Baptist Church. I have also been asked to fill the pulpit for the Santee Community Church before I leave for Mongolia.

I also had another interesting conversation this month. One of my long time friends and colleagues in ministry and I took a half day and talked about how to finish up ministry. He is still actively in the pastorate and all his kids almost out of the house and the next big step would be retirement. Just what that would look like is anybody’s guess. I certainly have found retirement an interesting adventure and the years ahead hold just as much thrill has any years I have experienced. I just don’t know where they will lead. None-the-less, we want to finish well and be an asset to the kingdom of Christ until He takes us home. You may hear more about this as time goes on. If you have a comment, I would like to hear it. Let’s all finish well!

Mongolia is coming together well. I have my ticket, my presentation is pretty well set, I have my flu shot, I have been collecting all the odds and ends, I have purchased gifts for my interpreter, Janiece has laid in plans for how she is going to spend her time, (She has even worked out an itinerary for the train that I would not have figured out), so, I guess everything is on schedule. I met a lady in Berean Christian Store yesterday who is also going on the trip from San Diego. That was an unexpected delight.

I am working on a sermon for Santee Christian Church and I feel drawn to Philippians 4:6 which says to be anxious for nothing. Anxiety seems to be the elephant in the room in a lot of people’s lives these days. With the Wall Street Rollercoaster scattering our emotions all over the landscape and the impending election raising all kinds of issues it is no wonder that people are anxious. I think this is a time to assess just what we believe about God. Does a $31,000 lost in our portfolio spell disaster, or is this a reminder that our real confidence is in God and His loving care. It chases me back to the scriptures (Matt. 6:33) that admonishes us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.

He knows, and He cares!

As difficult as things are in Southern California there are others who are struggling more than we are. Let’s not miss this opportunity to uphold our brothers and sisters who are facing insurmountable difficulties.

Oh, by the way, my baby boy turned 45 this week. Happy birthday Jon! He also, this month, pulled off a major involvement in the San Jose Aids Walk. He challenged four churches to recruit 600 walkers and raise $20,000 for the Aids Health Fund. He missed his goal. The four churches recruited 802 walkers and raised almost $30,000. The boy is doin’ good. Papa is proud. Not that I’m not proud of the other two, this was just Jon’s turn for the spotlight.

Suhkbaatar, here I come,


Sam Talbert

Be sure to check out my blog at smacktalbert.blogspot.com