AN INQUIRY INTO THE LOVE OF GOD

Have you ever wondered about the love of God? I hope you have. I was raised in a Christian home and we attended every church service. Even those long eight day revivals, we were there. I was taught the Bible, and told over and over that God loved me and the world. Of course John 3:16-17 was the verse of choice to solidify this teaching. From an early childhood I was ingrained with the Christian worldview. For this, I am thankful. My parents instilled in me Godly principles that will stay with me for life and hopefully will be seen in my kids also. But recently I started to ask questions about the nature of God, his love, grace, compassion and justice. Is it wrong to ask questions? A cursory perusal of Jesus’ life reveals that he constantly questioned the questioner. So, is it wrong to question? When questioning something we must, to the best of our ability, maintain objective standards. Be open-minded. Be willing to allow the evidence to lead you. Don’t allow pre-determined beliefs to sway you. Let the evidence lead you to truth. Is it even logical to think such ambiguous thoughts? I mean, can we really understand and comprehend the love of Divinity? We know about the love a parent has for their children, but does this even touch the love of God? Is God’s love influenced by our actions? Is he surprised when we miss the mark? Is he surprised when we are good? These are weighty questions that we shouldn’t be afraid to ask. Remember our God is ALL in ALL. We are simply attempting to understand. I hope I have you thinking. Stay tuned for more discussion on this important subject.

Shalom,

O.B. Richardson III

NOW

This just hit me and I thought I would share. Let me know what you think. Thanks

THE POWER OF NOW

IS TO PURSUE
LIFE, LOVE AND DREAMS,

IS TO GIVE
LIFE, LOVE AND DREAMS

IS TO ACCEPT
LIFE, LOVE AND DREAMS

LIVE, LOVE AND DREAM!!

Shalom,

O.B. RICHARDSON III

TRIP TO THE FAIR

On Tuesday night, our family went to the fair, courtesy of mom and dad. My sister and her family went also. We arrived at the fair grounds at 4:30 pm and left around 9:30 pm. By the end of the night I realized that I wasn’t a young whipper snapper anymore. My feet were aching and the lower part of my back was hurting. I’m sure riding all the rides didn’t have anything to do with it, right? We had a great time eating fried Oreos and funnel cakes. There is nothing like spending quality time with your family. One of the highlights of our trip was me riding the rides with my boys. Oliver and I rode the MEGA DROP. I’m not sure how high you go, but I could see the parking lot that was far off. I asked Oliver if he was ready for the drop and he said, “NO!” I said, “oh well, here we go.” We got to the top and there was a pause and then it happened. We dropped!! It happened so fast, so fast that my butt came off the seat. WOW, what a ride. We got off the ride and Oliver said, “Man that was fast” and we both laughed our way to the next ride. Caleb and I rode a ride (can’t remember the name of it) that goes really high and spends around really fast. He liked it until it went super high and fast then he had this “oh my goodness!” look on his face. Afterwards he said, “Man, let’s do that again.” It’s times like these that put a smile on my face. It’s times like these that I forget about life’s troubles. Family means the world to me. Never take for granted the blessings of a family. Family has a way to cloud your frustrations and bring sunlight to your day. WE HAD A BLAST AT THE FAIR!!!

Shalom,

O.B.

Ruminations

It has almost been a year since I worked fulltime with a church. Since I was let go back in December I’ve worked various jobs trying to make ends meet. I got my health and life insurance license and have worked with several companies, but it’s really not what I want to be doing. It’s a feast/famine kind of job. One week you are a hero while the next week you are a zero. 100% commission jobs are tough for the first couple of years and then you can really start making good money, but I don’t have that long to wait. I have a wife (a very beautiful and kind woman), two boys, a dog and a cat. Needless to say, I have a lot of mouths to feed.  My heart is in teaching and investing in others, but it’s hard to find a job that allows me to do such. I guess I could go back into ministry, but I’m not sure I can handle all the politics that are involved. I hope that doesn’t come across negative? If so, I apologize. I’m just saying that from my experience there are a lot of peripheral issues that the leaders focus on that shouldn’t be matters of concern. So, here I am. I’m searching for a job trying to stay positive. People keep telling me that God has a plan. That he is going to work everything out. I know that to be the case, but God, could you hurry up. Through all of this I have enjoy freedom. What do I mean? I’ve been able think about certain issues/beliefs/teaching that I couldn’t while in fulltime ministry for fear that I might lose my job. I’ve read books and engage in conversations that have really expanded my thinking. For this I am grateful. One thing that I’ve learned through all of this is that life is learning. Experience certainly has a way of shifting/changing what you think about. Maybe that is the reason why suffering or pain invades our life? Hmmm?? Could it be that without such we would never expand our perceptions? I don’t know, but it is something to think about. Anyway, I got to be going, it’s time to look for a job. Thanks for reading.

Shalom,

O.B.

Conversations after Coffee

After several cups of coffee that helped remedy my headache, I got up out of my chair and went to my first love (outside of God, and family), the computer. I jogged around the blogtalkradio network looking for a show that might interest me. I found one. They were discussing the existence of God. I missed the first hour 1 ½ hours, but went ahead and called in. The hosts were very cordial. I thanked her for taking my call and proceed to ask my question. I asked: where did the concept of God originate? Setting aside whether one believes in God or negates Him, where did the idea come from? My question seemed to stun the host. I didn’t ask this question to be contentious. It was an honest inquiry. After some silence, the host began her explication on the topic. She basically approached it from emotions. In other words, she postulated that we, due to our supposed need for something greater than reality, created this being whom we call God. After listening, I responded. I expressed to her that emotions cannot create anything. It can only recreate or restructure that which already exists and is perceived through the lenses of our emotions. I then proceeded to explain that the way in which she could refute me was to create a sixth sense. Of which, she conceded, I cannot. We weren’t able to get real deep with the subject because of the time. Needless to say, I affirmed the biblical notion of God. The inspired writer points out that God has placed eternity within all of our hearts. Just thought I would share. Have a great night!

AdvoCare

Do you like what you do? Are you fully compensated for the amount of work you do? These questions touch a nerve with most of us, right? We are over-worked and under-paid. We work for corporations giving them A+ effort and the CEO’s make all the money. We’re tired. Tired of giving all of our time and energy and not be rewarded for our work. We work long hours. We don’t get to spend quality time with our family. Is there a remedy to all this chaos? Before answering these questions, let’s look at some shocking stats: 85% of all Americans hate what they do. Over 60% of working Americans drop a child off at daycare every day. The average household debt in America is $128,000. What are your thoughts? Is there a remedy to all the chaos? If we can change our attitude about work, will our attitude at home change? Life is too short to hate what you do. Let me share with you my story. I was four days from moving to Toledo, Ohio. I accepted a church that had a membership of 275. Four days prior to the moving truck being at my house, I called the health insurance agent to make sure I was insured. I assumed that we were accepted because I hadn’t heard anything. To my utter amazement, we were denied. Why? The insurance company informed me that my son, who has a minor heart defect, was the reason. WHAT! I thought health insurance companies couldn’t reject anyone under the age of 19. Yeah, right! There are always loop holes. And we had found one. Now, eventually, we were able to find some insurance, but now fear has enveloped us. All the “what ifs” starting hounding us. What if we move to Toledo and then we eventually decide to move to another state, will we be able to get insurance? There was an overload of emotions and scenarios. We made the hardest decision in our life. We chose to walk away from a GRAND opportunity. I was taught that family must come first. Even when luxury is staring you in the face, if it doesn’t benefit your family, family MUST be priority! So, from the palace to the pit we went. We felt good about our decision because our family was going to maintain our insurance, but what am I going to do now? I’m now unemployed. I searched and searched and searched. All I really know is preaching. I’ve done it for 15 years. And then a friend of mine introduced me to AdvoCare, a nutritional company. I thought to myself, this isn’t going to work. I’ve been in several network marketing companies and made a few pennies, but nothing of any significance. I didn’t want to waste my time with another marketing company. At this season in my life I couldn’t handle failure. I was already in a bad mood. I talked with several people in the company who had become very successful. I perused the “Impact” magazine which recounts the core values of the company and introduces you to people who are successful within the company. With much hesitation, I joined. And after 2 months of being in AdvoCare I can say that I’m so glad I decided to move forward. AdvoCare has renewed me and empowered me and I want others to experience this. If you would like more information about AdvoCare please contact me:

Email: obrichardson@gmail.com
Cell: (251) 895-8092
AdvoCare Website: www.advocare.com/11036282

Sincerely,
O.B. Richardson III

New Beginnings: Fatalistic or Bright Future

I’ve always been told that life is full of changes. And this is SOOO true. I’m sitting here at my desk in good ole Alabama. I’m suppose to be in Oregon, Ohio preaching for a great congregation of about 275. The parsonage has been totally remodeled for us. They’re ready and we were ready. Excitement doesn’t fully express the joy we were feeling about this new adventure. This was a God-opened door. It was going to work out. We were ready to preach JESUS! Evangelize the city! Bring hope to the hopeless! Rescue the alien! WE WERE READY!!! Of course, when you move out of state there must be a change in health insurance (I will refrain from expressing my beliefs on the health care crisis). We applied and to our utter shock we were denied. First of all there are no major health concerns with my family. One of my boys has a very minor heart defect which doesn’t effect him at all. The doctor has given him full range of sports, etc. Everyone has minor health issues, right? But nothing that should cause a caution flag to be waved. After exhausting every option as parents we felt our medical coverage is a MUST for our family, thus, we decided not to move. A total unexpected change of plans. Now, a reversal of emotions. I’m MAD! Hurt! Tick off with health care. My heart breaks for the congregation in Oregon. Would they understand? All this happened five days before the moving truck was suppose to be at my house. Well, I informed the congregation about our fears and I think some were upset and I understand, but as a parent what am I to do? I got to take care of my family. So, I’m sitting in Alabama wondering why all of the changes. I can’t move out of state because of health insurance. My heart is in preaching and teaching the Word of God, but I cannot find a church in Alabama. I have NO job. I’m contemplating working (if they will hire me) with Aflac Insurance, but not sure if that will work or not? So, I go back to my first line; life is full of changes. Some changes are for the good and others are not. As Christians we don’t know what tomorrow holds, but we do know who holds it. I know this in my mind, but it’s hard to grasp with my emotions. What’s going to happen? I don’t know. I’m in the process of moving back to Mobile and we will see. Through all of this I’ve learn some important lessons. God must be our priority, family is essential and friends are a blessing. This doesn’t wipe away all the tears, but it does get you out of bed. Be thankful for what you have because you don’t know when it may change.

My 11 year old’s first sermon

This is my 11 year old’s first sermon. He wrote it himself and did a masterful job. I’m so proud of my boys. I hope you enjoy.

WWJD?
Romans 12:10
There was two boys that waited an equal amount of time to ride a roller coaster. When it was time for them to get on the ride there was only a spot for one person. How should they decide who rides first?
Your parents ask you to clean your room, but you want to watch t.v. instead. What should you do?
Two boys arrive at the snack machine at the same time. What should they do?
Choosing to put others first isn’t easy. If you don’t know what to do ask yourself: WWJD or What Would Jesus Do? Jesus wouldn’t go ahead of the boy on the roller coaster. Letting others be first in line and putting others ahead of yourself pleases God. Thinking of somebody else’s needs and not your own is another way to make God happy.
When your not putting others first, you’re being selfish. Jesus would never hurt somebody’s feelings in order to be first.
Always remember JOY. Which means Jesus, Others, Yourself.

This is my 9 year old’s first sermon.

This is my 9 year old son’s first sermon. He wrote it on his ipad the other night and sent it to me. I haven’t made any corrections. I’m very impressed. He did a remarkable job.

Sometimes we love to go play basketball,but we don’t like to come to church,we love to go play video games,but we never like to go to church.We need to be happy about Church.Sometimes we think church is not fun.I am going to give some points.The first thing is that you need to learn about God.The 2nd thing is that church is fun.And this is the last thing is that you need to love God.And god will help you for the rest of your life.In John3:16 For God so love the world he gave his only begotten son and whoever believes in him shall have eternal life.

Evangelism

We have a responsibility to lead men and women to Christ. This can only be done through the proclamation of the good news that Christ Jesus came into this world to save us in our helpless, doomed, and hopeless condition. We must preach Jesus. Jesus said: I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). We must remind ourselves that evangelism is one that applies to all. It is a cardinal teaching of the Scriptures that we are saved through Jesus, not only that we might be safe, but that we might become involved in the salvation of others.