A Twisted Crown of Thorns ®

We have heard of the antics of many urban pastors. Today we managed to get hold of a rural pastor. As a mystery Christian guest we put him to task to explain to us a couple of things in his stressed life. For the purpose of our interview as always, this Christian will remain anonymous.The sole purpose of these anonymised interviews is not to draw attention or publicity to the individual but rather to show the grace of God in glorifying Himself in ordinary lives.

ATCT [A Twisted Crown of Thorns ®] : Sorry you are masked from your audience today. What is a typical week in your life like?

CHRISTIAN: Busy, stress-filled and exciting all at the same time! As a preacher you never know whats going to happen next….especially in the life a rural community where everyone knows everybody.

ATCT: Did you have any Christian ; influence in your youth or childhood?

CHRISTIAN: No

ATCT: What is the gospel in one sentence?

CHRISTIAN: Jesus saves to the uttermost.

ATCT: If you woke up this morning and found your self transported back in time, which preacher in the last 500 years would you like to listen to? Why?

CHRISTIAN: Richard Baxter or Spurgeon

ATCT: How would you like to be remembered by your wife and closest family?

CHRISTIAN: That he was a man who passioate about the truth of God’s word and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

ATCT: How easy (do you think) is parenting?

CHRISTIAN: It’s far from easy! I have my good days and bad days…But by His grace I am able.

1. ATCT: Your teenage daughter comes weeping to you and tells you she is pregnant. She doesn’t know who the dad is. (Yup, it’s that bad). She feels she has let you down and feels disillusioned about her walk with God. She got a phone number from a friend who can arrange to “sort out” this inconvenient unplanned pregnancy. It’s all a big shock to you. What do you do?

A) ; ; ; Pretend you didn’t hear her and continue reading your news paper.

B) ; ; ; ;Tell her to dial the number REAL QUICK!

C) ; ; ; Let her know in no uncertain terms she has brought shame to you and your testimony. And she has therefore left you with no option but to disown her.

D) ; ; ; OTHER:

;CHRISTIAN: Other! We deal with it in a biblical manner and seek His wisdom and strength to get through this dark time with our child.

ATCT: What major theological shifts have happened in your life as a Christian?

CHRISTIAN: Ecclesiology, A greater understanding of the church and what we’re to be doing as a local body.

ATCT: We are sending you to a desert island. You can only take one book aside from the Bible. Which book would you take and why?

;CHRISTIAN: Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris….it was a powerful book about the importance to study God’s word!

What attribute of God do you struggle to understand?

None….God is AWESOME!

ATCT: What are the words of your favourite Hymn?

CHRISTIAN: Before the Throne……

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea
A great high Priest who’s name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me

My name is graven on His hand
My name is written on His heart
I know that while in heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart

When satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within
upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin

Because a sinless Savior died
my sinful soul is counted free
For God the just is satisfied
to look on Him and pardon me

Hallelujah
Praise the One Risen Son of God.

Behold Him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect spotless righteousness
The great unchangeable I AM
The King of Glory and of grace

One in Himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by His blood
My life is hid with Christ on high
With Christ my Savior and my God

Thank you mystery guest. May the God who has graven your name on his hand and heart sustain you till you appear before His throne. [More interviews here].

hristian: