File

File

Minister’s Message: Training in righteousness

Stay prepared for the unfortunate things life can send our direction

  • Rev. Stephen Brown For the Peninsula Clarion
  • Thursday, August 27, 2020 11:23pm
  • LifeReligion

I was cleaning stuff out in my garage the other day and ran across something I had totally forgotten about. It was my “bug-out bag.” In case you have not heard of a bug-out bag, it is simply a bag that contains some food, water, possibly a flashlight, toothbrush or whatever you might want in the scenario if you only had time to grab one thing if your house was on fire. The contents of the bag would contain things you would not want to be without while you were searching for an alternate place to live.

I remember when I assembled that bag, a lot of thought went into it and I put it in a place that would be easy to grab “on the way out the door” should the dreaded house fire become a reality. And then, life goes on. You know, I really intended to practice or train with it once in awhile, grabbing the bag and staying familiar with the contents. It didn’t happen. The fire never came and I got complacent. Dust covered the bag, things got piled on top of the bag. I forgot about the bag. When I recently discovered it, I didn’t have any idea what I put inside.

I am a little sobered that I allowed that to happen. I never did any “training” with the bag and as a result would have lost the resource that may have helped in the event for which it was prepared.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Unfortunately, my experience with my bug-out bag is very similar to the way we treat our Bibles, or our church attendance. We have the best of intentions to stay current and we know that reading our Bibles or attending church is good for us. The Bible can give us comfort, guidance and wisdom. Attending church can give us a network of caring and helpful people. Then, COVID happens or we get “busy” or a hundred other things and soon the Bible gets covered with dust, things get piled on top of our time to attend church and soon we forget what is in that dusty Bible or why we went to church in the first place.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 reminds us of the importance of staying trained in the use of the Bible:

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

That regular use of the Bible and attending church makes us ready for the pitfalls of life. When the divorce looms, the son or daughter runs away, a job is lost, or the house burns, where do we turn for comfort, help and support? Before we totally forget what is in that dusty Bible or lose our connection to our church family, it would be a good idea to do a little, “training in righteousness” to stay prepared for the unfortunate things life can send our direction.

Meanwhile, does anyone have any suggestions for updating my bug-out bag?

Rev. Stephen Brown has pastored Kenai New Life Assembly of God for the past 32 years.


• Rev. Stephen Brown, for the Peninsula Clarion


More in Life

After Red Cleaver, in 1959, helped Poopdeck Platt add 30 inches to the stern of his fishing vessel, the Bernice M, Platt took his boat out onto the waters of Kachemak Bay. (Photo courtesy of Ken Moore)
Poopdeck: Nearly a century of adventure — Part 5

Clarence Hiram “Poopdeck” Platt had already experienced two bad years in a row, when misfortune struck again in 1967.

This decadent, creamy tiramisu is composed of layers of coffee-soaked homemade lady fingers and mascarpone cheese with a cocoa powder topping. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
A fancy dessert for an extra-special birthday

This dessert is not what I usually make for his birthday, but I wanted to make him something a little fancier for 35

File
Minster’s Message: Will all things really work for your good?

Most of us have experienced having a door of opportunity or a door of happiness closed.

Larry Opperman, host of “Growing a Greener Kenai” radio show on local public radio station KDLL 91.9 FM, shows off a carrot. (Photo provided)
Local gardener shares love of growing on radio show

“Growing a Greener Kenai” runs the first and third Saturday of each month, starting April 5.

Attendees admire “Neon Poppies” by Chelline Larsen during the opening reception for “Infusion” at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Finding fusion

Kenai Art Center juried show challenges artists to incorporate different elements into works.

Artwork by Daisy Jeffords and Morgan Chamberlain is displayed as part of “Secret Garden” during an opening reception at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Bringing life into something forgotten’

Kenai Art Center’s rear gallery show steps in ‘Secret Garden’

This chili uses ground turkey, light and dark red kidney beans, and plenty of cumin and ground chili. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Hearty chili to lighten the heart

This chili uses ground turkey, light and dark red kidney beans, and plenty of cumin and ground chili.

As his wife Bernice looks on, 43-year-old Clarence Hiram “Poopdeck” Platt poses atop a road sign welcoming him to Alaska. This 1947 photograph from the Huebsch Family Collection memorializes Platt’s first trip to Alaska, which became his home for the next 53 years.
Poopdeck: Nearly a century of adventure — Part 4

In 1947, their correspondence led to wedding bells, and the magazine subscription led them to make a new home in the Territory of Alaska.

File
Minister’s Message: With spring approaching, a reminder to shed earthly weights

The Bible tells us to lay aside the weights that may restrict us from doing what the Lord Jesus will have us do.

Most Read