In the Image of God

“In the Image of God” is a series of articles that were previously published online at Religion Article Library website in the early 2000’s. Then were gathered together into one volume titled “In the Image of God”. You will find in the beginning much like Genesis in the Bible, the first chapter titled “Living a Lie” a short bio of my emerging Christian life, and how my walk in Christ was motivated by the lies I was believing about myself. The companion articles are sermons, studies and discussions that have centered around my observations as a laymen, and brief time as a pastor. They are presented here in no particular chronological order as they were written. Though some may be related to events and times in my life. All Scripture is NLT, or otherwise noted as KJV. Each article was written at varies times in the last 30 years or so, though not the total sum of them in this book. That will be another volume at another time. I have been a Baptist as a teen, then Pentecostal as a young man, and in my later years as I would call it Penta Baptist and a few denominations in between.
In the middle 70’s when the Supreme Court ruled that any church and persons could become a pastor, or Reverend without the formalities of a Structured education (Bible College) degree, I became ordained by the Universal Life Church as a Reverend under the rights afforded the church or any church to ordain a person. Today many go this route to be able to perform legal marriages through the Universal Life Church. By the Supreme Court ruling I consider myself a pastor in spirit and believe that when given biblical history of the Church. There were no Christian Bible colleges, 2000 years ago. That ordination is by God. Though out of respect for such colleges and universities I do not advertise or present myself as a Reverend or pastor unless I am and have been asked to lead as such. In my early 80’s I was part of a small farm house group of families, where I was their nominal pastor, while we also attended other churches together, when unable to travel I lead the group in services and gave sermons while that group remained together as briefly as it was. Not until my later years, was I apart of a nationally established legitimate church, Southern Baptist Convention, where I was undergoing the process of being licensed as a pastor. I have been a Sunday School Director, a Church Clerk, Food Minister (food pantry) and Home missionary work with the homeless, administrating a church shelter program and onsite meal program.
I have been involved with starter churches, young churches, and well-established churches. And as you learn in “In the Image of God”, the many reasons why so many churches, or denominations. Many starter churches, failed to grow, others where not finding the right fit for me. Then there was the turbulent years in my adult life that had me tossed back and forth on the tides. The highs and lows of my spiritual life. Now nearing 70, I find myself somewhat at a standstill when you consider Covid 19 restrictions and being able to attend church, not to mention health issues that has slowed me down. “In the Image of God” you will be taken through the reading of scripture, personal observations, and I pray, for those seeking God, a better understanding of the journey we all must take to reach a maturity in Christ. For those who are at that maturity, I pray that you find in these chapters some solace, renewed hope, and opportunity to grow some more.