Richard Burson: a life of guidance (PART 1)

     At a time when only 50% of the students exiting Bible colleges honestly believe in the supernatural characteristics of an Almighty God, it is refreshing to speak with a pastor like Richard Burson, who believes in divine intervention and guidance from an omnipotent and loving Creator.

     Pastor Burson has been the spiritual leader at the First Baptist Church in Madras, Oregon, for the past 8 1/2 years. However, today was his last sermon at FBC. He and his wife, Josie, are heading to Estacada, where he will take over senior pastoral duties at Clackamas Valley Baptist Church.

     Burson views these transition periods as a continuation of God's ongoing guidance in the lives of His children. In fact, his life could be summed up in the periods when he needed to be guided (or led) to the Lord, receiving a more in-depth guidance during his Chrsitian walk, and then taking what he learned to guide others through the ministry in which God has placed him.

     While growing up, and as the third child out of eight (along with two step-sisters), it was easy for Burson to lose sight of his true identity. He admits to struggling as an introvert for most of his life, especially during the early years.

     His family was poor. For the first ten years of his life they resided in a canyon seven-miles up a back country road near the town of Dillard, Oregon.

     "We were pretty self-sufficient," said Burson. A pioneer style existence: they grew their own vegetables, and the main course would often be rabbit, gray squirrel, or venison. In fact, it wasn't until he was ten years old, and the family moved to Roseburg, that they got electricity.

     Spiritually speaking, up until that point, they only attended church on the important days, like Easter or Christmas.

     The close proximity to civilization increased attendance a little, including events like Vacation Bible School. However, it was also at ten years of age that Burson first recalls standing out on the street corner and having serious thoughts that he "needed to be in church." And yet, without the proper mentoring or encouragement, little was done about it.

     Three years would pass before Burson pinpoints another instance of spiritual guidance. He was exiting junior high, and across the street was a church, and he both felt and heard confirmation that he would attend that church: and he eventually did. And he continued there for quite some time.

     Two years later, while attending a Christian concert at an Assembly of God church --- the same church his brother would be married at in a couple years --- he discerned the Holy Spirit telling him that he would someday preach at that pulpit. It would take 45 years, but that prophetic word came to pass when he preached there at his brother-in-law's funeral.

     Unfortunately, during those early years of church attendance, he wasn't truly a Christian, since he had no personal relationship with God. And Burson admits that during that time he definitely had no plans on becoming a pastor. In fact, when he met Josie, his future wife, she was the professing Christian, not him.

     They got married fairly quick, in July of 1966: the same year they met. However, he soon received his draft notice, and entered the Army in September of that year: though Josie was able to accompany him when he was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

     They rented a place above a garage, and Burson attributes their destination to part of that ongoing divine guidance. If living with a Christian wife wasn't influence enough, both the tenant's in front and behind them were sons of preachers. Therefore, between the three, they were more than enough influence to get him back into church.

     They were attending a little Baptist church at the time he recieved his orders to go to Vietnam. And one day, while the preacher was giving the invitation following his sermon, he said, "If you die today, do you know for sure that you'll go to heaven?"

     "I realized if I went to Vietnam and got killed," said Burson, "I'd go to hell." So he lifted his hand and went forward. After many years of sporadic church attendance he finally accepted the Lord.

     Unfortunately, upon returning from his tour of duty and discharging from the Army, they returned to Roseburg where Burson went to work at the mills, and he likewise returned to his old sinful ways.

     Since he worked hard he felt he was entitled to play hard as well, which included barhopping.

     "Josie always had a Christian heart, and loved the Lord," Burson said. "I was leading her away from that."

     However, she wasn't led too far before deciding it was time for her and the kids to get back to church.

     She had extended the invitation to him, but he chose to "go to the bars, drink, and play pool."

     That's when God decided it was time to increase the volume, and instead of the easily dismissed still small voice, the urging within him became so continuous that he put down the pool cue, left the tops on the bottles, and sat himself down with his family in church.

     This time the Lord provided some wonderful friendships, additional discipling, and eventually a new pastor, named Doyle Collins, who emphasized ministering and ministry.

     Burson wasn't sure how to respond to the unction of the Spirit at that point. He had already tried to become a deacon in the church, a position he really wanted, but lost the nomination by one vote.

     He wrestled with the decision of going into ministry for over a year and a half after receiving the calling. That is, until one day while laying on his bed, he asked for God's guidance on beginning the ministry. This time he heard a clear voice tell him, "You'd be a fool if you didn't."

     Those words, along with an identical confirmation, was all he needed. Burson, and his family, headed to Texas where he and Josie attended a Bible College.

     As you can see, the road to becoming a pastor is not always clear and easy. It required a lot of inner struggle and external guidance for Pastor Burson to reach this point. Stay tuned for part 2 of the interview, and see that there are often as many obstacles to overcome after becoming a pastor as there were prior to entering the ministry. However, there were many more blessings after he made the choice to follow God's will for his life.

A different holiday consideration

     Yesterday, St. Patrick's Day, was not a day for wearing the green in Boynton Beach, Florida. Black arm bands would have been more appropriate for an evening prayer vigil to honor two young street preachers who were gunned down January 30th while evangelizing.

     Tite Sufra, 24, and Stephen Ocean, 23, had witnessed to Jeriah Woody, 18, for fifteen minutes before the latter received a phone call and departed. However, Woody returned, and when Sufra went to greet him, he was hit point-blank with a shotgun blast. And when Ocean attempted to flee he was shot in the back, and then finished off execution style with a shot to the head.

     "The increasing demonization of Christians in our culture makes some feel its open season on Christians," said Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, according to the Worthy News North American Service.

     Cass further pointed out that not one national news organization reported the incident. And he additionally suggested that if it had been two Muslims, two feminists, or two homosexuals, the media would be all over it.

     Unfortunately, he is right.

     What happened to Sufra and Ocean is a tragedy, and we need to pray for their families and congregations. However, praying is not enough.

     Too many Christians have become complacent. And when complacency becomes status quo we see a continuing loss throughout the Christian community: a loss in faith, a loss in political standing, a loss in education, parenting, and every other area of concern.

     Everyone who claims to be a Christian and refuses to get involved in Christian issues shares responsibility for the negative consequences.

     Think about that the next time you ask God to answer your prayers.

     Instead of living the secular version of "what have you done for me lately?" try asking yourself "what have I done for God lately?"

(Some information and quotes for this article were acquired from Worthy News.com)

God is still on campus

     Some of the best lessons learned on campus have nothing to do with school.

     As some of my readers know, when the economy nearly hit rock bottom I lost both my job and approximately 92% of my entire life savings, so I opted to return to college three decades after last stepping foot on campus.

     For those of you that have not been on a college campus recently let me just say, as a 50+ year old widower with a conservative background and Christian beliefs, I was not welcomed with opened arms.

     Ironically, one of my character traits --- though some may call it a flaw --- is that I rarely, if ever, allow the negative opinions of others to persuade me to forego a chosen path. In fact, such response predominantly inspires me to dust off the proverbial gloves and I step into the ring for some symbolic faith-wielding fisticuffs.

     I quickly realized that approximately 99% of both instructors and curriculum are solidly grounded in a liberal - humanistic foundation, which hinted at the truth that my class time would not be boring.

Christian students can still choose their topics.

     Presently, I am about to finish my fourth semester since returning to the world of education. Each semester has begun, proceeded, and finished in a similar fashion. The semester begins with me being treated like an outsider; then proceeds with me working hard, standing my ground, and being true to my beliefs; and finishing with me near, or at the top, of each class.

     I have found that putting forth the effort and remaining true to oneself wins over far more people than outward conflict. And it is a better testimony for God as well.

     How do I know it is a better testimony? Because the Lord has allowed my educational efforts to sway at least eight classmates, that I know of, to forego their atheistic or agnostic beliefs for a belief in God.

     How is this possible in the modern-day classroom environment where God is no longer allowed in the humanistic curriculum? Because students are still allowed to choose their topics in many of the classes. Therefore, when my young classmates select from the abundance of liberal fare, such as pro-abortion and gay marriage, I select faith-based topics like intelligent design versus evolution or the truth about miracles.

     Through the unction of the Holy Spirit the Lord has blessed these choices and the effort I put into them. Even when I felt I was not fulfilling the expectation I imagined for the topic, the Holy Spirit still used my efforts to touch one or more classmates.

     As Christians, all we have to do is seek God's will for our lives and put forth an honest effort: the rest is up to Him.

Don Courtney: A Man of Integrity... coping with crisis

     What do you do when you are fresh out of college, struggling to make a marriage grow, just acquired a mortgage, and your first child comes two months premature?

     It is an emotional and financial crisis that "brings you to your knees," says Don Courtney of Madras, Oregon.

     A crisis he admits to being ill-equipped to handle at the time; for although Don and his wife, Ellen, called upon God, stuck it out, and made it through, the situation took its toll.

     Many churches, and many Christians individually, fail to follow through in the area of supporting the brethren, Courtney claims. They will make the initial contact to offer their best wishes and support, but usually the offer mysteriously vanishes after they leave.

     When looking back on it today, Courtney realizes that lack of support, and no follow-up discipling, was instrumental in his choice to seek answers elsewhere. And when the answers were not found the closeness he felt with God became overshadowed by the endless grind of trying to dig out from under of the huge medical bills, pay the mortgage, take care of his family, and establish himself in management at the Kahneeta Resort in Warm Springs.

     Courtney admitted he became a workaholic, and when that did not satisfy his inner need he ran into a problem with alcohol.

     Sadly, the stress and the toll it took, became too much to bear, and Courtney and his wife separated. Thus, he found himself on his knees again.

     What is it about human nature, Courtney wonders, that causes many of us to push it to the edge, until we cannot push any farther?

     "It's as if we are trying to keep control of part of our lives," says Courtney, "turning only a percentage over to God." But he has learned that God will not accept partial relationships: it's all or nothing.

     Courtney realized he needed to "surrender all to God." And when he finally chose to surrender a transformation took place that continues to this day.

     True repentance is always reflected in change, and Courtney's life shows that change.

     He and Ellen remarried, and they now have five kids: Brad, John, Ellen Renee, Dawnlynn, and Christian Cash.

     Subsequently, he has been sober over twenty years. He left the resort after 14 years, and entered law enforcement. And after donning the uniform he worked hard, climbed the ranks, received extensive training   --- including graduating from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia --- and eventually became the Police Chief for Warm Springs: twice.

     Courtney remained in law enforcement until a situation arose, where continuing under a new administration would require him to compromise his ethics and intergrity.

     He viewed it as a test, and God blessed him when he made the right choice to leave.

     However, the blessing was not instantaneous. It required faith, patience, and obedience on Courtney's part.

     He accepted employment with the school system, teaching a new program called "Inspire:" dealing with kids who have social and behavior issues. And then a year later a management position with the Health and Wellness Center at Warm Springs was unexpectedly offered. Yet Courtney prayed for several months before accepting the position. --- Since he had never sought the job, he wanted to make sure it was God's will. --- And in less than two years he has risen from the third ranked managerial position to the top slot: Public Utilities Manager, overseeing the entire Warm Springs Reservation.

     When Courtney surrendered all to God, he never looked back. And as he rose in the secular arena, meeting challenge after challenge, he equally found himself getting more involved with church and outreach programs.

     In 1995, Courtney and his family, started attending the First Baptist Church of Madras. And although his life in the secular arena continually brought him into contact with individuals in crisis who needed to be witnessed to, uplifted, and supported, he said the constant turnover at the church kept him in the pews.

     After seven years another new leader, Pastor Richard Burson, asked Courtney to become the Recreational Director. A position which led to a church council seat. This was followed by taking over as Music Director, along with revamping the Sunday School classes. And, eventually, leading to a ministerial position, and receiving his Ministerial License on March 16th, 2008.

     Courtney confirms that through each experience God clearly had His hand on his shoulders. And today, he is more equipped to handle each crisis which arises at home, work, or to complete strangers who need wisdom, strength, or the compassionate heart of someone to show they care. Like the "Good News Club" in Warm Springs, where young males are spiritually mentored. Up to 30 boys a week, 26 weeks a year, the youths get to escape the confines of their homes to learn Bible verses, and enjoy fellowship and activities in a positive atmosphere. And Courtney joyfully proclaims that several of the youngsters accepted Christ last year.

     When asked how he now deals with crisis, or what spiritual advice he would give to others facing trials, he relayed a 5-step outline which he claims to personally practice.

     First, keep your focus on God. As Courtney says, "continue believing with all your heart, all your mind, and all your soul that He is in control." And he emphasizes that God is still in the "miracle working and healing" business.

     The second step is prayer. "I can't emphasize enough the power of prayer," Courtney claims. "Give all your cares, troubles, and requests to God in prayer."

     Third step, get into God's word. "As Christians," he continues, "we know we're suppose to read the bible, but we often allow daily needs to get in the way." Yet consulting God's word often, especially during times of crisis and testing, always increases our chances for victory: spiritually and otherwise.

     Step four, fellowship with other believers. Primarily with mature Christians who understand their role is not only to "encourage you" and "support you," but they should do their best to "assist you in whatever crisis situation you're going through," Courtney adds.

     Far too often we believers let each other down.

     Courtney recalled a situation which happened recently to him and his family. The tragic  loss of his daughter's newborn was understandably difficult. And when Courtney reached out to a fellow believer, asking that individual to please spread the word, so that he could focus on his family, the individual never followed through.

     Therefore, the emotional support, which is so vital during such devastating times of loss, was not there.

     Eventually, as the sad news circulated through other means, the outpouring of support did come. But it should be there immediately, if Christians do their part.

     One final point, Courtney shows by example: he has already forgiven the individual who let his family down.

     As a man of integrity he knows he needs to balance compassion along with the other positive traits, such as truth, honesty, courage, and responsibility.

     The fifth and final step, share the Gospel. And sharing the Gospel includes sharing your testimony: heartaches, experiences, good times, bad times, and as Courtney says, "what God has done in your life."

     The person in crisis, or facing a trial, needs to do this from a different perspective. They often need to vent, to give voice to the problem and how they feel. Let them. And let them know you have ears to listen, arms to hug, and a shoulder to cry on if needed.

     It's not always easy or pleasant to comfort and support brethren in crisis. However, they need to know someone is there for them.

     Courtney encourages everyone he counsels that, "God is never going to place anything on our shoulders that we are not able to handle."

     We can all overcome crisis with God's help, and the help of each other.