About Jack Exum Jr

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One Man Stood!

Posted on April 21, 2014 by Jack Exum Jr

   He was nicknamed the “Tank Man”, and he stood alone in Tiananmen Square during a protest June 5, 1989. The suppression of the Chinese government had reached a peak. With a column of tanks coming, the “Tank Man” (assumed to be Wang Weilin), stood and blocked the tanks from moving forward.
   All through history there have individuals, who took no concern for themselves, but made a stand whether it be against injustice or slavery, or against a harsh suppressive government.
   (Junior) Senator Ted Cruz made a stand for something he believed was (and is) very important. Martin Luther king Jr… made a stand for what he believed was (and is) important! Both made a difference.
   Not everyone makes a stand like this, but all have the potential for doing so.
Jesus came onto the scene, and made a stand against hypocritical traditionalism of his day. This was not his mission though. Why did He come? He came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Not everyone saw themselves as “lost”. Many saw Jesus as totally wrong. They crucified him for it.
   In Luke 19 Jesus was passing through the area of Jerico. There was a short guy named Zacchaeus there who was evidently a good tree climber. He was filthy rich, and was hated (not by the government though). He just wanted to see Jesus. I doubt he ever expected what was going to happen, but to him, it would have been enough just to see Him.
   For some reason Jesus stops at that very spot where Zacchaeus had climbed the tree and looks up and calls out to him. “… Come down immediately, I must stay at your house today.” Is Jesus trying to hob-nob with the influential tax collector? Is He forgetting, that people will judge Him, and hate Him if he does this? You recall, “All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone home to be the guest of a sinner!” Isn’t it odd, that people who live in glass houses are often the first to throw stones?
   Zacchaeus is overjoyed! He cannot believe what is happening. He probably fell half way down the tree trying to get down! What a thrill! “Jesus is coming to MY HOUSE!” The over-joyed “sinner” tells the Master “Here and now I give half my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” Is this what Jesus wanted? Did Jesus say, “Now if you don’t pay back and make everything right you can’t be my follower?” Is this what is needed to be saved? Of course not… it was a sign to Jesus that this man wanted to change. There is no way a person can ‘balance the books’ with Jesus.
   His concern is about the heart. Zacchaeus was a searcher. He got more than he hoped for from climbing that tree. “Salvation has come to this home” Jesus said.
   Today, we don’t have to ‘climb a tree’ to find Jesus… just open The Book. There you will find the story of one who MADE A STAND… NOT AGAINST A TANK, OR A HOUSE FULL OF POLITICIANS BUT AGAINST SATAN, AND WON!
   If you want to study about Jesus? Give me a call or send me an email!

The Cup

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 2 of 4 in the series Lord's Supper

We recently went on a trip to New York City, and like any other tourist, we visited as many sites as we could and walked what seemed to be miles and enjoyed the subway and buses. It was amazing to see the “Freedom Tower” and humbling to visit the 911 Memorial. We visited the shops of course and got souvenir hats, “I Love New York” t-shirts, and of course CUPS. I mean who can pass up having an authentic, China made, New York coffee cup?!
Now I am not one to collect cups, because a cup is a cup… and yet not all cups are the same. I have a cup which was dad’s and has “Jack” on it. I doubt it is a collector’s item, and would probably sell for 10 cents in a yard sale, but to me… I would not trade it for 10 ‘authentic’ New York City souvenir cups! That’s because it is a reminder of dad. He drank from it. The coffee doesn’t taste better because of the cup. It is just a cup, made like any other cup.
Jesus “… took a CUP and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” It was just a cup right? The contents tasted no better because of the cup. Where is the cup? If we could ever find it what would we do with it? Would it be special to us? Of course! Would we trade it for an ‘authentic’ New York City cup? Hardly! How much would it sell for? Why, it would be priceless! Why? It’s JUST A CUP!
Of course it is what Jesus held in his un-nailed hands. It’s the cup that He prayed over after the fruit of the vine was poured into it. It’s the cup that He drank from and passed to the disciples and told them, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins… I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom” (Matthew 26:27-29).
Is it the cup or the contents or what it all represents? Should we worship the cup or the Savior? Should we make a ‘law’ that only one cup can be used? Shall we argue on whether or not the juice was fermented? If so, then we miss the blessing of the meaning.
The “cup” is used to ‘hold’ different things in the Scriptures…but in this case, it held suffering, shame, pain, and death…“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this CUP be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” This was the real CUP… So Paul instructs Christians in 1 Corinthians 11:26 “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” When we drink of the cup, we should examine ourselves and be so grateful that He drank of it FIRST! (I Corinthians 11:28). More than a CUP, more than GRAPE JUICE.

The Bread

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 1 of 4 in the series Lord's Supper

Many centuries ago, a story was told of a man who rented an apartment above the only bakery in town. He would rise early from bed, do the things that prepared him for that day and then go to the front window and just sit, enjoying the beauty and fragrance of fresh baking bread.
The owner of the building saw him sitting there one day, smiling and enjoying the added blessing the aroma the fresh bread offered. He felt that this added pleasure and benefit would justify him raising the rent. The renter objected and the whole affair was taken to court.
The Judge, a wise old man, listened and recorded his notes as each man presented his case. He ordered the owner of the apartment to bring 10 golden coins and both were remanded to return the following day. News spread rapidly and the next morning there was a goodly crowd in the gallery.
The Judge appeared in his robes and when seated ask for the golden coins. The defendant produced them and set them before the judge. He took the coins and little by little let them fall from one hand to the other. Then he rendered his judgment. The price should remain the same for the flat.
The owner objected and demanded an explanation. “How could the falling coins pay for him sitting in the window and smelling the sweet smell of baking bread?”
The Judge smiled and said, “The tinkle of falling coins pays for the smell of baking bread!!”
It’s funny how certain ‘smells’ can bring back memories. Maybe it’s the smell of homemade apple pie that reminds you of a time when you and your mother baked a pie together.
Not all smells bring back good memories. Sometimes they bring back bad memories of a time of abuse or pain or depression.
“It was just before the Passover Feast” and Unleavened bread was being sold in the open markets of Jerusalem. Unleavened bread is made of flour (which contains no rising agents),
crushed coriander seeds (also called “cilantro”), salt, fine cooking oil and water. The smell must have been wonderful. Memories must have come to the mind of the Master of times when his mother baked fresh bread. Now as he gathers with his disciples for this supper. The memories and the memorial all mix together. For every Jew, the memories were rich, the memorial Passover was priceless. Reminding them of a time when the God of Heaven and earth delivered their fore-fathers from the slavery of Egypt so many centuries before.
It was this bread that Jesus first blessed, then broke into pieces and handed to his disciples. Yet there was a ‘bitterness’ to this memorial supper, since someone at the table was going to betray Him. “It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.” Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot…” Satan made his move, entering the heart of Judas, and Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly” (John 13:21-30).
The rest is history. Paul reminds us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US” (Romans 5:8). For Christians, it continues to be a precious reminder of the one who freed us from the slavery of sin.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCMENT: “Three Unusual Days” With Jack Exum Jr.

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Jack Exum Jr

THREE UNUSUAL DAYS!!!

Sure brings back some memories for so many people around the country and around the world. Mom and dad were not just travelling for fun… THEY WERE WORKING!
Their special ministry helped brethren increase giving on an average of 25% per week.
When I looked at dad’s records where he kept a running record of increases per year, averaged close to a million dollars per year. I can’t say helping brethren with “Giving” was his focus however…. His main focus was in helping brethren grow in GRACE!!!

Thus beginning this year I am starting up the “Three Unusual Days” ministry with a focus on “God’s Amazing Grace”. Other lessons are involved as well…. “The Grace of Giving”, “Dealing with Forgiveness” (Winning over Bitterness), “Winning over Doubts”, “Winning over Worry”, “Stumbling Blocks and Grumbling Blocks”, “Winning over Divorce” (This upcoming presentation is a special, personal look at this problem which is hurting so many and showing how Christians can indeed move forward in God’s grace and forgiveness.), “How to be Happily Married and Love Every Minute of it”, and of course “The Wisdom Box”.

These are a few of the lessons being offered in this three day event which is usually held FRIDAY PM, SATURDAY AM AND PM, AND SUNDAY AM CLASS AND SERVICE. Usually the meeting ends after the AM service, although it is sometimes extended through Sunday PM if I leave on Monday.

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God be praised… We held a special three day event (Friday PM, Saturday and Sunday) focusing solely on “Amazing Grace” in Keene, NH. It was amazing to see God working in this wonderful congregation of the Lord’s people..

For more information on scheduling a meeting… contact me at 386-758-2431 or by email through this web site.

Grow in grace brethren, and God bless you.
Heaven bound!!!
Jack Exum Jr.

Teaching Grace From Tomatoes

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Jack Exum Jr

This article is part 4 of 4 in the series Grace

   Behold, two men without to grow tomatoes. The first took little time for preparation. Taking the tender plants in rough and careless hands, he threw them in makeshift holes, quickly dug. He kicked the dirt about them, thrusting them back and forth, and packing the dirt with the heel of his boot. His movements were harsh and unfeeling and he hardly finished the job of planting one when he moved on to the next one. Then he stood back and commanded the plants to grow. Marching around the little plants he would shout out his instructions, “Produce, I command you! Produce!”
   Day by day he would appear with the stick in hand, moving about in a threatening way. “Your quota is a total of thirty two tomatoes per plant this year and you’re already behind in your growth pattern!”
   The second gardener took an entirely different approach. With tender hands he softened the ground, turning the rich soil again and again. Gently placed each little plant in the best position to catch the morning sun. He noted the shade of the larger trees, and how they would provide a cover during the heat of the day. He mixed his fertilizer with the soil and made a soft texture around the plant.
   Day by day he would come out with a spade in hand and till about the plants, watering and carefully removing weeds that would make their growth difficult. As the plants grew he staked them out, allowing the spines of each plant to be strengthened. He pruned the “suckers” that drained energy from the plants.
   “I know all of you will do well”, he said encouragingly. “Don’t you be in a hurry, harvest time will come and we will feast together.”
   The first man did not water is garden, nor did he bother to soften the hard lumps of clay. His fertilizer, without the necessary water, caused the plants to burn and wither. The ground hardened and the weeds grew. The man just could not understand tomato plants. “They’re just weak” he would grumble. “Next time I’ll plan something stronger – something that can really take it.”
   In time the harvest came.
   The plant that was beaten, in spite of the tragic circumstances produced some fruit. The branches had been broken and withered with the beatings of ‘guilt and failure’. The few tomatoes that were gathered were rather bitter. “Too much acid,” one remarked. No one was more disappointed than the plant itself, yet scars of daily neglect had taken their toll. Seeds were few for next year’s planting.
   The harvest of the other garden was rich and full. Tomatoes in all stages of growth in color literally way down the branches of all the plants. Seeds were set aside for the coming year and the fruit was gathered daily, well past the normal harvest time.
   People are much like tomato plants. Even the strongest ones need loving care, with words of praise and encouragement. Time is also a needed and useful element in maturity and harvest. The tomato plant, like the believer, has within the natural desire to bear fruit. The word of God sums it all up in these simple words… “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
   HARVEST WILL TAKE CARE OF ITSELF
   (This was taken from dad’s study book “Amazing Grace – God’s Power To Be”).

On Moving Preachers (Quitting Members, And Chocolate Pie)

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Jack Exum Jr

   This is an article from my good friend, and ‘step-in-dad’ Charles Hodge Jr., wrote some time ago.
   “This season is “Fruit-basket-turnover” for preachers… members are quitting work assignments and/or moving. READ THIS ARTICLE SLOWLY AND SURELY! A regular job, a fixed assignment, a continued work responsibility! This is the crux, the key, the issue!
   LOCAL CHURCH PREACHING is the most difficult job on earth! If not, why aren’t more men preaching locally? Why do so many quit? Why do others become “meeting preachers”, “promoters”, or brotherhood gad-abouts? The stern discipline of study, fresh sermons, practical classes, weekly jobs, “same old people” constitute local work. Every succeeding year is harder… you tire and members tire! Any preacher has 4-5 fantastic sermons, but 100 a year! Most preachers do their best work their first year… the downhill! The “fixed assignment”, the regular job – that’s life! That’s why life is so difficult – it is so everlasting daily! So preachers move or quit or stagnate!
   FIXED ASSIGNMENTS? Regular job? This is the issue! Why won’t some members ever identify with a congregation? Why won’t members sign a “pledge card”? Why won’t members teach (“I’ll substitute some)? Why do elders, deacons, teachers quit? Why don’t more members become elders or deacons? Why don’t more deacons become elders? Why do members tire of their peculiar assignments? The issue is “fixed job”, “fixed assignments”, on and on-on-on! Persistence, perseverance, “stick-to-itive-ness”, patience, growth, maturity! It is easier to be “hot than cold”, “in and out”, “hit or miss”. DISCIPLINE! Nowhere is this more evident than in the Bus Ministry! It must be done WEEKLY! You find out what you are “made of” in a “regular job”. Others stagnate with their jobs!
   Yes, all of us want to be featured speakers on brotherhood lectures! But the “nitty-gritty”, the “trenches”, “where the rubber meets the road” is in the local Church pulpit! This is where preachers “root hawg or die” with people! Preachers STAY – BUILD – GROW! Anybody can accept what another has built! If you want to preach for a big church – make yours bigger! god never said it would be easy!

The chocolate pie — (just) leave it on my desk!”
Charles B. Hodge

   Hodge is an unusual man. Honest, straight forward, and down to earth… a lover of souls and Jesus, the Gospel and the church… one who loves preachers. Always willing to give advice to those willing to listen. Preaching all his life and being raised on a ranch, has made him a very down to earth yet wonderfully spiritual man full of wisdom…
   The ‘mainest thing is the plainest thing’ for sure, and Hodge is one to tell it as it is.
Truly, preaching is difficult, but rewarding as well. Do we need good preachers of the Word? of course, but we need preachers who know what WORK is. Brethren volunteer to give money each week to pay the bills for the church, and the preacher’s salary. If a preacher does not have a good work ethic, and does not appreciate what it means to really WORK… Then he is not ready… I was not ready. I knew the book, but didn’t have a good work ethic… I have learned!
Another thing which needs to be mentioned is BALANCE. I could preach, and ‘breathe fire’ from the pulpit, but I was not ready to be God’s man in the pulpit. For God’s people seldom need the ‘fire’ of God’s word’ (although there is a time for this). They don’t need ‘guilt’ (a poor motivator) for they already know about guilt. They need to know the wonderful grace and love of God, and they need encouragement to deal with life and fight Satan. For Satan is the enemy, not brethren. They need a man after (ie. WHO IS SEEKING) God’s heart, one who cares for God’s people… and one which knows the BALANCE of scripture. By balance I mean knowing how GRACE and SIN fit together. What good is GRACE without the APPRECIATING THE SINS WE ARE SAVED FROM. What good is preaching on the awfulness of SIN without the WONDERFUL GRACE OF GOD WHICH SAVES US ALL.
   I was not ready… for many years…and regret that… Yes some good was accomplished… but I was not ready. Life has been a hard teacher… learning to submit to the Master, and learning the beauty of His grace and forgiveness. Now I pray, I am ready…. We shall see….. God bless you in your walk with Jesus, and the service of His grace.
   Preacher’s know within themselves, the struggle, the heart ache, the tears as well as the joy, fulfillment and blessings of preaching. Only a preacher knows the struggle of a preacher. We need preachers… and more than that we need communicators… who’s concern is simply to COMMUNICATE as simply, and as powerfully as possible, the wonderful truths of scripture, and the eternal principles of life found there.
   Repeating the harsh words of someone who would rather dwell on ISSUES rather than words of life and encouragement and salvation is not what is needed… Words which tend to build and sustain walls, instead of reaching out to the lost, and striving to keep the unity of the spirit, are not needed. It is one thing to “contend for the faith” and another thing to be “contentious for the faith”. We need preachers, servants who know the difference.
   We can readily see from our past, what ill-prepared preachers have done… now is the time to prepare… learn what it is to WORK, learn BALANCE (not emphasizing one scripture over others), and be COMMUNICATORS instead of ‘professional preachers’. Learn if you must by stepping down a while, and get back the ‘fire’ and ‘love’ that has been missing. Then, with renewed love, concern for the brethren, and for the lost, with a heart in love with God and His word… determine to not seek the favor of any man or group, or click… determine not to add fuel to the fires of ISSUES, and division. Just preach Jesus. Learn what it means…. to be a servant from the heart, and the joy that comes from truly loving the flock of God, and the lost…. Then let this shine forth for all to see.

Are You Having Problems With This Web Site?

Posted on December 21, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

    All web site owners hope they will have a site that is interesting and helpful… and without problems. I am sure our President can verify that! It is embarrassing to say the least. However, things do come up.
   We are continually working on this site… adding pictures, books, audio, and hopefully video lessons, as well as articles, and more. We encourage all who wish to subscribe to the site and add comments etc… to do so. It’s free after all, so why not?
   We just want you to know that if you have any problems, we welcome and encourage you to let us know so we can work on it and get it corrected. So far we don’t seem to be having any problems as far as I know. If you have some helpful ideas on special subjects you would like to see… let me know, we’ll see what we can do.
   Do you have some special stories or memories of being with mom and dad, we would love to hear from you and especially pictures… to add to the site.
   Well, that’s all for now… just wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year… Just think 2014 is coming! Maybe, just maybe with the Lord’s help it will be a better year for us all.
   Heaven bound,
   Jack Exum Jr.

The Wisdom Of The Beatitudes (Part Two)

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Jack Exum Jr

   “Blessed (happy) are they which hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matt. 5:6). This is an amazing promise wrapped in a beatitude. There is no limit to growing in Christ. Seeking Him and his kingdom (rule) and righteousness… to the spiritually .. is a spiritual craving that shall be satisfied. Jesus says this one will be ‘filled’… Jesus is the resource that fills the void that so many are searching for in this world. The world tries to fill this void with things, while the believer realizes this void, this hunger, this thirst, can only be satisfied with Jesus. It still remains that you cannot fill that which is full already. The slop of the world may satisfy for a time… but righteousness satisfies for eternity. The empty, broken heart can be filled… and satisfied when the hunger is directed towards righteousness.
   “Blessed (happy) are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7). Thus far we have taken three giant steps up the ‘mountain’, and have been filled with His righteousness. Now comes the blessings for others. For you see, going up the mountain is only preparation to come down and serve. These are things that come when one is poor in spirit, mourns and is comforted, meek and humble, hungers and thirsts after righteousness… It begins with giving what is received…. MERCY. It is not given so you can just hold on to it for yourself. Read Matthew 18:23-35. The one who gives mercy benefits as much from giving it as when he first got it and more. Now there is growth involved. The most merciful, is the one who is poorest in his own spirit and has mourned his own sin. When you empty your heart… He fills it with mercy…
   “Blessed (happy) are the pure in heart; for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8). Well, this is unusual. How can a person see God? Well, not through worldly ‘glasses’ for sure. But then it’s not the eyes, it’s the heart. Always has been. Jesus concern is with cleaning not only the outside of the cup but even more concerned with the inside. The heart that has mourned sin, humbled, hungers for God, and is merciful as a response to being forgiven… is going to see God in his heart, and feels the touch of God in his life. One cannot see God or be in touch with God when the heart is full of sin and corruption and is only seeking the things of the world. Experiencing God, will not happen for the unmerciful, proud, those who are full of this world’s slop.
   “Blessed (happy) are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). What else would you expect from one who has traversed this mountain and has come down to serve as Jesus did? Even though the teaching of Jesus may lead to difficulties within ones family and life… the heart of this spiritual ‘mountain climber’ will seek to make peace… share the peace of Jesus with everyone. God never has liked the idea of his people creating division… but he is pleased with brethren who keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Climbing the mountain is an individual thing… and the one who makes the journey, will be at peace and will share that peace.
   “Blessed (happy) are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:10). Actually verse 11 can go with this… since both verses are dealing with what happens when the ‘spiritual rubber meets the road’. When a person lives the life that Jesus outlines here, most will react in a negative way. Well, what do you expect… it’s the world. That’s why you are here. That’s why you climbed the mountain in the first place… to be a different person. Now you are… and the world doesn’t like it, even if it’s exactly what they need. now it is time to serve… Time to live for your Master… Maybe it’s time to suffer… and die… If it’s for being righteous that you suffer… you will be blessed… Jesus promised it.

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Author Archives: Jack Exum Jr