Saturday, May 7, 2016
Friday, May 6, 2016
Believer's Heritage- Peter S. Ruckman
Peter Sturges Ruckman was born on November 19, 1921 in Wilmington, Delaware to Colonel John Ruckman and Mary Armstrong. His family moved to Topeka, Kansas in 1922, where he grew up. He was very smart and showed talent with art and music. He attended to University of Kansas and received his BA from the University of Alabama.
Ruckman's grandfather was a general during the Civil War, and his father was a Colonel. Following in their footsteps, Pete joined the ROTC in 1941, and enrolled in the army in 1944 where he served in the Philippines and Japan.
It was in 1944 that he married his first wife, Janie May. The following year he and Janie had their first child. They had five children together.
Ruckman was released from military service in 1948. He became a disc jockey by day and a drummer by night. He started drinking heavily and became suicidal. He started to hear voices.
Ruckman had studied many religions: Zen Buddhism while serving in Japan, Roman Catholicism from a Jesuit priest in the US, he even read the Koran through multiple times. He stole his first copy of the Bible and began reading that.
Pete had a photographic memory and loved to read. He read Greek Philosophy, French Infidelity, religious books, and so much more. It seemed he always had a book on hand.
In 1949, Pete met Evangelist Hugh Pyle at the WEAR radio station in Pensacola, FL where he worked. "What do you know preacher?", Pete asked. Hugh Pyle showed Pete the gospel message and on March 14th Pete asked the Lord to save him.
That same year, Pete enrolled in Bob Jones University. He was ordained a Southern Baptist preacher in 1950. He studied under Bob Jones, Sr. and received his Master's Degree and PhD in religion in 1953. He then began a full-time evangelistic ministry, known as Dr. Ruckman.
HIs ministry expanded from there. By the 1980's he had a television ministry where he drew while he preached, was a pastor, had started and was teaching in a Bible Institute, had authored many books, video and audio tapes, commentaries, wrote and published a Bible bulletin, and more.
But, he also had many struggles along the way. His first two wives divorced him, his mother and father and sister all died within three months of each other, and he was attacked by many different "men of God" that disagreed with his personal life, his biblical stance, and his plain outspoken teaching and preaching.
He married his third wife, Pamela Huggins, in 1989. She was a tremendous blessing to him in the latter part of his ministry.
His staunch stance on the final authority of the King James Version Bible brought many enemies from saved and unsaved alike. Pete didn't seem to mind. He had a wonderful sense of humor, often referring to himself as "God's junkyard dog".
Dr. Ruckman's life and ministry were a blessing to so many. Innumerable souls were saved from his illustrated Chalk Talk sermons, street preaching and jail ministries, books, tracts, and commentaries. Hundreds of pastors , evangelists, and missionaries have graduated from Pensacola Bible Institute under his teaching. And many others have been encouraged in the faith by his encouraging words and the defense of the King James Bible. He was preaching and teaching well into his 90's.
Dr. Ruckman went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 21, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family. HIs church, Bible Baptist, and the Pensacola Bible Institute continue to operate under the hands of Dr. Brian Donovan and others who stood by Dr. Ruckman during his ministry.
His books, commentaries, video and audio sermons, Reference Bible and his autobiography The Full Cup- A Chronicle of Grace can be purchased at the Bible Baptist Bookstore in Pensacola, FL.
Ruckman's grandfather was a general during the Civil War, and his father was a Colonel. Following in their footsteps, Pete joined the ROTC in 1941, and enrolled in the army in 1944 where he served in the Philippines and Japan.
It was in 1944 that he married his first wife, Janie May. The following year he and Janie had their first child. They had five children together.
Ruckman was released from military service in 1948. He became a disc jockey by day and a drummer by night. He started drinking heavily and became suicidal. He started to hear voices.
Ruckman had studied many religions: Zen Buddhism while serving in Japan, Roman Catholicism from a Jesuit priest in the US, he even read the Koran through multiple times. He stole his first copy of the Bible and began reading that.
Pete had a photographic memory and loved to read. He read Greek Philosophy, French Infidelity, religious books, and so much more. It seemed he always had a book on hand.
In 1949, Pete met Evangelist Hugh Pyle at the WEAR radio station in Pensacola, FL where he worked. "What do you know preacher?", Pete asked. Hugh Pyle showed Pete the gospel message and on March 14th Pete asked the Lord to save him.
That same year, Pete enrolled in Bob Jones University. He was ordained a Southern Baptist preacher in 1950. He studied under Bob Jones, Sr. and received his Master's Degree and PhD in religion in 1953. He then began a full-time evangelistic ministry, known as Dr. Ruckman.
HIs ministry expanded from there. By the 1980's he had a television ministry where he drew while he preached, was a pastor, had started and was teaching in a Bible Institute, had authored many books, video and audio tapes, commentaries, wrote and published a Bible bulletin, and more.
But, he also had many struggles along the way. His first two wives divorced him, his mother and father and sister all died within three months of each other, and he was attacked by many different "men of God" that disagreed with his personal life, his biblical stance, and his plain outspoken teaching and preaching.
He married his third wife, Pamela Huggins, in 1989. She was a tremendous blessing to him in the latter part of his ministry.
His staunch stance on the final authority of the King James Version Bible brought many enemies from saved and unsaved alike. Pete didn't seem to mind. He had a wonderful sense of humor, often referring to himself as "God's junkyard dog".
Dr. Ruckman's life and ministry were a blessing to so many. Innumerable souls were saved from his illustrated Chalk Talk sermons, street preaching and jail ministries, books, tracts, and commentaries. Hundreds of pastors , evangelists, and missionaries have graduated from Pensacola Bible Institute under his teaching. And many others have been encouraged in the faith by his encouraging words and the defense of the King James Bible. He was preaching and teaching well into his 90's.
Dr. Ruckman went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 21, 2016 at his home surrounded by his family. HIs church, Bible Baptist, and the Pensacola Bible Institute continue to operate under the hands of Dr. Brian Donovan and others who stood by Dr. Ruckman during his ministry.
His books, commentaries, video and audio sermons, Reference Bible and his autobiography The Full Cup- A Chronicle of Grace can be purchased at the Bible Baptist Bookstore in Pensacola, FL.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Spinach Artichoke Pie recipe
2 boxes frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1/2 finely chopped onion
3 diced jalapenos
2 cans green chilies
4 cloves minced garlic
2 cans artichoke hearts, drained
2 sticks butter
2 packages cream cheese
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 large container sour cream
2 cups grated monterey jack cheese
1 1/2 cups parmesean cheese
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
4 diced tomatoes
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 lb chicken, boiled and chopped
4 pie crusts with tops
Preheat the oven according to pie crust box directions.
Saute spinach, onion, jalapenos, chilies, garlic, and artichoke hearts in butter.
Remove from heat and mix with the cream cheese, vinegar, sour cream, cheeses,whipping cream, tomatoes, cayenne, and chicken.
Stuff into pie crusts and put the tops on. Crimp the edges with a fork, and then poke a few holes in the pie crust top with the fork.
Bake according to time indicated on the pie crust box.
1/2 finely chopped onion
3 diced jalapenos
2 cans green chilies
4 cloves minced garlic
2 cans artichoke hearts, drained
2 sticks butter
2 packages cream cheese
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 large container sour cream
2 cups grated monterey jack cheese
1 1/2 cups parmesean cheese
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
4 diced tomatoes
2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 lb chicken, boiled and chopped
4 pie crusts with tops
Preheat the oven according to pie crust box directions.
Saute spinach, onion, jalapenos, chilies, garlic, and artichoke hearts in butter.
Remove from heat and mix with the cream cheese, vinegar, sour cream, cheeses,whipping cream, tomatoes, cayenne, and chicken.
Stuff into pie crusts and put the tops on. Crimp the edges with a fork, and then poke a few holes in the pie crust top with the fork.
Bake according to time indicated on the pie crust box.
Wednesday, May 4, 2016
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
What Christ Is To Us (poem)
The Shield from every dart;
The Balm for every smart;
The Sharer of each load;
Companion on the road.
The Door into the fold;
The Anchor that will hold;
The Shepherd of the sheep;
The Guardian of my sleep.
The Friend with Whom I talk;
The Way by which I walk;
The Light to show the way;
The Strength for every day.
The Source of my delight;
The Song to cheer the night;
The Thought that fills my mind;
The Best of All to find—is Jesus!
—Anonymous
Monday, May 2, 2016
Storms in Our Life (video sermon)
There is a story recorded three times in the gospel about the Lord Jesus Christ calming a storm that was raging while the disciples were navigating a ship on the Sea of Galilee. My history teacher use to say, "If I say it once I think it's important. If I say it twice then I want you to learn something from it. But, if I say it three times it's gonna be on the test!" All of us are going to go through storms in our lives. And, the Lord is giving us something in this story that will help us get through these tests.
The first thing to notice is that their journey began smoothly. The storm wasn't raging when they entered the boat. It seems that storms come out of nowhere. They don't come when we are expecting them. Storms come when everything seems to be going well.
This storm was so bad that the water started to come in the boat. The disciples were scared! Here they are trying to get through this storm and feeling that they were going to sink and they ask the Lord a question that we will all ask Him at one point or another, "Lord, Don't you care that we are perishing?"
We go through troubles and heartaches and we turn and ask the Lord, "Don't you care that this is killing me?" And, just like He did with the disciples, He asks us, "Why are you so fearful? Why don't you have faith?"
The disciples in the story never answer Him. It's recorded that He asks them these two questions in all three accounts and in none of those accounts do the disciples answer His questions.
Christ was in the boat with them. He wasn't somewhere else watching them try to tread water; He was there the whole time. Christ was bigger than that dreadful storm! It took just one command- Peace. Be Still. Christ can calm the storm any time, but He allows it to continue for a reason; and, He never leaves us alone during the storms.
Some times uncertainty surrounds us and it seems that evil is winning. It is during these times that we must remember that Jesus Christ is a Just God. He said in John 14, "Let not your heart be troubled." When the waves are crashing and the winds are whipping and we feel the boat is about to sink, Christ is still with us saying, "Let not your heart be troubled."
We won't always know why the storm comes. We won't always understand the reason we must traverse such troubled pathways. We won't see the way Jesus Christ sees it. But, we can know that He is there, and He sees things far better than we do- He sees the past, the present, and the future. He sees the end of the storm and the results that come from it when we are still in the struggle.
In due time, Joy cometh in the morning.
The first thing to notice is that their journey began smoothly. The storm wasn't raging when they entered the boat. It seems that storms come out of nowhere. They don't come when we are expecting them. Storms come when everything seems to be going well.
This storm was so bad that the water started to come in the boat. The disciples were scared! Here they are trying to get through this storm and feeling that they were going to sink and they ask the Lord a question that we will all ask Him at one point or another, "Lord, Don't you care that we are perishing?"
We go through troubles and heartaches and we turn and ask the Lord, "Don't you care that this is killing me?" And, just like He did with the disciples, He asks us, "Why are you so fearful? Why don't you have faith?"
The disciples in the story never answer Him. It's recorded that He asks them these two questions in all three accounts and in none of those accounts do the disciples answer His questions.
Christ was in the boat with them. He wasn't somewhere else watching them try to tread water; He was there the whole time. Christ was bigger than that dreadful storm! It took just one command- Peace. Be Still. Christ can calm the storm any time, but He allows it to continue for a reason; and, He never leaves us alone during the storms.
Some times uncertainty surrounds us and it seems that evil is winning. It is during these times that we must remember that Jesus Christ is a Just God. He said in John 14, "Let not your heart be troubled." When the waves are crashing and the winds are whipping and we feel the boat is about to sink, Christ is still with us saying, "Let not your heart be troubled."
We won't always know why the storm comes. We won't always understand the reason we must traverse such troubled pathways. We won't see the way Jesus Christ sees it. But, we can know that He is there, and He sees things far better than we do- He sees the past, the present, and the future. He sees the end of the storm and the results that come from it when we are still in the struggle.
In due time, Joy cometh in the morning.
Sunday, May 1, 2016
A Penny For Your Thoughts
Life is full of questions. Before we fully understand the concept of questions, we are asked them. From the time we begin talking we start asking questions. "A penny for your thoughts?"
The motives behind the questions are just as important as the questions themselves. I remember a story of a little boy who had asked his mother what sex was. After a rather tenuous answer, the little boy held up a t-ball registration form and pointed to the word with an F and an M beside it. "What do I put here?"
When Christ was on the earth He was asked many questions. Will you heal me? Are you the Messiah? Some people were sincere in their questions. Others were not.
There was a time He was asked a question by spies. These deceitful men pretended to be righteous.
Luke 20:20-26- And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
Christ knew that these men wanted to use His words against Him. He knew the force that drove them to ask this particular question. Knowing the motive behind the question helped Him to use wisdom in His answer.
This question was meant to be a trap. They thought that Christ would be against the government. They didn't know that Christ was there to fulfill the law. He wasn't against Jewish Law or Roman Rule.
Matthew 17:24-27- And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
The passage above shows us that Christ paid His taxes. There are many Christians out there today that say that they are serving the Lord while committing tax evasion. They cite that the tax laws aren't legal. I guess the whole "going to jail" part gets ignored.
Even though Christ's words of wisdom helped Him answer their question flawlessly, they still accused Him of tax evasion!
Luke 23:2- And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
Life is full of offenses. We shouldn't try to offend the world just for the sake of a fight. We shouldn't be offended by the world, either. We are suppose to live peaceably while we are here. Like Christ, when we are asked a question we should know enough Scriptures, and be close enough to God that men will marvel at our answers. Our replies should lead others to the truth of God's Word.
The motives behind the questions are just as important as the questions themselves. I remember a story of a little boy who had asked his mother what sex was. After a rather tenuous answer, the little boy held up a t-ball registration form and pointed to the word with an F and an M beside it. "What do I put here?"
When Christ was on the earth He was asked many questions. Will you heal me? Are you the Messiah? Some people were sincere in their questions. Others were not.
There was a time He was asked a question by spies. These deceitful men pretended to be righteous.
Luke 20:20-26- And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. And they asked him, saying, Master, we know that thou sayest and teachest rightly, neither acceptest thou the person of any, but teachest the way of God truly: Is it lawful for us to give tribute unto Caesar, or no? But he perceived their craftiness, and said unto them, Why tempt ye me? Shew me a penny. Whose image and superscription hath it? They answered and said, Caesar's. And he said unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which be Caesar's, and unto God the things which be God's. And they could not take hold of his words before the people: and they marvelled at his answer, and held their peace.
Christ knew that these men wanted to use His words against Him. He knew the force that drove them to ask this particular question. Knowing the motive behind the question helped Him to use wisdom in His answer.
This question was meant to be a trap. They thought that Christ would be against the government. They didn't know that Christ was there to fulfill the law. He wasn't against Jewish Law or Roman Rule.
Matthew 17:24-27- And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
The passage above shows us that Christ paid His taxes. There are many Christians out there today that say that they are serving the Lord while committing tax evasion. They cite that the tax laws aren't legal. I guess the whole "going to jail" part gets ignored.
Even though Christ's words of wisdom helped Him answer their question flawlessly, they still accused Him of tax evasion!
Luke 23:2- And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
Life is full of offenses. We shouldn't try to offend the world just for the sake of a fight. We shouldn't be offended by the world, either. We are suppose to live peaceably while we are here. Like Christ, when we are asked a question we should know enough Scriptures, and be close enough to God that men will marvel at our answers. Our replies should lead others to the truth of God's Word.
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