May 2016
My Tribute
I am glad to begin my tribute with the words from Andreʹ Crouch’s famous song, “My Tribute”, “If I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that He could solve them…..To God be the glory for the things He has done!” Amen!
When I was a senior in high school in Longmont, Colorado, back in 1961, I had a problem. It was springtime, I was to graduate soon, and I didn’t know what I was going to do after graduation. But God had a plan! He sent Kenneth Beckman to Longmont for an evangelistic meeting, which changed the course of my life.
One Friday evening that previous winter, I had walked out of the Teen Canteen to quietly reflect on Talmage Pace’s words to our youth group, “Don’t ever put yourself in a situation where you would be ashamed to be found when Jesus returns!” That cold clear evening I could see the Teen Canteen half a block away on one side and our church building one block away on the other side – and I knew that I had to make a decision. I could not keep calling myself a Christian, yet keep living on the fence. That evening I decided that Jesus Christ means more to me than all my worldly pleasures, friends, and compromises.
Then one evening as I walked out of the evangelistic meeting, Talmage Pace asked me where I was going to go to Bible college. I told him, “I don’t know” – but the idea lodged in my mind and heart. I was impressed by Kenneth Beckman’s fervency and scholarship – and my oldest sister lived in Boise, so I chose to come to Boise Bible College. For this I am forever grateful!
My classes and experiences at Boise Bible College and the church at 18th and Eastman in Boise (which sponsored BBC) gave me a solid foundation of Biblical worldview and missionary fervency that has stabilized my life and motivated me to love, worship and serve my awesome Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of my life. Not only all of that, God had Della Qualey waiting for me when I arrived. A year and a half later she became Della Deighton (December 14, 1962) and she has been a beautiful part of my life as my wife, life partner, and co-worker for over 53 years now. So my gratitude is deep and genuine. Thank you, Boise Bible College! (The nick-name “Boise Bridal College” was not given in vain!)
Something else foundational to my life transpired in the evangelistic meeting with Kenneth Beckman during my senior year of high school. One evening my friend, Ron Smith stepped out into the aisle, followed by his wife, Judy, to come to the front of the church to receive Jesus as Lord. Only a few months before, I had made my first stumbling effort to witness to Ron while we were duck hunting. When I saw Ron walk out and Judy running behind him, I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my body. It was an even greater thrill than coming to Jesus myself! Friends, if you are searching for a greater purpose and thrill than walking with the King of the universe and sharing Jesus with others, you are on a dead end path!
I was one of those kids who came to Boise Bible College for a year to get a better Biblical foundation for my life, but within two months I knew that growing in the knowledge of God and sharing Jesus is my life. In the youth meetings at church and at BBC events we often sang, “You never mentioned Him to me…you met me day by day, you knew I was astray, but you never mentioned Him to me.” What a convicting, motivating song! I did not realized how convicting and motivating until I returned to Longmont after my first year at BBC and learned that Earl Kolb and Johnny Walker were both killed in the same motorcycle accident a short time before. These were two guys I went to school with…that I graduated with – but I never mentioned Him to either of them. I vowed to never let that happen again!
When I returned to BBC for my second year, there were four of us from Longmont enrolling as students – and later there were five. Why? Because there are some things too good to keep to ourselves.
I want to conclude with a tribute to my friends, Dick and Maudine Ady, founders of World English Institute, which God is using to reach multitudes in 190 countries around the earth through combined English and Bible correspondence courses. In the editorial for their first quarter update of 2016, Dick wrote:
“…..In 1985, the Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported that a group of 400 people gathered around a municipal swimming pool in New Orleans to celebrate the first summer in memory that no one had drowned in city pools. The crowd that gathered included 200 life guards. As the party broke up and the four life guards on duty cleared the pool, they found the fully-clothed body of thirty-one year old Jerome Moody in the deep end of the pool. He had drowned surrounded by life guards celebrating their successful season.
“Let us not make the same mistake by ignoring people who are downing in sin and letting them perish while we enjoy life and celebrate our successes.”
Can you imagine the impact it would make on our families, co-workers, churches, and neighborhoods if each of us adopted Paul’s purpose for living? It is clearly given in Colossians 1:27-29:
“To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.” (NKJV).
Tribute to the Bible
The picture on the first page of this letter is a copy of the one we have hanging above the TV in our living room. (A matter of illustrating priorities). It reminds us to thank God daily for our abundant access to the Bible – and to pray for Pioneer Bible Translators, Wycliffe, and other translators to have the entire Bible available in every language on earth by 2025. Will you join us in this prayer and thanksgiving?
Below is an inspiring tribute to the Bible from an unknown author:
“This Book Contains:
The mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, doom of sinners, and happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword and the Christian’s charter. Here Paradise is restored, Heaven opened, and the gates of hell disclosed. Christ is its Grand Subject, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. It should fill the memory, rule the heart, and guide the feet. Read it slowly, frequently, prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be open at the Judgment and be remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, rewards the greatest labor, and condemns all who trifle with its holy contents.”
“Alabama Supreme Court tells Court to take a Hike on Marriage Opinion
Alabama Supreme Court tells Supreme Court to Take a Hike on Marriage Opinion
On Friday, the Alabama Supreme Court rejected the US Supreme Court’s marriage opinion and basically told them to take a hike in favor of following the Alabama Constitution and Alabama law.
On March 4, 2016, the Alabama Supreme Court ordered that all probate judges cease and desist in issuing marriage licenses to sodomies.
The court issued its 170-page ruling in favor of Petition for Mandamus by Liberty Counsel.
Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel said, “The ruling…by the Alabama Supreme Court was historic, and is one of the most researched and well-reasoned opinions on marriage to be issued by any court in the country. Today’s opinion by the Alabama Supreme Court calling the U.S. Supreme Court’s marriage opinion ‘illegitimate’ will be remembered in history like the ‘shot heard around the world.”
‘The Alabama Supreme Court has openly rejected the U.S. Supreme Court’s 5-4 marriage opinion, labeling it ‘illegitimate’ and without legal or precedential authority. This is a clear victory for the rule of law and an historic decision by the Alabama Supreme Court. The Judgment makes permanent the Alabama Supreme Court’s order prohibiting probate judges from issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The Alabama Supreme Court has rejected the illegitimate opinion of five lawyers on the U.S. Supreme Court,’ added Staver.
Both Chief Justice Roy Moore and Justice Tom Parker criticized the opinion of the Supreme Court in the Obergefell case.
‘I agree with the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, John Roberts, and with Associate Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito, that the majority opinion in Obergefell has no basis in the law, history, or tradition of this country,’ wrote Moore. ‘Obergefell is an unconstitutional exercise of judicial authority that usurps the legislative prerogative of the states to regulate their own domestic policy. Additionally, Obergefell seriously jeopardizes the religious liberty guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.’ ”
Additional Reflections by Rick Deighton
As I was reflecting on my appeal to the members of the highest courts in Idaho, it occurred to me that the degradation of America means that we are not only now living in a post-Christian society but the aftershocks of the sexual revolution in the 1960’s are bringing us to becoming post-constitutional and post-sensible! We are way beyond the age of reason and deep into the age of treason! The appeal to demonstrate conviction, courage, and common sense is not just pertinent to the Idaho Supreme Court and Court of Appeals – it is to us, my friends – TO US. The problem with common sense is that it is becoming less and less common! But we can change that! What if hundreds reading this letter would look up DefendtheFamily.com and order a few hundred copies of the pamphlet, NOT Just Another Sin, to help shake Christians (and all our fellow citizens) out of our lethal lethargy? The back of the pamphlet says, “Our goal is to put this brochure into the hands of every pastor and Christian leader in America and around the world.” They will send them to you free! (You will probably want to donate because the brochure is pertinent and powerful.) You can also write to Abiding Truth Ministries, P.O. Box 2373, Springfield, MA 01101 to order copies.
Has there ever been a time in history when this passage of Scripture has been more fitting and pertinent? “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, ‘Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.’”Psalm 2:1-3
Prayer from the National Day of Prayer
“Dear heavenly Father, we come to You today as a humble people desperate for Your supernatural intervention on behalf of our beloved nation. First, we thank You for all the blessings You have bestowed on our land, blessings that have allowed us to bring so much good and benefit to not only our own citizens but also to the rest of the world. The very ideals upon which this country was founded were based on biblical truths, no matter how some try to rewrite history to deny that very fact today.
This is why our hearts are so broken over how You continue to be marginalized and dismissed by both our people and our institutions. We are also saddened by the fact that Your people have contributed greatly to the spiritual apathy that now engulfs us. Our satisfaction in remaining religious without being fully committed to living out the truths of Your Word has caused us to become co-conspirators with the forces of evil that are destroying us as a society.
It is for this reason that we personally and collectively repent of our carnality and recommit ourselves to becoming visible and verbal disciples of Jesus Christ. Enable us, by Your Spirit, to no longer be secret agent Christians but rather to publicly declare and live out Your truth in a spirit of love so that You feel welcome in our country once again.
Thank You for Your promise to hear our prayers when we call to You with hearts of repentance and obedience, which is how we are appealing to You today, Father. On behalf of Your church, we affirm afresh the priority You are to us that You would fill every dimension of our lives as we seek to bring You glory through the advancement of Your kingdom in our personal lives, our family lives, and in the lives of our churches and our government leaders. We confidently invite heaven’s intervention into all the affairs of our nation and we praise You in advance for Your answer.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.” -Tony Evans
An Exercise in Futility
Putting a stone wall or any kind of fence around a cemetery is a waste of time and money. Why? Because those who are in there can’t go out – and those outside don’t want to go in! Can you envision the difference we could make in our world if every one of us would focus on investing his or her life in meaningful ways to “rescue the perishing and care for the dying”, instead of frivolously wasting our time and money on trivial pursuits that are an exercise in futility?
From Our Mailbox
“Dear Rick,
I am glad to pass you greetings from Oleg Vasiur – a leader of prison ministry at Dobraya Pristan (Good Harbor/Haven) church. They mainly focused on those who serve a life sentence, and have baptized several guys recently. They highly appreciate opportunity to share your book at jails. Here is a feedback they received recently:
‘May our Lord Jesus bless you with His grace, peace and goodness! I would like to begin my message with thanking you and brothers and sisters in Christ for participating at RECONСILIATION project that was taking place all around Ukraine in life-term prisons. I enjoyed the books that I received very much. They correspond to my beliefs and the Bible fully, praised be the Lord! I am very excited to work with the book Ready to Give an Answer by Rick Deighton. While reading I have to go back many times and read over to make sure I do not miss important explanations. What I like the most is the questions listed at the end of each chapter, which help the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the subject.’
Pavel Bolshov, Temnovka high security prison, Kharkiv.
Yours by the grace of Jesus, Sergei” (Golovin)
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“Thank you for the personal invitation to join your prayer group. I pray for O.O. (Overseas Outreach) every single night and the needs you tell me about in your newsletters. I will keep on faithfully doing that. Please give Della a hug from me.
Have a lovely Son-day, Carol” (Peart)
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“Thank you (and your organization) so much for remembering the hurting in Ukraine!
Blessings, Linda Gray”
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“Dear Rick,
As I am contemplating on the calling of our Lord this morning I cannot but think of you, your lifestyle of faithful disciple of Jesus and the impact of yours and Della’s life.
I feel most richly blessed and thankful for people God has put into my life. You and Della are in ‘triumphant procession’. 🙂 I am looking at the picture of you and Della. I am learning still to understand the heart of God and people. Yes, both are vital to do His will. I am thankful for your patience and trust. And know Overseas Outreach vision continues. Do not worry. Your zeal and perseverance through years impacted many people, including our family. Our friendship is somewhat 15 years already. I treasure it.
Now, I began praying for reaching to other countries. So far it is Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia. As you always teach: ‘every good thing should start with prayer’. God is good. Hope as my kids grow older it will happen, especially Jacob. He just needs so much care now.
I am having some minor health issues caused by stress I have experienced in last six months. Prayers will help, diet and exercise.
Blessings of our Father,
Zhenya” (Molodchy)
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“Hi, my name is Matthew Conti, and I am an inmate at Valley State Prison in Chowchilla, CA.
I have received your book, Ready to Give an Answer from Bruce Malone of Search for the Truth Ministries. Rick and Della, I have just started to read the book that was sent to me. The part that I have read I found a good read, full of helpful information in my walk in faith.
Could you please send me information about your ministry, books, tracts, and anything that can be of help in my walk in Christ…..
Your brother, Matthew Conti”
Creation Training Initiative
Mike Riddle is an expert trainer for athletes, but equally or more so for creation evangelists. I am now serving as one of several enthusiastic team members for planning and promoting Mike Riddle’s seminars for Creation Training Initiative in our area. We are now in the process of planning a one-day seminar for Christian school and public school teachers, youth leaders, and other Christian leaders here in the Boise area. If you would like to have a seminar for your congregation or group, please contact us at Overseas Outreach.
These seminars are designed to be life changing and culture impacting. If you deeply care and want to be involved in changing the world one soul at a time, you may want to sign up!
Birthday Party
June 3 will be the joyous celebration of Trinity Hope’s 5th Birthday – and she is busy making preparations. In fact, in March she started inviting people to her party (rather randomly) – like Mike at the Post Office and a stranger she met in a store. Actually, she doesn’t meet strangers – just friends she didn’t know before.
One day when I heard her jabbering to her imaginary friends, I caught the words “sardines and hot chocolate” and wondered if she was planning the menu for her party.
Are we as intent on meeting new friends for Jesus and inviting them to partake of the Bread of Life and Living Water? Do we really want to see them at the banquet table for the marriage supper of the Lamb?
“Millions of Miracles” and “A Matter of Faith” DVDs
You may remember that last year I was the one designated by the other directors of Northwest Science Museum to spearhead the project of sponsoring the captivating creation honoring movie, “A Matter of Faith.” I gathered a team to work with me to sponsor bringing this movie to the big screen at Edwards 21 on the first weekend of February. God answered our prayers so there was a good turnout the first weekend – and the theater kept playing the movie for nearly two weeks. Then, in April, we sponsored the film for two showings at Overland Park theater – again with good results.
I told the movie producer, Rich Christiano, that the theme of the movie perfectly paralleled the theme of my new book, “Millions of Miracles – The Evolutionist’s Dilemma”. I sent him a sample copy, and then he bought a case of 52 copies to distribute. Now the DVDs of “A Matter of Faith” are available to the public, and I just ordered my third case of 30 copies. The list price for the DVD is $17.99, but Rich Christiano lets me order them for $10.00 each. You can have a DVD and a copy of “Millions of Miracles” for an offering of any amount to Overseas Outreach. Just request them when your send your check. Both of these resources are designed to help fulfill the goal to reach souls for Jesus and teach “every man in all wisdom that we may present ever man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
Prayer Requests
1. Boise Bible College needs $40,000 by the end of June to cover current expenses without having to borrow funds. Please pray!
2. Both Northwest Science Museum and Overseas Outreach need funds to take care of ongoing expenses, plus expansion plans and caring for those with deep needs (orphans in Ukraine and destitute Internally Displaced Persons (I.D.P.), for example).
3. I hope to leave for Ukraine again on September 9th for about six weeks. Please pray for God’s leading in planning my itinerary.
4. Please pray for God’s clear leading for Paul Sudhakar, who will graduate soon from a university in Kharkiv, Ukraine – and wants to study at Boise Bible College. Pray for God to clarify to him and to us how best to help this young astrophysicist become the most effective creation evangelist and bold witness for Jesus possible.
5. Praise God for giving Zhenya, Natasha and children a wonderful reception at a Messianic church in Kharkiv – and pray concerning a baptism service soon for their two older children, Masha and Yan, and for Volodia Lipov.
My Appeal to Members of the Idaho Supreme Court to Demonstrate Conviction, Courage & Common Sense
To Members of Idaho Supreme Court and Members of Idaho Court of Appeals,
When are we Idahoans going to step up to the challenge as Alabama Supreme Court has done? Are we in Idaho still the home of the free and the brave? Are we free to stand for real marriage – or do we bow to the agenda of the homosexual activists concerning the redefining of God’s definition of marriage that has been common knowledge for thousands of years? What about so-called transgendered issues? Do you recognize that a male is a male down to every last cell of his body, and a female is female down to every last cell in her body? This is scientific fact. (I realize that we live on a cursed earth and that there are genetic defects – but a possible exception does not nullify a rule.)
Are you aware that a man’s brain is wired differently than a woman’s brain? Who rewires the brain of an individual who is not content to be who God created him or her to be and chooses to be “transgendered”?
Will my wife, daughter, and granddaughters be safe in women’s restrooms in Idaho – or will any perverted man be allowed to go into their private space because he claims to feel like he is a woman (or dresses like one)? Is there sanity left in the state of Idaho? Is there enough courage left to protect the vulnerable women and children in Idaho?
I offer to any and all of you a free copy of my book, More than Conquerors in Cultural Clashes if you will read it. Would you like a copy?
Respectfully yours & His,
Rick Deighton