Closing RPM Books and Ministries
In 2004, I launched RPM Ministries to be a portal for my speaking, writing, consulting, and counseling regarding biblical counseling and Christian living. Now, after about 18 years, the Lord is leading me to close RPM Books and Ministries.
The bookstore is now closed. However, you can visit Books to find links to purchase any of my books either at the publisher’s site or at Amazon. At the same link (Books), you can find free resources related to each book and booklet.
The Truth & Love blog is still up and you can read any of several thousand past blogs. However, other than occasional blogging, I will be ending my regular blogging ministry.
The 100s of free resources will still be available as always, here: Free Resources.
Retiring From Faith Bible Seminary
I was already planning to move toward semi-retirement with Faith Bible Seminary at the end of this current academic year in July 2022. This past week I interacted with our FBS Admin Team to let them know of my plans to transition out of FBS at the end of January 2022.
Thankfully, both RPM Books and Ministries and Faith Bible Seminary are ministries that I can return to. If the Lord leads, it is easy to reopen the bookstore and start blogging again at RPM. And the President of Faith Bible Seminary has already opened the door to my return if the Lord leads.
Longing to Be a Christocentric Husband
Many if not most of you understand why I am making these decisions.
God is leading me away from an outward facing public ministry.
God is leading me toward a focus on my family—in particular on Shirley. You can read about Shirley’s health needs here.
I make this decision joyfully. There is no greater joy than loving and serving Shirley.
I make this decision biblically. Paul tells us that if we do not take care of our families, then we are worse than unbelievers (1 Timothy 5:8). His point: non-Christians care for their family members. Christians of all people should focus on their family.
I make this decision with a longing to be like Christ. I am seeking to be a “Christocentric husband.” I confess that I have not always had that Christocentric focus—certainly not to the degree that God is empowering and calling me to now. Here’s what I mean by a Christocentric husband:
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body.
‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:25-32).
My Joyful Calling
This is my calling.
I joyfully enter my calling with deeper commitment than ever to seek through Christ’s power to love Shirley like Christ loves the church.
I want to give myself up for Shirley.
I want to love Shirley with a Christocentric nourishing and cherishing love—putting her first.
By the Spirit’s empowerment, I want to live out the gospel mystery of our oneness in Christ.
Of course you are doing this Bob. You are Spirit led and biblically faithful. May God bless this season richly. I appreciate your wisdom and example.
Always retire to, not from! You’re mKing a good decision here!
And this surprises no one. Your walk and talk compliment each other and honor Christ. I’m grateful for that challenge to me as well. Further, I’m grateful for your friendship. In this decision, you remind me of our dear friend Doc Smith and his decision to serve Mrs Leona. He had days of loneliness and missed that part of the ministry, but never once regretted it. He often told me that it was an upgrade. God saved his best ministry for those days.
God bless you, Bob. We will be praying for you as you focus your attention on Shirley.
Thanks, Bob for your faithful ministry over the years. I pray that you will find great delight in your “new” ministry of serving the Lord Jesus as you reflect his character in caring for Shirley (Hebrews 6.10).
Bob, you will be missed but what a beautiful way to honor the Lord! Thank you for all your years of faithful biblical counseling related ministry and service. I have been blessed by your ministry in many ways. May the Lord continue to bless and tenderly care for you and Shirley in the days ahead. Hugs to you both! 🤗
Your choice is understandable and commendable. Thank you for your discipleship of me and others at FBS
I count it a gift to pray and spend time with my dear friend, Shirley
May God’s faithfulness strengthen you in this challenging walk of faith He has chosen for you and Shirley. Your decision is, of course, the right one. Yet you have not selected an easy way. This new direction will definitely pierce your heart and deepen you. If I can be of encouragement, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Meanwhile I will continue to pray for you.
God will lead on your new path. My husband and I have “retired” several times. God has lead us to a new way to help expand his kingdom each time. God Bless.