God Is FAITHFUL!!

A note to the members of Immanuel Southern Baptist Church: 

Bro Rick here. For those who were in service yesterday, you heard the incredible news that God restored every dollar that had been stolen from our accounts. We give Him all the praise for His faithfulness!

As I’ve reflected on everything that happened, I wanted to share a few things God has impressed on my heart:

Even when our financial resources were gone, our ministry didn’t stop. God reminded us that His work is never limited by what we have or don’t have.

The timing of the theft lined up with our planned revival, yet the sense of loss didn’t hinder what God wanted to do. If anything, it made the work in our hearts even more meaningful.

Walking through this challenge together created a unity we haven’t felt in a long time. God used a difficult moment to draw us closer as a family.

Many of us were given unexpected opportunities to testify about God’s provision. I pray you’ll continue those conversations and point people back to His goodness.

God has shown Himself faithful once again, and I’m grateful to walk this journey with all of you.

(For background, see this post: Will a Man Rob God?)

19 Years

It's been 19 years since we returned from overseas. In fact, living overseas seems like a lifetime ago. I've had the opportunity to visit overseas a few times, including, China/Hong Kong, Ukraine, Israel, and Pakistan. (Plus a western Caribbean cruise).

We've been home longer than we lived overseas. That is surreal.

So much has changed in these past 19 years. 

I've been a pastor for nearly 19 years at the same church.

Both daughters have grown up, got married, and have their own lives.

I'm a grandpa. Poppy, actually.

I've published three books.

I've lost too many family members.

I gained more than 80K followers on TikTok.

One thing is constant; God is in control. He has been so good to us!

Boynes in 2007

The Boynes, Ellises & Coffeys in 2024
(The little blond girl was a visitor)

Mayflower Ancestry Discovered

Every family has stories tucked away in old records and forgotten names. Recently, our family uncovered one that reaches all the way back to 1620. After careful genealogical research, we can now confirm that our lineage traces directly to three Mayflower lines: the Tilleys, John Howland, and William and Mary Brewster.

Seeing these names appear in our own family tree is both humbling and surreal. These were real people—ordinary men and women whose courage and faith shaped the earliest chapters of American history.

The Tilleys

Our line includes John and Joan Tilley and their daughter Elizabeth, one of the few young women to survive the first winter. Elizabeth later married fellow passenger John Howland, and together they became ancestors to thousands. Through her, the Tilley legacy lives on in our family.

Elizabeth Tilley Howland

John Howland

Perhaps the most dramatic story in our lineage belongs to John Howland, the young man who fell overboard during a storm and miraculously survived by grabbing a trailing rope. Bradford recorded the event, noting how close he came to being lost at sea. His survival changed history—and eventually shaped our own family line.

John Howland

The Brewsters

We are also connected to Elder William Brewster and his wife Mary, central figures in the Pilgrim story. Brewster served as the spiritual leader of the group, guiding them through persecution in England, refuge in Leiden, and the perilous journey to the New World. Their steadfast faith helped anchor the early colony.

William Brewster

A Legacy to Carry Forward

This discovery doesn’t elevate us above anyone else, but it does deepen our appreciation for the people who came before us. Their resilience, conviction, and willingness to risk everything for a new beginning now form part of our own family story.

History has always been meaningful. But now, for us, it feels personal.

NOTE: There are more than 10 million descendants in the US alone; 30-35 million worldwide.

No Words

 I am a pastor AND an author.

Yet, sometimes, I am without words.

The audacity of some people never ceases to amaze me. 

Their arrogance baffles my mind.

Their capacity for indifference for anyone but themselves shatters my understanding.

If I respond, I've taken the bait.

If I don't respond, I'm a coward.

Either way, I'll be criticized.

Good thing my identity isn't wrapped up in pleasing people who don't like me.

Will a man rob God?

"Will a man rob God?"

That is the question asked in Malachi 3:8.

The answer is, "They will try."

Recently, our church's bank accounts were hacked. The police and bank are still investigating. They nearly cleaned us out. When they saw us making safeguards, they took the rest of what they had originally left. Fortunately, the bank was able to put a stop to some last of their unauthorized withdrawals and we have a LITTLE operating capital to function until the funds are returned.

It has been a headache. We wiped the office computers clean. We changed all the passwords. We closed the old bank accounts and opened new ones; etc.

I am standing in full confidence that the Lord will restore our funds. Or, rather, HIS funds.

One of the big headaches about all this is that since we had to basically start over with our laptops, we have to reinstall all of the programs and apps that were removed. 

Praise the Lord that one of our members, Jonathan, has been critical in getting everything up and running. Oh, I can download the programs, but he reconnected the printer and did some deep computer stuff to allow us to download programs while maintaining security.

I'm not worried even a little bit. God will get glory through all of this!

People! People! People!

 The title of this post is a quote from one of my favorite John Wayne movies, "McLintock!" (I love that the title has an exclamation point!)

While the quote is from the character, Drago, and is used to get people's attention, I use it often as an exclamation of frustration. I usually say it to myself, but sometimes it gets mumbled on the outside.

I've found myself saying it a lot over the past few years.

Or better yet, to quote RC Sproul, "What's wrong with you people?"

There is a saying in church leadership, "Poop runs uphill."

So very true.

No matter what people do to each other, the pastor gets blamed.

No matter what people say to each other, the pastor gets blamed.

In a way, I guess, it is my fault. I assume people who call themselves "Christians" are going to be led by the Holy Spirit. We all know what happens when you assume.

I am an eternal optimist. Or at least I used to be. I'm not sure I am any longer.

People can be just downright mean to each other. And to their pastor.

I wonder, in how many minds do I live rent free?

Last Sunday, I preached a sermon on forgiveness. I said that you have to forgive people who aren't even sorry for what they did or said.

Let me tell you something; it's hard to practice what I preach...

I'm tired. No. I'm exhausted. Mentally. Physically. Even spiritually.

People have said some very mean and unfair things to me. Things of which I do not believe to be true, but hurt, nonetheless.

I know that Jesus is enough. I KNOW!!!!

I know that Jesus suffered MUCH more than I ever will.

There is solace in that knowledge.

I KNOW that the accuser is a liar and will come at me where I am weak and vulnerable.

Yes, a pastor can be weak and vulnerable in certain areas of his personal life. I mean, we're people, too, after all.

I KNOW our enemy is a jerk of Biblical proportions. He was a jerk to the Father. He was a jerk to Jesus. And he is a jerk to anyone who claims the Name of Jesus for themselves.

I KNOW our enemy is not each other. But our enemy sure does use others to get you where it hurts.

I need to suit up each day in the Armor of God.

I need to pray for wisdom, discernment, and for the people who insult me and make trouble for me.

I need to seek God in every circumstance and run to Him for comfort. 

I know I'm not perfect. Far from it, in fact.

I get no satisfaction from telling people how the cow ate the cabbage.

I dislike confrontation mostly because I fear I may cross a line. Too bad others don't feel that way.

Pastoring ain't for sissies.

Christmas, Again

 This will be my 62nd Christmas, but I confess, I don't really remember my first several!

This will be my 19th Christmas at Immanuel as their pastor.

Christmas, for pastors, or at least for me, is stressful. Even more so than it ever was as a dad.

Christmas sermons. Advent candles. Christmas Eve candlelight services. Christmas parties. Expectations. And that's just the pastor part. 

Trying to keep my own focus on Jesus during Christmas is hard enough. But to try and help a congregation of people, no matter how large or small, to keep their eyes on Jesus, too, is a daunting task.

Factor in turmoil, financial difficulties, interpersonal conflict, and it becomes nearly impossible.

Oh! How I long for those first 8 or 9 Christmases!

My grandma's fudge. Aunt Imogene's Hello Dollies. Uncle Bill's silly excuses for being late.

Waiting for Santa. (Santa came to our house early on Christmas Eve. We were told we were his first stop!)

Now, I'm the grandpa. We still put out stockings for the whole family, as seen below:

Now I delight in watching my grandkids open their gifts. Now I look forward to the whole family gathered around the table for Christmas lunch. For the past several years, I have grilled steaks for our lunch. That is my personal gift to the family.

But, it is all about Jesus. Immanuel. God with us. And that is the point. God became a man and dwelt among men on earth. He lived a sinless life. He suffered and bled and died on a cross. He was buried in a borrowed tomb and rose again three days later. He ascended to Heaven and we wait, expectantly, for His return. Maranatha!

Put your faith in Jesus. Trust Him. I promise you'll be the best Christmas you've ever had!

My 3rd Novel has been published!

 My third novel, Stumbling through the Darkness, was published yesterday, September 9, 2025!

I dedicated it to my mother and gave it to her on her birthday. 

You can buy the ebook edition on your favorite ebook platform. You can buy the paperback version on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For your convenience, here is the Amazone link: Buy Here.

I hope you enjoy reading it. Be sure to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads!

18 Years as Pastor - 30 Years in the Ministry

 As of today, August 1, 2025, I have had the privilege, duty, and honor, to serve the Lord by being pastor Immanuel Southern Baptist Church for 18 years. Looking back, this is also my 30th year in vocational ministry.

Me, in 1990, at the HK Baptist College Recreation Centre

I served for 12 years with the International Mission Board (2 when it was the Foreign Mission Board).

Our missionary prayer card for 2002

The Lord has taken me to Hong Kong (British Territory), Ecuador, China, Guinea, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Togo, Gambia, Benin, Thailand, Hong Kong (Chinese Territory), Mongolia, Tibet, Israel, Ukraine, and Pakistan. I can add many more countries to this list, but these are the primary ministry places. (I've been to Israel, Ukraine, and Pakistan since entering service as a pastor)

My wife, Sally, and me at the Western Wall in Jerusalem

As a pastor I've had numerous VBS pies in my face, baptized scores of believers, sat at a church camp security hut for hours upon hours, flipped innumerable pancakes and hamburger patties at Falls Creek, and officiated many weddings and way too many funerals. 

On duty at the KBA Security Hut

In many ways, pastoring is harder than being a missionary, well, at least when you don't consider the culture and language barriers. A minute minority of church members are constantly on the lookout for any excuse to get mad and leave. A few believe that Gossip is a spiritual gift. Some consider the church building "theirs" and any changes or repairs must go through them. 

Baptizing a family in 2010

But the majority of church members are truly good people. It is an absolute delight to see people being transformed by Jesus! A pastor who skips from church to church and has no longevity doesn't get to see that. The Lord has blessed me with 18 years at the same congregation!

18th Anniversary Pic

The Lord has been with me every step of the way! He is faithful! My wife has been by my side every step as well. Being a preacher's wife is no easy task. But that's a subject for a different blog post!

Sally and me with our grandkids at VBS this year.

Stumbling through the Darkness Publication Notice

 My third novel, Stumbling through the Darkness, is set to be published September 9, 2025! It is volume 2 of the Josh Weston Chronicles. 

Josh Weston can see what no one else can—towering angels and twisted demons waging spiritual war all around him. What began with a prayer and a miracle has turned into a burden that threatens to unravel his life. When dark forces uncover his secret, Josh becomes the most hunted man in the demonic world—and a reluctant public figure in his own. As his family’s safety and his faith are tested, Josh must navigate a world of invisible danger and very real consequences. Gripping and thought-provoking, Stumbling Through the Darkness is a supernatural thriller about unseen battles, unshakable faith, and the courage to stand when the world—and hell itself—is watching.

Stumbling through the Darkness is available for preorder by emailing me. You will receive a signed copy for $20 including shipping to the Continental USA. Payment can be arranged by PayPal, CashApp, or Venmo. Payment is required before shipping. I do not expect shipments to be before August 1.  Email me at rick@rickboyne.com

2025 Sabbatical

I have been afforded the opportunity to take a short, 31-day sabbatical by my church. I am taking it the entire month of May 2025. Here is something I found about the need for pastoral rest:

Pastoral burnout is often caused by a combination of emotional, spiritual, and physical pressures. Here are some of the main contributing factors:

1. Unrealistic Expectations – Pastors are expected to be available 24/7, provide counseling, preach inspiring sermons, lead ministries, and handle administrative tasks. This constant pressure can be overwhelming.

2. Lack of Boundaries – Many pastors struggle to separate their personal and ministry lives. Without time for rest and personal renewal, exhaustion builds up.

3. Emotional Strain – Shepherding a congregation means carrying the burdens of others—grief, struggles, conflicts—which can take a toll over time.

4. Financial Stress – Some pastors face financial insecurity, adding to their stress levels, especially if they feel undercompensated for their workload.

5. Isolation – Leadership can be lonely. Pastors may feel they have no one to confide in or fear admitting struggles, leading to internalized stress.

6. Conflict and Criticism*– Dealing with congregational disagreements, complaints, and criticism can erode a pastor’s confidence and enthusiasm.

7. Neglect of Personal Spiritual Life – Constantly ministering to others while neglecting personal spiritual renewal can leave a pastor feeling disconnected and empty.

8. Lack of Rest – Skipping vacations or taking few personal breaks can lead to chronic exhaustion and reduced effectiveness.

Burnout isn’t just an individual issue—it affects the entire church. When pastors are drained, their leadership and ability to care for their congregation suffer. Recognizing these signs and addressing them early is key to long-term health and ministry sustainability. 

Update on Third Novel

 I've been working on finishing the last couple of chapters of "Stumbling through the Darkness" the sequel to my award winning "Peering into the Darkness." I hope to have it published by the end of the summer. Meanwhile, here is a fascinating summary of "Peering into the Darkness."

When Josh Weston undergoes a routine eye surgery, he expects to see more clearly—but he never imagined it would open his eyes to the spiritual realm. Haunted by doubt and unaware of the demon whispering lies into his life, Josh begins to experience visions that defy explanation. As strange encounters escalate and angelic forces intervene, he’s thrust into a hidden battle between good and evil.

With the love of his wife, the prayers of a devoted aunt, and the support of lifelong friends, Josh must confront the darkness both around him and within. What he discovers will challenge everything he thought he believed—and reveal a truth that changes everything.

A compelling story of faith, awakening, and spiritual warfare, Peering into the Darkness reminds us that sometimes, to truly see, we must first believe.

Everyday Murder

 A murder occurs two or three times a day in my neighborhood.

A murder of crows, that is.

The caw of a crow is the first bird call that I learned as a child. Three or four crows assemble in my backyard tree two or three times a day. 

Invariably, it takes me back to a time when my grandparents had a trailer house at Grand Lake. There were many crows in my great aunt’s lake resort called “Shady Heights.” I remember that, especially in the mornings, crows would be cawing for what seemed to be for hours.

When I hear the crows in my yard, it makes me smile for it transports me back over 50 years ago, when everyone I loved was still alive.

Pain in the Back

 I hurt my back (most recently) in October of 2024 while moving a washing machine for a young widow in our church. I must have caused a bulged or ruptured disc. I was in constant, excruciating pain until a couple weeks ago.

I went to a chiropractor. It helped for a tiny bit each time but was too expensive to keep going.

I've used a medicine cabinet's worth of ointments and gels to alleviate the pain.

I've used a handheld back vibrator to the point of nearly wearing it out.

I've put ice packs on it several times a day.

In addition to the actual injury, I've had a mess of undue stress that has only aggravated the pain.

I'm not really sure what happened two weeks ago. But I praise the Lord that I am better!

Tofu or not tofu

 I have a confession to make. I hope you won't defriend me over this. Here it goes:

I like tofu. Well, sorta.

Now here me out. I lived in Hong Kong for three years. I like fried tofu in SOME Chinese dishes. I also like limited tofu in SOME Chinese soup.

Full disclosure. I will NEVER choose tofu over bacon, beef, or even chicken.

Judge away.