A Chip Off The Old Rock

On Friday, April 27, went to see an old friend that I have known for most of my life. His name is Sam. Not only is he a friend of mine, but when my father was living, he was a very good friend of my dad. You see, Sam is a very skilled automotive mechanic, and an honest Christian man. We were not the richest family around, monetarily speaking, so my parents couldn't afford to have new cars. That is where Sam came in, he helped keep our cars running so my parents could have reliable transportation. Anyway, when I entered his shop, his secretary commented how much I looked like my dad. Sam reiterated her comment when he came in from the garage a few minutes later. Then he made the comment that there has never been another pastor like my dad. For twenty-seven years my dad had been the pastor at the same church in this small community. Under his leadership, the small church grew from twenty or so to over three hundred; this was in a town with a population of one thousand and six residents at the time. During his time at the church, there was a restoration program for the old worship center and basement, and there were two large additions including a gymnasium, fellowship hall, and additional Sunday School classrooms added. When I was a teenager, I didn't particularly like it when someone said how much I looked like my dad: Probably because I was seeking out my own identity. But now, being older, I really appreciate the comment from those who knew him. He became my rock, my go to guy: When I had a problem or needed guidance, he was there. I now seek to capture the qualities that made him a great man not only in the home but in the community and in the church. I realize not only do I have an outward appearance resembling my dad, but also desire to develop an inward resemblance of him.

My dad has been physically gone for nineteen years. There probably isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him and the lasting effect he had on my life. He not only taught me lessons about life, he lived them out for me to observe in real life situations. I wish my daughters could have known him and he would have had a chance to see them grow and mature into young ladies. I don't understand why he had to die when he did...why he couldn't have lived longer? All I know is, at the time of his death, I didn't have anything left unsaid. Perhaps that is the reason my period of grief was short lived. Yea, I miss him, he will never come back to me, but I will go to him later.

I hope I am able to have the kind of effect on my children that my father had on me. If I do, then I will be "A Chip Off The Old Rock."

Going To The BIG House

At the end of this week (3rd-6th) one of my very best friends, Jeff Miles is...Going To the BIG House. He is one of a team of thirty-eight men that will enter Crossroads Correctional Center (for men) with a group called, Kairos. Kairos Prison Ministry International, Inc. is the organization of a body of ministries addressing the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women and children, to their families and to those who work in the prison environment.

Kairos is a ministry of the church...a ministry of the apostles whom Jesus, the Christ, has called into community and sent forth into the environment of the correctional institution. Kairos has been called the best example of the early church in existence today.

The selection process began with sixty inmates being chosen from the prison population: The number was further reduced to thirty-six inmates. These thirty-six inmates have a tremendous influence over their fellow inmates, either positive or negative in nature. One of the main goals of Kairos is for the inmates that participate in this program to create a positive atmosphere in their immediate surroundings. This will have a tremendous ripple down effect on the inmates and prison staff they interact with. But the most important thing that these thirty-six inmates would experience is found in Ezekiel 11:19-20. That verse says: "I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a hear of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God." When your heart of stone is replaced with a heart of flesh, and the new spirit is received (Holy Spirit) then you have the peace that comes from having Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Pray for Jeff and the team as they go into a hostile environment to present the Word of God to these thirty-six men. Pray That the Holy Spirit will will soften the inmates hearts of stone and make their heart(s) receptive to the Living Word of God.

Above: Crossroads Correctional Center
Above Right: Master Grillers, Jeff (left) and I practicing our skill.

AWANAs...Are Truly Home Missions

From mid September through early May, on Wednesday evenings it is particularly difficult to find a parking space around our church. There are many church members in the
kitchen preparing dinner for all those involved in the different activities that will take place tonight. There are several activities taking place, but none as big as the AWANA program. Our AWANA (stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed) program is geared for ages three years old through sixth grade. This program attracts an average of 150 children per week, and approximately one-fourth do not regularly attend any church in our community. There are eighty committed workers in eight departments and they are led by two extremely committed ladies in our church. The Commander is Nancy Miles: She is assisted by Darla Walker. These two have the daunting task of organizing this mission in our church/community. The children memorize scripture, have recreation time, have a time of praises in song, give a mission offering, pick a missionary to study and earn awards as they advance through their books each week. The goal of AWANA is to build a solid Biblical foundation in God's son, Jesus Christ. But the ultimate goal is for the children to come to a realization that they need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. In the Great Commission, Jesus commands us to go into our community and spread the word. Our AWANA program is truly home missions in action.

Photographs above of opening activities at
AWANA this evening.

My Little Hero

The 2006-07 school year is quickly coming to an end. The elementary school I teach in has students kindergarten through fourth grade. This year there is a particular student that I will be sad to see leave our building and go to the middle school. His name is Dewey. Now Dewey is not your typical fourth grade student...he has quadriplegic-cerebral palsy. This requires him to be confined to his motorised wheelchair or some other device to hold him in an upright position. I was very apprehensive when I was informed four years ago that I would be having two students in class in wheelchairs (Jessica was the other one). After having Dewey in class one time, my uneasy feeling was gone: He was a great kid to have in class. Dewey possesses a quality that is not seen in very many people I come in contact with, regardless of their age. He has an unbelievable positive attitude about life. In four years I have never heard him complain about his lot in life or say I can't do whatever. Dewey has a contagious enthusiasm for life, and a grin that makes you wonder what he will do or say next. He is the kind of person if you gave him lemons, he would make lemonade and probably give you his if there wasn't any more. I consider myself to lucky to have had the opportunity to get to know Dewey the past four years. I hope I have been able to touch his life as much as he has touched mine. When school begins next fall, he will be physically gone from my class: But he will forever remain, My Little Hero.

Heidi is Dewey's Physical Therapist. She works

with him several times each week to help

strengthen his body.

Special Olympics: In Memory of Jessica

Today I accompanied the students from our school district to their Special Olympics competition. This is a great day for everyone involved. All the competitors are allowed to participate in three events of their choosing: They are awarded medals on the victory stand after each event. This year however is bitter/sweet for me. Last June one of my third grade students that participated in the Special Olympics died unexpectedly. Jessica was her name. She was confined to a wheelchair, but she always had something to tell you or ask you. She had every reason to be unhappy with life, but she chose not to. The family asked me to be one of the pallbearers at her funeral. During the service, what I had suspected was confirmed by her pastor. Prior to her death, Jessica had become a follower of Jesus and had made Him Lord of her life. How many time do we complain about the most trivial things in life, not appreciating the blessings God has given to each one of us. I have missed seeing her in class this school year: The Special Olympics was always a highlight for her. I am dedicating this entry in my blog to her memory...Love ya Jessica; I know I will see you again.

The Gospel Journey

The word gospel means the truth. Our Minister of Youth, Casey Joyce, started our youth group on, The Gospel Journey. This is a video series that allows the youth (in this series ) to encounter some possible new thoughts and ideas about God. The scenes featured on this video aren't staged. There is an atheist, a minister's kid, an agnostic, a Wiccan, an Episcopalian, a Presbyterian, and a city girl. They are given the opportunity to interact with Greg, the minister, who is leading them during discussion sessions. Then they have a question and answer period with him to discuss their thoughts and ideas they had about what was covered. We began viewing it March 7th and concluded the 6th session on April 4th. Casey has not allowed us to view the final video session yet, we get to see it on June 13th. We now have ask the youth to invite their friends to come and take this journey...no "churchie stuff." We have some snacks, watch the video, break into very small discussion groups, have a short large session, pray, and go home. Pray that God will use this time to touch the hearts of their friends, but also lead our youth toward a more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ.

Casey is getting ready to get this session of

The Gospel Journey started with the youth

(photo above right).

Fill in the Blanks

There are many times I wonder why God chooses certain Christians to go or do specific things when there are others that appear to have better qualified. When I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to go or do something my first thought is, you have got to be kidding me? In our morning service, our pastor, Jay Raines, was teaching us about the ordinance of baptism using the scripture found in Acts 8:26-39 (The Conversion of the Ethiopian Official). What caught my immediate attention was what Jay said after he read the question that Philip ask the eunuch (in verse 30), "Do you understand what you're reading?" Jay said, Philip was sent there to fill in the blanks. When the Holy Spirit leads us to go or do something, we may be the only one that is able to fill in the blanks for that particular person. I believe I have the answer to my first statement now. I need to be obedient in order that the Holy Spirit can use me to fill in the blanks.

Beauty and the Beast(s)

Tonight was the prom. Both of our daughters spent most of the day getting ready for the big event. I did the smartest thing a father could do: I went to the tennis club and practiced for about two hours, visited my mom and stepfather, then motored home. When I arrived, around 4 p.m., both of our children had been transformed (see photos). They are growing up pretty fast, but I wouldn't have it any other way. We are fortunate to have two daughters that are as beautiful on the inside as they are on the inside. I thank God for the two gifts he entrusted to us to raise in an atmosphere where our house is a home. When I was growing up, my father had a small brass plate made. He placed it in our kitchen window in our home: It now sits in our kitchen window. My father has been gone for many years, but every time I see it setting there, I am reminded of the kind of home I grew up in. The plate says, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15. As our daughters spend the last few years at home before they begin to spread their wings and fly, our prayer is that they will establish homes where they will serve the Lord.

You can easily see who the Beauty in
this photograph is, and the Beast(s)...right?

My Rookie Post

I thought it would be appropriate if my first blog entry was about a few of the events that have had a profound effect on my life. This was the morning we were at the airport getting ready to begin the flight to Romania in 2004. I can still remember what I was thinking to myself: dear God, what have I gotten myself into? For the next few days, I can remember asking myself that question many times. On the return flight, I decided, I wasn't going to go on the next mission trip. The first thing my oldest daughter said to me at the airport when I returned was that she wanted to go with me next time.

This is pix of the team that traveled to
Romania in 2005.





This is the team in 2006 getting ready to leave the states. (right)



This is my favorite pix of all the many thousand we have taken in Romania. Troy Geddes, the missionary we work with, giving a little girl a Bible at one of the tennis events in 2005. The Great Commission instructs us to go and spread the Word. Here it is in its purest form.

I no longer wonder what I am getting myself into. I know. I feel fortunate that God is allowing me to return to Romania this year.