DeSoto Hills Baptist Church

I suppose it could be seen as a form of “tooting your own horn” since she is my better half, but if it was anyone else, I would be shouting it from the rooftop.  Thank you, Kathy, for once again helping us put together and pull off another outstanding Fall Fest.   The layout was great, the games were fun, the food was delicious, the spirit was excellent and the crowds were enormous.  I believe what we did and the way we did it will have a lasting impact on those who attended.  Hopefully we will be able to identify some prospects from our sign in process, but more importantly, I pray that people who attended identified us as a friendly, caring church.   Although it would have been hard to do this without Kathy, it would have been impossible for her to do it without you.  Thanks to all who pitched in and were so willing to do whatever was necessary to get the job done.  I was so encouraged by how quickly you helped turn things around to get us ready for the Caldwell visitation.  We finished right on time.  It was a beautiful reminder of what happens when God’s people cooperate for a common goal. Tickled pink,

The temperature is changing, leaves are turning, days are getting shorter, and it’s time once again for our annual FALL FESTIVAL.  Mark your calendar and plan to be here on Sunday afternoon, October 25 from 3:30 to 5:30 for a fun filled experience.  This is one of several community events we do each year just to say “we are here” and “we do care”.  As you can imagine, it takes a lot of work to pull off an event of this magnitude, so we need a host of volunteers.  If we have at least three people working in every area, we can take turns and no one will have to work the entire two hours.  There is a sign up sheet for helpers just inside the north entrance of the Grand Hall along with a place to enter the Chili Cook-Off.  Invite your neighbors and help us spread the word about the obvious opportunities that will occur at this outstanding October outing! While you are at it, be sure to be here on Sunday morning the 25th.  We are going to have the unique opportunity to hear what the Lord is doing through the life of an Afghan Christian by the name of Khalid.   He has an extraordinary testimony of God’s grace and guidance in a country that is torn by war and overshadowed by a devotion to Islam.   His big smile and humble spirit are at the same time convicting and contagious.   Most of what we hear from that region of the world is rather depressing, but on Sunday morning October 25, you will be able to hear “the rest of the story”.  Our God is at work in places where perhaps others have given up.  The LIGHT is still shining in the darkness. Amen, P.S. Today Kathy and I are in Florence, Alabama at Underwood Baptist Church helping them kick off their annual Bible Conference.  I am preaching in both their morning and evening services.  We have been to their wonderful church before. See ya on Wednesday

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Matthew 5:21-26 Raising the Bar

Okay. There is no easy way to say this, but I had a bad attitude from the get go.  I received a letter several months ago informing me that I would need to come by a local hospital, fill out some paper work, and get a photo ID badge made to continue to have access to their patients.  Hey bud, your patients are my people and if I want to see them, who are you to deny or restrict my access.  Anyway, the letter stated that all of this was to make it easier, not more difficult, for me to visit the hospital.  Blah, blah, blah, yeah right. Suddenly I felt like I was in the “spin zone”.   I realize it is a security measure, but after 11 years, I knew the hospital well and never had any difficulty visiting there.  In fact, the “powers that be”, or rather, many of the people who work for the “powers that be” know me.  As a pastor, I have access to most patients, even when they are in restricted areas such as Critical Care.  I never try to abuse this and rarely stay with any patient very long.  My philosophy has always been that if you are sick enough to be in the hospital, you do not need long-winded visitors.   Of course there are exceptions to this rule, but they are rare.  Remember that the next time you visit someone in a medical facility.  Now, on with my ranting.  I continued to put off going by and having my badge made, but finally Bro. Grant and I decided it was time to comply.  The whole ordeal was pretty painless, though it did little to soften my sour attitude.  A day later I was in the hospital, wearing my new tag, when a lady stopped and asked if I worked in this hospital.  Afraid she was about to ask me a medical question I quickly told her that I was simply a visiting pastor (who was obliged to wear this silly badge).  It was then that the Lord hit me.  You know what I mean.  You’re complaining while He is creating situations for ministry. It hits you like a ton of bricks how mysteriously He can work even through an ID badge.   It just so happened that the “clergy” on my badge was why she stopp ed me.  She had a friend who could sure use a visit from a pastor.  Would I mind checking on her?  I said “yes” and she thanked me.  I am sure the Lord smiled as I rode the elevator up to the 8th floor.  Thankfully I did not choke on “crow” as I made an unexpected visit to a total stranger.  God is good all the time. Your badge-toting pastor,

A Divine Endorsement – Matthew 5: 17-20

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