Filed under: Uncategorized
I wanted to give a quick shout out to Nikki Smith and Brian Walton who both won the Overseer’s Award for Most Outstanding Camper at Youth Camp this week. I am so proud of you guys!
I enjoyed the camp this week except for getting sick as a dog on Tuesday. This was our first year working with David Blair in South Georgia. You can see it had his handprint because of the attention to detail in the technical areas. There were several changes that I thought were great ideas. I thought that the guard tent that checked all cars entering and exiting the campground was a great safety improvement. The way that the ministry teams were organized allowed for better understanding and execution. The thing that impressed me the most with Bro Blair was that he was extremely dedicated to protecting and supporting the counselors. He organized and arranged for them to have extended periods of free time in the morning and evening without them having to be in meetings. I enjoyed the camp and can’t wait to work again next year.
Filed under: Uncategorized
I am in Florida on vacation with the family. Yesterday, I got really bad sunburned. The thing that I really noticed is that if you stay in the heat too long your energy and strength will tbe sapped from you.
That is a great lesson in life as well. If you stay in a situation that is full of stress, pressure, or worry your strength will be sapped as well. We can look to the Bible and the life of Jesus. We all should follow the example of how He took time away from the crowds to rest. Rest allows you to get your bearings back by stepping back and looking at the big picture. You can’t stay in the heat for too long without eventually getting burned.
Filed under: Uncategorized
I meant to post this picture last week but was never able to find the time. I have enjoyed the process of watching the growth of my garden. There have been many lessons that have spoken to my heart. I hope to share some of these later. The picture is the very first tomato that came from my garden. Sarah sent me a picture yesterday of my very first squash. When I left home on Monday the okra was just starting to come into sight. I can’t wait to see everything when I get home.
Filed under: Church
The kids are having a blast at Youth Camp! I must confess that yesterday was a hard day for me. I had to attend to some personal business after my session in the morning (evicting some renters) and then in the afternoon I got so sick. The worst part is that I got sick in front of the camp leadership team. Thankfully, I am better this morning. I am looking forward to everything that is going on today. I am also thankful that I will be home tomorrow for a couple of hours before I leave again.
Filed under: Church
Hello everyone! I am in Tifton, GA this week working youth camp. It is wild and crazy when you have around 400 kids ages 6-8. Yesterday was orientation and getting unpacked. We have 14 kids from our church here. They are all having have a great time at the moment. I can hear them screaming 
.
Today they will get to go to the pool and the inflatables and much more. The service was good last night with the campers filling up the altars seeking God. Keep us in your prayers and ask God to do wonders among our children.
Filed under: Church
I would like to say thank you to everyone who made Pastor Appreciation so very special. I loved the UGA decorations and the gifts not only for me but also for the kids. (A little secret just for my readers….Sarah had already put her things in the UGA purse before I was home from the funeral and then she took it to Walgreens) We do thank everyone for their efforts as well. It has a pretty quick turnaround doing Pastor Appreciation and then having everything ready for the funeral at 3:00. I love you heart.
The afternoon was so sad. We had the funeral for Ramsey Payne and the place was filled like I had never seen it. I was told by the funeral director that the processional was over 6 miles long. Please continue to remember Tanya, Anna Claire, Reggie, Regilyn and Rory and the entire family in your prayers.
I hope to post some this week while I am away at Youth Camp.
Filed under: Church
This has been an exhausting week. There has been so much so go on that I am fried. Here goes some highlights:
* I worked half the day at Youth Camp Monday. I love and believe in Youth Camp.
* We had a Council Meeting on Monday night were we began formulating ideas for the New Life renovation. It is exiting but a little overwhelming.
* Ramsey Payne (Rory’s) brother was in a terrible automobile accident. I have spent a good bit of time with the family at the hospital. They had to remove a portion of his skull and brain. We need everyone to pray hard for God to move in a miraculous way.
* I have met with numerous builders this week about the Church project.
* We are working on the Esther Project already. It is going to be awesome!
*This is newsletter week. I have just barely gotten started.
*My Sister is coming into town on Friday. I am excited to see the Family.
*Pastor Appreciation is this Sunday. I don’t really like the whole thing of singling me out.
There is a quick round up. I am swamped and I know it. Keep me in your prayers.
Filed under: Church
It has been a long weekend! The family and I went over to Brunswick where I officated a wedding. It was cool getting to go back to the ole stompin grounds for a couple of days.
Yesterday was a good service at New Life. We had 194 in attendance and we gave out knives to all of the Fathers in attendance. I preached on “The Power of the Holy Spirit.” All in all a pretty good day.
After service I went home and did nothing . Sarah fixed spaghetti (my request) and then later we had homemade ice cream. We also watched the kids on the slip n slide for at least an hour.
It is so hot here right now! I am glad that I know Jesus as Savior and that I am going to Heaven. I hear that Heaven is climate controlled.
I am off to youth camp this morning to help out for today only. I should be back this evening.
Filed under: Church
I had a meeting yesterday with a church design specialist that got me really excited. He was able to see with a fresh perspective our situation at New Life. He offered up some realistic measures for us to increase seating in our sanctuary.
We are in a situation where I do not think we should consider building until we are debt free. That in itself presents challenges. I feel like we may have an answer now. This process should it work out would be carried out in a 3-stage plan. I feel like it will work and also allow us the ability to hold over 300 in our sanctuary. That would increase our current seating by almost 100. The price for stage one would be about $25,000. I will be taking this to the Church and Pastor’s council on Monday night for discussion and consideration. I covet your prayers for our church as we begin this exciting process. Remember, we are in this together.
Filed under: Devotions
I tell people all the time that we all have a calling and place in the body of Christ. We tend to focus on the upfront positions but without the behind the scenes workers everything would fall apart.
A great example is the human body. We need our legs to walk. A broken foot can cause a lot of frustration. A small muscle that is pulled in the back though can cause major pain and also the inability to do what needs to be done. Little or big causes disruption in our lives.
We all are the body of Christ. There are no big “I’s” and no little “u’s”. Onward together as one body and one Church. I love New Life!
