Returning to the Pastorate

Da Da, I just couldn't fight the sleepy monster any more!
(Samuel at Grandma Linda's after a long funeral day)
NOW THAT IS CRASHED OUT! :-)

Good Morning All,

Last week, I had the honor of preaching Mike Hughes' funeral. It was an awesome thing to be a part of. Hundreds of people, military honor guard, playing taps, all the ceremonial elements of the Fire Department saying goodbye to one of their own. Mike was the retired fire chief for the Texarkana Arkansas Fire Department. He was also one of my two best friends. He was a Deacon in my former church, and a true servant. His wonderful wife Linda was one of my secretary's there as well. They are like another Father and Mother to us. Truly special. If you think of me, pray for Mike's family, Linda and his two sons, Terry and Greg. Truly wonderful people.

Preaching that funeral was very hard, but such a blessing too. It was easy to honor someone I loved so much. I've had few people in my life, who have ever meant so much, or made such an impact on my life as Mike and Linda have. We are going to miss him!

That said, for a brief moment, it felt like I was pastoring again. I have missed it so much! These last two years have been such a struggle physically, not to mention, the previous 3 and 1/2 years before that! There were certainly times, that I felt like giving up. There were days I never thought I'd be able to pastor again. During the worst of my struggles, God really spoke to my heart. NO, not audibly, but in that still quiet way that God speaks through His Holy Spirit. In that, I found a peace that God was not through with me yet. I knew that I would pastor again, no matter how crazy that idea sounded at the time. If you would have seen me then, you probably would have thought there was no way that guy would ever stand behind a pulpit again, much less pastor.

When I was at my worst physically, God was working the most spiritually and mentally. He was preparing me to serve again and giving me the confidence in Him, that we were going to turn the corner, and that I would pastor again, all to HIS glory! I told Carrie this, and though I am sure she might have been a little justifiably unsure at the time, she also began to really seek the Lord's will in all of this. She came to the same certainty that I did. Change was coming and I was going to pastor again. Friends, when you think that God is finished with you, when you think about giving up, remember that God is sovereign and He is able. He is still a God of miracles! I'm living proof.

Today, I'm stronger physically than I've been in many years. There is life back in my body that I have not known in 3 or 4 years! I'm growing stronger, not weaker. I feel strength, vitality, a quickening step, a sharper mind, excitement. Haven't felt those things in a LONG time! There is finally hope for a real cure in this. Lyme's disease gives every appearance of having been the culprit all along. It is not only treatable, it is curable! Whether it turns out to be Lyme's, I don't really care. What I do care about is the fact that it is responding to the treatment for Lyme's! The hold of the disease is greatly weakened, and growing weaker. My body, heart, mind, and soul have only grown stronger. God is working!

Right now, I've been in contact with three churches that have shown varying degrees of interest. One is only in the preliminary stages of their pastoral search, but would be a good opportunity.

The second church seems interested. I've talked with their chairman on the phone, and I will be preaching there on February 1st, not in view of a call, but as a chance for them to hear me and for us all to get to know one another. This church would be a great opportunity for us, is in a great rural community, and seems to have great potential. We are very excited about it.

The third church, is a little farther away, is in a town similar in size to Texarkana, and has begun the process of looking into me and my background. They've asked me some questions and have checked most, if not all of my references. If I paid them well enough, I should be fine! :-) JUST KIDDING! I certainly HOPE the reference checks went ok! I've talked with three of my five, and they all seemed to think it went well. This church is a great opportunity, similar in size to my last church and seems poised for great things. Their committee will meet this Sunday to decide if they want to proceed. Pray for them that they will know God's perfect will in all of this. I know that is what they want, and that is what we want as well.

We are excited, but of course praying constantly. As much as we are looking forward to serving again, we will only move forward if we are at perfect peace about when and where to serve. There are about 4 or 5 other churches that you might say would classify as irons in the fire. We don't know where we are in their process, but as far as we know, we are still in their process. There are a couple of churches closer to home that I've prayed about looking into, but so far haven't. One is in Texarkana, one is about an hour from there. We would like to be near home again, but will only do so if the Lord leads us to.

As you can see, we are in MUCH need of your prayers!

So many of you were with us this past week. Your love and encouragement for Carrie and I was so wonderful! You not only touched our hearts, but lifted our spirits. We are certainly praying for Hickory Street, and as always want only God's choicest blessings for you all. May the Lord God of heaven pour out those blessings upon this sweet church family. Pray for us, we only want the Lord's perfect will. Nothing more, nothing less. We won't move unless the Lord moves us. We trust His wisdom in all of this. Pray He shares some of that wisdom with us! ;-) Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. We love you.

Now, here are some recent pictures:

Da Da, this bed won't hold me long!!!

Oh Yeah! This pulling up thing is EASY!

Bubba, wait for me! I want to play the piano too!
(Zachary and Page, who my wife baby sits playing on the piano)
(Samuel moving quickly, not to be left behind!)

Hey Big Pa Pa, lets do a little three - man tag team preaching!
My Dad, Zachary, and Samuel at my Dad's church.
Cross Way church of Texarkana.

Can you see my two top teeth?
Anything close to these babies, you risk losing!
I don't call him a little beaver for no reason!!! :-)