My new adventure with God started on Monday. I am the new Christian Education Pastor at Decatur Baptist Church in Decatur, Alabama. And what an awesome church! The ministry staff, the administrative staff, the support staff, and the people at large are just awesome. Do I miss the folks at Clements? Of course, I do. They will always be family and will hold a very special place in Zannie's and my hearts. Our family has just enlarged ...a lot!
I don't really feel that I have done anything significant this week because it has been eaten up with getting the computer set up, filling out new employee papers, studying resumes for a ministry assistant, trying to find things in my newly "organized" office, and eating lunch. This is the most "eating out" bunch of people I have ever met. I'm liking it...a lot!
I am humbled and in awe of how God Almighty could entrust the education ministry of such a great church to me. Early in the process of praying about coming here, I told God that I didn't know that I could do all that was required of me here. Very, very clearly I heard Him say in that still, small, yet very loud and distinct voice, "I don't want you to do it; I want to do it through you." And that is my prayer-that it will not be me doing any of this but me being emptied of myself living in complete reliance on Him. Then I can watch Him amaze even me.
God is good all the time and all the time God is good! Amen and amen!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
"Hello! Goodbye!"
God sure does bring surprises into our lives. Eight years ago this week, God brought Zannie and me to one of the greatest churches on the face of the earth, Clements Baptist Church in Athens, Alabama. I was a salesman and passionate Sunday School director who God allowed to serve Him vocationally full-time as a minister of education. Then low and behold, He decided that it was time for us to go elsewhere. And I am convinced that, once again, He has placed us in one of the greatest churches on the face of the earth, Decatur Baptist Church in Decatur, Alabama.
For people who change jobs every few years, I suppose it would be rather hard to understand the angst that is taking place in my heart. On the one hand, we are leaving family. Eight years is enough time to see see elementary children graduate from high school and enter college. It's time to see students join the military, get married, have children and start whole new lives. It's time to see God work in good people's lives who had served faithfully within the body of the church then realize that they, up to that point, only had lots of religion then enter into a personal realationship with Jesus Christ. It's enough time to fall deeply in love with the people God had called you to serve. It's enought time for them to truly become family.
On the other hand, we are getting a whole new family. God is the only One who knows whether we'll be at Decatur Baptist Church for another eight years or 28 years. (That would put me at 87. I have always said that Caleb was one of my heroes of the faith.) In any case, God knows and He knows the blessings He has in store for us at Decatur. We have trusted Him in this time of decision-making and we'll trust Him in the time of transition. We'll trust Him to bring victory in all situations.
Thank you, God, for wanting only Your best for us.
For people who change jobs every few years, I suppose it would be rather hard to understand the angst that is taking place in my heart. On the one hand, we are leaving family. Eight years is enough time to see see elementary children graduate from high school and enter college. It's time to see students join the military, get married, have children and start whole new lives. It's time to see God work in good people's lives who had served faithfully within the body of the church then realize that they, up to that point, only had lots of religion then enter into a personal realationship with Jesus Christ. It's enough time to fall deeply in love with the people God had called you to serve. It's enought time for them to truly become family.
On the other hand, we are getting a whole new family. God is the only One who knows whether we'll be at Decatur Baptist Church for another eight years or 28 years. (That would put me at 87. I have always said that Caleb was one of my heroes of the faith.) In any case, God knows and He knows the blessings He has in store for us at Decatur. We have trusted Him in this time of decision-making and we'll trust Him in the time of transition. We'll trust Him to bring victory in all situations.
Thank you, God, for wanting only Your best for us.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A Few Of My Heroes
Everyone of us has or has had some heroes in their lives. Over the years, I have had many. A few of my heroes growing up were Tarzan, Superman, Rifleman, & Roy Rogers just to name a few. Well, I’ve outgrown these heroes…sort of. Those heroes can be fun as a child but heroes begin to shape your life at some point.
Heroes such as Ann Moore-there are few reading this blog who have ever heard of Ann Moore but she helped shape my life. Mrs. Moore was a high school English teacher who expected no more of me than I was capable of doing but required no less either. For C+ students, she expected no less than a C+ but at the same time understood that to expect more was not realistic. She knew how to get the best out of every student in her class. To this day, I cannot sit down to write something that I am not transported back to Obion County Central High School in Troy, Tennessee and ask myself, “What would Mrs. Moore think of this?”
In 1985, as a young Sunday School teacher and deacon, I really understood the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ for the first time. At that point I committed my life and my soul to His care a direction for my life. He has absolutely revolutionized my life and my future. He is the ultimate hero!
Then there’s Gene Moss, my dad. I learned hard work, ethics, going to church, and being on time from him. I remember going to the Old & Third National Bank in Union City, Tennessee and borrowing a few hundred dollars as a 12 year old to by some hogs and setting up an account at the feed mill. I remember on the way home him telling me that whether or not I had signed a piece of paper saying I’d pay back the money, my word should be enough. A handshake and a verbal promise to him were as binding as a written contact.
A hero for over 36 years is Zannie Moss, my wife. She has not just told me about and modeled compassion, mercy, and forgiveness for me, she has lavished all three of them on me when I deserved justice instead.
Robert Raikes is another hero to me. Raikes is credited for his innovation in setting up the first “Sunday school” in 1780 for the unruly children who lived in Glouster, England. Many of you are headed to heaven because of the “out of the box” idea Raikes had to teach the children to read by using the Bible as a text book.
Another of my Sunday school heroes is J. M. Frost who had the ability to look into the future to see the need for a publishing house for Southern Baptist Sunday School curriculum and presented a resolution in the 1890’s which formed the Baptist Sunday School Board.
For his “Formula” for Sunday School, Arthur Flake entered the ranks of hero to me when I read his book “Building a Standard Sunday School.” He taught me long after his death of the great organizing power of Sunday School and the basic principles that has strengthened Southern Baptist Sunday School for almost 100 years. Flake was a layman who joined the Baptist Sunday School Board in 1909 and became the first Director of the Sunday School Department in 1920.
Then there is Harry Piland whose drive and passion for Christian education influenced me like I didn’t know anyone could. His statement, "the word 'retire' is not in my vocabulary," to a group of Sunday School directors in 1994 has let me see that age has nothing to do with retirement. Retirement is a state of mind. Harry fanned a flame for Christian education in me in 1994 that burns hotter than ever today. Harry left LifeWay in 1994 at age 65 to become associate pastor/minister of education at First Baptist Church of Dallas where he served until 1997 before brain cancer forced him to return to Nashville for treatment before he died in 2001.
His predecessor at LifeWay as director of the Sunday School department, Bill Taylor is a hero to me because as I offered excuses as to why I could not become a minister of education, he showed me why and how I could.
One more Sunday School hero to me is Allan Taylor, the minister of education of First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA. Allan leads the education ministry for Pastor Johnny Hunt. I have never met anyone who and has more passion for what he does and believes in and loves Sunday School any more than Allan Taylor…unless it’s me!
Then there’s Dr. Frances Grace Moss Wood, my daughter. As she was in undergraduate school at the University of Tennessee at Martin her fiancé (now husband), E. J., was about an hour away at Lambuth University in Jackson Tennessee. On Friday and Saturday nights instead of chucking the studies for time together, Grace chose to close the library down. Her commitment to her studies and focus on the task at hand inspire me to this day.
One more set of heroes before I share with you some of my very favorite heroes. That is the local pastor-he works long hours doing a mentally, spiritually, and often physically grueling task. There is an incredibly heavy load to carry that he can share with no one. He leads under a microscope and has the opportunity at every turn to upset somebody.
Then there is a hero that goes so often unrecognized exercising constant faithfulness with little reward. He puts in countless hours of ministry, study and preparation every week of the year, most often after a full week of work. That’s the Sunday School teacher. Your level of scholarship inspires me. Your desire to minister to your flock causes me to re-examine my own heart regularly.
I have a lot of heroes and there are a lot more people than me who are looking at you as heroes. Live your life not as a hero but as a servant of Christ. Pour yourself into the task and invest in the lives of others. Wouldn’t it be great to have Jesus say someday, “You are one of my heroes!”?
Heroes such as Ann Moore-there are few reading this blog who have ever heard of Ann Moore but she helped shape my life. Mrs. Moore was a high school English teacher who expected no more of me than I was capable of doing but required no less either. For C+ students, she expected no less than a C+ but at the same time understood that to expect more was not realistic. She knew how to get the best out of every student in her class. To this day, I cannot sit down to write something that I am not transported back to Obion County Central High School in Troy, Tennessee and ask myself, “What would Mrs. Moore think of this?”
In 1985, as a young Sunday School teacher and deacon, I really understood the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ for the first time. At that point I committed my life and my soul to His care a direction for my life. He has absolutely revolutionized my life and my future. He is the ultimate hero!
Then there’s Gene Moss, my dad. I learned hard work, ethics, going to church, and being on time from him. I remember going to the Old & Third National Bank in Union City, Tennessee and borrowing a few hundred dollars as a 12 year old to by some hogs and setting up an account at the feed mill. I remember on the way home him telling me that whether or not I had signed a piece of paper saying I’d pay back the money, my word should be enough. A handshake and a verbal promise to him were as binding as a written contact.
A hero for over 36 years is Zannie Moss, my wife. She has not just told me about and modeled compassion, mercy, and forgiveness for me, she has lavished all three of them on me when I deserved justice instead.
Robert Raikes is another hero to me. Raikes is credited for his innovation in setting up the first “Sunday school” in 1780 for the unruly children who lived in Glouster, England. Many of you are headed to heaven because of the “out of the box” idea Raikes had to teach the children to read by using the Bible as a text book.
Another of my Sunday school heroes is J. M. Frost who had the ability to look into the future to see the need for a publishing house for Southern Baptist Sunday School curriculum and presented a resolution in the 1890’s which formed the Baptist Sunday School Board.
For his “Formula” for Sunday School, Arthur Flake entered the ranks of hero to me when I read his book “Building a Standard Sunday School.” He taught me long after his death of the great organizing power of Sunday School and the basic principles that has strengthened Southern Baptist Sunday School for almost 100 years. Flake was a layman who joined the Baptist Sunday School Board in 1909 and became the first Director of the Sunday School Department in 1920.
Then there is Harry Piland whose drive and passion for Christian education influenced me like I didn’t know anyone could. His statement, "the word 'retire' is not in my vocabulary," to a group of Sunday School directors in 1994 has let me see that age has nothing to do with retirement. Retirement is a state of mind. Harry fanned a flame for Christian education in me in 1994 that burns hotter than ever today. Harry left LifeWay in 1994 at age 65 to become associate pastor/minister of education at First Baptist Church of Dallas where he served until 1997 before brain cancer forced him to return to Nashville for treatment before he died in 2001.
His predecessor at LifeWay as director of the Sunday School department, Bill Taylor is a hero to me because as I offered excuses as to why I could not become a minister of education, he showed me why and how I could.
One more Sunday School hero to me is Allan Taylor, the minister of education of First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA. Allan leads the education ministry for Pastor Johnny Hunt. I have never met anyone who and has more passion for what he does and believes in and loves Sunday School any more than Allan Taylor…unless it’s me!
Then there’s Dr. Frances Grace Moss Wood, my daughter. As she was in undergraduate school at the University of Tennessee at Martin her fiancé (now husband), E. J., was about an hour away at Lambuth University in Jackson Tennessee. On Friday and Saturday nights instead of chucking the studies for time together, Grace chose to close the library down. Her commitment to her studies and focus on the task at hand inspire me to this day.
One more set of heroes before I share with you some of my very favorite heroes. That is the local pastor-he works long hours doing a mentally, spiritually, and often physically grueling task. There is an incredibly heavy load to carry that he can share with no one. He leads under a microscope and has the opportunity at every turn to upset somebody.
Then there is a hero that goes so often unrecognized exercising constant faithfulness with little reward. He puts in countless hours of ministry, study and preparation every week of the year, most often after a full week of work. That’s the Sunday School teacher. Your level of scholarship inspires me. Your desire to minister to your flock causes me to re-examine my own heart regularly.
I have a lot of heroes and there are a lot more people than me who are looking at you as heroes. Live your life not as a hero but as a servant of Christ. Pour yourself into the task and invest in the lives of others. Wouldn’t it be great to have Jesus say someday, “You are one of my heroes!”?
Thursday, June 17, 2010
God's Creative Genius
It seems a bit understated to refer to "genius" and "God" in the same sentence but that's just the weakness of the human language...or at least my grasp of it. However, as I recover from my recent surgery (removal of 12" of my colon), I can't help but think of how He designed the human body. Yes, it is true that I had a part to become defective. But, thankfully, I had a very good doctor to do some mending.
I can detect improvement everyday and am extremely grateful. The interesting thing is that God didn't design us as we design a car. By that, I mean that when a part goes out on the car, a part replacement doesn't occur unless it is put in correctly and all the circuits, fuses, and connections are operating correctly. A car repair doesn't improve itself over time.
God's plan for the human body is that, yes, the part has to be put in correctly or taken out, in my case, but He designed us in such a way for the body to mend itself. He doesn't "make" it mend or "force mend" it. He gives us the sense or lack thereof to assist the healing process and understand the changes in our bodies to know when to get off the couch or when to back off physical activity.
Salvation is sort of like that. God does the work...all the work. He just allows us to accept what He has done for us and apply it to ourselves or ignore and continue to go our own way. He allows me to abuse my soul or take care of it. I am thankful that in 1985, I realized His work and I chose to allow it to do it's work in my own life.
This may be a stretch to compare God's plan for the healing of our bodies and our souls but it is something to think about today.
I can detect improvement everyday and am extremely grateful. The interesting thing is that God didn't design us as we design a car. By that, I mean that when a part goes out on the car, a part replacement doesn't occur unless it is put in correctly and all the circuits, fuses, and connections are operating correctly. A car repair doesn't improve itself over time.
God's plan for the human body is that, yes, the part has to be put in correctly or taken out, in my case, but He designed us in such a way for the body to mend itself. He doesn't "make" it mend or "force mend" it. He gives us the sense or lack thereof to assist the healing process and understand the changes in our bodies to know when to get off the couch or when to back off physical activity.
Salvation is sort of like that. God does the work...all the work. He just allows us to accept what He has done for us and apply it to ourselves or ignore and continue to go our own way. He allows me to abuse my soul or take care of it. I am thankful that in 1985, I realized His work and I chose to allow it to do it's work in my own life.
This may be a stretch to compare God's plan for the healing of our bodies and our souls but it is something to think about today.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Upcoming "Events"
This post gives information of my upcoming surgery. For those of you who read this blog on occassion, you know that I have always had a bent toward pointing others to God and His goodness and not to, in any way, point toward myself. Last week a Twitter, Facebook, and personal friend made a blog entry about his upcoming surgery. I thought his approach was a very effective way to give information in a wholesale manner to those who were wanting to know but at the same time, leaving the door open to those who wanted more specific info to ask. In either case, I encourage you to pray for Daniel Beard. You can see his blog entry at dailyadventuresofdaniel.wordpress.com.
Some of you know that I have dealt with diverticulitis (occassional infection in the colon usually cleared up with anti-biotics) for several years now. In recent days, I have had a persistent problem and have been advised by my gastro-intestinal doctor to have surgery. After my most recent bout with it, I am in full agreement. So the consultation has taken place and the decision has been made and scheduled; I will be having the infected section of my colon (about 12 inches) removed on Wednesday, May 19, at the Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville Alabama. According to the surgeon, I should be in the hospital 3-4 days then about 3 weeks recovery at home. I think I can cut that recovery time down a bit though.
According to everybody I have talked to who has had this surgery, I will feel so good after it's done, I'll be asking myself why I hadn't done it years ago. I certainly hope that is the case. On another up side of this, I have already lost about 16 pounds and while I am looking forward to losing another 15 or so, I do NOT recommend this as a weight loss program.
If you would be so kind to lift up me in prayer as I go into the surgery, I would greatly appreciate it. Of course, my family as well, especially, my sweet wife, Zannie, need your prayers too. Please also pray for my surgeon, and every person assisting in the surgery. I want the "A" team on this project! Also pray that I will not only have multiple opportunities but that I will be sensitve to seize the opportunities to lift up my Lord and point others to Him while in the hospital. And while you are praying, remember my friend, Daniel, too.
Some of you know that I have dealt with diverticulitis (occassional infection in the colon usually cleared up with anti-biotics) for several years now. In recent days, I have had a persistent problem and have been advised by my gastro-intestinal doctor to have surgery. After my most recent bout with it, I am in full agreement. So the consultation has taken place and the decision has been made and scheduled; I will be having the infected section of my colon (about 12 inches) removed on Wednesday, May 19, at the Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville Alabama. According to the surgeon, I should be in the hospital 3-4 days then about 3 weeks recovery at home. I think I can cut that recovery time down a bit though.
According to everybody I have talked to who has had this surgery, I will feel so good after it's done, I'll be asking myself why I hadn't done it years ago. I certainly hope that is the case. On another up side of this, I have already lost about 16 pounds and while I am looking forward to losing another 15 or so, I do NOT recommend this as a weight loss program.
If you would be so kind to lift up me in prayer as I go into the surgery, I would greatly appreciate it. Of course, my family as well, especially, my sweet wife, Zannie, need your prayers too. Please also pray for my surgeon, and every person assisting in the surgery. I want the "A" team on this project! Also pray that I will not only have multiple opportunities but that I will be sensitve to seize the opportunities to lift up my Lord and point others to Him while in the hospital. And while you are praying, remember my friend, Daniel, too.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Another Woman
Well, after almost thirty-six years of being married to my best friend, having the most beautiful daughter in the world, and the two most beautiful and smartest grandaughters anywhere by an awesome daughter-by-marriage, it happened! I have fallen in love with another woman. Well, we haven't exactly met yet and she's not exactly a woman yet... What? Read on.
Last Friday while running some errands and listening to my XM Radio, I heard a song I had long forgotten, "Isn't She Lovely?" by Stevie Wonder. The lyrics, in part, read:
"Isn't she lovely?
Isn't she wonderful?
Isn't she precious?
Less than one minute old.
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she.
Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I am so happy
We have been heaven's blessed.
I can't believe what God has done.
Through us He's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love?"
Somehow God used those lyrics to introduce me to another woman, the newest love of my life, Grace and E. J.'s little Ensley Kate Wood. She's not even a minute old, in fact, she has about four months to go before any introductions can be made but she has already stolen my heart; and Stevie, you had it right when you asked, "Isn't she lovely!?" She most certainly is!
Last Friday while running some errands and listening to my XM Radio, I heard a song I had long forgotten, "Isn't She Lovely?" by Stevie Wonder. The lyrics, in part, read:
"Isn't she lovely?
Isn't she wonderful?
Isn't she precious?
Less than one minute old.
I never thought through love we'd be
Making one as lovely as she.
Isn't she pretty
Truly the angel's best
Boy, I am so happy
We have been heaven's blessed.
I can't believe what God has done.
Through us He's given life to one
But isn't she lovely made from love?"
Somehow God used those lyrics to introduce me to another woman, the newest love of my life, Grace and E. J.'s little Ensley Kate Wood. She's not even a minute old, in fact, she has about four months to go before any introductions can be made but she has already stolen my heart; and Stevie, you had it right when you asked, "Isn't she lovely!?" She most certainly is!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
When We Had Much Less
This week-end our three children, 2 children-in-law, 2.5 grandaughters, and 2 granddogs will be Alabamy bound. This means a great deal to Zannie and me because to have them all together just does not happen but maybe at Christmas. We have had much less time with our family than we would like so we appreciate what we do have greatly!
I remember the time when buying a full tank of gas or eating out was a huge deal because things were just so tight financially. Now that we have more, we appreciate it a lot because there was a time we just didn't have much.
I wonder if when we get to heaven and see all its splendor we will appreciate heaven and say, "You know, this is so wonderful because on earth we just didn't have that much that really mattered and now we have EVERYTHING that matters."
I don't know but it's just a thought for today.
I remember the time when buying a full tank of gas or eating out was a huge deal because things were just so tight financially. Now that we have more, we appreciate it a lot because there was a time we just didn't have much.
I wonder if when we get to heaven and see all its splendor we will appreciate heaven and say, "You know, this is so wonderful because on earth we just didn't have that much that really mattered and now we have EVERYTHING that matters."
I don't know but it's just a thought for today.
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