Greetings from the Harding Street Church of Christ...

November in Morrilton, Arkansas

It certainly is good to be home. Remember to “fall backward” on Saturday evening before your retire.  Fall is such a beautiful season…the changing of the leaves, the aroma of fall in the air (and turkey in the oven too), football (The Devil Dogs are headed to the state playoffs!), thoughts of the holiday season on the horizon…simple things that remind us of God’s power, His promises, and His provision for all who love Him and live according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  I am so very thankful to be the minister at the Harding Street Church of Christ.  Harding Street is located at 906 E. Harding Street, Morrilton, Arkansas 72110 directly across the street from Morrilton High School's Devil Dog Stadium.  Today marks a new beginning for me and I pray for every Christian brother and sister.  Working with Brother Bane and every member of this great congregation will be a great honor for me as we all unite together under the banner of the gospel of Christ.  Great things are ahead for us.  May we all appreciate God’s riches and let Him know just how thankful we are to be His children, today and every day.

Please be patient with me while I adjust to a new and better way of life.  I am usually pretty quick to put a name to a face, but sometimes…well, you probably know how it is.  Before long we’ll be running on all cylinders.  I plan on being in the “study” at the church building every morning, Monday through Thursday at 9:00 a.m.  I can be there earlier for coffee or for breakfast if you’d like to pick me up or if you just want to stop by to visit.  Of course my schedule can change depending on who might be in need.  My cell number is on the bulletin board or you can just ask me for it.  Again, thank you to every member at Harding Street for your love, your support, and your desire to share in all that God has in store for us in the near and distant future.

I’ll be preaching the entire month of November on our theme: “Growth – Just What Does It Take?”  I will introduce the series this Sunday morning (4^th) then follow up with these lessons:  Growing warmer through fellowship, Growing deeper through discipleship, Growing stronger through worship, Growing broader through ministry, and Growing wider through evangelism.  Of course, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving I’ll share a lesson or two on gratitude.  I am thankful for you. 

Speaking of gratitude; I heard about a lady who boarded a bus.  There were no seats available until a gentleman stood up and kindly offered her his seat.  She was so surprised by his gesture that she fainted on the spot.  After she regained consciousness she said “Thank you” to man who offered her his seat and upon hearing her gratitude, he fainted.  I don’t know if this is true or not, but as Christians let us do more than talk about gratitude, let’s show the world we live our gratitude to God and to others by our actions.  Today and every day, say “Thank you” and truly be thankful.

Feeling fine in Conway, Arkansas. Ever looking up and forward.

September 17, 2018 – We’re doing fine in Conway, Arkansas.  Cindi’s position at UCA is going very well.  She’s teaching two business classes this semester, getting a better grip on her duties as the director of the center for insurance and risk management studies, and best of all; enjoying plenty of “Nana opportunities” with our three grands. 

I’m taking every day to pray, read, study, and prepare for what lies ahead in the coming days.  Cindi is keeping me pretty busy with plenty of “honey-do’s" and those three grandchildren of mine are keeping me busy with plenty of love and laughter.  We are blessed.  God is everything.

My speaking schedule has picked up a little bit lately.  I’ll be preaching at Harrison and Willow in Conway this Sunday (9/23).  Next Sunday (9/30) I’ll be presenting three lessons on “Tapping into Greatness” at the Mar’s Hill Church of Christ just outside Conway.  On Sunday evening, October 7^th I have the great privilege of preaching in Morrilton at the good Downtown congregation.  Harrison and Willow has asked me to preach God’s word in October on Sunday the 21^st and again on the 28^th.  I’m so very thankful for my family and friends here in the central Arkansas area for your prayers for me and your continued words of encouragement as I seek a new ministry.  Thank you too to my friends back in my old Kentucky home for your prayers and messages of support.  I certainly miss my fellow Christian family spread out all around the world.  One day we’ll all be together again.  Meanwhile, we’ll just keep on keeping on. 

Allow me do a little promotion for the The Harrison and Willow Church of Christ.  The meeting facilities are located at 1130 Harrison Street in Conway, right across the street from Larry’s Pizza.  The congregation is very kind, loving, and friendly. Cindi and I visited with the church last Wednesday evening and heard a great lesson on the 12^th chapter of Revelation.  Their facilities are well-maintained, up-to-date, clean, and inviting.  Every member was happy, friendly, and welcoming.  If you are looking for a group of Christians who remind you of Jesus, come and see.  The church has a very nice website:  www.harrisonwillowchurchofchrist.com.   Check it out.  I’ll be preaching this coming Sunday morning and evening.  Come and hear.

Conway, Arkansas - The Bears, the Wampuscats, and the "Ridges"

September 2018 – Conway, Arkansas…north and a bit west from Little Rock on I-40…population a little under 60,000…three colleges, good schools, and fine friendly people…F150s, Rams, Silverados, Canyons, and Jeeps just about everywhere you look…and mainly three glorious grandchildren to see, love, and experience.  I certainly miss my friends and Christian family at Watterson Trail, but the call of those grands finally won out.  Cindi and I are living in an apartment temporarily until we can find a house and I can find a ministry position.  The church of Christ is strong here and God has plans for me.  I’m patient and prayerful for His direction.  He certainly does work in mysterious ways.  And while I wait, He provides.  I am thankful.

Moving is tough, expensive, wearisome, and worth it when it is the right thing to do at the right time for the right reason. For example;  today (9/7) is my one and only grandson’s 12^th birthday and you know what?  I’m present!  I'm here to see him, physically hand him his surprise and watch him open it.  That is an awesome feeling.  I’m having lunch with my youngest at her school today.  They tell me there’s nothing more exciting to a third grader than to have her PopPop come to her school with Chick Filet for lunch.  My oldest granddaughter will be acting in a play in the next few days and is the featured dancer.  And I'll be here to watch her.  I’m truly living the dream.  God is good.

I don’t have a ministry position yet.  Don’t worry (I’m speaking to myself more than I am to you).  God has everything in hand.  He does.  I am praying every day for God’s direction.  One of my favorite passages in the Bible is Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will direct your paths.”  Of course while I am trusting, I am active and awake to all the possibilities around me to work, to serve, to love, and to honor God in life and living.  I’m ready when He’s ready.  And I can wait as long as He needs me to wait.  And I'll be trusting and obeying the whole way to His next mission for me.

Final Blog Article as MINISTER of the Watterson Trail Church of Christ

August 2018 – I have really enjoyed the past four glorious years as your minister and friend at Watterson Trail in our old Kentucky home; J’Town/Louisville.  In a way, our time together has been just a moment and yet again, it seems that I’ve always been a Kentuckian.  It is true that I’ve been mixed up most of the time trying to decide whether to be red or blue.  One Saturday not too long ago I wore my U of L shirt and my Kentucky Blue cap.  We’ve had some wonderful moments on the mountain top.  Many new Christians have been added to the Lord’s church.  We’ve experienced too many of our dear Christian brothers and sisters leave this world to rest in Paradise.  There have been so many changes:  eldership changes, deacon changes, preacher changes, babies born and on the way, and every member who desires growing in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and man.  Of course we have visited the valley too.  There have been a few negatives, not that many, but a few simply because we are human beings who live in the world.  It is my prayer and desire that we all have experienced happiness and grown in God’s grace as we have shared in His abundant blessings together.

This Sunday, August 26^th will be my last Sunday as minister at Watterson Trail, but our friendship will never have a last Sunday or a last any day.  Cindi and I are moving back to Arkansas permanently to be close to our children and grandchildren.  They need us and we need them.  God is already at work and will provide a terrific minister to serve with you in J’Town.  God will give the eldership (Dan, Chuck, and D) the wisdom and vision to know this new minister and his family and see him through the maze of discussion, deliberation, meditation, and thoughtful prayerful patient decision.  

Please stand firm with your elders and deacons and reject the enemy’s temptation to grow complacent and negligent in your duties as members of the Lord’s church which He loved so much that He gave His One and Only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.  Our elders need every member of the church of Christ at Watterson Trail to stand beside them in every way to see that God is glorified in our every decision.  Now is the time to stand up together.  Souls are at stake.  Our neighbors and the area congregations around us are looking to see what will happen.  Will we turn our eyes upward and forward?  Jesus has already told us how He feels about Christians who look back.  You can read Jesus’ words in Luke 9:62.  And what did our brother the apostle Paul say about looking back?  In Philippians 3:13-14 he said that looking back was the “one thing” he refused to do; “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.”  He pressed onward and upward toward God in Christ Jesus.  Don’t be like some of our brethren who simply can’t let go of the past.  How sad for them.  And if you’re reading this and find that you are doing just that, make a change.  Be different.  Look up.  Press on.  Don’t look back except to remember the grace of our Lord Jesus and what He did for each of us on that old rugged cross.

I will not give up.  I will not give in.  I will not give out.  I will not look back.  I will look upward and forward.  I hope you will do the same.  God is so very good to us.  Thank you for your friendship, your support, and your love and generosity toward Cindi and me these past four glorious years that we have had together.  Please pray for us as we make the move back to Arkansas.  We will always think of you and pray for God's abundant grace for you.

It's almost THAT TIME OF YEAR again - Back to School!!

August 2018 - It’s that time of the year again; back to school.  Everyone up early…To bed earlier too would be a great idea…Everyone learning, changing, and growing…More traffic…Less time is seems…More laundry.  

Preparation and patience is required at home and everywhere else.  My mom always had us pick out our school clothes at night before we climbed into bed.  Some students wear uniforms.  I like this idea.  Why?  It simplifies what we wear to school, it's usually less expensive, and everyone "gets to" wear "designer" clothes. Ha.  It will take a few days, but the old “back to school” routine will soon be the new normal for all of us.  I’m very happy we have a few more days of summer.  Around J'Town, school begins on the 15^th!

During these busy times let us remember what is most important: living our lives for God.  Every day remember to pray for yourself, for others, and for our world.  You can do this while you get ready for the day or on the way to or from school.  Read and remember God’s word at some point every day, even if it’s only a verse or two.  Sometimes I write out a verse or a positive quote and place it on my mirror so I can think about it while I’m getting ready.  Reading the Bible before bedtime, even just a verse or two can help us refocus.  

Sunday?  Sunday’s are so much more than a day off from work and school.  We get to meet together with our Christian family and friends for Bible study, fellowship, and worship at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. every Sunday.  Sleep in a bit longer on Sunday.  You know you can get here by 9:30!  Even if you skip breakfast, we have fresh hot dough nuts and juice every Sunday morning before Bible class here at Watterson Trail.  We are so very blessed to have such loving prepared effective teachers that will certainly be a blessing to you.  We sing together; no complications, just our voices together praising God.  We pray together. Oh, how much our community, our nation, and our world need God’s providence.  We give from God’s wonderful blessings to help others.  We examine ourselves as we remember the Lord’s sacrifice for us by sharing in the Lord’s Supper together.  (How some churches meet without “breaking bread” together on the Lord’s Day, I just don’t understand.)  We get to hear the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ preached.  God’s word is indeed “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:102).  Our meeting concludes at 11:30.  Let’s not forget our midweek meetings too.  We meet on Wednesday’s at 7:00 during the school year for Bible study and a devotional service that helps us make it to the weekend.  Hey!  Let’s do this!