Fasting - Brother Barry

A Message from our Bishop, Debra Wallace-Padgett

Dear Friends,

Lee’s and my young adult daughter, Leanndra, recently celebrated another birthday. On one hand, it feels like she arrived in this world a lifetime ago. On the other hand, it seems like only yesterday when I first held our newborn baby girl. Time has that kind of illusive, mysterious quality.

So it is with the rhythm of the Christian year. We were celebrating the birth of Jesus a mere eight weeks ago. Yet, already Lent has arrived, the season focusing on Jesus’ public ministry, culminating with his death on the cross.

Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, this year on February 17, when we reflect on our sinfulness and mortality. This explains the tenor of the Scripture passages listed in the Revised Common Lectionary for Ash Wednesday.

Joel 2 speaks of fasting, weeping and mourning. Isaiah 59 challenges the people of God to fast for justice and compassion. Psalm 51 is traditionally understood as a prayer of confession by King David after his adulterous affair with Bathsheba. The passage from II Corinthians speaks of God’s grace and reconciliation made possible through Christ’s death on the cross. Matthew 6 instructs us to avoid drawing attention to ourselves when we give alms and pray. Collectively these passages prepare our hearts and minds for key Ash Wednesday and Lenten practices, including fasting, introspection, confession, service, worship and giving.

Like many of you I have participated in traditional Ash Wednesday services where following songs, prayers and a message fitting for the occasion, worship participants came to designated stations in the sanctuary for the imposition of ashes on their foreheads. Those imposing the ashes would use liturgy like, “Turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel” or “Remember, you are dust and to dust you will return.”

Due to COVID-19, many Ash Wednesday services will have a different feel from previous years. Some will be virtual, others outdoors and still others held in large spaces with worshippers social distancing and wearing masks.

I encourage you to join me in setting aside some time on February 17 to mark Ash Wednesday through a worship service or in another way. After all, Ash Wednesday and Lenten observances are important aspects to the rhythm of Christian living.

As always it is a privilege to serve as your bishop.

Blessings,
Debra Wallace-Padgett
Resident Bishop
North Alabama Conference

Love and Lent

Former preacher, Virgil Anderson, said he was farming atop a little hill with his dad in the 1930’s. On one side of the hill he was singing, Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown? When he heard his dad singing on the other side, No, No, No Not One. 

Lent doesn’t always feel positive. Why? Well, sin. Embracing regret, sacrifice, humility, discipline, and repentance are about transformation, not affirmation. Lent calls to mind the 40 days of fasting and temptations of the wilderness for Jesus. Or, Moses and Elijah fasting for 40 days, or maybe the 40 hours between Jesus’ sacrificial death and His resurrection. This is a season when Christians embrace their utter need to be attending to spiritual disciplines as a means to receiving grace and willingly being “in the potter’s hand.” But does love come to mind? 

Love, in terms of sentiment or feelings of deep connection, is familiar to us. It is a wonderful thing but insufficient in itself. Lent love is based on sacrificial commitment; it fosters deep felt sentiment. In sacred Scriptures, love plunges the depth of committed relationships and is captured in ancient covenant ideas (see Sandra Richter, Epic of Eden). Think of blood packs in the movies. In our Lent case, a superior party, God, promises, in covenant fashion (Cross), His presence, provision, and protection to His rebellious former children through Jesus. The unthinkable, our Holy God condescending in covenant form to forgive sins and establish covenant relationships with us. One that reconciles us to our Father in one event, the cross and resurrection. Why? Love. My response is to accept or reject this covenant offering. In doing so my promise is to, by His power and leadership, willingly be conformed to His will and purposes. Astonishing! Even more than marrying my beautiful wife. A stronger party making all the sacrifices and concessions to the lesser. Love compels such things, and so love must be the response. So when you give up something this year, think of it as embracing the greater gift.

This year we will focus on celebrating spiritual disciplines during Lent via video lessons. I hope you join in and reciprocate love and sacrifice to foster your covenant love relationship.

Barry

A Note from Barry - Happy New Year

We made it to 2021. Granted with a limp. Some of us suffered great loss and withstood great anxiety. As we look ahead, let’s do it with grace and dignity. Carl Wilton, a contributor to Homiletics, noted something I found interesting in the following phrases:

“I do take this woman to be my lawful wedded wife.”

“I name this ship the ‘Queen Elizabeth.’”

“I give and bequeath my watch to my brother.”

“I bet you sixpence it will rain tomorrow.”

They’re all examples of “performative utterances,” according to philosopher of language, J. L. Austin. Sentences like these do not merely describe something; the words themselves bring about the reality they are describing: a marriage covenant, a ship christening, a bequest, a wager. These words create something of relational importance.

The Lord’s words, “Let there be light!” in Genesis 1:3 or “thy sins are forgiven” in Mark 2:5 are performative utterances on a massive scale. When Jesus speaks, reality is created.  Our words are not near so performative unless they are coupled with God’s will.

So, here is a new year's resolution suggestion: Whereas, We believe in the dignity of every person made in the image of God and understanding the impact of  sin which makes us cautious to trust everyone; and whereas, we can speak in truth and with respect in relationships; and whereas, we can honor others by seeing them with non-partial eyes and treating them with the dignity God intends upon them even in disagreement;and whereas, we understand this to be good will toward them and loving kindness...  We resolve to speak in accordance with His known will when it comes to performative language. 

In some cases, this will heal instead of hurt because it is in accordance with His ways. “Swear neither by heaven nor earth...let your ‘yes be yes,’” Matthew 5:33-37.

Happy New Year,

Barry

—J. L. Austin, How to Do Things with Words (Oxford: Clarendon Press), 1962, 5.

Who Was That Masked Man?

Who was that masked man? This question was on my mind recently when our son and his family visited with us to celebrate our Christmas gifting with them. We have five grands, three of them foster children, and two of the "fosters" were unsure about a big, jolly man with smiling eyes and a mask covering half of his face, dressed in casual attire and not a Santa suit. They walked around and gave me a few sideways glances. However, once I spoke to them, they recognized my voice and decided it was okay to come to me even if I was not dressed as Santa.

Our Christmas celebration was a little different this year, as I am sure was the same for your families. We are usually all bunched up at our son's in-laws on Christmas eve afternoon to visit all our daughters-in-law's side of the family. We share a meal, a little dirty Santa gift exchange, then we all nestle down, snug in our beds with visions of sugar plums dancing in our heads for a long winter's nap. Christmas morning, we rise to see what Santa left for everyone. It is always a wonderful time. However, we sorely missed the warmth of being with all our family and sharing the gift of wide-eyed, surprised, excitement children have on Christmas morning. 

But, no matter, it was the correct decision for all our families because it is virtually impossible to control something you cannot see or touch, and it is up to us as leaders in our families, communities, and organizations, to follow the guidelines and do our level best to keep everyone as safe as possible. 

As I am writing this letter, I am reminded of the importance of having spiritual leadership in our homes and lives. Spiritual leaders assume the responsibility for the health of their relationships. This means they set the tone. They must initiate what they want others to do. Because no home can thrive without functioning according to sound leadership principles. In 1 Peter, the author challenges us to live with each other in an understanding way. We should honor one another and model submission and service. As spiritual leaders, we should initiate blessing rather than retaliate when things do not go our way.

In these unprecedented times, spiritual leadership is a "must-have" and a "must-do" in our families, communities, and organizations. We must be willing to step up and show patience, kindness, humbleness, faith, hope, joy, and unconditional love for others. When Spiritual leaders lead, they remember the example of Christ's sufferings. When they shepherd, they do it out of a sense of privilege rather than obligation. When they serve, they are motivated by the will of God rather than man. When they minister, they are driven by a Godly passion, not personal gain. When they are influencing, they make sure their life example speaks clearly. And when sacrificing, they have the patience to wait for the ultimate reward and do not expect immediate pay.

In this role, a leader is called to be a minister to the people. We should serve before being served, you know, be the hands and feet of Christ. We should be a mentor to the people. We should eagerly invest our time and talents when serving the people. In other words, we must set an example for others to follow. We should be a manager of the people. We have a responsibility and should exercise oversight over those who have been entrusted in our care, not just family but all those who surround us. Finally, spiritual leaders should/must be a model for the people. We should set an example for others to follow by demonstrating how to live our lives. You know by making a difference and adding value to all those surrounding us.

I want to encourage each of us to be the example of spiritual leadership for others to follow. It has been a tough year for all of us with the uncertainties of the pandemic plaguing our lives, and each day I pray for each of us to experience good health and the unconditional love of Jesus Christ in our lives. Remember, "A leader is to humble himself or herself by casting all his/her cares on God," 1 Peter 5:7. What better way to make a difference and add value than to follow His example for our lives, just saying… 1 Peter 5:1-4

Have a wonderful day.

James Dodwell

A Follower's Thoughts - Making Memories

We all love to make memories with our children. I have so many fond memories of my children when they were little. The trips to the beach were some of my fondest. Wendy and I would spend time with them on the beach making sandcastles, putting them on a float for the first time, and letting the waves carry them to shore; all the time, they were crying and screaming, hold me, hold me. I guess the ocean can be a little intimidating when you are a child. I also remember lying on the beach and letting my kids cover me in the sand until all you could see was my head. Oh, and another time my daughter climbed on a bar stool in the condo and fell off, breaking her wrist. Now, that was a memory, not so great when you spend one of your vacation days in the ER!

Some of my favorite memories are the times at church with our children: Wednesday night suppers in the Fellowship Hall, helping teach them in Sunday School, carrying them to Bible School, making Advent wreaths, watching them in Christmas plays, coaching them in Micro-Soccer, and yes, trying to keep my daughter from rolling around on the floor at the Arbor Service on Sunday mornings. You know, there is a saying, "it takes a village to raise a child." I wish to thank each one in my church village that helped build a foundation under my family, a foundation centered around Jesus.

As Christmas approaches, let us all continue to make memories with family, friends, and church family. Let us not forget what this season is about, Jesus. Isaiah 9:6 says, "For a child has been born, a son given to us, authority rest upon his shoulders: and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." May Jesus be included in our memories this Christmas, as well as every day moving forward. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

Correll Pritchard

I Saw Santa Claus

It was always my Dad's favorite Christmas story and, almost every year, he would ask me to share with others my experience on Christmas Eve, 1955. It was a long time ago, but the memory is as clear today as the experience was that night.

We were living in Goodwater and had been to Ashland for dinner with several family members. We had stayed fairly late, and I was concerned about getting home before Santa came and getting into bed like a good little boy. I was full of anxious and hopeful anticipation.

 As we pulled into the driveway, the lights of the car shined directly into the window of the living room. There he was, Santa Claus, looking directly into the lights of the car. I shouted, "There's Santa Claus next to the tree." The car had barely stopped as I jumped out and dashed to the door. I opened the door, turned on the light, and dashed through the small house looking for Santa only to realize he was gone.

I ran quickly back into the living room and realized Santa had been there and he must have gotten my letter because under the tree was a "Coonskin Davy Crockett hat" and a "Smoke-gun." My Mom and Dad asked me what I had seen that made me jump out and run in as I had. I explained that Santa was standing in the window. He turned and looked with surprise when he was caught in the headlights, and he had scampered toward the back door. When I came into the house, he was nowhere to be found.

That was sixty-five years ago. Until the day they died, our family always liked to talk about that experience, and none of us could ever explain it. But, I know this, "On that night, a long time ago, I saw Santa Claus." And, that vision is as real today as it was that night.

Perhaps, if we allow our hearts to be filled with faith, hope, joy, and love this Christmas, we could catch a glimpse of Emmanuel, "God With Us," this Christmas.

Get Ready! Look and listen! "Some will dream dreams; others will see visions." May it happen for you this Christ-Mass season.

Blessings, Bro. Mike 

What Do You Want For Christmas?

As I was thinking about Advent this morning, my mind wandered to presents for those we love and how to delight them in the midst of a pandemic where we are advised not to gather or travel; what a bummer. My mind went through online purchase with shipping, sending gift cards, making some honorary gifts to good causes, or a combination of these.

As often happens, I quit thinking and started listening. I was reminded the best gifts are usually not wrapped or under a tree. The best gifts are gifts of the heart that we remember and treasure throughout our lives. These are the gifts that define our experiences and add value to our lives. Words from Galatians 5:22-23 came to my mind, “The fruit of the Spirit is joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things.” Immediately, my heart cried out, “Lord, give me a double helping of that fruit. I need it bad.”

I do not know about you, but I am a little strung out with the pandemic. I am concerned about the conflicting and competing directions of some leaders, and I am pretty much fed up with less than truthful reporting and positioning from parties protecting their own self-interest. I found myself identifying with some of the characters in the scriptures; “My soul cries out, O Lord, how long will you allow this to continue.” My answer came quickly: “Until it is over. Until then, watch yourself, and get ready.”

So, I have decided the best presents are not under the tree. The best presents are those that live in the heart and guide our relationships with God and others. I have decided I really do want a double dose of joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. A double dose might be enough to inoculate me from the brokenness of the world. So, let it be.

By the way, What Do You Want for Christmas?    Blessings, Mike. 

Yes, You Have A Choice

Let’s all sing - “It’s the most wonderful time of the year, There’ll be much mistletoeing, And hearts will be glowing; When loved ones are near; It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Yes, the most wonderful time of the year!” Now that this classic, Andy Williams, Christmas tune is now an earwig and stuck in your head, I wanted to remind you, there are only a few days remaining until Christmas. We are looking forward to Christmas with the wonderful blessing of being with our family and friends and our grandchildren are so excited it makes us feel like children, again. So, it is also the “Hap-happiest time of the year!”

A friend and I were discussing happiness, recently when he said he wished this holiday feeling was year-round not just a short few weeks. I was a little surprised because I believe happiness and the feeling within or without is a choice that each of us make. It reminded me of a quote by John Stuart Mill, “I have learned to seek happiness by limiting my desires rather than in attempting to satisfy them.” In other words, it is our choice to simplify our lives and be happy where we are. At least, that is my take on it.

Our whole life is nothing more than a canvas of choices. What choice could you make right now to change your life in a significant and lasting way? We are different from everyone else on planet earth. There has never been anyone like us, and there never will, again. Our spirit, our thoughts and feelings, our ability to reason – all of these things exist collectively only in us. Our eyes are incomparable; they are windows to a soul that is also uniquely ours. A single strand of our hair contains DNA that can only be traced to us. Of the multitudes that have come before us and the multitudes that follow, not one of them duplicates the formula by which we are made.

We are different from everyone else! We are special! And we are chosen, loved unconditionally and offered a life of salvation, free to all who ask. The qualities, many of them rare, that make us one of a kind are no accident.

Why have we been created different and unique from everyone else? We have been made different so that we may make a difference and add value to each other. That’s right, because in some way, form or fashion, we are changing the world – you are changing the world for someone around you, right now. Every choice we make and action we take matters to someone. Every choice we do not make and every action we do not take, matters just as much. Millions of lives are being altered, caught up in a chain of events initiated by us this very day. We choose what chain of events we will initiate; whether we realize it or not.

We need to understand that we have been given everything we need to act, and the choice is ours alone. Beginning this very moment, we will choose wisely. We should never feel inadequate, again. We will not dwell in thoughts of insignificance or be content with wandering aimlessly. We are powerful. We matter. We have the choice, and we are the choice. We have been chosen to make a difference and add value to all those who surround us.

In the words of the infamous Dr. Suess, “Just tell yourself, Duckie, you’re really quite lucky!” And we are. We have the freedom to share our faith, hope, joy and unconditional love with others, unimpeded and without fear of retaliation. Yes, I am giddy with emotions as we anticipate Christmas morning watching our grands surprised faces as they open their gifts, but it is more than that – We are giddy knowing we are free to worship a powerful God who loves us unconditionally and so much that He sent His only Son to earth to teach us how to Love one another.

I want to encourage each of us as leaders in our homes, communities and organizations that leaders assume the responsibility for the health of their relationships with those around us. This means they set the tone – we set the tone. They must initiate what they want others to do. It is my prayer that you and yours have a very Merry Christmas and come to understand you are the difference maker! Luke 2:11

Have a wonderful day,

James Dodwell

What I Want For Christmas

 I remember the night well. I was in the third grade and our family had gone to Montgomery for a night of “window shopping.” Window shopping was a ploy during which people walked the sidewalks in front of all the big stores and looked at all the potential gifts displayed in the window to assess other’s attraction to the various toys, etc. on display. And there was a surprisingly good correlation between the emotions one displayed for the various gifts and what ended up under the Christmas tree from Santa.

     I had always loved window shopping but, on this night, I just could not get excited about anything. Just that week, a wiser classmate than I had told me the “truth” about Santa Claus. He told me that my parents had to pay Santa for everything he left at our house. Well, that was a bummer. My Mom and Dad were great people and fun to be around, but we did not have a lot of extra money and the way we got extra money was for one or both to work overtime. That meant less family time together. I had calculated in my eight-year-old mind the way to keep that from happening was not want anything for Christmas. So, I acted as if nothing in any of the windows was of any interest to me at all.

     It did not take my mother long to realize something was wrong and, as only she could do with a couple of questions, she unveiled the truth. I broke down crying and blubbered out, “Ole ______ had told me about Santa.” After Mother recovered from her anger with _______ (who she never forgave) for having broken my innocence, she sat down on a bench with me and explained Christmas Clubs and savings that enabled extra spending at Christmas and we would not miss out on any of the “good times” because we would all be together. It was amazing how quickly that assurance enabled my attention to return to the many attractions in the windows.

     Now, as I process that experience almost sixty-five years later, I realize how very precious presence is when compared to presents. A truth in our lives is all the presents in the world can not make up for the presence of those we love and there is no better time to celebrate this than during the Christmas season. So, I encourage you to find a way this Christmas season to be truly present with those you love. I know there is a pandemic going on and I think it could really be used in a wonderful way to give some quality presence to those you may wish to see and cannot. Here are a few thoughts:

1. For those from whom you are not distancing, invite them into your presence and give them the gift of undivided attention for thirty minutes. Make their interest and concerns the center of your world. Encourage them and assure them of the importance of their role in your life and tell them you love them.

2. For those you can not see in person, schedule some FaceTime or Zoom and follow the routine in number one above. I have been amazed how effective gatherings can be when you are present in these formats with others.

3. Send cards and flowers with personal notes.

4. Carve out some time to be truly present with Jesus. After all, Jesus is the reason we “live and move and have our being.” “Without Jesus, the Word of God, not one thing came into being.”

5. ….. Do whatever other things you hear God tell you to do…. If you are present, God will speak….

     Do not ever forget, we live “in the Communion of the Saints.” I plan to spend a little time there in their presence (those past and present) and encourage you to do so too. To paraphrase Paul, “No pandemic nor anything else in all creation, can separate our hearts from those we love.” May we make this the best Christmas ever by being presents in new and authentic ways. And that is what I want for Christmas.               

With much love, MERRY CHRISTMAS, Mike & Patsy Coe  

GIVING THANKS IN TURBULENT TIMES

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Be thankful? Tough ask! Virtually everybody has an opinion about life during Covid-19. The disruptions to our lives, let alone the risk assessment everyone is subconsciously calculating, makes for animated conversations around the coffee pot. In my spot, the idea of “doing no harm” and leading responsibly with great people in our church has been in itself “quite the ride.” Thankfully, I could say, it has taught me a few things. I have learned to be more patient with others and myself. It has affirmed that fear has two sides. Fear keeps us appropriately cautious from jumping without looking first, but it also can paralyze us from living fully. We need balance. I laughed out loud the other night watching a rerun of the silly movie WHAT ABOUT BOB. Bob, a lovable multi-phobic personality, played by Bill Murray, cannot be alone in his daily fear, so inappropriately, he attaches himself to his narcissistic therapist. It is “big funny” because we all have a little bit of Bob or little bit of Dr. Leo Marvin in our world. We probably need to be a little more real about life, like Leo’s son, Siggy.

Being thankful in all circumstances isn’t just because I learn things. It is because of who I learn from and why? We belong to God our Father who made this world, and He desires we be His mature kids. We want to fully understand the significance of this truth. The scripture says that as disciples we learn from Christ, the master teacher/Messiah, who we are in this world and the right things to do. We, who are/are being saved from sin, are God’s redeemed sons and daughters who are learning characteristics like obedience, trust, patience, compassion, confidence, common sense, and wisdom. So, being thankful that God is supernaturally “with us” in Jesus is understandable and developed within us. His presence bolsters our confidence. He ultimately reigns over all things and is now our companion and teacher. We trust He will help us all make sense of things, as we live in His good purposes, both hearing and doing His will amidst a fallen world. 

So yes, during this time of Thanksgiving, we are thankful for His provision and also thankful that we are born from above, in Christ, and these are times to trust and grow.

Barry

What's All This Stuff?

Our son and his family were preparing for a week's trip to the lake. They had packed the necessary items in the vehicle, and then they loaded the children into their car seats. Our grandson asked, "Dad, are we moving again?" "No, son, why do you ask?" Our grandson loudly exclaimed, "Then why is all this stuff in the car?" After our son stopped laughing, he explained to him with five children, it takes a lot of stuff to meet the needs of their family when one must plan for a week away. Too funny… children do not miss anything.

It is difficult to imagine the amount of "stuff" it takes to equip a family of five children and two adults, especially when three of the children are still in diapers and are bottle-fed. There are snacks of all kinds, fruit of all kinds, soy milk, almond milk, cereal, wipes, towels, several changes of clothes for each child, three sizes of diapers, bottles, formula, and so on and so forth. This list does not include all the favorite toys and games, life jackets, and strollers; the list is just endless, and then something important always gets left behind. Just saying…

As I ponder our grandson questioning why and our son explaining to him about the need for all the stuff they needed to equip them for a few days away, I am reminded of the story in Luke 10 when Jesus appointed a team of seventy leaders to go out on a ministry tour. Jesus had the huge job of equipping the seventy with everything they needed for the tour. It was not just stuff but also wisdom to help them succeed on their mission. 

Our son and his wife had a checklist of necessary items, and then of the things they "wanted," provided everything could fit into the vehicle. As Jesus prepared the seventy, He too had a list of items which were more instructions to empower the team before He sent them out:

First, He chose each one, hand-picked them, and appointed them to the mission. Next, He gave them meaningful tasks to prepare cities for His arrival, instructions, and examples of things and situations they might/would encounter. Next, He told them why the mission was so important. They needed to know what the plan was to stay on point and not deviate from the mission.

Then He calmed their fears with a long preparation speech. He explained as they entered a city to remain in the same house eating and drinking what was put before them. Heal the sick and tell them, "The Kingdom of God has come near to you." However, if the city does not receive them well, wipe off the very dust of that city that clings to them, and leave. Next, He cautions them about possible hardships because nothing of value comes without sacrifice. Next, He issued specific instructions about certain scenarios they might encounter and provide examples of how to work through them. He imparted His convictions about their work and the importance of their work to the mission.

As they began to return, He rejoiced with them. Each returned with joy in their hearts and filled with the Holy Spirit. He then evaluated and debriefed them on their experience. They were excited and told wonderful stories of conquering demons and evil spirits in His name; because they had been equipped and gifted empowerment from Him, they were successful. Finally, He prayed with them and affirmed their gifts and their future. He prayed, "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you… rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

Sometimes you need a lot of stuff to be prepared for anything that might come along. Stuff that we need is more important than the stuff we want. Jesus understood the stuff the seventy needed and provided it to them to be prepared for anything they might encounter on their mission.

Let us be encouraged today that He has provided us everything we need to be successful in sharing our faith, hope, joy, and unconditional love for others. As leaders in our homes, communities, and organizations, we must use all this "stuff" to go out among the people to make a difference and add value to others. Luke 10:1-24

James Dodwell

A Follower's Thought

My family and I went camping at Wind Creek this past Saturday a week ago. The weather that Saturday morning was wonderful! You could feel the cool air of the fall season, my favorite time of year. I got up early that morning, got me a cup of coffee and my Bible, and went down by the water to have my alone time with God.

I opened my Bible to James 4:13-15 and read. "Come now, you who say, today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money. Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord wishes, we will live and do this or that.'" As I sat there contemplating what I had just read and watching the sunrise, I noticed the mist rising off the waters of Lake Martin. I thought about how we are like that mist rising. Then I asked myself this question. What is my life? James 4:14 said that my life is a mist that appears then vanishes. At that very moment, I watched as the mist danced across the water, rise above the waters, and vanish. I thought to myself, that is what my spirit will do one day when my time on Earth is done. My spirit will rise up to meet my Savior, Jesus Christ!

You know, we go out into the world and make all kinds of plans for our future. Yet, God's Word says, we are not promised tomorrow. I'm not saying it's a bad idea to plan for our future, but I do believe we need to consult Christ on our plans and put God at the front of our plans. I pray for guidance for myself and my family's future, as we all should. I ask myself this question. God, is this really what you want me to do, or is this really what I want you to do? So, I" ve learned to say, God, your will be done, not mine. After all, I'm just a mist rising off a lake. Here for a little while, then vanishing. Whether it be today, tomorrow, or anytime in the future, none of us knows when our time on Earth is up. I pray we all will rise like the mist into the Heavenly Realms to be with our Jesus.

God Bless. To him be the Glory!

Correll Pritchard

Living In A State of Gratefulness

What does it mean to live your life in a state of gratefulness? Do we hear the word “gratefulness” and immediately consider and remember the positive, good, rewarding things in our lives both now and from our past? Rarely do we consider hardships, struggles, and pain as something to be grateful for. Without fully realizing and honoring the past in all its glory and heartache, how do we fully live today and tomorrow in a true sense of gratefulness - of true spiritual gratefulness?

True spiritual gratefulness is to embrace and honor it ALL - the good, the bad, the ugly, the joy and sorrows in our lives, the mountaintop moments and the valleys of darkness. Unless we learn to do this, to recognize the entire journey, we fail to acknowledge God’s loving presence all along the way. All of life’s experiences happen in His presence and it’s only with His guidance we move fully into tomorrow.

In honoring and acknowledging and remembering the past with a heart of gratefulness, we can freely move forward to share God’s Kingdom with others. Don’t be bound by the restraints of less than the full story - count it all.

“Rejoice always. Pray continually. Give thanks in every situation because this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:28

Tammy Wendling

The Bridge

Years ago, on the first Walk to Emmaus at Camp Sumatanga in North Alabama, I had gone to sit and pray on a small bridge across the small creek that flows next to Hutto Auditorium. I was about to go into the conference room and give the talk on discipleship to the men there that weekend. I can remember working hard on the talk. I had researched, studied, practiced under critique, and fine-tuned the subject of discipleship to a point with which I thought God would be well pleased. 

No sooner had I begun to pray than a young girl, maybe ten to twelve years old, came along and plopped right down on the bridge with me. Immediately, she disrupted my time of prayer and preparation, “Hi, my name is Shannon, what’s yours?” Hoping she would leave, I told her and she immediately followed up with another question, “What are you doing here?” I began to explain to her that I was about to go give a very important talk about discipleship to a group of men on a retreat. She was not the least impressed and asked, “Where does the water in this creek come from?” I was beginning to get frustrated and was trying to decide how I could get her to leave so I could continue my praying and preparation. However, I took the time and explained to her that about a half a mile upstream in the creek, past the pool camp and above a beaver pond, there was a spring coming out of the side of the mountain that provided the water for the creek. Immediately, she wanted to know if we could go and see the spring. I explained to her again that I did not have time. I was trying to get ready to give this talk on discipleship and needed time to prepare. Her immediate response was, “Why? What’s so hard about that?”

That did it. It was time. I was ready for her to leave. However, that small voice that sometimes speaks to us and moves us to do what we do not want to do spoke to me and nudged me to ask Shannon if she knew what a disciple was. She never blinked or hesitated. She simply said, “Yes.” With more than a hint of skepticism, I said, “Well, why don’t you tell me what a disciple is?” She looked up at me and said, “Sure, a disciple is someone who talks like Jesus talked, walks like Jesus walked, and loves like Jesus loved.” 

Needless to say, my pen was busy instantly; scratching out my well planned conclusion and, only a few minutes later, the men on that retreat heard of an encounter at the bridge and learned that a disciple was someone who talks like Jesus talked, walks like Jesus walked, and loves like Jesus loved.

Thank you, Shannon, for those precious moments at the bridge. It has now been over thirty years since that day and I still use your definition of a disciple. 

Brother Mike Densmore

Humility: A Truly Spiritual Challenge

I remember over thirty-five years ago meeting with Claude Whitehead as a spiritual mentor, listening to his teaching, praying, and seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus. We each had goals and we would share how well, or not, we were progressing toward our goals. As we met one Monday afternoon, Claude began to share how devastated he was with the result of his effort to “become humble.” Trying to be pastoral, I implored into the disappointment of his failure. Claude was quick to respond, “It’s worse than that. This morning, I found myself feeling proud of my humility and, I had a vision. I was climbing a ladder toward humility and I could see the top. As I reached, I said, ‘Got it.’ Then, I fell back down the ladder hitting my chin on every step of the ladder. When I looked up, at the bottom, I saw the name of the first step was “humility.”

True humility has forever been a spiritual challenge for us humans and true humility can only come through authentic surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. It is a challenge for each of us and especially to us as Americans. We are a blessed people, free and independent, with rights, privileges, and blessings second to no other people on the face of the earth. However, with that, comes tremendous liability and responsibility.

How do we become humble enough to yield our freedom to the Sovereign control of God? How do we become humble enough to serve Jesus as Lord? How do we become humble enough to surrender our lives to the Authority of all authorities? It’s a truly spiritual challenge.

Beware this challenge! It must be an authentic search and it’s a goal that can never be claimed. Oswald Chambers called conscious humility, “The most satanic type of human pride.” Think and pray before you begin this journey, you just might get your chin bruised.

Blessings,

Mike

A Follower's Thought

I was sitting here this morning thinking about what I could write down to encourage people today. I was reading over an old devotion that I shared a few years ago with our staff. It came from James 3:1-12. It says, "Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistake in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships, though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also, the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is set on fire by hell. Every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no one can tame the tongue. A restless evil full of deadly poison. With it, we bless the Lord and Father, and with it, we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine yield figs? No more can salt water yield fresh."

Wow! That was a mouthful! A wise person once said, as you go through life, you are going to have many opportunities to keep your mouth shut. Take advantage of all of them. You know, it would be nice in our walk with Jesus, if that walk came with a total makeover of the mouth. I believe that makeover is possible, but it can be a huge battle for us as Christians. You see, we are in a constant battle between our flesh and our spirit. The tongue is one of those major battles. I believe that the hurtful and unkindly comments that we sometimes can say is really a heart problem. Our tongue and mouth is just a vent from our heart. If I can change my heart first, my tongue will respond with kinder words to build up someone, not tear them down. How can I change my heart? By renewing my mind in Christ, Jesus daily. How do I do that? By reading God's word every single day. By praying to God to guide me every single day. And lastly, by fearing God. You see, we are all going to be held accountable by God for what we say. In Mathew 12:36-37, Jesus said, "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned." Those words right there, motivate me to try and bridle my tongue each day. Does that always work? No, but I wake up each day reading God's word and praying to him to help me fight my flesh. I'm not perfect. None of us are. We must rise each day, knowing through faith that the blood of Christ washes our imperfections away. I want to close by saying these words that I read somewhere in a book. It goes like this. "On a windswept hill in an English country churchyard stands a drab, gray slate tombstone. The stone bears an epitaph not easily seen unless you stoop over and look closely. The faint etchings read: 'Beneath this stone, a lump of clay, lies Arabella Young, Who on the twenty-fourth of May, began to hold her tongue.' That is all that will happen to us someday when we die. It will just be a lump of clay. And on that day, we will hold our tongue."

Let's hope that we learn what that woman never did, to tame our tongue.

God Bless.

Correll Pritchard

Aunt Rose and The Baby

It was my first church and I was doing my best to do what I didn’t know how to do; lead a church that was filled with several saints who walked, talked, and lived like Jesus. But…, young and foolish, I tried anyway.

 I decided the church needed some good teaching about faith and embarked on a Sunday night study during which, for several weeks, I waxed poetic and impressed myself with how good attendance was and how interested the people seemed to be. Then…, it happened.

A couple of visitors had been coming to church for a few weeks and I got word one Sunday afternoon a young baby had died in one of the families of these visitors and the family did not even have the money to get the baby’s body back from Birmingham much less pay for a funeral. So, I explained the situation to the folks at church that night and asked if there was any way we could help. Several suggestions came up from going to get the body to helping with the funeral. After a few moments, Aunt Rose (90 years old) stood up, tapped her cane on the wood floor, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Let’s give that baby a funeral.” I began to explain our financial situation and the expensive nature of funerals when Aunt Rose tapped her cane on the floor again and said, “Now, Preacher, I’ve been here the last few Sunday nights and listened to you babble about faith. I think it is time we put up or shut up. Let’s give that baby a funeral.” Once again, I reminded everyone about the potential expense and maybe we should put a cap on how much we were willing to spend. Again, I was stopped short by another cane-rap  as Aunt Rose said, “Preacher, we are going to pay for this baby’s funeral.” In a flash, there was a motion, a second, a vote, and I received the marching orders to go set everything up with the funeral home.

Immediately, I began trying to contact the funeral home. After over an hour of busy signals, I called a different funeral home across town and they answered on the first ring. When I explained our wish to the director, he immediately said, “We are going to Birmingham tomorrow morning to pickup another body and will be honored to bring the baby back. If you will bring the family in tomorrow afternoon, we’ll work with everyone to get this planned.” I explained there was no insurance, no grave, and no money in the family and the church was paying the expenses. He simply stated, “No Problem; we’ll make it work.”

The planning was a blessing. The funeral was amazing as we buried a beautiful baby girl in a lovely pink dress and a little white casket with family and a crowd of church members attending. Much love was shared, and the family was deeply moved.

I waited for over a month for the bill to come from the funeral home. Then, I called and explained  we needed to get the bill paid so we could move on to other things. The director said, “Preacher, we’re in the funeral business. You folks are in the church business.” Well…, it was clear this man did not understand the lesson I was trying to teach my church. So, I tried again; “I’ve been trying to teach these folks about faith. We need to pay something so we can own this and use it as part of our history.” His next words stunned me, brought tears to my eyes, and left me forever scarred, “Preacher, when God caused the manna to gather in the wilderness, it was a sign he did not want God’s people to go hungry. Now, take your manna and eat. And…, tell your people how faithful they have been.”

“Feasting on the manna from a bountiful supply.”     Been chewing on manna a long time

Blessings, Mike       

Out of Control...Into the Water

Do you ever feel your life is out of control, spinning so fast that you cannot focus on one thing long enough to plant your foot and stop? What??? Yes, me, also. It happens too often these days with all the things happening in our lives, especially now during these times; even in the time way long ago, we now identify as the "pre-covid era", we called "normal" controlling a circumstance depended on the altitude of our attitude. After all, our attitude is controlled by our attitude, which gives us the ability to rise above a situation and review our options with a little more understanding. Lower altitudes inhibit our ability to look ahead or to see through all the stuff that is blocking our vision, on the other hand, higher altitudes allow us to see farther, "Granting us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference." 

Recently, our son's family came for a visit, and we went to the lake to enjoy the afternoon around the water. The water was extremely rough on that day due to wind and the number of other boaters enjoying their day. While on the boat the grans were stumbling around wanting to stand at the sides and watch the wake cast by the pontoons, but the bounce and rough ride cause them balance issues so we had to kind of subdue them and keep them still, impossible for a four and three year young full of energy, fueled by goldfish, grapes, fruit snacks along with a Capri sun juice packet or twelve. So, we decided to retire back to our friend's house to just get in the water, which was fine with our grandson because our friend's grandson was visiting them. He couldn't wait to share the afternoon playing in the sand and water with him.

It was a nice afternoon, chatting it up with good, longtime friends, talking about anything and everything, and watching the children entertain themselves. Once we begin to gather our belongings to leave, I was standing on the dock listening to the final conversations of the day when I stepped back to grab the cooler and begin to feel myself getting out of control. I could not move my feet fast enough to maintain my balance, and I started to fall backward off the dock. I wished I could have seen me from a different perspective. I bet I was a sight, arms flailing, legs and feet fighting for some solid surface, but to no avail, my body was out of control, falling like a tree being felled right into the shallow water. I remember thinking in those few seconds how out of control I felt, nothing I could do by then to prevent the fall and splash into the water. Oh, I was grabbing at everything, air, birds, dock post, but nothing was there to catch my fall, so I just gave in and patiently awaited my landing, which wasn't bad after I relinquished trying to maintain total control of the situation. It took a minute for everyone to realize what had happened, no harm, no foul, then the laughter began, and it was all good; wet and a little embarrassing; but refreshingly good. 

As leaders, we have been gifted an attitude of altitude to share with our followers. We are representatives of control and guidance for them in our walk and in our talk. It's God's gift to leaders who follow Him as we represent the hands and feet of Christ Jesus. Our vision has been cast, and we have an obligation as leaders in our homes, communities, and organizations to assist in maintaining some control to situations seemingly chaotic and hectic. As leaders, I believe it must do more with controlling self than controlling a situation or others. We walk among the people, share our hope, our faith, our joy, and our unconditional love. Jesus did not come and die for us to live a defeated life. He died to give us life everlasting, undefeated by the problems of the world. If we as leaders, retreat, our followers retreat, if we stand bold as lions (Proverbs 28:1), guess what, they will also.

The Bible warns us if we do not control self, first, we will be slaves to what controls us, food, lust, money, our words, our circumstances, and on and on. Controlling self is the very foundation for living a life of righteousness and selflessness that reflects Jesus and brings glory to God. He has gifted us the power to keep our life in control if we would only lean into Him and ask it in His name.

I encourage each of us to understand it is time to get into the word of God and allow Scripture to change our hearts and minds. Leaders reach out to others and help them understand that maintaining control starts with taking small steps each day to bring our thoughts and actions back in line with God's plan for our lives. After all, how do you eat an elephant, that is right, one bite at a time. Just saying… So today go out there, yes out there in a world of indecision and chaos, to make a difference and add value by sharing your faith, hope, joy, and the unconditional love of Jesus Christ with others. Galatians 5:22-23

Have a wonderful day,

James Dodwell

Don't Shoot the Hog

I learned a lesson over fifty (50) years ago that I think about from time to time and have a chuckle. I was deer hunting with a group of men and boys on a really cold morning. The frost was heavy, and ice was everywhere. The Hunt Master for the day was the landowner, an ole country man by the name of Leo, who had decided our first drive would be across a thirty-acre swamp thick with briars and shallow water. Since this group often called me "Swamp Cat," Leo asked me to go through the swamp with him. Then, the lecture began. He explained he had hogs living in the swamp, and we needed to be careful to only shoot "deer with horns on their head" and not his hogs. Several times, we listened as Leo gave specific instructions how to ensure we were hunting deer and not hogs. After several versions of instructions, the hunt began; everyone went to stands on the other side of the swamp, and Leo and I began to work through the swamp. His final instruction to me was, "Whatever you do, don't shoot my hogs."

As we began moving through the swamp, it was miserable and cold. Saw-briars and vines were thick, and it was hard to see more than fifteen to twenty feet anywhere you looked. Leo and I stayed in communication by whooping at each other several times each minute. We were about half-way through the swamp when it happened; I heard something big jump out of the brush and quickly heard Leo's old single barrel shotgun. Then, stone silence. I stood still and silent for a couple of minutes before calling out, "Leo, did you get him?" I got a very curt response, "Shut up, boy." I started to make my way toward Leo when I heard the shotgun roar a second time. I paused again and asked, "Leo, did you get him?" The answer came back more frustrated than before, "Shut up, boy."

It took me a few minutes to make my way to Leo, and as I broke through the swamp to him, he was kneeling in the water. Looking up at me, he said clearly, "Don't you ever say a word about this; I just shot my _____ hog." After a few minutes to gather himself and one more warning to me about silence, we made our way through the swamp. Everyone had seen several hogs come out of the swamp, and one young boy had seen "a big buck with a big rack too late for a shot." Leo didn't miss the opportunity, "That must have been the one I shot at. All I saw was the rack through the brush." Believe it or not, the "Swamp Cat" learned some lessons that day:

1. When you are the landowner of the hogs, they are your hogs.

2. Sometimes what other people don't know doesn't hurt them or you either.

3. Protecting another's dignity and respect without harming someone else feels good.

4. Leo was grateful. When he processed that ole boar, we got a whole ham and five pounds of bacon.

5. There is grace in silence. Leo (now gone) and I never mentioned that hunt again. 

With a chuckle, Mike