"Sunday Night Live" ended with an afterglow at the home of Jim & Jeri Norris with alot of food, fellowship, and a ton of laughter. Thanks Jim and Jeri. We had a ball.

A huge and hearty "THANK YOU" is in order to all of our church family for your support of our youth. Valentine's day truly brought out the LOVE as you gave so generously to help send our kids to camp. We trust you enjoyed the spaghetti, and the laughter. It was our pleasure to serve you!




The highlight of the day was the smiles on the faces of our King and Queen, Rusty and Loretta Bell. What a tremendous blessing they have been to us. Their generous spirit is only exceeded by their prayers, encouragement, and warm smiles.
It was our distinct privilege, and honor to serve them.



Congratulations to Charles Clark who's guess was the closest to the number of Red Hots, Hot Tamales, and Hershey's Hearts in the vase. If you are interested the total number was 1541, Charles guessed 1504. Not only did he win ALL of the candy, (which I'm sure he's eaten by now), in addition, he won dinner for two at a local restaurant.



Thanks again, Ya'll are GREAT!

Glory to God in the Hightest

To all of you, from the depth of our hearts, Sandy and I want to wish you the merriest of Christmases, and an absolutely blessed new year.

What a tremendous year God gave us in '09. It has long been our prayer that He do things that only He can receive credit and praise for. He has proven Himself over and over again and we give Him glory!

Trusting Him to do it again, in 2010!

Adapting to change

Change on any level or any degree can be difficult at best. Especially when it is unsuspected. A sudden illness, an accident, or a decision that is made, can, and usually does bring about change. It may be that someone is pressed into action, or has to take on duties that they are uncomfortable with; or maybe they have to adapt to a different lifestyle, one that is completely foriegn to them. Sometimes those changes are temporary, and sometimes they are permanent. Some changes are for the better and some are not.

Recently there have been some changes in my life. An operation that resulted in a small stroke, (if there is such a thing as a small stroke), has left my mother in law with only limited use of her right hand. Certainly that effects her, but it also effects those of us around her. I mean afterall, she has cut my hair for almost 20 years now, and I don't feel real comfortable with her snipping close to my ear with a very sharp pair of scissors. I'm only kidding! She hasn't been released to drive yet, she can't write her own checks, and eating left handed does have it's drawbacks. Through all of it she has kept her sanity. Can't say much for the rest of us though. Kidding again!

Other changes effect us and those around us as well. For instance, Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians that if anyone is in Christ, they become a new creation, old things are passed away and everything becomes new. To the one that is changed, it is a great and wonderful change, but some others don't seem to understand. We don't talk the way we used to; we don't go where we used to go; food tastes better, which in turn can lead to some physical changes like weight gain, but we don't want to go there. Our friends scratch their heads and think we have lost our minds.

Still, there is another change that awaits those of us who have found that new life in Christ. It's one that will effect us in ways we can't even imagine. That right hand of my mother in law will work perfectly again. I may not even need a hair cut. We'll have a glorious body fashioned after the body of the One that began the new work in us. What a day that will be. As for me, I'm anxiously awaiting that change.

Oh, and by the way, if you haven't experienced the change that Christ brings, when He returns, your life will be effected by that change.

To borrow a phrase from Wolf Brand Chili, "How long has it been since ...?...well that's too long!"
That is how I feel about this blog spot. Time has simply gotten away from me. Thanks to all of you who have faithfully checked on my unfaithfulness to update our blog spot.

So much has happened, I don't know where to begin. I have spent most of the time since just before WILD WEEK, hopping around like a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. (Another phrase I have borrowed from ...I don't remember who.) Anyway, things are returning somewhat to normal. I can't believe I said that. I can't recall any semblance of normal, ever!

Anyway, We have had an awesome summer. Our youth "Mission to Mission" was nothing less than fantastic. Through, VBS, Church services, and door to door food distribution and witnessing, 81 people came to know Christ as Savior. To Him be the glory!

On a different note, I know that most of you have been praying for Reba Burns. There will be a benefit concert on September 19th @ 6:00pm to help offset the enormous medical bills that resulted from her accident at camp. I hope that all of you will make plans to attend. There will be a tremendous time of praise and worship, and an opportunity to help out our sister in Christ. I hope to see you there.

How long has it been since you you prayed for someone who is lost; out of fellowship; sick; or thanked God for someone who isn't? "Well, that's too long!"

Did I hear someone say CAMP?

Well get ready! T's are in, (they will be passed out this Wednesday...that's tomorrow).

In case you've forgotten, our team color is red, so red up! t-shirts, bandanas, hair dye (be sure to get permission first), flags, caps, anything to show your spirit.

The BIG BUS will leave the Church parking lot at 10:00 am, Tuesday, July 7th. Don't be late!

It will be good to see some of our old friends again, (like Kacy & "Grandpa" Ken) and meet some new ones.

I AM EXCITED!!!

Where has it gone?

This past weekend our "son", whom Sandy and I have tried to raise in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, walked across the stage and received his high school diploma. As I watched, as best I could through tear clouded eyes, a young man that once occupied a vast majority of our lives, began a new phase of his.

Amidst the swelling of the chest to button popping proportions, and quiet, but very noticeable tears, I realized, again, that not only was his life about to change, but ours was as well.

As he left Sunday afternoon for his new job at a youth camp, I walked into his now vacant room, and wondered if I had done the job that God entrusted to me years ago. It seemed like it was only yesterday that he was taking his first steps, and blowing out a single candle on a birthday cake.

It's in these times that our minds race with thoughts, not of wondering if our children are going to disappoint us, but have we disappointed them? Have we done all we could do to prepare them for what God has in store? Have we missed some important teaching opportunity? Will they be able to face this ever changing world with confidence and purpose?

Then I think of the many students in our youth group, and wonder the same things about them. What will they take with them into the coming years?

As I say so long to a fantastic group of graduates, wondering where the time has gone, I say hello to another group of kids who are wide with expectations, and excitement of becoming a part of our youth group.

It's with these thoughts spinning in my head, that I find both comfort and challenge in the timeless truth of God's Word, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

But still, I don't know where the time went and if the lessons were adequate. So I will simply, "Trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not unto my own understanding and in all my ways acknowledge Him and He will direct mine and their paths."