When I started this blog a few years back, I never realized the places that the Lord would take me. The good times and the not so good times. The blessings and hard times that come to us in this life. But I’ve learned that even in those difficult situations that life brings our way, that God is always there. Always ready to listen. To lend a helping hand. To love us and comfort us. I have learned that yes, we can be thankful …….. even when our heart and mind tells us that there is no reason to be. I’ve leaned that in everything to give thanks. So as I begin this new chapter in my life. I am blessed to have a partner that is eager to share her experiences as well. It is our prayer that the Lord will use this blog as a catalyst for people to come to and to find hope……. In Christ. So here is to new beginnings and a renewed hope that as the scripture says……. Give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning us!!!

I am just sitting here on a lazy Sunday afternoon.  I have been thinking recently about so many of the changes that have happened in my life and in the life of those around me since I last wrote on this page.

Change is something that doesn’t come easy, and at other times it is the best thing for us.  We are creatures of habit, and when something changes in our life, it sometimes gets us uneasy and we tend to worry about what the future holds.  Change forces us to look back at where we have come from and to analyze what we’ve done in life up to that point.  I guess that is something that I’ve been doing for the last few weeks.  I try to take an inventory of my life (spiritually 1st and every other way), to see my mistakes,  to try to focus on how, I,  as a man who professes to love God, can improve on how I live my life, and how I can help improve the lives of those around me.  And I have to admit………….  that I seem to fail so often that it at times it leaves me in disgust and heartache.  But then I remember whom I serve, and realize that through HIM, I can get up, dust myself off, and press on like I have done for the last 30 years.

One of the biggest changes that have happened this summer, is that I have changed jobs. Back in January of this year, my former boss let us know that the business was closing, and that we would need to be looking for employment elsewhere.  I had been with my boss for 11 years between 2 different businesses.  He was and is, really good to me.  I appreciate everything that he has done for my family and I.  Every time that I asked, he would help me out in some way.  We became good friends over the years.  So as the early months of 2017 progressed I knew that I would be moving on somewhere else in the near future.  In April, my Aunt Marilyn, who courageously had been fighting Cancer, had a relapse, and this time it was too much.  She passed away on April 28th. I made the trip up to Kentucky to officiate her funeral.  The day that I returned to work, I was told that the remaining accounts that were on our books had been sold and that I would not have another 1-2 months, but 1 week before my job would end.  That was a shock, but I don’t blame my boss for selling out and moving on.  So here I was not knowing what the future would hold……………, but then I remembered, that I have been in this position so many times in my life.  I remembered that God has always guided me through these seasons in life and He has always been there for us, and taken care of us.  So I was unemployed for 3 weeks in May.  People that we hadn’t seen in years came to our door with food and money because they heard that I was in between jobs and wanted to be a blessing.  God knows how to remind us of His goodness.

After 3 weeks of unemployment, I get a call from the Temporary Agency that I worked for 12 years previous.  I had submitted my Resume back to them.  They had a company that was needing someone almost immediately.  They asked if the man could contact me and after a phone interview that turned into an actual interview the same day, I was once again employed.

The first couple of weeks on this new job was an eye opener.  I was now getting up at 4am.  I had a lot of things to learn, and the boxes that we stock are heavy.  But in the process I have lost 40 lbs and I am feeling so much better than I had in a long time.  The pace at work goes so fast at times that the days go by very quickly.  I have  been told that by the end of next week, I will hopefully be hired on full time.  So this change has been good.  Even though it is hard work, I am glad to be up and moving again.

I have learned that God never changes though.  He is the same as He has always been. No matter what change happens in our life, He is always the same.  Jobs change, life changes, we get older, sometimes our health declines and then picks back up, but through it all Jesus Christ is standing right there and making impossibilities possible.  Loved ones pass on, and life goes on, but the Lord as it says in His word, is an EVER CONSTANT in an EVER CHANGING world.  I hope to be able to write more as the time progresses.  I have a lot less time to sit and blog, but I want to be an encouragement to someone who might need it.  I want to be thankful and show my thankfulness for all He has done.  I look forward to going back to Kentucky in a couple of weeks for my niece Annie’s wedding.  Again, more changes in life………………………..

 
For This I’m Thankful.

I was online the other day, when a post caught my eye.  It asked the question; can a Christian drink alcoholic beverages?  I have also seen recently other questions similar to this; can a Christian smoke, can a Christian have tattoos, or piercings, or how should a Christian dress.  And you will have those that say that drinking in of itself is not sin.  That to get drunk is the real sin.  There are arguments for and against by Bible Scholars and leaders of different denominations concerning these things.  You can go to various clergy and church leaders, and you will get many different opinions and scriptures that will affirm of repudiate the question at hand.  So I responded on that post that I emphatically do not think it is wise or correct to drink alcohol of any sort.

But then I began to reason within my heart as to why I believe like I do.  Is it because I have seen firsthand what drinking does to a family or to an individual.  To see family and friends that have let alcohol control their lives and destroy their bodies.  To see people who would rather be homeless and drink, than to give it up and try to face life again.  And this not only applies to alcohol.  But in every decision that we make if we claim to be Christians. Or could it be that I have heard it preached and taught ever since I got saved and began attending church that drinking is wrong.  Because a church doctrine or statement of faith advised against it. I saw many different responses to the article that was posted.  Some said that they just have a couple of beers now and then.  Some said that the Bible says that we should not be drunk as in excess, but to drink is not a problem.  I can see where people are coming from.  For I too since becoming a Christian have drank……..   Not beer, but wine coolers.  It was no big deal I thought.  Just 2-5% alcohol.  That’s hardly enough to get me drunk I thought.  But then I began to question why it was that I wanted to drink alcohol to begin with.  I prayed to the Lord about this.  And He asked me a question in return.

He asked me if drinking would enhance my relationship with Him?  Why would I want to test the limits of his Grace and Love?  You see  God was not telling me NO NO NO NO, but instead, He began showing me what being a Christian is all about.  It’s not about what I can get away with.  The question He posed to me, I now bring to you.  Why would we, after Jesus has washed us with His holy blood, and made us a new creature in Christ, want to dabble in the worldly things any longer.  Does drinking bring Honor and Glory to Christ?  Does having a tattoo or piercing enhance our relationship with Him?  Are we just a Christian (so called) so that we don’t have to go to Hell, or did we enter this relationship with Him so that we can serve Him to the best of our ability?  So that we can draw as close to Him as we want to.  His desire is to have us right next to Him.  Guiding us, loving and blessing us in all of our actions.  I realized that it wasn’t about what I can’t do as a Christian, but what we can do being a reborn child of the Most High God!

I’m afraid that in the day that we live, we seem to be asking the wrong questions.  We ask the Lord, how far can I push the subject at hand, instead of asking Him, Lord what can I do to be more pleasing to you?  What should I put away from my life, that when people see me, they see you?  When the Lord asked me that question some years ago, I began to realize that I didn’t become a Christian so that I could now have a ticket to Heaven and in turn just do whatever I wanted, as long as I didn’t go too far. When I surrendered my heart to Christ 30 years ago this coming June, I entered into a covenant with Him.  As 2Cor. 5:17 says: Therefore if any man be IN CHRIST, he is a NEW CREATURE, Old things are passed away, BEHOLD, all things are become NEW.  That means I put away the old things from my life that can be detrimental, and take up the new life in Christ.  Did I become perfect? NO…………………., not by any stretch of the imagination.  I have sinned many times over the years.  I have grown, stopped, regressed and went back and repented countless times.  This is not about being perfect…………… it’s about being committed…………. To Christ.

This is not just about alcohol.  It is newness of life all around.  My speech changed.  My thinking has been rearranged.  So that It’s not about what I shouldn’t do, but more about what would He have me to do.  What would be pleasing to Him.  So not should I drink, smoke, etc….., but would this please God and would it bring Him glory.  Sure, I can drink a beer, but would that be a good representation of what a Christian should do.  I can dress a certain way, talk any way I want, live a life of excesses, but does it Please God.  My point is, I can tell you as a minister, don’t do this, or this, or this, but instead I will ask you the question………………..  Does what you are questioning God about have a positive influence on your life, or those around you.  For me the question is clear, on alcohol, and many many other vices that people have.  For me, it is a BIG NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!   I don’t see Christ getting any benefit from me drinking.  Surely my family would not. How can we tell people of God’s redeeming power and then miss the mark by living the Old Life.  Remember, we are NEW CREATURES.   I don’t see Him getting Glory for many of the things we see in this age, that we as Christians want to dabble in.

So that is my response in length, to a question that was posed last week.  The Bible is clear on what our duty is as Christians.  To love God with All of our hearts, minds, souls and strength.  To love our neighbors as ourselves.  To keep ourselves UNSPOTTED from the world.  You may say, well I have to sin.  But God says that we can live ABOVE SIN.

Be encouraged today.  God is with us, IF we are with Him.

For This I’m Thankful…………………………………..

Today is my brother Kenny’s birthday.  Unfortunately, I can’t call him on the phone and wish him a Happy Birthday.  So today I will honor him with a walk down memory lane.

Kenny was a great guy.  He was usually quiet unless he was around family or friends. Then he was the life of the party.  He was usually a happy go lucky guy and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who asked. We would joke and say if you needed something painted, all you would have to do is make sure there was a case of beer, and Kenny would be there.  Kenny was about 15 years older than me, so he was already pretty much out of the house when I was coming up.  His oldest son is just a few  years younger than me. I can remember him living with us at various times when I was growing up, but I wasn’t around when he was a kid.  He dated my future Step-Mother before my mom and dad divorced.  He would go on to marry Debbie and have 2 sons, David and Danny.

From what I have gleaned from the family stories over the years is that Kenny had sort of a troubled youth.  He had run ins with the law on various occasions and even ended up in jail a couple of times.  One of my earliest memories of him is talking to him from behind a glass on a phone at the jail when I was about four years old.  I can remember when Mom and Russell got married, that Kenny ended up in jail for some reason, and Russell wouldn’t let Mom go and bail him out.  I guess that helped him in some way because  I don’t remember Kenny getting into trouble like that ever again except for maybe once.  It has been so long ago now.

I can remember how Kenny’s life changed for the better when He began dating Jerry, I believe was her name.  She seemed to have a positive impact on his life.  I can remember going to their place often and spending the night with them.  As I got older, Kenny and I got closer.  He would take me places with him and hang out with me when he would come to the house to visit.  We had a good relationship.  I loved my big brother.  He always seemed to make time for me.

Later on as I got to my early teen years, Kenny lived with us for awhile.  Actually there were times all through my young years at home, that Kenny would be staying with us at some point or another.  I can remember when he lived in the basement and had a sort of bachelor pad down there. Cousins and friends would hang out  and play darts and drink beer, and have a good time.  He even ran a paper route out of the basement.  It was the weekly circulars from the grocery stores, etc.  He had a set up there in the basement.  He hired me at times to help collate and stuff the bags to be delivered.  I even got the help deliver them on occasion.  Those were some great times.  I can remember him coming over one night when I was about 11 or 12.  He asked me to go get his 12oz. beer out of his vehicle.  I ran out to get it and on the way back tripped and fell on the bottle, breaking it and slashing my arm open.  I came running into the back door crying with blood and beer  foam running down my arm.  He joked with me about spilling the beer. So thanks for that scar big brother.

Later on, when I was older, long before I was old enough to drive, Kenny showed me how to drive a stick shift.  I almost wrecked his truck in the alley behind the house.  He just laughed it off with that nervous look on his face.  He would eventually meet and live with Laura.  He lived with Laura for a long time. She was a sweet girl.  We all liked her from what I can remember.  Then he would go on to meet and live with Barb.  They were together off and on for the rest of his life.  She didn’t put up with his junk and I guess that was good for Kenny.  They were like an old married couple.

I remember one time as Mom and I were waiting for the church van, Kenny was leaving to go home.  He walked out to the front gate and yelled back to us, “pray for me you guys when you get to church.” And we did.  I prayed for my brother a lot.  For all of my family actually.  But later on the prayers were really needed.

As we got older, Kenny’s health began to fail.  He had a heart attack and one point and had to have a pace maker put into his chest.  The years of drinking and drugs had taken a major toll on his body.  We would eventually move away to West Va. in 1998 to start in the ministry.  I would see Kenny on the holidays and when we came to visit.  We ended up here in South Carolina in 2002.  Kenny, Barb, Pam, Henry and Amy Jo would end up living near Flemingsburg, Ky.  I remember back in the late fall of 2009.  I got a call from Barb and then Pam telling me that Kenny was fighting cancer and was not doing too good.  He was in the hospital near Ashland, KY and they were not expecting him to make it through the night.  I decided to take a day off from work and to drive up there to visit him.  I remember when we walked into the room there that day.  He had a grey complexion and wasn’t able to eat.  I spent the whole day there praying with him and talking to him.  I reminded him of that day back so many years before when he asked mom and I to pray for him.  I let him know that I know mom did until she passed away and that I still did.  We talked about life and how important it is to make sure that our lives are where they needed to be with the Lord.  When I left that evening to head back south, Kenny was eating, his color looked good and he was in good spirits.

A couple of days after we got back, Pam called to let me know that Kenny was going home.  They were not expecting him to leave the hospital alive.  What an answer to prayer.  Around Christmas time that year we were heading home to Covington for the holidays and we stopped in and saw Kenny and the crew at their house.  We visited for a couple of hours  before heading on to Northern Kentucky.  He still looked sickly, but he had gained a lot of his weight back and said that he was doing great.  As we were leaving he followed me out to the van and I reminded him of the miracle that God had done for him.  Kenny just smiled  and in his nervous laugh said that it was nice to have his preacher brother in his corner.  I reminded him that it was all the Lord that he was still with us that Christmas.  I told him to make sure that he thanked God for the gift that He had given to Kenny.  That was the last time that I saw Kenny.  We talked a few times after that on the phone.

Fast forward to September, 2010.  I can’t remember if it was Lisa or Barb that called me to tell me that Kenny had passed away in his sleep.  His pacemaker tried to restart his weak heart, but to no avail.  We thought that cancer was going to take our brother, but God had spared him of that and gave us about another year with him here.  I’ll never forget seeing him standing there on that ramp at his house as we drove away that night. We had two memorial services for Kenny.  One near their home for his friends and neighbors there, and the other in Covington for our family and friends. I was proud to stand up and say a few words of encouragement and to reminisce about our dear brother.  I count it a privilege to say that Kenneth Ray Hughes was my brother.  He was not a perfect man.  He made so many mistakes like we all do.  But he had a heart of love for his family and friends.  I so miss hearing him say “oh hey Bro” when I would call him.  So today big brother……..  Happy Birthday.    I love you and miss you so so much.

 

 

For This I’m Thankful……………………………………………………………..

 

 

There are certain people who come into your life, whether by chance or by Devine appointment that make such an impact on you that you cannot help but to be thankful for them.  One such person is my (step) Dad, Russell Gribble.You see Russell Gribble was not my father by birth, but he did what only a few men would be willing to do……. step in and be a father to someone else’s children.

I guess that I was about 3 or 4 when I first met my future dad.  I had fallen down the steps in front of the house we were living in at the time.  It just so happened that my mom was on a date with Russell and they rushed home to take me to the hospital to be checked out.  I don’t remember much of that night, but what sticks out to me was what happened before we left the emergency room.  Russell stopped by the vending machine and picked out some kind of candy bar for me.  He handed it to me and all the pain was gone, and I had a new friend.  I didn’t realize how good of a friend until later on in life.

As we all know, He and Mom fell in love and were married in 1977.  I barely remember the ceremony, but what I remember is our whole crew moving to Holman Ave.  Mom and Russ, the Hughes crew and some of the Gribbles mixed in…… and Uncle Cleo.  Cleo was my real dad Bob Hughes’ brother.  I didn’t realize how unusual it was for Russell to allow my Dad’s brother to live with us, but he just went with the flow.  His love for my mom meant that he accepted all of her family.  Looking back now I see how special of a man my Dad was.  He had a genuine love for people.

Early on Russell owned and operated the Independence Foundry.  I remember getting to go to work with him on occasion.  He would pack us up some butter and jelly sandwiches and away we would go.  I mostly just wondered around the property while he was working.  I can remember a few summers where we had a huge garden out behind the foundry and a whole lot of our family would go in together and grow all sorts of vegetables.  I would get to go down to the creek and try to catch crawdads.  I just really enjoyed being with my new dad.  He took an interest in me and loved me……………… and spoiled me every chance he could.  When I would get in trouble with mom all I had to do was go and pout around Russell and he would eventually tell me to get outside.

When I was young in school, he was very adamant that I learned my Math.  That is the main reason that math was my favorite subject in school.  In 2nd grade when I was having trouble learning my multiplication tables, he would sit with me sometimes till midnight drilling me on my times tables and even sending work for me to do at school when he thought that my teacher wasn’t doing enough to teach me.  As the years went by and the school work got harder, I can remember Russell bringing out the Lincoln Library from their bedroom. This huge book has the answers to all sorts of subjects, and when he didn’t know how to help me, we would be looking in the old Lincoln Library till we figured out the answers to what I was needing.  I still have that old tattered Lincoln Library in my study today.  It brings back so many memories of my dad, taking the time to work with me and help me to learn what I needed to so long ago. When I graduated High School, he joked that my diploma belonged to him, since he did most the teaching with me early on.

Describing the holidays around our house was not a big deal to me, but when others hear of how we spent our Thanksgivings and Christmases together, they just shake their heads.  My Mom and Stepdad, my Dad and Stepmom and their kids, and my Stepdad’s ex-wife and their kids would all come together and celebrate, like there was nothing strange about ex spouses and their new spouses being together.  I would later find out that Mom and Russell decided that for the sake of the children, that they would put aside any ill feelings, if there were any, and come together to make everyone feel welcome and loved.  I look back on that, and realize that because of that sacrifice, I was afforded the opportunity to be with my Mom and Dad on the holidays and not have to split the time between the two.  I am so grateful that they did it that way.  That takes a real man, who really loves his bride and her kids, to do that for us.

Of course you could always find Dad on the couch after a big meal.  That was his pastime.  To eat and then nap.  LOL

As I grew older, I really began to appreciate just who my Dad was, and how much he loved all of us.  I can remember one early morning in 1990 or 91, my mom yelling for me to come downstairs from my bedroom.  As I got to the bottom of the stairs, I could see Dad lying on the floor.  We called 911 and they came and rushed him to the hospital.  This was the 1st time that I had ever seen my dad really sick to the point where he needed medical attention.  Come to find out that he had pallops on his colon and was bleeding out.  He was in the hospital for a couple of days.  But just like that in a few weeks he was back up and to his old self.  He was a tough man. He was building a garage in the back yard when he was in his late 60’s to early 70’s.

Later on in life, after we had all moved out and mom and dad were pretty much there by themselves, they began planning a move to Florida.  They sold the house, moved in with Lisa and Bill for a short time, and finally bought a place in Port Orange, FL.  I can remember the trip we took back in 1999.  We went down for Thanksgiving.  Dad looked every bit the part of the retired northerner transplanted to Florida.  They had a nice little place with fruit trees.  Mom was pretty sick by this time and I saw another side of my dad that I hadn’t before.  That of a caretaker.  Mom was on dialysis 3 times a week, and Dad would do everything for her.  Now he had pretty much done all of the cooking since he retired from the foundry.  But now I saw a more tender side of my dad that I wasn’t aware of.  One thing that I do know…………. is that he loved my mom tremendously.

When my mom passed away in February of 2000, I saw a man truly crushed by the loss of the love of his life.  He broke down at the casket when the service was coming to an end.  She was his world.  He was hers too.  I guess he never dreamed that being 17 years older than my mom, that he would have to bury her.  I am so glad that he and my mom found each other.  They rarely ever fought or argued.  I took those things into my own marriage.  I try to love my wife the way that my Dad loved my Mom.  They always said it to one another………… but more importantly they showed one another.  They never left any doubt about that.

As I am sitting here writing and thinking back on this wonderful man, so many thoughts come to mind that I hadn’t mentioned.  He was my hero growing up.  I can remember going through his war box that he carried through Europe during WWII, and him telling me the stories about the pictures that were in it.  I took it upon myself to laminate those pictures to preserve them for the future.  Even though through circumstances beyond my control, I never received that box that he had promised to me before his passing.  But anyhow…………….

He was a tremendous cook.  Sundays were the best days at our house growing up………………. and coming back when we were married and grown.  His chili was the best.  I sat with him in Florida that last trip, and watched and wrote down exactly how he made it.  I cherish that recipe and according to my wife, it is pretty close to his.  I wish I had learned how to make his pies.  There was not much that my dad couldn’t do if he put his mind to it.  My dad had many talents.

In closing, I just want to wish my Dad a Happy Birthday.  I miss you so much.  Even though you were not my birth father, I patterned my life after the example that you taught me.  I have a lot of work to do to measure up to you pop.  Thank you for loving my Mom.  Thank you for loving all of us Hughes kids……………..  You were always there when I needed you.  You are my DADDY!  I hope that even though I didn’t go into medicine and make a boat load of money like you wanted me to, that maybe you were proud that I am trying to make a difference in people’s lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Here’s to you Dad……………  I love you!

 

 

 

For This I’m Thankful…………………………………………………

Bro. Ernie Gray (or Dr. Gray as his title is now), was my 2nd Pastor.  In my last post I shared my salvation experience, but that was just the start of a journey that has brought me 30 years into the present.  When Uncle Oscar’s eyesight was beginning to fail some, and the trip to Burlington was too much, he and Aunt Alma started a search for a new church, closer to home.  They lived in Latonia and we lived in Covington, so a church somewhere in that vicinity only made since.  We had visited a couple of churches.  But when we attended that Eastside Church of the Nazarene for the first time, I knew that I wanted to go there.  They had  a great love for people.  I felt at home the very 1st service that we attended.   I believe that even before we started attending there that we had went on a riverboat cruise and to a church picnic with them.  Even beyond the young people and activities that they had, there was someone who got my attention right away…….. and that was Bro. Gray.

Bro. Gray instantly took an interest in me.  He was always encouraging and was always goofing around and joking.  I had only had one Pastor before Him, but I saw in him a man that not Only had a love for God, but also had a heart for people.  He never met a stranger.  He was kind to everyone that he came in contact with.  I can remember just enjoying hearing him preach, and being around him.  Some posts that he has been putting on Facebook recently have brought back some great memories from my start in the Ministry.

He recently posted a picture of an article that describes a time of revival that we were having at the church at the time……..

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The church was growing, people were being saved, and sanctified.  I saw many backsliders come back to a relationship with Christ.  Many were being baptized also…………… myself included!

It wasn’t long after that Uncle Oscar, Aunt Alma, Mom and I took membership at the church.  I got involved immediately with some of the programs that were going on at church.  I helped Sis Helen Lanham with the children’s church music program, was mowing the lawn for Bro. and Sis. McMillen.  I had a church home and a Pastor that I really looked up to.  I can remember going by the church on the way to or from school, and seeing the big window of the Pastor’s study open wide and seeing Bro. Gray sitting in there studying and preparing for the next service.  It seemed that every day he was doing something.  Except for Monday’s………………..  those were his golf days.  LOL.   He even officiated some of my family’s weddings…………. and funerals.

A couple of years after we had begun attending Eastside, I began to feel the call of God on my heart to preach the gospel.  Now I really loved to sign gospel music and had been doing so in the church choir and solos at church.  I was in the choir in high school also, so that was a natural path for me to be on.  But as I was walking to school one morning, I heard the voice of God speak to my heart and tell me that He was calling me to preach.  I wasn’t sure how to relay this to Bro. Gray, because I thought that maybe I was crazy or something.  I had not experienced this before in my life.  At the time I had begun to date Bro. Gray’s daughter.  I spent a lot of time at the Parsonage with his family.  I would go visiting with him and we became very close.  I approached Bro. Gray about what the Lord had spoken to me.  Without missing a beat, he encouraged me to go for my local Minister’s License and to prepare to preach my first sermon. He gave me sermon outlines and books to study.  I preached my first sermon on Sept. 17th 1989.  I can remember it like it was yesterday.  Bro. Dave Hildebrandt brought the Senior Adult members back from a district meeting early so that the whole church could be there for me.  Again this church had a love like Christ.  Below is the 1st Minister’s Report, that I submitted to renew my License.  At 16 years old, I was embarking on a lifelong commission that continues until today.

Many thought that Bro. Gray had called me preach, since I was dating his daughter.  That could not be further from the truth.  He believed in me when many even in my own family didn’t.  I am forever grateful for his guidance and love in those early months and years.  I was heartbroken when in April or May of 1990 Bro. Gray entrusted something to me.  He explained that he felt that his time at Eastside was coming to a close and that they would be leaving in June.  I wasn’t sure how to feel.  It was like losing a loved one to death.  Yes I was sad that my girlfriend at the time was moving away, but the man that stood behind me in my ministry was leaving.  It took a little bit to get adjusted to.  But in time I realize that it was probably for the best.   I was privileged to go to Hueytown, Alabama back in 2000 to preach a youth revival for Bro. Gray.  I had lost touch with him since then up until a couple of years ago when we reconnected on Facebook.  We have picked up where we left off.  He is still the funny man that I remember.  Some of his posts on Facebook are hilarious.  I read of the things that he is doing at his current Pastorate, and the posts of the people who attend that church, and I know that they are being blessed as much as I was back so long ago.    I was overwhelmed when I saw the pic of the minister’s report that he posted recently.  I couldn’t believe that he had kept that.  After all of these years.  I asked him why and his reply was that it meant something to him.  And still does even today.  He hasn’t been my Pastor since 1990.  That is the man that showed me the love of Christ back then…………….and still today.  I am proud to say that Rev. Ernie Gray is my 1st Father in the Faith.  Perfect he is not.  Neither am I.  I could list things that I have done that would make you hate me probably.  Many have built upon the foundation that Bro. Gray instilled in me way back in 1987-90.  I have patterned many things in my Ministry after not just what he told me…………… but what he SHOWED me by example.  I strive to be a Pastor with the love that it takes to entice people to want to get to know Christ, because they can see Him in me.  That is what Bro. Gray taught me.  To love people…………… and to be funny while doing it!   So Bro. Gray…………….. Thank You.   Thank you for loving me, encouraging me, believing in me, guiding me and feeding me all of those Sunday afternoons.  Thank you for opening your home and your heart to show me all the sides of the Pastorate.  The good and the bad.  When things are great, and there is Revival in the church, and when things are lean and the people are not as happy.  I got a first hand look at what it takes to be a Pastor.  And not just a Pastor, but a Good Pastor.  I am eternally grateful.  I love you Sir.  I am proud to call you my Father in the Faith.   God Bless

 

 

For This I’m Thankful

As I was riding in the work truck to pick up some furniture this morning, I was listening to one of my Hymns cds and the song How Great Thou Art came on.  The song was originally a Swedish poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859–1940) in Mönsterås, Sweden in 1885.  It was later translated in to English and rearranged by Stuart K. Hine in the early 1920’s.  As I began to listen and to sing along with the music, I was taken back to a simpler time in my life.

You see it was this song that was the anchor that God chose to lead me to Him through His son Jesus Christ 30 years ago.  It was late 1986 and my Aunt Jan had just passed away. 

I was really close to my Aunt Jan, since her and my mother were together so much.  My brothers, sisters and I grew up with her kids.  She was like my second mother.  She fought a brave battle with Cancer, but unfortunately lost that battle in October of 1986.

It was around this time that I began to question what happens to us after we leave this life.  I was 13 years old and this was the first death that I had experienced of someone so close to me.  I can remember laying on the couch late one night listening to my Sony Walkman.  My Uncle Wayne had recorded a song in a Nashville studio when he was on vacation there and had a copy made for all of his brothers and sisters.  I happened to have my mom’s copy and was playing it that night.  As I popped it in and began to listen, something about the song gripped me.  I at first thought that since it was the song that Uncle Wayne had sung at Aunt Jan’s funeral, that I was just feeling sadness over that.  But as I continued to listen, I kept feeling this tug at my heart.  I probably listened to that song 10 or more times that night.  Just laying there in the dark crying my eyes out.  Little did I know that God had used the thing that I loved the most at that time, Music, to lead me to Him.

My Aunt Alma and Uncle Oscar had started taking us to church not long after Aunt Jan’s funeral.  I wasn’t raised in church.  It was something new and different to me.  I admit that the thing that most interested me about church in the beginning, was the fact that I got to get out of the house on a Sunday.  We usually didn’t do much on Sundays except sit around and watch TV or a Bengals game when they were on.  I hated Sundays because for me they were boring and I knew that school was coming the next day.  So now we were going to church every Sunday morning.  I began to hear more of these songs that I heard in those headphones that night, laying on the couch.  I was drawn to this music.  Hymns at church, and then someone introduced me to Southern Gospel Music.  I was hooked.  I loved it.  I wasn’t sure why, but that same feeling came over me as I would hear the words to these Sacred songs.  I remember one Sunday morning in particular at church that we were singing one of these Hymns during the end of the service, and something happened.  My mom went to the altar and gave her heart back to the Lord.  At that time, I had no idea what that meant.  All that I know is that her life began to change.  She quit smoking and drinking and was excited about going to church each Sunday.  I can remember feeling that tugging feeling that morning also, but did not know how to respond to it.

Later in the summer of 1987, we went to Church Camp at Mt. Hope Nazarene Campground.  Me and my cousin Jason.  We had been in church for a short time.  But one night they had a Youth Minister up speaking, and to tell you the truth, I cannot remember what he spoke about that night.  As they began to give the altar call, the music began to play again, and there was that tugging at my heart stronger than I had ever felt it.  I just stood there not knowing why I was crying and not understanding what was happening to me.  About that time my Pastor at the time came over to me and asked me if I wanted to go to the altar and be saved.  I had no idea what being saved was about, but my heart made my mouth say yes, and I began to walk forward.  I knelt there in that tabernacle that night, June 18th, 1987, and gave my heart to the Lord.  I didn’t know much if anything about being “Born Again” but I know that Jesus Christ came into my heart that night.  The songs that had been tugging at me, now brought such joy as I learned them and sang them.  And they still do……… after all of these years.  To know the meaning and the history of some of the great hymns and even some of the Praise and Worship songs.  Where out of such sorrow and grief………….. can come such love and peace and joy.  Much like through my Aunt’s death,  I was brought to life everlasting in Christ Jesus.  And not only I, but many other family members either were saved or came back to the Lord because of Aunt Jan’s passing.  And now I know where she is and where I am heading by God’s help and Grace!

So from hearing that song again today, I am reminded of Just how Great God is!  I have included the lyrics to the song below.  I pray that they minister to you as they did to me almost 30 years ago.

 

 

 

For This I’m Thankful……………………………………………………………………..

This past Saturday was Caleb’s birthday.  He turned 19.  Wow…………….. 19 years old already!   I was thinking about what I was doing at age 19.  At 19 I was already married, and just over a month away from being a father for the 1st time.

I can remember the doctor’s appointment that we went to back in late 1996.  Just by chance the doctor asked if Tab and I wanted to know what the sex of our newest addition would be.  At 1st we were thinking, no that’s ok, but then we decided, why not.  We already had 2 beautiful daughters, so another one would be just fine as long as he/she were a healthy bouncing baby.  I can remember the joy as the doctor said “congratulations….. you are having a baby boy”.  I never thought that it would mean that much to me.  When I was 19 and we were expecting our 1st, I wished for a little bald headed baby girl.  God answered that prayer with our Rebekah.  After that I hadn’t really wished one way or another really as we were not planning on having any more kids after Tamra Came along.  But hearing those words, It’s a boy, brought such a rush of excitement to my heart that I could hardly contain it.  Even Tab was teasing me about how big I smiled when the doctor told us.

Caleb was a big boy when he was born.  Tab went well past her due date with him, to the point where the doctor scheduled her to come in to induce labor, telling Tab that it was that or he was going to walk out of the womb.  The day Caleb was born, was a special time.  I can remember the presence of the Lord being so prevalent in that labor/delivery room.  Every birth was special, but with Caleb, even the doctor stayed around for a while after the birth just to bask in the joy that we were feeling when he was born.

Caleb was a happy baby boy.  Once he started crawling and climbing, he was a handful for Tab to keep up with.  I would often come home for lunch during my days working for Covington Paper.  I would get to see the girls and play with Caleb.  I love all of my children the same…… and different.  There is something special about each one of them that you not only love, but you like the differences in their personalities.  Caleb has always been tender hearted for a as long as I can remember.  He has a true care for others that not many young men have. I can remember one night in our little apartment in West Va. I had gotten down to pray with Caleb before bed, and I can’t remember what was laying so heavy on my heart, but I just broke out in tears as I was praying and soon I realized that Caleb was crying just as hard for me.  He has a heart like that.  He always has been.  One of his sayings was “I wuva, wuva, wuva, you”.  As he got older I saw him begin to give in to the Lord as well.  His heart was for worship.  I can remember hearing him in his room, just praying out to the Lord one on one and receiving such a sense of joy, that my son was exceeding my own walk with the Lord.

When Caleb was 14 he started working at Colortyme Rent to Own, which is Co-Owned by my employer.  He has been working part-time there ever since.  He bought his 1st car when he was 15.  He is very responsible with his money.  He is a faithful tither, which is one reason that God has blessed him.  He always is getting his mom something when we are at the grocery or Dollar General.  He gives some of the best gifts at birthdays and Christmas.  Caleb is such a giver.  Not only gifts and monetarily, but with his time.  He will take time to torment and roughhouse with his sisters.  They act like they hate it, but there are times when I catch them starting it with him.  Whenever anyone asks him for help with something, he is willing.  Sometimes he will whine a bit to his mom or me about chores,  but if he knows it is a real need he is right in there helping out where he can.

I am so proud of the man that my son has turned into.  My prayer continues to be that he will exceed my abilities in all things.  He has a mind that amazes me.  Yet he can’t seem to get himself up in the mornings!  Typical college kid.  I look at his chosen field of study in college….Electrical Engineering, and I am lost.  He will try to explain some things to me about a class that he had that day, and I sit there and think………….”yeah right”.  I know that Caleb can do anything that he puts his mind to.  He has a heart of gold.

One thing that I didn’t realize way back then in that doctor’s office, that I now know is that my only son has also turned into one of my best friends.  I am so glad that we have gotten to work together these past few years at the rental store.  We have a great friendship that I cherish.  So Caleb……………..  Happy birthday to you.  I love you.   Dad

 

 

 

For This I’m Thankful…………………………………………………………..