I just call him Dad

Proverbs 23:24 (The Message)
Listen with respect to the father who raised you, and when your mother grows old, don't neglect her. Buy truth—don't sell it for love or money; buy wisdom, buy education, buy insight. Parents rejoice when their children turn out well; wise children become proud parents. So make your father happy! Make your mother proud!

This Sunday is Father's Day. An opportunity for us to let our earthly Fathers know how much we love them. Many have lost their father, and we pray for every one who will spend this weekend without their dad. It is also one of my favorite preaching days as we challenge the men in our congregation to live for Jesus , and to lead at home.

When I think of my dad, I could not have been given a better one. As a boy, I thought he could do anything. The older I get, I have realized, he can do about anything. He may be a little slower than he used to be, but his wisdom about life and how to do things is still a great teaching tool for me.

I can still picture him at one end of the driveway, and me at the other, passing baseball with our Regent ball gloves, before he headed off to McCall's on second shift. He probably didn't think to much about it then, but I will never forget that he always made time for us growing up, even in the little things. Now it is corn-hole, and I still can't beat him.

On Friday nights as we played high school basketball, he would slip in, taking a few unpaid hours off to see me play. I can still remember making eye contact with him as he walked underneath the basket heading for the bleachers. He probably didn't think I was looking for him, but I was. He was my dad.

It took years for me to realize that a lot of boys I grew up with, didn't have a dad like mine, and they would tell me, how fortunate I was. Now I get it. I cannot recall a time in my life, when he wasn't available to help if needed. He is always there.

Dad would never say it, but he has taught me a great deal about the love of God. The love the Father has for his children. You see our heavenly Father is interested in the little things in our lives also. He wants to spend time with us. He wants to encourage and help us, and He can always be counted on. In the tough times and the good times, He will be there.

The older I get, people tell me I look like dad. I consider that a great compliment.

I wonder if people ever say we look like Jesus, in the way we live our lives? Do others see Christ in our everyday life?

If you are blessed to still have an earthly dad alive, make sure you talk to him this week. Tell him what he means to you. Don't put it off. Make it a priority.

Thanks dad for everything, I love you. Happy Father's Day.

Rain

Psalm 72:6 (NKJV) He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing, Like showers that water the earth.

This morning on the way to the office, I thanked the Lord for giving the ground a good drink. While it has been a beautiful spring, it seemed to be getting dry.

The Christian life is like that. There are times when we may begin to get a little dry, or our heart begins to harden. It seems that God is right on time when we need rain in our Spirit.

How do you detect a spiritual drought? How do you know if you need a fresh touch of God in your life?

I believe first of all, that we need to ask ourselves this honest question? Am I reading the Word of God, and what kind of prayer life do I have? Be honest. Remember, it is not how good you can fool someone else. What does God know in regards to how much time you are in the Bible, and the disciplines of your private prayer life?
Secondly, am I being faithful to worship the Lord? Am I where I need to be on Sunday? Has my church attendance slacked off? Does it just not seem as good as it once did? Am I following through on a commitment that I made as a leader?
Lastly, am I more critical than encouraging? A dry heart will become a bitter heart.

These are just a few signs that we may need rain, and the good news is that when I recognize I need it, and I ask God for it, He will send it, right on time.

Oh God, thank you for the rain outside. We ask you to send rain into our lives today, refresh our souls with Your wondrous love.

Until He comes.... we will go!

VACATION

Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

I often think back to vacations our family took when I was growing up. With grandparents in Tennessee and South Carolina, most of our trips were to the southeastern part of the country. Some of the great memories include making the three hour drive, when in South Carolina, across the state to Myrtle Beach.

Vacations back then seemed like it was an opportunity to really relax and slow down. Maybe, it was because I was young and did not have as much responsibility. It is amazing how we made it with no cable, no laptop and no cell phone. "How's that for dating myself?" We never stayed at the biggest and fanciest places, but they were always clean and neat. The Breezeview comes to my mind as I type. Most of the time we stayed across the street for a better rate, knowing that the ocean was within sight. The hi light of the day would be to sit around the pool in the evening with the family to just laugh, and enjoy each others company. Who would ever think that to be content as a kid, a bottle of coke and some Lance peanuts was all that you would need.

When Renee and I were married, we had the privilege to go back and this time we went as parents. While some things certainly had changed (quite a bit), it was still a world of excitement and great enjoyment for the kids.

You know, it brings a parent great joy to see their kids happy, whether young or now grown up, and I imagine that our heavenly Father is pleased when he sees us living obediently and happy.

This summer, make sure you slow down to enjoy things, and if you go on vacation, make sure you don't forget the Lord, and when you get home, we'll see you in church.

You know, if the Lord tarries, one day I may go back to Myrtle Beach.... as a Papaw!

May the Lord keep you clean and close.........

Cool Water

Malachi 3:16 those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,And the Lord listened and heard them; a book of remembrance was written before Him
For those who fear the Lord And who meditate on His name.

Well, the official kick off to summer is here. Hope you were able to enjoy the weekend and the great weather we had for Memorial Day. I can remember when everyone went swimming for the first time on Memorial Day, but it seems as if the water has been too cold, ever since I hit 40, (years ago.) One of the pools we had a pass to growing up was at the Ramada Inn on Little York Rd. Monday we stood at the grave of my Great Uncle Wallace, he was the one who worked at the Ramada, and got us a pool pass.

Like many of you we went to cemeteries to pay our respect to our loved ones who have passed away. It's hard to believe that Renee's dad has been in heaven for twenty five years.

I was amazed at how many flowers were placed and how many flags were flying in the cemeteries we visited and drove by. It was as if every grave had something on it. A gentle reminder that every life counts and matters. Even the graves that were left undecorated, or the marker that perhaps no one even looked at, God hasn't lost track of anyone. Why? Because people matter to God. You matter to God!

Worship on Sunday was a beautiful tribute to our troops and veterans. How proud we all were of our newest Marine as she presented the colors. What an awesome sight as our veterans stood all over the congregation reflecting sacrifice from different conflicts and time periods.

So what was the best part of Memorial Day weekend? A regular attender who walked down the aisle during the invitation and simply said, "I am ready to ask Jesus Christ into my heart to be my Lord and Savior."

After being able to spend time with the family, it just doesn't get much better than that.

Keep up the good work for the Lord. Tell somebody about Jesus! Pastor Greg

Transformation

Romans 12:1-2
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The Christian life is a life that has been changed by the power of God. CHANGED ! It seems as if many of us want to be Christians, While at the same time trying to live as close to the world's standards as possible. When Christ comes in and takes over, we are now His. He wants us to be obedient to Him.

The Christian life can be tough. The road that is easiest, yet at the same time the costliest, is the road of conformity to the world's standards. I would imagine we all have been there at some point in our journey. May we decide today that we are going to live transformed lives because we have met the Transformer, the Lord Jesus Christ.

My desire is to share my heart as your Pastor weekly through this blog with a word of encouragement from God's Word.

Tell someone about Jesus today and remember, until He comes......we will go!