I remember the day...9-11-2001

I awoke on this day and was getting ready for my day. I was still serving at my first church located in Pelican, LA. I preacher friend, Scott Arant, called me and said our nation was under attack. I did not believe him. I went to the television and turned it on. I saw the first building on fire. As time progressed and I realized that it did not look good it was time to take Susanne to the doctor for a check-up. I think we were to find out if our baby was a boy or a girl that day. I turned on the radio but my wife, who feels I overreact, did not want to listen to the news. When we got to Shreveport I turned on the radio to find out the Pentagon had been hit. I then got concerned. Something was definitely not right. The rest of the day, after returning home, I was glued to the television. I could not believe we had been hit. What a blow.

No longer were we safe. I was "afeared" that more horrible acts would take place and still am not too sure we are as safe as we need to be.

Later, around June of 2002, I went with a team of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief workers to New York's Staten Island. We fed the workers. What where they doing? They were going though the remains of the World Trade Center. There were smoke filled BMW's and other luxury cars that were toast. They were just put in a fenced-in area.

Today it seems as if it was all a dream. We visited Ground Zero. It overwhelmed me. A ramp had been built that allowed one to look over into the pit. Along the railing were home made signs remembering those who died. It was very difficult to look at.

I shall never forget that day or the days in New York. They were days when I realized that only God can protect us.

First Person: Southern Baptist Disaster Relief since 9/11 - Florida Baptist Witness

Man. I got to go on a SBDR team to NY. wow.

First Person: Southern Baptist Disaster Relief since 9/11 - Florida Baptist Witness

one year

Well, one year ago, on the first Sunday of August, I stood in the pulpit of FBC, Winnsboro as the new pastor. I'm still here and still as excited about being here. We've made changes and things are different. We pray they are different to the glory and for the glory of God. Recently we obtained a new mixer board so we won't have to switch out mics and connections all the time. The new sound mixer board has 24 channels on it allowing us to plug everything we need into it. Thanks be to God.

Obviously, if you'd like to be a part of our audio visual team, let us know. We have three cameras now, which we use for DVD recording. Soon we hope to have a CD recorder as well to record the services for those who are home bound, who miss or who just want a copy of the service.

Continue to pray for us as we move to a point of reaching out beyond the walls.

Roof stays in place, cameras appear

Well, the roof did not cave in today. Today was the first Sunday in which video cameras were in place and used during the service. We'll be recording the services to DVD from now on so people can watch and hear it if they miss it on Sunday. Things went well and no one got hurt. Hallelujah! Our youth sang, "God, Undefeatable" and did a fine job. They had learned it at CentriFuge this past month. I was proud of them. Even had a duet that was awesome as well.

Keep praying. God is doing some exciting things. Remember we have a special guest, May Powers, who will share her testimony with us Sunday morning, the 24th.

Also our FirstKid's Ministry started the "Theo" Video Bible Study tonight. That will be each Sunday night at 6 p.m.

Book Review: We Shall See God: Charles Spurgeon's classic devotional thoughts on Heaven

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes from Tyndale House. The book, in short, is a compilation of Spurgeon's thoughts and views on Heaven. The most meaningful thoughts, according to Alcorn, are collected here in a useful devotional format. Alcorn also includes his own thoughts on Spurgeon's writings, which follow after each devotional. This was a mammoth task to take on and Alcorn has done and excellent job. 

If you like Spurgeon, you'll love having his thoughts on the topic of Heaven in such an easy to digest format. I find it helps keep one Heavenly minded, but not to the point where one would find himself to be of no earthly good. Alcorn has updated a bit of the language, thankfully, so that the meaning is not lost in, what is now, archaic language to many. I am pleased with Alcorn's effort. It stands out because it's not been done before, as far as this blogger is aware of, and for the fact that Alcorn has become recognized as one who is familiar with the subject of Heaven. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to delve into Spurgeon.

Tyndale books

From time to time you'll see a book reviewed here. I am part of a review program with Tyndale Publisher's. The first book I'll review is a recent one by Randy Alcorn. Keep looking here for the review.

Choir loft gets facelift and cameras on their way

We are in the middle of a redo of our choir loft. It's going to be great. We have some very talented folks working on it. We're also getting new chairs for the choir. If you'd like to purchase one, please let us know. They are $72 each.

The cameras will probably be put in next week. We are enjoying the screens. Pray we use them to glorify God. We don't want them to be a hindrance, but a help. So far, we've shown a Mother's Day slide show and have had the words to hymns and other songs visible on them. I also use them for my sermons.

VBS is coming soon. June 6–10. I hope we'll have a great week. The week immediately following I'll be in Glorieta with our youth. Looking forward to that adventure!

Screens in, cameras next

The screens are in. Obviously there will be some adjustments yet to be made, but we're going to test drive them Sunday with a special Mother's Day presentation. Pray it all goes well!

The next update will be cameras for recording and flat screens in the nursery, youth room, children's room and in a Bible Study room with dvd players for each. May it all be used to glorify God and better share His word!