Faith Temple; U.N.I.T.E. "Focus on the Family"

Anyone who has read this writers column for any length of due time you are aware that I have a great love for Bell County and I always describe Bell County as a County of two Cities, Pineville and Middlesboro. I don’t believe in the self promotion of one city over the other and I am bothered by the lack of vision and respect I hear, anytime I an elected city official of any position talks about their city without mentioning the value and relationship to Bell County. We are all in this together, and it may very well be that Bell County will never achieve greater advancement for her citizens until we have covenant relationships where we commit to promote each other, believing that if one advances that this will assist the other. The same principal works in church growth. If one church grows locally, that is positive news, because that means opportunity exist for the others, if willing to go after it and become a part of the solution.
A couple months ago I wrote about a unique opportunity that the Bell County Board of Education had to partner with U.N.I.T.E. and Focus on he Family. The “opportunity” of this connection was made possible because of the leadership of Shawn Baker, Senior Pastor of the Ministries of Faith Temple Church. The “opportunity” was unique because it would have provided the citizens of Bell County a chance to tap into the resources provided by the National Ministry of Focus on the Family and unique because Bell County would have been the leader of efforts to establish this new faith program throughout the 5th Congressional District. Yes, I believe the old Ward Chapel School Property would have been perfect for such an endeavor and the motives of the congregation at Faith Temple were also proper and had the county as a whole in mind under the vision of this effort. I am not afraid to applaud the efforts of any individual or organization that attempts to make a difference with a vision for all of us. No fear if they be a republican or a democrat, live in one of the cities or in the county. I applaud efforts and vision from all denominations as well. Sure, I am a Baptist, but I believe the work of Darrell Lowe and Lighthouse Mission has been a great asset to Bell County, and I know of others that agree. I am thankful for Methodist and Presbyterian churches that have opened their doors for meetings of small groups and support groups for issues related to the battle against drugs that affect all of us.
Personally I wanted to see Bell County be there leader in this new faith effort within U.N.I.T.E. Why? Because before U.N.I.T.E. there were two efforts that provided for the foundation of that program and they began here in Bell County. The Bell County Drug Coalition and that organizational structure and the vision of the comprehensive approach to education, prevention, intervention, and treatment was the model for the Comprehensive Counter-Drug Initiative, which with a name change become Unlawful Narcotics Investigation Treatment and Education, (Operation UNITE). The vision of David Jorjani, as County Attorney in Knox County, and his partnership with the leadership of the Bell County Drug Coalition secured the funding with a matching grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, and the support of the local governments who contributed, which included the counties of Bell, Knox and Whitley Counties. This effort became the Law Enforcement division of Operation U.N.I.T.E.
Bell County should be proud of the leadership we provided for this war against drugs. Bell County, through her citizens and their willingness to step up and take the lead made this difference that has not only touched us here at home, and not just the 5th Congressional District, but these efforts serve other congressional districts that have taken the example demonstrated here. Leadership and vision are always nice words to use, but the key to understanding leadership and vision is that those efforts are not ones that benefit those individual leaders personally. Leadership and vision are powerful words when the actions by our volunteers’ community leadership and those elected to official positions work together to see something greater then ourselves take hold.
Today, Focus on the Family and U.N.I.T.E. have taken what Pastor Shawn Baker fought for us to have here in Bell County to 10 pilot communities which include: Corbin; Manchester; Harlan; McKee; Hindman; Inez; and areas in Floyd, Menifee; Martin and Pike Counties. His vision and passion to address our needs should be applauded and while others will be the first to benefit from his efforts we should remind ourselves that here in Bell County we have been blessed by many different leaders, I am just praying for the day when everyone will have the proper motives for the positions they hold or have been elected to. Our government should serve the people and we the people should serve the government, rendering unto God that which is due Him, and to the government what which is due her.


Until then

Order of Eastern Star - Pineville Chapter #89 - 100 Years Old

Birthdays are a time of reflection that brings out the celebration, cake and ice cream in all of us. As a child every birthday is celebrated, and into ones late teen years and early adult years we celebrate such milestones until we move to the decade celebration mode. Celebrations of organizational birthdays are also important to note, honor and remember and this past week, the Order of Eastern Star, Pineville Chapter #89 celebrated 100 years as an organization here in Pineville, Bell County, Kentucky.
The Order of Eastern Star has a very active District Organization here in the Mountains of Southeastern Kentucky. Present at the celebration were officers and members of the various Chapters here in the Mountains. Barbourville, Williamsburg, Corbin, Harlan and even members from visiting Chapters from Tennessee and Virginia attended. The O.E.S. is a real family organization which explains the participation of so many different Chapters helping to honor one of their own in her milestone of 100 years, founded in 1908.
The Order of Eastern Star is an organization that is founded on Christians Principals and uses the Star of Bethlehem as their emblem of explanation and uses the Biblical accounts of the lives of Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha and Electa as teaching points to enhance our lives as followers of Jesus and members of the O.E.S. The ceremonies and rituals developed and used are not only beautiful but valuable in their instruction as to living our lives as Christians. The Star Points teach from the life of Adah that we should be faithful to all our moral obligations, Ruth instructs us about honor, justice and faithfulness to our duties and our place in life. The life of Queen Esther represents loyalty to oneself and who we are, and also instructs loyalty to our friends, country and to our God. Electa teaches hospitality and help to the poor and distressed, with the greatest lesson being the Biblically commandment “Thou shall love they neighbor as thyself.” Martha teaches members of the Order of Eastern Star about trustful faith and Hope of Immortality life found through Jesus Christ.
Such teaching is the foundations upon which our nation was founded and personally I believe it is this type of teaching that needs to be continually taught and instructed into the lives of young people and individuals everywhere. Service to others is almost a lost art among many today. Many individuals are about themselves and do very little to give to others, and even more especially if it were to cost them personally in giving to others. The O.E.S. is all about giving still, and giving at our personal cost to make a difference in the lives of others motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ.
The Celebration of 100 years of Pineville Chapter #89 is a Historical Milestone that deserves our acknowledgment. Personally I attended the 75th Birthday Celebration back in 1983. At that time, I never even consider the idea of attending the 100th Birthday; actually it never entered my thought patterned. However, this past Sunday it did enter my mind as I participated in that moment, honoring those that have given over the years to continue the organization, and those still who maintain their membership in the Order of Eastern Star, and active commitment through her purposes and goals to touch and make a difference in the lives of those who make up our community. Thinking historically about this particular 100th Celebration I am thinking now about the 125th Celebration that will come, if the Lord tarries. Thinking along those lines, considering the scientific life expectancy of male individuals I have as a scientific life line of expectation to advance my days until March 23, 2036. At that time I will be 72.5 years of age. If all continues, Pineville Chapter #89, will celebrate her 125th Birthday in the year 2033, and that’s within my scientific life range, so I should be there too.
However, if one of life’s curves brings my life to a shorter end, I am excited today to say I witnessed two milestones in this Chapter’s life and my participation as an observe first, then member, and officer has been touched and changed by the teaching of the Star Points and the truths only discovered in the Holy Bible and life of Jesus.

Until then

26 years.......personal reflection

One subject matter that I have written about in theme more then any other in this column is the subject of “Time”. Time is valuable and her passing is so amazing when you consider all the variables one experiences as the seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years arrive and pass. This month is one of reflection as I look back 26 years ago and consider individuals like: Ike Wilson; Dr. Charles F. Jones; Bill Cox; Richard Stokes; Institutions like: North Greenville College; First Baptist Church-Pineville; Centrifuge; Issues like: Vision; Purpose; Calling; Peace;
In today’s timing we like the before and after type settings, photos, and explanations. Not exactly sure why but for some reason or another we normally think of things in terms of beginning and end, or at least that is the way we reflect during funeral times, leaving out the details and valuables that filled our lives and time. The individuals, institutions and issues that filled the middle time frame of our lives are generally just highlighted in a mention only status and the focus of life is again placed on those beginning days and how things ended. I would call that a disservice and not a true representation of the real picture of time and or a good reflection if you leave out all the middle stuff. Reflecting 26 years into the past reminds me of all times. Ecclesiastes chapter three reflects on all times which includes not just the purposed, planted, built up, laughing and dancing, but also the struggle, with the reflection of dying, weeping, morning, war and hate. As individuals we would much rather desire the experience winning verses losing. We as individuals would rather to laugh then cry, unless the crying is because we are laughing so hard. Individually it is much easier to place blame then to assume responsibility or the even greater call to just forgive and move on. Verse eleven in chapter three of Ecclesiastes is a sober reminder of the real key to dealing with time and the experiences in the middle and scriptures reads, “He has made everything beautiful in His time”. The sobering thought is He does it, in His time, not in our time. Confessing the lack of ability to change anything is sobering and humbling. Our commitment must be to place ourselves in the position to be used by God as He directs.
A few Sunday’s ago I heard for the first time a song and chorus written by Israel Houghton. It was entitled “new season” and what a powerful message about new seasons. For me I made that application that this “new season” was perfect for the middle of life too. Shortly after the choir performed that song they sang “if you can use anything Lord”. Honestly at that point it was already way past decision time for this person who was in reflection mode. I found a sweet savor of the Lord present in my inner spirit when I confessed that if there was anything about me that He could use, He can use.
26 years ago I began a journey with the encouragement of the First Baptist Church, Pineville, KY., when they formally recognized talents they believed God had given to me. Confessing yourself to be someone that God can use is easy when you are young. Seeing yourself as an instrument that God can use is easy when you’ve not had many bumps or bruises from life’s journey. There are no problems seeing your life as an instrument of God’s Good News when you are strong and vibrant in energy and zeal for the Kingdom. No, there are no problems being a vessel for good use as long as you have not suffered any direct hits from the devils fiery darts, we so wrongly like to believe and teach to others.
The real truth holds that God is more then able to use those hard and roughest of days from our life’s journey, if we let Him. God is able to make full use of the middle time of our life and create a great end to our witness, if we can but simply say one thing through it all. “If there is anything you can use Lord, you can use me”.

Until then

Cecil Wilson, Publisher The Barbouville Advocate Remember

Not sure what you think of when you reflect back to early memories of your days in youth, but I have a good variety of early
memories and impressions that have I more clearly understand today better then ever before. A part of the clarification on my part
involves a more adult understanding of life, things and people. Part of that clear understanding also has to do with having a sense of
respect for this land we call home, traditions we share and experiences we’ve participated in and witnessed from the sidelines.
I remember impressions from church services, both speakers and the music that moved me. People that were both leaders
and servants, and I remember some that I just didn’t fully understand until years later, when I had a chance to be in their shoes.
It is a dangerous thing for a columnist of several papers to write about a publisher of just one, but the passing of Cecil Wilson
cannot go without a published word of his influence, vision, and leadership for not just his local community but a region that
has been touched because of his service to his profession, a desire to be involved, and strength to write it as he thought it and saw
it. Which if you want to be liked in today’s world it’s simply. Just don’t share an opinion, state a belief, or give your “two cents”, and
more then likely everyone will love you. Cecil Wilson made a difference because he got involved, shared what he had to give and
believed that each of us should do the same and the best would happen. Not a bad vision at all and certainly an attitude that
needs to be continued if a collective difference is to ever be experienced by all of us in our communities.
The first paper I can ever remember reading or looking at was the Barbourville Advocate. The cause and effect happened
because my parents read the paper and it was a connection with family, home and people. Again, not a bad vision at all and my
respect is strong for his leadership in keeping the Advocate about family, home and people. I guess it’s the reason why I am
writing this column. It’s all about connecting with people, sharing the stories of people, talking about our home, where we live,
why we love it so, and about our families and the sense of pride we all share in “our people”.
Our Daily Papers and Weekly Published Newspapers all attempt to connect in these ways, but folks who have been
long time readers and observes understand it is a different type of paper, and I guess that’s the reason it’s fans are as they are.
Cecil Wilson believed by serving as the publisher was just one of the ways he contributed to Knox County. If one searched the
Achieves of the Barbourville Advocate a discovery would be made of the picture of all our families, homes and people, no matter
where we call home. From Williamsburg and stories about situations in Whitley County to the Flood in Pineville-April 1977, The
Advocate served as a means of understand because of it’s published words, and Cecil Wilson made that happen because
of his leadership and desire to be involve as a part of the process that made things better. All of us in the newspaper business,
as columnist, publishers, editors, and reporters can only pray that when we have passed, someone else will be able to write
words about us that can show we made a difference by what we have done.

Until then