Personally I don’t have any problem admitting that I use my fingers to count. Mrs. Engle (First Grade), Mrs. Carter (Second Grade) and Mrs. Hoskins (Third Grade) I think they would be proud of me today, after all, I am using the skills they taught me in grade school after all these years. My reason for counting is that my parents are celebrating their 55th Wedding Anniversary this week and I used my fingers in tens to count the years. I am smiling thinking who is most exciting right now? My elementary school teachers because of their effort to teach me to count, or is it my parent’s because I have actually remembered their special day? Either way, I used my fingers to count, and doing such reminds me of a day that seems so long ago, and yet just like yesterday.
Grade school does fill our memory banks with people, places and events. Like when Arjay Elementary got a new teeter totter, now that was exciting! Schools today can’t have teeter totter like we had, they were metal, steel, wood and had nails and bolts that kept the seats on so you could have fun for all the time recess would allow. Certainly they were not child proof because I had plenty of splinters and busted knees from hitting the ground and playing way to rough. Come to think of it, I am not even sure if there was a child protection agency for toys back then, if there was, I cannot recall having even heard of them back then.
Thinking about children and parents, if I had been born in this generation my parents would no doubt be in jail from all the moments of corporal punishment they dished out to me. We all know spanking children is against the law now, and discipline is illegal, or at least so it seems. Funny how things change in life, and what once work has been discarded for a new method. Now I am not sure what the newer method is, but I know it normally means kids get what they want, when they want, and no one says anything to them, its just the way it is. Well, one thing I know for certain, that wasn’t the way it was around our home growing up. If I got a whipping at school when I got home I would get a whipping by mother and then one by dad too…..not sure what that method is called, but it sure seemed to work.
When I think about my parents and their celebration of 55 years of marriage I think about a much different time. Two love birds growing up on Stinking Creek in Knox County and they drove to New Tazewell, Tennessee to get married. Now, just a funny side not for me personally. When I look at their pictures from 1956 I see the signs that say New Tazewell from their wedding pictures and my mind gets to thinking that someone needs to change the sign….New Tazewell is not new anymore. We’ve got Tazewell, and New Tazewell, let me see…maybe Newer Tazewell for now? It is amazing, everything seems to change, but then somethings never change. My parents like many got married in Tennessee, visited Devils Garden and traveled 25E when it was a winding two lane road that somehow even now fills the memory with cherished moments of life back then.
The Bible says that Children are a blessing of the Lord, and that is a good blessing for parents, because if you were anything like me, Lord knows it was only Him that kept me alive and being beat to death by my parents! Being a child and knowing that God looks at us and tells parents they are blessed puts a lot of pressure on kids to live up to God’s word. One fact for certain, I am thankful that my parents married, brought three of us into existence, and have raised us in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Not that we always followed it, but that they did it. There is something that needs to be said for a 55 year commitment and from this baby child the thing that keeps jumping out at me is that I was the one who was blessed.
Thanks mom & dad for all your love and congratulations on 55 years of marriage. You are a great example!
Until then
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Wildlife Dinner - Greenland Baptist Church, Corbin, KY
As a minister serving churches there are always moments that you just really appreciate. Often I have shared the humorous line that we pastor’s make our congregations happy 100% of the time. The punch line is that we make 50% of them happy when we come to the church and the other 50% happy when we announce we are leaving. One of the moments that pastors and ministers appreciate is the invitation to come back and visit with the church. Sometimes this invitation is to speak at a revival, a homecoming service or some other dedication or special event. This type of moment is appreciated because it allows us an opportunity to reconnect with individuals and families that we loved, serviced and share connections with because of the ministry.
This weekend, August 20, 2011 the Greenland Baptist Church located on the Falls Road in Corbin, Ky., will be hosting their Annual Wildlife Dinner at 6:00pm. Greenland Baptist is filled with folks who love the outdoors and hunting. They are also filled with folks who can cook, which makes for the perfect combination to host and sponsor a Wildlife Dinner. They have been working hard throughout this past year fishing and hunting to fill this event with food, food, food! Now I am not sure which church friend or member has gone out and killed the Bison, but I am confident that Buffalo will be on the menu and I for one will be excited no matter the method. I am leaning more toward the fact that the Buffalo meat may have just been purchased instead of a big hunting trip, but again, I’m excited either way.
Deacon Terry Akins is the guy who had the vision for this event. I really disappointed him while I was serving as their Interim Pastor. He had this idea for a Wildlife Dinner and he approached me with the thought and I said yes. I was thinking it was a great idea to bring new folks into the church, I was thinking it was a great idea to attract hunters and folks who love the outdoors, I was just thinking it was a great idea and didn’t realize I should have said in a “conservative tone” this is a crazy idea and churches don’t do this type of thing. Sorry Deacon Terry, but my youthful pastor nature had the best of me and I know that all the folks who have visited and enjoyed the churches hospitality and this event over the past years are glad I wasn’t thinking too….yes, I’m laughing and smiling big time right now! When churches think outside the box of what they have always done that is the time one needs to step out of God’s way and allow him to use people and to make a difference in all our lives.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which is lost and that you are I as Christians we are called to go into the highways, hedges and by-ways compelling them to come in. Not sure what your latest actions have been on the “search and rescue” course of God’s work, but I am fully confident that He is expecting us to have not just a plan with emergency equipment properly packed and stored, but He is expecting us to be in a 5 alarm status now using our resources today. The church is a light house and our light should be shining in all directions with the warning that God’s love is available and a decision needs to be made today. The Bible says that there is a broad road that leads to destruction and that many are traveling that road. Finding the narrow road of faith takes the helping hand of a good neighbor. Arriving safely at our journey takes the help of trusted friends who speak truth into our lives and are solid encouragements and examples of a life changed because of Jesus.
Greenland Baptist Church is sponsoring their Annual Wildlife Dinner August 20th and I am honored to be sharing the story of my “Big Hunt” that evening too. I want to invite you to come and visit with us Saturday, enjoy some great game and meet some new folks that I have discovered to be great friends.
Until then
This weekend, August 20, 2011 the Greenland Baptist Church located on the Falls Road in Corbin, Ky., will be hosting their Annual Wildlife Dinner at 6:00pm. Greenland Baptist is filled with folks who love the outdoors and hunting. They are also filled with folks who can cook, which makes for the perfect combination to host and sponsor a Wildlife Dinner. They have been working hard throughout this past year fishing and hunting to fill this event with food, food, food! Now I am not sure which church friend or member has gone out and killed the Bison, but I am confident that Buffalo will be on the menu and I for one will be excited no matter the method. I am leaning more toward the fact that the Buffalo meat may have just been purchased instead of a big hunting trip, but again, I’m excited either way.
Deacon Terry Akins is the guy who had the vision for this event. I really disappointed him while I was serving as their Interim Pastor. He had this idea for a Wildlife Dinner and he approached me with the thought and I said yes. I was thinking it was a great idea to bring new folks into the church, I was thinking it was a great idea to attract hunters and folks who love the outdoors, I was just thinking it was a great idea and didn’t realize I should have said in a “conservative tone” this is a crazy idea and churches don’t do this type of thing. Sorry Deacon Terry, but my youthful pastor nature had the best of me and I know that all the folks who have visited and enjoyed the churches hospitality and this event over the past years are glad I wasn’t thinking too….yes, I’m laughing and smiling big time right now! When churches think outside the box of what they have always done that is the time one needs to step out of God’s way and allow him to use people and to make a difference in all our lives.
The Bible says that Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which is lost and that you are I as Christians we are called to go into the highways, hedges and by-ways compelling them to come in. Not sure what your latest actions have been on the “search and rescue” course of God’s work, but I am fully confident that He is expecting us to have not just a plan with emergency equipment properly packed and stored, but He is expecting us to be in a 5 alarm status now using our resources today. The church is a light house and our light should be shining in all directions with the warning that God’s love is available and a decision needs to be made today. The Bible says that there is a broad road that leads to destruction and that many are traveling that road. Finding the narrow road of faith takes the helping hand of a good neighbor. Arriving safely at our journey takes the help of trusted friends who speak truth into our lives and are solid encouragements and examples of a life changed because of Jesus.
Greenland Baptist Church is sponsoring their Annual Wildlife Dinner August 20th and I am honored to be sharing the story of my “Big Hunt” that evening too. I want to invite you to come and visit with us Saturday, enjoy some great game and meet some new folks that I have discovered to be great friends.
Until then
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Darin S Wilson - Union College A.D. to lead Georgia Gwinett College Athletic Program
There are many ways in which to celebrate change, accomplishment, and success. Generally resignation is not the word we associate with such an announcement but it is the proper word to describe the decision made by Union College Athletic Director, Dr. Darin S. Wilson and his announcement and that of Georgia Gwinett College to his selection and acceptance to serve as their Athletic Director in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
I have used many difference names in speaking with Dr. Wilson over the years of my association with him. We first met when I served as a collegiate sports official umpiring baseball and supervising officials at the N.A.I.A. level. I simply referred to him then by his baseball jersey number “5”. Later when he became the assistant coach of the Union Bulldog Baseball Program that adjusted to the proper title of “Coach Wilson”. That title continued when he became the Head Coach of the Bulldog Baseball program. While our on the field friendship was solid and strong our friendship grew in other ways too. I had the honor and privilege of leading Darin in believers baptism and he also served as the Minister of Music for the Horse Creek Road Baptist Church in Corbin, Ky. He is an excellent soloist and his Christian Faith is strong, and vibrant. I was able to serve he and his wife Patti as an officiating minister at their wedding ceremony, which was an honor for me.
It is amazing how our friendship has grown over the years. With his resignation announcement it is amazing how fast 18 years has passed. One moment he was walking onto the diamond as a player and then a blink of the eyes and he has lead the Union Athletic program to achieve unprecedented growth and accomplishment with Championships and team achievements some might have never even dreamed possible. How did he do it, you might ask? Simply, he has lived a life of excellence, believes that pushing for the prize is not only a Biblical call but one that we should each strive for as individuals and collectively as team members too. It is not everyday that we as observers can witness individual change in people but watching Director Wilson it becomes obvious of the leadership skills he possesses and his personal characteristics of excellence shine.
He leaves Union College after having proven his abilities and as he leaves for Georgia Gwinett College, he does so to lead them in establishing their athletic program. Building a program from the ground up is exciting and filled with challenges that Coach Wilson is excited to tackle. When I think about the task before him, hiring coaches, establishing fields, securing contracts, and building a cohesive and comprehensive Athletic Department is going to be another great witness experience. Great witness for Darin as he demonstrates his Christian commitment and leadership and a great witness experience for us who will be checking in and watching from a distance.
Serving him and Union College as the Sports Chaplain for 10 years has been a blessing beyond words. I have known Dr. Darin S. Wilson by many names. Our experiences over the years have been awesome. When I think about the best descriptive for our time together I think it is best summed up simply by saying it’s been a great journey….friend.
Until then
I have used many difference names in speaking with Dr. Wilson over the years of my association with him. We first met when I served as a collegiate sports official umpiring baseball and supervising officials at the N.A.I.A. level. I simply referred to him then by his baseball jersey number “5”. Later when he became the assistant coach of the Union Bulldog Baseball Program that adjusted to the proper title of “Coach Wilson”. That title continued when he became the Head Coach of the Bulldog Baseball program. While our on the field friendship was solid and strong our friendship grew in other ways too. I had the honor and privilege of leading Darin in believers baptism and he also served as the Minister of Music for the Horse Creek Road Baptist Church in Corbin, Ky. He is an excellent soloist and his Christian Faith is strong, and vibrant. I was able to serve he and his wife Patti as an officiating minister at their wedding ceremony, which was an honor for me.
It is amazing how our friendship has grown over the years. With his resignation announcement it is amazing how fast 18 years has passed. One moment he was walking onto the diamond as a player and then a blink of the eyes and he has lead the Union Athletic program to achieve unprecedented growth and accomplishment with Championships and team achievements some might have never even dreamed possible. How did he do it, you might ask? Simply, he has lived a life of excellence, believes that pushing for the prize is not only a Biblical call but one that we should each strive for as individuals and collectively as team members too. It is not everyday that we as observers can witness individual change in people but watching Director Wilson it becomes obvious of the leadership skills he possesses and his personal characteristics of excellence shine.
He leaves Union College after having proven his abilities and as he leaves for Georgia Gwinett College, he does so to lead them in establishing their athletic program. Building a program from the ground up is exciting and filled with challenges that Coach Wilson is excited to tackle. When I think about the task before him, hiring coaches, establishing fields, securing contracts, and building a cohesive and comprehensive Athletic Department is going to be another great witness experience. Great witness for Darin as he demonstrates his Christian commitment and leadership and a great witness experience for us who will be checking in and watching from a distance.
Serving him and Union College as the Sports Chaplain for 10 years has been a blessing beyond words. I have known Dr. Darin S. Wilson by many names. Our experiences over the years have been awesome. When I think about the best descriptive for our time together I think it is best summed up simply by saying it’s been a great journey….friend.
Until then
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