A Good Day

Yesterday was a good great day!  Let me begin with the big news - Mike Wiley was baptized into Christ!  Over the years many prayers have been offered and tears shed for this day.  It came and more prayers were offered and many more tears were shed, but of a different type.  Personally speaking, I love Mike.  This wasn't some ritual he followed to punch his ticket to heaven.  He desires more than anything to please the Father.  His greatest fears has always been of not living up to that desire.  This is why we need Christ Jesus because none of us will live perfectly.  Only the Messiah was able to do so and now He lives in Mike.  For a couple of hours following, several of us just sat around, talked and enjoyed Christian fellowship.  If had not been for our Sunday night singing it would have lasted even longer.  These are the really neat moments in Christianity.  Here are some cool pictures from the day.

For the record, he was given the choice between the pond or the swimming pool.

 

The fish came up as soon as we put him under - fitting

 

If you are having a bad day these next two pictures should cheer you up

Let's continue our theme of a good great day.  Yesterday we installed two new deacons - Jim Warren and Ladell Young.  I am really excited about their future with this church.  More will be said later.  For now, keep them in your prayers.

Our singing was uplifting the whole day.  Sunday morning was great and I thought the way David lead "Ten Thousand Angels" was powerful!  That night we had one of our old fashioned signings.  Many songs were requested and sung.  The volume and sound was so good.  A big thanks to David Brooker, Lonnie Ledford, and Bill Raikes for leading.  If you were unable to come you missed Lonnie leading without his teeth.  His smile was even better than his singing.

Sunday morning Trudy Teague came forward asking for prayers.  She is really struggling with the loss of Willie.  Sunday night she had a panic attack as we were singing Willie's favorite song.  Let us lift Trudy up in prayer.  Now for the positive: many came to her side when she walked forward Sunday morning and those who saw her struggling Sunday night walked her out to comfort her.  Life is hard and sometimes it just stinks, but how awesome is it to have a spiritual family who is there to comfort us in those times?  By the way, Willie's favorite song is fitting - "The Greatest Commands" - in which we sing "love one another" and "love bears all things".

Sunday night we celebrated April and May birthdays.  Sorry the picture is so bad.

Next Sunday is Mother's Day.  I will be preaching on a tremendous woman of faith - Jochebed.  Not sure who she is?  This is the mother of Moses, a great servant of God.  Invite your mothers or children to join you.  Next week I will introduce a new series starting the following week.



Speaking of servants, we have a great opportunity to make a difference in our community.  We have been partnering with the Second Chance Family Center in an effort to assist the individuals in our community who are looking for a hand up. In the coming weeks, we will begin providing the children, from the center, a place to have classes to help them educationally catch up. The center has asked us if we can assist them with transportation and individuals to work with the kids one on one. This coming Wednesday at 7pm, one of the staff from the center will be in room 105 in the Lynn center speaking on their specific needs for the kids. This is a great program.

Friday I had the privilege of conducting a marriage ceremony for a great couple.  They moved to West Palm Beach two weeks ago from Kentucky and thought the Vero Beach Hotel and Spa was a great place to have a wedding.  Many of their Kentucky friends and family came down for the event.  And yes, they are Big Blue fans.  They also know a lot about horse racing.  Here are a few pictures I thought you might enjoy.  It was a beautiful day!

Unity sand (in place of unity candles)

I present to you Jonathan and Lindsey Potts

Look at the water!

Be inspired by the weekend.  Long for the joy of seeing others commit their lives to Christ.  Pray for them, love them, speak words of Jesus to them, and be patient.  Live out your baptism.  Reflect on it when you get discouraged.  Be aware of opportunities that come your way to minister to others.  Do you know of someone who needs a visit, a call, or a card of encouragement?  Be Jesus to the world.