Fred Altons Page

Third Chemo Treatment

2012-02-02T09:44:00.003-05:00

Jonquils are popping out in our yard. Spring is Coming!

This is the pump that fits into the pouch and is attached to the surgical port under my left clavical.

I can hardly believe it! But here, just outside our front door the jonquils are already popping out. And I think that in just a few more weeks all this chemo treatment will pass and I'll have new life also. Jehovah God is an awesome God!

Here is the belt pouch that holds the chemo-pump which I wear for two nights.

I decided to get a new haircut!

This is one of the scenes I passed on the way to Church last Sunday, January 29

Our Youth Group at the Tellico Plaina, TN Church of God Singing

For now, here's what happened:

Yesterday morning, at 7:20a.m., my brother Wil joined me for the trip to Chattanooga Oncology center and stayed with me the during the lab-work, doctor visit and chemo treament. We started chemo at 9:45 and finished at 12:00p.m., at which time a "chemo-pump" was attached which I must wear until Friday. It's un-comfortable to wear - especially while trying to sleep - but not un-bearable.

Everything went smoothly. The doctor was pleased with the results of the blood work and feels we are making good progress.

I so appreciate your praying for me. May the Lord bless you in return. I'm convinced that your prayers are making a difference in the level of side-effects being felt. They have been very minimal to date.

Supportive Friends and Family

2012-01-17T19:24:00.001-05:00

Mother, Frances, and my youngest brother, Lowell

Debbie and Dewain and Me after a meal at Cracker Barrell

Two wonderful meals that my neice, Jean Hamilton prepared and brought for me.

I thank God for my Family. We are close friends and spend time together regularly. Any excuse for a party (Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New years,) brings us together at some one of our homes or in a restaurant where we socialize, tell stories (some true, some embellished), tell jokes, maybe sing awhile, pray together and enjoy one another's company.

One of Frances' neices (Jean Moore) lives here in Cleveland, TN where her husband Rick teaches Old Testament at Lee University. She is an RN and works with hospice. She is a twin and has another sister and a brother. Frances and I have always enjoyed all of her siblings as we have watched them grow from the time they were born. With her busy schedule - she still found time to come check on her Uncle Fred when I first came home from the major surgery in November. Then - a few nights ago - she and Rick came by and delivered the delicious meal that you see laid out on our kitchen stove. What a sweetheart she is.

Mamaw, Dewain, Frances, Frank, Elizabeth are Frances' family visiting in our home.

Sometimes I like solitude. I enjoy being alone for two to three days at a time now and then. Some of you know of my love for the out-of-doors and that I go to the mountains alone and spend time there reading and thinking and praying when I'm not hunting or fishing. But I love being with my family and close friends. When you are in a crisis, your family and friends really matter (or at least I can say it seems to me that they matter) more than ever. Tomorrow, as I go for my second chemo-therapy treatment, my closest minister friend (Dr. E.L. Williams) will be driving for me. It's thirty miles to the treatment center. He will spend about 8 hours of his valuable time waiting on me. I am a blest man to have such a wonderful family and friends.

Me and My Siblings

Dr. Ed Williams, delivering "Meals on Wheels"

Ed and Me

Music To Grow On

2012-01-13T19:26:00.003-05:00

I was just listening to a site on You Tube where many of my friends and acquaintances are involved in singing from a song book that came out many years ago and was widely distributed by Pathway Press. This was the main song book for our local churches in the organization known as Church of God, with International Headquarters in Cleveland, Tennessee. This chapel is on the campus of Lee University and I pass this chapel each time I go over to visit my Mom - which is fairly regularly. I just thought you might like to listen also, so I'm posting the URL here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE97KEfW2Y0

If that fails, just go to you tube and search for "red back hymnal night"

This particular video is one hour and 40 minutes long - so you may want to be sure to have something to snack on sitting beside your chair. That is if you like southern gospel music! ☺ These songs bring back so many memories.

Now we also had a "Convention" book, which was a collection of new songs written and collected and placed in a smaller paper-backed book. At the annual Camp-Meeting, someone (sometimes the author - like Charlie B. Wycuff or Otis McCoy or Vep Ellis) would lead their new song from the Convention book. I remember when Charles Wycuff first led us in his song, "What A Lovely Name, The Name of Jesus" and the crowd went ballistic with joy. Oh what powerful times of un-abashed and un-ashamed worship in song. One of my hunting buddies wrote a song after the red backed hymnal was published which became very popular in our local churches. You may have heard Eddie Williams' song, "Jesus Will Hear Me When I Pray". And Yes, there was shouting in the camp wherever and whenever it was sung.

The Song Book - Believe by Gospel Heritage Music

Mama's Song, "I'm Leaving Here"

My Mom also had one of her songs recently published in one of those paper-backed convention style books (2012). It's called "I'm Leaving Here". I MUST try to video tape her singing it and put it up for you to see also. It's a good one. The book is called "Believe Gospel Song Collection" and is published by Gospel Heritage House.

Well ... I didn't mean to write so much here. Just wanted you to have that URL so you could have access to some good gospel music.

Chemo-Therapy

2012-01-11T08:26:00.000-05:00

Now, Mom, Here's What The Doctor Said

On December 22, 2011 our first born daughter drove her mother and me to the Medical Oncologist's office for consultation on the type of treatment I was to receive.

Frances waits in the lobby with a handful of papers to read which tell about different options for treatment of my cancer.

There were three options: 1) A surgical port could be placed under the skin on my chest and this would become the entry-way for the chemicals that would be used to fight the intestinal stage four cancer. It was explained that via this port I could avoid having the nurses search for a good vein each time I came to the treatment center. Blood samples for lab testing could also be taken through this port. This would require minor surgery. 2) I could opt out of the surgery and trust the nurses to find the vein each time. Since I have had the nurse miss the vein a couple of times already, I decided I did not like this option. 3) A third option would be to take chemo via a pill (actually four pills a day) that is still somewhat in the testing stage as far as side effects go.

Number One Daughter, who is a school teacher, sits with pen in hand...ready to take notes

I asked the doctor to allow me to sleep on this decision. At first I felt that it would be easier to just get the pills and take them - but then I would still have to go to the treatment center every couple of weeks for lab work. So with either of the three options we must travel to Chattanooga for this treatment. That's not bad for it is only about 30 miles from our home in Cleveland. Too - I wanted to talk this decision over with Frances. Fifty four years ago the two of us became as one.

So we stopped by the Cracker Barrell and went to the "Consultation Room"!

Second Born, "Favrite One" daughter was available for the first day of Chemo

So Chemo therapy sessions started on January 4, 2012. I will be going to the treatment center every two weeks to spend 5 to 6 hours in a recliner, allowing the doctors to inject chemicals into my system that are designed to kill the "bad cells". The problem with all the methods of administering the chemo remains the same. The chemo can also kill some of the "good cells", thus creating sometimes severe side-effects. I will be o.k., I know that for sure. However, I will appreciate your prayer that God will cause the chemo to do what it is designed to do in killing the bad cells and pray that at the same time it has no effect on anything that my body needs in order to get well.

Aha! We've got it all sorted out now!

Go Ahead! Make My Day!

"Unto You..."

2011-12-25T10:44:00.001-05:00

Christmas is a time of JOY! In this picture Frances and I are celebrating Christmas with some friends at a local restaurant. Our town was full of lights and Christmas music was spilling from all the speakers in the mall. What a wonderful, wonderful time of the year.

During Christmases in Nairobi when we were away from our children - we decided to invite all of our neighbors children into our home to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Here we had drafted children of our Hindu, Muslim, Bhuddist, and other African friends for a Nativity drama.

Christmas is all about the Children

Even grown-up Children

A Very Special Nativity Collection

Our Christmas Angel

Our Family Poses for A Picture Before Eating

And What Would Christmas Be Without Snow?

A Savior is born, which is Christ, the Lord! What great news it was. What great news it is. Jesus came to earth to die for our sins. This Savior was not just for the nation of Israel - but for all the nations of the world. To all who would believe and receive him he gave power to become the children of God. Our salvation was not free - but it is provided for us at no cost to us. Jesus died that we may live. We celebrate His birth on December 25th, Christmas day. We will celebrate his death and resurrection on Easter Sunday. Amidst all the tinsel and glitter and the warm glow of giving and receiving gifts during the season let us remember that God, our Father in Heaven, gave us the greatest gift - His only begotten son.

Ruthie's Bunch

With The Pet

AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!

Post-Surgery Up-date

2011-12-25T10:06:00.003-05:00

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Sitting in Portera's Office

Finally -- December 22^nd, we met Dr. Michael Stipanov, our Medical Oncologist, with whom we discussed three different options for treatment of any stray cancer cells which may be remaining in my body after surgery. Three options were presented through which I would receive the chemo: 1) A surgical port could be installed in the chest area and chemicals inserted once every two weeks; 2) The medicine could be delivered via I.V. injections (if my veins were "good"); or, #3) I could take a pill twice a day every day for six months. I have decided to go with the procedure in which there will be a "port" surgically inserted into my chest, through which the "chemo-cocktail" will be delivered once every two weeks for the next six months. This decision was made after much care, prayer and deliberation.

Part of the Consultation Team

"No...See...here is what the Dr. said."

Keeping in mind that the Lord has said, "I'm healing you", I continue to have every confidence that the Lord is with me each step of the way. I have had a couple of rough days – but over all I continue to feel really good!

Today - I feel great! I have walked a mile on my treadmill for three of the past five days. We are looking forward to having two of our children, their children and our children's children together with my Mom with us for a "Christmas Celebration" in our home this afternoon.

Can I Tell You About My Dream?

2011-12-12T21:06:00.002-05:00

Before I went to surgery, I had an experience un-like any other which I have ever had in my life. Yes, I have received re-assurance and guidance in my spiritual life through dreams in the past - but this dream was very unusual. It was just before waking at 5:30a.m. when I saw in a dream as tho there was a framed picture of Jesus hanging on the wall. This picture caught (more like grabbed) my attention and I could not look away from it. As I stared at it, I realized that I have seen this picture of Jesus before. It's of him, sitting on a rock or boulder in the garden with his right shoulder slightly turned outward. His robe of white was covered by another of royal blue, and then another of crimson/purple as the outer garment. His beard and hair were black. The more I focused on this picture the more vivid the colors became ... until He turned and looked me directly in the face and said (without any drama, without any fan-fare, and in a soft but confident voice) "I'm healing you."

Oh, I cannot explain to you the power of that moment! I found my hands coming up out of the covers and myself waking up ... realizing that I had a face-wide grin on my face, smiling ear to ear in the darkness as I heard myself saying, "Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!"

HAVE I JOINED THE CRAZY CLUB?
At first I had decided that I would not share this dream because it sounds like a religious fanatic. I have heard far too many of them in my ministerial career. Another thing - I felt that the moment was so sacred that I did not want it to be scoffed at. However, as Frances and I were sitting at the table after breakfast, I felt that I should tell my wife about this dream, As I was telling her the dream, searching for the right words to explain it, I was overwhelmed with emotion and began to weep un-controllably. She encouraged me to share this dream with our children when they came to our house before the surgery. After telling them the dream as best I could, through waves of emotion, I said to them: "Now. Understand ... the Lord can heal me before the doctor does surgery. Then, again, he may be saying that he is getting ready to heal me through the surgery. But it may be that He is getting ready to give me the ultimate healing which would be that he takes me home to Heaven to live with Him. I want you children to know that if that is what God wants for me - I am ready!"

Not the exact picture I saw in my dream, but as near as I can find

I remember asking one of the nurses in Pre-op, "What if the doctor opens me up and can't find this tumor?" She hastened to quiet what she thought was anxiety on my part. "Oh, No! You don't have to worry about this. Your colonoscopy doctor shot it full of purple dye and Dr. Portera will find it. Don't worry at all." I did not have time to tell her (nor the inclination) about the dream and that my real question was, "What if God has already healed me and the tumor is already gone?"

I was wheeled into surgery at 6:15a.m. and into my room at 1:04p.m. with visitors allowed into the room almost immediately. I knew them, conversed lucidly with them all, and remembered practically everything but the actual surgery. Over the 50 plus years I've served as a Pastor visiting patients in the hospital after surgery - all of them that I can remember were at first a little groggy. I was not groggy or sleepy in the least. Next morning I ate a big bowl full of grits and butter and apple-sauce and drank an Ensure while still attached to the I.V. drip. I only sufferred the feeling of nausea once - and that was "dry heaves" before I ate any food. That afternoon I was up and pushing the stand that held the two medical "drips" up and down the hall. I was asked by the nurses often if I needed a pain pill. I took very little pain medication beside that which was going into the blood-stream through the I.V. tube. On Thursday I was able to put on my regular pajamas and walk the halls more freely. One of the nurses said, "Looks like you are trying to run a 5K marathon race."

November 22, the Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Portera, had removed three cancerous tumors (laproscopically) from my small and large intestines. On Friday, the 25th, I was sent home from the hospital on a liquid diet - which quickly gave way to a soft food diet. On Friday, December 9th, (just two weeks after being discharged from the hospital) I drove myself the 30 miles (one way) to see the surgeon for my first check-up. I told him that for the last week I have been walking on the tread-mill for 20 minutes per day and racking up .7 miles in that short walk. Because of my apparent rapid recovery to date, he said, "You may now eat whatever you want to, and do whatever you feel like doing! Just remember to back off if you start to feel pain in the abdominal area." However he wanted me to see the "Medical Oncologist", who will lay out a plan for chemo-therapy because the lab reported micro-scopic amounts of cancer found in the lymph-nodes. (One of 22 lymph nodes examined showed cancer.) I am to see this doctor on December 22nd.

Yesterday, I drove myself to Tellico Plains (48 miles from here) where I attend church. I normally teach a Sunday School class there every week - but did not try to teach yesterday. We have a wonderful couple (William and Evelyn Wright) who agreed to take that class while I recover. I did put on the Velcro belt around my surgical wounds which helped me a lot, but I was tired when I arrived back home. However, today, December 12, I took Frances to the Post Office, to Olive Garden for lunch and then Christmas shopping at Belks and at Bed, Bath and Beyond! I still feel good!

My wife was praying and was with me, refusing to leave the hospital until I did. I have had so many friends in many different places praying for me. Calls, Cards, Notes, E-mails, and personal visits have been so encouraging. But - I have to say - Jesus words spoken directly to me ("I'm healing you.") have been most powerful in keeping my attitude positive. I thank you again for praying for me and believing with me.

A TO Z's of Christmas

2011-12-07T18:41:00.002-05:00

This is in response to some blog friends up North. What are your A to Z's of Christmas? Here's Mine.

Flowers In Our Yard

ADVENT

BELIEVE

CHRIST

DELIVERER

EXCELLENCE

FUN

GAMES

HOME

INSIDE

JOLLY

K-MART

One of our last Roses in mid November

LIVING

MAMA

NOTES

ORANGES

PUDDING

QUENTESSENTIAL

RED

SILVER

This single Clymatis bloom decided to make a show late this year.

TRIMMINGS

ULULATIONS

VINES

WINES

X-MAS

YOUTH

ZACHARIAH

Post-Surgery

2011-12-04T14:54:00.002-05:00

A key part of Revocery is the right food
My plate 5 days after surgery was Tilapia (Fish), Asparagus, Carrots and Apples
A very tasty meal prepared by my dear Frances

4 days after surgery, I walked outside outside our house
behind me and all the way to the corner! It felt GREAT!

On Tuesday, November 22 at 4:15a.m. we checked into Memorial Hospital for surgical removal of two tumors which tests revealed were located in the intestinal tract of my body. Dr. C. Portera and his team did an excellent job and I was sent to a room at 1:04p.m. after awaking from recovery. I was fully cognizant of all things and sufferred no "drugged" effects. I knew every visitor who came while I was awake and was able to carry on a lucid conversation with everyone. I was honored that visitors came from the World Missions Department, including the Assistant Director and his dear wife. I sufferred bearable pain in the stomach, but the medical marvels of pain reliever were applied automatically and "on-demand" from a bottle of pain killer hanging around my neck. The second day I was up and walking the halls, while pushing a rolling stand containing an I.V. with fluid drip. The third day they released me from the I.V. and I was able to put on regular pajamas. Of course I walked more freely now and was surprised at the amount of strength I felt. Some of the nurses accused me of running a 5K marathon. On the 4th day, the Doctor said that if I managed to keep down both breakfast and lunch, I could go home that evening. I was released on Friday the 25th!

Of course, I give highest praise to Jesus, my healer, for giving me the extra-ordinarily smooth trip through these troubled waters. I give much credit to my dear wife of 54 years, Frances, who never left my bedside except to eat or grab a cup of coffee in the family waiting room. She was attentive to my every move while I was in the hospital ... night or day. She has been my primary care-giver. Our "#1 daughter", Frankie, gave of herself and would not leave her Mom the first day. Ruthie, our "Favorite One", was there when she could get off from work. These two girls were so helpful that they deserve much thanks for giving their love and their prayers. Our "Pet" was in touch by telephone from the place of her role as Pastor's wife in upstate New York. All were praying. I know that I'm blessed to have a family sub-structure of praying believers who love their family.//and that's on both sides (Frances and mine) of our family.

Time and space and lack of re-call abilities prohibit me from telling you all of those who did such kind acts and sent notes, cards, flowers, phone calls and personal visits. You, my blog friend, whether from the past or from more recent months, also made my recovery move more smoothly with your encouragement, scriptures, and words of support. THANK YOU.

Next Friday, the 9th of December, I meet Dr. Portera to discuss the route we take for chemo. The lab report said there are micro-scopic amounts of cancer still left to deal with. (One of 23 lymph-nodes examined showed signs of cancer.) Pray that this goes well. I have no idea what's in store for me - but I know that the Lord has assured me that He is healing me. I trust Him.

Lab Report

2011-11-13T07:14:00.001-05:00

O.K. - The lab report on the tumor found during the colonoscopy was positive for Cancer. Three CT Scans confirmed it. The plan is that I will enter the hospital on Friday the 18th for "4 or 5 days followed by 4 to 6 weeks recovery; Unless there are further complications." So, folks, you may not hear much from me for the next few weeks. So many of you have written notes to express your concern and prayers and I DO thank you.

Someone posted a picture that I have said I'm going to tape to my bed. It says something like, "If I'm not here, I've gone to look for myself. If I should return before I get back, please keep me here." I think that is going to be appropriate before this ride is over. ☺

Sincerely, Thanks Everyone, for keeping my spirits high. My vital signs continue to be near perfect. (i.e., temp 97, bp 117/76, heart rate 71.) I'm like the fellow who fell off the 20 floor sky-scraper. As he passed the 10th floor, he was heard saying, "Well...so far so good!"

Two Funerals And The Big "C"

2011-11-03T20:11:00.001-04:00

Frances' Neice, Ramona Evans fought a valiant battle with cancer for the last several months. We visited her in the hospital twice recently where she and her husband were praying and believing for healing for her body. I've never seen a more solid faith expressed by any couple than was displayed by Mike and Ramona. When the doctor said, "She's dying. You should sign the DNR papers and let her go quietly." After conferring with his beloved wife, Mike said, "Doctor, we understand what you are saying. We understand your point of view. But - we are coming from a different perspective. We believe that God will heal Ramona. We want to fight this all the way." Sadly for her family and us but gloriously for her she found the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15 to be true. "Death is swallowed up in victory." The celebration of her life was last night at the Parkwest Church of God in Knoxville, Tennessee and she was buried today.

Meanwhile, Ramona's Dad (Curtis Fritts) whom I have written about in this blog before, entered into the presence of the Lord on Monday. He had pulmonary fibrosis. Curtis was the kind of man who never complained. He was a leader in his church and in his home. He and his wife have demonstrated to me what the "gift of hospitality" looks like and feels like in real life. Curtis was an excellent cook (learned in the Army) whose specialty was Coconut Cream cake. Oh My! They were always perfectly moist and good, with only one flaw...they didn't last long. Curtis was also an outdoorsman. He and I spent many happy hours together in our younger years walking in the mountains looking for deer, examining bear tracks, exploring new areas of woods and fields and streams. We also shared an interest in guns. He and I went to the CCP (Concealed Carry Permit) class together about 10 years ago. He was a chess player who always beat the socks off me. In my earlier years he taught me how to be at ease with other people. I was commending him for his ability to talk to anyone and everyone no matter whether they were what we called "high falutin" or just "ordinary folks". I'll never forget the statement he made. "Ask them to tell you about themselves and you won't have to talk much after that." And there's one other thing that I must tell ... he made it possible for me to spend more time with Frances while we were courting. He and Beth were already married and living across the alley from her parents. They invited us to their home for dinner. I learned later that after I had left, Curtis turned to Beth and said, "Of all the boys that have visited Frances - she will marry this one!" His insight was accurate. I'm not sure how he knew, but he "Just KNEW it" he would say in later years. His funeral was Tuesday night at his home church in Farragut. We buried this man of God on Wednesday morning. I was honored to be asked by his family to say a few words at the graveside service.

And now the Big "C". I went to the doctor a few days ago for a check-up. He referred me to a Gastro-interologist. Tuesday I was admitted for and upper G.I. endoscopy and colonoscopy. It had been ten years since the last one - so it was recommended by my General Practitioner. Today's news is that I have a cancerous tumor, located in the lower colon. I feel great. My vital signs on Tuesday were near perfect. I came out of the anesthesia and had full intentions of attending the funeral of Frances' brother-in-law (Curtis) on Tuesday evening and burial next morning. However, due to some discomfort I decided it would be best for me to stay in the motel. I did attend the graveside services for both funerals and attended Ramona's funeral on Wednesday. Yes, I'm tired, but not unusually so after all of those stressfull events.

I must give credit to our two oldest daughters who went with us and drove the car up to Lenoir City for us. Frankie and Ruthie, you were great company to your Mom and me. Thanks!

Fred's Monday Meal

Plans?

2011-10-14T10:52:00.001-04:00

Plans? What are plans for?

From the front porch in Vinemont, AL

So that one knows ahead of time what he/she is going to do. Right? "Plan ahead", we are told. Another said, "Plan ahead - or Plan to Fail". "Plan your work - Work your Plan!" So we made plans for weeks ahead for our month-long trip to Florida. I had an appointment with the eye doctor on the 3rd - and we were going to leave the next day! However, as has often happened - for reasons too lengthy to explain - plans were changed at the last minute and we decided to take our vacation planned for the whole month of October and just relax here at home while taking some short trips to visit friends and family. The word that has been a life-saver for me in ministry and in personal life is "flexibility". So here we are at home again after spending last Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights at my first cousin's home in Vinemont, Alabama - and an added change to that schedule of Saturday night at our friends' (Rob and Kathy D's) home near Athens, Alabama. That was another impulsive change of plans, made two days before we traveled to Vinemont. All-in-all we had a wonderful trip.

Costumed Dancing

My Beautiful Frances at the Ocktober-Fest

Terry and Trish welcomed us to their home on Lake George. Next day we visited the Ocktober-Fest in Cullman where the city was having many activities show-casing their German ancestry. Singing, playing music and dancing in the streets were all part of the activities.

Terry and Trish's Home On Beautiful Lake George

Fred Alton and Terry Junius. Can you guess which one is the old man?

For lunch, they took us to the top of the bank building to a special restaurant where we had an open view of the city and it's surroundings. Sights of re-building from a deadly tornado that had ripped through the middle of town were easily identified. After a great meal we returned to their front porch over-looking the peaceful lake. Geese honked, flapped their wings, skidded across the water. Little circles of waves made by bream and bass catching bugs and grasshoppers played along the shoreline in the cove. Temperatures were ideal (in the high 60s to mid 70s) so Terry and I tried fishing a little. He actually caught two bream right at the edge of his private, floating boat dock. What fun we had.

From the top of the Bank

Trish, Terry, Frances in front of the Museum

Terry and Trish both have a huge organ with many bells and whistles! They can make music too. The night before we were to leave the next morning, Trish brought out a five-string banjo and gave it to me. One stipulation for receiving this gift: I must learn to play it! I have never owned a banjo but have always admired the sounds that come from them by listening to blue-grass gospel singing. Well - actually I enjoy any kind of country music which has a banjo and a fiddle in the band. All-ri-iiii-ight then! Yee-Hawwwww!

On Saturday Terry and Trish drove the thirty minutes to Athens, AL with us to meet Rob and Kathy and see their new business known as Bradley and Davis CPAs. Our Friends have bought into this business and will be doing CPA stuff, like taxes. I would urge any reader who lives near them and needs any assistance with book-keeping for business or for getting your income taxes completed by caring and honest people to check them out.

That night we had dinner with our friends at their home on 23 acres out in the country. Saturday afternoon we went down to check out their small pond. I could see several bass and several bream clearly swimming in the shallows. No fish had been caught from this pond since they moved in about two or three years ago. "Let's try!" So - here were the results of the first five minutes of casting a dry black-fly into the water.

Rob and Frances Scan The Pond

Rob Holds The First Fish Caught From His Pond

The First Bass Caught From Rob's Pond

On 9-11-01, I Was...

2011-09-10T08:20:00.003-04:00

In Yaounde, Cameroon - in the seventh week of being away from my wife and the comforts of home, I received a phone call in the middle of my Bible Class. I took the cell phone from our Education Director, Peter Thomas who lived near Bremen, Germany, stepped out of the bare, ground floor room where 20 Africans were learning more about the Bible and our church, into the hallway of our national overseer's home. Pressing the phone to my ear I heard my wife's trembling voice, crying between words, trying to tell me, "We've been bombed! They've bombed us. They've hit the twin towers in New York!" I heard myself responding, "It's o.k., honey. It's o.k. We're gonna be o.k. The Lord is still in charge." My only regret was that I could not reach over and touch her, at least to give her a reassuring pat on the arm. I wanted to take her into my arms and just hold her. I somehow knew that if I could be there with her, her spirit would settle down and she would feel comforted. But, from 10,000 miles away that was impossible. When she was sure that I had the message and realized the somberness of the moment, then we talked of how and when I would be home. All flights into and out of America had been cancelled. We had no idea if and when the planes would fly again. For all we knew this was the beginning of WWIII .

After the phone call, I announced to the class what I had learned over the phone. After a stunned few minutes of silence the national overseer of our church asked if I wanted to cancel all the classes. My response was, "What would we do then? Since we are all here present, and I could not board a plane for home - why not continue doing what we believe the Lord called us to do?" So we continued our normal schedule without a hitch. God is in control.

I saw many things happen over the next few days that confirmed to me beyond a shadow of any doubt that God was in control of my life. He protected, blessed, strengthened me and those with me in very special ways. Bishop Iniobong Ukpe went to a neighbor and arranged for us to get cable TV brought into his home for the next few days so we were able to hear all the reports that were being broadcast on CNN. It gave us a feeling of being connected with the world.

When I went to the ticket office on Saturday we were told that I could not stop in Switzerland because too many Americans were waiting there to go back to the US. I had to buy a ticket on to some other place - so I invited myself to go home with my German colleague. My bags were checked to Bremen, Germany. It's a long story. But - In the end, I was able to leave Cameroon a day earlier, changed my flight plans, and arrived in Atlanta on the first day that planes were allowed back in the USA. Because of this emergency, I had to buy a different ticket from Europe, and the only seat left to buy was in 1st class! Since my bags had to be re-routed to Atlanta, they delivered both suitcases to my front door in Cleveland, TN so didn't have the hassle of going through customs with the suitcases!

Barney Creek (Number Two)

2011-08-23T15:37:00.001-04:00

Preparation for Church of God Delegates to Celebrate 125th Anniversary

William Wright (L) and Pastor Paul Fritts (R)

Our Pastor, Paul Fritts with William Wright at the Barney Creek site. William had brought his BobCat to help make the ground more accessible to the delegates who were to visit the site from the International Church. William’s family (his grandmother, Nannie Walker, and his parents, Howard and Bonita Wright) have been members of the Tellico Plains Church of God since its earliest years. For all the work you did, Thank you William! It was my privilege to be a part of this workday.

Pastor Paul Fritts (L) and Fred Brannen (R)

One of my treasured memories is the day G.P. (Pinkney) Spurling took me to this site while I was pastor at Tellico Plains. There were no buildings left but he did show me the cornerstones of the grist mill where the church first started and told me of his memories there as a small boy. He related his memory of his father (R.G. Spurling) and grandfather (Richard Green Spurling) starting the church on the corn floor of the mill by pulling back feed sacks and sweeping the floor, arranging for the people to sit on the feed sacks. Located here, 15 miles from the town of Tellico Plains, near Coker Creek, TN, began a stream of Pentecostal believers that now reach around the world.

G.P. (Pinkney Spurling) and wife, Lucinda ca 1961

The picture above of G.P. (Pinkney) Spurling and his wife, Lucinda was made about the time that I was appointed to pastor the Tellico Plains Church of God. They were members of the church. It was a privilege to know this man of God. He and his wife paid their "tithes" every week. As I remember, it was $1.00 each week for each of them. I spent many happy hours visiting with and praying for them..

Frances and Fred Brannen (holding daughter Frankie) ca 1961

I was appointed to pastor this church at the young age of 22 years. On March 1, 1961, I preached my first sermon as a pastor there. I had been discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard for about one week. Can you imagine? What happy, happy memories of a great group of mountain folks who accepted us and worked with us to help us build a new church building. Now-a-days, I am teaching a Sunday School class in this church. These were/are wonderful people.

Barney Creek, Tennessee

2011-08-23T15:11:00.002-04:00

The following story appeared on the web-site news of the Church of God, the organization that I have been a minister with for 51 years.

Church of God Delegates Celebrate 125th Anniversary

Tim Hill at left Preaching At Barney Creek

More than 150 gathered at four historic sites in Tennessee and North Carolina as the Church of God turned 125 on Friday, August 19, 2011. The day was designed to mark the historic day with prayer and historical sketches at the remote locations of the beginnings of Church of God history. Among those participating was Dr. David Roebuck, director of the Dixon Pentecostal Research Center and Rev. Doug Small, liaison for prayer ministries in the Church of God and coordinator of the day-long event. Other participants included Regional Overseer of western North Carolina Alton Bristow and Ronald Martin, overseer of Delmarva-D.C.

Starting at 9:00 a.m., a service was held at the site of the Barney Creek Meeting House where a handful of people met for the first time and launched the Christian Union, the forerunner of the Church of God. The site is marked with a small metal sign and an engraved plaque on the opposite side of the creek.

“From this small stream flows the river that became the Church of God we know and love today,” said Tim Hill, first assistant general overseer for the Church of God. “From that day 125 years ago the Church of God now reaches over 7 million members and adherents and is in 181 nations around the globe.”

After a time of prayer and singing the group caravanned to the site of the Shearer Schoolhouse, where the 1896 outpouring of the Holy Spirit took place. Several led in prayer and scripture, and others led a prayerful declaration. From the site the group also recognized the history of the first log meeting house where those who were persecuted gathered and worshipped until a band of rebels dismantled the building.

The celebration group then traveled a few miles to the First Assembly House where in 1906, twenty-one delegates gathered for what would be the first Church of God General Assembly. Events at that location last Friday included a lunch on the grounds, an outdoor singing, scripture and a final historical sketch delivered by Roebuck and Dr. James Beaty.

The final stop of the 125thcelebration took place at Fields of the Wood, not far from the first assembly house location, on the border with North Carolina and Tennessee. Here the delegates gathered under a pavilion not far from the site of the home place of W.F. Bryant where early church pioneers came together in 1902 to organize the Holiness Church at Camp Creek. A welcome to Fields of the Wood and scripture reading was given by Wade Patterson who oversees the well-known religious park for the Church of God of Prophecy. On behalf of the Church of God Executive Committee, chairman of the Historical Commission Floyd Carey presented a resolution to Rev. Paul Holt, who represented the leadership of the Church of God of Prophecy led by General Overseer Randy Howard. Carey read a resolution of Appreciation for a Common Heritage between the two movements.

Doug Small brought closing comments and a prayer to end the celebration. Special thanks goes to Small and his organization Project Pray which organized the event. To learn more or to download resources from the 125th celebration, visit projectpray.org or visit the Church of God Web site churchofgod.org.

August 22, 2011

Posted by: Faith News Staff

A Visit From Kathy

2011-08-19T11:19:00.002-04:00

Kathy Davis (Frances' Nairobi Daughter) has been here again! This time she left husband Rob at home so she and "Mama Frankie" were at their leisure to do whatever their hearts desired. It's amazing the differences between what the guys consider fun and what the girls consider fun. These two worked themselves hard from daylight to well past dark every day for a week. They shopped, they cooked, they painted, they made banana pudding, they preserved peaches, etc. and etc. until I thought they would drop from exhaustion. But they were together, laughing and playing and both talking at the same time - and answering each other. If I asked one of them a question both would answer me without realizing that the other one was talking. Ha.

Kathy Decorating The Guest Bath

After Painting - Up Goes A New Shower Curtain

After Shopping - Ready To Preserve Fruit

Results!

Thanks Kathy! For being such a great friend. You are truly "one of a kind"!

Emma Dearstine: Woman In Ministry

2011-07-27T15:36:00.002-04:00

This week I was told by Frances that one of the people from headquarters called and they want to interview her to get her insights into the former missionary, Emma Dearstine. What a unique person she was. In a sermon I used a number of times which I called "The Foreign Gospel", I would usually make the comment that, "Every missionary I ever met was weird! Of course that meant all but me and my wife, and sometimes I wondered about her!" [My regular blog readers know that my career was as a foreign missionary.]

I first met Emma Dearstein when she arrived in the country of Guyana where I was serving the Church as Missionary Overseer. Wade H. Horton, one of our Tennessee Camp Meeting preachers, had mentioned this lady who prayed for God’s direction as to where to go, heard from God, then prepared herself to go by taking in washing for people, cleaning houses, and whatever else was necessary, saving her money until she had enough to purchase her ticket, then fulfilling her call by going! In my mind she was a saint in the fullest sense of the word.

She entered Guyana (where the main language was English) and as soon as she arrived in the outskirts of town began to preach on the street corner in Spanish. Later, she would say to me, “Brother, I could not understand it. People would look at me for a few minutes as if I was crazy – then they would walk away. I had always been able to get someone to listen to me. But now they were not listening. Then I discovered why. They speak English here! Not Spanish!”

Someone found her preaching on the streets and brought her to our mission home. She stayed in the home with us for a short time only and then went out into a remote area where she got very week and sick. Upon returning to our home sick, she told us she thought that it was her heart, because she had fainted. At her request we had prayer for divine healing and began trying to nourish her back to good health. She believed strongly in divine healing and trusted God to take care of her. We had some local pastors stop by and they also prayed for her healing but she was not getting better. When we wanted to call a doctor, she protested. After much initial protest, she finally said, “I’ll let you call a doctor – only because I don’t want you to be blamed for my death if something happens and I don’t survive.”

Emma refused to go to the hospital. We called a doctor whom we had met at the Adventist Hospital and he agreed to come to our home to give her a physical examination. After listening to her heart-beat and checking all her other vital signs, the doctor asked her, “Emma, have you been diagnosed with heart problems before?” She responded with an emphatic “No!” “Well … has someone around you told you it was you heart?” Again, she said “No!” The doctor then said, “Emma, I want to tell you that your heart is strong! All of your vital signs are great. The problem is that you have eaten some food somewhere and the germs have attacked your system.” To which Sister Dearstein responded, “I don’t believe in germs! I believe in demons! And right now all the demons of hell are attacking me!” She did get better and got back out onto the streets, preaching up to ten times a day.

The number of times the lady preached in a month was incredible! After the first month that she was there she sent in her ministerial report. After reading it and seeing that she reported something over 200 sermons preached in one month, I discreetly asked my Superintendent what he made of this report. Should I talk to her about this? Normally, a minister who preaches 3 times a week will have 12 to 15 sermons to report. An evangelist who spends his time preaching every night would normally report less than 30. Brother Morse (My supervisor) said, “No need to talk to her. I KNOW for a fact that her report is accurate. I have already checked her out by watching from a distance. She will take her market basket onto one arm and walk to a corner of the street; set her basket down, take out a hymn book, sing, close the book, take out a bible, read a verse/s and preach for about ten to fifteen minutes, invite people to come and pray and after prayer will pass out a few tracts. Then she picks up the basket and goes to the next corner where she starts all over again.” He further reminded me that 10 times a day multiplied by 30 days, equals 300!" That was the pattern she had set for herself.

In the beginning of her ministry (In the '50s or '60s) the board expressed to her that they did not think it wise to send out a single lady. It was too dangerous. It would raise too many sensitive questions from the converts in the foreign fields and might put her into awkward situations where she would have to be alone with a male. After being rejected by the board, she prayed about it until she felt sure that she was really called of God to go as a missionary. She told me that she prayed fervently, until she would speak in tongues. Then the Holy Ghost would give her the interpretation to the message, telling her in English where she was to go. Then she would raise her own support, purchase her own ticket, go to the place God told her to go – then work in that place until her funds ran out. After she had done this for a few years (I don't know how many) the board decided to send her $50.00 per month for support so she could at least have something extra for food or a new dress.
She was so pleased that the board supported her with that "huge" offering that now she could purchase gospel tracts for free distribution. She used very little for her own personal needs.

On one occasion, she said that she was praying, and feeling the presence of the Holy Ghost as if he were going to speak through her lips in tongues. However, she said, “Instead of a message in tongues, the words would come out … ‘St. Johns, St. Johns, St. Johns, St. Johns.’” After several days of praying like this, she went to the local library to see if she could find a place in the world named St. Johns. Walking into the building, she asked the young librarian, “Do you know of any place in the world named St. Johns?” “Oh, Yes!” She replied, “I’ve just come back from St. Johns, Antigua.” Immediately, Sister Dearstine purchased her ticket, went to that island in the Caribbean and established the Church of God there.

73rd Birthday - Number 2

2011-07-15T19:19:00.000-04:00

What a family! Frances brothers and sisters invited me to a party at Frank and Jan's home! My, oh my...What a meal. 16 oz steaks with all the trimmings and plenteous servings of desserts! Several cards - with one outstanding one which I can remember. Outside, it read "The Democrats got your Birthday Cake" and inside, "Sliced it and divided it among those not fortunate enough to have a birthday today!" I'm so thankful that I live in a democracy. Ha.

My steak, baked potato and salad

All steaks weighed 16 ounces each!

The most unique gift bag was this one made to look like cowboy boots!

This Lexus was my ride to the party! Dewain and Debbie's

My wife needed a rest for her arms after her purse was loaded with gifts!

After the party we went over to visit with Brother-in-law Curtis who was too sick to come to the party

The Ice-Cream cake was delicious

73rd Birthday!

2011-07-13T11:36:00.000-04:00

Is that possible? How did it happen so soon? I'm the age of some folks whom I used to think of as "OLD"! AHha! No wonder they didn't mind that I called them old, if they were having as much fun as I am having. Life is good. I can play with the great grandbabies and hand them back to their mother's should the need arise. I can eat whatever I want to - or not - whichever I choose. I can sleep in past my usual 5:30/6:00a.m on any day I desire too and no one complains! How do I know? I slept until 7:30 recently and even Frances did not scold or chide me!

This morning I was up early, read my 12 chapters from the Bible, had cereal (with straberries and cream) half of a banana, two cups of coffee! Then went outside into the 73 degrees temp to watch the birds and rabbits while watering my grapes and flowers. After that I read the 71 Birthday greetings I received on facebook (so far) and then came back into the air-conditioned home which God has provided for me where I heard from my wife that her Brother is preparing 16 oz steaks for us this evening in honor of my birthday! One of the grand-loves stopped by and hugged me on her way home from a college class. My yard-man came by and manicured my lawn! Yes, it's o.k. if to be old!!!

Camp Meeting Week

2011-06-21T17:50:00.004-04:00

Inside a New Air-Conditioned Building

It's that time again! Annual "Camp Meeting" worship services and Bible Studies began last night at the North Cleveland Church here in the state of Tennessee. It's always a time of spiritual refreshing, seeing old friends, making new friends, learning more about the Word of God and experiencing our relationship with God and with one another. It's always a busy time for a minister. That's why this entry will be comparatively short. Tommy Bates started us off last night. This morning - THE BEST PART - (always the best part for me) was the Bible Study. This year Mitchelle Tolle is once again the Bible Study teacher. Wish all of you, my friends and blog readers, could be here with us. You can see the services at night, streaming live, on the Internet. Go to www.cogtn.org and click the link on the hompage, the 2011 Camp Meeting page or North Cleveland Church of God hompage at www.nccog.org.Services begin each night at 7:00p. through Friday night, June 24, 2011.

You might see me there!

Ministers Listening To The Bible Study

On Preparing To Be A Missionary

2011-06-07T18:04:00.004-04:00

I have been asked by several people (especially those with a desire to become missionaries) if I could tell them what they need to study in order to better prepare themselves for being a missionary. My normal response is to say – Study every subject that you have opportunity to study. Everything you can learn now will make you a better missionary then.

Of course if you are a young teen-ager, you should at least finish High School. A College degree is required by most mission sending agencies if you plan to become a career missionary. Having a Master’s Degree in Religious studies is better and a Doctor's Degree is even more valuable. The more formal education you have, the easier it is to obtain a work-permit type of visa. Foreign government leaders do look for those who can perform tasks that their own people are not qualified for. I was asked once by an African government official, “Why should I give you this work-permit if there is someone in your church from our own country who can do the job you are doing?” No, our calling is not to be compared with a secular job – but his question did make sense to me.

I don't think I was at any time consciously preparing to go to Africa. Looking back from this vantage point, I can see how God was preparing me in many ways; some little some larger. As best I can understand it - the preparation started when I was 8 years of age and had that dramatic conversion experience which I have blogged about previously. As I explained in that blog, my Dad felt “called” to preach at the age of 20 and started pasturing small churches near where he lived. As a result, he soon realized that he needed more education so moved to Seveirville, Tennessee so he could attend our Church’s Bible Training School (now Lee University). After much experience I believe that when anyone has the opportunity to preach from the pulpit he/she soon recognizes the need to be a better communicator. There is a verse in Ecclesiastes 10:10 that says, “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.” One translations says, “Be wise therefore and sharpen the blade.” If you have ever cut wood for burning in a wood stove, you have a better understanding of that principle than others.

At the age of 11 years, I felt in my own heart that someday I would be a preacher. Dad was now pasturing a church in Jellico, Tennessee. Jellico, on the border with Kentucky, was a small mountain town with it’s own unique culture. I did not make a public announcement about that call but did share it with Mom and Dad. They were very wise and did not push me out front but chose to allow me to be the first to say anything publicly about that call. I attended the 6^th grade here, and entered the local spelling bee, won the county reading contest, and sung in a school choir. All of these things were shaping my future.

This is my High School Graduation picture

At 16 years old, while Dad was pastoring the church Spain Street Church of God in New Orleans, Louisiana, we had a visitor from South Africa who shared his slides with us about some of his work among the Bantu tribes in Southern Africa - and that started an awareness that I should try and help those who were less fortunate than me and who had never heard the gospel of Jesus. In New Orleans, I learned how to adapt to a foreign culture. I learned from the “Swamp People” and from the Cajuns of the big city. While I had been very popular in the small school in Jellico and Campaign, Tennessee where my Dad was well known by most folks in those little towns, we were now in a town of a half million people. My school (Francis T. Nichols High School) alone had more than 300 students. That was as many as the whole town of Campaign, TN where I had been in the 7^th and 8^th grades. God was preparing me for diversity. In New Orleans, I was able to study French as a regular school subject. This would not have been possible in the country churches we had just come from. Little did I know at the time that I would be able to use that French in Africa while serving our Church as Field Director for 32 countries. Twenty two of my countries officially spoke French. No – I was not fluent in French but was able to understand much more than I could speak.

Thank you for taking your time to come by and visit with me today. I realize this blog may have been a little lengthy but thanks for enduring to the end! Well - really there is more to the story which I hope to share with you on another day.

Our 54th Happy Anniversary

2011-06-03T16:01:00.003-04:00

Frances and Me

God has been so good to me to give me a good and godly wife! She is my inspiration. The greatest moments in my adult life have happened with her by my side. She is beautiful, brilliant, dignified and so sweet that sugar won't melt in her mouth. The sight of her smile, when focused on me, takes my breath away. She has incredible inner strength that others are attracted to like a magnet. Honesty comes naturally for her. She speaks what she means and means what she speaks. She has raised our three daughters up to be lovely women who share the same old fashioned values with their Mom - and did this while I was away much of the time, "somewhere working for the Lord". Yes, the Lord has been good to me. When we met, she was at Berea College in KY, working on plans to become a medical doctor/missionary. However, when I asked her to marry me she changed her plans to fit in with her husband's plans. She went on to U.T. in Knoxville, TN and earned her B.A. degree in Education. She became a school-teacher and helped support me while I pastored small churches that could not pay a full salary. After five years she followed me to Guyana, S. America, back to Tennessee, then to Africa where we lived for ten years! So she has literally followed me half way around the world. What a woman !

God was also good to us over the years and as we pastored churches for 24 years and served in missions for 23 years. He gave us many good friends. One such friend from a church we pastored in the 1980s sent an e-mail asking us to join him for breakfast on the morning of June 2nd at the Cracker Barrell for breakfast. Bobby R. and his wife lived across the street from us for 7 years. He was on the Church and Pastor's council and also led singing in our church. He worked with our youth of the church and won their respect and trust. He currently works for the State of Tennessee and has responsibilities all over the eastern part of our state. We are thankful to you, Bobby, for being our friend.

Bobby R., Church Member and Good Friend

Immediately after our leisurely visit with Bobby, we received a call from Frances sister, Beth, that Curtis was having a tough time. We decided to spend the rest of our day by driving up and spending some time with Beth and Curtis. He has to have oxygen 24/7 and is feeding himself through a tube into his stomach, but maintains a most congenial and positive attitude. I was privileged to take Beth to the grocery store and help with an errand or two. Then we joined two of Frances Brothers and one of the wives at the new BoJangles for dinner before driving back home. We were tired but felt a sense of satisfaction. Curtis has a new laptop and a grandson is there with them to help him whenever he has a tech problem. So - Curtis, if you are reading this blog - THANKS for your hospitality! I still think you should consider doing a blog and giving us your thoughts here. What about it?

Curtis in front of his new laptop

Happy Birthday Elizabeth Fritts

2011-05-17T15:45:00.002-04:00

Happy Birthday Elizabeth!

Yesterday we traveled an hour north of here to help celebrate Frances' sister (Elizabeth's) Birthday. She and her husband Curtis have graciously entertained and blessed hundreds and hundreds of people through the years. We all went to the Cracker Barrell last night in Beth's honor. She is a retired school-teacher.

Husband, Curtis, relaxing after our meal.

Add caption

Yesterday was her birthday. Here are a few pictures I snapped during the course of the evening. Husband

Brother Frank and his wife Jan

Brother Dewain and wife Debbie sitting with Frances
having dessert

Your's Truly caught helping Brother-in-law Curtis with his new laptop

Pentecostals Speak With “Other Tongues”

2011-05-11T10:51:00.002-04:00

           1 Corinthians 14:21 says, “²¹In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.”
          At the age of eight years, while Dad was pastor of the Church of God at Morristown, Tennessee, I received the baptism in the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit in the "old time way". The old time way was that after a person was saved from sin, he/she was encouraged bo pray to be sanctified and to “pray through” to the experience of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gave the utterance. I’ll never forget the time and the great feelings of exuberant joy which came over me that night in the altar. I remember praying and hearing others praying for me as I knelt at the bench in front of the pulpit which was called the altar. Those praying for me were saying things like, “Hold on, Son. Hold on. Don’t turn loose. Don’t give up! Keep on praying.” On the other hand there were some saying, “Turn loose, Son! Turn loose. Give up. Surrender it all to Jesus. Let God have His way.” Maybe you have heard someone else testify to an experience like this and think that I'm being a Magpie – but this is actually how it happened with me. In those days most everyone seeking an experience with the Lord was prayed for (outloud and fervently) by the faithful. This was all done by the most devoted believers, all speaking their words of encouragement at the same time. Plus, the musical instruments were playing and the people were singing in the background, something like, “Oh Lord, Send The Power Just Now” or "Send Down The Rain, Lord" or "Jesus, On the Main Line (Tell Him What You Want)".   Confusing? No! Not to me. I knew exactly what they meant. So I did exactly what they were suggesting: I held on in prayer until I couldn’t hold on any longer and then I turned loose. I "let go" and gave everything I had (or would ever have) to God until tears of joy mingled with my tears of repentance. I kept on praying and giving everything to God until total deliverance from sin came! I was overcome then with the joy of salvation.
          "Ah...just an emotional experience," someone said. "He'll be the same tomorrow that he was yesterday," said another.  God was so good to me that he gave me an “out of the body” experience similar to the passage of scripture from the hand of the Apostle Paul that says, “Whether in the body or out of the body I cannot tell.” No - I'm not claiming any of Paul's excellence - but I am claiming that the same Lord that transformed him also transformed me. Anyway, as I prayed that night at the altar, the last thing I remembered before being filled with the Spirit was praying and leaning forward and slightly to the right while earnestly asking God to fill me with His Spirit. The next thing I remembered I was standing at the back door of the church with both hands raised while tears of joy were flowing down my cheeks and I heard myself speaking in a language I had not learned! I did not/do not know how I moved from the front of the church to the back of the church. My soul was singing praises to the Lord Jesus Christ who had forgiven me of my sins. After only a few moments I closed my eyes again and next thing I knew was when I opened my eyes and stepped over someone who was lying prostrate in the floor. I was speaking in tongues. I know that I walked (or ran) to the front of the church while under the Spirit’s influence…but I was not aware of what was happening until I was already back down front. I cannot explain why, or how, this happened – except that I knew I had been filled with the Holy Ghost.
          I learned some years later from some well-meaning folks that a person could not even be saved until they were at least 12 years of age. Ha! They just came too late to tell me that because I knew beyond any shadow of doubt that God had saved, sanctified and filled me with the Holy Spirit. I have thanked God for that experience many times in my life as I went through times of doubt. Thinking back to that time even as I write these words gives me strong assurance that God is real. As wonderful as my experience was = there were many other things which I was told later that would have negated all of my experience had my faith not been based in the Bible. Of course I have had questions. I have doubted. I have failed the Lord and had to repent again (more than once) – but I KNOW that God changed my life that night in 1946 and that I’ve never been the same since.
          How could this be? You asked. Let me try and explain something. Understand that I was born into a Pentecostal Preacher’s home. Mama was living next door to her mother who was the Pastor of the Church of God, so when it was time for me to be born Mom was at the Parsonage. One of the first things my then recently converted Daddy did was to place a Bible in my hand. He had been raised in a great number of superstitions – one of which said that the first thing a baby takes hold of will determine what he becomes in life. Other things were “Step on a crack – break your mama’s back.” “If your nose itches – someone’s coming with a hole in his britches.” “If a black cat crossed your path, turn around and go home - or suffer bad luck that day.” “If you break a mirror you will have seven years of bad luck.” He used to tell me that he wanted to break all of those old superstitious rules that caused people to live in fear – but that one about putting the Bible in a baby’s hand he tried, hoping it would work. ☺   Daddy also taught me this: "I'm going to teach you everything I can about what it means to live right before God. You are free to disagree with Daddy. You do not have to believe everything I believe or do everything just like I want you to do. But remember this - the Bible is true no matter what anyone says. You are going to be judged by it in eternity."
          The fullness of the Holy Spirit is one of the areas where there is much mis-understanding. I hope to blog in the future about some of those areas. I welcome your input - or your questions. Let me say up-front that I cannot give satisfactory answers to all the questions that may arise - but I know beyone any shadow of doubt that my early experience with God was real.

Pentecostal

2011-05-02T17:01:00.004-04:00

L to R Me, Mom, Grandma Jones, Grandma Pearce (Grandma Jones' Mother)

My Story: Pentecostal

Acts 2:
“ 1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Yes, I was born in and grew up in a Pentecostal Family. My maternal grandmother was the pastor of the local Pentecostal Church in the little saw-mill town of Lacoochee, Florida. Hearing people speak in tongues and seeing them dance ecstatically in the spirit was as common for me as drinking water from a glass. Praying for the sick that resulted in Divine Healing and miracles was not at all strange or different. I grew up thinking that was the way “church” was supposed to be. I have seen people “slain in the Spirit” in the church as far back as I can remember. Let me give you some background to my faith.

Dad had left home at 15 and had become a hobo on the freight trains, where he learned to smoke and drink and swear with his buddies. It was 1934-1937. When he and his friends would come back home after a long trip they would entertain in the dance hall and work awhile in the Cummers Saw Mill, where orange crates were made. He was making the fantastic sum of $9.00 per week for a full week’s work. It wasn’t long until he cut off the first joint of his index finger on the saw. He refused to go to a doctor but just stuck the joint of his finger on, wrapped it in a wrag, poured on the rubbing alchohol and let it heal back naturally. “Natural” in this case turned out to be a crooked “pointing finger”. While playing his guitar in the dance hall in the evenings, slipping a sip of whiskey from the bottle and getting himself generally drunk - the little Pentecostal church across the railroad tracks could be heard with characteristic singing, praying and shouting (in the old time way) for, you see, it was summer and the windows were left open for ventilation in the small wood-framed structure so typical of country churches of that day. As Daddy explained it to us, “While playing at the dance when we’d hear a shout break out we would run over to the church and peep in the windows to watch the show!” While peeping in the window, Dad saw the “most beautiful girl in the world” and was captivated by her beauty. He made up his mind that he wanted to get better acquainted and soon learned that this 16 year old young lady was the Pastor’s daughter.

Sister Jones was a very charismatic leader. She was charismatic before most of us ever knew what that word meant. She found out that Louis could play the guitar and invited him to play with the church band. I do not believe that was normal for Pentecostal churches in those days for they were also “Holiness” churches but this may give some insight into the wisdom of Pastor Jones. [“Holiness”, That will be a subject for a later blog] She eventually won the young man to a deep experience with Christ. During a Revival, while the house was full of fervent worshippers, Dad had “slipped a sip or two” before the meeting started. At one high point of leading the service, Sister Jones playing the fiddle, called out to the crowd, “Saints! I feel the Spirit in this place tonight!” Dad, by now feeling the effects of his “slippin’ and sippin’” shouted back, “ME TOOOOOO!” Grandma then called to the congregation, “Praise God, Church! The Spirit’s move is so powerful here that even these old sinners are feeling it!” I’m not positive that it was the same night – but during that or a similar service, the house was so crowded that there was no room to sit in the back of the church. So – after playing his guitar for the preliminaries – young Louis Brannen sat on the only available seat – the front row! After the sermon was finished he was invited to the altar to pray. He says, “The Devil said to me, ‘Just smack Sister Rosier in the face and tell her NO!’” Instead of obeying the Devil, he obeyed the Lord, “took two steps and fell into the altar” where he was gloriously converted.

Events moved swiftly. Louis was “Sanctified and Filled with the Holy Ghost” with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as mentioned in Acts 2:4. This Glossalalia phenomenon was for the common man. Louis became a changed man. He immediately stopped drinking. No more cursing. No more smoking. Just like that. It was permanent. I was 60 years of age when he died and I can honestly tell you that I never ever observed my Dad say or do anything that would make me doubt his experience with the Lord. Soon he became the clerk of the church and asked for the hand of Bonnie Jones in marriage. He was just 20 years old. Bonnie was 16 when they married. True to her oft repeated words, “I’ll NEVER marry a preacher, she married this saw-mill worker. However, it was only a few short weeks after they were married that Daddy announced to the congregation that he now felt “called” to preach. This was the beginning of 62 years together in full-time ministry before Dad passed from this life into the presence of his Savior.

Grandma Jones, Mom, Dad

The picture below was made about 1952, at a General Assembly of the Church of God in St. Louis, Missouri. Mom and Dad were pastoring the church at Campaign, Tennessee about 12 miles out in the country from McMinnville, Tennessee. Grandma still lived in central Florida.

Another Crash!

2011-04-09T13:16:00.003-04:00

February 26th was the day I finally quite working with the old laptop which had finally REFUSED to work anymore. I mean - it was impossible for me. However - I took it to Staples, a business supply store, and purchased a new ACER laptop, with the understanding that the store would also transfer all of my old files over to the new computer.  Even tho my old machine had refused to work at all, they were able to remove the hard drive and pull the information off it and onto the new one. What a relief! I was up and running and smiling as I went.
[To me, that should mean that my word processor, my software programs which had been purchased with hard-earned cash, my favorites bar, and everything else should continue to work just like before. NOT!  It seems logical to me that if I have to buy accessories to get a machine to run like I want it to - then when I trade machines, the accessories should still be mine - or they should pay me for the accessories as part of the trade. Evidently my thinking is too old fashioned for this store. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr......!]

Now - that good feeling that left me smiling as I went lasted for only a few short weeks (it seemed like a few days) before my new machine began giving signals that a hard drive crash was imminent. I did back up files again. I'm so glad I did. Last Monday I finally could not get the machine to turn on anymore. I suspected a virus. Surely it could not be anything wrong with the machinery itself?? Well...as a matter of fact...yes, it was. What could be done? I took it back to the store where I purchased it where a test revealed that there was indeed a malfunction of the new hard drive. O.K., will the store fix it? NO.  "You have to send it back to the manufacturer." I cannot tell you all of the things I felt like saying. I'll not belabor the point anymore (perhaps I already have) but it was a horrible experience for me.

SPEED OF REPAIR AND RETURN? Better than expected! I sent it by Fed-Ex on Monday - and it was delivered to my door yesterday, Friday. However - when I turned it on it refused to access the internet. It was demanding an ethernet cable. Many other commitments kept me from getting to the store before today...but when I did get it back tot he store a couple of hours ago now - the technician was able to get the wi-fi driver working again. However, I still had to hunt my programs here on the internet. I cannot remember all of the things I had pulled up previously and saved to my "favorites" bar. But - the good news is - I will eventually recover from this. Nuff said!

I'm Glad to be back - and I know some of you didn't even miss me...

Time For Spring Harvesting!

2011-03-26T19:17:00.001-04:00

Spring has come to our mountains here in East Tennessee! This means Turkey harvesting season is just a few days away, and I so look forward to harvesting some fresh, nature fed, turkey meat! It has been in the mid seventies a few days already. Of course that means I have to look for my mesh-net head gear to keep the gnats and mosquitos and other little insects out of my eyes and ears so I'll feel comfortable enough to hunt. Here are a few pictures to show what's happening in the forest right now.

This is a picture of a trail where I've mowed near the cabin showing the thickness of the bamboo along the creek - which is great for turkeys to graze near so they can hide in it if danger occurs.
I'm not really sure, but I think this tree is called a white birch. It was so beautiful against the blue sky that I had to get a picture for you.

I took this picture as I traveled home from Sunday School last week. This mountain is called Starr mountain, and it appeared to me that someone had deliberately set the woods on fire. I'm told by some of the mountain folk that the turkey hunters do this every year - mainly because the turkeys love to feed on the green shoots that will soon be uncovered. Also the bugs and worms and other insects are a part of natures provision for the wild turkey.

Here is a bug working on a rotting log. He is called the Southern Pine Beetle and has wreaked havoc on our forests here in the southeast. I hear that the turkeys love to feed on these bugs.

More rotting logs which have fallen as a result of the beetle's work - then heavy rains soften the ground - then heavy spring thunderstomrs with strong winds can finish the work. I've seen a flock of at least 15 wild turkeys in this area! Warms my heart!!

Mother's 90th Birthday

2011-03-20T18:44:00.007-04:00

Family members getting ready to celebrate!

A part of the crowd fellowshipping during the program.

David Beaty, Don Stovall, Sissy Stovall, Frances

Snyder

Friends came from near and far.

Marshall Roberson, long-time minister friend and his wife Dorothy (Jennings) Roberson honored us by their presence.

Well known retired persons who have influenced the church like Sister Bernice Woodard, former writer for the Church's official publications (extreme left) and Ruth Crawford, retired missionary sitting next to Bernice.

Our family: (left to right, back row) Lowell, Fred, Wilmon. Front row: Donice, Mom and Bonita.

Lowell and his wife, Janis, singing one of the songs he wrote, "He's Got It All Under His Control".

There were five generations of my family. Back row L to R is Kimberly Lawrence (my grand-daughter) Me, Frankie Durham (my daughter) Front row L to R Hailey (my great-grand-daughter) and her great great grand-mother, Bonnie.

What a wonderful time we had yesterday, the 19th of March! From two o'clock until five o'clock we rented space at the Mountain View Inn and had a birthday party for Mom's 90th. The five of us bought food and invited 100 plus friends (103 of which actually showed up) to help us celebrate the life of this wonderful woman. It would be almost impossible (?) for me to name all of them. Successful ministers, song-writers, singers, musicians, retired church leaders, and some still active ministers were in attendance. A letter was read from the General Overseer (Presiding Bishop) of the Church of God, the church in which Mom has held credentials since 1950. People were there who had attended her very first Revival! Some came from Colorado, from Texas, from Louisiana, from Georgia and Tennessee. Evangelists and Pastors spoke of the glowing accomplishments of this Lady Minister. Her children rose up and called her blessed! Her friends spoke with sincerety of the godly life this woman has lived. How we thank God for the many many people who honored her by their presence on this special occasion. WE LOVE YOU MOTHER!

Alabama Visit

2011-03-05T20:09:00.006-05:00

The setting sun was so beautiful from the front porch!

Well, maybe it was just a little bright! Here is Frances sheilding her eyes as she looks out over ther fields to the west.

We were sitting on the front porch of this beautiful home.

Wow! I can hardly believe it but Frances and made this short trip with me down to Athens, Alabama Thursday night and home this morning without being totally worn out! This has been really good for me, at least. We went to visit our good friends that we had met in 1989 in Nairobi, Kenya - Rob and Kathy Davis. He has a small farm with pond, horses, and dogs on 20+ acres out in the country. We loved their place, but of course the best part was being with these good people and reminescing about our times in Kenya. Their son, Tristan, was in for a few days from Colorado. I'm so thankful that she is making such good improvement with her heart rhythm. The medicine change about two weeks ago seems to be working better than anything has so far. Keep praying saints!

Good Morning World!

2011-03-02T07:34:00.006-05:00

Yes folks! That's me...50 years ago!

I'm reminded of a story I heard of a preacher in a remote part of the foot-hills of Appalachia who went down to the local 1,000 watt radio station and purchased himself a daily 15 minute radio broadcast. The radio station's 1,000 watts could cover the whole county...well...almost the whole county - except for a couple of valleys hidden by the mountains. His total audience was possibly 30,000 people. Each morning as he sat before the microphone, his radio greeting was - "Good Morning World!!!"

I'm feeling the excitement that the preacher felt with his new venture. I've been off the computer too long - and now to be able to get back here and actually post a blog - feels like I'm in touch with the world again! I'm aware that there are only a half dozen or so who will read this but -- "Good Morning World!"

Now that I'm back I'll have to learn to operate this new laptop. It won't let me manipulate my pictures here in the same way that I was able to manipulate them with the old computer. Before i could right click on a picture and then cut - then paste it at the location desired. Now I cannot "cut" them. Oh well. Look on the positive side. At least I'm back!

I have had 5 tons of rock delivered to the cabin to cover up the muddy place developing where we get out of the vehicles. I need to do some work to the landscaping there. Plus, I need to open the doors and windows and let it air out. I have hardly been there this winter - partly because the gas heater has to be replaced. I also need to pull that old couch out and burn it. Did you ever try to sleep on a couch that was so structured that it poked you in the rib cage all night? ☻ Last time a visitor slept there, I found him on the floor next morning! Ah well...I'll turn that couch into fuel for the camp fire!

Keep listenin' to th' radio. We'll be back.

Cards, Candy and Cash

2011-02-14T08:12:00.004-05:00

Oh WoW! I am so blessed to have the love of the ideal woman as my valentine. She has faithfully followed me thousands of miles, worked to help make enough money for us to survive, taught our children to love their Daddy and taught them about God's love, filled in as surrogate Daddy while I was traveling, and in every way has been faithful. This morning she came in with a Valentine Card for me, containing cash, a dish-ful of Hershey's Kisses with almonds, and CASH - that item that mankind loves so much because it can be turned into whatever the heart desires! ☺ And then a kiss (or two...or maybe three) and a back massage. ☺ What a wonderful way to start another day with the woman who has been my lover and friend for almost 54 years. Ahhhhh! ☻

On the front the card reads, "This is all that I know of love... That it begins and ends with you!" Inside it reads, "For every way you are my partner, for every day you fill with love...Happy Valentine's Day." I think I'm in love!!!

Missions Memories and Missions Resources

2011-02-09T18:54:00.006-05:00

Most of my readers already know that I spent 20 years working in Africa as a missionary for the church organization known as Church of God, Cleveland, TN. My personal friend, Dr. Grant McClung, who has taught in our Church's Seminary, in Schools and Colleges around the world, who was a personal guest in Africa and who was Field Director of Europe and the Middle East has released his book (GlobalBeliever.Com) which you may read on-line at no charge to you. I'll copy and paste his note here for your benefit. Grant and his wife Janice are quality people who walk the talk. I hope you enjoy the free E-books.

But First - some of my missions memories.

Water baptism was a practice that we urged all new converts to participate in as a public testimony of their personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives. First we had to find water deep enough. Then we needed safety. Most of our ministers would pray over the water first, rebuking the power of any snakes, crocodiles, and/or harmful bacteria which may be found in the water. Baptism in Africa is a powerful statement of the new convert's faith.

One of the joys of our work was the joy on the faces of our constituents. Here, one of our ladies is cooking a meal on a stove made of clay for one of our orphanages. Do you see the black area that charcoal fire has left on the home-made brick wall? Don't you love that smile?

I had many opportunities to speak to the people in the 32 countries which I was assigned to. Here I am in Uganda, introducing a guest (Roland S.) from North Carolina to a group of young people graduating from our local Bible School. He was moved to tears often as he observed the conditions our people live in.

I took this picture of our "National Overseer" (Makanudo R. B.) opening the first worship service of an Easter Convention in Gaberonne, Botswana. The entire meeting was under an old canvas tent. Cooking was done on open charcoal fires outside. Wonderful food! Wonderful fellowship!

Press Release:

Missions Resources Now in “Ebook” English/Spanish Formats

Dr. Grant McClung, President of Missions Resource Group, has produced his world missions training text, Globalbeliever.com: Connecting To God’s Work in Your World, as a free online resource, both in English and Spanish language versions. In the original print format, the books have been used widely by pastors, local church missions classes and prayer groups, and as a basic Biblical introduction to world missions in seminaries, universities, and Bible colleges. The Spanish-language version, “Creyenteglobal.com,” is widely distributed throughout Latin America.

“The best way to both versions – English and Spanish,” McClung noted, “is to visit the www.MissionsResourceGroup.org site, go to ‘Globalbeliever.com’ button and click on ‘Read the Book’ in English or Spanish.” McClung also noted that a weblink is available for those who begin their search as Spanish readers. “At the site (with the same name as the book title) www.creyenteglobal.com,” he said, “there are links to “Lea el libro” (“Read the book” in Spanish). Information at both sites also leads to ordering information for McClung’s classic review of Pentecostal missions, Azusa Street and Beyond: One Hundred Years of Commentary on the Global Pentecostal/Charismatic Movement (Bridge-Logos Publishing 2006). (You do not have to order them in order to be allowed to read GlobalBeliever.Com.)

“Through our training programs on five continents in 2010,” McClung noted, “we mobilized pastors, missionaries, missions leaders, and marketplace laity through printed books and curriculum materials. But we saw, especially in poorer contexts, how traditional print resources are not affordable for many. Now, the entire text is available as a free online world missions reader for anyone at www.MissionsResourceGroup.org, www.Globalbeliever.com, or www.creyenteglobal.com.” In addition, at the “Resources” link there are a number of lectures, sermons, articles, and background documents presented by McClung in a variety of global leadership training venues.

The availability of McClung’s “ebook” converges with an international, denomination-wide “Great Commission/Church Planting Mandate” throughout the Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee USA). Dr. Raymond F. Culpepper, Church of God General Overseer, has urged the Pentecostal denomination to remain focused and active in “the missional mandate” and the planting of new congregations worldwide. “This is why I welcome Grant McClung’s significant book,” he stated, “and commend it to you as an insightful and practical ministry resource. It arrives at a time when the international events and global developments of our time need the perspectives and prescriptions of a rich and deep Biblical view of global engagement. This book adds value to pastors and local church leaders as they seek to motivate, train, and deploy their congregations in evangelism, church planting, and world missions. It is full of practical helps for preaching and teaching, including outlines, stories and illustrations, statistics, maps, charts, and global missions trends.”

McClung is one of the chapter contributors to a church-wide missional resource, The Great Commission Connection, Raymond F. Culpepper, Executive Editor (Pathway Press 2011) and is an editorial committee and research contributor to Until All Have Heard: The Centennial History of Church of God World Missions, Bill George (Church of God World Missions 2010)

McClung, a former member of the denomination’s International Executive Council, serves as Missiological Advisor to the World Missions Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship and is a member of the U.S.A Lausanne Committee. “Making ‘Globalbeliever.com’ available online – in both language versions,” he said, “will now broaden our vision for a more rapid and effective mobilization of the global Great Commission community for missional resourcing in these challenging times. We hope it will also speak to a younger generation who are increasingly active in global awareness and social activism through online connections.”

Email contact for further information:

grant.mcclung@gmail.com

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Enjoy

Cars With Bonnets and Boots

2011-01-28T19:41:00.003-05:00

Tonight my friend Jack Darnell posted a blog showing a picture of an old Morris Oxford, a car with a bonnet and a boot.

Now I'm sure that if you are reading this and you are from Great Britain or one of her Colonies - or former colonies - you are going to have quite a different "read" of this post than most of my American friends will have. You see, for us here in the USA, when we say "bonnet" we think of an elderly grandmother with her old-fashioned head-gear which was worn regularly by our pioneer women to protect their hair from the weather. When we say "boot" we are thinking of something we put on our feet.

The year was 1966. We were on our first overseas assignment for the Church of God as missionaries to British Guiana. Shortly (within our first six months) they gained their Independence and became known as Guyana, South America. Still the British influences saturated everything. There was "Fogarty's" a big chain store where you could buy food and clothes and books and maybe even some furniture for your home. Booker's, Ltd, was the place to buy cars. Our missions board provided the funds (I can't be sure but it seems I remember $3000 being the price) for us to purchase a new one. The traffic all rode on the opposite side of the street we were used to driving on back in Tennessee. It was nerve-wracking but I actually did manage to get under the wheel and negotiate traffic in that town of 500,000 people driving "on the wrong side of the road"! I had spent the previous 5 years in Tellico Plains, TN, a town of less than 1,000 people at that time. What a challenge.

The car was a wonderful car. It was Automatic shift and we were getting 30 mpg on fuel use. After about six months or so of driving in this strange new environment, on the opposite side of the road, learning that I had to have the "bottom washed" before the mechanic would change the oil and lubricate it, I remember driving into the dirt road leading to our home. I pointed the bonnet towards our gate (which everyone knows you had to keep shut and locked) jumped out, switched off the engine and unloaded groceries. When I got back into the car to put it into the garage and lock it up, the engine would not turn over. My neighbor, Pragdat, who ran buses up and down the coast was quite the mechanic. He saw me with bonnet and boot both standing open and the worried look on my face. Walking over, he asked, "Would you like me to help?" Of course I said, "Yes!"

Try the engine once more. Nothing but "click" each time I tried. Then he looked at me and said so seriously that I just knew for sure he was joking - "Why don't you crank it?" Me: "Uh. Yeah. Well... I thought we just tried that?" "NO!" He said, "Crank it with your crank!" "But this is an automatic", I protested. "But you should have a crank in the boot or under the bonnet."

Sure enough, to my chagrin, He located the crank (like we used to use for old Model A Fords) and gave just one small twist before the engine started! I could not believe how easy it started. What a quality car. Pragdat then proceeded to take my starter off the Morris and clean it of the road dirt that had caked up on it, took it apart, greased it, and put it back. The starter never failed again.

Wish I had a picture of that car. The license plate was PT602! There, the initial number given on a car's license plate always stayed on it until the car was no longer usable. It could be that even now PT602 is still being used to drive around the little country of Guyana.

Hardy Pansies - And Signs of Spring

2011-01-20T21:01:00.004-05:00

Last Fall we planted some Petunias and Pansies.

I remember saying something like, "Why, oh why are we planting flowers now when winter is upon us?" My thinking was that the freezing temperatures and the sleet and snow would kill any signs of life - but I was wrong. Not often will I admit that, so make the most of this confession today! ☻ Coming in today from lunch we could see the flower bed for the first time in a week and this is the sight that greeted us.

Are these beautiful, or what?

Three days ago these flowers were under 8 inches of snow!

Our front porch is bright with these small but lovely blooms!

O.K., I know it's soon to be SPRING because I saw the evidence today. Jonquils are popped out of the ground about two inches!

Take a look friends, while you can. I hear we may be getting more snow tonight...but...according to the weatherman it will only be rain and snow mixed and we will get only a light dusting. Even if the snow does cover them up, guess what?

Genesis 8:22
"While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease."

My Incredible Mother

2011-01-20T20:43:00.006-05:00

Oh, I know it is not Mother's Day yet, but I have to post about today's visit with her before I forget. I suggested to Frances this morning that we should go to Cap'n D's for lunch and have some fried fish as Jack of Ship'sLog fame had posted a picture of himself sitting in his new boat on a Florida lake, and wrote about catching some Crappie or Perch for his and wife Sherry's lunch. Frances immediately suggested that I should call my Mom and see if she would like to join us. We did call and she did want to go with us. After all, we are ALL getting that somewhat "cooped up" feeling because the recent snow and ice has just now melted. After lunch of "fish and fries" we went to Mom's Apartment just about two miles from here for a short visit. She had recently bought some new furniture she wanted us to see. She has a new bed, new desk, new couch, new storage cabinet and ... ? (something I'm forgetting?).

Here's my pretty woman sitting on Mom's new couch!

Mom in her favorite chair.

Me and my sweetheart at Mom's, watching her work out on her new trampoline! Can you believe it?

The woman will be 90 in March! I think she is something very special.

Making Snow Cream - 2011

2011-01-10T11:39:00.007-05:00

By reaching out the office window I was able to measure the snowfall which Cleveland, Tennessee got last night. I could not find the rule, so stuck this letter opener into the snow!

Finally found a measuring tape so laid it out the window beside the letter opener. It looked like 7 inches today!

We have had a wonderful snowfall in Cleveland, TN last night (January 9th) and this morning (January 10th)! It's been years since we have seen snow like this in East Tennessee. It brought back fond memories of childhood days when Mama would make "snow cream". So this morning, while chatting with one of my own daughters, I decided that this would be a good thing to do here. We need not get out on the roads due to the dangers of trying to drive while the roads are covered with ice and snow. It could become boring if one had to stay inside for long like this. As I reflect on the whole scene I think that Mama probably used this idea of snow cream to stave off the insanity of having three rambunctious boys and a baby girl at home from school, closed in because of the snow, with nothing to do. There was no internet, no ipod, no cell phone, no TV and much of my youth we survived without a "two-party" phone! The cowboy shows only came on the radio for a short time in the mornings - and that was usually on Saturday. But Mom would entertain us with mind games, riddles and such, and with games like "I spy with my little eye" plus regular Checkers and Chinese Checkers (played with marbles on a board). Oh yeah, and there was "jacks" (or do you spell that jax?) Another game was "Who can quote the most Bible Verses?" One child would quote a verse, then the next and the next until someone could no longer think of a verse to quote. Of course there was also music. The guitar and mandolin and fiddle would come out and we would play and sing at times for two or three hours. No - this didn't happen every day - but on those days like today when we were "cooped" up inside because of foul weather. Today, I was able to convince Frances to do the video while I made the snow cream! I've tried to load it onto here - but blogger won't take it today. Oh well...still more for me to learn, I guess.

Because I was taking video I did not think to take pictures of the entire process - but did take this one when I first brought the bowl of snow into the kitchen! It was DELICIOSO!

Doctors Orders

2011-01-06T09:55:00.005-05:00

One thing you must remember: There will be NO COMPLAINING! Doctor's Orders. Actually, this sign is in the drug-store drive-through window where I pick up Mom's meds occasionally.

I'm not sure I understand this sign, even though it is written in English!

Once again, we've spent several hours in the hospital. Yesterday it was at Erlanger, a hospital in Chattanooga. Ever heard of "Heart Arrhythmia"? It just means "irregular heartbeat". I don't like it...but it seems to be a necessary part of life for Frances and me these days. It seems that her heart has been receiving conflicting electrical impulses which are supposed to tell her the correct moment for the heart to beat. Because of these confusing signals, the doctor suggested a procedure of intervention of one electrical signal via a catheter into the heart muscle, applying heat to one of the signals, thus "killing" it. That would leave the other signal stronger and cause the heart to beat normally. This is called "cardiac ablation".

Many signs were written in English and in Spanish.

Consideration for others in the room, especially if you have a cough or a fever, is highly recommended.

What a day. I was up at 3:10a. (couldn't sleep that extra 20 minutes until 3:30, which is when I had set the clock for.) I wanted to get my coffee, read my Bible and settle my nerves a bit before waking Frances at 4:00. Even though I got side-tracked in my reading for a few minutes and I woke her at 4:10, we were able to get everything in order, leave here at 5:00, arrive at the hospital on-time, and everything went as planned...

Heart monitors, Blood-pressure monitors, oxygen level monitors, heart-rate monitors, and "you-name-it" monitors are a prominent part of modern day medical treatment.

This sign is prominently displayed in the consultation room in my "primary care physician's" office. That's the local walk-in clinic.

At 10:00a., when the doctor had finished the procedure, he came to explain it all too me and very skillfully - with $64 words - told me that now there is a 50% chance that what he did will work and the bad electrical signals will "peter out" within a couple of weeks. He says that there is also a 50% chance that what was done will make no difference and then he will see her on the 25th for further medical treatment. Don't you love those 50/50 chances on things?

Is there an ominous note here? Are they suggestion that you ought to read up on this book about life after death?

Well, at 2:00p, the nurse came in to say Frances was doing well and began removing heart monitor, bp cuff, etc., and etc. in preparation for our leaving the hospital. I discovered that there was drizzling rain as I crossed the street into the parking garage. This reminded me that I had seen the weather predictions were for possible light freezing rain sometime during the day. However, we had no freezing rain.

As we approached Interstate 24 heading East, I noticed that the traffic was backing up rapidly! I quickly made the decision to go to the old highway (US11) and follow it until I was past the area where I75 and I24 connect, thus beating all that traffic jam. Wrong decision. After an hour of bumper to bumper stop and go on the old highway I finally discovered that there was work on two lanes and everyone was merging into one lane. Once past that spot, the traffic was released and we were soon home. No further problems. So - Thank God - we're once again out of the docs office and now waiting for any signs of improvement in regular heart-beat.

So many friends called to say they were praying. Family and friends mean so much at times like these. I do believe that God pays attention to us when we pray. I feel better today than I did yesterday, that's for sure!!!

A Mini-Vacation

2010-12-30T09:33:00.006-05:00

Our visit to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for two nights!

Please remind me that the days between Christmas and New Year's Day is NOT a good time to go to Gatlinburg, TN for any reason! The traffic was just like this for over 20 miles - "bumper to bumper" as they say - and it took us 3 hours to travel the distance from Lenoir City up to Gatlinburg. Unbelievable, I know, but it's the truth. This normally takes only 1 and 1/2 hours. We arrived just after sun-set.

But then, a family visit over a wonderful meal helped to relax the stressed nerves.

Brother Dewain is quite the coffee connesieur! His shirt says, "I'm retired! Every Day's a Holiday". Sis-in-law Deb is an excellent cook!

This was the scene from the balcony. The snowfall had been something like 14 inches. There were reports that some vacationers had been stranded in their mountain chalets and were running out of food and medicine. The temperature plummeted to 9 degrees in some spots around us. It's hard for me to imagine anyone with a medical problem of serious nature not going prepared with extra meds - but then I'm sure they thought they were prepared. The snows in the mountains here can be treacherous and surprisingly long-lasting.

This gas-log fireplace kept us all cozy and warm. No wood to cut. No soot to sweep!

Four of us went out next day with plans to ride the tram up to Ober-Gatlinburg, but wound up at the Grocery store, buying more food. The people and cars were so thick that we became discouraged while looking for a place to park. While the girls shopped, I took a few pictures which I thought would give you some idea of the snowfall and the cold.

The shrubbery around the "Food City" store was still blanketed by snow!

Here's another shot of that white blanket.

This sheer rock wall at the back of the parking lot also made a pretty site.

Thanks to the two brothers (Frank and Dewain) and their spouses (Jan and Deb) for treating us so royally. We had a wonderful trip.

A White Christmas in Cleveland, TN

2010-12-25T14:11:00.005-05:00

Check this out! See the date on that picture above? 12/25/2010! I looked out early this morning and this is what I saw through the office window.

The temperature was 33, but the snow was sticking to the trees...

...and to the top of the neighbor's fence. I love the contrast of snow on the cedar tree.

Hurrying to the front door, I could see that snow was actually starting to cover the street.

Have you ever noticed how quiet things are when it snows like this? This is looking up the street from my front porch.

We have been home from Africa for 12 years now and this is the first time we have seen it snow on Christmas Day here. In fact, we have not seen this much snow here in all of those years. I love seeing it fall.

I cooked pancakes this morning and Frances fried some turkey sausage someone had given us for a gift.

There was none of Jack's Smucker's peanut butter - so I did the best I could with the store-brand! ☻ If you haven't heard Jack of "Shipslog" tell the story of Smucker's Peanut Butter, you need to. It's been told many times now - even attempted in German and some African languages!

Fred Alton Brannen Christmas Party

2010-12-20T00:47:00.007-05:00

We had a wonderful Fred Alton Brannen family Christmas Party on Saturday, December 18, 2010. Our special meal was of Turkey with rice, Venison roast, Squirrel dumplings, Field Peas, corn on the cob, turnip greens, macaroni and cheese, cranberry sauce, rolls, iced-tea, sodas, coffee, peanut butter pie, fruit cake, home-made fudge.

Firstborn daughter gave us a very meaningful devotional about "building on your most holy faith". Then Mom recited the poem, Jonah and the Whale. And finally, gifts were exchanged and shouts of joy were heard as the kids opened their cards to find money inside...mostly because grandmother had not had time nor energy to go shopping.

We laughed, talked, played and sung Christmas Carols until very late. We are a blessed family. Thank God for sending His son to a stable in Bethlehem on that first Christmas morning. And thank the Lord Jesus for bring us Salvation by dying on the real Christmas Tree!

Squirrel Dumplings, simmering on the stove!

Field Peas

First time we ever used these type dumplings, but they turned out good!

I made two batches of Micro-waved Peanut Butter Fudge!

Getting ready for gifts!

Mother with one of her great-grand-daughters!

Some of our Grands and Great-grands!

Grand-daughter Amy, Great grandson Colby, Great granddaughter Chelsea, Grandson Terry, Son-in-law Rick, Daughter Frankie.

That contented look!

That Brannen Bunch

2010-12-11T10:54:00.007-05:00

The picture above is of Bonnie Jones Brannen and all five children and their spouses. We do clean up now and then. ☻

Wow! Mom really did it this year. She arranged for us to have a party in the Walden's Club on the 21st floor of the Bank of America building in Chattanooga. It was an elite place for those who move in higher social circles. Is that why I felt so awkward? O.K.... I heard that, Jack. I know I'm always awkward. The menu was totally Cajun cuisine. My Oh My! I dun tol y'all tree ah two time arready! Food ta mak yo tung slap da roofa yo mout! Sho nuff!

Raymond (sister Donice's mate) reading Scripture for the devotional. Wil to the extreme left. Michael to extreme right.

The gorgeous view of the mountains from the room we were in. This picture caught the reflection of the golden curtains which decorate the room.

A different view from the same room, overlooking a part of the city of Chattanooga.

Starting to open gifts!

After dinner of red-beans and rice, gumbo, fruit, veggie medly, shrimp, and foods I didn't partake of, topped off by cake, custard and banana pudding, we played games and exchanged gifts.

Raymond and Donice

Janis, Wil, Melody, Bonita - playing the game!

Frances, Fred, Mom - opening gifts! The hat plays "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer"!

Lowell, Janis, Wil, Melody

Mom really seemed pleased with this gift. The dolls sing in harmony - and the music is activated by pressing their belly buttons.

My sister Bonita and husband Michael

Brother Lowell and wife Janis

Brother Wil strikes his "Grandpa Jones" pose. It's incredible how much he looks like our Grandpa Jones.

Results of the Harvest

2010-12-03T21:36:00.003-05:00

We have been so blessed this year to have good friends who have invited us to hunt with them on their farm which joins the Wildlife Management Area in Tellico Plains. When Chub was a young boy of about 10 to 12 years of age he taught me the basics of squirrel hunting when I was the 22/23 year old pastor of the church his family attended. Not only does he allow me to hunt, but also supplies me with squirrel and deer meat and turnips and turnip greens. Frances fried some of the turnips in butter and just barely browned them. Fried us some squirrel meat, turnip greens on the side. Man! What excellent cuisine! O Yes indeedy! We are HAPPY HARVESTERS!

Frances is preparing squirrel meat for a meal! First she boiled the squirrels, then fried two of them - then the rest were prepared to go in squirrel dumplings!

These pieces have been fried. This is my favorite way to eat squirrel.

Some meat draining and ready for eating. Yummm Gooood!

Yes, there is work to it - but what wonderful results!

Taste this and you'll become a happy harvester!

A "mess" of turnip greens, gathered from the patch on the farm where the deer was harvested! They go great with any meal.

I'm No Longer A Hunter

2010-11-28T21:43:00.003-05:00

Now I am a killer! It has been at least 25 years since I last killed a deer. It's a bit dis-heartening to a person who is so serious about hunting to go year after year after year and keep coming home with nothing to show for their efforts except a few scratches from the briars and a thousand beggar lice hanging on their clothes. Why do you think we call this thing "hunting"? 'Cause that's what we do! We hunt. And hunt. And hunt again! I've often said to my friends, "I'm not a killer. I'm just a hunter." But from yesterday at 12:35p, right after lunch, I became a killer. The .270 Ruger is a deadly weapon. A nice clean shot high on the shoulder and this buck was on the ground. he kicked for about five minutes while my heart ran at break-neck speed. By the time my blood slowed back to normal the deer was not moving and was waiting for me to prepare him for the journey to our Christmas table - via the butcher shop!!! Boys and Girls, I WAS EXCITED!

Blog Entry Overdue

2010-11-25T08:31:00.003-05:00

Yes, I know I should be blogging more. However, I'm having too much fun at the moment. Here's a link though - that I thought you all should see. The early days of mass production in the USA were modern miracles. To better understand that statement, here is a link to watch. It's quite amazing, really.

http://xa.yimg.com/kq/groups/15654030/1604819366/name/bomber_plant.wmv

Enjoy

Halloween

2010-11-02T09:56:00.005-04:00

Halloween is the night before "All Saints Day". I read that halloween is a result of a contraction of the words "Hallowed Evening", shortened to "Hallowed Eve" and finally to "Halloween". Its a night that celebrates fictitious characters, ghosts and goblins. I don't think the three that visited our home could have been ghosts or goblins! They were much too sweet for that. However, they may have been "gobblers" if that is what you call people that love to gobble down the treats! ☺

Could this be "Spider Girl"?

Spider Girl with a strong right arm?

Who is it? I know he has a big bag for treats and it is stuffed!

This bag was empty at first - but left happy. See that smile?

Yep, that pumpkin is about to eat the contents of the whole bowl !!!

The sweet "goblins" that visited here on Halloween! One of our grand-daughters is dressed as a little ole "Granny". The other as "Spider Girl" and our great-grandson is dressed in a costume I don't recognize. I'm told it is a character from a TV cartoon. Do you watch children's cartoons?

On a special night, disguised cleverly, one can keep getting more and more candy without being scolded!

"Nana and Poppaw" seem to be having as much fun as the children.

Our Youngest Daughter (a.k.a. The Pet)

2010-10-27T20:07:00.007-04:00

For those who know us it is no surprise that we call Tabitha "The Pet". In fact our girls have all given themselves aliases. Frankie, our first-born, calls herself "Number One". Ruthie gave herself the name "The Favrite One". And Tabitha thrives as "The Pet. Last week, out of the blue, Frances decided we were going to see "The Pet" and her children who moved to Watertown, NY just 11 months ago to pastor the "Relevant Church". Below is a record of that visit.

Frances seated in the Atlanta Shuttle, a 15 passenger van. These vans are run by Groome Transportation and make 18 trips daily from Chattanooga to the Atlanta Airport. They also make 18 trips daily from Chattanooga to Nashville.

Fred in the Van preparing to leave for Atlanta.

Inside the airport at the "Self Check-in Counter".

Looking out the window of the plane just before landing in Syracuse, NY revealed a beautiful lake and the color could be seen clearly in the trees. The airplane windows left much to be desired in getting a good photo.

Our "Pet" is no longer as young as she once was! This past Thursday her Mom (Frances) decided that she was now going to visit her child Tabitha and Tabitha's family. So in the afternoon we traveled down to Chattanooga, caught the shuttle bus and made our way to the Ramada Inn Conference Center Hotel. After resting for the night, we took the hotel shuttle to the Airport where we caught Delta Airlines for a great plane trip up to Syracuse, NY. The scenery was great and weather was good all the way up. However next morning we woke up to colder conditions. Temperatures were 15 to 20 degrees cooler than here in Tennessee. And it was misting rain. The leaves there were very pretty!

What a thrill to be with our Pastor son-in-law, our daughter, and our two grand-daughters, Hannah and Gracie for church on Sunday. We were also able to spend some time with their first-born daughter Rebecca, with new husband James. They are so in love!

One day while Memaw rested, I went with the daughter and two youngest grand-daughters to shop at Wal-mart. I wanted to get the little ones something to remember our visit with...something large and costly...but they requested "Bendaroos". I never heard of Bendaroos but since that is what they requested, O.K.! Next day I was picking up Bendaroos out of the floor, off of the bed, out of the bathroom, etc. - but the main thing was they got what they asked for. ☺☻☺

Here is Hannah and her Dad, Pastor Philip Jaycox.

We are so proud that the children are serving the Lord as Pastors of the "Relevant Church", a Church of God in Watertown, NY. They have wonderful people who seem to love our children. (Who wouldn't?) I feel so much better about them now that we have seen where they actually live and work.

Here is "The Pet" and her youngest, Gracie, with her Mom at dinner.

The oldest daughter (Rebecca) married a soldier. Since Watertown is the home of Fort Drum, an Army Post, I am not greatly surprised by those developments. James is a very personable and polite young man and I feel really cares for our grand-daughter.

James seems to have won the heart of all three of the Jaycox daughters.

Me with grand-daughter Rebecca and her new husband.

Since this was her first major trip out since her heart surgery a year and a half ago, I was quite concerned about Frances health. That's why we chose to spend one night going and one night returning at the Ramada Inn near the Atlanta Airport. She really did remarkably well. Thank God and thanks to all our friends who have been praying for Frances. Other than catching sinusitis and bronchitis, she did good. Her feet did swell and she did need much extra rest with feet elevated, but overall, she managed very well. I took her to the doctor today for two shots, a breathing treatment and two prescriptions. Hopefully we caught it early enough and she'll be over it in just a few short days.

We are safely home, clothes have been washed, dried, folded and put away. I have been to the hardware store to purchase a few shelf brackets for the book-cases. Once I get them back together maybe I can get the things back in place that had to be moved for the painting done before we left here.

This is Hannah and Gracie. Wouldn't you know they would both decide to stick their fingers up behind each other's heads just as I snapped the photo?

This picture shows the church in front, and the parsonage attached at the back. It is very convenient, as they just open a door from the entry hallway and step immediately into the sanctuary. The children are blessed to have this place to live and a gracious congregation to work with.

Pastor's wife, Tabitha, a.k.a. "the pet", working with the children!

Pastor Philip Jaycox, addressing his congregation.

Our "Nairobi Daughter" and "Mama Frankie"

2010-10-20T12:24:00.006-04:00

Our good friend, Kathy, having coffee during the house painting.

Bookcases were emptied and moved in order to paint the wall behind them.

Chairs and tables moved out of place, ladders in the way, wat-nots askew, getting ready to paint.

Of course this painter uses only "Premium" paint!

And knows how to measure each and every space to accurately figure needs before starting.

The formal dining room table serves as a temporary storage space.

Another view of the living/dining space.

Taping begins!

And painting Begins!

How many of you have friends that would come into your home and paint for you just because they want to do something nice for you as well as spend time together with you? Frances and I are very fortunate to have such friends in Kathy and her husband Rob. Kathy came alone this time, arriving on Sunday night, intent on painting "Mama Frankie's" den, kitchen and hallway. I knew the best thing I could do for Frances and her "Nairobi Daughter" was to get out from underfoot, so I disappeared to the cabin. I'm hanging around today - but they don't want me to interfere.

Let me explain. In 1989 we moved from East Tennessee to Nairobi, Kenya to live and work. We arrived within a very few short days of Rob and Kathy Davis and their three children. When they heard the piano playing in our apartment, Kathy said, "I don't know who those people are - but they have been to Lee College. That's the same way my Mom plays the piano and she learned it at Lee!" Over "Tea" we learned that her mother's brother was converted in a meeting where my maternal grandmother was the evangelist, preaching in a tent, on Gasparilla Island, Florida. When we later visited Kathy's Mom, she brought out one of those old black and white photos of a crowd in front of the tabernacle at Wimauma, Florida, a Church of God campground. Standing next to Kathy's Mom in the picture was my Mom at the age of 15 - just the year before my Mom and Dad were married. What can I say? We "bonded" then and have been friends ever since 1989. Rob and Kathy were there to work for Compassion International. He was a CPA and gave a large amount of his spare time helping us with our book-keeping for the National Church which I had been sent to Kenya to supervise. It was one of those "God things". God knew that both of our families needed the friendship and encouragement lent to each other. The bond has grown over those 21 years. Since we have moved to Cleveland we have been delighted to have them and their three children continue to visit us from time to time. They feel like part of our family.

A word of explanation about "Mama". In Kenya, and most other countries in Africa, people will call parents of their friends "Mama" - together with the name of either their oldest child, or, if they know a younger child more intimately, they will use that name - but always preceded by "Mama". Our first-born was Frances whom we always called Frankie. Hence "Mama Frankie". It's a way of showing respect to the elders. For some reason I was always known by the respectful term "Baba" (Father) Fred. Another thing to note - Africans will call a lady shop-keeper "Mama" as a term of respect. Whether they know the lady or not "Mama" is used like we in the South used to say "Ma'am."

More Horseback Riding

2010-10-14T08:16:00.003-04:00

From the bluff looking across a valley I zoomed in on a few homes. The haze in the air made it difficult to see everything clearly.

The color in the trees captured my attention as I looked back at two stragglers who were trying to catch up to the rest of us.

Having reached the trail's end at Edwards Pointe, we dis-mounted and tied the horses up while we sat down on the bluff to take in the spectacular view over-looking the Tennessee River near to Moccasin Bend.

The red in the trees caught my eye from the resting point. This is a popular hiking and horseback riding destination.

Looking down the river

This morning I'm very much alive. And it hurts! But oh what fun I had getting this way. ☻ If you saw yesterday's post, you know it was a beautiful day on Signal Mountain. I had a great day out there at the Annual Church of God in Tennessee Minister's Retreat. Our church owns about 80 acres out here which joins the Forest. The retreat started on Tuesday and will be finished today after lunch-time - but we retired men are allowed to go out for any or all of the retreat and enjoy all of the events we can stand! So my long-time and close minister friend Ed and I went out for the day. I regret I did not get any pictures of the pistol competition nor of the skeet shooting contest. I was enjoying the pistol event too much to think "camera". Ha. I did get some very poor video but don't plan to post it. There were golfing events, go-carts to ride, horse-shoes to pitch, musicians playing instruments and great quality and amounts of food to eat!

Horseback Riding

2010-10-13T21:43:00.006-04:00

This very spirited black horse was ridden by the owner of all the horses used on this trip. Sam is a skilled rider.

The only mule in the bunch. My friend Bill said he was the best "horse" here.

My close friend, Ed, stood by the mule while trying to make up his mind if he should consider going on this trail ride. I'm so glad he decided to go.

The preacher standing by me who rode this mule today has been a friend since he was 16. He's now 80. What a great time of reminiscing.

Today, my friend Ed Williams and I drove over to Signal Mountain to the Annual "Ministers Retreat" to visit with friends we have known over the years. Also we had the opportunity to make a few new friends. So many new young men are now pastors of our churches. At one time I could name all 300 pastors in the state. Now I doubt if I can name more than 50 to 60 of them.

While we were there, we participated in a trail ride with six other men. Three of us were 72-plus years of age. One man was 82, one was 80 and I came in third place at 72! I told Frances this evening, "It is great to feel so alive! And it HURTS too!" Anyone out there have any horse liniment for my aching joints?

We then had lunch. After lunch a little target practice with pistols. Later there was the skeet shoot with shot-guns! We watched the skeet shooting and watched as a brother patiently caught fish out of the pond. The venue for this retreat is always our Church's 80 acres on Edward's Pointe near Signal Mountain!

Tag Team Teaching

2010-09-23T22:30:00.001-04:00

Last Sunday, my brother Lowell went with me to the Tellico Plains Church of God to help me teach the Sunday School lesson for the Sanctuary Class. We are coming rapidly to a close of studying "Through The Bible in One Year" in our class and the lesson for the day was on 2nd Peter and Jude. We only have 45 minutes to teach - so naturally we cannot cover all the wonderful teaching contained in those two books - but after 20 minutes on 2nd Peter, I walked back to where he was sitting and gave him the "tag". He immediately jumped into the ring and began to deliver the teachings of the book of Jude about "false teachers" in such a positive and faith-building way! After we arrived and before Sunday School started, Pastor Paul Fritts also asked my brother to deliver the sermon. He did a fantastic job on both presentations! Thanks Lowell!!!

Regrettably I forgot to take his picture while he was teaching or preaching - but here's one of him with son Jonathan graduating from college.

Today I visited the Theological Seminary's Chapel service (11:00 - 12:00) because I had learned that one of my favorite Theologians (Dr. James Beaty) was giving a presentation on the "Continuing Influence of the Church of God Teachings and Practical Commitments". On Tuesday, Dr. R. Hollis Gause (another of my favorites) had taught on "The Historical Development of Church of God Doctrine". It's great to have these men still with us (Beaty and Gause) who were part of shaping our statements - and hearing some of the dynamics that influenced them. I learned today (can you believe it?) that American Wesleyan teaching is a good bit different from what Wesley originally taught. I wish I could remember all the good things they said. It was quite revealing to learn that one of our "prime movers" in the late 1800s and early 1900s was totally against the church having any "creed" or "doctrines of men" and taught that we should use only the New Testament for our statements of faith and doctrine.

Left to right: Dr. Stephen Land; Dr. Hollis Gause; Dr. David Roebuck and Dr. James Beaty. These men are pillars in the movement known as the Church of God with International Headquarters in Cleveland, TN.

The teaching session was followed up with a panel which included Dr's Beaty and Gause, who were joined at the table by Dr. David Roebuck (Church Historian) and Dr. Stephen Land (President of the Seminary). After the session concluded I was able to get this picture of the four leaders. Two of them have agreed to accompany me in the coming weeks as guest Sunday School teacher at the Tellico Plains Church of God where I teach the Sanctuary Sunday School Class. To say "I'm excited" about that prospect is an understatement!

Lowell And Janis Singing His Song

2010-09-18T14:51:00.002-04:00

I looked back in my files and found this home-made video of my brother Lowell and his wife Janis singing the song he wrote "He's Got It All Under His Control". I have mixed emotions each time I hear them do it - sort of like great joy - swelling up out of a soul that remembers keenly the deep sadness we were feeling while his life was in such turmoil. Does that make any sense? Hope you enjoy this as much as I do.

He's Got It All Under His Control

2010-09-17T21:05:00.005-04:00

Due to my youngest Brother Lowell's comment on my last post, I am posting again about the general subject of "God In Control" His comment on my last post here was the words to a song he wrote several years ago and that he and his wife sing for us at family gatherings and at church. I'll never forget the day he was in the hospital in Monroe, Louisiana with five major bone breaks in his body, caused by a head-on collision with a drunk driver. His first wife was killed instantly. He was knocked out and did not know anything. He had been there for several weeks and we all thought he might not survive. On Tuesday I was the one sitting with him when the doctor came into the waiting room and called me to show me X-rays of crushed bone marrow that had now entered his lungs. The doc stated to me, "If there is anyone in your family that you want to see your brother before he dies, get them here before Friday. When these crushed pieces of bone enter his brain, he is dead! He cannot survive." I remember saying to the Doctor, "Sir, you do everything in your power to help him and I and our family will be in earnest prayer. We believe that God is able to heal him." Friday came and his body struggled. Our faith wavered but held on tenuously. We were all exhausted from sleepless nights and worrisome days. At times we were ready to give up - But we kept praying. It's hard to believe that it has been so long ago, but he got out of the hospital and returned to his pastorate. He retired about the same time I did. He remarried, fathered two more children (who are now both married) and is a blessing to others wherever he goes. I'm going to look for a picture of him and his new wife.

This picture was made in May of this year at one of our family "get-togethers".

For a long while his signature song was Andre Crouch's "Through It All". Then God gave him the following words - which he titled, "He's Got It All Under His Control". Wish you ALL (my blogger friends) could hear them play and sing it!

During one of those days when our faith was being stretched to the limit, Mama said something like, "If I knew that he would survive this and get his health back - then fall into sin - I'd rather God would take him on now because I know He is ready to meet God." Then one of the family members said, "Well, the same God who can heal him can also keep him saved!" Yes - we believe it in our family...GOD IS IN CONTROL.

Thanks for the words to your song Brother! I love you.

Battles all around me were raging.
The clouds in the sky were so dark.
My ship was tossing on life's sea.
My life was just about to come apart.
But I put my trust in my Jesus,
For I had heard that He's the master of the sea.
He said, "Peace! Be still!" and the winds did obey Him.
Now I'm celebrating victory.

He's got it all under His control,
And everything is gonna be alright.
He's got it all under His control,
In the day and in the middle of the night.
He's got it all under His control,
And I can see because He is the light.
Though the battle everywhere, all around is raging,
He's got it all under His control.

This is Jonathan (Lowell and Janis' 27 year old son) and his wife, Kristen. Lowell - you may need to correct me on how old he is. They also have a daughter (Jennifer) who is married to a great guy named Bill. Lowell's oldest son, Stephen Brannen, is in the Air-Force band and is an outstanding musician. Stephen's sister Tammy is worship and praise leader in the church she attends. Sorry - but I couldn't find a decent picture of the others tonight.

God Is In Control

2010-09-11T08:51:00.012-04:00

Me teaching the class in Cameroon, Sept 2001

God is in Control!

I had heard that statement many, many times throughout my life. My life had (in some ways) been quite sheltered. First, and foremost, I was shielded by my parents; my school teachers; the police; and I learned in school that we Americans were sheltered by our soldiers. I gave my life in total surrender to Jesus Christ at an old-fashioned altar of prayer when I was only 8 years of age. I accepted His "call" to ministry when I was 11 years old. I felt a "call" to missionary work when I was just 16 years of age. So - yes, I had heard those words many, many times before. "God is in control." At 18 years of age I joined the United States Coast Guard to serve the country which had given me so much. Just a few days after being dis-charged from the service, at the age of 22 I was appointed to be pastor of my first church. On September 11, 2001, I was 62 years of age, having pastored for 24 years. I had served as missionary in Guyana, South America for 3 and 1/2 years. I had lived in Nairobi, Kenya for 10 years and served as Overseer (Supervisor) of our churches in that nation. Now I was serving my 3rd year as Field Director of our Churches in 32 nations on the continent of Africa. (If you think about it - I had to believe that "God is in Control" or I would have fallen out by the wayside by this time.)

Sure. I have had to ask the Lord many questions. I have gone through days, weeks, maybe months of doing what I knew was the right thing to do without feeling that strong assurance that God is in Control. I prayed when I felt nothing. I preached and felt nothing. I read the Bible at times and it seemed to be just words. Then it occurred to me - is this not living a life of faith as opposed to feeling?

Me Teaching in Malawi, East Africa

But today, September 11, 2001, that infamous day of the mass murder and destruction of so many Americans by the radical Al Qaeda movement, when I heard the news from my wife on the cell phone in Yaounde, Cameroon, I FELT it and I knew it. In fact, I was MORE SURE THAN EVER that God is in Control. My most disturbing feeling was the fact that I could not touch my beloved wife and calm her fears. Yes, I tried to say it over the phone with words - but words over a cell phone from far-away Africa seemed so weak to me at that moment. I thought, "If only I could touch her hand, pull her close to me, wrap my arms around her and say it softly and calmly, then she would be comforted." But I heard myself saying with what seemed to me to be empty voice, "It's o.k., honey. God is in control. We're gonna be o.k.."

The leader of our churches in Cameroon only had local TV hook-up but he immediately went out and purchased cable hook-up so that we were able to watch CNN on the TV set in his living room. There was an outpouring of Christian concern shown for me as we watched the repeated reports of the planes hitting the towers, the Pentagon, and the third plane going down killing all on board. The brothers and sisters in the Bible Study asked what I wanted to do.

I remember that it was Tuesday and my plane was not due to leave until Monday. I knew of nothing better to do than continue with our program which was due to close on Sunday. We were starting the morning from 08:00 to 09:00 hours with prayer followed by Bible Study from 0900 to 1200. Lunch was 1200 to 1400. Another Bible Study began at 1400 to 1700. I was being assisted by our Christian Education Director who also sought to comfort me by saying he was willing to take a double load and teach both his subject and mine. I asked, "Then what would I do with the extra time? I would just watch the CNN news and perhaps become depressed. We decided to go ahead with our regular schedule.

How could I be so calm? I was asked. It was because I knew that God was in Control.

Getting Ready to Preach in Zambia, Central Africa

We heard Friday night that planes were moving again. On Saturday afternoon someone took me to the airline ticket office to see if we could re-schedule. "No flights are allowed into or out of America", they said. I then asked if they could fly me up to Zurich where I could find suitable lodging. They said, "We can fly you to Europe but you cannot stay in Zurich for too many Americans are there now awaiting the first flight back to the USA." So - I booked a flight to Bremerhaven, Germany, where we had friends.

Visiting one of our Missionary Doctors in Uganda

There are many other details which would show you that GOD IS IN CONTROL but time and space and will-power to write are lacking. You, dear friend, would grow weary of reading. Let me just conclude that I was able to get to Zurich and purchase the last seat available on the first airplane allowed to fly from Zurich back to Atlanta. I was home with my wife and children 24 full hours ahead of schedule. Yes - Nine years ago today I knew full well that GOD IS IN CONTROL.

A Visit From Rebecca Jaycox

2010-08-14T09:39:00.008-04:00

It's so hard to believe that Rebecca Jaycox and her first cousin Jessica Durham have graduated from High School and are now entering college. They were born just two or three months apart. Of course a grandfather (or Poppaw as they call me) just can't be expected to remember details like exactly when their birthdays are. It feels like they should now be entering first grade - but then I take another look and they don't look like babies anymore. As you can see from the picture above, Rebecca looks like she had won a long battle and was giving a victory shout!

Here are her two younger sisters who will soon be where Rebecca is now! I'm sure they are going to miss having Becca around to help look after them and also that Rebecca will miss their presence when she is away in College. Aren't they lovely girls?

This was her first time to travel by airplane! Airports can be awfully lonely places when one is far away from home and totally un-familiar with the lay-out. We (her Memaw and me) were all ears to hear as she told us of navigating the length of Hartsfield Airport in Atlanta. Rushing from point A to point B, only to realize that she really needed to be near to point A! ☺ The picture above is of the Chattanooga Airport waiting area. Although there were several other passengers on the little four motor prop-plane that flies from Atlanta to Chattanooga, I was the only person in this waiting area when the plane arrived.

It thrills my heart that our Rebecca wants to spend some time with her grandparents before she goes off to school and into serious studying. She'll be in college about 3 hours away from home. That will worry her parents some, I'm sure - but I'm more confident now than ever that they have instilled the right teachings into her and that she will not forget it. Even the Bible supports that thought with these words from Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he/she should go: and when he/she is old, he will not depart from it." That does not mean there will be no mistakes but it does mean that the child who has God's Word instilled in their hearts will have a solid base of right knowledge to make decisions with. It's hard to let them go - but we have no choice.

Here, left to right, are three of our grand-daughters, standing in front of their Memaw. Rebecca, Jessica and Lydia! We took them all to the Chik-fil-A restaurant at their request for a meal. Afterwards, I wanted a peach milk-shake but could not get any of the girls to say they wanted one. What to do? I bought a large one and got four straws!!!

The peach milk-shake seen on the table with the cherry on top is the kind you want to buy for yourself. Of course it's only available when fresh peaches are in season. It's a fantabulous and refreshing drink!

Ooops! I think we have already eaten the cherry and drunk the whole thing!

Dizzy World

2010-07-24T21:28:00.006-04:00

We have arrived in Kissimmee, Florida! Tired, but safe. This picture was made from our living area. I was standing on the porch and behind me is a pond with signs warning the tourists not to feed the Alligators. They are said to have very rude table manners!

Before daylight, we stopped in Ooltewah, TN to fill up the van. Paul Fritts (seen here pumping gas) had traveled from Tellico Plains on Friday to pick me up at 6:00am. Does he look a little dizzy to you? If you had been up since 4:00am and had slept less than three hours the night before you might look dizzy too.

After arriving in Kissimmee, FL around 5:00pm, we decided to drive over to Wal-mart and pick up a few snacks. It was 9:00p when we got there - and there was an un-believable crowd shopping there. It blew my mind. I've been a lot of places and seen a lot of faces - but have never seen such a crowd of shoppers in a Wal-mart store before, anywhere, at anytime. There were probably 20 check out lanes open and each one had several customers waiting in line to check out.

This is the scene at 9:30p at the check out counter.

My friend (Paul Fritts) had a big smile on his face after we had finally made it through the line!

Then, as if that were not enough, we decided Saturday that we would go to the Golden Corrall. It showed only 4 miles away from us on the GPS...so why not? Can you believe it took us 2 hours to drive that four miles? Everyone, it seemed to me, had decided to go there for dinner. What a crowd.

After standing in line for another thirty minutes, this was the scene inside the Golden Corrall.

By this time I had finished off the meal and was actually feeling dizzy when Paul decided to take this picture! Crowds are awful here on Friday night and Saturday.

There were tour buses coming and going constantly the whole hour and a half we were in the Walmart. About 15 to 20 taxis were also parked near the entrance - with a few of them constantly on the move picking up passengers from the front door with their packages in their hands. What a dizzy crowd! But then I thought - After all - we are here at Dizzy World! Right?

Camp Meeting

2010-06-26T08:58:00.004-04:00

The Preacher Waxing Warm

We've just concluded our annual Church of God in Tennessee Camp-Meeting. For those who may not know: Each year the people from all churches throughout the state gather in one place for five nights of worship of God, fellowship with one another and instruction in the Word of God, the Holy Bible. Now-a-days we have something over 400 churches in this state alone, so you can see that this is a massive undertaking. 3000 to 4000 people attend these services each night. Our speakers were all well known people. Loran Livingston, David Griffis, Tommy Bates, Mark Williams and for the concluding service John Hagee. They were all in top form and had something fresh to share with us. I've never heard them preach any better than they preached this week.

Of course Camp-Meeting now is very different from what it was 70 + years ago when I first started attending. You see, I've been attending Camp-Meetings all of my natural life because my Dad and Mom were pastors before me. This week we were in the sanctuary of our headquarters church (North Cleveland Church of God) which is air-conditioned. PA equipment, at least 3, maybe 4 Video Cameras, keyboards, organ, trained and talented singers all made their good contributions to a pleasant worship experience. Books, CDs and DVDs were on sale in the lobby. There were two overflow areas (totally packed the last night) plus the main sanctuary.

Of course I don't remember all the details of those first years for I was a baby in Mother's arms. I CAN remember much though from the time I was eight years old. I remember hearing Ray Hughes preach about Jesus in a Florida Camp-Meeting at the campground in Wimauma. I can close my eyes and be transported in thought to that place and hear him even now, saying, "Come with me down the via Dolorosa. Let your bare feet touch the cool cobblestone pavement and smell the green moss growing on the stone walls where the sun does not reach it but for moments each day. We are following a noisy crowd as they follow the man called Jesus, who is carrying a rugged old cross on which he will be hanged today......" and on he went describing the crucifixion of Jesus. In my mind I can hear the congregation saying "Amen". I can see the old folks with eyes glued toward the podium, fanning with a cardboard fan that contains advertisement for a funeral home. My folks (Mom, Dad, Grandma Jones, my brothers and baby sister) are all there. It is hot. I can hear someone slap their hand against their legs - swatting mosquitos. The old model A Ford goes by with a tank mounted on back, spraying for mosquitos, chiggers, and any other bugs that might succumb to the fumes made by a mixture with a heavy base of kerosene (called coal oil). In my mind's eye I can see people bowing their heads and coughing as their hands reached for their mouths to stop them from ingesting the bug spray. But I can also remember that no one wanted to leave the open-air tabernacle area during the preaching. When the invitation was given for people to come and pray - we all rushed forward. Everyone was engrossed in the message of Jesus!

There are so many wonderful memories of Camp Meeting. At the Wimauma campground there was a huge bell hung on the back of the tabernacle which was rung about 10 minutes before and again at starting time of each service. In those days there were many campers, camped in tents. Some slept in their cars. Some built one or two room cabins on the property. My grandmother had a cabin which had two rooms. One for cooking and eating - the other for sleeping. The boards on the floor were partially covered by linoleum rugs. We kids slept on a pallet on the floor. Kerosene lanterns served as our light. A "two-burner" kerosene stove served as the kitchen range. An ice-box was filled daily with a 25 pound block of ice. Ahhh... what memories. Singing lessons from V.B. (Vep) Ellis. Music by Vep and Leon Ellis, Vestal Kerce, Arnold Godwin, the Blackwood Brothers, Hovie Lister and the Statesmen, the Speer Family, the Florida Boys with L.G. Beasley, Videt Polk and so many many more.

In Tennessee, the Camp Meetings were also great events. Preachers like Y.W. Kidd, A.V. Beaube, W.E. Johnson, Wade Horton, Paul Henson, T.L. Lowery, Steve Brock, George Alford, Jack and Danny Drake, George Voorhis, Clyde C. Cox, Albert Batts and others too numerous to list. Singing by Connor Hall, Calvin Wigley, Gordon Stallings and his family, Ray Branham family, special choirs, quartets, and solos. My own Mom and Dad were called on to sing at Camp Meetings in Tennessee. If I were to tell the whole story it would be too lengthy for this blog. In fact - I'm going to have to hunt some pictures to help break the monotony of my writing. Smile with me folks.

I must put in just a word for what I have always considered to be the most special part of Camp Meeting: the Morning Bible Study. I always loved the Bible Study better. I never could understand why more people were not in attendance for them. Most times there were half (or less) number of people in the morning study sessions than the night services. They were often not as emotional. Maybe that was the reason. Of course some of our folks work during the day and could only come at night. But Bible Study - sitting under the teaching of those old-timers like David Lemons, George Alford, Albert Batts, etc., was so rich. Some of them could quote verbatim an entire book - like 1st Thessalonians or Timothy or Titus or Malachi - and give such powerful insights into the meaning of the Bible. It was so satisfying to me.

Well - this week was no exception. Mitchell Tolle, a very successful artist who has his own gallery in Berea, Kentucky, gave us masterful teaching based on Psalms 1. It was like a breath of fresh air. He threw down a challenge to us to become radical Christians! I wish you could have heard each session. WOW! Tolle is also the pastor of the Man 'O War Church of God in Lexington, KY. If I'm ever in that area I want to attend and see what the Lord is doing there.

Two Friends Listen; W. Paul Fritts and Edward L. Williams

I'm looking for a place to stop. My Dad taught me that I should learn how to "dismiss" the people and do it smoothly. He would stand and walk to the pulpit and say, "You're dismissed!"
OK. You're dismissed!

Scatterred Thoughts About Change

2010-06-16T08:00:00.008-04:00

"That's The Fred We Knew In Biloxi!" (A quote from Sherry Darnell)

Change Happens! It's as normal as falling off a log. Our President had a good chance of doing what he promised - "seeing change". It happens with him or without him. Someone said, "The more things change the more they remain the same!" And while that may be true to some degree, especially in politics, there are some changes that happen that make a real difference. Many people live longing for change. They feel they are caught in a trap and have a great desire to get out. Some feel trapped in their job, or school, or marriage, or lifestyle. They desire change, talk about change, strive for change, pray for change. But - CHANGE JUST HAPPENS.

We were all once babies. But things changed. WE got older. For some, acne caused us to be called "ugly" and thus some became unpopular or even worse, depressed. Then with maturity the pimples popped and faces smoothed and beauty arose. Cinderella became the queen. Now they young men sought the attention of "my fair lady". Some babies were cute, then changed to "chubby". But things changed further. The baby fat melted and a handsome young man appeared in his teens. Or maybe an awkward and gangly young man appeared. All the girls hung around the handsome one like flies on the apothecary's bottle. This is not the end though...things changed. That full shock of richly colored hair began to turn grey around the temples. This was "more handsome" for some. But in others, some hair turned gray while some hair turned loose. That fat began to re-appear. So much change occurs in some physical bodies until friends you had known as children but haven't seen in 10 to 15 years become unrecognizable.

There's an old saying that seems appropriate for this picture of me and my great-grand-son...... "Time has made a change in me!"

Problems - Privacy, Law Breakers, and The Gulf Disaster

2010-06-11T18:54:00.005-04:00

Have you ever wondered about your privacy here in cyber-space? I'm sure we have some e-mails screened by the government and by some forces out here in cyber-space. To me it's an act of cowardice that doesn't want to face up to honest criticism. I know they do screen things like this from our troops because I got a reply from one I had sent to Lowell's son who is in the Air Force saying something like "this e-mail was not sent because of content". Of course I've lived with this lack of freedom of speech by living in Africa - and watched as news magazines were declared "subversive" material because there was some criticism of their government. I also observed daily newspaper editors being thrown in jail because they had printed material criticizing the president of their country. It was hard for me too - because I had grown up with such incredible freedom of speech. I see the trend in government circles today in our America that high-placed politicians feel themselves above criticism of their people. (i.e., remarks made by the president about the tea-party group, the Arizona governor, and so forth indicate this to me.)

Too, because of paranoia since 9/11, at least in part, our leadership is invading the privacy of it's hard-working citizens. It would not surprise me at all if we move into a "state of emergency" toward the end of Obama's career. That would give him "emergency powers" to continue ruling even though I believe he will be beaten soundly at the ballot box. I've observed it being tried in foreign countries. It always leads to chaos by un-ruly mobs. I'm aware that the Bible predicts these difficult times "in the last days". It is called "Perilous times". Evil men, Difficult men, unruly men are hard to deal with. 2 Tim. 3:13 "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." 2 Tim. 3:1-5 "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

Two major problems are bringing certain disaster to "our way of life" in America. One - the rejection by many of our citizens of the simple rule of law. In Romans 13 we learn that God has placed the "powers that be" into their positions, and the Bible commands (notice I used the word "commands" and not the word "suggests") that Christians should recognize the officer of the law as the minister of God. Our religious leaders are supporting illegal aliens and attempting to throw open the doors as never before and declare the 600,000+ illegal aliens legal so they can collect funding from our social welfare programs - paid for by you and me, the loyal, hard-working and law-abiding citizen. Our President allowed Mr. Calderon, the president of Mexico, to come into this country and state over national TV that he did not like the Arizona law! Have you ever? Can you imagine the reaction that would happen if Mr. Obama went to any other nation and made a statement that he did not like their law? Plus, our President has held the governor of Arizona at arms length and stated he disagrees with the laws of Arizona which says nothing more than what the national immigration law has already said. In my book that means he is saying he does not uphold the law of America, which he swore he would up-hold. God have mercy on America.

Two - The other major problem that I see looming NOW over us is the terrible tragedy occurring in the Gulf Oil Spill. You are probably already seeing trouble on the shores near you in the panhandle of Florida. I do not mean to be an alarmist - but what do we know about oil? It burns, right? Suppose this thing is not plugged for another six months? Oil will be everywhere, soaking in our marshes, up our rivers, into our beaches, tracked into motels and hotels. What if - after saturation - someone starts it to burn? Now I'm not saying it will. But what if?
This thing is going to KILL much of our old way of life. It is going to affect not only the fishermen, the shrimpers, the people who make a livelihood in the sea, but it is going to affect the entire USA's economy. Hotels, Motels, Restaurants, trucking industry, political and social and religious lives will be drastically changed. As I have said before, our President needs to come forward and instead of saying "I'm in charge...I'm holding BP accountable....I'm not going to let this continue", he needs to say something like, "My fellow-citizens. We have a disaster in the Gulf of Mexico that we are trying to control. It has never happened before. We do not know what to do. We need the help of God! So- I am asking you to get on your knees and pray to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may have mercy upon us and give us the understanding of how to solve this problem."
God has the ability to turn the entire situation around. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 He promised that He would "heal our land" if we met His conditions. God can stop the flow of oil, or show some engineer a new device to control it. God can then cause local citizens to turn this disaster into something profitable. I don't know how. But God can. I thought this morning that some people I've known would be gathering up that oil in buckets, soaking papers in it, tying them in bundles and selling them as "Fire starter sticks". Huh? Who knows what God would do if our nation and it's leaders would repent of greed, selfishness, pride, lust, and out-right bold rebellion against the Lord?

Whew! I didn't start out to write such a chronicle - but I'm driven. It is urgent that we get the word out to folks that the only hope for America and for the world in these last days is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

53 Years Ago Today

2010-06-02T08:57:00.007-04:00

Lenoir City, Tennessee - June 2, 1957 - I stood as an 18 year old young man fresh out of boot-camp, trembling inside and standing beside my dream girl and before the preacher! Looking back, I realize I was in a state of mild shock, transfixed, hardly hearing the preacher's words and hoarsely croaking out the words "I Do" at the appropriate moment. Thoughts of "tonight" flying through my head at break-neck speed...I kept trying to focus on the events going on around me on a day that changed my life forever. In a few moments (seemed like hours) all of the ceremony, picture taking, tearful goodbyes from siblings and parents were over and at last we were in the '56 Studebaker (borrowed from Dad) and on our way out of town with several cars following - horns honking, drivers and passengers and waving and shouting, pretending to attempt cutting us off, as the shoes, and cans they had tied to the rear of the car bounced noisily along the road! Somehow - I eluded them all within the first two miles and we drove speedily to the motel owned by some church members where Dad pastored at Ooltewah, Tennessee for our first night together as man and wife! We were so in love. The air in the room was electric. I could hardly contain myself.

Fifty three years later - this morning I went to Chik-fil-A to get two breakfast burritos. Upon returning home I had put the food on the table and sat down to eat. Frances passed my chair and leaned over to give me a kiss on the lips - and the same fire was there in a flash. (Well, the intensity was not as high, but it was the same un-mistakable fire.) I love this woman so much! Thank you God for a wonderful wife. My children and grand-children sometimes get embarrassed at our kissing and hugging - but I'm so thankful for the feelings we have between us. Someone said, "Love is not a feeling". And another said, "Love is what you do...Not what you feel." I agree with those statements - but those moments of ecstasy are also a very important part of what has kept us together.

As you can tell from the pictures, the wedding was performed outside. This was done in front of the living room window of Frances' sister's home on B Street, Lenoir City, TN. My beautiful bride had walked across the street from sister Margaret's home (on B Street) and we stood outside for the ceremony to be performed by Rev. T.R. Morse, our pastor.

Long Distance

2010-05-28T11:17:00.002-04:00

Just this morning I have checked out some area codes found on my cell phone. I discovered that I've received several phone calls lately from persons in SC, MI, NH, and even BC. They do not leave a message. What do we do with these? It goes against my grain not to answer the telephone. Somehow it seems I am being disrespectful. It feels like someone coming to the door of my house and I refuse to answer the door without knowing who is even knocking. It is not the way I was raised. I think: What if it's someone I've met along my life's journey and they are trying to get in touch? Since I've passed out my professional card to hundreds of people from all walks of life while traveling over a million miles, what if it's someone who wants me to come to their area and share the gospel with them? What if...??? a "thousand" questions arise. So why not answer? Because I've had a few calls which were nothing but a machine playing a recorded voice trying to get me to buy something I'm not the least interested in. I've also answered when a persistent salesman/saleswoman on the other end of the line could not understand the meaning of "No!" I've had to get rude, raise my voice, and finally hang up in their mid-sentence. That leaves me feeling as badly as if the person were standing in my living room. I don't know why - but it does.

Technology! I love it. But with it comes it's own set of unique problems. Now you can buy a plan which allows you to place un-limited calls anywhere in the 50 states for a very cheap rate. That's wonderful if you are the person doing the calling. But if it makes us victims of rude and difficult people - it is not so good. Another thought I've picked up somewhere - maybe read in a magazine - how rude the phone has made the normally nice person to be. Go to an office and sit at a desk with someone in business. Or sit in a pastor's office telling him your problems. Right in the middle of an important message you are trying to convey - the phone rings. The person behind the desk (tho he/she may have an answering machine) will turn, pick up the phone, say quietly to you "Excuse me"...and take care of the problem or request of the person calling in. Then they turn back to you with the smile of a Cheshire cat and say "Mmmm... You were saying?" Well now - it's un-fair to say that ALL people behave that way - but FAR TOO MANY do.

So what am I gonna do? Answer the phone even if I don't know who is calling? Or wait and let them leave a message on my answering machine? Or wait until they call back from the same number half a dozen times before answering the phone? Or should I answer at all if I do not recognize the numbers?

Correct me if I'm wrong - but I plan to continue with present policy. I'll look at the phone to see who is calling and if I don't recognize the number or see a familiar name, I will let them leave a message. If they leave a message I may call back.

Immigration Questions - Again!

2010-05-23T21:12:00.004-04:00

We have a horrendous task before us if we settle the question of "Border Control"! Since I last blogged on this subject, I have had some facebook friends who took exception to some of my statements about keeping the law. It's o.k. with me for them to take exception. We shall remain friends and shall continue to discuss our feelings frankly and without malice towards one another. (At least that's my desire.) For me - the debate over the Arizona law is about law and not about race-relations. As I see it the Bible calls on the followers of Christ to pray for those in authority and to support the officer of the law as we would a minister of Christ. Some who read my thoughts immediately jump to the conclusion that I must not love the aliens. So I must write a few things more in hopes it will clarify my position.

First, Loving the alien is one thing I do. We Christians must love all men, regardless of race, creed or color. Christ taught us to love our neighbor as ourselves. However, This discussion is not about "Apartheid" (a word out of South Africa that means "Apart Life"). My contention is that this is not about "being kind to the Samaritans". It is about breaking the immigration law. Crossing the borders into the USA without a passport and visa... is a crime. It is not a matter of racial prejudice.

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned within his own country. He had a right to fight against being treated unjustly. However – my feeling is that for us to illegally cross into the borders of South Africa and try to overturn the laws of that country is wrong. I do not feel that we have the right to go into Mexico and try to change the laws that we do not agree with. As a missionary working in Africa for many years I saw many laws I considered unjust and unfair but I had better understanding than to become involved in trying to change those laws. If missionaries attempt to get involved in political change they will most likely be dealt with harshly and rapidly. In the same manner, I feel that aliens who come here should not get involved politically until they become nationalized citizens.

Someone said, "The Christian conscience is always in a dialectical tension between laws of the land and the commandments of God." I know of no law/s here in America that makes you and me unable to keep the commandments of God. I do not see “dialectical tension” but I do see signs of "dialectical materialism".

I liked this statememt that someone wrote, "We are obligated to peacefully and prophetically live out our conscience. I liked their emphasis on PEACEFULLY and PROPHETICALLY! Someone lifted up Martin Luther King's strong move against some un-fair laws in the '60s. I like MLK’s position of non-violence but again, we are not dealing with apartheid or racial issues here. We are dealing with immigration and law violators. We are talking about obeying or violating the laws of the land which require a person to have a passport and visa.

I read the National Association of Evangelicals statement advocating immigration reform and some of the Council of Bishops of the Catholic Church supporting an "open door" policy. It seems to me the NAE and Catholic Council support people of any and every economic and social background, saying that they have the right to cross our borders in violation of the law and take jobs so they can send money home to their families while American workers are un-employed. In these arguments I find the issue of economics. Tithing is also a matter of economics. Pastors can be motivated by the concern for the lost souls of immigrants (from whatever country) and seek to point them to Christ. However, I fear that not all escape the economic motivations.

To reform and to refine is good. To allow persons to cross into our borders and be financed by our social welfare systems to the tune of billions of dollars a year – and neglect our own natural born citizens is not good. As someone said, "To reform is not to over-throw." It is to "re-form" and make better what seems to be broken.

REFORM: I very much liked one of the things that was said in our discussion. “To reform is not to over-throw”. Yet I see reports on TV and the Internet where illegal aliens are getting together to march in our streets. They speak against our right to control our own borders. I do not see how they can be compared with Martin Luther King or Nelson Mandela at all. When a person crosses into our borders without legal papers to do so, they immediately become criminals and are subject to the law.

Someone referred to "Shadrack, Meshach, and Abendago as well as Daniel" as examples of those who broke un-just laws and were aliens in a foreign land. These men are great Biblical examples to follow. I suggest that if we followed their example to the letter and allowed God to vindicate us that we might have a testimony worthy of the Church of God Evangel (our official in-house news publication). Or think of the action of the King who had Daniel thrown into the lions den. He had a law and felt obligated to carry out the law. He worried and prayed and anxiously went to the lion's den next morning, lifted ujp his voice and asked, "Oh Daniel, is your God able to deliver you?" Of course Daniel had been protected - but I ask you - would God have protected him if he had lied to the King and denied that he had violated the law?

That said, when we break the law there are always consequences and those aliens who break our laws face consequences when they are caught, whether the laws seem just or not. It is for the law to deal with them in that respect. Our part (in my opinion) is to follow what is put down in the law as much as it does not violate God's law. If I understand the "new" AZ law, it simply requires that anyone must show proof of their right to be in this country when asked by the proper authorities. I have had to "show proof" multiplied times while traveling within foreign countries. I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of feeling that I should be above this law. I also know how easy it is to feel that I should not have to cooperate with every officer who asks for my identification. No matter how inconvenient it was for me - Yet, it was required by the law!

Let me point out that Shadrack, Meshack, Abednego and Daniel all were standing up for a spiritual matter; and not a civil one. There is no stretch of the imagination whereby we can compare those men with the law-breakers of today. I submit that had the law been one that would have brought financial stress to these “poor men”, we would have read a whole different story. They would have quietly trusted God to supply all their needs according to His riches in glory.

Let me close by saying – I will continue to love the souls of all men – criminal or law-abiding - regardless of race or legal status. Their soul is the highest priority. When given the opportunity I will teach them to be men/women of integrity and honesty and not to forever be fugitives from the civil law and to put God's Word to the test.

The Gardens In Tennessee

2010-05-20T16:47:00.005-04:00

Frances is proud of her brother Frank's gardening skills!

Fresh onions, lettuce, and cabbage all came from Frank's garden.

What a blessing to have a brother-in-law (Frank Hildreth) who likes to garden! And - it's even better that he likes to share the produce grown with family and friends. Yesterday, since we were getting together with two of Frances' brothers and one sister and all their spouses for an evening meal at the Outback in Chattanooga, he came to our house early and brought a bag full of "the first-fruits" from this year's work and said something like "This is for the preacher who married us last year!." He must have been reading the book of Exodus in his Bible because that's where God laid down the principle of honoring him with these words: Exodus 23:19 "The first of the firstfruits of thy land thou shalt bring into the house of the Lord thy God..." Thank you Frank and Jan!

For those that may not know - Frank's first wife died almost two years ago and new wife Jan works for the state of Tennessee and is working in Chattanooga this week. She's a sweet lady and we all love her. We get together with them whenever work brings her down our way.

That paragraph reminded me of the radio preacher I heard once. While preaching on Malachi 3:10 he said, "People's always a askin me wher th storehouse is - I'll tell ya wher it is - It's rat 'cheere in my hip pocket!" Of course we know that the storehouse is in God's house. But then that's another separate blog. lol.

Frank tells us that as a boy he hated gardening with a passion (or anything that would be called work). His Dad, however, would make him help dig up the ground, plant the crops and weed the garden too. Frank told us that his Dad would "whip" him if he acted like he didn't want to garden much. "One day", Frank said, "I asked Daddy how much money he would have to have to sell the lot where we were working. Daddy, brightened up and said, 'Well, son, for you ... uh ... If you had this lot, what would you do with it?'" Frank paused for impact. "If I owned it we wouldn't plant anything on it!" And what did Daddy do? Reached for a limb ... with the words, 'Boy! I'll wear you out!" Now you can see the longing in his eye as he tells that story - then asks in wistful tones, "Reckon Daddy knows how much I love it now?"

Shortly after Frank's arrival, we were joined by Elizabeth (Frances' sister) and her husband Curtis Fritts. We all went to the local Chick-fil-A and had a light lunch...then Curtis and Beth were off to Hamrick's in Ft Oglethorpe, GA to shop. We (Frank, Frances and I) went back to our house where Frank proceeded to give me some pointers about gardening. My five little tomato plants are doing o.k. - and the grapes we transplanted last fall are showing some signs of life. No grapes forming yet, but there are some new branches popping out on 6 of the 10 vines. We discovered that bugs were already hungrily attacking some of the leaves and at Frank's recommendation I applied some Seven-Dust.

Frank, Elizabeth, Curtis at Chick-fil-A

All five of us at Chick-fil-A, courtesy of folks at the table next to us!

We had a wonderful (wonder-full) visit at the house - then drove down to Chattanooga to eat dinner together at the Outback. As usual, I over-ate, and needed some Gaviscon! I don't eat that much...just the 9oz.steak and fries with a salad and sweet tea. No dessert. Honest! Although four others ordered ice-cream and chocolate I did not eat a single bite of it. Oh - and I did have a cup of de-caf coffee while they ate their desserts.

Mother's Day

2010-05-11T19:10:00.004-04:00

Frances cooked a wonderful meal from this venison! In the above picture I had begun cutting the meat from the bone. By adding two small pork roasts, then covering the deer with a pound of bacon it was cooked in the oven for two and a half hours on low heat. It came out sooooo tender and good!

While we were working on the meal on Saturday, this lovely bouquet of roses came from our youngest daughter (Tabitha) who lives in Watertown New York! Wish you all could have seen Frances excitement as she opened them.

Another scene of meat preparation.

I took Mom with me to Church Sunday Morning to the Tellico Plains Church of God. She is always such a blessing and is loved and respected by everyone there. She then joined us at our dining room table for the Mother's Day Meal. Our daughters (Frankie and Ruthie) and their families were also there for the meal in honor of their Mother, Frances.

How's That Working Out For Ya?

2010-05-11T19:06:00.001-04:00

I heard our pastor use that phrase from the pulpit recently - and I think it's a quote from Dr. Phil. He said, "How's that working out for ya?" I'm being asked that question a lot lately as it regards my retirement. My response varies - from a simple "thumbs-up" signal and broad smile - to a lengthy speech, talking about the many reasons I am enjoying retirement.

Some things I have learned:
1) I am busier than I have ever been in my life . . . or I have nothing to do that has to be done today! The choice is mine.
2) There are no more off-days, sick leave days, holidays, week-ends or vacations. . . I am permanently on vacation.
3) Social Security helps. . . medi-care helps... having had a good financial planner (my wife) helps. I've sometimes referred to her as my "Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Finance".
4) Good health is a prerequisite for enjoying retirement ... I'm glad I took some days out of the office and tried to keep all muscles moving.
5) I go hunting and/or fishing whenever the mood strikes me.
6) I love having my children and grand-children drop by to hug on me and their grandmother.
7) God has provided for me. I do not live in opulence - but have sufficient for each day.
8) It's great - I'm still married to the same woman I married 52+ years ago. I'm passionate with love for her! She is the most exciting woman I've ever known.
9) I have a few people who still thank me for performing their marriage ceremony in my role as a Christian minister. One such couple whom I married over thirty years ago called last week.
10) I have a few people who will occasionally call me to say that I made a difference in their understanding of the Bible through my preaching and Bible teaching.
11) I enjoy really good health. Yes, there is the occasional arthritic pain and some few signs of aging - but I take no medicines that I MUST have on a daily basis. Don't mis-understand, I take a baby aspirin daily, a vitamin, an anti-histamine, and an antacid for those times when I over-eat.
12) I am ready if Jesus should come today. My sins have been forgiven by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ Jesus at Calvary!

So - I say - That's working out FINE for me!

Jack Tells The Story

2010-04-28T09:09:00.004-04:00

FINALLY~! It loaded and you can now see it here. Jack Darnell, a master storyteller in action! It was my first time using the Casio Camera to try and capture all - then rendered it with the Sony Vegas program. Hope you like it.

Story Tellers And A Video

2010-04-24T17:18:00.009-04:00

The video refused to load. These pictures were made the same evening!

This is a case for storytelling. I've heard some folk try to tell a story and somehow, it just wouldn't come out right. I've tried to tell stories in my preaching - but only stories that relate to the subject and make a valid point. At times my story fell apart - or I would forget something significant in setting the basis for the story. Sometimes the Lord helped me in spite of myself! Storytelling is a major form of passing down history in many tribes of Africa where I've worked for the last 20 years. By telling stories th

I've heard some say that storytelling is becoming a lost art in America - but I beg to differ. Storytelling abounds in our modern video world. TV and the Internet are taking over. The attention span of our children seems shorter and shorter. On one of our TV channels, (AMC, I think) they state frequently, "Story Matters Here". I've heard a few folks criticize "storytellers" versus what they call "Bible Preachers"... and on the surface their reasoning sounds good. It goes something like this: "The Bible is meant to be preached. I don't want to hear a bunch of stories. I just want to hear the Bible. If it's not in the Bible I don't want to hear it in the pulpit. Just stick to the Word of God and don't try to tell me one of your stories." Do they forget that the Bible is a collection of stories? Do they forget that Jesus often used parables (stories) with which He explained the Word of God to common people?

One of the best preacher's I have ever known personally was F. J. (Joe) May. He could get the attention of an audience and drive home a Biblical point using stories of everyday life. He was my teacher at the Seminary when I studied Expository Preaching and we students loved hearing his personal stories. Sometimes we thought we were "getting him off the lesson" but his stories inevitably proved beneficial to our goal of learning how to preach from the Bible. I've also heard him minister in state Camp Meetings and in local church Bible Studies. There are others, too numerous to list. Billy Sunday Myers, Jake Roberts, C.B. Donahue, John D. Nichols, Gene D. Rice, are just a few. Other great preachers I've been fortunate to know and hear are men like Ray H. Hughes, Paul Henson, George Alford, Wade H. Horton, F.W. Goff, R. Leonard Carroll, and of course, My Dad, Louis A. Brannen and my Mother, Bonnie Jones Brannen and her Mother, Lula Lee Jones. I'm sure I'm leaving out somebody very special to me - but that is not because of a lack of love nor for a lack of respect. It is because of a lack of a good memory.

A few weeks ago, a man I've known for fifty years came through and visited us at our regular family Bible Study time. I had no idea how well he could tell a story, although I knew he was an author who has written several books. We also knew he had done "chalk talk" sermons and "kids crusades" back in the day. We had confidence in Jack Darnell - so we asked him to share a Bible story with our family. Our grand-daughter, Chloe, was engrossed as he told the story of the angel's visit to Manoah And His Wife (the parents of Samson). As you watch the video you will see that even the older ones present (including my Mom) were also very focused on every word from this master storyteller. I'm so glad I captured this brief video of his storytelling.

Oh well - - - I've just received an error message saying that my video would not upload. I'll try again. If you don't see it, you know I couldn't get it to load.

Immigration

2010-04-14T21:10:00.002-04:00

It has been proposed by some that people of any nation should be allowed to freely cross the borders of the U.S.A. without presenting proper identification, i.e., passport and visa. After all - who set these boundaries? Who really owns the land? Do people not have the right to pursue peace and happiness backed by good paying jobs? It was reported to me that the Maasai (a tribe in Kenya, East Africa) believed for years that all the land belongs to God. Cattle belongs to man. Cows, sheep, and women and children were their property. As long as there was water and sustenance they stayed in one place. When the grazing lands grew thin - it was time to move on. No one stopped them as long as they could find grazing land with water. Nowadays, however, the Maasai are laying legal claims to land in the courts of Kenya. Governments have found laws necessary to civil society.

Now it is being claimed by some that people who work for the government are "harassing" those who do not meet the conditions prescribed by law. They are accused of being unjust and oppressive. It's like a soccer coach being told that he is oppressive because he applies the rules of the game and penalizes a player who committed foul play. Rules/laws are a must if we are to live alongside each other. Romans 13 gives some basic rules for maintaining peaceful and orderly lives. So what is the responsibility of the Church to illegal aliens? Must we support them and help them? Or are we duty bound to protect them?

While I do love every immigrant (even those who are illegal) I do not feel that we are obligated by the Holy Bible to protect them and allow them to break the immigration laws. Yes, the Bible teaches that every individual is loved by God and is a person of worth. There is no one worth more - and there is no one worth less. As the song we learned in Sunday School says, "Red and Yellow, Black and White, all are precious in His sight!" This issue is not about race. This issue is about rules. Should we, or should we not obey or be subject to the civil law of the country in which we live and work?

One of the issues here is civil obedience to the law of a country. As many of you are aware, I have been a missionary, working in a foreign field. When I went to any of the many countries I have been to as a missionary I always did my best to obey all of their laws, including immigration laws. I made my presence known. I presented my passport and visa as required. I paid all taxes required by the host government. I felt that this was a Biblical obligation according to Romans 13. While some seem to believe that they have the right to dis-obey the law in order to be missionaries, I have not (in the past) nor can I now, advocate sending a missionary into a country illegally. I'm aware that there are some of my good respectable brethren who feel it is o.k. to go "undercover" as missionaries. I have no axe to grind with them; no quarrel with them. They do not have to give an account to me. However, I prefer to obey the laws of the countries involved.

One more point - on immigration laws here in America - I have some Christian brothers who are illegal aliens here in America. I'm convinced that they have accepted Jesus Christ as their only Savior and they trust him to go to heaven when they die. There are also some Christian brothers, saved by the same Lord Jesus Christ who work for the United States border patrol. They have a job to do. Just as in the case of the coach who calls the rules of the ball game, I cannot call them oppressive when they act on the orders of their government.

Friends, Relatives and Birds

2010-03-19T19:54:00.009-04:00

A Gorgeous day outside today - and we had an appointment to have lunch with a brother-in-law and his wife at Logans. Great food, too much food, then coffee and pleasant conversation. I love being retired because I had no need to rush back to the office. It was a wonderfully leisurely day. Dewain and Debbie live about 30 minutes away so we get this opportunity occasionally. He's retired from being Comptroller of Children's Hospital in New Orleans - right after Katrina.

This Mourning Dove and a mate have been playing in the kitchen
window for the last few days. They will come from the tree to the window, Coo-cooo-coooo, then fly back to the tree. I have seen one of them carrying straw and various items into this tree to build a nest. They are beautiful - but will not hold still for the photo I wanted to get.

I'm not sure - but I think this is a Carolina Wren. Several of them have been hopping about in the grass, picking up worms, then flying to the window of my office. I put out a few crumbled crackers to entice them up close for a picture. Worked like a charm.

Tennessee's state bird, the Mockingbird, also loved the crackers and was more aggressive in coming up close to take them. This one espied the camera right away and split-seconds later flew away. I love watching them. Maybe, just maybe, I'll go out and buy some bird-seed.

This is a side view of the same Mocking-bird. Tra la la, tra la la, tra la la, tweedle dee dee dee - oh what a thrill to wake up in the morning on Mocking-bird Hill.

This squirrel has a bobbed tail. Not sure what happened - could have been that black cat that roams the neighborhood - or a dog - or even a "snap trap"...but something definitely got it's tail. This is the third year we've seen the same squirrel feeding around our

Right after we left Logan's Roadhouse, I took my wheelhorse out to have it serviced. Sitting up all winter (yes, out in the open) the steering is "locked". Probably from rust? At any rate it was impossible to steer it, so have to have it repaired soon as the grass is starting to speak to me about needing to be kept trimmed. A friend had asked me to take his weed-eater to the repair shop when I took my mower - but I forgot all about it. Hopefully he'll forgive me.

Below are three snaps of the city of Cleveland's "Green-way", a very nice walking trail of over two miles - along Mouse Creek. We have been blessed and now own the lot between here and the road behind our house so we have this gorgeous view 24/7!

Litter-bugs and Bitter-bugs

2010-03-13T11:28:00.005-05:00

LITTER-BUGS. What do you do when you meet a litter-bug? Do you enjoy seeing the landscape covered in litter? Very few things in the natural world are more repulsive to me than to see litter scattered over an otherwise beautiful landscape. Now don't mis-interpret...I could not (by any stretch of the imagination) be called a "neat-freak". But I do hate to drive down the highway and see empty cans, and bottles, and carry-out lunch boxes from KFC, Mickey D's, and a myriad of other fast food places. I never allowed myself or my family to throw things out of the vehicle onto the landscape. When my children were young and we traveled I kept a litter-bag in the car and taught them never to throw even the smallest items out of the car window. Now I love the outdoors. Hunting and trout fishing have been a part of my life from my earliest years. I didn't see that much litter as a child. Yes, there was some...but nothing like what I have seen lately. Maybe because the old timers didn't have the throw-away items we have today but I do not remember seeing so much litter when I was young. Lately I've pushed back several miles into some of our beautiful national forests, thinking, 'maybe this is virgin timber' when suddenly down the trail my eyes would fall on a rusting coke can. I can't explain what that does to me but it's a little like eating a lovely meal and finding a waitress' hair in the food. It's distasteful. Un-pleasant. I want to gag. I DON'T LIKE LITTER-BUGS!!

BITTER-BUGS. Now bitter-bugs are far more distasteful than litter-bugs. With litter-bugs, they never caused me to want to spread my litter. In fact, I have spent hours picking up other people's litter in places I had never been to before, and carrying it out of the woods to my pickup and taking it to a dumpster. No - not everytime - but a few times that has happened. Now - the BITTER-BUG is a different story. I find that when I'm in the presence of a bitter-bug I am prone to join him/her in their bitterness. I have been bitten by the bitter-bug and it caused me to spread the bitterness Once I felt that a fellow-minister who was over me in the Lord had lied to me. I was hurt. I began to tell it to others. It grew as I talked. Soon I was pouring out poison into any ear who would listen to my tale of woe. One of my fellow-ministers stopped me in mid-sentence and said, "Fred, I don't want to hear this!" It was like a slap in the face. I finished the task I was working on at the time and went to the woods to pray and repent and soon felt I had the victory. I'll never forget - soon after that I was complaining bitterly about some of the members of my church to one of my pastor friends and he stopped me and said, "Fred. I have to tell you something. You are never going to be successful in this church nor any other church until you learn to love your people!" It was a shock to me. I realized I still didn't have the victory over that critical attitude. Oh how I have thanked God many times over for that encounter and the repenting and praying it caused me to do.

I DETEST BITTER-BUGS because they put poison in your spirit. I love them, but I don't like the wailing and woes of bitterness they cause me to endure. Unlike litter on a landscape which cannot grow in and of itself, bitter thrown out on a spirit will multiply! No wonder the Scripture says in Hebrews 12:15 "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;" I do not claim mastery of the subject yet, but (God being my helper) I am resolved not to be bitten by the BITTER-BUG! Therefore I do not listen long to them. I do not ask them questions in an effort to gain more knowledge of their "juicy" causes for gossip. In fact I'm going to do what Paul recommended to the Ephesian Church in Ephesians 4:31: ?Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:"

Signs of Spring

2010-03-10T08:02:00.008-05:00

This was Frances after returning from Church on Sunday, March 8, 2010. She was having a good day. Isn't that a radiant smile on a beautiful woman's face? All of the people at church loved and hugged on her because they had not seen her in several months. It had been a year since her heart by-pass surgery and (from her appearance this day) she was well on the way to being completely healed.

Here, if you observe very carefully, you can see one of the fishermen I saw fishing from the bank of the Hiwassee river. The dam below here (at Chattanooga) hss been opened to let water through during the winter - then the spring rains will fill it up! It will probably come up at least 10 feet.

This boat is the only one I saw on the water in about three hours. It reminds me that I need to get my boat in for service before long. When I last used it, I noticed that the boat was taking on an unusual amount of water when big boats passed me while I had stopped to fish. It took me forever to figure it out...but someone had borrowed my boat last year and changed the hose connection so that when I turn on the bilge pump it pumps bilge water into my live well. And he thought he was "fixing" the boat. Arrrrrrghhhh!

There is a cave on the side of the river, directly across from the "ole' swimmin' hole that I have noticed before. I want to explore it, but have not taken the time for doing that. There are many such caves throughout Tennessee. I remember a church member of Dad's in Middle Tennessee (at Campaign) who used to get his drinking water from a cave in a 50 gallon drum. Caves are interesting places. In most caves the temperature is relatively stable - meaning "cool in the summer" and "warm in the winter".

Ye Ole' Swimmin' Hole!

I have many many many pleasant memories of going to the "Swimmin' Hole". Not this exact place, but in similar places in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida our Daddy took us swimming. This might be a good blog subject at a later date.

I drove out to the Hiwassee River yesterday, March 9, just to get out of the house. It seemed like I was about to go "stir crazy" after such weather for the past month or so. Of course I have been out - but not as much as I like to be. nor for the reasons I most enjoy. I've been to the store to buy groceries. I've been out to eat lunch with my girl-friend. I've been to church. But I like to get out and "ramble". No appointment. No deadline to meet. Just see a road and drive down it. See an interesting looking trail (whether an approved hiking trail or not) and get out and walk. The weather was 70 degrees the day before (Monday) and it had made me want to be out on the river or out in the open. It was shining enough that Frances had opened the kitchen door to let the sunshine into the house - through the storm door. I suggested to Frances during breakfast that we should take some weiners and a cold drink and go to the river where I could build a camp-fire and have lunch of hot dogs and chili on the river. She declined. So ... sometime after lunch I "took off" by myself to ramble along the rivers edge. I did find a few people out. The key to that sentence was "few". There was one boater that I saw. As I drove along the river south of Charleston I observed two guys fishing from the bank. Checked out the "ole swimmin' hole" and
saw that someone has nailed "steps" onto a tree trunk that hangs over the water. When the water comes up six more feet (and it will soon) this will be a wonderful place to play in the water. Directly across the road from that site is what I believe to be a cave. Altho I have noticed it before, I have yet to check it out. Maybe this summer I will.

Here is a sign of Spring! Look at this lovely creature! And God sent her to be my wife!

Five Years

2010-02-15T07:52:00.006-05:00

Chloe Jean Crockett celebrated her 5th birthday last week. It caused me to reflect on many changes that have occurred in my life of that short amount of time. The day she was born I was leaving for an appointment in South Georgia. I was so glad she came about an hour before I had to leave town. Memaw (Frances) and I were in the room at the time the baby came. Looking back - I can see the hand of God from day one of this child's life. She is so sensitive and aware of God. (That's Chloe in the green outfit) Of course she has much growing and learning to do - but is well on her way to being a true servant of the living God. I've heard it said that Catholics say, "Give us a child until it is seven years of age and it will always be a Catholic." The Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) Ruthie and Curtis Crockett are doing a masterful job of raising this child in church and teaching her the ways of the Lord. Thank you Ruthie and Curtis.

The day Chloe visited with us we had a birthday present ready. She brought along one of her neice's, so Memaw made sure that Caitlin Crockett had a gift too. She's a big-hearted grandmother. She has 7 biological grand-children plus 2 step grand-children; and 2 biological great-grandchildren plus 8 step great-grands. (I think I've counted them all). :D

The highlight for me was when the two girls picked up a story book and brought it to me, asking me to read to them. Of course I was delighted to read for them. They both amaze me.

That's Caitlin sitting on my right knee (in pink) and Chloe on my left knee (in green). What a wonderful feeling. Chloe is our grand-daughter. Caitlin is our great-grand-daughter.

Missionaries Freed In Haiti

2010-02-11T22:49:00.001-05:00

News on the internet today says that the 10 missionaries who had been arrested on kidnapping charges for trying to take 30 plus children out of the country illegally are now free to leave that island nation. Thank God for the ability of the judge to see the true hearts of those well-meaning persons.

It just goes to show though, that good intentions alone can land a person in a heap 'o trouble! I remember hearing a saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions." Hopefully this type incident will never, ever happen again. This brings up the question of whether a Christian with the mandate of Jesus to "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature" has the right to violate the law in order to "obey God". We are faced with the same dilemna when illegal aliens look to the church for refuge from the Border Patrol. In my view WE MUST OBEY THE LAW! If a law is un-just, there are ways to work to have that law changed - but until then, even tho I risk being redundant, WE MUST OBEY THE LAW.

I'm sure there are many who will disagree with me. However, I strongly believe that Romans 13 gives clear instructions that Christians are to obey the laws of the land of their citizenry.

Romans 13:1-7
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. [2] Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. [3] For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: [4] For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. [5] Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. [6] For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. [7] Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour."

In discussing this passage of scripture there are always those who will ask me if I always obey the law of the land. My response is, "I am subject to the law of the land." Inevitably someone will point out that I break the speed law from time to time. Still, I am subject to the law. When/if I speed, and an officer pulls alongside me and asks me to pull over - I do not hesitate to pull over. I do not "run" or try to escape. I stop. I obey the officer's every command. If he writes me a ticket, I simply appear before the proper authorities and pay the fine. I have had to pay three speeding tickets in my life and that is because I am subject to the law of the land. I'm going to be 72 years old in July and got my first license when I was 16.

I am also strongly opposed to paying bribes...but that should be the subject of a separate blog lest I bore everyone with posts that are too lengthy.