Tag Team Teaching

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!