Thoughts of Appreciation

Yesterday, I had opportunity to do some hospital ministry to a gentleman whom I have only recently met, and to a family I formerly served as pastor.

Both were pleasant visits. The one gentleman was recovering from open heart surgery, and the other lady had gone through hip replacement.

The visit with the latter brought back so many memories. These folks were friends of my parents. My father had been their pastor in a country church many years ago, and it had been my privilege to serve the same church for four years in the early 80's. It was my second pastorate, and as I look back on those days, so long ago, my heart fills with appreciation for the congregations of that church, and others, who took a chance on me, and gave me opportunity to serve God, while learning and gaining valuable "on the job training".

I suppose that with the first three churches I served, it helped that I shared my father's name. I was certainly short on experience, and slowly gaining theological education, and I had a large set of footprints in which to walk. Two of the churches were small, "country" churches, but they gave me wonderful opportunity to learn what it means to minister to people. I had a couple of great teachers in my Dad and my other spiritual father, Carl Vallance, but there is nothing that can compare with learning by doing.

I am so thankful for the boost of encouragement I received from Bro. Vallance. He had been my pastor since I was two years old, and was a dear friend to my Mom and Dad. He was a great example to several young preacher boys who were called into ministry from his pastorates. One thing I appreciate about him so much is that he would give us ample opportunity to preach. I know some of those messages must have been tough to endure back there in the early 70's (some of them still probably are!), but he was such an encourager to me.

I am also very appreciative of other church members like the late Ray Wilcox and Deacons like the late Grant Chaffin who always had words of encouragement for a young would be expositor of the Word.

Having served six churches over the past 40 years of pastoral ministry, it is a joy to know that I never left any of those churches under bad circumstances. I have always felt welcome to "come back home" at any time, and have had opportunity to worship with all of them on occasion after leaving.

Even though the family I visited yesterday has their own pastor, (and I would never suppose to intrude on their relationship) it was nice to feel as though there was still a bond that tied our hearts together. I pray that I can be a blessing to some of my former church members in the future. Most of them have been a wonderful blessing to me!

My Spiritual Birthday

I miss my friend, Rick Rakes. He's been gone now for more than three years. He was known to those of us in the Huntington East High School Class of '68 as "Ricky". I didn't know him real well back in those days, but got to know him well about 10 years ago, when God brought us together after all those years.

Rick served as chairman of the pastor search committee that brought me to Westmoreland Baptist Church. In the years that followed, we grew very close. Cancer took him from us far too soon, but I cherish many memories of Rick and our time together at WBC. He served as Church Treasurer and as a Deacon. I think of him often.

I especially remember Rick today. This is the day that I could always count on receiving a birthday card from Rick. He did it every year!

Now, to family and friends who know me well, I know you are probably thinking, "Your birthday is in October." It's true that I celebrate my first birthday eleven days before Halloween, but March 15th is my second birthday. That is the day I experienced the New Birth.

I was born the first time about 2:00 AM on October 20, 1950 in Holden, WV. My name was duly recorded in the clerk's office at the Logan County Courthouse and the West Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics. The Adkins and Stidham families rejoiced when Caudle and Patsy's first son came into the family. I was there, of course, that night, but I don't remember a thing about it, other than what I have been told.

My second birth also came in the wee hours of the morning. It was March 15, 1969. Mom and Dad happened to be there also that night, and I remember everything about it. There was no note taken at the Cabell County Courthouse that night, but that was the night that my name was written down in "the Court House in Glory"!

I had grown up a PK (Preacher's Kid) and had been going to church since 9 months before I ever saw the light of day. I knew many of the songs in the hymnal from memory, and could repeat details of numerous Bible stories I had heard for the past 19 years. I had the Sunday School faithful attendance pin, knew most of the "spiritual jargon", and had even been baptized by my dad and my grandfather in the Ohio River - but I was lost.

"Lost" is not a word we use in church much anymore, but it is one of the most accurate adjectives there is to describe my spiritual condition. I had been a church member since age eleven, but sadly, I had no personal relationship with God. My life was very busy. It was my Freshman year at Marshall University. My time was spent revolving around music, liberal political causes, school work (Poly Sci major) , writing poetry, and, of course, girls! I worked as an assistant manager at a fast food restaurant, and there were just not enough hours in the day. I was in my prime, and I was going to enjoy every ounce of life.

But in quiet times, I knew I was lost. There was a void in my life, which nothing seemed to fit or fill, no matter how hard I tried. And I did try! But late at night, the emptiness would hit home, and my inner being ached for something more, something with meaning.

Perhaps that is why God waited till 2:00AM to be able to get my attention. I was dead tired from the long day of school, work, and dating, but instead of being asleep before my head hit the pillow, (my usual late night condition) sleep fled from me that night.

Looking back, I realize that there was no great crisis, nor dramatic event that night which led me to think about spiritual things. But I could think of nothing else!

I lay there on my back in my bed, staring straight into the blackness of the night. Something was gnawing away at my spirit. I know now, that it was simply the Holy Spirit, dealing with my godless heart. He was doing his work of conviction, and I was feeling it full force.

In my mind's eye I saw the familiar picture of Christ on the cross. I'd seen variations of that depiction thousands of times, but for the first time I saw it in a new light. His eyes pierced my soul. Even though I knew the story by heart, for the first time ever it hit me. He did that for me. He died in my place! It should have been me on that cross.

Suddenly the scriptures I had heard all my life began rushing back to my memory. Concepts of Grace, Peace, Forgiveness and Love became vividly alive to me. It was Love in the eyes of Jesus that I saw that night. It was love beyond any I had ever known, and deeper than I could fathom. It broke me that night. It broke my heart that God could love me so much that He would give Himself as a ransom for me.

I went into mom and dad's bedroom, crying, and woke them. (must have scared them half to death) I asked them to pray with me, and they did. It had nothing to do with them praying, but everything to do with me trusting Jesus, turning from my way to His way, and receiving the peace that surpasses anything in this world. That night I was born again - born into the family of God. It sealed my eternal destiny, and changed the course of my earthly life from that day forward.

Was His Grace irresistible that night? I can't answer that for sure, but looking back over these past 43 years, I have to say that I'm not really sure that I could have resisted that pure love, and the powerful drawing of His Spirit.

I do know this... He is mine and I am His. I am loved. I am forgiven. I am a recipient of Grace so amazing. I have abundant life. I have eternal life. I have peace. My destiny is sure.

Today is my spiritual birthday. I am thankful for the first one, but without the second one, the first one would have not been worth anything of lasting value.

My old buddy Rick understood that. I miss not receiving his card today, but I glory in the thought that because of the second birth... I'll see him again one day... in the presence of our Lord.

Spiritual Blindness

If you are a follower of Christ, allow me start this post by asking you a few questions. Aren’t you glad you are a Christian? Isn’t it a
blessing to have a personal relationship with Almighty God through His Son Jesus? Can anything in this world compare to the comfort and presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? Do you long for the time when you will be
able to be in His presence for eternity, in a place where there is no more sorrow, pain, sickness, and death?

The answers are obvious.

There is nothing that can compare with the joy, peace, comfort and
security of knowing Christ!

Why then, isn’t EVERYONE a follower of Christ? Why wouldn’t others want to know the
satisfaction of a life in Him – life abundant – life eternal?

Have you ever asked those questions? I have. It seems incomprehensible that anyone would forego the myriad blessings of being a recipient of Grace so amazing.
And yet they do. Hundreds, and thousands, and millions of our family members, friends, and fellow human beings are living empty lives of spiritual darkness, and most do not even realize it!

Paul the Apostle explains this phenomenon in his second letter to the church at Corinth. In
chapter 4 verses 3-4 “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them
from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of
God… “ (ESV)

The answer is simple. “The god of this world” (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers. He has placed spiritual cataracts on the eyes of those who are lost, to the point that they cannot see the simple truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ. He uses the things of this world to accomplish this. “For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires “(1 Jn 2:16-17a, ESV)

Sadly, as the Apostle John writes here, the world and all of its desires are only temporal. The things of God are what have lasting value. These are the treasures that God wants for every person to possess!

There is only one remedy for spiritual blindness - laser surgery by the Great Physician!
Paul explains the cure in 2 Cor. 4:4-6 “…the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (ESV)

As believers, we must understand that we cannot expect our lost loved ones to “want to be part of our church”. We cannot force them to be able to see their spiritual need, apart from the convicting work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Sometimes, we try to do the convicting, and that is not God’s plan. He can handle that work on His own.

Our responsibility is to share the Gospel, and to live a transparent life that reveals Christ. True, we are flawed creatures. We do not amount to much on our own, but we do have a tremendous resource available, “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (v. 7)

What then, can we do?

We can pray for our loved ones.

We can pray for all the lost souls who are out there. There is a void in each of their lives that
can only be filled by a relationship with God, Himself. Don’t be discouraged if they have not come to the light just yet. Keep them in your prayers, and keep sharing Christ (and Christ alone) and keep trusting God to do the miracle in their lives that He has done in yours.

Here is His promise: “But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of
glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. Therefore, having this ministry by the mercyof God, we do not lose heart…” (2 Cor 3:16 - 4:1 ESV)

Praying At The State Capitol

It is customary for the West Virginia House of Delegates to open each session in prayer. I had the honor of offering the invocation at the House Chamber at the State Capitol in Charleston on Tuesday, February 21st. That also happened to be the day that Home Schoolers from across the Mountain State came out for a large rally on the Capitol steps.

Some of our readers have shown interest in the content of the prayer I offered that day, so I thought I would share it with you. The text follows:

"Father in Heaven, it is truly my honor and privilege to stand in this hallowed chamber, where my grandfather served more than six decades ago, and to offer up prayer on behalf of today’s session of this House.

We thank you, Lord, for the men and women in this chamber, who have come from across the Mountain State, from Shepherdstown to Kenova, and from Chester to Bluefield, elected to represent the citizens of their home districts. We ask that you would bless them in their deliberations here this day. We thank you for our form of Civil Government authority for your Word tells us that “ there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

As they come together today for their duties in forming the laws of this great state, may they all remember that the basis of all law in western culture springs from your Decalogue, given to man, centuries ago at Mt. Sinai. Help these delegates feel the weight of the awesome responsibility invested in them, and may we be reminded this day of the words spoken of old by the great King David, who told his son, Solomon, “'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.'

May we be reminded again of the words of the Great Teacher, “but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—“

We ask that you give these, your servants, wisdom to do what is right… that they would always protect those who are the weakest and most helpless among us (from the unborn to the advanced in age) … that they would be good stewards of our natural resources, and protect our religious liberties ... that these delegates would lay aside partisan bitterness… that they would flee from any self interest and influence of special interests… and simply do the people’s business, representing the citizens of this state in a manner that will be just, and will bring honor unto you.

May we lay aside for this time of business, the labels that divide us – Republicans and Democrats, Conservatives, and Liberals – and while in session, remember that we are first and foremost, West Virginians, and Americans, all.

We thank you for your Grace and Mercy toward all men, and the liberty that comes only from you. We beg your blessings this and every day, ask all of these favors today in the name that is above every name, Jesus Christ, our Savior and our Lord. Amen."

Saying Goodbye To An "Old Friend"

We were born the same year, me and the "Grand Old Lady of 5th Avenue and 26th Street". It was at the mid point of the 20th Century, in a very different time in Huntington, WV. It was a heavy industry town in those days, with companies like International Nickel, AC&F, Standard Ultramarine, H.K. Porter Steel, Owens Illinois Glass, Houdaille Hershey, and C&O Rail Road employing thousands.

There was a vibrant downtown area in those days. The Ohio Valley Bus Company ran coaches all over the area out of the old "Bus Barn" in the west end. There were no malls in those days. Men wore hats (not baseball caps) to outdoor activities ranging from Industrial League Baseball games to the annual Band Festival Parade in May. Lots of Mom and Pop stores were scattered from Westmoreland to Altizer, and there were elementary schools in every neighborhood in town. No school buses ran in Huntington in those days. Most everyone walked to school. Just down the road a small but growing Marshall College was beginning to enlarge its footprint between 3rd and 5th Avenues and 16th and 20th Streets.

That was the setting when The Veterans Memorial Field House was constructed in 1950. It became the largest arena in the Jewell City, seating 8,800 for many events, and over 6,500 for basketball. It remained the largest arena in town until the "Big Red Barn" was constructed at 3rd Avenue and 8th Street in the early 70's, and the Field House was the home of Marshall University basketball until the Cam Henderson Center was built on campus.

The Field House (as it was known to all of us in the east end) played a big role in our lives. Not only was it "Herd Heaven", but it was also where Huntington East High School played its home basketball games. Highlander football practices were often held on the adjacent field. There were many warm days in the spring when my classmates and I would run the three blocks down 5th Avenue in our gym clothes, to play touch football or softball games during our Phys Ed period, then back to HEHS for our showers.

My earliest memories of the Field House go back to about 1955. Over the years I had opportunity to attend events there. I can fondly remember going there for:

• The Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus


• Ringside seats with Walter and Ricky Hall for the Golden Gloves


• East Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast


• Dick Clark's "Where the Action Is" Concerts


• "The Chaplain of Burbon Street" Bob Harrington in Crusade


• Cabell County Junior High Basketball Tournaments


• Huntington East High School Basketball games


• St. Joe Invitational Tournaments


• High School Graduation ceremonies


• and, of course, Marshall University Basketball

Parking was always a challenge at the Field House. One often had to park on Third or Fourth Avenues, or on the numbered side streets and walk for blocks to get to the venue. Sometimes we might park on the lower end of the B&B Supermarket parking lot, but that was always dangerous. Market employees would turn away would be parkers, and if one did happen to get by, there was always the fear of being towed away. After the games it was always great to go across the street to pick up a burger at the Adkins Fat Boy or have a pizza at Gino's Pub. Many of us spent a good bit of time three blocks up 5th Avenue at Wiggins. I can still taste that spaghetti, bar b que, steak sandwiches, and steak che burgers on the curb, or inside the small dining area at Wiggins. Good times.

Besides High School graduation, there are a few special events that stand out in my mind at the Field House. I remember a great game in 1967 when we beat the Ashland Tomcats, who were at the time the top ranked team in Kentucky. Mark Dawson was deadly that night, raining down 20 footers, long before there was a three point line.

There were lots of great high school games there, and a few real donnybrooks outside after some of the games. There was always tension after the games with cross town rival, Huntington High. I remember one cold night after a game with Logan High School when a fight broke out, emptying two chartered basses that were filling up with Wildcat fans. One of our football players had some words with someone from Logan, hanging out the bus window, and the fracas was on! There were several good punches thrown by a few folks on both sides, but mostly it was just a bunch of pushing and shoving by those of us standing on the perimeter of the fight.

We watched some great players at the Field House. I was too young to remember Walt Walowac and Charlie Slack, but how well I remember those teams with guys like the D'Antoni brothers, Jim Davidson, George Stone, Bob Redd, Greg White, Randy Noll, and future NBA star, Russell Lee. There was a great triple overtime Mid American Conference victory for Marshall, over a tough Bowling Green Falcons team in 1969. And many memorable Marshall Memorial Invitational Tournaments, which came into being after the plane crash of 1970.

There were some great coaches who plied their trade there over the years, and who can forget the time back in the 60's when Marshall Coach Ellis Johnson put a pair of eyeglasses on a dog, to rag the officials?

One of my personal special memories surround the year I did radio play by play for the Rose Hill Royals. Rose Hill had a 7th grader named O.J. Mayo, who played on the varsity team, and I had the privilege of calling their games in the St. Joe Invitational Tournament. O.J. went on to become one of the most well known high school players in America, and today plays for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA.

Yes, the Field House has seen some great events over the years. Most were happy times, but there were also some truly sad occasions such as when it served as the site of the community memorial service after the Marshall plane crash.

Over the past few years, the building has become a maintenance headache. Its aging structure was beginning to deteriorate. It recently was sold to Marshall University to make room for a badly needed new Soccer facility. So, last Friday night, the Field House played host to one final celebration. Over 100 former Marshall basketball players, and several thousand community members showed up for one last celebration.

Soon the wrecking ball will reduce the once proud structure to a pile of rubble, and eventually college soccer games will be held at the new facility at 5th Avenue and 26th Street. The Field House will physically be gone, but it will live forever in the memories of those of us who grew up with her. Good bye old friend... we won't be far behind you!

Good News for Southern Baptists!

Besides the personal reasons to be looking forward to this year's Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans, the June meeting of Baptists has taken on the prospect of being a very historic occasion. Not so much because of programs, potential name changes, etc. but due to the fact that an African American will allow his name to be placed in nomination for President of the world's largest Protestant group. Fred Luter, Pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans has announced to his congregation that he will allow his name to be entered into nomination. Here is the latest story regarding Luter's decision on Baptist Press. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=37097

I pray that there will be no other nominees this year (do you hear that Wiley Drake?) in order that we may come together in unity to elect this dynamic pastor to lead our Convention during these difficult times. He was elected SBC 1st Vice President at the Annual Meeting in Phoenix last June.

The obvious fact that no black man has ever been nominated to the top office in the Convention makes this year's meeting unique. The SBC has often been maligned by liberal detractors as racist, due to policies that go back to the days of slavery in America. Several years ago, in a public display of repentance and racial harmony, SBC leaders apologized for racial wrongs that had been done in the past. Our convention desires to be a mutli ethnic body of born again baptized believers who follow Christ - which can only be accomplished by reaching out to every people group on earth. I personally pray that one day the ethnic makeup of Westmoreland Baptist Church will mirror that of the entire Body of Christ. All reasonable Christ Followers desire such!

However, my desire to see Fred Luter ascend to that leadership position goes far beyond the racial reasons. Fred Luter is a man of God. He is a man of the Word. He has the soul winning fervor of an evangelist, and the shepherd's heart of a pastor. He is an eloquent preacher, and a man who models the grace and love of God to everyone he touches. I have met him personally on only three occasions (my son, Jay, knows him well) but on the occasions when I have had opportunity to speak with him and to shake his hand, I knew I was in the presence of a man who loves Jesus, and one who loves telling the Good News to anyone who will listen.

Fred has been used by God to help build Franklin Avenue Baptist Church from a small inner city work to one of the great churches in Louisiana. He was a catalyst and an inspiration, not only to the congregation of Franklin Avenue Baptist, but to the entire New Orleans area during the dark days that followed Hurricane Katrina. He and Pastor David Crosby of First Baptist New Orleans became the public face of NOLA's Baptists who welcomed in Disaster Relief workers, and led the way in the spiritual and physical rebuilding of their community.

Luter held his congregation together, even though many of them were scattered to places like Houston and Baton Rouge. That is the kind of shepherd that is needed to lead this great Convention at this point in its history.

When it comes to secular politics, I am saddened by the mediocre choices that we Americans have to choose from in our nation's Presidential race in 2012. I do rejoice, however, in the prospect that we Baptists DO have a real leader we can support to lead our divided (and in some ways declining) Convention.

Thank you, Fred Luter, for being open to the call of God in your life. And thank you, Franklin Avenue Baptist for being willing to share your shepherd with all of us!

Timely Message From "The Sacred Sandwich"

For my 600th post to "For What It's Worth", I didn't have time to come up with anything creative or original - so I thought I'd just share this message from "The Sacred Sandwich". Have a great and godly day!