My Special Marker of God's Grace

Anyone who knows me, knows how I delight in my five Grandsons. 

The oldest, Caudle Jerry V (or Quint as we know hin) is  ready to graduate from Loyola University with a music performance degree with specialization in Jazz. that's perfect for a young man who grew up in New Orleans Besides graduating from the Patrick Taylor Academy for Math and Science, he also graduated from the New Orleans Center for Cultural Arts.  He is an ordained Baptist minister, and is a music composer and performer and leads worship in churches and special events.

Grandson number two (Will Adkins) is a college athlete.  He is a quarterback for the Glenville State Pioneers and he is also on the spring golf team at Glenville State.  He is also an outstanding student.

Grandson #4, Asher, is a sophomore basketball player for The Ashland Tomcats, the most winning team in the history of Kentucky High School Athletics. The Tomcats have a record of 55-5 since he has been dressing with the varsity. And they finished in the Final Four at Rupp Arena in last year's Sweet 16 state tournament. Like all the others, Asher is an A student as well..

Their little 10 year old brother, Nathan, (grandson #5) has followed in the big brothes athletic prowess.  Having those two older brothers who have cut him no slack, he excels in multi sports from Little League Baseball, to football and basketball,

That brings us back to grandson #3, Canon Josiah Adkins (Pictured here).  Canon is also an accomplished young musician in New Orleans. He is a junior at Patrick Taylor, but also excels at NOCCA, where he primarily plays trumpet, but also excels at guitar and keyboards. He is also taking college credits at UNO with Pat Taylor, He also has his own "second line Brass Band" that plays for many events.

This brings me to the purpose of this post.

Today is (third grandson) Canon's 17th birthday. That's a big deal in itself and I am so glad we could do thanksgiving and his birthday with the part of our family here in NOLA.  

Seventeen years ago today Linda had come down to NOLA to help out around the house for Jay, Michelle and Quint with the birthday of this new BIG baby!

Long story short, after Linda had left for New Orleans, I ended up in the former Our Lady of Bellefonte hospital in Ashland, KY for tests to see why my hemoglobin was reading out as less than 7.  Several medical tests were run, and a large tumor was found in my right ascending colon. Turned out it was malignant and that it had spread throughout my liver. Linda rushed home  for my surgery to remove 3 1/2 feet from my Colon.  The diagnosis was "Stage 4 Colon Cancer. Incurable but possibly able to respond to some treatment."  The average survival; time for that diagnosis was estimated at 18-22 months. Research showed that people with my situation had a 15% chance of surviving 5 years.

It didn't look good. Some said it was "time to put my affairs in order." But obviously God had other plans for me.

That's where Canon the birthday boy comes in.

Every birthday of his is a silent reminder and a marker of God's grace in my life, My cancer was discovered the week he was born.  Look at him now!  Look how good God has been to me,

It has been a 17 year road filled with lots of bumps and potholes.  Three surgical procedures.  A full year of rough chemotherapy etc.  But by God's grace I have survived. 

I've survived to see grandsons 4 and 5 come along and grow up.  I have survived to celebrate our 50th anniversary with my dear wife. Survived 17 more years as the pastor of the finest faith family anywhere. Survived to preach and teach the Word of God with urgency and renewed fervency.  

Three years ago there was another major bump in the road with the diagnosis of Merekel Cell Carcinoma, which has brought about a couple of surgeries, numerous radiation treatments and three years of immunotherapy, which I am still taking every other week,  Yet I remain active, and seeking to make full proof of my ministry. God has truly been good to me.  

Like my late friend Veda Young told me about 17 years ago, "I am not going to spend the rest of my life dying!"

I'm thankful to spend this day, my cancer diagnosis  anniversary and Canon's 17th birthday, with this grandson and his family,  I love all five grandsons tremendously - but this one is my Special Marker.

Happy birthday Canon! And praise be to our God.  Great is His faithfulness.

Join Us For A Golden Milestone

 

I never cease to be amazed at how God chooses to put people together. 

I met Linda Bowling in October, 1969 just before my 19^th birthday.  To say I was smitten immediately would be an understatement.  This month we will celebrate 50 years of marriage.  Who would have thought it?

We were born four months and 29 miles apart in the coalfields of southwestern West Virginia.  Me in Logan County, she in neighboring Mingo County.  Our fathers and grandfathers were all coal miners at one time or another.  Our dads were WWII vets.  Mine in the Navy, hers fought under General Patton in North Africa and Sicily in the Army.  Their fathers were both Doughboys in WWI fighting the Kaiser’s troops in France.  Our mothers and grandmothers were stay at home Mom’s (as were many in the early 50’s).  I was the oldest of 3 boys and she was one of the middle children in a brood of six.

I grew up in Huntington.  She was raised in Pike County, Kentucky.  I was a city boy and attended a large grade school.  She was a country girl who attended a one room school for her first eight grades. I graduated from Huntington East High School in 1968 and enrolled in Marshall University with a joint major in Political Science and History.  She graduated Belfry High School a year later and moved to Huntington, going directly into the work force.  She found a job in the credit department at Anderson Newcomb Department Store working for a beautiful lady named Elsie Singleton. (That in itself is another interesting twist of Providence.)

In October, 1969 I was in attendance at a revival meeting at the Thomas Memorial Free Will Baptist Church in Huntington. Melvin Sanford was an evangelist from Florida and the church was filled to capacity nearly every night.  It was somewhat of a “bapticostal” church and the worship style could be considered exuberant.  Near the close of one particularly emotional service, I caught a glimpse of a “new girl”. She was tall, beautiful, wearing a black dress, and her eyeliner was smeared from shedding tears in the service. Looking back on it now, I was kind of like the cartoon character whose eyeballs pop out of his head when he views something amazing.  I didn’t know who this young woman was but I was captivated. Turns out she and her older roommate were temporarily staying with Dorla Hagley, one of the young married ladies in our church, waiting for their apartment to be ready to move into. 

The service had been over for a while and I stood on the sidewalk talking to an old friend, Jackie Black. As he and I talked under the lamppost there on Buffington Street, Dorla’s car rolled up to where we were standing and THE GIRL was in the passenger’s seat!  We walked over as she rolled down the window.  Their question was about the age of our Pastor’s son.  My first words to my future wife were, “Don’t tell me you’re in love with him too!” All the girls in the church seemed to be. “No!” she replied quickly.  “I’m trying to find out for my roommate.” 

My pursuit began.  I wanted to know everything about her.  She began attending our church and was always with some of us older youth.  I wanted to know everything about her.  Who was she?  Where was she from? Where had she been all of my life?  What was it about her that made me forget all about several other girls I had been dating?  If she was from Matewan, and graduated from Belfry, what was that big ring with a “P” on it, all wrapped with yarn?  There was just a lot to learn – and I set out to win her over.  She didn’t seem to like me so much at first, but I am a persistent character.

 As we began dating and getting to know each other better, I began to realize how different we both were. 

She was kind and considerate. She was outgoing and she always saw the best in everyone. She was outgoing and made friends quickly with people her own age and even with many of the older and middle aged women in the church.   I was cynical and  sarcastic by nature – emotional and quick tempered. Fiercely loyal to close friends, but standoffish with strangers.  (I know you can hardly believe that, but it’s true!)  I came to realize that along with my mother and grandmother,  that she was one of the best human beings I have ever known.  How could two people so different end up together?

As I said, strange how God, in His Sovereign plan, puts people together.  I had previously been fairly seriously dating a young lady in our church.  One of the older women told us at one time, “We were a match made in Heaven”.  Turns out, God did have a match made, but it wasn’t what Rema White had in mind.  He had another plan.

Linda and I exchanged vows on June 19, 1971 in that same church building where I had first laid eyes on her 20 months earlier.  My Dad performed the ceremony.  Her sister Violet Bennett, two cousins, Brenda Huddle and Joyce Pope, and her friend Lois Vallance were her attendants. Standing up with me were Doug Goolsby and Larry Gunnoe (both college buddies) and lifelong friends, Phil Cheek and Donnie Smith; along with my brother, Bruce.

50 years have passed.  We have lived in Huntington; Nashville, TN; Willow Wood, OH; Gwinn, Michigan; Biloxi, Mississippi; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and for the past 41 years in Ashland, KY.  She has stuck with me through college, Air Force, sales management, two decades working in our Insurance office, and 50 years of Pastoral ministry in six churches. 

On Saturday, June 19th we will be celebrating the 50th Anniversary of our wedding.  Linda and I would love to have you join our family between 1 and 3 PM in the Westmoreland Baptist Church's Multipurpose building for a celebration of our 50 years of marriage. We request NO gifts other than the honor of your presence with us. Refreshments will be served and you may feel free to come and go at your leisure.  If you are in the area and can spare the time, we would love to see you there!  The Church is located at 3401 Hughes Street in the Westmoreland Community of Huntington and the Multipurpose building is just behind the Worship Center and Education buildings.  

Ya'll come!

 

Jerks For Jesus

Next month will mark my 50th anniversary in 
pastoral ministry.  I have been blessed to serve six churches over that time. In the first of the six I was associate pastor. In the next four I was a bi-vocational pastor in single staff churches. Then for 18 years I have served as a full time senior pastor in a multi staff church. Suffice it to say that it has truly been a learning experience - and believe it or not, - I am still learning.  I'll probably write more about that later this Spring.

 So as the son of a pastor/evangelist, and with 50 years in pastoral ministry myself, and a lifetime spent in Baptist Churches, I have a somewhat unique perspective.  Sometimes I feel like the guy my old friend and ministry colleague, Doug Virgin, was fond of quoting - "I've been to five county fairs and a goat roping and I've seen some stuff!"

I have a rough, unedited manuscript of a book I hope one day to have published. It's a compilation of many of those experiences, both good and bad that I have had as a PK and as a pastor, myself. I try to share Biblical truth and sprinkle in some humorous stories along the way. Unfortunately, there is nothing funny about some of those experiences.  In fact, some of them are downright heartbreaking and ugly.  Some of the instances show folks who claim to be followers of Christ as absolute jerks, and judging from the fruits they exhibit, likely unregenerate. 

My son and I have joked that there seems to be a large, but unorganized group of individuals who pop up in almost every church, and across all denominations. We call them "Jerks for Jesus" and there seems to be at least one or two in every church.  But it is really no joking matter.  One chapter of the coming book bears the title "Jerks for Jesus".  Don't worry - the names have been withheld to protect the guilty - but they are certainly known to our Heavenly Father. The truth of the matter is that they are not "for Jesus" at all.  They're just jerks. 

I can honestly say that the vast number of individuals in the flocks I have served are people whose lives have been changed through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christians are certainly not perfect, but they do have the Spirit of the Lord dwelling in their hearts and they are seeking to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Yet no matter how hard we try, there will always be one here or there who have "slipped in unawares" and their true un-Christlike character eventually shows through.  Sadly, one of the excuses some people give for not attending church is because of "the hypocrites" who may be there.  Sometimes the offenders are open and their behavior is there for all to see. But sometimes the Jerks are more covert and insidious.

Most pastors I know have received some sort of hateful communications from anonymous sources at one time or another. The critics are quick to point out their grievances but too cowardly to sign their names.  Those of us who have been around for a while understand that this behavior just comes with the territory and is an occupational hazard. With most pastors, unsigned hate letters usually end up in the trash.  But there are times the hateful types of communications are directed to other church members - and that is truly sad.

In one church I have served, a member once showed me a letter they had received in the US Mail. It regarded a family member of the person to whom the letter was sent.  The letter referenced the family member who had earlier offered a solo in a worship service at the church. The writer was cowardly enough that he or she did not sign the letter.  The person who received the letter showed it to me - so I am not going by hearsay. I actually saw it. The message was hurtful to say the least. I noticed that the letter was printed, so the handwriting would not be able to be identified.  Here is what the text of the letter said:

(addressee's name)

          I hope (relative's name) is feeling better. It sounded like (he/she) was in pain.

          BTW - ask (him/her) what they did with the money (his/her) mother
          gave (him/her) for singing lessons.

          I know of a good ENT Doc if (he/she) is able to go see him.

                                                        (unsigned) 

I'll let you be the judge.  Is this the type of communication a brother or sister in Christ would send to another member of the Church family?

I think we can all agree it is not!  

Jesus tells us it is "from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks".  Someone who's heart is right with God would never think of being so cruel to "one of these little ones". The sender may have thought it was cute, and obviously intended it to be hurtful to both the recipient and the subject. Even though the sender was such a coward that he/she didn't sign their name, an omniscient God knows not only who wrote and sent it, but also knows the evil intent of their heart.  

I don't know if the writer was a member of that church or not, but they had obviously been there when the subject sang.  One can only pray that the individual who penned such a brief but hateful epistle has since come to know Christ as Savior.  

C'mon Man!

 Let me say unapologetically that I am a sports fan.  Not like I was when I was a kid, of course, but still one who loves the spirit of competition and teamwork.  I no longer idolize the pro sports stars like I did as a young Cincinnati Reds fan in the early 60s but I still enjoy watching them play.  The big money and spoiled millionaires of today's professional sports leagues have turned many of us off.  I have gradually become more interested in the college football and basketball than the pro variety.  And, having a grandson who is a college football player and another who is a high school roundballer, naturally I have a strong interest in their endeavors. I follow their teams and teammates and consume all the information I can on their opponents.  I love it when athletes play hard, give it all they've got, and "leave it all on the field (or court)".

Being a Christ Follower and a Pastor, I am always encouraged when a well known athlete, be it pro or amateur, publicly profess their Christian faith. Christian role models are great thing in sports or any other endeavor. It's refreshing to all of us to see a Tim Tebow or Steph Curry with a scripture verse printed under their eyes or on their shoes.  However one thing that really rankles this old pastor is when they adorn their shoes or uniforms with Philippians 4:13.  Most of us are familiar with that verse.  " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (NKJV)  Now that is a direct quote from God's word. It is powerful and encouraging. So, one may ask "why would you have an objection to an athlete giving honor to Christ and quoting scripture?"  Because that verse is NOT about sports and athletic competition!

Nor is it about being able to accomplish great feats or reaching desired goals.

The old saying in the real estate business is that the three most important factors in the marketability of a property are "Location... Location... Location".  

Likewise, when reading, studying and quoting scripture, three of the most important factors are

Context...Context...Context!

According to Merriam Webster, context is a noun that refers to "the circumstances that form the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in term of which it can be fully understood and assessed".  If we are to rightly divide the Word of Truth when it comes to this  verse, we must consider:

* The Human Author
* To whom it was first penned
* The circumstances surrounding the writing
* And the theme of the passage - using verses that come before and after,
* To understand the true message of the passage

The setting here is that Paul the Apostle is in prison in Rome.  He is writing this letter to the church in Philippi, which was born on Paul's second missionary journey.  The first believers in Europe were saved in that Macedonian city.  They were dear to Paul's pastoral heart and the theme of this letter is one of Joy. Interesting that he writes so eloquently about joy when he is a prisoner of Rome for no other reason but his faith and and testimony of Christ.

After encouraging the Philippian believers to meditate on things that were "Just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy" he reminds them that the resulting inexplicable peace of God would "guard their hearts through Christ Jesus".  Then Paul gives them personal thanks for financial support that the church had sent to him.  Remember, that prisoners in that setting were not given adequate supplies, clothing, etc as prisoners in our jails are today. The brothers and sisters in Philippi had sought to help him. Later on in verse 16 he acknowledges their previous support for him when he was in Thessalonica. Paul rejoiced at their love and generosity, but now look what he says in verses 11 - 13 as he gives them his perspective regarding his material needs.

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:  I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Paul reveals here the secret of his contentment. He says in verse 12 that he has lived in various financial situations. He has lived humbly and has also lived in prosperity.  He has been both hungry and full. He has lived in great need and has also been abundantly blessed.  Question would be obvious.  How could he be content when experiencing all of the ups and downs of his life?

The answer - " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

This is a powerful message of the sufficiency of Christ for His children.  It has nothing to do with making touchdowns or three point shots.  It has everything to do with the contentment and peace that comes from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  It is sad that such a beautiful message of God's Grace has been cheapened to a sports cliché or someone's idea of "magic words" that enable you to accomplish the hard stuff.

Never forget Paul's admonition to the young man, Timothy. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Tim 2:15)

What does the Bible say about itself?  For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) 

So, by all means read the Word, memorize scripture, quote it whenever you can, but PLEASE remember context, context, context!