New Wedding Photo

We were able to get a really nice frame to go along with our recently completed 11x14 wedding photo. Grace and I really like it alot. It is currently hanging over our mantle and was taken at the church we were married in. That church had an old parlor like sitting room complete with a full original walnut mantle.

Written in the Sky

Psalm 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

I firmly believe that God writes a testimony of his existence and even to a point his love toward mankind in the sky. Take for example the rainbow which God said he would place in the sky as a sign that he would never again destroy man with a worldwide flood like he did in Noah's day. I cannot imagine anybody continuning a skeptic nor to remain or claim atheism when there are such magnificant aspects to God revelealed through and in nature. The picture above is just one of those example. Grace took the picture one clear winter morning before heading off to work. The Scripture from Psalm 19: 1 no doubt rings true in this case!

Fall Decorations

Take a look at the wonderful job Grace did at updating the flowers at Anchor Baptist Church for the fall. She did some rearranging of the wall sconces, the main communion table display, and the foyer table. I simply loved everything she did. It turned out wonderful and all with only $20 being spent!!!

Our Right to Vote

I know that America has her flaws as a nation. We are in many ways very far away from God and from the original foundation of Scriptural principals and fear of the LORD that was exibited in our Founding Fathers. However, we are still the greatest nation in the world!!! And although certainly we could argue about the negative aspects of our political system, thankfully we still live in a nation where every legal citizen can vote their conscience. I am glad that this year, Grace and I both participated in the national election for President. Although, I am extremely disappointed in the direction the voters have carried our country as evidenced by the results of the election, I am still grateful for America. I am glad that at this point we can worship God and raise our family as we see fit. Unfortunately, I am also highly disturbed by the voting results for the state of North Carolina where we live. Just from living here for about a year and pastoring a church here, I can honestly get a sense of the mindset and heart of the people. And from my experience it is a bleak outlook. Gone are many of the ideals and conservatism that once existed in my original birth state. Gone is the heart for God that I remember seeing as a teenager whenever I would come back from Texas to NC to visit with relatives. So many people here have no concept of God or His Word. Many people are religious but unsaved. Many are blinded by their own delusional heart. No longer is there a Bible basis for life. It is a state where rudeness, pride, and evil abounds. Crime is on the rise and contempt for the law is everywhere. The only hope for this state or for any state within our country for that matter is to turn to Almighty God in repentance. I am hoping that the direction for our nation will be just that. However, call my faithless, but I extremely doubt it. Most people are too comfortable with their own lifestyle, opinion, or sin. They possess the attitude that they will not have God rule over them. God show mercy!

Nag's Head

 

What a joy to have my in-laws come down from Pennsylvania for a  few days back at the beginning of October. Grace and I would like to say it was strictly just for us, and no doubt they enjoyed a few days in Farmville, but the objective was to spend their anniversary at a rental property in Nag's Head, NC. In addition to spending time with them in Farmville at our apartment, and in being present for a few church services, we also got to travel with them to the coast for exactly one day of relaxation. Grace and I worked it out to have a three day weekend and we drove to Nag's Head and had a good time. It was our first trip to the Outer Banks. While we were there we did several things. We went to the Wright Brother's National Memorial and Museum.It was remarkable to think about and read about all the makings of the first flight in America's history. What ingenuity and intelligence!!!

 

We also walked on the beach together since it was slightly cooler than the hot days that bring out all the nakedness.

 

In addition, we spend the night with the in-laws at their 4BDRM/ 4 BATH rented beach cottage complete with private hot tub, pool, and game room. Grace and I alone used the hot tub in the evening, but the pool was closed for the winter.

Another cool thing we were able to see one of the several lighthouses on the NC coast: this one being the Bodie Island Lighthouse. This we also thoroughly enjoyed too!

On our way to the coast we stopped at one particular old time gas station in a small town and then stopped again on the return trip since we new that they had cheaper gas than what we had seen anywhere. Apparently, the owner of the gas station was a big car fan and had several cool muscle cars sitting around which, of course, Grace and I couldn't resist getting a few pics of.

 

Old Fashioned Anniversary Sunday

 

On Sunday, October 12 we had an old-fashioned anniversary Sunday celebration at the church and everything seemed to go well with several visitors in our services and food to follow the morning worship service. On this particular day, since there was so much work for our ladies in preparing food for our missions emphasis month, I decided as the pastor to serve the people in cooking out the meat for the church and having our families bring their favorite deserts and side dishes. Then after the morning service we had an early afternoon service. We all dressed old-fashioned and sang about the old fashioned religion. My wife, Grace sang one of my favorite hymns called, "The Old Fashioned Way". In addition in the main morning service, I preached on "The Old Paths" from the book of Jeremiah. It was a fun day as I recognized all those FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS who helped start the church many years ago in the 70's.

Hanging Out At Chick-Fil-A

 

Contrary to the title of this particular blog, I do not really "hang out" at Chick-Fil-A. Maybe I do "hang out" at Starbucks or Panera Bread, where the later place Grace and I went to tons of times when we were engaged and planning for our wedding. Of course we were there for the coffee too! Anyhow, Grace and I are now working full time in Greenville and so we occasionally get together for lunch/ dinner. On this particular night we ate dinner together and the chick-fil-a cow was roaming around for a birthday party. So, being the strange and sometimes crazy man that I am (all without evil involved of course) I had Grace snap a quick picture of me and the cow. I had fun!!!