...too small a thing...

Sisters

They were  a hot mess these 4 ladies. The one on the left is my mom and the other three are my aunts. They were so much fun and loved each other so very much. But yes, they were sisters and they could fuss and fight like sisters can do with the best of them. 

The two in the center of the photo are now with Jesus. My dear aunt Ouida was the first to go some time back and now Aunt Joan has joined her. I have the honor to stand and speak some words to my family today to try to bring comfort and celebrate her life. It is impossible to put into a service all that composed the beauty and grace of this beautiful woman who is my Aunt Joan. She gave me a cousin. Tracy is a gem. And she blessed her mom with beautiful and loving grandchildren. She was a loving and faithful wife of almost 50 years to her husband Charles. But the most important thing about Aunt Joan is that she was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. This is really all that has to be said today and it will said and emphasized. 

But the way I remember her most is one of the group above as a sister to my mother. They loved to be together. (That is until someone would get put out with another.) But that would soon be forgotten and they were off on another adventure. They have taught their daughters and sons how to be cousins and I truly feel very close to the cousins that I have on this side of the family. We do not get to see each other as we might like to, but they are a real blessing to me. 

The Burnette family and for that matter the Davis family has deep roots in Gilmer County and to be there last night and today brings me a sense of connection to all of my family tree. There is also deep faith in the family and there will be little doubt today about the fate of my mother's sister. You see I know that my Aunt Joan is present with the Lord Jesus Christ. Fort this I give praise and I will try to comfort her husband Charles, and her daughter Tracy, along with my mother, my Aunt Tump, uncle Gary and all my cousins. To speak to my family is a joy, an honor, and a great privilege. 

 

So Very Thankful for the Babies

So thankful my youngest granddaughter Daisy is home from the hospital after a bout with pneumonia, and Praise the Lord she is doing better. We did not get to see Brett, Joy, Daphne, or Daisy over Thanksgiving, but Face Time is nice, and I love to look at these babies photos. Hopefully Kathy and I will go see them soon. 

The house was full of yesterday as my brother and two of my great nephews joined with my three of my grand babies to celebrate.

And little Violet told her "Pappy" that the best thing about coming to Nana and Pappy's house is the tractor rides.

And of course my grandson Asa got his picture taken for the first time on Pappy's tractor. 

And while she is not a baby any more I was so glad to have my Mom (Grandmother) with us for Thanksgiving dinner. My brother Jeff cooked most of it for us and I am thankful for him too. 

God Blessed me 43 years ago with a wonderful wife and as the years have gone by 4 wonderful children. Who have now given us 5 beautiful grandchildren. How can I not say Thank You Lord. 

 

What To Include In Your Thanksgiving

Yesterday I went by the Ham Store and found that they have some real expensive swine selections, but we all know that this is some of the best.  The turkeys are going out of the stores buy the thousands, and sweet potato farmers are showing up at the bank with full wallets. All the retailers are gearing up for their events that follow the big day, for their big day. Families are arriving at relatives homes and getting themselves all ready for this holiday season kick off event we call Thanksgiving. 

But what really will make this Thanksgiving day one to remember? What super dessert or special casserole will change your life? Can you make the buy of the year on Black Friday? Well the truth is what changes your life at Thanksgiving will not be found on your plate. Nor will it be found in the flyers in the paper or on the discount  internet site. What Thanksgiving is really all about is giving thanks. Having a thankful heart for what you have been blessed with this year.

So as you prepare your Thanksgiving to plan to include a thankful heart is the one thing you should plan to include in your celebration. So how do you get a thankful heart? You can't get one at Wal-Mart. A truly thankful heart is sort of hard to come by. It seems even when we are being nice and saying "Thank you" to others so often we are just being nice or doing what is expected and then we walk away with a muttering under our breath about the traffic, the price, the people we encounter. 

So this idea of a thankful heart is really what you need for Thanksgiving. But how do you get one? Here are a few thoughts I have. 

1.    Realize that to give thanks, you have to have someone to give it to. That would be God. 

2.   Recognize that life is not easy and there is pain, trouble and problems that are always going to be real in your life. That does not mean you will not be thankful, but when your realize that the Lord cares about every issue in your life and every detail He is aware of and He cares, for this you can be thankful. When you can give thanks for this you are on the right path toward Thanksgiving. 

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

When you realize these two things you can begin to show true thankfulness in your heart not just on Turkey Day but everyday. 

 

What Is The Focus Today?

Do you have to stop and think about this question? Or is your plan, purpose and passion all rolled into one. This is rare that people know what it is that they are really all about, all the time. Do you know without really stopping to think what you are focusing on today? Most are spread thin, and too often I find myself among them. It seems I am thinking I must do all of these things today. Many things I am trying to focus on and in the process I lose sight of the main thing. 

This is not a long devotional this morning but one that I hope makes you think about what is important and what is not. It did me as I read my daily Scripture this morning. The what is not important. The who is important. Too many things too often overwhelm us into a state of distraction. See if this passage can bring you back to focus this morning. Then go have a great day. 

1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 NAS

Focus on Jesus not on the World.

 

Cop Church

Thursday Night Nov 16 will be the last of the six Scheduled COP Church Events.  While we have not had huge crowds at any of the events the recordings have been listened to quite a bit. Thanks to all of you who have listened on my web site at www.missionteaminc.com  .   Plan to join us at 7:00 pm for fellowship, prayer and the last message on Stress. The title of this month's message is -  "Mistakes – How To Live with Them"  

I hope you will join us t the FOP Lodge on Austell Road in Marietta. 

Beginning in December I plan to start a series of weekly devotionals for Law Enforcement. This will be on my web page but there will be links in several other places for you. I will call the series "MORE39". I will have more information for you soon. 

Ready to Serve

I am so grateful for every blessing in my life, and they are so, so, many. Last night I had the opportunity to serve the Cobb County Police Department as they enoyed a moment of celebration. Mandate 45 graduation was held last night at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church. For all of us who are a part of Burnt Hickory we should tell Pastor Mike Stephens, and all of the staff at BHBC thank you for your continuing support to all our Law Enforcement and public safety. 

I took the above photo as the new officers were practicing for the graduation ceremony. It occurred to me as I took the photo that they had worked so hard to gain the plaques that are lying on this table. But they were standing facing the soon to be crowd, and this was only plaque they took test to earn. The real test was coming as they put the training in to practice and they "hit the road" in the next few days.  They will begin to prove that they are called, trained and committed to being a part of the one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the world today. They are ready to do the work the plaque and training has given them the "authority" to do. They are now ready to face the masses. 

I was able to help our Chaplain Coordinator Captain Barry Little as he brought our chaplain store to the event to help raise funds for our chaplain program. Thank you Captain, and our newest Chaplain Father Mike Revak, for working to man the store. And thank you to all who purchased items at our Chaplain Store. The proceeds will benefit the officers in a very direct way.

Our Fraternal Order of Police President Officer Steve Gaynor set up refreshments for the crowd of about 400 who attended the graduation last night. Once again the staff of BHBC Kitchen and maintenance helped us with all of the work to make it all work out great. We of course promoted the FOP to the new recruits and ask them to join. One of the greatest benefits for the officers from the FOP is the Legal Defense Plan. Every officer needs this as the world is sue happy and the likelihood of police being sued for just doing their job is near 100%. They absolutely need to cover themselves. Also the Lodge sponsors FOP Cops and Kids program every year. This year we will sponsor over 150 Kids for gifts on December 13 at the Target Store located at Powder Spring Rd and the East West Connector. This photo is me and President Gaynor as we laid out the food and set up the information table. 

The last photo is of the 29 new officers along the front of the stage and the Command Staff of Cobb County Police on the stage. I am so thankful to serve in a Church like Burnt Hickory, to serve a group of people who make up the Cobb County Police Department and to do all of this because a God who loves me enough to die for me called me to this work of Chaplaincy. Praise the Lord for His Blessings. 

If you read my blog from time to time but are not familiar with what God has called me to do please go to my other web page of www.missionteaminc.com  to see the work and strategy God has placed on my heart. Thank you to those who support MTI and I ask you to consider helping to support my work and ministry with Law Enforcement. It is so needed i today's world. 

Some Thoughts On the Texas Tragedy

We have all had a day or two to consider the tragedy that has occurred in the First Baptist Church Sutherland TX this past Sunday. This has been on my heart and of course in my prayers all week. The horror of this is event shows the continuing presence of evil in our world. 

We see the photos and hear how this unfolded and we are as a nation saddened. So many seek to know why? And when we watch the facts come out we see a young man who was troubled and some want to label "mentally ill." Finger pointing begins with issues about gun control, mental health care, mistakes by the Air Force and the politics are sickening. We hear that this young man  once taught the Bible to others and then became an Atheist. How can this be? We begin to see a deeper side to this event. There is a spiritual battle here.

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 ESV

This is the first thought I have. The sad fact that Satan had a young man in his network of lying and deception that would lead to this sad young man being possessed by the devil to the point he could do such horrible acts.  

How do we respond as Christ followers? Do we condemn the young man? Do we discuss safety measures for our own churches? Do we pray as we should for families affected, law enforcement, hospital workers and victims fighting even now for their lives? Do we send money? Do we move on?  There may be too many questions to answer in one blog post, but when we think about the complexity of these types of events where Satan is loose in someone's life we must realize the spiritual battle rages.

So what are we doing today? Will you be a true Christ follower? The first part of the verse I listed says, "Be sober minded: be watchful." Christ followers need to be this today. Who around you is hurting and needs to hear a word of Truth? You have the words of truth at your fingertips found in the Word of God. Speak a good word today. Join your hearts together to pray. Lift up name of Jesus. 

We cannot go back and change what has happened in any of these mass murder events that we seem to hear about every week or so. But we can speak Truth today. Here is what we need to do today. 

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV

The person you speak truth to might be struggling with sin and need someone to point them the way. And Jesus is the Way. 

 

Why Lord?

Yesterday I made this photo of my mom and dad at Ross Memorial. They were delighted to see each other as they had not seen each other in about 8 days. Jeff and I moved Mom to Elmcroft off of Milford Church Road last Monday and on the same day moved Dad to Ross. This was a hard move but Dad has come to the point he has to be in skilled nursing care. I am very satisfied with both of the places and feel their care is once again up to where it should be. This is for sure a very difficult and trying time for me to see the demise and difficulty my parents are going through. I have examined their care in so many ways to think, "How can we do this?" So I ultimately end up with this question, "Why Lord?" Why do you allow dementia? Why does the body slow down and cease to work as it should making walking, standing, and thinking so difficult? Why? 

The trouble and difficulties with Mom and Dad began 3 years ago and of course continue to this day. I do not want to seem like I am complaining, I am not. But when people tell me they are caretakers for someone who is a senior adult or a handicapped person I now realize I am dealing with someone who needs and deserves respect. So many do this task of being a caregiver everyday, but for everyone who has this task, it is difficult. Love and obedience to God's command to "Honor our Parents" are the reasons why we do it. But I am so often praying for strength and asking My heavenly Father Why? 

My faith drives me to the Scripture to seek answers always. James is one of the first books I every really did an in depth study of when I was just a young teen at Hurt Road Baptist Church. These passages spoke to me then and continue to give insight today.

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4 NLT

This powerful verse speaks to my question and I believe in the deepest part of my being for sure that God will strengthen me. With all of the many things that have taken place in my life I have to cling to this verse. I am blessed, but I am still struggling with many issues in life. We all do. This next verse is also one that often comes to my mind in the trails of life. 

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:12-13 NLT

Peter knew some struggles in life too it seems. So with these two passages above I seek to answer the question Why? But it doesn't make it any easier. So I look to Paul and Matthew to give me some verses for comfort. 

11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 14 Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty. Philippians 4:11-14 NLT

This helps me to realize that many of you give to me and each other strength and comfort in this world. God has blessed me with so many friends who truly care. Although my post on mom and dad though few and far between, they are read by hundreds of you. Your love and support it seems,  is always there. But your support for me and my support for you is really not enough.  Without the Lord we would not be able to go on and this I know for sure. So I look for more in God's Word to speak to my trials. I love Jesus words to me. 

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Daddy gave me the yoke he used to drive young steers through the woods pulling out logs when he was just a boy. This little yoke always made me realize that dad has had a difficult life being born in the Great Depression, living through WWII, an the Korean Conflict. I guess that old yoke makes me think of the Matthew passage and the tough upbringing that both of my parents have lived through in their lives.

But I also realize that they have had a great life too. Retirement of 30 years on the lake is proof of this. Big Christmas events, fishing, hunting, and motorcycles are all things we can remember with similes. Good times have been there and tough things too. But faith in the Lord is what really matters through good and bad times. And it is what really matters now.

I prayed with mom and dad after I took that top picture yesterday. I prayed for strength and peace. I am seeking this through troubled waters and I know where it is found. Peace will come soon enough. I know daddy knows the Lord. He is tired and ready to be with the Lord. But the real answer why he is still here is for me, mom, Jeff and all of our family. Thank you Lord for my mom and dad. 

 

 

 

 

When the Moment Comes

Officers in line for a safety check before the Active Shooter training exercise began last week.

Yesterday in New York City we as a country were attacked. The misguided and twisted ideology of a young man led him to rent a truck and attack people who he saw as not worthy to live. This type of moment has become all too familiar in our news. We see attacks with guns, knives, trucks, even hammers on innocent people who just happen to be near someone who has been inspired, or in my view misguided, by a radical and evil ideology. 

When this moment comes there are men and women who are doing their very best to be ready. They are our Law Enforcement agencies. They plan and train for something like this. Sad, and as gruesome as it may sound, they really do try to make ready for an event such as the event in New York yesterday. In the last two weeks The Cobb County Police held an Active Shooter Training exercise in cooperation with a local park to prepare in the event of a moment when a madman shows up. The event started with a call to the officers of someone hit with a truck. Then it turned into a running gun battle where the officers had to be ready for anything. IEDs and bullets were not real in the exercise for Cobb Police yesterday but the events in New York yesterday were spilling blood on the pavement.

When the moment comes and a madman attacks, then people scream and flee as chaos takes over. But not the Police. NO they immediately respond with all they have. They run to the villain and stop the threat. They did so yesterday and they will when called on today or whenever the moment comes again. When you need them they are there. They are the first responders. 

I have been there after an event. It is a terrible thing to deal with the victims who are shaken to the core. But there is also another need. The men and women in the uniforms who respond are not robots. They are real people with spouses, parents, and children. There is also a great need to minister to and be there for the LEO's who had to DO THEIR JOB. They do not go looking to take out someone, but they will when the moment comes. They do not seek to take a life, but if they need to do so they will. I do not know about you I am thankful for them. I appreciate their willingness and their diligence to prepare for the moment when it comes. Their job is like no other. Their needs are great. I am grateful and confident that they will be there in the crisis moment. 

My job is to be there for them after that moment. A lot of our training comes from being there and understanding how and why they do their job. I come to them with the full assurance that the ONE who is always there watching is still there for them. Being a police chaplain is a calling for me and for the others who serve with me. We are all volunteers as rarely do our governments local, state, or  federal fund clergy for Law Enforcement. Our military has paid Chaplains but our LEO's do not. Many of you help me and our local police through gifts to MISSION TEAM INC and I want to thank you for your support. I am trying to be there for the officers after the moment comes.