Going Back
Scripture
Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past.
Deteronomy 32:7, NLT
Quote
Memory is the diary that we carry with us.
~Oscar Wilde
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June and I took a little trip last Thursday. We went back to her old stomping grounds. Her day owed land just off of Gray Ridge road in West Limestone. Bobby James and Barbara use to drive highway 99 in the spring. Bobby said it was like the smokies but closer. Well the mountains are not as big but they do have hills and hollows. I got acquainted with the area my last two years in college while serving the Salem Springs Baptist Church. June and her folks lived down on highway 99 right smack in Marbut hollow, but the land I am referring to was about a mile to the west. It was a gravel road in the 70’s with June’s dad’s land on the right and her uncle on the left. They bought 500 acres for 67$ per acre. They ran cows on it and June’s uncle kept it Bush hogged. From the road you could see the tiny valley and the sides of the hills. Last Thursday, we delivered a tractor to an older gentleman that lives just around the curve from the land I have been talking about. June and I were agasp, we could not believe what we were seeing. It was a jungle. The ditches were trees and bushes. It was like going through a tunnel. We could not believe our eyes. This land has not seen a bush hog or a chain saw in a long time. I thought we would see acres of cleared land and pastures but no pastures and the land is a thicket; a haunt for deer and rabbits.
The man who bought the tractor lives in this forrest. He has 75 acres and he has a tiny spot, on the side of a hill, carved out for a house. Then below his house is an old barn. He has two workshops and a lake that he built himself. I don’t remember his name but I do remember that he is from Michigan. He is 86 years old and has only one foot. His wife lives in Atlanta. June said, “I don’t blame her.” If you are a recluse, you would love this place. He begged me to sit down and talk with him but June was needed facilities in a bad way. I have to go back an see this old man. I had on my FBI cap and he said {after we unloaded the tractor} “too bad we don’t have a bar to celebrate the occassion.” Jack, the Pharisee, said, “I don’t do bars, I am into Jesus.” He said, “You can do both.” I said, “You may be right, C.S. Lewis went to the pub everyday.”
They moved Jenny to rehap yesterday evening: Encompass. Jim was doing Ok. I didn’t get to talk to him but I will try again later today. Two veru good services yesterday and a lot of foot washing. I have more to do. I didn’t get to everyone I needed to see.
Guatemala Team leaves on Thursday; 49er meet on Friday. We intended to make one change but it did not work out: we will have KFC and the trimmings.
Had a lot of trouble this morning with the blog. I soon as I get this one posted, I will try to reboot my computer and hope that it solved the problem. This is driving me nuts, it takes twice as long.
GRACE POINTERS: Remember July is Deacon nomination month. You have two more weeks. Write down your nomination and put it in the offering plate or give it to David Cowart. Election is August 16. Two other events coming up: September 13th we will have a special offering for Wycliff Bible Publishers. Our Morgan Baptist Association is trying to translate the gospel of John. It cost $35 to translate one verse. My prayer is that each member will translate at least one. It is a one offering event. October 26 {Monday} Grace Point will host the MORGAN BAPTIST ASSOCIATIONAL ANNUAL MEETING. It may be the first time GP has hosted {I’m not sure}. The meeting begins at 9:30 or 10:00 I think and concludes at 11:30 and we furnish the noon meal. It will be like a 49er feast. This will be in lieu of the Pastor Appreciation lunch that you have been doing. We have been feeding 20 and that number should go to 50-60 but we can do it, and I am looking forward to it.
I don’t think many pastors read the blog but here is the PASTOR APPRECIATION schedule for OCTOBER
- Monday, October 5…Keith and Judy Blackwood
- Monday, October 12…New Center Baptist Church
- Monday, October 19…East Highland Baptist Church
- Monday, October 26…Grace Point Baptist Church
- Christmas Breakfast, December 7…{Cracker Barrel} Danville Baptist Church