At the writing of this article I’m trying to get things done so I can leave for youth camp on Tuesday (a day behind the others). I wanted to take just a moment and thank everyone for “soldiering on” Sunday morning through the heat. Thanks to Bill Jarrett and Don Ramsey who had things patched up for Sunday evening’s service. I also want to thank Rheadon and her crew for the putting together the ladies luncheon on Saturday. There was a good crowd and everyone seemed to have a great time.

Sunday morning Jim mentioned the “Hymn Festival” scheduled for August 15 at First Baptist downtown. This will be a great evening of music our choir along with the choir from First Baptist and a few special guest will lead us in worship as we sing some great hymns together. Mark your calendar and make sure you join us Sunday evening, August 15.

I also want you to know that we will be celebrating the Lord’s Supper during our morning worship service on August 8th. We’ll observe the Supper again on Sunday evening, October 24 and then Sunday morning, December 12.

I look forward to seeing you and your family as we gather for worship this coming Lord’s Day.

Rod

We had a great time with VBS (Vacation Bible School) last week! Our numbers were up a bit this year and everyone had a wonderful experience. There are so many to thank for all of their effort. First I want to thank Stacy Narrin for an outstanding job as “Ranch Foreman.” Of course we had exceptional teachers for the week as always. Thanks to Tina Downing for handling music and Tammy Dix for handling the “Chuck Wagon.” That was mighty fine grub cookie. Thanks to Rheadon, Jessie, Kylie and Carissa, Stacy, Tammy, Taylor, Rebekah, Tina, Dan, Daelyn, Dalton and others I don’t know about for decorating. And thank you for your prayers, financial contributions and encouragement. It was a great week.

I want you to know about a great opportunity this coming Sunday, July 25. We will have as our guest Tracy Singleton who serves with Action Zambia. Tracy will speak during the Sunday School hour in the worship center. His presentation will begin at 9:45 and wrap up about 10:30. He will be sharing about the work of Action Zambia, his calling to work with the African people and about Zambian culture in general. We are inviting all our youth and adult classes to this presentation. You will meet at your regular time in your class for announcements and attendance then move to the worship center by 9:45. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to hear about what God is doing in Zambia.

Don’t forget, if you signed up to bring food for camp that needs to be here by Sunday evening. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

This past Wednesday, July 7, marked 19 years for our family at Trinity. What’s that? Seems longer? It’s gone by pretty fast for me! I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on almost 2 decades. I’ve thought about the folks who “promoted” over that time. Heaven’s gotten a whole lot sweeter as people I’ve loved have gone home. One of the difficulties in ministry is that when you do a funeral…it’s always family. You are my family. I little piece of me dies with each funeral of a church member because it’s a part of me. I’ve also thought about people who’ve passed through and go on for other reasons. I hope I’ve been some encouragement. I hope I’ve contributed to their growth in Christ rather than hindered them. I’ve thought about those of you I’ve grown to love with greater depth because of our years together.

I’ve also thought about my failures and shortcomings. As I’ve thought about nearly 20 years of ministry at Trinity I’ve reached a few conclusions. I know there are better men to serve you as pastor. I’m certain there are more gifted evangelists and better preachers. But I’m not sure there is anyone who could love you more. I cannot express the honor and pride I feel in being your pastor. I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve so many of you who help shape and mold my life. For a lot longer than I’ve been your pastor you’ve loved me, prayed for me, supported me emotionally, spiritually and financially. You’ve put up with a lot. You’ve overlooked my faults and I am grateful. I trust I’ve been an encouragement to you. I pray that I have pointed you to Christ and have contributed to your spiritual development.

Thank you for allowing me to be your pastor. Please know of my great love for you. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

Sunday is Fathers Day. It is a day for remembering and giving thanks for our dads. I’m grateful that when I look back at my childhood, I have ample reason to be thankful. Yes, I was spoiled. I had everything I needed and most of what I wanted. We took great vacations and we visited all those places kids want to go. We certainly were not wealthy but we had it better than a lot of kids I knew. But the true gift my father gave me was not something money could buy. He taught me loving devotion.

I saw it when he worked late hours after going in early so he could drive 2.5 hours one way to watch a ball game my brother was playing in. I saw it when I turned from my seat on the bench during my game and I could see in his face my game was just as important as the one my brother stared in. I witnessed it every third Sunday night of the month when I stood to preach at the Meridian Avenue Baptist Church in Oklahoma City and there he was, Bible in hand, waiting for me to open the Word of God.

I saw it every time his eyes lit up at the sight of my children. I witnessed it every time he “happened by the house” and asked if anyone wanted to, “go see a man about a dog?” My kids piled in his car and they were off to Braum’s. I close my eyes and I see his smile and I hear his laugh. And I think, “Thank you Pappy for teaching me that while it is important to provide for your family – life is far more than food, shelter and clothing. While it is important to see that your children are educated – life lessons are taught by example. They are lessons absorbed through time spent together. Thank you for teaching me to laugh and to love. Thank you for teaching me the value of simple things. Thanks for teaching me how to be a dad.”

Happy Fathers Day. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

Calvin Miller, in his book “The Philippian Fragment,” takes a humorous and yet penetrating look at life within the church. The premises of the book is that a fragment of an ancient second-century writing has been recently unearthed. The fragment contains letters from Eusebius, the newly appointed bishop of Philippi to Clement the pastor of Coos. Eusebius tells of his struggles with influential members of the church who desires to be “crowned” as deacons. He speaks of leaders who are far more interested in status, power and influence than in sacrifice and service. No one is willing to serve at the leper colony but all want to “hold office” in the church.

The book is humorous and painful as it forces one to look in the mirror of church life. It is a not so subtle reminder that the church is composed of sinners who are stumbling towards perfection. True greatness and stature in the Kingdom of God is achieved through sacrificial service not through popularity or charisma.

Jesus, himself, is our great example as he chose the way of the cross. He chose it in eternity past as he agreed to the Father’s plan. He chose it against in the incarnation. His choice was reaffirmed in the wilderness temptation. He declared it again at the institution of the Lord’s Supper and in the Garden of Gethsemane. Finally his choice was openly displayed in the agony of Calvary. The call of the Christian life is a call to follow him. There is no great test in following him in triumphal procession. The real test is found on the road to suffering.

In his kingdom the way up is down. The path to greatness is through humility and sacrifice. That seems so foreign. You think maybe that’s why Isaiah says, “His ways are not our ways; his thoughts are not our thoughts?” That is why I must pray daily that the Father will renew my mind – that I might think his thoughts. I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

It is a legitimate question, “Why do I need the church?” If I’m a Christian, I’ve repented of my sin, I’ve turned to Christ, I’m saved – why do I need to be part of one of those thousands of fragmented little groups called churches? “I feel close to God when I’m at the lake. I worship in my own way. I don’t need the church.” I understand that sentiment. I’m the first to acknowledge the church is less than perfect, often frustrating and too often a poor example. But you do need the church. Let me give you the short answer as to why you need the church. You need the church because the local church is a visible, tangible, real-world expression of the body of Christ.

You are part of a body. You cannot live the Christian life in isolation. It is not a solo act you are part of a group. A group of imperfect people stumbling towards holiness and growing in grace. That’s another reason you need the church, because sanctification is a community project. We need each other to learn what it means to love and forgive. You also need the church to worship appropriately.

One last thing – not only do you need the church, the church needs you! We need your gifts, your talents, your insights…we need you. When you neglect your attendance it not just your life that is affected it harms all of us. We are robbed of what you have to give. We are deprived of God’s work through you. We are spiritually impoverished by your neglect. So please don’t forsake our gathering together. If not for your sake for ours. If not for ours for the glory of Christ. Perhaps the church is more important than you thought.

I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

What images or word pictures come to your mind when you hear the word, “church”? How do you view the church? How important is the church to you? When you think about your faith do you think first and foremost about your “personal” faith and experience? Do you think primarily about how things affect you and then think of the church? Is the church essential or is it secondary? These are important questions because consciously or unconsciously they have a direct bearing on your involvement in the life of your church.

It is undeniable that the church is important to the Lord Jesus. He gave his life for her. The church is his bride. We consistently read in the Scripture that Christ died for the church. You do not need any greater motivation – you should love the church because Christ loves the church. It is that simple. Further we are to love as Christ loves. That means “warts and all.” Christ loves the church in spite of its weaknesses and failures. In spite of its inconsistency and stubbornness. No, the church isn’t perfect. Yes, it is often the source of disappointment and frustration but we are still commanded to love the church. Not just the concept of church. Not just the idea of church but the folks who sit in the pew with you. The folks whose names appear on the roll. So I have to ask, “Do you love the church?”

It is an important question and one that demands an answer. Oh, and actions speak louder than words. More about that later. I hope to see you Sunday.

Rod

I should have known when I saw that crowd on a Sunday night. Nothing gathers a crowd like the chance to embarrass and humiliate the pastor! To think that I’m loved enough that you would “spare every expense” in recognizing the occasion of my 50th birthday is overwhelming. The thoughtfulness expressed in your gifts of vitamins, pain pills and other expressions of my aged and decrepit condition where heartwarming. I have so many to thank…of course due to my advanced age I can’t remember who they are, so I’ll just say thanks to all of you.

I was so grateful we all got to watch me age in the video. The likeness to Barney Fife was striking wasn’t it? Most shocking to some was that image of me with a shovel in my hand, “…the pastor…working? Unbelievable!” Not to mention the fashion history – hair, glasses, plaid shorts. Then there was that touching moment when I was given a certificate proclaiming that I was officially a Keenager.

It was a wonderful evening and I really do appreciate your thoughtfulness. As I said Sunday evening, I’m grateful that “church family” is not just a cliché but is an accurate and true expression of our life together. Rheadon and I are blessed to have had the privilege of raising our children in the church we grew up in. You are our family and we love you very much.

I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

Do you remember when the Rich Young Ruler approached Jesus about the means to eternal life? He asked, “Good teacher what must I do to be saved?” Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? There is only one who is good.” Too often I’ve brushed right past that. There is only one who is good. I’d have to add to that the fact that He is always good. I know that. I mean I accept it intellectually. I affirm it as a doctrinal statement. It is my confession. But is it a living truth. Is it a truth that works itself out in my daily life? In times of heartache and trial, in the midst of trouble and strife am I still confessing, “He is good?”

It is one thing to confession the goodness of God when all is well and quite another to still be making that confession when all hell breaks loose. It’s easy to confess the goodness of God when everything is to my liking but what about when I don’t get my way? What about when dreams are crushed and my hopes go unfulfilled? He is still good and I need to continue to profess that He is good.

I came across a Puritan prayer making this confession. It has become my prayer and I hope it becomes yours: “Thou art all my good in times of peace, my only support in days of trouble, my one sufficiency when life shall end. Help me to see how good thy will is in all, and even when it crosses mine teach me to be pleased with it…”

I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod

Sunday is Mother’s Day and our minds will become photo albums filled with precious memories. Some of those memories are in color others are in black and white. A crowded kitchen or dinning room overflowing with children and grandchildren, mom running back and forth refusing to sit down until she is satisfied that everyone has what they need, may need, or could possibly ever want!

There are pictures of a tired, battle-worn mom asleep in the chair in the wee hours of the morning cradling a sick child. There is that picture of mom fighting back the tears because that child, who just yesterday colored the wall with that permanent marker and ate out of the dog’s bowl, is today walking down the aisle to be joined in marriage to another. For others the scene is a family gathered about a graveside, bidding farewell to the one who brought them into the world. Our minds will be filled with memories with stories of tragedy and triumph and our hearts will be full. The common thread running through them all is mom.

While I think it is a bit overstated, I understand the sentiments of the evangelist Billy Sunday. Sunday said, “Give a boy a godly mother and any old stick will due for a dad.” It would be hard to “overestimate” the influence that mothers have had on the history of the world. Don’t forget to take time to tell mom you love her. Gifts are nice. Flowers are appreciated. But let’s face it…you’re what she really wants. A little time, some appreciation, a hug that’s priceless.

I’ll see you Sunday.

Rod