Special Day Today!

Twenty-two years ago tonight was nothing weather-wise like it is today. Today is beautiful and 70 degrees. Back then, it was cold and blustery. Though I hate cold weather and was really nervous it was a night that I shall never forget.

I remember standing on the front porch of that church in Centerhill, Alabama pacing back and forth. Chain smoking one cigarette after another. White tuxedo and all! I remember waiting with the preacher in the room to the side of the auditorium for our cue to enter for the ceremony.

The greatest memory of that day was when my bride stepped into the aisle at the back of the auditorium. I had never seen anything as beautiful in all my life. There was, in my mind, no one else in the whole building. I was about to pledge the rest of my life to her in marriage. She was about to become my wife and little did I know the impact she would make on me at that time.

Since then, my life has only been for the better. O, I don't mean that we have never had a disagreement or even a good heated battle now and then, but I would not change having her in my life for all the riches of the world.

Ellen has been the rock and foundation of our family. Were it not for her, I don't know where I would have ended up. My life was taking a totally different direction. I loved to play music and planned a career on the road. She stood strong for the things of righteousness by way of her example and, to make a really long story short, I turned my life back to God because of her. Countless souls have had the message of Jesus shared with them because of her, both through herself and her influence on me. I owe my spiritual life to Ellen. In fact, I owe all that I am that is any good in this world to God first and to her second.

Yes God receives all the glory for anything good that we are, but I am living proof that He does these good things so many times through the servants that he places in our way. Thank you God for Ellen! Thank you for 22 of the happiest years of my life!

Smelling Like Jesus

The Scriptures teach that we are to be light and salt to the world. That requires us to be in some "strange" places. When we decide to be who God calls us to be, we must understand that there is a cost involved. Sometimes the costs are high even to the point of costing our lives. Sometimes we just have to be uncomfortable for a while. That is where I found myself this week on a visit.

One of our shepherds and I have the privilege to go and make visits together. We landed at a house that you could smell the smoke from the outside. This couple has been visiting Creekside for a few weeks and really seemed like they were enjoying being with us. The house reeked of smoke as they puffed away. It was a strange situation. We had such a good visit however but when we left we smelled of cigarettes. From head to toe we smelled like we had been in a fire place. But I have to tell you it smelled great. When I got home after this visit my wife, Ellen put it into a great perspective. She said, "Wow, you smell like Jesus."

When I said before that this couple really enjoyed Creekside, that was an understatement! They were ready to come and make Creekside their church home. I just did not know how serious they were until today. Praise be to God that before our services started today, the lady of that house wanted to be baptized. When she expressed the desire, her husband said that though he had been baptized before, he wanted to again. So, we began our time together today with a couple being baptized into Jesus. They were so excited. He took the microphone away from us at the end of the service and proclaimed to the church, "I now have a church family and a home!" He also said that he wanted to open his house up to us to visit.

Following the lesson there were two more who wanted prayers and the whole congregation came forward and laid their hands on them. What a powerful confirmation of love and prayer! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!!
Needless to say, we had a great day in the Lord!