I remember the day that I trusted Christ as my Savior. Mr. Charles Faust, a faithful Sunday School teacher, had shared the Gospel with me week after week at Tenth Avenue Baptist Church. His passion for my salvation led me to accept the Good News and become a child of God.
Unfortunately, I rarely saw the same passion in church as I saw in that Sunday School class, and I soon became bored with church and began to drift. No matter where I attended church, the preachers seemed very proper but didn't seem to really captivate my attention. My life was beginning down a dangerous path that could have very well led to much heartache and sorrow.
I will never forget my first Sunday at Providence Baptist Church. I really didn't want to be there, in fact I hid in the car during Sunday School, but I knew I would have to go in for church since my family would be looking for me. When Bro. Hancock got up to preach, I was not initially impressed. He wasn't that big of a guy, but he had the heart of a lion. I had never heard anyone preach like him. He simply told it the way it was without decorating the message with religious and impressive language. The way he preached, it seemed as if he had been watching me all week and was telling everyone just how bad I had been living. I did not like him! Even though I didn't like him, I went back the next week so I could dislike him some more. Over a course of weeks God began to move in my heart.
It wasn't long before my family quit going to church, but the church van from Providence was always there to pick me up and carry me to church. I grew to love and appreciate the straightforward preaching of Bro. Raymond Hancock, and God used him to gradually help transform my life from a potential thug to a follower of Jesus. I cannot overstate the deep appreciation that I have for the ministry of Dr. Hancock and Providence Baptist Church.
At Providence I met my future bride, Sandy Wade, and Bro. Hancock conducted our wedding ceremony. It was under his ministry that God called me to preach and his signature on my Ordination Certificate is one of my prized possessions. As I sat and listened to him preach each week, I gleaned much on how to conduct myself behind the pulpit. In the years that followed, I would occasionally take some of my folks to hear him and they often commented that I had adopted much of his preaching style. I wear that as a badge of honor.
Yesterday Dr. Raymond Hancock won his battle with mortality and stepped into the presence of Jesus. He has graduated ahead of many that he influenced for the cause of Christ, but his dividends continue to grow as those whom he influenced are still serving Jesus.
Thanks for being there Bro. Hancock. Thanks for being faithful through the wonderful and the difficult times. Thanks for being a role model for me when I desperately needed one.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Tis the Night Before Christmas
Christmas....
As a child, I had a love/hate relationship with Christmas. It was always wonderful at Mema's house, but elsewhere it presented challenges within my mind. Growing up with divorced parents always caused me to desire that my kids would never have to face the conflicts that I felt.
As an adult, Christmas is always my favorite time of the year. Although, I am still prone to be a mixture of Scrooge and the Grinch if I am not careful. I am so blessed to have Sandy, the love of my life, help me celebrate Christmas the right way. I find the greatest pleasure simply watching as my family opens their gifts and shows their delight. Tonight I will spend some time in reflection and contemplation remembering the Christmas mornings when our kids were young and recounting their joy and appreciation for their gifts. I am truly grateful to God for each of my kids and their families. Tomorrow, when a number of the family arrives, we will be able to watch as the family opens gifts and I see the same level of delight in the eyes of the grandkids that we saw years ago in our kids.
As I think of the gifts that we share with our family, they are merely a token of the love that we have for each of them. As I think of the gifts for my wife, I realize that she is deserving of so much more than I could ever give to her. Outside of my salvation, she is the greatest gift that God has ever given to me.
Christmas Eve is a time of anticipation and joy as we await the dawn of Christmas, but this was not true on that first Christmas. The text for a recent sermon series, "The Spirit of Christmas", began with "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)." The world that Jesus entered was dark, dreary, oppressed, and enslaved by sin. In all honesty, that same condition is true today. Our nation may dress up the holiday and make it a time of celebration and distraction, but the same heart condition of the first Christmas persists today. The ultimate Christmas gift is Jesus Himself! Without a personal relationship with Him, the day loses its true significance. With Jesus, the day is glorious as we remember the birth of Christ our Savior. Without Jesus, we could easily quote Scrooge and say "Christmas is a humbug."
Spend some time thanking God for the "unspeakable gift" of Jesus. In light of the gift of God we can truly appreciate all that Christmas really should be to us.
Christmas is a day to relish. The Savior came and brought light to a dark world. His light in our hearts brings salvation, joy, and purpose. Thank you Father for the gift of Your Son!
As a child, I had a love/hate relationship with Christmas. It was always wonderful at Mema's house, but elsewhere it presented challenges within my mind. Growing up with divorced parents always caused me to desire that my kids would never have to face the conflicts that I felt.
As an adult, Christmas is always my favorite time of the year. Although, I am still prone to be a mixture of Scrooge and the Grinch if I am not careful. I am so blessed to have Sandy, the love of my life, help me celebrate Christmas the right way. I find the greatest pleasure simply watching as my family opens their gifts and shows their delight. Tonight I will spend some time in reflection and contemplation remembering the Christmas mornings when our kids were young and recounting their joy and appreciation for their gifts. I am truly grateful to God for each of my kids and their families. Tomorrow, when a number of the family arrives, we will be able to watch as the family opens gifts and I see the same level of delight in the eyes of the grandkids that we saw years ago in our kids.
As I think of the gifts that we share with our family, they are merely a token of the love that we have for each of them. As I think of the gifts for my wife, I realize that she is deserving of so much more than I could ever give to her. Outside of my salvation, she is the greatest gift that God has ever given to me.
Christmas Eve is a time of anticipation and joy as we await the dawn of Christmas, but this was not true on that first Christmas. The text for a recent sermon series, "The Spirit of Christmas", began with "The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. (Isaiah 9:2)." The world that Jesus entered was dark, dreary, oppressed, and enslaved by sin. In all honesty, that same condition is true today. Our nation may dress up the holiday and make it a time of celebration and distraction, but the same heart condition of the first Christmas persists today. The ultimate Christmas gift is Jesus Himself! Without a personal relationship with Him, the day loses its true significance. With Jesus, the day is glorious as we remember the birth of Christ our Savior. Without Jesus, we could easily quote Scrooge and say "Christmas is a humbug."
Spend some time thanking God for the "unspeakable gift" of Jesus. In light of the gift of God we can truly appreciate all that Christmas really should be to us.
Christmas is a day to relish. The Savior came and brought light to a dark world. His light in our hearts brings salvation, joy, and purpose. Thank you Father for the gift of Your Son!
Monday, September 22, 2014
Watch Your Step!
I have had several occasions in my life that should have taught me the importance attributed to the "watch your step" concept. Sadly, I sometimes forget the lessons that I thought I had painfully learned and I get the privilege of learning them afresh.
Once when I was in my pre-teen days, I was walking along a sidewalk without really paying attention to where I was going. I was unaware of utility work that was going on and I fell down the hole that had been opened to get to the pipes below the sidewalk. The result was that I took all of the skin off the back of my arm from the wrist to the elbow. Interestingly, my dad never considered suing the city, but he did teach me a lesson in the first aid he provided to me. After his treatment of peroxide, alcohol, merthiolate, and iodine my injury healed. I have often told him that it was afraid not to heal.
A little over a week ago, I again learned the importance of watching your step. While descending a ladder in the church auditorium, I thought I was at the bottom of the ladder and stepped off. Unfortunately, I was not at the bottom and this resulted in me losing my balance and falling against the wall. The end of this story is that I broke three ribs due to my own carelessness.
It is crucial for us to diligently watch our steps. The Bible tells us that God will direct the steps of those that look to Him for guidance, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." (Psalms 37:23). None of us will follow the Lord by accident, it is a purposeful decision that requires daily dedication.
We must be perpetually alert to watching our step for there are many that would encourage us to go in destructive ways, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:" (Exodus 23:2). Our steps will reveal our character much clearer than our words, "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." (III John 11).
Perhaps the greatest danger to our steps comes when we think that there is no one that will see us and we will not be discovered, "For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house," (Proverbs 7:6-8). This chapter is devoted to the one who tries to satisfy his passion in secrecy, but it leads to his destruction.
We must watch our step because it impacts our own relationship with God. We must watch our step because our path does influence others. We must watch our step because our actions will either bring joy or pain to those that we love. We must watch our step because Jesus deserves our best and our total devotion.
"Watch Your Step!"
Once when I was in my pre-teen days, I was walking along a sidewalk without really paying attention to where I was going. I was unaware of utility work that was going on and I fell down the hole that had been opened to get to the pipes below the sidewalk. The result was that I took all of the skin off the back of my arm from the wrist to the elbow. Interestingly, my dad never considered suing the city, but he did teach me a lesson in the first aid he provided to me. After his treatment of peroxide, alcohol, merthiolate, and iodine my injury healed. I have often told him that it was afraid not to heal.
A little over a week ago, I again learned the importance of watching your step. While descending a ladder in the church auditorium, I thought I was at the bottom of the ladder and stepped off. Unfortunately, I was not at the bottom and this resulted in me losing my balance and falling against the wall. The end of this story is that I broke three ribs due to my own carelessness.
It is crucial for us to diligently watch our steps. The Bible tells us that God will direct the steps of those that look to Him for guidance, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way." (Psalms 37:23). None of us will follow the Lord by accident, it is a purposeful decision that requires daily dedication.
We must be perpetually alert to watching our step for there are many that would encourage us to go in destructive ways, "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:" (Exodus 23:2). Our steps will reveal our character much clearer than our words, "Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God." (III John 11).
Perhaps the greatest danger to our steps comes when we think that there is no one that will see us and we will not be discovered, "For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house," (Proverbs 7:6-8). This chapter is devoted to the one who tries to satisfy his passion in secrecy, but it leads to his destruction.
We must watch our step because it impacts our own relationship with God. We must watch our step because our path does influence others. We must watch our step because our actions will either bring joy or pain to those that we love. We must watch our step because Jesus deserves our best and our total devotion.
"Watch Your Step!"
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Help Lord! I'm Leaking!
The past few days have led me to recall a great truth that I first learned in Bible College. Dr. Kenneth Dean, as he was teaching the second year Greek class, stated an intriguing truth about this familiar verse: "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;" (Ephesians 5:18). He said that the verb construction of this verse should be understood that being filled with the Spirit is on ongoing, continuous process.
I can't speak for anyone else, but I realize that if I am not being constantly filled with the Spirit, I will soon be empty and dry of God's presence and power. Scripture teaches us that we have the treasure of God contained in earthen vessels. Earthen vessels, at least mine, are often cracked and the only way to keep them filled is to continue pouring a fresh supply into them.
Why are our earthen vessels leaking? Sometimes it is the weights of life or the sin which so easily besets us, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2). It could be the difficulties and tragedies of life that cause us to become distracted from our relationship with the Lord. We may even find ourselves so disappointed in others that we lose our joy and purpose through a time of despair. Perhaps we have been praying diligently for a certain thing, yet God did not answer our prayer in the way we desired. Regardless of the cause of our Spiritual seepage, we must remember that "......for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10).
If I allow sin to gain a foothold in my life, I leak. If I doubt the promises of God, I leak. If I try to solve problems by myself without casting my cares upon the Lord, I leak. If I let the struggles and heartaches of life overcome my being, I leak.
Although, if I remember the source of my help and come to the Lord in brokenness and faith, He is my source of spiritual supply. Even though my earthen vessel is often cracked and leaking, His ability to fill me is more than adequate to overcome my shortcomings.
If you feel like you are leaking and growing dry in your relationship with Jesus. Join me in crying out "Help Lord! I'm leaking!"
I can't speak for anyone else, but I realize that if I am not being constantly filled with the Spirit, I will soon be empty and dry of God's presence and power. Scripture teaches us that we have the treasure of God contained in earthen vessels. Earthen vessels, at least mine, are often cracked and the only way to keep them filled is to continue pouring a fresh supply into them.
Why are our earthen vessels leaking? Sometimes it is the weights of life or the sin which so easily besets us, "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2). It could be the difficulties and tragedies of life that cause us to become distracted from our relationship with the Lord. We may even find ourselves so disappointed in others that we lose our joy and purpose through a time of despair. Perhaps we have been praying diligently for a certain thing, yet God did not answer our prayer in the way we desired. Regardless of the cause of our Spiritual seepage, we must remember that "......for the joy of the LORD is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10).
If I allow sin to gain a foothold in my life, I leak. If I doubt the promises of God, I leak. If I try to solve problems by myself without casting my cares upon the Lord, I leak. If I let the struggles and heartaches of life overcome my being, I leak.
Although, if I remember the source of my help and come to the Lord in brokenness and faith, He is my source of spiritual supply. Even though my earthen vessel is often cracked and leaking, His ability to fill me is more than adequate to overcome my shortcomings.
If you feel like you are leaking and growing dry in your relationship with Jesus. Join me in crying out "Help Lord! I'm leaking!"
Monday, July 21, 2014
Anybody Here Seen My Old Friend....Commitment?
I have been musing for some time about the current weaknesses in the "organized" church. One of the primary areas of apparent weakness in American Christianity seems to be in our level of true commitment.
I had an old song from my teen years come into my mind early this morning. The song, "Anybody Here Seen My Old Friend John", was written by Dick Holler and first recorded by Dion. While it was never one of my favorite songs, it still had a melody and message that was intriguing to many teen minds. The song was a reminder of people that were lost to the present, but their ideals were to live on.
As this tune played in my mind, I had the thought that we seem to have abandoned some very important qualities in recent days that need to be reclaimed. One of the first traits that came to mind was the concept of commitment. Human nature has always been, at best, flawed and in need of constant spiritual prodding, but the world of today seems to be particularly shallow when it comes to being committed. Marriages fail when one, or both, spouses no longer feel the need of being faithful to their mate and their vows. Many churches are struggling spiritually because the membership sees their involvement as being driven by convenience and personal preference.
God has gifted His people to be able to serve ably for the glory of the Lord and the benefit of others, " But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him..... Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (I Corinthians 12:18, 27). He enables us to do what we need to do for His Kingdom, therefore, the breakdown is not with God but it is within us.
The American church seems to want a religion of convenience that allows us to come and go as we please, live anyway we please, and never be challenged about things that would make us uncomfortable. I realize that there are a good number of vibrant, evangelistic Bible believing ministries, and I am thankful to God for the work they are doing for God. Although, I am greatly concerned with many of the "church growth" models that are more specifically designed to entertain the crowds rather that challenging them to follow Jesus with full devotion.
The Lord Jesus showed His commitment to us when He died upon the cross. This reality should motivate those of us that truly know Him as Savior to devotion, "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16.24). Too many "professing" believers have adopted a brand of spirituality that can be controlled by our personal whims and desires.
Jesus came to be our Savior. Praise the Lord for this great truth! Those that are serious about their faith see that Jesus is also Lord, and as Lord He is worthy of our commitment, " He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16:10-13).
Anybody here seen my old friend commitment? I pray that God will enable me to model true commitment to my marriage, my family, my church, and my Savior. We need a band of people who will be touched by God to exhibit real commitment in a fickle age.
I had an old song from my teen years come into my mind early this morning. The song, "Anybody Here Seen My Old Friend John", was written by Dick Holler and first recorded by Dion. While it was never one of my favorite songs, it still had a melody and message that was intriguing to many teen minds. The song was a reminder of people that were lost to the present, but their ideals were to live on.
As this tune played in my mind, I had the thought that we seem to have abandoned some very important qualities in recent days that need to be reclaimed. One of the first traits that came to mind was the concept of commitment. Human nature has always been, at best, flawed and in need of constant spiritual prodding, but the world of today seems to be particularly shallow when it comes to being committed. Marriages fail when one, or both, spouses no longer feel the need of being faithful to their mate and their vows. Many churches are struggling spiritually because the membership sees their involvement as being driven by convenience and personal preference.
God has gifted His people to be able to serve ably for the glory of the Lord and the benefit of others, " But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him..... Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (I Corinthians 12:18, 27). He enables us to do what we need to do for His Kingdom, therefore, the breakdown is not with God but it is within us.
The American church seems to want a religion of convenience that allows us to come and go as we please, live anyway we please, and never be challenged about things that would make us uncomfortable. I realize that there are a good number of vibrant, evangelistic Bible believing ministries, and I am thankful to God for the work they are doing for God. Although, I am greatly concerned with many of the "church growth" models that are more specifically designed to entertain the crowds rather that challenging them to follow Jesus with full devotion.
The Lord Jesus showed His commitment to us when He died upon the cross. This reality should motivate those of us that truly know Him as Savior to devotion, "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16.24). Too many "professing" believers have adopted a brand of spirituality that can be controlled by our personal whims and desires.
Jesus came to be our Savior. Praise the Lord for this great truth! Those that are serious about their faith see that Jesus is also Lord, and as Lord He is worthy of our commitment, " He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." (Luke 16:10-13).
Anybody here seen my old friend commitment? I pray that God will enable me to model true commitment to my marriage, my family, my church, and my Savior. We need a band of people who will be touched by God to exhibit real commitment in a fickle age.
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
The Roller-Coaster Called Life
Every life has those exhilarating high moments and those times when it seems the bottom has fallen out from under us. This seems particularly true in the life of a pastor. The pastor not only deals with the issues of his own life, but he is called upon to share and help with life's details of those that are within his care.
This past week has been a microcosm of the extremes that life presents to us. Last week my wife and I celebrated our forty-second anniversary of marriage. Sandy is a special gift of God's grace to me and I could not imagine having anyone else to be the one who completes me. We also had the joy of traveling to San Antonio, Texas to be present at our oldest son's "Change of Command" ceremony. It was a wonderful trip and allowed us to spend some quality time with his family. While we were gone, we received word that we had a death in our church family. Life seems to be a continuous mixture of laughter, joy, tears, and sorrow.
We find within ministry a constant call to be there with people we love in their intimate moments. Some need us to rejoice with them in their wonderful times. Others need advice and compassion to help them through times of sorrow,struggle, failing marriages, sicknesses, and even death.
Over the years, I have had a number of men that have come to me to inform me that they were considering ministry as a "vocation". My advice to them has always been that if they could do anything else, and feel that they were in the will of God, they should do something different. On the other hand, there is no calling that is more fulfilling than ministry when it is a calling from God.
Many years ago we made a trip to Six Flags over Georgia, and the "Scream Machine" was at that time the main roller-coaster at that site. I remember the anxiety as we were strapped into place and the cars began their ascent. There was a moment when I wondered if we could survive the trip, but after a few minutes we arrived safely at the point of departure. Since that time, I have ridden a number of roller-coasters that have made the "Scream Machine" seem tame, but they all are a good example of life.
When we begin to leave the loading area, we are unsure about what is ahead, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (I Corinthians 13:12). The only thing that we have to keep us secure is the realization that we are held secure by the promises of God's Word, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the Designer of our life, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2).
Praise the Lord, one day the roller-coaster ride will be over. Those who know Christ as Savior will be able to enjoy eternal happiness and bliss, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4).
Life may have many unexpected drops and turns, but if we are held by the Spirit of God and the promises of God we shall arrive home safely. Be certain that your faith is in Christ as Savior rather than your own ability to weather the storms of life. Jesus alone has the ability to be the author and finisher of our faith!
This past week has been a microcosm of the extremes that life presents to us. Last week my wife and I celebrated our forty-second anniversary of marriage. Sandy is a special gift of God's grace to me and I could not imagine having anyone else to be the one who completes me. We also had the joy of traveling to San Antonio, Texas to be present at our oldest son's "Change of Command" ceremony. It was a wonderful trip and allowed us to spend some quality time with his family. While we were gone, we received word that we had a death in our church family. Life seems to be a continuous mixture of laughter, joy, tears, and sorrow.
We find within ministry a constant call to be there with people we love in their intimate moments. Some need us to rejoice with them in their wonderful times. Others need advice and compassion to help them through times of sorrow,struggle, failing marriages, sicknesses, and even death.
Over the years, I have had a number of men that have come to me to inform me that they were considering ministry as a "vocation". My advice to them has always been that if they could do anything else, and feel that they were in the will of God, they should do something different. On the other hand, there is no calling that is more fulfilling than ministry when it is a calling from God.
Many years ago we made a trip to Six Flags over Georgia, and the "Scream Machine" was at that time the main roller-coaster at that site. I remember the anxiety as we were strapped into place and the cars began their ascent. There was a moment when I wondered if we could survive the trip, but after a few minutes we arrived safely at the point of departure. Since that time, I have ridden a number of roller-coasters that have made the "Scream Machine" seem tame, but they all are a good example of life.
When we begin to leave the loading area, we are unsure about what is ahead, "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (I Corinthians 13:12). The only thing that we have to keep us secure is the realization that we are held secure by the promises of God's Word, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the Designer of our life, "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2).
Praise the Lord, one day the roller-coaster ride will be over. Those who know Christ as Savior will be able to enjoy eternal happiness and bliss, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:4).
Life may have many unexpected drops and turns, but if we are held by the Spirit of God and the promises of God we shall arrive home safely. Be certain that your faith is in Christ as Savior rather than your own ability to weather the storms of life. Jesus alone has the ability to be the author and finisher of our faith!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
The Fred Wooten Suit
A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of preaching a revival service at a church in Dublin, GA. In the midst of that message, I remembered someone who had been a special person to me during my early days of ministry. I suppose that I am often prone to be nostalgic about the folks that God has used in my life, but we are all today a product of what we were molded into from the past. Let me share a poem I wrote many years ago about a suit that was given to me as a gift from a special individual.
The Fred Wooten Suit
Tis Easter morn and soon our crowd will be
tightly pressed
Tradition will require that most present
will be finely dressed
Eyes will turn and roam to see the splendid
forms of new attire
Though very few eyes will gaze upon my old
suit and admire
But this old friend, this faithful suit that
is mine
Has a history that will be dear through the
ages of time
He was a lumbering giant who walked upon one
foot and a memory
He lost the other while in a foreign land
serving his nations’ ministry
His voice was coarse, gravelly, and even
gruff
But hide the love within? Never that rough
His eyes often twinkled with mischievous
glee
And just as quick could turn and weep with
me
Though none of these were really his most
important part
The attribute that often moved me most was a
loving heart
He seemed to watch over me with the greatest
of care
Whatever I thought I needed, he often found
a way to share
Once a turkey, next a C.B. radio, and an
occasional loaf of bread
His care was so constant; I had to use care
when speaking with Fred
The turkey grew and was eaten, and the radio
broke
But another moment yet, the thoughts still
provoke
Twas a brown plaid suit hanging on the
clothing rail
I hesitated to look at it for it wasn’t even
on sale
I told him my suits were fine, it wouldn’t
hurt to wait
But he’d come to buy his preacher a suit, no
debate
I looked at this brown friend of mine and
grimaced at the price
He asked if I liked it, said I “something
cheaper would be nice”
“Didn’t come to save money” was his stern
reply
“Pick up the suit, that’s the one I’m going
to buy”
From that day forth this suit of mine had a
little extra part
For somewhere in it was a sliver of Fred
Wooten’s heart
He bought it for Easter Sunday of 1977
It’s still here and he’s gone on to Heaven
Now prone to unravel and often needing
repair
Of today’s fashions, it doesn’t seem to be
aware
Yet, each time I put it, on I pause to
meditate
How a simple piece of cloth has such love to
radiate
So today, please enjoy your new suits and dresses
and even boots
But my joy is even fuller when I’m wearing
my “Fred Wooten” suit
Tom Vann
I wish that I still owned that suit, but over the years it seemed to shrink (at least that's my story) and I could no longer wear it. Bro. Fred would never allow me to tell where I got the suit while he was alive, but with his family's permission I shared this poem the Easter after his death. We all should cherish the people who loved and supported us over the years, and I think it would be good if we could follow their example and invest into the lives of those that we can bless and help.
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