Harvest Festival Success

I want to praise the Lord for a successful Harvest Festival last Saturday. We had over 600 people in attendance and had over 100 volunteers from HDBC working the make it a success. Special thanks to Shay Caldwell, our Children's Minister, and the children's ministry leadership team. You guys did a great job. This is simply one way that we are "Building Bridges" to Jonesboro and the surrounding community.

Rainy days and . . .

Fall has arrived. And with it the rain and cooler weather. I love the cooler weather, but have pretty much had all the rain I need, at least for now. Quite frankly I have been so busy inside that I have hardly noticed. I'm excited about some things just around the corner. Let me share a few of them:

Harvest Festival this Saturday afternoon, 3-5 pm. I can't wait. We should have over 500 children and other family members on our campus.

College basketball season. Yes, football is my first love, but college basketball is growing on me.

Cote d'Ivoire trip. I admit that it has taken some time for me to get excited about this trip. God is definitely calling me to go, and I have been committed, just not excited. In the past few days my excitement is growing. I look forward to seeing how God is working among the Koyaka people. By the way, thanks to all who are praying for us on this trip.

God Bless.

VIP Sunday

What a great day! Yesterday was VIP Sunday at Highland Drive Baptist. We honored our VIP's, those who are 70 years of age or older. As I shared in my message yesterday morning they truly are the backbone of our fellowship. Last night was also a great night, as we ordained Shay Caldwell to ministry. Be praying for Shay as he completes his seminary training in December. It is such a blessing to serve in such a wonderful church. Being with you on Sundays, makes Mondays so much better! Have a great week.

Football and Family

As many of you know, I am a Mississippi State Fan through and through. I guess it is in my blood. My dad was a student at MSU when I was born. I have grown up following the Maroon and White through good years and bad. And believe me, we have had our share of bad years.

You may also know that Jan grew up calling the Hogs. She loves the Razorbacks. That sort of makes us a divided family. Well, you may wonder how we do it. Fortunately we both know how to take a loss. And we usually keep the "smack talking" to a minimum.

There is one other thing that helps keep us together on game days. We both love the ASU Indians. It is a real blessing to live in a university town and to support our local school. Our grandson, Hutch, is also getting into the spirit. I am working hard to influence him toward the Bulldogs, and his Mama J truly wants him to be a Razorback. At this point, only the Lord knows which way he will lean. In the mean time, he has become a faithful fan of the Arkansas State Indians. He loves going to the games. In words that only Hutch truly understands, I am sure he is saying, "Go Indians."

Missed You

As I am writing this blog I am in a hotel room in Cleveland, MS. Actually it is a Holiday Inn Express. Who knows what I will be able to do after staying here for a few days. :)

I am preaching a revival meeting this week for Calvary Baptist Church. They are a loving, wonderful church, led by Pastor Mark Worsham. Though I am enjoying the opportunity to renew my friendship with Mark and his family, and to get to know some new Christian brothers and sisters, I certainly did miss the Highland Drive family on Sunday. I have already heard good reports from the worship celebrations and the picnic. I'm delighted that things went well. We are blessed to have such a great staff to lead in ministry when I am away.

I will conclude the revival meeting here on Wednesday night and will be back in the office on Thursday. Hope you all have a wonderful week. Keep your thoughts on Heaven.

Freedom

Aye, fight and you may die, run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM! (William Wallace in Braveheart)

We enjoy so many freedoms. Some are ours because we are citizens of the United States of America. We enjoy many others because we are citizens of the Kingdom of God. The Lord truly wants us to live in freedom: freedom from bondage . . .freedom from the penalty and power of sin . . .freedom from hopelessness. And freedom from financial tyranny.

I hope you have benefited from our recent 4-part series, The Road to Financial Freedom. For most of us, it marked the beginning of a journey to freedom in this area, not the end. So, let me encourage you to continue the journey by practicing the principles of finances found in God's word.

In Calvary's Grace