The Beauty and the Beast

This week's winter wonderland has merged the beauty and the beast. Ice gleaming in the trees and hanging onto bushes is beautiful. Seeing the landscape of white is a wonderful experience. However, this time the beast came with the beauty. Much of Jonesboro has been and remains out of power. We lost power Tuesday night and as of Thursday morning are still in the dark. Actually, I am in Louisiana for a day or two, but my home remains powerless. Jan and I spent a cool night in the house on Tuesday night listening to the limbs and trees falling all around us. We were especially aware of the one that landed on our roof just over our bedroom. I've not yet climbed on the roof to assess the damage but I don't believe it is serious.

All in all, we are doing well. I feel for people who are struggling much more than we are. I also want to commend the utility workers who are working tirelessly to get the lights back on. Hats off to those guys.

Afternoon with Hutch

Last Friday afternoon I had the joy of spending several hours with my grandson, Hutch. We watched TV, played in the front yard, went for a walk, picked up sticks, snuck up on birds, and looked for dogs and cats. The funniest part of the afternoon was when he fell asleep in his high chair while eating chips. Unfortunately my camera was at the office. It would have made a great picture.

Thanks, Hutch, for a great afternoon!

Need a Laugh?

Check out these photos. Look closely at the first one and you will find Johnny, Jan and Julie, minus about 27 years. The second one offers clear evidence of the pounds that I have put on over the past three decades. Trust me, that guy you see in the picture is still me. I've simply added a little padding. Thought you might enjoy a laugh at your pastor. Some friends from my South Louisiana youth ministry days posted these and others on facebook. It kind of makes me want to pull out the old photo albums. But then I would have to check out the junior high and high school yearbooks. On second thought, maybe I better just let it lie.

Big Wednesday Night

Last night was great at HDBC. Grapple (5th and 6th graders) got off to a great start with eight students. The debut of Fusion our new student focus on Wednesday nights was great. Twenty-eight students gathered with Jason for a more in depth Bible study than they are able to do during Lifechange. Rick shared that the choir had near record numbers during their rehearsal. The rest of our children's and adult ministries also experienced great numbers, many guests, and a sweet spirit.

Special thanks to all the volunteers who make these ministries work.

Invest and Invite.

How About Those Bulldogs!

As a Mississippi State fan I'm pretty elated this morning after their second straight conference win. They beat Alabama last night in Starkville. The young pups have certainly improved the past few weeks. I just hope they can continue the hot streak.

Go Dawgs!

40

Yesterday was a great day at HDBC. We had great crowds in each of our morning worship celebrations, many guests and strong numbers in our small groups. I noticed that we had 40 preschoolers during small groups. That is great. I'm so excited about seeing how our children's ministry continues to grow.

Lifechange (our weekly big event for students) moved to Sunday nights this week, giving them full access to our Ministry Activity Center. This change will also benefit our children who will have full access to this area on Wednesday nights. Our numbers will grow in each of these ministries as a result of this change. Change can be a good thing.

Remember to Invest and Invite this week.

Pray for Israelis and Palestinians

As hostilities continue between Israel Defense Forces and the terrorists group Hamas, all Christians are encourage to pray daily for that situation. I've been asked a few times recently what I thought about Israel's invasion of Gaza. I was in Israel in 1995-96, and again last year and have an understanding of just how small the country is and how volatile that area is. Neither time did we go to Gaza which is under the Palestinian Authority.

Following the death of Yasser Arafat the radical terrorist group, Hamas, gained control over the Palestinian Authority and has regularly encouraged and sponsored terrorists attacks on innocent Israeli citizens. They target non-military areas and often kill and wound women and children. They have no regard for innocent human life.

For several months they have fired rockets and mortars into Israel. They are relentless in their desire for the destruction of Israel as a nation and for the death of the Jewish people. Israel has every right to defend itself and is justified in seeking and destroying those who have attacked, harassed and repeatedly killed its citizens. Imagine if Mexico or Canada routinely fired rockets, mortars or missiles into the United States. Imagine if their official policy statement was that the United States had no right to exist and that their objective was to destroy us as a nation. Imagine if they sent suicide bombers into our cities We would not sit by and allow that to continue.

Having said that, I also want to say that my heart goes out to the Palestinian people. All Palestinians are not terrorists. Most sincerely want peace but are caught in the crossfire of hatred and prejudice. Pray for them and especially for believers who live in Israel and in Gaza.

I hope Israel will be successful in dismantling the network of terrorism in Gaza, thus providing some years of relative peace in the immediate future. I hope other nations in the area will not become involved in the conflict. Lebanon has recently begun to fire missiles into northern Israel. This is not a good sign. I hope the United States will stand firmly behind Israel and will support her right to defend herself.

War is never good, but is sometimes necessary to stop evil from triumphing.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Simple Faith

It's not complicated, so don't make it that way. I'm speaking of following Christ. Please notice that I did not say it was easy. Some times it is not. However, it is not complicated. I am excited about beginning a new sermon series that will explain just how simple it is to follow Christ. Plan to join us for this series beginning January 11.

Remember that there are people all around us who do not have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. You and I have the responsibility for helping them know that it is possible for them. Invest and Invite this week.