International Rooster

We have an interesting resident in our neighborhood. I first noticed it a few weeks ago. I was working in the back yard when I thought I heard a rooster crow. My first thought was to dismiss it as my imagination, but then I heard it again. I was also hearing some kids playing in a swimming pool in a nearby back yard and decided it was some kind of toy. But the crowing continuing and I finally acknowledged to myself that this was a real, live rooster.

Just so you know, I live in town. I'm surrounded by houses, lawns, driveways, patios and decks. I am far from the outskirts of town. But someone who lives near me has a rooster. And this is not just any ordinary rooster. This is an international rooster. In fact, I'll take it a step further. I'll say he is brilliant. He is well aware of the fact that at any given moment throughout the day, somewhere in the world it is morning. Somewhere around the globe a new day is dawning. He just doesn't know that his voice is not strong enough to reach most of those other places. So . . . throughout the day he does what roosters are supposed to do. He announces the starting of a new day. . . over and over and over.

You know . . . rather than it being a nuisance to me, it is a great reminder that God is always in the process of allowing someone, somewhere an opportunity to start over, to do things differently, to get it right this time. His mercies are new every morning. God is indeed, a God of fresh starts and new beginnings. So, Mr. Rooster, keep crowing.

Touching the World

HDBC is touching the world. In some cases we are sending teams out to remote areas on other continents. Two HDBC couples have given months of their lives this summer to touch people in Europe. One HDBC member will be returning home this weekend after spending over two years of her life helping an unreached people group know the truth about God's love.

We began the year by sending a team to a remote people-group in West Africa in order to tell them about Jesus. While I am writing this blog we have a team heading for Malawi (southeast Africa) to share with people in remote villages. We've sent teams to New Orleans to work not only with local people but also to minister to seamen from around the world who spend time in the port of New Orleans.

Recently our church has begun a new ministry to reach out to international students on the campus of Arkansas State University. Not only are we going to the world, but God is also bringing the world to us. These are great times, filled with great opportunities. May God help us respond to the these opportunities with courage, love and commitment.

Go Fish

Thanks for all the positive comments about the current sermon series, Go Fish. I'm really excited about all who have completed the assignment challenge that I shared at the end of the first sermon. Your emails, text messages, and Facebook messages have encouraged me.

This past Sunday Amanda Greene shared with the church that she has trusted Christ as her Lord and Savior. It is always a thrill to see a child make a life commitment to Christ. Also, on Sunday, Becca Cato shared that God is calling her to a life of ministry/missions. God is working in a mighty way in our student ministry and continues to call many into a career of ministry, missions and preaching. Watching them grow is one of the great joys that I have as their pastor.

Had a wonderful weekend visit with my mom and dad this past weekend. I am so thankful that they are in good health. It was fun watching them enjoy their grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Go Fish

Thanks for the buzz about the new sermon series started on Sunday. It's going to be a really good series that will lead us to refocus on a most important, but often neglected privilege that followers of Christ have. Join us each of the next three Sundays. And remember that you can listen to them at http://www.hdbc.org/ or through iTunes podcast (search "HDBC").

I am thrilled with the number of individuals who have recently become followers of Christ by placing their faith in Him. It is exciting to see children, youth and adults receive the great gift of salvation that God offers to all people. It breaks my heart to realize how many people have still not accepted His love and grace.

A big "shout out" to all who will be going back to work in our schools in a few days. Thanks for your tireless efforts to teach our children. We appreciate your efforts.

The Wonderful West

Recently Jan and I made another trip out west for a few days of R and R. We enjoyed the company of her mom and dad as we traveled to some of our nation's most beautiful and historically significant sites. We visited the Pony Express Museum and the house where Jesse James was killed in St. Joseph, MO. Along the way we visited some Lewis and Clark sites. We enjoyed viewing the waterfalls in Sioux Falls, SD. We were fascinated by the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. We then spent a few days in western South Dakota where we visited the site of the Wounded Knee massacre, the Badlands, Deadwood, Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. We also enjoyed shopping at the world famous Wall Drug Store.

Upon leaving South Dakota we traveled through a small part of Wyoming where we visited Fort Laramie, a key fort during the second half of the 19th century. On the way we were able to view wagon wheel ruts from the Oregon Trail. We enjoyed Estes Park, Colorado and drove through the Rocky Mountain National Park. Pikes Peak was calling, so we headed south and made the spectacular (and frightening) drive up to the peak. Before leaving Colorado we visited the Great Sand Dunes National Park. It may be the most surprising thing that we saw. In the midst of the Rocky Mountains is an amazing accumulation of sand dunes. It was the beach without the ocean. On our way home we stopped off for a very short visit at the Oklahoma City Memorial.

As you can tell, it was a whirlwind trip covering about 3800 miles. I have posted pictures on my Facebook page, for those who may be interested. I am so grateful for the opportunity that we had to get away for a few days. But it is really good to be home. If you have never made it out west, try to work it into your schedule some day. There is much to see and do. It will open your eyes to the size and beauty of this great country of ours. But as Jan said after the trip, "Dorthy was right . . . there is no place like home."