Reception in Southwest Georgia

On Thursday, January 25, Phyllis and I were treated to a reception at our office in Albany. Dr. Bobby Boswell, Assistant Executive Director of the Georgia Baptist Convention was in attendance along with his wife Mattie, Tom and Martha Hocutt, Paul and Lucille Day, Ken and Brenda Cloud, David Cook, Craig Nalls, Ann Tomlinson and Lindsey Hopkins.

Ann and Lindsey coordinated a delicious and very elegant meal. These ladies are tops. We appreciate them very much for all they do for the kingdom.

Because of the graciousness of the Mallary Baptist Association and DOM Tom Hocutt we have great offices to work out of. Ann Tomlinson, Administrative Secretary/Ministry Assistant keeps the office running smooth and efficient.

We look forward to serving the churches of Southwest Georgia and seeing God's kingdom move forward.

New Office

As of January 8 I am now the Georgia Baptist Convention Ministry Resource Consultant for Southwest Georgia. My office is in Albany, Georgia where we plan to move in the next few months. The Southwest Region consists of 11 Associations and 358 churches. It is my job to serve as a resource liason between the missionaries, associations, pastors and churches to the Georgia Baptist Convention.

I will be on the road most of the time visiting with pastors, associational missionaries and churches. My calendar is already filling up. I have included some pictures of the office.

A LOOK BACK

2006 was a year that began with change. 2oo5 closed with three big events. Our second grandchild, Samuel, was born the day after Thanksgiving. Shauna and Ben Pilgreen live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where Ben is College Minister at Calvary Baptist Church. Their oldest Elijah is three.

In December, Natalie returned from Russia where she served the International Mission Board as a Journeyman doing Sports Evangelism. She now lives in Louisville, KY where she is in her first year at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary studying missiology.

Katie, our youngest, married Matthew Srickland on New Years Eve of 2005. They live in Gainesville, GA where she teaches 2nd grade at Lyman Hall Elementary School. Matthew is a computer programmer for a company in Duluth, GA

After 26 years in the pastorate I resigned as Senior Pastor of Central Baptist Church in Americus on January 7. I have accepted the position of Ministry Resource Consultant with the Georgia Baptist Convention. My office is in Albany and we will be moving to the area in the near future.

God is good. He is forever faithful. Praise be to God for His goodness.

Lottie Has a Blog

Can you believe it? Lottie Moon has a blog. Yep, you can log on to "lottielives.blogspot.com." Check it out and learn more about the life and heart of one of Southern Baptists greatest heroes.

Thankful To Be A Southern Baptist

I have always belonged to a Southern Baptist Church. There has never been a time when I have wanted to be anything else. We are not a perfect people by any stretch of the imagination. However, like all believers we are being perfected.

We are at that time of year when we are receiving our mission offering for International Missions. We do the same in the spring for North American Missions and in the fall for State Missions.

The offering we are taking during this season was named after one of our most storied missionaries Charlotte Diggs "Lottie" Moon. Miss Moon served in China for over 39 years. She didn't just serve as a missionary, she identified with the people and gave her life in service to her Lord. She only came home when her health prevented her from staying and died on Christmas Eve on board ship bound for the states.

She has become something of a legend to us. But in her time Lottie was anything but an untouchable hero. In fact, she was like today's missionaries. She was a hard-working, deep-loving Southern Baptist who labored tirelessly so her people group could know Jesus.

Over the next weeks children will give their pennies and adults their dollars. Some churches will reach toward a goal of several hundreds of dollars while larger ones will set goals well into the thousands. Last year almost 138 million dollars was given toward a goal of 150 million.

A long time ago before I was even a thought in my parent's mind God gave Southern Baptist leaders a vision for a vehicle through which we could do missions and evangelism around the world and at home. They were convicted that we could do so much more together than we could do on our own.

In 1925 the Cooperative Program was born. Through this cooperative stewardship vehicle, Southern Baptists pool their monies in order to fund mission and evangelistic causes.

I have never been a part of a church that did not give to the Cooperative program. I never interd to be a part of one either. It is not the only way, it may not be the best way, but it is the best I have seen and until someone comes up with a better plan it's the one for me. Dr. J. Robert White, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Georgia Baptist Convention says, "If there were no Cooperative Program we would have to invent something just like it in order to accomplish our mission."

Notherbeau

Notherbeau is a name that I gave to my grandmother years ago because I could not say "mother." I am told that one day I was calling out "beau" (mother) and my mother responded. I was really trying to get my grandmother's attention so I said "notherbeau" (or my other mother).

In those days daycare was at our grandparents house. Those were cool times. Whether playing catch with my granddaddy or going to Mr. Roper's store or fishing, it was a trip. Those were the days my friend.

Notherbeau went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 13, 2006. She was ready. She had been emotionally ready for about 4 years. She had been spiritually ready ever since she was saved.

Most of the family was there as we watched her slip into glory. The Bible says, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on...that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them." (Rev. 14:13)

She never learned to drive. My dad was the only one that would even venture to teach her. He said that she put the car in the ditch one time to many and he said he had had enough. I don't exactly know how we will get around in heaven, but I feel pretty confident that she will have no trouble now.

She was a Sunday School teacher that loved the Lord, loved the Bible and loved her class. She visited, called and served faithfully at Walker Baptist Church in Monroe, Georgia as long as her body would allow.

She was a prayer warrior. Many times we would visit her and as we walked into the room we would catch her praying. Such was the case in mid-October when Phyllis and I took our youngest grandson Samuel to see her. She held him and talked to him.

Good-bye Notherbeau. Our loss is heaven's gain.

The Greatest Need For the Church Today

When you ask people what they think is the greatest need of the church of the 21st century you get a variety of answers. Some will say "relevance." The church needs to be relevant. No doubt that is a need and no doubt we need to be answering the questions that are being ask, but I do not believe that is the GREATEST NEED. Others will say "compassion" and even a great burden for the lost.

The GREATEST need of the church today is REVIVAL. We will never be as relevant as we need to be until real Holy Ghost Revival stirs the church. We will never have the compassion that the world needs until the Spirit of the Holy One moves in our midst convicting us of sin. We will never have the burden for the lost until we are reminded that we were once lost, undone and dead in our trespasses and sin.

Oh, Lord of Glory, please send REVIVAL.

Two-wheel upgrade

I recently purchased a new bike. Not a Harley, but a Schwinn. This is my second Schwinn in 41 years. As a matter of fact I am in the process of rebuilding that 41 year old bike and hope to have it finished by next summer. I doubt I do alot of riding on it, because quite frankly it will be more "relic" than "ride".

I have to credit my brother-in-law Doug for getting me started back to biking. Now I try to ride at least three to four times a week. By next summer I plan to "Do Jekyll on Two Wheels."

Here's the old and the new.

We Will Never Forget!

Stuart Margel writes:
"Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.

"No!", he responded.

"Heading out?" I asked?

"No. I'm escorting a soldier home."

"Going to pick him up? "

"No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family."

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.

Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.

signed: Stuart Margel -- Washington, D.C.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

"No arsenal, no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women."

-- Ronald Reagan

[There is an external link with this story. Click on the title "Wearing Red". When the link opens scroll to the picture of the marine and click to open and watch the "audio slide show."]

Life Under the Sun

Do you ever feel like you are running in circles? Is life a drag? Does it seem to have no purpose? If you feel that way, you are probably not alone. A very famous king felt the same way.

I was reading in the Book of Ecclesiastes the other day. To read the book of Ecclesiastes at face value can be depressing. Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, was in one of life's biggest funks. "Life Under the Sun" as he described it can be boring, fleeting, repetitive and empty. Look around you. Observe the lives of others. Watch the cycles of life. If you take a quick glance you will probably agree with Solomon.

However life "under the sun" will never have meaning and purpose until we know the ONE who is above the sun. We will never understand life apart from the ONE who gives it. It is really simple when you think about it. God is not only the creator of life; He is the giver, sustainer and hope of life. He is the only one that can make sense out of it.

Life "under the sun" will never mean much until we know and are in the SON of the ONE. God longs for and has provided a way for us to have a relationship with Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. The man known for his wisdom writes, "There is an appointed time for everything...He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1,11).

When you know the SON of the ONE, then life "under the sun" will begin to make sense. "He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life" (1 John 5:12 NASB).

This is the only way life will be FULL and not futile.

GOT LIFE? GET (to know)JESUS!

A New Day For Georgia Baptists

Duluth--The Georgia Baptist Convention formally opened its new headquarters in Duluth on Tuesday, September 12. Duluth mayor Shirley Lasseter, Executive Committee members from across the state, other Georgia Baptist leaders, and the Honorable Sonny Purdue, governor of the state of Georgia, attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Georgia Baptist Missions and Ministry Center campus features a 55-foot cross rising out of a lake and a stone replica of the Ten Commandments in the building lobby. The center will be the new home for the convention offices.

The convention moved into the new headquarters in May after spending 31 years at its previous location near Mercer University's Atlanta campus.

"We have a great heritage, but our greatest days are ahead and the most efficient facility possible is needed for these future years," said Dr. J. Robert White, the convention's executive director.

The new headquarters is located on a 43-acre tract at 6405 Sugarloaf Parkway in Duluth. Over 200 convention employees work in the building.

The Georgia Baptist Convention represents 1,401,525 Georgia Baptists and 3,621 churches.
[The Christian Index]

BAMA BOYS

I heard someone say that, "Grandchildren are God's reward for not killing your children." Although there were times that our girls had their moments all in all they were fairly obedient and cooperative. They were a blessing and still are. Yet, grandchildren are great. God has blessed us with two precious grandsons and we hope to have more (hint, hint). Elijah and Samuel live in Tuscaloosa, AL with their parents Ben and Shauna Pilgreen. The only problem I have with that is the distance and the Tide influence. As you can see in the picture the shade of red is wrong. But as long as they love their Mimi and Pops I will try to live with it.

The "Crocodile Hunter"

Steve Irwin, the "Crocodile Hunter" died this week from a stingray wound. A LIFE-long friend told how the Crocodile Hunter pulled a deadly stingray barb from his own chest before losing consciousness and dying. Irwin, 44, was filming a television program on the Great Barrier Reef off far north Queensland.

Other reports reveal that Irwin was not as careless as some of the things we have seen him do would make you think. He knew the animals that he worked with and their tendencies. He was careful not to put himself in a dangerous position. I know that is hard to believe when you're dealing with "crocs" and snakes.

Irwin was a trained and experienced professional and the liabilities of his work got him. I have been told that stingrays are not aggressive and that this was a freak accident; and that water creatures were not as familiar to him as land creatures. Yet, people all around us are playing with danger. Internet pornography, dating services and chat rooms. The world is full of snakes, crocodiles and other dangerous creatures ready to snatch life from the most experienced people.

Sin is deadly. A crocodile may take your life, but sin will destroy your soul. A stingray may puncture your heart, but sin will rob your joy. God told Cain, "sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

The Bible warns, "be on the alert. Your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

A Blast From the Past

I met my dad in Macon on Labor Day. The purpose was two-fold. Have lunch together and deliver a package. The package consisted of a set of "stone guards" for his 55 Ford Crown Victoria. Just more embellishments for one of his toys. I arrived a few minutes before he did and was sitting in a rocker at Cracker Barrell when I saw him approaching. He was in another one of his toys, a 63 Covair Monza Convertible. It is a great little ride. The Convair was manufactured by Chevrolet from 1961-1969. Like the VW Bug the engine is in the rear and the luggage compartment in the front. Here are a few of pictures that show dad's Corvair.

WHEN WILL WE GET IT?

"Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise." Proverbs 20:1

The Bible instructs us not to call anyone a fool (Matthew 5:22). However, some people save us the trouble. Case in point those who consume alcohol in excess. Now I for one am totally opposed to ANY consumption of alcohol. I am a "tee-totaler" to use an old expression. Unfortunately the Bible does not say that you will go to hell for taking a drink. It will just make you act like you are from there.

Mama Gump, in the movie Forrest Gump, said, "Stupid is as Stupid Does." I am sick and tired of hearing and learning of wonderful young people with life ahead of them dying and being killed because of stupid choices. Death is a part of this fallen world and people die. I can accept that. Accidents happen and that is a fact. However, when we make dumb and stupid choices that is a different story.

My Lord Jesus came that we might have abundant life. The prophet Jeremiah writes, "'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope" (Jer 29:11 NASB). Those who "party hearty" and "party hard" run the risk of losing that future.

I just conducted the funeral of a young man whose life was cut short by an accident. Another young man faces legal problems as a result of the accident. Although no one has told me that alcohol was involved, I wasn't born yesterday. When are we going to get it? When are parents going to clean our their refrigerators? When are young people going to realize that they are not invincible? When are we going to live life God's way?

We live in a society that condones, markets and encourages drinking. Billboards promote designated drivers and tell us to "drink responsibly." We can't even live responsibly, what makes us think we can drink responsibly." We talk of "safe sex" meaning, don't get caught and don't get pregnant and don't get STD. We just don't get it. Yeah, Mama Gump was right..."Stupid is as Stupid Does."

Jeremiah goes on, "'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. 'And I will be found by you,' declares the LORD."(Jer 29:12-13 NASB).