Answered Prayer

They're alive! Praise Our Great God and Creator! Not long after I posted the prayer request for Uncle Toy and Aunt Peggy, I received a call from my mother-in-law, Martha, informing me that rescue personnel had found them. I've now been told that they are being taken to a hospital in Jackson, MS where they'll be examined, treated, and finally released to my brother-in-law, Richard, and father-in-law, J.C., who are on their way there now. Richard and J.C. will bring them back to Courtland, where they will stay with my wife Sheranne and I until we figure our what's next. Becky Jo, Toy and Peggy's only daughter, is expected to arrive by airplane in Memphis this evening. We hope to have her reunited with her parents either late this evening or early tomorrow.

As joyful as am about the wonderful news of our beloved family members, I can't help but feel equally saddened by the tremendous suffering still being endured by countless others in the wake of this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected.

And to Chris Olsen, who is among the many brave emergency workers, who are even now risking their well being to help those in need; I can't begin to tell you how deeply we appreciate all that you have done for us. I know there are others with you, but from one "Batesville Boy" to another, thank you and God bless you.

Relying on God

Please pray for my wife's Uncle Toy and Aunt Peggy. They were last heard from Aug 29th, at 9:30 a.m. as the eye of hurricane Katrina was passing over them. They decided to stay at their home, located in Waveland, Mississippi, and ride this one out, just as they had countless other times. Take a look at this map to see how close to the gulf they are.

Also, please pray for my wife, Sheranne and her family, as we try to deal with this overwhelming sense of helplessness and uncertainty. We fear the worst, but know that through all things, God is our sustainer.

And pray for those that are even now walking through "the valley of the shadow of death". God's mercy and grace be with us all.

God Behind Barbed Wire

A survey of the life of Jurgen Moltmann, Nazi soldier turned theologian, reveals a remarkable story of hope and redemption. In this article, Philip Yancey shares with us a glimpse of the miraculous transforming power of God's grace. Yancey writes...

Moltmann had no Christian background. He had brought two books with him into battle—Goethe's poems and the works of Nietzsche—neither of which nourished much hope. But an American chaplain gave him an Army-issue New Testament and Psalms, signed by President Roosevelt. "If I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there," the prisoner read. Could God be present in that dark place? As he read on, Moltmann found words that perfectly captured his feelings of desolation. He became convinced that God "was present even behind the barbed wire—no, most of all behind the barbed wire."

This is what we must communicate to this lost and dying world; that God is right there where you are, crying with you, hurting with you, suffering with you, longing to transform you in the midst of life's storms into an oasis of calm.

Reigniting a Holy Brand

Shane Stanford, in his article, Reigniting a Holy Brand, which appeared in the August edition of the "Mississippi United Methodist Advocate" lists five principles that can energize ministry.

■Principle One - Passion is personal.
■Principle Two - Word of mouth still works best.
■Principle Three - Follow me home.
■Principle Four - All success begins small.
■Principle Five - No connection, no bother.

Simple, but very practical. See the article for an explanation of each principle.

Nothing Has Changed But the Name

This is after all a work in progress. I'll be posting here instead of here.

It's All About Jesus

Maybe us evangelicals could learn something from our Orthodox brothers and sisters. In this very insightful article, the author, a former Baptist, examines the similarities and differences between Orthodoxy and Evangelicalism.

What a Great Idea

Preach the GOSPEL!
Bishop Hayes of Oklahoma speaks of the need for doctrinal renewal.

"Since 1968 we have been dealing with declining membership," Hayes observed. "We need to preach the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ unashamedly without fear and restraint. The people who show up at our churches on Sunday are looking for help and hope. They are looking for comfort, reassurance, and a healing word. How can they hear without somebody preaching to them?"

See the related news story.

Jesus Cares!

I met this man online recently. He certainly has a heart for God. Please keep him in your prayers. Take a look at his photo gallery.

Christian Nation?

Is there a "Christian Nation" left in this world? This article certainly makes me wonder.

Dukes Are Hazzardous to Your Health

How utterly disappointing. After reading this review, I think I'll stay home and watch the re-runs. Looks like Cooter isn't very happy about it either.

Aslan's Coming

If you're a Narnia fan, you'll want to take a look

Searching for Unity

In his paper Searching for Unity: Revisiting the Doctrinal Standards, Pastor Phil Thrailkill of Duncan Memorial UMC, in Georgetown, South Carolina, says...

"As much as it galls us and goes against our natural tendencies, and as much as it may appear as a distraction from getting on with the work, it is time for United Methodists to enter a season of explicit doctrinal clarification and exploration."

I couldn't agree more. What makes a Methodist a Methodist? Even if we can't agree, let's at least know what it is that we don't agree on.

Sponsor A Child

Compassion International: Christian Child Sponsorship