We’re home and after a week at the beach I return well tanned, well read, well fed, and well rested. It is that “rested” part that I am truly thankful for because as many of you know, vacations and rest are not always one and the same. This is why sometimes you feel like you need a vacation to get over your vacation. The fact is, I saw a lot of people at the beach that were, from my perspective at least, having anything but a good time. You could hear it in their voices, see it in their faces and sense it in their demeanor. The process, or perhaps even the path to vacation had somehow overshadowed the purpose and pleasure of vacation. I watched in amazement one day as a father begin to lay down rules and regulations for his kids beach time. I am not talking about rules for safety, but just rules that made little sense and little difference. At one point Kathy leaned over to me and whispered ,”He should just tell them to have some fun.” Sometimes I believe that would be the Lord’s advice to us as we frantically try to go through life. Maybe today you need to stop and ask yourself ,”Are we having fun yet?” If the answer is no, then maybe you ought to rethink some things. This is one pastor that doesn’t not want church and the Christian life to be something you merely endure, but rather something you enjoy. “I came that you might have life, and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Beach thoughts,

Bro James

Summer is well underway and before you know it our July 1 “Salute to Summer” church picnic will be here. The team planning this event is hard at work and I hope you will not only come, but use it as an outreach opportunity. It could well be a great point of entry for those looking for a church home. Games will begin around 4:00 including softball, washers, a moon bounce, plus numerous relays and fun events for the entire family. Don’t forget the food. We will have good old American hotdogs and chips. Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten that sweet tooth in all of us. We have arranged for several ice cream trucks to be on hand to serve you, plus a shaved ice trailer will be here to provide us with some outstanding snow cones. We could use some help on soft drinks. If you could, bring some 2 liters by the church and leave them on the cart by the coke machines on the 1^st floor. The evening will end with a concert from a senior adult band that you have to see and hear to believe. They are from Union City, TN and call themselves the “Memory Makers.” Join us as they take us down memory lane with a big band sound that will set your toes to tapping. They even take requests. So bring your lawn chairs, umbrellas or tents, if you have them, and join us for an afternoon of fun.

Years ago, in another time and place a lady once accused me, among other things, of mentioning my wife to much from the pulpit.  She did not like me bragging on her, and felt like my sermons would be much nicer if I would strike all personal remarks about my family from them.  My answer then, and now, to that request could best me summed up in the words of a famous Perry Como song, “It’s Impossible”.  This preacher can not separate his minister from his marriage.  The two are forever in twined.  They say behind ever great man is a greater woman.  I don’t know that I will ever reach the status of a great man, but I absolutely do have a great wife.  She has never sought, or for that matter liked, the title of first lady in any church we have served.  Instead she prefers just to honor the Lord and help the church with the gifts she has been given.  I often tell churches that the best thing their preacher’s wife can do for them, is to love their preacher.  In that DeSoto Hills, you are blessed.  She is my biggest fan, and I can not imagine my life without her.  On June 4 we celebrated 30 years of marriage.  Thank you Kathy for loving me unconditionally.  Thank you for making all those minister moves with me and never complaining.  Thank you for celebrating the victories, and encouraging me through the hardships. Thank you for being such an outstanding mom.  Our kids are blessed beyond measure.  I completely understand why when I answer the phone, they want to talk to you.  Thank you for all the years, all the love, all the friendship and all the support.  We are just getting started. 
 
A Blessed Man,
 
Bro. James