Ever since the late 70’s, I have been making an annual fall pilgrimage to Jackson to attend the Mississippi Baptist Convention. Regardless of where I was or in what position I was serving, I gathered to fellowship with friends and be inspired by God’s Word. However, three years ago I missed my first convention. I don’t remember why I missed, only that I didn’t go. The next year rolled around and we had just opened the doors at DeSoto Hills. There was so much to do here that I stayed home, thinking to myself I will make the next one for sure. Last year it was a little easier just to stay home - they could certainly convene without me. No big deal. The bottom line is, the more I missed, the easier it was to miss. The convention did go on without me, but I was the one missing the blessing. This year I have returned. In fact, I am writing this week’s “nook” from Jackson. Wow! What an incredible few days it has been. The music has been stirring, the messages convicting, and the fellowship sweet. There will be other conventions, but if I had missed this one, it would never have been regained. I could have read about it and heard about it, but being here has made all the difference. What about you today? Are you in some kind of attendance slump? Do you have intentions to do better next week or next year? Have you fooled yourself into thinking that you are too busy to meet with the church family? Learn from your pastor today and take the time to gather with others to experience what can happen when we forsake not the assembling of ourselves together.

A Wiser Mississippi Baptist,

Bro. James

We were in a hurry. It seems that we are always in a hurry when we head into the big “W”. Of course, we only went in to pick up a few items. We both had our assignments and fanned out with the idea of making this absolutely the fastest and cheapest “W” run in the history of consumer shopping. However, the allure of that big store called to us and before we knew it, we remembered we needed this, and that, and how could we survive another day without one of those? When we at last met back at the front of the store and compiled our items, the shopping cart had more than a few items in it, but not to worry, I had seen it much fuller. The ordeal was almost over now. We only had to face one last critical aspect of our mission - run the gallant known as the “check out line”. We were in luck! I spotted a lane with no one in it. Yes! The light was on indicating the sweet grandmother behind the counter was open for business. There was one slight problem- it was a 20 items or less lane. I quickly surveyed the cart and although I thought we might be close, discerned we were under or maybe only slightly over the limit. I wheeled the cart into position and put a big, if not a little sheepish, smile on my face as I greeted our checker. But suddenly, my smile faded as grandma looked hard at my cart and gave me a look that said, “who are you trying to fool?” She did not utter a sound, but I could tell from her quiet demeanor that she was not happy. I gave a nervous laugh and asked if I needed to go to another lane. However, as I started to turn away she did an incredible thing. With one swift movement of her hand, the situation changed. She waved me on over, her smile returned, and the world was good again. Grace is a good thing wherever you find it!

Over the limit,

Bro. James

P.S. We had 32 items in our cart.

Rarely do I “get away” that I don’t “come back” with some kind of lesson. They aren’t always new or particularly earth shattering lessons, but they are perspectives that sometimes become clearer as you have the opportunity to slow down. My recent trip to Chunky, Mississippi was no exception. We spent the weekend in a hunting lodge owned by Kathy’s brother, Randy Pope. Now before you get in your mind some thrown together shack, think again. Over the years, Randy has put a lot of thought, time and energy into this place and it is absolutely wonderful. It has all the rustic feel of its setting, but without the inconveniences normally associated with such an out of the way place. Although I am not a hunter, I love the outdoors. Late one afternoon, I positioned myself in one of the tree stands to see what I might observe in the way of wildlife. After I settled into the stand awhile, it hit me how much was going on in the woods all around me when I just took the time to be still and listen. Squirrels where chattering, birds were singing, twigs were snapping, and I could even hear leaves falling. Now some might say that you can’t hear a leaf fall, but you can if you are still enough. After about an hour and a half of being really still, my wait was rewarded when three bucks and a doe emerged from a thicket and started feeding below me. What is the moral to this story? If you will shut up, sit still, and stay put, you just might see something wonderful from the hand of the Creator.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Wisdom from the woods,

Bro. James

Although we are not going to have any kind of official party this year, I do want to pause to commemorate that on October 15, DeSoto Hills will celebrate her two-year anniversary.   The journey getting here was long and taxing at times, but I believe all of us who were involved in the move would have to say it was worth the work and the wait.  Wow!  What an incredible two years it has been and we are just getting started.

This occasion offers us the perfect opportunity not only to celebrate where we have been, but also evaluate where we are, and anticipate where we are going.  In doing so, we need to GIVE THANKS for the spirit that prevails here.  It is a spirit produced not just by your friendliness, but by our focus on Him.

We also need to be thankful for the statistics.  In the past two years, we have baptized 60 people and seen 282 other additions. We have averaged 470 in Sunday School, 633 in Worship, and given $2,757,150.  However, even as we celebrate all of this, it is critical that we GIVE THOUGHT to what lies before us, both in terms of obstacles and opportunities.  Even now, the new Strategic Planning Team is beginning to gear up to help us think through all of this.  We need to address debit retirement, space constraints, ministry expansion, and future building needs.  We were challenged last Sunday night during our revival to invest what the Lord has given us and not just to hide it away.

“to whom much is given, much shall be required”
Luke 12:48
Happy birthday,

Bro. James

Today I call upon a “tried and true” friend to help once again make a valid point. In 30 years of preaching, this popular proverb has found its way into my messages on countless occasions. Although it is not a biblical proverb, it does reinforce truths that are found throughout the scripture. We have all heard it and probably even said it from time to time- “a picture is worth a thousands words”.

I use it here to challenge you to give us a picture. Almost weekly I am asked, “When are we going to make a pictorial church directory?” With our growth, I knew that a conventional directory would soon be outdated. Therefore, we are going with a company that specializes in online directories that can be updated as new people join. Appointments will be scheduled for November 18-22 and 25-28. Please make the time to come b e photographed so we can have a complete directory.

This is going to be such a helpful tool for the DeSoto Hills family. We will have some conventional directories available for those of you who are not computer savvy, but I hope most of you will discover how to access us on the web. Security measures will be taken to ensure privacy. How blessed we are to have such a growing family. Let’s get to know one another even better.

See you in the directory,

Bro. James