While on a trip recently with the TnT (Tried and True) to Branson, our senior adult group made an unscheduled, unexpected, and unannounced stop at a local restaurant for breakfast. We knew we were coming; we just didn’t let the restaurant know we were coming. Some of us had discovered the place the morning before, so plans were made to carry those interested the next day. Most of us decided to go, so we pulled up to the place around 8:30 with a busload. I went in to let them know how many we had and just as I figured, they were more than happy to accommodate the 50 plus people we had on board. We filed in and made quite a line that stretched all the way out the door. They started seating us in groups of 4 to 6. Kathy and I were making sure everyone got in the door and that’s when it happened. You can take the teacher out of the classroom, but you cannot take the classroom out of the teacher. Kathy started organizing our group. She had them pair off and step up closer so they would be primed and ready as soon as they called for the next group. As we were herding our group through, I was amazed when a by-stander, who was likewise waiting on a table, turned to Kathy and asked her if she was a teacher. I laughed out loud as we affirmed her insight. She indicated that she was also a teacher and could tell by the way Kathy was organizing the scene that she must be a fellow educator. I often kid Kathy about the teacher coming out of her, but the reality is being a teacher it is a part of who she is. It is a gift she has been given that comes out in all kinds of settings. I trust today that although you can take the church member out of the church, you can’t take the church out of the member. Perhaps someone is watching and waiting to see a church member in action before they go into a church building.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, an d it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”.

Matthew 5:14-16

A Blessed Husband,

Bro. James

Ask folks what their number one concern is right now and many would probably tell you the state of the economy. These are indeed uncomfortable and in many ways uncertain times financially. The backlash is being felt by almost every aspect of our society - even the church. We continue to operate on a very tight budget and this was certainly on our minds as we contemplated the financial needs for the upcoming year. For months now, the staff and Stewardship Team have been working on a budget for 2009 that would be realistic, but at the same time challenging. We have completed our work and it will be presented Sunday night, November 23, prior to the evening service. The Team will be available for any questions or concerns that you have on Wednesday nights, December 3 & 10, from 6 to 7 P.M. in the church office on the second floor. We will vote on the 2009 budget prior to the evening service on December 14. I assure you that all the changes, whether they were increases or decreases, were discussed thoroughly and considered prayerfully. We will be voting on a proposed budget. If the money is given, then this is how it will be spent. This new budget will become both a guide and as well as a goal.

A Fellow Giver,

Bro. James

What now? The commercials have ended, the bumper stickers are fading, and the yard signs are thankfully disappearing. The decision has been made, so where do we go from here? Some of you may be glad with the outcome of the election, while others are sad. Some of you prayed for it, while others prayed against it. But now, we have a biblical responsibility to join together and pray for our President Elect.

“I urge, then first of all, that request, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness”. This is good, and pleases God our Savior”. I Timothy 2: 1-4

He has a job that is difficult under the best of times and these are certainly not the best of times. Pray that he will:

…Look to the Lord for all decisions

…Look for opportunities to do what is right, even when it is not popular

…Look out for the welfare of all Americans

and

…Look back to our nation’s foundations, even as he looks forward to our future.

As if he sensed the struggle some would have in praying for “everyone”, even those in “authority”, Paul adds that doing this “pleases God”. Let’s please Him today and in the mean time, seek to help our President Elect by praying for him.

Thinking out loud,

Bro. James

It has been over a year now since I first made a call to Michael Bucy and we began to pray about the possibility of him joining the staff at DeSoto Hills. Someone on the Search Team had a contact at Southern Seminary and asked them to send us some resumes. Michael’s was the only one they sent. We looked at it along with others we had received from a variety of sources, but this one seemed to always rise to the top. The rest is history. Michael graduated last December, he and Lindsey were married later that month, and in between all of that, we issued a call for them to join our church family. What a great year it has been and we are only getting started. They have moved into our city, into our church family, but more importantly, into our hearts. This Sunday night, November 9, we want to affirm, applaud and accentuate God’s call on Michael’s life by ordaining him to the Gospel Ministry. I hope you will join us, along with Michael and Lindsay’s families, for this opportunity to celebrate what God is doing through this chosen vessel.

See ya there,

Bro. James