Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I know, Thanksgiving was actually 3 days ago, but this is the first chance I've had to post since then. My Mom, my Uncle Jim and Aunt Brenda and their grandson Daniel came and spent Thanksgiving with us here at the Campus. We had one of the best meals ever and got to spend lots of time catching up and reminiscing. Friday afternoon we drove over to Jenkins as my Mom and Uncle Jim showed us their old stomping grounds and lots of where things "used to be". We kept heading east to The Breaks park on the other side of Elkhorn City, and enjoyed the Christmas lights there. Yesterday was a little bit quieter, with the ladies going over to a new scrap-booking store on Hwy 15, then we all went out to dinner in Hazard and back here to watch the Iron Bowl. All-in-all it was a great weekend and a great time to spend time with our family. They are headed home today (Sunday), so if you read this post today please pray with us for their safe travel back home to Montgomery.

Autumn leaves, Jesus doesn't

What a great weekend this was! We were so excited to have 6 college students from 1st Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL here at the Campus. They got in Friday night and spent the weekend helping us rake the 80 gazillion leaves that have fallen thus far. They all worked hard and had a great time, and they are even talking about when they can come back! Thanks guys and gals for all your help, but thanks especially for your friendship and fellowship in the Lord. We are looking forward to seeing what God will do in all of your lives as you continue to trust in Him.

Brrrr....

I think it's probably safe to put away the shorts and sandals for a few months. Winter seems to have officially come upon us here. Last night was one of the hardest frosts we have had this year and the temps this morning were quite chilly. We have team of awesome college students from 1st Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL here this weekend. We started off the day by unloading 50 bales of hay for the horses that some great folks from North Carolina graciously donated. We spent the rest of the day raking about a gazillion leaves, meaning we are about 10% done with leaf raking for the Fall/Winter. By noon almost everyone had shed their heavier coats for sweatshirts and sweaters, but the chill returned with the setting of the sun.

It was an absolutely gorgeous day to be outside and enjoy the beauty of God's creation. The trees, the wind, the mountains, the sunshine, the stars at night and the clear blue skies.... they all sing in chorus of how great and awesome He is. The day came to a close in one of my favorite ways... a campfire under the stars. And you know what? He'll wake us up tomorrow morning with new mercies. Sleep well friend, and enjoy a great Lord's Day tomorrow.

Out with the old, in with the new...

This weekend we enjoyed the fellowship and hard work of a great group of guys from Southside Baptist. They are in the final stages of the renovation of the Pastor Resource and Study Center. This weekend they were installing the new bookcases, desks and cabinets that they have custom built to go in the room. The top of the bookshelves that will go under the windows will be level with the bottom of the windows, so the old window sills had to go. While it's exciting to think about the new use and ministry of this room, it's also neat to think about how long this Campus, this building, and this room, have been used for God's glory. May it serve the people of the mountians for many years to come.

I am in Elizabethtown, KY for the annual meeting of the Kentucky Baptist Convention. I am looking forward to 2 days of great preaching, super worship, renewing old friendships and making new ones. And on Wednesday I will look forward even more to being back home with my family.

My favorite season is...

Yes, you can certainly look around the Campus and see that Fall has arrived - in the form of millions of leaves all over the ground. While that does mean a lot of raking and blowing, I still enjoy this time of year. I think my "favorite season" has become whatever season is arriving or has arrived in the past two months. My "least favorite" must be whatver season has been around for the last several months and I have grown tired of. Isn't that a hoot? As humans, we get so easily and quickly tired of whatever blessing is right in front of us...so forgetful. I am glad that the Bible says that His "mercies are new every morning".

" The LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:23-24

Grateful for what's right in front of us. What a concept. Our little Welch pony, Fred, finally got a visit from a ferrier yesterday. We have had such a hard time finding a ferrier that can come on a regular basis and keep his feet trimmed. We think we may have finally found someone (actually the Lord sent him to us) that can come often enough to get Fred's feet back into shape. We are grateful for Darryl.

Yesterday, we unloaded a trailer load of desks and chairs that were donated to the Campus by My Office Products in Spartanburg, SC. We are so grateful for our new desks and chairs.

This morning there was a knock at the door and Annie (4) and Josie (3) were there with a plate of four homemade Rice Krispy Treats for us. We are so grateful for a family like the Robinsons, we are not only like-minded and kindred spirits, but are such a loving and sweet family as well.

Tomorrow I will be driving down to SC to pick up the bookshelves and cabinets that will go in the Pastor Resource and Study Center. We are so grateful for ministry partners like Southside Baptist.

Let's spend the day being grateful for what's right in front of us.

Home again, home again, jiggety jig...

It is always good to travel. It is always great to see folks you haven't seen in a while. It is always fantastic to get back home again. :-)

I pulled back into the Campus last night about 8:30 pm and it sure was good to be home. I had a great weekend - the Men's Retreat, the AMRBC Concert Saturday night, great fellowship in Sunday School, wonderful worship and preaching in church, dinner with Rachael's foks Sunday night, chillin' with all the guys at Keith's house.... all of that was part of a super weekend. But there's just no substitute for warm hugs and "welcome home" from your own sweet wife and kids.

Rachael and the kids had a good weekend, too. While Austin had an all-day Saturday class as part of his Driver's Ed class, Rachael and Heather spent the day shopping. Sunday they visited at First Baptist, Hindman, and on Monday Austin finally got to make it to an eye doctor's appointment for some new glasses.

Now to catch up on some email and phone calls and "to-do" list and...

Many thanks

Many thanks to our good friend and pastor, DJ Horton, his wife, Laurel, and their wonderful church, Anderson Mill Road Baptist from Spartanburg, SC. DJ has been a great encouragement to us and our home church many times over the last several years, but never so much as in the last few months. This weekend was no exception.

The TRBC Men's Retreat was this weekend at Lay Lake and DJ spoke from from 1 Peter and encouraged and challenged everyone there. His church choir and orchestra and other church members traveled down for a great time of fellowship, music and time in the Word. Tomorrow we will share another great service of worship, praise and preaching. Many thanks to DJ and the host of friends at AMRBC. You all are "da bomb"!

Thanks guys!

The guys from Mountain View just pulled out and I will be shortly behind them, headed down south. They did a fantastic job with the back porch and deck, and I am sure that their investment will pay off for many years to come. I am headed down for our home church's Men's Retreat. Rachael and the kids will be staying here. Pray for safety as we all travel today.

Pray that I would be more like Jesus. 1 John 1:9