ANOTHER QUICK TRIP

Wanda and I headed South on Sunday afternoon for Steve Lambert"s Memorial Service. It was another quick trip that was shrouded with grief and pain. Losing a life-long dear friend and watching his precious wife, children, family, and loved ones mourn is hard and impacting.

Steve was too young to die. His parents wept unashamedly over their son's passing. Parents are not supposed to outlive their children. That is not the natural way.

His memorial service was a celebration of life. It did have lots of tears, and rightfully so, but it also had humor, laughter, and praise to God.

Steve lived with priority, passion, and purpose. He lived his life with a view of eternity in mind. His life choices reflected a believe system that honored God. His passions were lived in agreement with eternal purpose.

We had many commonalities, but one of the most important was and is our common commitment to our football team, The University of Alabama Football Team. That's what I'm talking about.

It was humorous to me that one of Steve's dear church members in quiet serious tones led us to repeat one of Steve's most important statements.

He said, "Roll Tide!"

Farewell dear friend. I will see you in heaven!

And one more thing:

ROLL TIDE ROLL!

STEVE IS IN HEAVEN!

Steve Lambert has been my friend since I was a little boy in Montgomery, Alabama. We were in the same Sunday School , attended the same college, did a summer ministerial internship together, and served in the same denomination all of our ministry careers. That is a long time as friends.

Once he came home with me after church when we were little boys, we got into a BB gun fight with a neighbor boy. Oops!

Once when we were college buddies, we arrived late into the night at his parent's house. His mother called out into the night as we quietly walked down the hall to his bedroom, "Is that you, Steve?"

Steve responded, "No, it is the devil."

Once when I was discouraged and felt alone, he came and sat be me in a preacher's meeting. It lifted me.

We traveled in the college choir together. We preached for each other. We shared minister stories. He was a good friend. He will be missed.

He died from the same type brain tumor that Kristy died from, a GBM. But he is well now, and we will see him again.

Thanks, Steve, for being such a great friend to me. I am grateful.

Pray for his precious wife Ruth and their family. They all need God's grace and comfort.

FOOTBALL IS BACK!

I love football. Does it show?

Last night I went to my first high school game of the year. I try to attend one or two games each season.

But football is changing. Injuries to players that are life threatening are making for rule changes. Head injuries and spine injuries and knee and joint injuries can last a life time.

A couple of years back I was at a high school game and watched as a player's leg was broken and turned totally backwards. It was awful.

So why do I enjoy these games? Well, it is a game. I like the competition. I like the hitting. I am a man, and this is a man's game.

So let the games begin.

And, Roll Tide!

JOLTED

The phone rang in our office Tuesday morning as our staff was weekly in our meeting. My secretary went out of our meeting and answered as we continued, but I could hear what was clearly not good news. Someone had died. In a moment she returned and shared that a lady who had just started attending had passed in the night.

I had heard my secretary as she took the call answer over the phone, "But she was just here Sunday."

The lady had come to the altar for prayer and Wanda and I had prayed with her. She made a profession of faith and had just asked Jesus into her heart.

We sat there somewhat jolted and very saddened.

But that is part of church life. It is carrying for the needs, hurts, and losses of others. Certainly there are many wonderful times of joy and celebration, but there is loss too.

We were jolted. When the staff meeting ended I went to see the family and offered our condolences and prayer. May God give them all comfort and peace.

A RESTFUL WEEKEND

Being home has some advantages. You get to sleep in your own bed. If your cook is a good one, then there is nothing like home cooking. And of course it is cheaper to stay at home.

I love to travel, and we have had some great time away recently, but this weekend was a nice time to enjoy being home. We rested, read, watched some TV, and just had a great time.

It was good being back at church. I hadn't preached on a Sunday for over two weeks. Now that is a rarity. I love preaching God's Word, and I have a wonderful congregation who love to listen. I am blessed.

Summer is ending. The kids are headed back to school. Now routines will be more normal.

Oh, did I mention that I enjoyed a nice Sunday afternoon nap? Wanda loves her Sunday naps. That helped top off a restful weekend at home.

A WORD ABOUT PRAYER

It is true. Prayer changes things. It changes circumstances. It changes people. It can even change destinies.

Why pray?

I ran across this acrostic about why pray.

P--Power

R--Relationship

A--Answer

Y--You

Power to live.

Relationship with our Father.

Answer to life's needs.

You are the greatest benefactor.

Those are four really good reasons to pray.

Prayer is connection, confession, cleansing, communication, calling, and communion.

Prayer is the greatest privilege of mankind.

Let us pray.

VACATION IS OVER!

Everyone needs rest and relaxation. Jesus took time off so it must be ok. Wanda and I throughly enjoyed our time away and break. We were busy the first week at General Council, but the second week was restful and relaxing. A couple of days were hectic, but overall that last week was just what I needed.

Now it is back to work.

I love what God has called me to do. My first day back was filled with checking on members who have need. Some are very sick. Some have had recent surgeries. Some have lost loved ones. My heart goes out to all of them.

Now, I am busy with planning and preparing.

Prayer is a priority. Oh, I did pray lots on my vacation, but now I am back into the saddle of ministry. It is a different gear.

There are so many opportunities and needs. I am excited about being home and involved with our church family.

God is good.

HOME AGAIN

Wanda and I made it back home again. Actually we arrived home around midnight Thursday night, but we took off again Saturday afternoon to see mom and dad and be with them in church Sunday morning. I have not done that in years. We enjoyed being at Leesburg First Assembly and hearing Rick, Tricia's husband, preach. I sat with mom and dad and just enjoyed being in church.

As I was looking through some of the pictures from our vacation, these stood out. They were taken at the Grand Canyon at sunset. The canyon was spectacular as the sun went down. The colors was striking.

But the sunset isn't what caught my eye.

It was the American Flag flying at half-mast. Servicemen had died, and our Country mourned. I was enjoying a fantastic vacation in most beautiful part of our Nation because others were making the ultimate sacrifice.

Our flag made me take pause. It made me think again. Freedom is never free. Freedom always cost.

May God comfort the families of our fallen soldiers.

May God keep us free.

HAPPY TRAILS TO ARIZONA

Our trip to Arizona ended with an overnight stay in Prescott and a ride on the Verde Canyon Railway in Clarksdale. We have had a fantastic time relaxing as well as enjoying day trips to see sights and sounds.

Wanda is a great traveling companion. She is game for most stuff and wants me to have a good time. Of course, that is give and take for both of us.

Prescott is the home of the very first rodeo and is a couple of hours north of Phoenix or a couple of hours south of the Grand Canyon. It is a small town with a town square and courthouse and saloons that surround it. They had an outdoor concert the night we were there that we enjoyed while eating pizza and then getting some ice cream. Sitting in the open air at a small town square while listening to a jazz band is about as American as it gets. We had a very relaxing evening soaking up the sounds and just taking it easy. What Fun!

Then on Wednesday morning we drove from Prescott over to Clarksdale which is about 40 miles. It is a fantastic ride up through Jerome which sits high above Clarksdale. Wow! The views there were incredible.

We boarded the Verde Canyon Train at 1 PM and headed up the canyon for a 4 hours ride. First class is the way to go as they serve snacks and deserts and cheese.

We met other ministers on our train who were vacationing like us. That added to our ride. Meeting new friends makes life more rewarding. Christians are wonderful people, and ministers are nice too!

The views of the Verde River and canyon captured our attention going and coming. Riding the train brought visions of what it must have been like to ride years ago. It was a nice way to end our time in Arizona.

A FRIEND ON THE TRAIL

Tuesday morning Wanda and I got up extra early to watch the sunrise over the Grand Canyon. It was SPECTACULAR! We were up at 5 AM and out on the south rim by 5:20. Around 5:48 or so, the sun was out in all of its glory, and it is really glorious shining over the colors of the Grand Canyon.

Then, after a quick breakfast, we headed down the canyon. Wanda went about .4 m with me, and then I hiked another mile + down the canyon. It takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours on this particular hike. To go all the way to the bottom takes about 6 hours one way.

Wanda was a trooper and headed down the trail with me. It was cool, thankfully, as we left around 7 AM. We had plenty of water and trail mix for salt so we could stay properly hydrated.

The scenes were just fantastic. It is one thing to look down at the canyon, but it is another to walk right down into the middle of it. The colors and size of the canyon stand out even more.

I wasn't sure how I would fare hiking down and back up, but I made it round trip in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Not bad for an old guy. I passed a lot of young bucks huffing and puffing. Maybe all my running paid of some.

They have mule trips which I would have loved to have taken. They go all the way to the bottom of the canyon and stay over night. Wanda wasn't so sure about staying over night, but maybe next time. After hiking for an hour or so, those mules looked like Cadillacs.

I met several nice folks along the way. Everyone needs someone to snap a group picture, and we did too. I also met a number of chipmunks. They are spunky little creatures, and quite selfish. They fight one another and the strongest wins. They beg, and you aren't suppose to feed them, but I snuck them a few peanuts.

It is so amazing all of God's creation. I am awed over and over again. The Grand Canyon made me realize even more how very big our God is.

ENJOYING SEDONA

Wanda and I have throughly enjoyed the sights and beauty of Sedona, Az. The colors are brilliant. The reds are stunning. Pictures can't really do justice. At least my cheap little camera doesn't do justice.

We have watched sunsets and walked trails. Happy trials to us!

We have driven shorts little trips all around the area looking at the glory of God's creation. Can you really believe that some folks think that all this just happened. Not a chance.

There is just too much to see and too little time. We wanted to rent a Goldwing, but the temperature has been just too hot, especially down in Phoenix where we would have had to rent. The temps there were 113. It is cooler here in Sedona, thankfully.

Tomorrow we head to the Grand Canyon. We actually have a one night reservation at the El Tavar Lodge in the Grand Canyon. Can't wait to see the beauty and colors there.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES?

Happy Birthday to my beautiful wife!

I love you, Wanda.

****

Months ago I booked our hotel here in Phoenix, Az, to stay at while attending our denominations biannual meeting. We're at the Hilton Suites Hotel. It is nice, and we're having a great visit.

On Wednesday morning I went down to do a run in their workout center. After working out, I headed back to our room, and saw a lady who I thought was one of my cousins. She was at a distance, and I couldn't call to her. She got on the elevator and headed upstairs.

I went on to my room, but in a few minutes was back downstairs on my way to the day's events. As I waited for the hotel shuttle, I asked the front desk if Beth Jasso was a guest. The lady said she was, but that Beth had just checked out.

I live in Florida. She lives in New Mexico.

I was attending a meeting in Phoenix.

She was doing business in Phoenix for the company she works for.

We both chose the same hotel.

I saw her, but missed getting to talk to her.

Small world.

What are the chances?

HOT IN ARIZONA

Florida heat can't compare to Arizona heat. When we walked out of the airport terminal Monday night to catch a ride to our hotel, the heat hit us in the face. Whew! It was hot. They say it is a dry heat. I thought it wouldn't be so bad. Man, was I ever wrong.

How hot is it?

I saw a dog chasing a cat, and they were both walking.

It was so hot that hell will never be an option for me. Well, hell never was an option.

It was so hot that Florida seems like the North Pole.

It is supposed to be 112 tomorrow. Have I made it to hell by mistake. No, just kidding.

We are having a great trip. Air-conditioning makes it work. Don't plan on spending much time outside.

HEADED TO PHOENIX

Wanda and I leave today for 10 days in Arizona. First we go to the biannual General Council Meeting of the Assemblies of God. This will be the 20th General Council Meeting I have attended. It is full of business, church services, lunches, dinners, and fellowship. Wanda and I will be attending a leadership conference the first day and then many others meetings following.

Then we take a few days and head to Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon. We plan on taking a train ride and doing some minor hiking.

I had planned on renting a Goldwing for our touring, but 100 + degree heat makes that very impractical. Wanda doesn't enjoy riding in the heat, and that is not my best idea of riding either.

It should be a super trip. I especially enjoy seeing fellow ministers from across America.

So it off to the scenic West. I am looking forward to seeing all the colors of the desert. Will post pictures so keep watching and reading.