Time for Respite

[deacon blues]

I'm sitting in my back yard. It is beautiful here in Memphis. The temperature is perfect. It must be 70 degrees. There is no humidity. The sun is setting. The hues of orange and red, yellow and purple are splashed across the horizon at the end of another day. I've been positioned here listening to the the male cicadas play their beautiful and winsome mating song. The large, majestic oaks on our property provide natural acoustics as the chorus of "tree crickets" belt out their mournful drone.

My wife had a meeting at the local battered women's shelter this evening. I grilled for myself, my sons and my daughter for dinner. It was cheeseburgers and hot dogs with corn on the cob and buttered garlic green beans on the side. We feasted on the deck with our miniature poodles circling like vultures scavenging at the feet of my two-year-old son, Coleman, who has a penchant for dropping more on the floor than putting in his mouth.

I'm sitting in my chair, satisfied and happy. We had a great Sunday yesterday. It was one of best Lord's Days so far this year, at least for me. The attendance was strong for both services, that's always a plus, but I was fulfilled primarily because a special touch of the Holy Ghost was with us. Jennifer, a single mother of four, her daughter, Lauren and Lauren's friend, Shelby came to the altar and repented. The message was about the Joy of the Lord vs. Emotional Happiness. There is joy in heaven over one soul that repents. I don't know of any other Scripture that tells us that anything else causes joy in heaven. Two new families attending for the first time this past week and weekend are joining our assembly.

We started this year ambitious and confident, on the heels of our fifth straight year of steady growth. We averaged 124 in 2002. Every year since, we have experienced incremental growth. 134 in 2003. 144 in 2004. 148 in 2005. Last year was our best year thus far with an increase to an average of 165. We aren't blowing off the doors, but we're seeing steady progress. I thank the Lord for this.

2007 has been a good year, and although it has not had the momentum of last year thus far, God has blessed us with some delightful new folks and tremendous services. Its been quite a run from New Year's to Memorial Day. I am weary. My wife is very tired. My kids are out of school and they are enjoying time away from the regimented life of school days. We've cried together, laughed together, counseled with suicidal individuals, married couples on the verge of divorce, and young people seeking direction. We've baptized dozens, prayed for the sick, visited the elderly, laid awake in bed burdened for backsliders and prodigals. We've married a few folks, we've buried a few precious children of God who made heaven their home and sadly a few who probably weren't prepared for eternity. I've preached dozens of messages, taught dozens of lessons, made phone calls, updated calendars, met with leaders, the church board, our ministry staff and other influencers.

Its been a good run, but I am ready for a recharge. I watch my two sons presently playing in a trailer loaded with white sand that we purchased to help spruce up our volleyball pit. Our eldest is thirteen. He had to wear my shoes for Easter this year because he had outgrown his! He could shave within six months. His voice lowers an octave every month. Sitting next to my two year old, the contrast could not be more pronounced. His brother will be dazzling me with his speedy rush to maturity in just a few short years. Our daughter has lost another tooth. When she smiles she looks like a hockey player. She will be eligible for youth camp next summer! Perish the thought!

Time is traveling past me at warp speed. I'll be 41 next month. I rejoiced today because I DIDN'T weigh 198 lbs! Just a few years ago I never even considered I might ever break 185! I threw an apple core over the roof of our garage into a field and just about needed to get Tommy John surgery as a result!

Vacation is beckoning. Time away is calling. The Durango is in the shop getting serviced for the road trip to Ohio, then Hilton Head. I'm going to turn off my phone. I'm going to play with my kids. I'm going to play some golf. I'm going to enjoy my wife. I'm not going to step on a scale. I will not worry about people. I will get some quality time with God, reading my Bible, praying and meditating as I watch the sun set.

Come quickly, June 7, come quickly!

[Nahum]

Hey Bro, thanks for sharing such a beautiful post. I know all about needing the recharge. We planted the church seven years ago this July 2nd. It has been a wonderful, but tiring, experience.

We seem to have a lot in common. I will turn 40 this fall. My daughter will graduate in '08 and be off to college. My twin boys are 14 and entering high school this fall. They are a unique pair as one is about seven inches taller than the other. He is 1 inch shorter than me, and the doctors told us he would end up well over six feet tall.

What did kids ever do without cell phones? My teens talk or text constantly.
But they love their mom and dad and we have never had any problems with them. We chose for my wife to be a stay at home mom. It's hurt financially, but we have never regretted it.

[CC1]

Enjoyed the post Deacon. Although under the weather I also sat outside on the back patio on the glider this evening enjoying the amazing weather.

No grilling today but Saturday the 16th we are having a mini family reunion here and we will be grilling for about 20-30 folks.

[rgcraig]

Beautiful post!

You deserve the vacation and I pray you and your wife are recharged!

(the kids don't need it - they are charged enough and adorable to boot!!!)

[Sherri]

Great post, DB!! You go away and have FUN!

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Hey Bro, thanks for sharing such a beautiful post. I know all about needing the recharge. We planted the church seven years ago this July 2nd. It has been a wonderful, but tiring, experience.

We seem to have a lot in common. I will turn 40 this fall. My daughter will graduate in '08 and be off to college. My twin boys are 14 and entering high school this fall. They are a unique pair as one is about seven inches taller than the other. He is 1 inch shorter than me, and the doctors told us he would end up well over six feet tall.

What did kids ever do without cell phones? My teens talk or text constantly.
But they love their mom and dad and we have never had any problems with them. We chose for my wife to be a stay at home mom. It's hurt financially, but we have never regretted it.

PP, I knew I had more in common with you than just perspective and philosophy. I always enjoy your posts. I admire anyone who plants a church. My sister and her husband are doing it and I know its not an easy road. My hats off to you!

Just eating with the kids and watching them play, I thought, "it will be just a few years and they will be gone." Time is flying by so quickly. I love our church, I love to be their pastor, its an honor and privilege. But I really really love my wife and kids. I'm weary of giving them the scraps of my time and attention. I know they tire of it. I really want this to be a memorable summer. I'm going to make sure of it.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by CC1

Enjoyed the post Deacon. Although under the weather I also sat outside on the back patio on the glider this evening enjoying the amazing weather.

No grilling today but Saturday the 16th we are having a mini family reunion here and we will be grilling for about 20-30 folks.

Sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. It was a spectacular sunset wasn't it? I know you are going to enjoy that family reunion.

I just talked to my cousin Lisa (Newstrand) Popham today and we talked about how hard it is going to be as time continues to get everyone together. I suggested that we have a family reunion about every five years. There are times that things just get to a certain point when these kinds of decisions have to be made.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by rgcraig

Beautiful post!

You deserve the vacation and I pray you and your wife are recharged!

(the kids don't need it - they are charged enough and adorable to boot!!!)

Coleman has enough "charge" for all of us!!!!! You should have seen him playing in that sand. He stayed there til the sun went down. He was so exhausted but continued to just lay in it. He was filthy! I gave him a bath and when I drained the water, there was the biggest ring of sand around the tub! It took a lot of scrubbin to get that munchkin clean!

We love you Renda---even if this forum reeks of attitude and is a danger to the entire One God movement!

[rgcraig]

Originally Posted by deacon blues

Coleman has enough "charge" for all of us!!!!! You should have seen him playing in that sand. He stayed there til the sun went down. He was so exhausted but continued to just lay in it. He was filthy! I gave him a bath and when I drained the water, there was the biggest ring of sand around the tub! It took a lot of scrubbin to get that munchkin clean!

We love you Renda---even if this forum reeks of attitude and is a danger to the entire One God movement!

LOL!!!!! I can just see him now and I've seen that ring of sand in the tub before too!

I love you guys too - I was telling Mary last night that I can't believe you guys have been here seven years and I'm just now finding you - she said it's just now the right time and I think she is right.

[deacon blues]

Originally Posted by Sherri

Great post, DB!! You go away and have FUN!

Mary and I really enjoyed dinner with Eddie and you last night! Thanks for coming by, it really blessed our people, they really think the world of you all. I hope Gary took care of you today. He's a great guy---very generous!