MOVING ON!

Things are at full-throttle and wide-open around here right now. God is doing some great things in the ministry at Peoples Baptist Church. We have just concluded our "Awesome August" preaching on Wednesday nights, and every speaker was right on target. The crowds have been great, and the spirit here has been at an all-time high.

We have our lights installed on the football field, and the stadium should be in very soon. It is so much fun for our people at the "Friday Night under the Lights" football games. At every corner, there are good things happening and people busy in the ministry. One great highlight was the Rainer family being baptized together last Sunday night. Bro. Boggs won the children to Christ when he interviewed the family for school. That gave me an open door to go to their house and win the dad (Joe Rainer) to Christ. The church broke into applause when Dad, Mom, Jane, and Joey were all baptized together. Winning people to the Lord is better than any sporting event in which we could ever participate.

If you look on the events page of our website you will see that September is packed full of good things. I want to encourage all of you to get involved in the ministry. It is so much fun serving the Lord. But, be very sure that the devil is mad and will try to get Christians to fall. Take heed, beware, and stay close to Jesus; and let's enjoy the blessings of God.

VACATION

There were several times in the Bible when Christ secluded himself to a resort area to pray and rest. There is much we can learn from His example. This past week Trish and I, and our girls, took some much needed rest to refuel and prepare for the upcoming year. The four of us went out to Palm Desert, California, for a week of vacation. We had such a great time! I was able to play golf; and my wife and girls shopped and swam and read books. My friend, Dr. Paul Chappell, helped us in so many ways to make a dream vacation a reality.

I had the opportunity to preach on three different occasions. First of all, on Wednesday night, we traveled to Lancaster, California, to preach for Paul Chappell. Every time I go to his church, I am encouraged. We had a great service and the Lord blessed. Then on Sunday morning I preached for Pastor Jason Dickey at First Baptist Church in Palm Desert, California. Again, we had a great service. Pastor Dickey is doing a great job and it is evident that God is blessing his work.

Finally, we traveled to San Diego to Stephen Chappell's (Paul's brother) church, and preached at Oceanside Baptist Church (we were flying out from San Diego the next day, so it worked great for us to get most of the trip out of the way the night before). I was so impressed with how God has carved a work in that area. Pastor Stephen started the church nine years ago and has experienced wonderful growth. The Spirit of God was present and the Lord blessed in the service.

Some have wondered if I really had a vacation if I had to preach while I was gone. Preaching is what I love to do more than anything. It is never a chore to preach. It is what God has called me to do and it is never something I "have to do"--it is something I can't wait to do!

The only way that I can go on a vacation and enjoy myself is to know that the work here at Peoples is in good hands. My staff did a great job filling the pulpit. I have heard many favorable comments. On Wednesday night Mark Bullock preached; on Sunday morning, Wayne Meeks was the preacher; and then on Sunday night Alan Saunders brought a great Bible message. All three of these men did an outstanding job at Peoples in my absence. The week before, on Wednesday night, while we were at camp, Bro. Ray Turner brought a great message. I thank God for my staff and their faithfulness.

Now vacations are over and it's time to get back at to the work at hand. I am looking forward to a great school year. We flew home Monday night and got home about 11:00 p.m., and then on Tuesday night we had nearly 100 staff and deacons over for a steak dinner. Every day we have been in meetings with the staff preparing for the work. We got home and jumped right back into the middle of things, but that's the way we like it. Let's have a great year serving the Lord Jesus Christ. May He find us faithful!