We figured there might be a little drop in attendance as we moved from Sunday into the “work week,” but we were pleasantly surprised at how little that drop was. My dad, Jim, taught the adult class, and his lesson was a masterpiece. As we thought about “The Man Borne of Four: Helping Friends,” dad helped us see that we should help our friends by bringing to Jesus, but he also helped us discover some common obstacles that block our efforts. I had so many people tell me that he did a great job (but I already knew it!). My only fear is that he did too well, and some…

Another great day at Lebanon Road. We had good attendance at our services yesterday morning, and our VBS got off to a grand start yesterday. For our morning service, I completed a series I’ve been preaching on church growth. It was well-received. We were pleased to welcome 3 new members to Lebanon Road yesterday morning. Gene, Margie, and Clyde Mullen moved their membership and were welcomed warmly by the congregation yesterday. At our VBS last night, brother Rickey McCreless did an outstanding job presenting a lesson on Miriam: Serving Family. His lesson was Bible-based and well-delivered. It was a joy to see he and Leisa again, and to get to…

First, the wrap up. The NBA season is over. The Celtics won their 17th title, which means they need 9 more to catch my Yankees! (26!!!) The best part of the season, though, didn’t take place on the court. It took place during a pregame show, when Frank Caliendo impersonated Charles Barkley to Charles Barkley. However, the best part was when he broke into Bill Walton. Now for the preview, it is far more important than the NBA, but it does contain three letters. It is V.B.S. We are looking forward to our annual Vacation Bible School, with the theme “God’s Big Back Yard.” I hope to show you several…

When you’ve got the two cutest kids in the world, you have to share pictures. Here are a couple of recent favorites. Here are both kids out in our backyard. Turner enjoys picking at the grass (okay, so sometimes he enjoys eating the grass, too), and Mary Carol decided to help him pick some grass. Mary Carol has a favorite set of glasses. The great thing is, she knows they are a toy and she knows they are funny. It’s almost like her first comedy prop. Turner is a boy after my own heart. He loves chocolate, to eat, or to wear!

We are truly looking forward to our Vacation Bible School next week. Our theme is “God’s Big Back Yard,” and we will be focusing on service to different people with whom we come in contact. Some congregations choose not to have an adult class for VBS, since many adults are helping teach and helping in other areas. We have decided not only to have an adult class, but our elders wanted me to get good speakers to come in and present lessons for our adults who are not working each evening. We feel we have selected a great group of men. Sunday, June 22, 6:00 PM Rickey McCreless Rickey McCreless…

Brother Steve Sanders has completed his first book, a class book dealing with the historical background of he New Testament. The book is short, but the lessons have enough “meat” to serve a class well in studying these matters. The book deals with certain issues that may confuse the Bible student who is told to follow the New Testament. For example, one chapter entitled “Who Are These People?” deals with the Sadducees, Pharisees, Scribes and Sanhedrin. Obviously, there is no way brother Sanders could go into deep detail on these four groups in one chapter. He does, however, provide the reader with the basic information needed to begin understanding the…

This book was loaned to me by some members at Lebanon Road. They had asked if I owned Batsell Barrett Baxter’s autobiography. When I said I did not, they let me borrow the book, for they knew and loved brother Baxter and wanted me to see why. I know why after reading this brief volume. As an autobiography, there are several anecdotes from childhood and the school years that some readers may not find all that interesting, but there are not many, so the reader does not get bogged down in those. Once we see brother Baxter’s life as a preacher and school teacher, though, we see why he continues…

Another spiritually uplifting day, with a great number in attendance (wait until you see this number!). Things are going so well, and we know this is an exciting time at Lebanon Road. First, the best news of the day was that Sophia Bacon put Christ on in baptism last evening. Before our worship last night, I was told that she would be responding, so, when she did, I told everyone that this was the reason I talked so fast during my sermon! She requested that our youth minister, JD Buckner, baptize her, and he did a great job with that honor. Sophia will be a tremendous asset to the Lord’s…

It’s Saturday evening, and some of you are wondering what I’m doing blogging instead of looking over sermon notes. I can stay up later doing that, because it was a beautiful evening and I needed to spend some time with my kids on the night before Father’s Day. When you’re a preacher, Father’s Day isn’t all that relaxing! We have a small park in our neighborhood and the kids love it. I thought I’d share some pictures from our evening at the park. Enjoy! My family even made “Father’s Day Eve” special with this little trip. I’m blessed because I had a great father, and I’m blessed with a wonderful…

I think Father’s Day is too overlooked. I’m excited to be preaching Sunday morning on fathers. It will be helpful to me, as I attempt to be a good father. Often, we focus on Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day becomes an afterthought. In a nation that sorely needs Godly fathers, let’s make sure we focus on this holiday, too. On to the links for this week: 1. I love Barnabas. While not in the Bible much, he stands as an amazing man. Rex, over at For Sinners Only, posted this brief article about the Son of Consolation. 2. Many preachers pull out sermons about modesty this time of year, as…