Arrived for a funeral yesterday and learned it had been postponed due to sickness. They apologized. It’s ok. I've made a “few” errors and mistakes myself😇. On the phone remainder of day with families dealing with sickness, death, surgeries, and other issues, oh my. Paul’s words came to me (2nd Cor.4:8) “I am hard pressed on every side, but I don’t have to be crushed. I am perplexed, but I do not have to be in despair”. Father, please help us, we cannot make it without You, in Jesus' Name, amen.

My church family surprised me and blessed me on pastor appreciation Sunday. I was overwhelmed. I am so blessed with a church family that is involved in the Kingdom’s work🙏😇. I would not trade places with the pastor of a mega church. I’m where God wants me, and I am blessed❤️. Church family, you are the best, and I love you. I believe our best days in His work are just ahead. Thank you! Amen, amen.

I received a call last night about a lady I knew from years ago who was about to slip away. The family wanted me preach her funeral; I have one on Monday. This will be the 13th since July...none from the virus. The funeral homes have pamphlets on how to prepare for your funeral in advance, but they omit item number one - be in a right relationship with the Father through the Son. If we haven't done this, we “ain’t” prepared! Father, we pray for the families in mourning, please put Your arms about them, and we pray that Your Holy Spirit can break through to those who “ain’t” prepared, in Jesus name, amen.

Yesterday was a day of incredible highs and lows. At a funeral I listened as a son remembered his dad, it was awesome. Then I got home, and our son was there on a surprise visit🎉! Then I learned that a couple we had been helping had got jobs🎉! But then I received news that a gentleman loved by all the community had passed away🙏. Father, much of what happens is beyond our understanding, but we trust You with our today and our eternity. We lift up those in sorrow, sickness and trouble, please be with them, in Jesus' name, amen.

Our daughter and son-in-law's anniversary is today. I performed the wedding, after escorting her down the aisle. I had a tough time (the sheriff said, “I thought I was going to finish it for you!"). As they went to light their unity candle, she heard someone sobbing. She thought it was me, but it was her brother at the piano trying to play and sing the Lord's Prayer (only 13 months between...they were like twins). Oh, the precious memories, Father, we all thank You for them, in Jesus' name, amen.

Oh my, I have two funerals: one Friday and one on Monday. I went to my cardiologist (Zoom meeting), and he wants to do tests in a couple of weeks. It all reminds me of the brevity of physical life and of the purpose that the Father has for us. oh, we need to be busy in His service, so when He calls us home, we can say “oh, is it time already?” But Psalm 46:10 reminds us “Be still and know that I am God”. Yes, yes, amen.

One of the little girls in our church (five years old) every night prays (her mom told me), “Lord, please take away this old germ, so we can go back to church". She’s a “hugger” (they watch on line). She adds “so they won’t forget me”. We will never forget about her. Saturday, if God allows us, we have a drive through at church; we are reaching out to families. We have goodies, ice cream, Bibles, study items, etc. It's "Faith and Blue" weekend. The sheriff and the state patrol will be there also. Whee! Pray for it please, and ask the Lord to take away this “old germ”. Amen!

Amey, our daughter, sang “angels in the room” Sunday. I got a call yesterday that a precious lady, long time member of our church who lived in a personal care home some distance away, had passed away. I remembered her and her husband’s ministry to so many, and Amey’s song came to mind. A line in the song says, "children can’t you see; Angels standing all around me?”. I believe that when our time comes He sends His angels to escort us, and Jesus said I will come and receive you into Myself. Father, thank You for the angels, in Jesus name, amen.

My brother-in-law closes his post with “don’t forget to pray!”, and oh how I’ve needed to do that for the past 24 hours. Father, thank You for letting me back in Your throne room, and for keeping that the door always open. We ask for Your mercy and for Your healing grace. Forgive us where we fail You; we plead the only thing that we have - the precious Blood of Jesus, in His name, amen.

Old hymn says “in times like these we need an anchor, in times like these we need a Saviour”! Chatting with an old friend, we were bemoaning the division in our nation, the fear and uncertainty caused by the virus. Oh my, we’re in (South Ga. speech) in a mess!  Where else can we go but to Jesus? No one else had the authority to deliver us. “My anchor grips and holds the solid rock”. Father, we have idea of what lies ahead, but we trust in You. Use us, strengthen us, give us hope and courage, we ask in Jesus' name, amen.

Message tomorrow is "angels, angels, angels”. There's a tremendous amount of interest in them. Angels are all over the Bible. The one we’re most familiar with is Gabriel, who announces to Mary that she will carry the baby Jesus.  Sunday, learn about the angels. "Holy, Holy, is what the angels sing; they make the heavens ring, but when we sing salvations story, they will fold their wings in silence; for they have never known the joy that redemption brings”. Only one word belongs here - Hallelujah!!

What folks, who work wear, is their business. What  they don’t wear troubles me...masks. I learned of another person who has the virus and another death from it. Let's protect ourselves and those we care about. Father, today, we ask for healing and deliverance from the virus, and help me (us) to use the brain you gave us, in Jesus' name, amen.

Pandemic? God is still at work in the church with out walls. The Father is giving us new ways to worship and to reach others in His name. Yesterday out of “the blue”, we were able to reach out to a family that I had been praying about for months! Don’t despair; the opportunities are there. You must be ready to seize the moment. Father, please open some doors, some hearts today, in Jesus' name, amen.

I’m with the church sign: "chrona, chrona, go away! Don’t come back any day”!! We learn from every experience, and my take always from this virus: how much I miss warm handshakes and hugs, our choir singing, being able to visit and share about Jesus and our church. We learned how quickly our whole world can change. We’ve learned new ways of worshiping. We learned anew that God is in charge. Father, please help us. We need you, oh we need You every hour, amen.

Teacher to 5th grade class, “share what you did during the summer". Little Bobby said, "Mrs. Smith, our dad took us to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania"! The teacher replied, "Wow! Tell the class how to spell that". There was a long pause then Bobby answered, "on second thought, we went to Ohio"! Just a Tuesday morning chuckle or groan! A number of people have contacted me since Friday with serious issues: virus, personal problems, etc. All asking for prayer (my son says, “dad, prayer works"). The prayers are unspoken. Would you join me in prayer? Father, we pray for those who are struggling, physically, spiritually for healing and deliverance; we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.