Verse Of The Week

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." -- Ephesians 6:13

In days such as these when the majority of folks are encouraged and even pressured to compromise, especially on matters concerning the truth of the Word of God, it's absolutely crucial that the redeemed of God remember the great duty we have to stand. Admittedly, it's not always easy to take a stand for the truth but it's always needful. Thanks be unto God for equipping His people to take their stand! We are reminded that God has outfitted His people with His "whole armour" that we may be able to "withstand in the evil day". Let's not shun the armour of God but let us rather be sure we are equipped and do our part to stand firm. He's given us His armour for this express purpose! Praise His holy name!!

Friday Five

Since today is such a warm and beautiful day in East Tennessee, with more great weather to come this weekend, I thought it be good to use today's Friday Five to look towards one of my favorite parts of summer...the summer movie releases. Admittedly, it's very doubtful that I'll see all of these in the theaters due to exorbitant ticket prices. I still plan on seeing all of these movies as soon as I can. So here's this week's Friday Five!

Five Summer Movies I'm Looking Forward To Seeing

- Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen [Release Date: June 24th]


- X-Men Origins: Wolverine [Release Date: May 1st]


- G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra [Release Date: August 7th]


- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince [Release Date: July 17th]


- Star Trek [Release Date: May 8th]

Milk: Good For The Body But Not A Ford Ranger

Today got off to a less than perfect start. I got up on time and got ready to head off to work. I even had time to pack some cereal so I could eat it for breakfast once I got to the office. I put the milk for the cereal in a pretty big travel cup because I like a lot of milk with my cereal. Everything was going pretty well until I got to the office. As I was getting out of my truck to go inside, I somehow managed to hit my steering wheel with my fully loaded travel cup of milk. Now this wouldn't have been a big deal if I could have found the lid for that particular travel cup before I left home this morning. I, however, didn't find the lid before I left. That means that about half of the milk in my fully loaded and uncovered travel cup poured out onto my driver's seat. I spent the next 10 to 15 minutes trying my absolute best to clean the milk out of the seat. Needless to say, this was not how I wanted to start my day. On the bright side, if this is the worst thing that happens today then it will still have been a good and blessed day.

If anyone knows of a good vehicle upholstery cleaner, please let me know. I'm definitely going to need one.

Verse Of The Week

"The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof." -- Psalm 97:1

What a wonderful reason to rejoice! In an ever changing world it's important to remember this truth that our God is sovereign. He, and He alone, has absolute power and absolute authority. Even in times when life seems to be totally out of control, the Lord still reigns. And not only does He reign today, but He always has been King and always will be. He does not need man's coronation or approval to make Him the King. He reigns regardless!! If the Lord Jesus Christ is not your King today it's my prayer that you will surrender your life to Him and allow Him to be your King. For the believer I pray God will remind each and every one of us that regardless of what may come in our lives our King still reigns. In that truth we are able to rejoice and be glad.

Weekend Wrap-Up

I thought I'd do a quick recap of what our weekend has been like. There's a good chance that this will become another regular blog feature. So here's our weekend in a nutshell.

Friday night Teresa went to a wedding shower at the church. Addison and I hung out with Alvis and Carson at Stephanie and Alvis's house. We always have such a great time with the Richardson's.

Addison chiling out with her buddy Carson

Yesterday, we just had a family day at home. Teresa and I took Addison for a ride around the neighborhood in her wagon again. She really loves being outside! After lunch, we all took a pretty good nap before heading back outside for a while before coming back in.

This morning we got up and got ready for church as usual. When we went out to leave we made a surprising discovery. We had left the front drive and passenger windows down on the car. No big deal if it was pretty but not fun since it was raining, and had been for about two hours before our big discovery. We were blessed with two wonderful services at church. There's no way I can tell how much I appreciate our church family or what they mean to me.

Addison enjoying the desk that Bobby and Angela Metcalf gave her.
She LOVES it!

All in all, another truly wonderful work week. Now to look ahead to a new week.

Friday Five

Five Of My Favorite Pics On My Cell Phone

Shades baby!!

A great expression

Looking like a big girl

I love how she's standing

My girls

It probably comes as no surprise that every single one of these pics include Addison.

Addison Tours The Neighborhood

Addison in her wagon

Tonight Addison decided she wanted to ride in her wagon. She's not expressed much interest in her wagon since we moved so I couldn't resist honoring that request. In fact, I think she's only been in it once since the move and it was for just a short trip down the street. So, off we went on a nice little tour of the area around where we live. She loves being outside so she enjoyed very much. We went down our street and then up the street to Riverview before returning home. It was a nice chance to for Mommy to have some time to herself and for me and Addison to have some time for just the two of us. Thankfully, the wagon has two seats so that in the future Addison and I can take the new baby along as well.

"And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:" -- Genesis 45:27

I just couldn't resist including this verse since it mentions wagons.

Verse Of The Week

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." -- I Thessalonians 5:18

As Paul, through the unction of the Holy Spirit, writes the closing verses of his first epistle to the church at Thessalonica, he gives this word of encouragement. It's important to note that there are no qualifying statements included in this verse. It doesn't say, "In every good thing give thanks" nor does it say "In every thing that goes as you think it should give thanks" but rather "In every thing give thanks:...". I thank God for the reminder that regardless of circumstances and situations, we can and should always give thanks unto the Lord. If for nothing else, the redeemed can give thanks that our names have been written in the Lamb's book of Life! I encourage everyone to strive to always and in every thing, good and bad alike, give thanks unto Him who is worthy!

New Addition...Coming Soon

As I'm sure most everyone has heard by now, Teresa and I are expecting a new addition to the family on about December 14th. Addison is going to be a big sister!! We were very surprised by the news as it was TOTALLY unexpected. We are excited beyond words that the Lord has allowed us to have this added blessing. It's amazing to think that just three short years ago we were told that we would need "medical assistance" if we wanted to have any children of our own. What a testimony to the power of the Great Physician and the amazing power of prayer! Please pray for a healthy pregnancy, Mommy, and baby. Also, please help us pray that we will always be the parents that God would have us to be and to rear our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

"For with God nothing shall be impossible." -- Luke 1:37

Friday Five

The "Friday Five" will hopefully be a regular weekly feature of my blog which will consist of a list of five things about a central topic. I'd love to get feedback from as many folks as possible on each week's list. Here's this week's list:

Five Christian Books I Highly Recommend

- He Shall Be Called by Robert J. Morgan

- The Applause of Heaven by Max Lucado

- A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller

- Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado

- In the Grip of Grace by Max Lucado

Sick Day

When I left work yesterday afternoon I took a trip by the doctor's office. On Monday night I had kind of felt like I might be coming down with something but wasn't sure. When I got up yesterday morning my throat was really bothering me. It just flat out hurt. Being no stranger to strep throat, because I had it constantly as a kid, I had feeling I knew what was coming on. So I checked my own throat with a flashlight and, sure enough, there were a couple of blisters there. At that point I decided I would definitely see the doc on my way home. I didn't want to take a chance on Addison getting sick.

The doctor determined it wasn't actually strep throat but a bacterial infection like strep throat. He told me I was contagious and that I couldn't work today or go to church tonight. Not working was one thing but not going to church is EXTREMELY difficult for me to handle. However, I didn't want to take a chance on spreading it to anyone in the church so I followed the doctor's orders and stayed in all day and tonight. Thankfully I was able to get a young preacher in the church to fill in for me tonight. I've heard the the Lord really used him and that service was really good. I sure did miss getting to go though. I honestly don't know how people make it without be faithful to the house of God. I'm just thankful that Sunday is just a few days away!

We're still hoping that Addy G won't get what I've had. Please help us pray that she won't. She's had a rough enough time with seasonal allergies. We also got some other news today which I'll likely elaborate on in the future but until then I would appreciate if everyone would please just help us to pray. I'm glad to know that God is always in control.


"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." -- Jeremiah 29:11

East Tennessee Weather

After thoroughly enjoying two days of 70-ish degree temperatures on this past Saturday and Sunday, we in the Tennessee valley woke up to snow flurries and a light dusting on the ground this morning. Only in Tennessee can such a radical difference take place in such a short period of time. I don't think I can ever remember an April snow before though. If anyone else can then by all means feel free to refresh my memory. The good news is that warm weather is on the way and it should be beautiful again by this weekend...just in time for our Easter egg hunt at church on Saturday. Everyone is invited to come and join us at 11:00 on Saturday morning!

This pic wasn't taken this morning but I couldn't resist including a pic
of Addison in the snow.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" -- Ecclesiastes 3:1

Verse Of The Week

"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgements." -- Ezra 7:10

Ezra, the scribe, had a heart that should be the desire of every child of God. His heart was a prepared heart. He was prepared first to seek out and determine what God's Word said. Next, he was prepared to put what the Lord showed him into practice in his life by being a doer and not just a hearer. Finally, he was prepared to share the Word of God with other that they too might benefit and that God may be glorified in their lives. May the Lord help each and every one of us, as His dear children, have prepared hearts!

Psalm 127:3

If the title verse is unfamiliar to you then I promise it will make sense, and be quoted, at the end of the post. Read on!

Teresa and I were just watching a video of Addison from 1 year ago when the title Scripture came to my heart. A year ago our little toddler wasn't even 6 months old yet. As we watched the video, a thousand thoughts and memories flooded my mind. Once again I was reminded, as I am thousands of times a day, of what a blessing it is to be entrusted with the joy that is Addison Grace. Having her in our lives is without a doubt one of God's greatest blessings. She never ceases to amaze and amuse me.

I'm also reminded of the great responsibility that comes with having such a blessing. It is our responsibility to teach and to train her up in the way that is pleasing unto the God that gave her. It's my sincere prayer that the Lord will help us to always raise her, not according to our on thoughts or ideas, but according to the precepts of the Word of God. She was, after all, His to begin with and still is His today.

Addison and me the night she was born

Addison and me about a month ago

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward." -- Psalm 127:3


I've also got to give major applause to my beautiful wife for being such a wonderful mommy. She does such an unbelievable job. It's not easy to wear all of the hats that she wears but she does so with great skill. I love you babe!

Verse Of The Week

In the future, I hope to do the verse of the week on Monday of every week. However, since I didn't start the blog until AFTER Monday of this week, I decided to go ahead and do a verse of the week for this week today.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" -- II Corinthians 4:17

What great encouragement can be found in the words of the apostle Paul, a man who had suffered far greater trials and afflictions than most of us today, to the early church at Corinth. It's a tremendous comfort to know that the troubles of the day are only "light affliction" and that God is using, and will continue to use, each one to reveal Himself in our lives.

Piney Grove Baptist Church

Here's a picture of the front of our church. Our service times are listed below. I am so blessed to get to be the pastor of such an amazing body of believers. The Lord has really really blessed and we look forward to seeing what else He has in store.

Service Times:

Sunday School - 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship - 11:00 a.m.
Sunday Evening Prayer Room - 5:45 p.m.
Sunday Evening Worship - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday Evening Worship - 7:00 p.m.

Monthy Singing - 1st Saturday Night of Each Month at 7:00 p.m.
Monthly Men's and Women's Meetings - Last Thursday Night of Each Month at 7:00 p.m.

Everyone is invited to any and all services and meetings. We hope to see you there!

To Get Things Started

As more and more folks catch the blogging bug, my amazing and beautiful wife included, I thought it would be fun to start a blog of my own. Then I hit the first major roadblock. What in the world could I blog about? I wanted to contribute something that is unique to my life and the life of my family. But what? Teresa is already recounting what it's like to live with Addy G. Then I realized that I have a point of view that not many people have. God has blessed me with the point of view of a pastor.

Most people think that pastors, preachers, and their families are anything but normal people. It's often thought that we are some kind of "super Christians" but let me assure you, although I would love with everything in me to say that's the truth, it simply isn't. We really are just regular, everyday people. Admittedly we are regular people with an amazing and wonderful call upon our lives, but we're still just regular people.

So, I thought it might be neat to let everyone else know to the best of my ability what it's like to live in our lives and, more specifically, in my life as a pastor. I promise it's something you can't imagine unless you've been there. It's not always easy and it's not always fun but I can honestly say I wouldn't trade it for anything. It truly is a gift from God. All glory and honor belong to Him and to Him alone!!

The coming posts will range from life experiences and reflections to humor and maybe even some Bible study. I look forward to seeing how the Lord might use this to bring glory to His holy name. That is, after all, what it's all about. Feel free to leave comments, questions, or any other feedback. I hope others enjoy reading this as much as I think I'll enjoy doing it.