Memorial Day! As I think about tomorrow, the thought comes to my mind about just how thankful Americans are for those who died for our Great Nation. In my opinion, PATRIOTISM IS LACKING IN MUCH OF OUR COUNTRY. Personally I am so grateful for all those who have given their lives so that I can enjoy the vast freedoms I have as an American citizen. Words cannot express my gratitude. First I think about Jesus dying on the cross to set me free from sin and give me eternal life. Next to that I can think of no other freedom that is so precious as what I have as an American.

I tried to join a military branch of the armed services during the Viet Nam war. I was going for a commission as an officer because of my ROTC training in college. I was turned down because I was an Asthmatic. Although I never was able to serve, I have always been patriotic and have a high degree of respect for all who serve and a grateful heart for those who died to keep us free.

I hope that all who have not done so and read this will take time to thank God for our men & women who have died to keep us free and pray for those who have lost family who served in the military in these recent years.

Patriotism may be out for some, but it is in for me!

During this study of FAITH, I hope you have been challenged to examine your own faith. When I do a series of this nature, I often wonder how it has helped those who have heard it. I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to the subject and felt that in this particular time in the life of Southside it was what we needed and still believe that as I write this. With two more Sundays teaching on FAITH, I am sad to leave it in a way. It has been so applicable to my own life! Several people have said almost the same words to me, "the teachings on faith have been just for me". I can say that along with those of you who have said that to me!

No matter what our age is or how long we have been a Christian, our faith needs to continue to grow individually and as a body of Believers! God has touched me and I have grown! As I preach each week, I know that I am speaking to myself and God is growing me. One of the joys of preaching is the spiritual growth that God brings in my own life in the hours of preparation and even as I teach Sunday morning what God has taught me.

As I am praying and asking God's directions for the weeks ahead, I would like to know the things you are struggling with, the areas you would like to hear addressed that you feel would apply to the lives of those present on Sunday mornings. If you don't want to put your response on this blog, you can speak to me personally or send me an e mail. My greatest desire other than pleasing God is to present teaching that you you or others need and want to apply to your life. In the 6 years here at Southside, I have preached through several books of the Bible and I am considering doing that again. If you have a need for a particular teaching, chances are I, along with many others, have the same need. The Holy Spirit can speak to me through your input. I am considering a couple of books of the Bible and your in put could help me.

Sunday morning during the message, I mentioned the joy and satisfaction on the face of some of our Howard Payne University faculty members as the students graduated. Their joy was as visible as the students receiving their degrees. I hope that all of Brownwood takes pride in the fact that we have such a high quality university in a town this size. In these 6 years here, I have been privileged to have connection with both faculty, staff and students and I "gotta tell you", they are the greatest. I lived in a town with large universities and a town with a junior college , had connections with them but HPU ranks much higher in my book. I thank God for all our HPU faculty, staff and students.

I also think about the teachers connected with Southside and who teach in public and private schools. I thank God for all of them and their commitment to letting their students see Jesus in them. Occasionally I get a call from one of them asking advice in dealing with a student or a problem a student has brought to them. It always impresses me that their concern goes beyond the classroom.

I thank God for all who give of themselves to be a part of educating students of all ages preschool through higher education!!!

As I finished my Quiet Time this morning and went through one of my prayer list, I stopped and thanked God for all who pray for me. I know the strength and ability to do what I do is from the prayers of those who pray for me! My mind flashes back over the years of my life and those who have prayed for me. My mind went to my parents & Becky's parents , all who are with the Lord now. I know that they were prayer warriors for us all of our lives for which I am so thankful.

I think of how prayer of others makes our lives what they are today. Then my thoughts jumps to what about those who don't have people praying for them. Tears come to my eyes as the very thought. This makes me want to be more diligent in praying for others. It causes me to be even more thankful for all who pray for me and for Becky. Thank God for intercessory prayer!!

Just a thought! Reading through Proverbs these last 39 days has impressed just how abundantly available WISDOM is for all of us. It is ours if we are wise enough to reach out for it!

Today Hug Your Children!!

Today Becky & I received a call from a couple we haven't heard from in many years. They were our closest friends following college when we worked for the same company. One of the most exciting calls we ever got from them was when they called and said, "we met a friend of yours and His name is Jesus". They had come to know Jesus as Savior following a trip to New Mexico to visit us. We had prayed for them for years. That was many years ago! Today was a great renewal of our contact with them, but with that also came the saddest news we could ever hear. Their daughter died at 32 years old. What a shock! The Lord is bringing them through it and they are leaning on Him!

My thoughts jumped to my own children, I thought of Eric's blog about his children and I just paused and thanked God for our children and grandchildren and praised God for His gift of them to us!!! Hug your children today and if that is not possible, call them and tell them you love them.

Life is short and we need to use every minute wisely!

The death toll from a powerful cyclone that slammed into Myanmar was raised to more than 22,000 people on today. An additional 41,000 people were missing as a result of the cyclone. My connection with Myanmar is through a mission trip taken by the church I served before I came here, praying for a missionary who was there and connected with Southside and I believe Rusty Wheelington has been there. Through this and reading, I know that only 4% of the country are Christian. Most practice Buddhism. Using those figures, less than 1,000 of those killed were Believers.

As I read the account of the tornadoes here in the Midwest and the South, even the destruction in North Texas, and death associated my heart goes out to the people affected. When I read about death, the first thing that crosses my mind is, "did they know Jesus"? Next my mind jumps to the question, "what can I do"? Then God says pray. I am reminded of a verse most of us have memorized, Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose".

For Christians, this verse contains perhaps the most glorious promise in Scripture. It is almost breathtaking in its magnitude. It encompasses absolutely everything that pertains to a believer's life. But what about those who aren't Christians? The verse is not for them. What do we do? I believe that we pray for God to use these tragic happenings for others to come to Christ. We would probably be surprised if we knew how God used our moment of prayer.

So what can we do. PRAY and SHARE CHRIST WITH OTHERS.