Please Respond...I'm waiting :)

I entered the land of "blogville" about six months ago and have enjoyed the opportunity to post on a wide variety of subjects and thoughts. It's a good way to keep up with my crazy life and personally provides a good outlet for me to think out loud.

Over these months about 30 or so readers have posted at one time or another. In addition to the responses you see, I'd say roughly 50 others have commented through personal e-mails. I appreciate them all but I want to challenge you all to respond often. Why?

1. I can know you read it. That actually helps. It's like talking to a radio mich without ever knowing anyone out there is listening :)

2. Others can read your thoughts. Go ahead, rant, complain, protest, agree, disagree, add to my thoughts, get mad and throw something (but remember it's your monitor you'll bust!)! You surely have something you can add and I'd like to hear it. Your thinking spurs my thinking and the thinking of others.


So...I'll just sit here and wait to hear from you :). But if you decide not to...I guess that's OK too :).

Shameless Self Promotion?

Several weeks ago I got a call from Bobby Dodd, who I'd met when he lived in Nashville and worked with the Tennessean several years ago. He told me he'd seen where I'd left Granny White and that they were thinking of doing a story at the Christian Chronicle on rather established (I took that to mean older :)) preachers who were leaving strong works to go to church plants or newly established congregations. He asked if I'd help. I said yes and a couple of weeks later I got a call from Charles Babb (who I still haven't met face to face). He did a telephone interview with me and the link below takes you to that interview.

A note to my dear friends at Granny White. While overall I was pleased with the article part of a request I sent to CC is right below and while they did not make the suggested changes but were very gracious in their explaination:


Charles:
Thanks for the article. It is well done. I would ask a couple of things that would make it better for me.
1. Mention Granny White Church of Christ instead of just Granny White church. That would be a big deal with them. I love those people and only want this to honor them.
2. I'd also request that somewhere you mention that we are not a group off just doing our own thing, we are trying to be God's People in the world today living by His Plan.

http://www.christianchronicle.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=535

ANOTHER PART OF MY LIFE...

Starting in mid-August and now for the last seven years lasting till about the first week in December my Friday nights are full and fulfilled. I talk on the radio about high school football.

When I watch a game (not on the air), I'm a surprisingly quiet fan. I don't say a lot, but what a thrill to talk about the game when describing it to someone else.

One Sunday at church at Granny White about 8 years ago my friend Andy Lane talked to me about some broadcasting of high school football games that I had done in Hamilton, AL and how there was talk about starting a program for the Lipscomb High School team. Little did I know 1. how little I knew and 2. what all was ahead for me.

We met a few months later, Baryon Binkley, Jonathan Seamon and myself at the Captain D's in Melrose. I was to learn that Bayron knew most everything there was to know about producing, selling and the history of radio in Middle Tennessee. And I met Jonathan who is literally a legend in broadcasting (he's in the NAIA Hall of Fame as a broadcaster). A golden voice, a genuinely friendliness and a work ethic that wouldn't stop. I'd learn that my new broadcast buddies were men of excellence.

We've been picked up by other stations over the years, we are live on the Internet and in an "in house" FM station. The last seven seasons of broadcasting has seen the program grow and expand larger than we ever imagined. We've broadcast 98 games and been to the state championship four of the last five seasons...surely some sort of high school football broadcasting record. We've seen coaches who are training young men to be real men. We've seen parents who care more about how their children behave than how they preform.

We got to enjoy being dads on the air as in the '02 season four of us had sons on that State Championship team.

But, perhaps most of all, we've had fun! It's been a ball (and a blessing. It was through that program that I first got to know and grew to love Scott T.). The many one liners, the mess-ups and mistakes, the meals and the friendships. I've grown to love these guys, Jonathan, Bayron, Craig, Burt, and Peter. Each added something special and each game seemed to get better. I think I could write a book on each of them, but then I don't need 5 lawsuits slapped on me :)!

We'll be on AM 900 Saturday at noon to broadcast, live, our 99th game. It will be a state championship game. And, very possibly, will be our last game.

Too those guys, I'll miss what I do with my Friday nights...and thanks for letting an outsider, be an insider. Just...thanks.

Silver and gold...and

Mind if I preach a little on a Friday – after all as the great sermon attributed to an old black preacher by Tony Campolo said: “It’s Friday, but Sunday's coming”?
I heard a preacher recently answering what advice he’d give to a young man who has decided to preach. He used 2 Timothy 2 and began reading in verse 20. He emphasized the stuff at the end of this great bit of inspiration: “…Therefore if anyone cleanses …prepared for every good work….Flee youthful lusts…pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart… avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient…” What great (obviously) advice, but what struck me were the first few words of this text.
“…in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay…Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.”
Wow! I may never be gold or silver but I can be wood or at least a lump of clay. A lump of clay: but a lump of clay in the great house of our Father and a lump of clay sanctified and useful for the Master! So many of us lament of our lack of skill and talent and ability – what God wants is not ability but availability. He has all the ability in the world what He needs (yes, God needs) is people, who He gave the right to choice, to choose to allow Him to use them.
There may not be much you can do, but there is nothing that He cannot do through you! Wow. A piece of wood or a lump of clay willing to be used. I know some gold – and, yes, there have been times I’ve wished I was that golden preacher, that five tool player,, that evangelist who could evangelize, that pulpiteer who could pontificate, that wordsmith who could wow – but I’m no Willlard, Jim Bill, Ira, Gus, BBB, Thomas, Jerry, Marlin or N.B., I’m just me. But, I can be me, used by Him. And you can be you, too. I want nothing more!!!
God uses ordinary people to do extra-ordinary things. God use me...


THAT GREAT TEXT IN SOME OTHER TRANSLATIONS:
“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. (ESV)

In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a utensil God can use for his purpose. (NLT)

In a large house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also things made of wood and clay. Some things are used for special purposes, and others are made for ordinary jobs. All who make themselves clean from evil will be used for special purposes. They will be made holy, useful to the Master, ready to do any good work. (NCV)

In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. (NIV)

In a well-furnished kitchen there are not only crystal goblets and silver platters, but waste cans and compost buckets—some containers used to serve fine meals, others to take out the garbage. Become the kind of container God can use to present any and every kind of gift to his guests for their blessing. (The Message)

REPORTS...NEWS...AND UPDATES:

So I figure there are people just sitting by their computer this morning waiting for the news...for the update of Sunday at SM. :)

Just to relieve you I'll give you a report. It was an awesome day.

We had right at 250 present Sunday morning - we filled the our "new" building up on the first day. Everyone worked very, very hard and it was all good. Things looked great and things worked great. It was more and better than we could have anticipated. The meal was good, PowerPoint worked well overall, the lighting was good, the singing was heavenly, the fellowship sweet! So many did so much - thank you, thank you, thank you. And may the Lord reward you (He thinks up much better rewards than I do).

My cousin Jonathan Jenkins who preaches in Atlanta surprised me by stopping in. He was on his way to speak in behalf of http://www.digitalbiblestudy.com/ a great site for Bible study!

Sunday night we had 138 present. That was our previous high Sunday morning crowd! So, of course, all numbers for Sunday were new record highs!

I got to be with Dad, Melanie, Missie, Andrew, Jeff's kids (Melanie says say "Jeff's children), Blake and Drake at the big deal that Roebuck Parkway gave dad for his 40th anniversary. It was sweet and special, but also sad cause I kept thinking...this is the kind of event mom would have loved. She would have loved dad being honored and recognized - not for herself, but for him. She glowed in the recognition of those who she loved.

I've found myself thinking of that so much lately. I miss having someone who was just proud of me like she was. Melanie is awesome, Missie is great, but nothing can take the place of mom. She would have been proud of our crowd yesterday and thought it was all because of me...she would have been proud that I am quoted on the back of a book and thought that it was the best quote on the back of a book she'd ever read, she would have been proud...and she would have said so. Sorry to be melancholy for a moment...but I miss her terribly, still.

Now on to the future: Saturday morning I speak in Lebanon, TN at a lecture program there. I speak at 9:00 and then run back to Nashville to board a plane that is to take off at 10:46 to West Palm. I will arrive there at 3:52 and then am to speak at 4:30 there. One of these crazy, but doable things that I seem to get myself into :). So far, the Lord has seen me through them all - how else can I explain it. I just want to be used by Him in every way He will.

Pray for me as I do for so many of you.

Pews, Paint and Pulpits...

Walls…Paint…Carpet…Windows…Pews…moved – repaired – bolted down…Bathroom floors and cleanup…Baseboards…Electrical work…Sound system,…PowerPoint system…new pulpit…card and pens….Lights…and of course a clock on the wall. We have a new place!

I think God just keeps amazing all of us at Spring Meadows. Sunday we set a goal of giving $30,000.00 (when we decided that I thought – “My, I wish we’d set it at 20.”). Well, the gasp was audible when Glenn announced we had given over $51,000.00!

When I came here, this was the smallest church I had worked with on a fulltime basis but that is the largest contribution I’ve ever been a part of! Wow. God is good to us. I still love the motto I first heard around here: “Don’t limit God.” I hate to admit it, but that is easy to say and hard to live by. I thought we might get close, but I never anticipated we’d blow that goal away!

Steve Baker had the quote of the day: “We just aren’t very good at setting goals around here.”

Sunday we will move in and I feel sure we’ll fill the building. So many have done so much, I think every member has been a part of making this all possible. Things have seemingly “just happened” but I know behind every “happening” there have been people who have made it happen, with love, prayer, hard work and most obvious the blessing of God.

I hope you will be with us, it’s gonna be another great day. The worship service begins at 9am. If you’ve not been to Spring Meadows before, you need to come, you’ll find it hard to believe what’s happening!

And if you can't be here (shame on you) but we do want your prayers anyway! :)

P.S. Sunday night holds great promise too: Dennis Doughty who's book on Heaven will be coming off the press later this week will be with us and will have some copies of his book available. His lesson will be "Heaven, the Unwritten Chapter". It will be a night to remember. We start at 5 on Sunday evening.

Politics and saving the world...

There are thousands of “good causes” that would love to hijack the church as an arm to their purely political purposes. Thus must the church ever be on guard. We are to be light and leaven but anytime we start to speak out on moral issues neo-political “christians” will try to sabotage our real mission. They will even try to use issues we must speak out on like homosexuality (see Romans 1:32 If you question whether or not we “must” speak out on this issue) and try to make that “the issue” of the church. Our message is Christ crucified, raised, glorified and coming again, not “headquarters for the coalition against _____ (you fill in the blank here). We must speak out as the leavening influence in our world, we are obligated by scripture to “rail” against sin for it is what crucified Christ and it is what separates men from God and unrepented of sin is what will send men and women to eternal punishment. But…

…The world will not be changed by political forces, the changes they cultivate are merely cosmetic. They cannot address the heart of the matter, which of course involves the heart. Everywhere and in every age that Christianity has gone and dominated so have more civilized living, greater prosperity and more friendly living conditions.

I could care less about the parties! I’m morally conservative – period. I don’t know if Democrats care more for the poor and oppressed – most of the national ones are so filthy rich, I doubt it. I don’t know if Republicans care more about conservative values or not, watching the news lately that’d be hard to prove. Which party is more fiscally responsible? Frankly I care more about traffic conditions on I-65 (you name the time of day). Which can better manage the war, the environment? Debate that with somebody else. I am an American by birth, a Christian by rebirth. I am a citizen of a higher country (Hebrews 11:10).

But that doesn't mean I have no voice in our culture. I am commanded by God to be salt! For instance I'm pro-prayer. In the school, at ballgames, in the halls of legislators, at work...our country has been in a constant state of moral decline since the 1960's ruling that supposedly took away this freedom because a few bigoted atheists thought a heart beat of concern of the minority should lead our nation founded on a forceful Christian outlook!

Now, if one man is opposed to abortion and shows promise of doing something to change that devilish practice that has allowed the legal murder of hundreds of millions of babies, that’s an easy call. If the vote comes before us that would outlaw abortion, restrict legalized gambling, limit the sale of alcohol, foster families as outlined in God’s Word, I’m going to speak out on it. And it doesn’t matter to me who wrote it or who else is supporting it or opposing it. It doesn’t matter what it might do to the economy or to our perceived political correctness in the eyes of foreign countries, I will speak out. But I’m not going to let it become my hobby. I have one – “go into all the world and preach the gospel…”

Now, if I’ve made myself clear: The November 7 election gives an opportunity to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment regarding same-sex marriages. Be aware that those who worded the amendment were sly . The wording of the amendment demands a "yes" vote. It’d seem that you would vote “no” – as in “I’m against recognizing homosexual marriage as an acceptable definition of marriage.” But read it carefully and trust me, if you are opposed to this sin (and there’s a truckload of reasons both Biblical and culturally to be), you will vote “yes”. The second sly method of getting this passed is in that defeat or approval must have both a majority of the votes cast as well as a number of votes equal to one-half plus one of the votes cast in the governor's race. If you vote for the governor but do not vote on the amendment, by default you have voted "no." I urge you to vote "yes" because of God's definition of marriage (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:5; Eph. 5:31).

Let me hear from you on this...your discussion below might help inform and enlighten...

A Raw Deal...

“I got a raw deal…” – Billy Volek, ex-Tennessee Titan.

Let's see. Billy

Born in America

Had college paid for at a major university

Given great skills from God

Paid millions and millions to stand on the sidelines and do virtually nothing for 5 years… 6.8 million dollar contract in 2004…with a roster bonus of $500,000 a year and a possibility of an addition 4 million if you stayed the duration.

Allowed to be traded to the Chargers where he will make at least 1 million this year.

Poor Billy – A raw deal?

(I know he had to move his family and that surely is hard, but he didn't have to move them because someone was bombing his house or because the government was terroizing him)

Billy's not the only one: It seems everybody in our culture is a victum. What is your compaint today? Could you stand to spend a little more time counting your blessing instead of listing your woes?

Sermons and Food...

Several weeks ago I posted on my blog that I would be preaching one of the sermons I most remembered from my growing up years. Among my most observant friends came a post that listed the thee sermons he most remembered hearing from my dad growing up. It was a special note for many reasons. One because it was from a friend, another because it was about dad and finally because, I too, remember each of these lessons and had forgotten them before.
Six months to a year after I left the Hamilton church to move to Nashville another dear friend, Ann, sent me an e-mail that listed the sermon outlines she had kept, the ones that had touched her and meant something to her life. It meant more to me than I could express that she actually remembered anything I had said, even more that she had kept some of the outlines and even more that they continued to bless her life. And it helped me to know what sermons I had preached had made some lasting difference in some persons life.
What sermons/lessons do you remember that affected your life? Share with me and others. I'm sharing my friends e-mail...

"On our way home, I got to thinking about some of your Dad's sermons & realized there are 3 that really stand out in my mind. Coincidentally, all 3 were while we were at Maywood. The following is the order I remember them by:

1. Christ's death & significance while a cross burned below the
director's hut & across the little creek (back when the lower part was still the Canteen).
2. Gazing up at the stars on the ball field while discussing the
constellations, God's grandeur, and magnificence.
3. On the side of the lake as your Dad preached from one of those old
flat-bottomed aluminum boats (I will admit that although I fell asleep about halfway through this one, it still stands out in my memory).

But most of all, I don't remember your Dad ever preaching to us as though we were a bunch of little kids (even if for the most part that was exactly what we were). He preached to us information that we needed to know and that he needed to share with us, whether it took
15 minutes for the message or an hour and a half. I really don't remember too many 15 minute lessons...

I find the comparison between sermons and meals truer the older I get. While I may not remember every meal/sermon I've had, one look at me tells you (hopefully) that I've benefited & been nourished by all of them. "

I hope you have a great weekend and that you hear a sermon you'll remember forever.

Writing for me?

Writing for "me". Actually everything I do I try to do for God so that first sentence may need some clearing up. I've written for nearly 40 years.

When I started writing it was for a teacher who corrected everything from how I held my pencil to my sloppy "S's" (is that correct?).

Before too long I was writing a sports column for a school newspaper where my editor didn't quite get my humor (an ongoing problem that I've passed on to both my sons, one it sadly seems got a double measure of it :)).

Then it was on to church bulletins which I've edited and been edited in for 25 years. There, there are(500) always rules: If you say this it might offend so-and-so, you might leave out this person, this group might misunderstand you ... and after all, remember, what you write is a reflexion on the church.

I've written for books and magazines and quarterlies and annuals and lectureships. So, when I say this writing is for me...I mean, it's MY BLOG. In a sense I only represent me here, it is unedited (that's dangerous) and it will be a lot of fun most of the time (cause I never lost that sense of humor that my old school newspaper rep didn't get). So, don't take offense (I assure you, I don't ever offend anyone on purpose - at least I don't think I do), or don't read, these are my thoughts!

And by the way, I like exclaimation points! It says I'm happy and excited about something and I usually am. And it's my blog, so deal with it!!!!!!

Gotta Blog...

Just got to blog for a few minutes. It was such a great weekend. It started with the opportunity to play in a golf tournament to benefit Maywood Christian Camp. This was their first such tournament and it resulted in a profit of $3200 for the camp. I'm not a golfer but I got to spend the morning with my son Andrew and nephew Ren. It was a delight!

Then Sunday. What a day! We had a record crowd any way you slice it. There were 136 present. That's doubly neat because we seat exactly 136 when you combine both auditoriums (that'd be our small one and our smaller one!). There were about 7 in the nursery and a few parents held their kids, so we did have a handful of open seats. We had 5 families of 18 people gone Sunday which could have put us over the 150 mark in worship. Thanks to all who invited folks.

Following the morning services we had a great picnic! It was awesome! What a crowd. I'd estimate about 150 were at the picnic. Several came over who went to services elsewhere. We had a blowup balloon (we called them "moonwalks" when I was a kid) and the kids had a ball. We had it catered by Famous Dave's, so the adults had a ball too :)!

At about 1:15 we had our afternoon service. We had 100 on the dot stay for the service (a record crowd for our evening service), the previous record set the week before was 92! People stayed around till about 3:45.

Then we had the evening devo service at 5 at the building. There were 11 there. Five Spring Meadows folks and as the service got going some of my dearest friends stopped in to surprise me. They ended up being the ones surprised. Chuck and Susan Terry and their wonderful kids. I've known Chuck for nearly 40 years and his wonderful wife Susan has helped him become so well rounded. They are super parents - I am proud of them and their children. The kids are sharp and well behaved. Their oldest is now a young man - Jacob is as tall as I am and can carry on a comfortable and enjoyable conversation with an adult. Their daughter Jessica is growing into a beautiful young lady (who'd ever have thought Chuck could have a beautiful daughter). Their youngest Joshua will keep them on their toes...he's in first grade (I think) and is playing football! Wow. And. Jonathan well, he's obviously mature beyond his years. Enough about them - but it is my blog and I wanted to talk about a good friend for a minute.

In addition to all that Sunday we "officially" took possession of the hardware store - though much of the "building" out is already done. I'm told there'll be a great paint party Saturday! I can hardly wait.

Everybody also got to see the big sign for Spring Meadows on US31. How exciting!

Then Monday seemed just as great:
I got to be a part of giving out copies of our new book to the area preachers at the 21st luncheon and then drove to Spring Hill where we made some great visits (we had 6 show up for Monday night "no-guilt" v - a record). I also got to meet with a good friend who made recommendations for sound issues and other technical equipment for the new building.

Well, life is good and I just wanted to share.

November 5th is going to be a great day - unless the Lord returns first and that will be the best day. I hope you're inviting people to be in the right place for both those days :).

Love,
dale

Not what he expected...

A few weeks ago when I was doing interviews on that strange John Karr stuff I got a call late on a Saturday night from People Magazine. Turns out the guy actually is an independent freelance writer that does a lot of stories for People. He grew up in Huntsville, Alabama and his opinions of members of the church of Christ, were, well to state it mildly, very bad. In fact he thought he would be able to expose this narrow-minded mean-spirited group.

That is one of the reasons he started an investigative report following the murder of Matt Winkler. But along the way something happened. He met individuals who are members of the churches of Christ. As he told me late that Saturday night. It was not at all what I expected or, even had hoped. I found the people, every one of them, to be polite, considerate, spiritual and loving. He said, "I've never seen people as supportive in the midst of tragedy. They are really impressive Christians." He then turned his attention to the interviews he had done with members of the church following the John Karr incident. And said, again, I've been impressed with so many members of the church of Christ, their language, how they don't rush to judge others and just the attitudes they have. He went on for several minutes singing the praises of the church of Christ.

I'm not sure why Bobby felt "compelled" to share all of that with me, but I thought you'd want to know. People do notice. While our beliefs are often abused and/or misstated in such a way that they are unpalatable, it is our people (and the church is the people isn't it!) who shine. Reminds me of a verse I read somewhere: "Let your light so shine..." I challenge you, shine on in your work, in your family, in your community, in our congregation and in every area of your life. It makes a difference!

Just thought you might enjoy a little good news about the church! Have a great day.

New book cover..

Here it the cover of the new book. It is at the printers.

The books will start rolling off the press September 24. 12 days from this update.

New Book

I told you last week I would tell you about the latest book...so here goes. But before you read this, remember, you know me. You know I love people and I want unity and am willing to work and make the effort for it to exist...anything short of compromising my beliefs.

There have been many struggles that the Lord's church has faced. A mighty blow was dealt her in the years before and after the turn of the 20th century. The division that shook our core was brought about by a few brethren who insisted on doing mission work through a society (instead of through the church) and who seemed to love instrumental music in worship more than the scriptures or their brethren. It was fostered by a spirit of division and feuding that permeated that time period.

It was a sad time. Buildings were stolen, unChristlike spirits seemed to prevail (sometimes on both sides) and the church was in no way the happier.

The division happened over several years but was first officially recognized by the Federal Government in 1906. Fast forward 100 years. Today there are brethren who are once again trying to dismantle the church. They are pleading for union with the instrument and are belittling those who so respected the scriptures as to stand against it 100 years ago. They are calling for us to apologize. It is affecting the church everywhere, in some places dramatically. These fellows are producing books full of historical inaccuracies and scriptural error. But it is often going unchecked.

Back in the spring a group of seven was put together who determined to try to inform and to counter some of this often unchecked error. We thought (and still think) that one of the best approaches would be a class workbook that investigates in as positive a manner as possible the situation. All seven of us deeply desire unity, but know that it takes more than just saying we are united to be united.

Some will think we are "crying wolf" but here's an alarming snapshot of what happened the last time faithful brethren stood by and waited too long for liberalism to sink its teeth into our fellowship: "When the dishonest, cruel and unChristlike work was done the churches of Christ had lost most of our buildings (retained 2,649 and lost 8,576), all of our colleges and greater than 90% of our members (kept 159,123 and lost 1,330,379) and most all of the enthusiasm that had made the church a national power and influencein ourr then young country."

This book is needed. I have become increasingly excited about this project they asked me to edit. It looks like we are going to end up with a high quality product. Generous brethren have made it possible for us to sell the books at a very VERY inexpensive rate. We hope many churches will study this five lesson book in all of their adult classes. The writers are Mike Baker, Mike Green, Phil Sanders, Steve Higginbotham and Jeff Jenkins.

The book will (Lord willing) go to the printers this week. We hope it will be available by the middle of the month. The cost will be $4.00 per book (64 pages) and cheaper if ordered in bulk.

Not because I had anything to do with it. In fact, I'm quite certain others could have done it better, but this material needs to be in the churches hands. I hope you will do all you can to help us. Let me know if you want to know more.

I've gone National :)

It was a wild week to say the least. It included eventual appearances on Larry King Live and the CBS Early Show.

When I got home from church Wednesday night a good friend from Hamilton had called and said for me to call her back - quick. I did. She asked if I'd seen John Karr on the news. And, yes, I'd heard it mentioned that they had made an arrest in the Ramsey case, but, you know how it is, you listen and sometimes don't hear. He had been arrested in Asia - I didn't expect to know him. But as soon as I saw that face I knew, it was John Karr, the rather odd guy who had shown up on a number of Sunday nights at the congregation when I preached in Hamilton.

I got a call from a paper in Denver on Thursday night then. It really caught me off guard. I diidn't remember a whole lot about him and definitely no timeline. I did remember that he was really really strange. And I did remember that Red DiLorian.

After the call I thought, "well, I might have another call" so I pulled out old files, started writing what I could remember. Then Friday morning the secretary in Hamilton called and told me Dateline, Bill O'Rilley, The Larry King Show and On the Record had all called trying to find me. Friday about 3 "On the Record" called. They asked a bunch of questions and then asked if I would be on the show that night. I said, "I really don't think I have much to contribute to this story" They said we think you do and I told them I would be willing to do it. They said they would send a limo to pick me up about 8. Wow, a limo. Then about 4 they called back and said they didn't need me. I laughed - there goes my 15 minutes of fame J. Then about 10 minutes later the phone rang and it was a lady from New York who was in California and asked if I would do Larry King Live that night. I agreed and went to a studio over in the Metro Center to do the show (no limo). I asked that they not belittle the town of Hamilton or the church there, that I loved them both and that they just refer to me as Dale and not Pastor or Reverend. Melanie said I did good, so I guess I did.

I then got a called from American Media and later that night I got one from "Entertainment Tonight", how strange Late Saturday night I got a call from People Magazine (I was quoted in the eventual People Magazine article on the story).

It was quiet for a few days and I thought all this had passed over then Friday morning I got a call from CBS Early Show and taped an interview with them that I never saw but understand aired nationally today (Monday). Then today I got a call from a guy who does a show in New York for an eventual interview.

How strange this has all been. From the beginning I've told them all that I really didn't think I had anything to contribute to the story but that I'd be willing to talk to them. I've tried to be a good representative of Christ and His church hoping that perhaps something I said could be used to glorify Him and bring positive recognition to His Kingdom.

And, I've said since I first saw his face: "I wouldn't be surprised if he did this...but more, I wouldn't be surprised if he had made it up and convinced himself that he did it."

Now for a little fun:

I got the following e-mail from my Uncle Dan Saturday night:

>"Now that Karr has made you famous and is selling rights to a book and
>movie, here's the question. Who do you think should play you in the
>movie? Who best could portray your unique abilities. Some in my family
>have suggestions; just wonder who you think. Who does Mel. Think?"

Melanie and I laughed and then I sent back this response:

>What a hoot (don't think I've ever typed that word before). Melanie said
>she likes Kevin Costner, although she mentioned that Tom Cruise is
>looking for work . and he is very religious :-). I'd say Robert
>Redford, but he's getting a little old, so I suppose I'd have to settle
>for Larry the Cable Guy.
>
>I'd like to hear who all you have your money on.

Sunday I heard from Dan's son David whose family has their money on either Danny DeVito or Drew Carey.

I've noticed that my story doesn't really have a lot of zip to it so I've also tried to tweak my respond for future media requests, see how you like this:

Here's my new plan: "Pastor Jenkins, I'm calling from _____ (fill in your preferred media outlet here), we understand that John Karr was once a member where you were the pastor." "Yes, we were close. Mel (that's my wife) and I had them over at least once a week. He loved to baby-sit our sons.I guess what I remember most is that Christmas we spent in Colorado. It was great. We skied and made some great memories.it's like we were inseparable.except for that one night where he just all of a sudden disappeared." Now, that story will sell! I'm holding out for a big contract from The Inquirer!"

Keep me in your prayers - obviously, I need them :)

Have a great week. I'll try to post on a couple of other things before the week is over.

SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY...

It didn't take me anytime after I started preaching to realize that Sundays come every 7 days (hey, I'm pretty sharp!) And further that in preaching Sundays are mighty important. Armed with that essential information I tried to remember, "How many Sundays growing up do I actually remember? What sermons specifically impacted my life?" Now, I know in a sense they all did, it's the accumulation of lessons and study that causes growth. It is not a specific meal that makes you healthy/overweight/skinny, but the accumulation of them.

So, in one of my strange moments, I called the various preachers who I'd heard deliver these life-impacting sermons and asked for their notes and for permission to "use" their powerful sermon. They were all gracious and allowed me. Most said something like "I won't mind if the guy who I stole it from doesn't." :)

Sunday I will preach one of those sermons. It is the sermon I think that most made me who I want to be and the sermon I heard most growing up and one of the sermons I have most often preached. Spring Meadows reminds me of so many things precious to me from my growing up years that are being made fresh and alive at this place - WONDERFUL singing, the children (so many children) playing in the yard and enjoying being together while their parents visit on the porch, as warm a welcome as you can imagine.

Have I said enough to encourage you to be here? To bring several friends? To my Spring Meadows friends, let's overflow both buildings this week.

See you Sunday?!

P.S. Next week I'll try to post on my connections with John Karr, my interview on Larry King Live, the new book I have coming out and a good friend who was just diagnosed with diabetes.

BLOGVEY

YOUR HELP IS NEEDED!

Wow, 2 blogs in one week. You aren't going to know what to think of me :)

It's audience participation time. We are working on a logo to use on various print materials. A good friend, who would rather me not mention his name, put these four together. I want YOU to vote - help us get an idea of which is most appealing. Send me an e-mail - dale@edge.net Rank them 1-4 (i.e. if you like 3 best and 4 next and 2 next and 1 last. List them 3,4,2,1.) Make any comments you want. If we need to go back to the drawing board totally, just let me know. NOTE: Because, I suppose I'm rather clueless, I'm going to have to put Logo 1 & 2 here and 3 & 4 in another post.

And, thanks.

Number 1

Number 2

Number 3

Number 4

CHANGE OF ADDRESS...

Yes, we officially have an address change coming. Not the Jenkins' family, but the Spring Meadows Family. Last night I wandered in to the Spring Hill planning commission meeting. Among a small handful of other SM folks was Dale Davenport who has done so much in helping us get to this point with this facility. For those of you who haven't heard a little history. The Spring Meadows church secured a building early on that they anticipated would take them though to the first stage of the building on the I-65 property. It is a beautiful little building, you can't help but fall in love with it.

Well, as one SM'er puts it "don't limit God" - He has blessed us more than we could imagine (seems like I've seen a promise like that somewhere :)). I've been there 3 Sunday's and we've had 100 or more each of them - not bad for a building that seats 85ish.

It seems like when a need arises it is met. About the time it started looking obvious that we were going to burst out of our buildings capacity the guy who allows us to use his property for parking on Sundays, who runs a hardware store whose lot sort of adjoins ours made it public that, with Home Depot and Lowe's both building in Spring Hill, he was moving out. Moving his business to Chapel Hill. We made an offer to sublease the building for about 2 years and with last nights commission approval can occupy it (or at least start turning it into a church building) as soon as he is out. We think about 60 days.

And, yes, the building was at one time a bar. Reminds me of when I was at Granny White and we were part of helping convert a bar in Scotland into a church building. Think about it, Some of the people who most need the church will know right where it is - they might even stumble in :). And to so "redeem" a building (I know buildings don't have souls) that's wonderful to. Most cities could use a whole lot less bars and a whole lot more places of worship!

This is great news for many reasons. One of the tops is that this facility is located facing highway 31 - the main thoroughfare through town and the visibility will be wonderful. So, soon, we will be changing addresses. Our new address will be, Lord Willing, 5306 Main Street. Ain't it grand!

We thank God.

P.S. We now have hit 50 subscribed readers. To subscribe and get notices whenever the blog is updated, e-mail me dale@edge.net - thanks for reading.

From Far Away...Paris!

I started this blog 38,000 feet in the air. On my way from Nigeria to Paris for two days before I head back to Nashville. Where to begin? So very much has happened. Let's begin with someone else...Or might I say several others. The trip was to teach, but I learned. First, I learned about what a huge lectureship is...Over 4000 people were at this program. They went from 5 in the morning till near midnight. They sang and they laughed and they listened. Most of the day was spent under one roof - they separated for men's/women's/youth's classes once each day. It rained and rained and many were in the rain, but they sat. The PA system was primitive at best. But they listened. Most didn't have any electricity. Such humble, hungry people. "blessed...for they shall be filled..." It is no wonder the church is growing so rapidly in Nigeria - for they are hungry!

I also learned much from the sacrificial missionary there. Dr. Russell Fountain moved to NCBC in 1993 and has stayed. He has snippets of home and he is comfortable by their standards, but I don't know many of my brethren who would endure such...and with such JOY. He obviously loves the people there. I thank God for him and for them.

Well, as you might know, I'm an official Nigerian Chief. If I can figure it out, I'll add a picture to prove it. NCBC (Nigerian Christian Bible College also gave me an honorary Doctorate while I was there this time).












As I said, I'm blogging from Paris. It is August 7 and Melanie and my 24th anniversary...I'm in the city of love! Only Mel is in Nashville :( Well, if you read this, you'll know I can hardly wait to get back home, where it doesn't matter if I'm chief, or Doctor, or a good lecturer...but where I am loved by a wife, my sons...(and yeah, by the way, a daughter-in-law), other family and my FAMILY in God.

Love,
dale

The Day

Well Sunday was "the day." The day I've been waiting for for three weeks (since I last preached), for nearly three months (since I first made the decision to work with Spring Meadows) , for six years (since I first heard of the exciting plans for SM), in a way for all my life. In a very real way it seems that all I've experienced; every blessing, every challenge, every influence, has been moving to this point, to this opportunity. It was a great day. The summer heat relented for a couple of days and yet the sun was shining brightly.

First of all, I was nervous. I was going to worship and to work with a people I had never met. What would the service be like, the singing, the "feel" of things? Going from a place of extreme organization to a place that has only been meeting for a few months - would it be to casual? Would I experience culture shock? How would MY style be taken by these people? This is the smallest church I've preached for full time as the regular guy - how would it feel? After the last two decades of preaching in BIG buildings with high-powered sound systems and large crowds - just what would it be like? And, and - would they like my preaching (I know, I know, if you preach the Word it will be received, but YOU KNOW there are some folks you'd rather hear than others)? Melanie was wonderful in helping keep me "sane" (or at least my definition of sane).

Now for the report: It was special in every way. The people, the place, the purpose. The people were gracious and kind and energetic. I can't remember when I've seen so many young children - what a canvas! I met some really great people (now I just hope I can remember their names :)). The place is lovely. Small, cramped (which is neat) and lovely! They've done such a great job converting this barber shop into a house of worship. It is bright and airy (and the temp was wonderful!). We overflowed into the satellite room. I was told the count for the day was 125 and that that was a new record for them. How exciting! When the auditorium is full and the overflow is full we can seat right at 140, so we have a little - very little - room. I kinda hate leaving that place and moving on, but I love growth and we have to move to have room to grow. So, a lease has been signed on the building in back of the building we are in. It actually fronts onto US31 - wonderful. It'll be fun to see what we do there. The 90 who returned Sunday PM also represented a new record.

I praise God and thank Him - to God be the glory for great things He has done and the great things we trust He will do. I am humbled and excited. But I should not be surprised that first day went do well, with so many praying for us, how could we have failed?

I feel blessed. A Family in Hamilton, at Granny White and, a new Family at Spring Meadows. I feel like the most blessed preacher alive.

Now, the next few weeks will be more wild than the last few as we marry off a son and gain a daughter (that's Saturday), Andrew completes a great summer internship and begins his second year of college, we send a special nephew off to college (mid-August), I make a trip to Africa (Monday the 31 of July) and get our house on the market (hopefully before the market crashes :)). We will continue to covet your prayers. You mean so much to us. Thank you.

This Sunday the plan is to preach:
AM - After the Honeymoon is Over
PM - My Dream for this Church

Come on and bring a car load!

I really am -
In His Care,
Dale

Bitterness..

BAD ROOTS...

The word "bitter" has been on my mind this afternoon. It's an interesting word full of a lot of pain but more on that in a minute.

It's used 84 times in the NKJV Bible. From the first use when Esau cries out with a "bitter cry" upon the realization that his brother had received "the blessing" to the bitter "aftertaste" of the little book that John ate in Revelation. From the bitter life in bondage of the Jews in Egypt to the bitter life of Naomi in Ruth. But most often in the Old Testament the word deals with "taste."

Only 12 of those 84 times is the word in the NT. Two of them adjectives to describe peters realization of his denial of Christ (Matthew 26:75; Luke 22:62). Once in Acts describing the poison that had entered Simons heart (8:23). In the epistles the word is a trait - a noun - don't let it abide in your life. The most picturesque is Hebrews 12:15, "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many..."

It can take root in our lives and cause trouble and affect others.

The source of bitterness has always interested me. When I meet a bitter person I want to know what hurt made them decide to allow themselves to become that way. I've never been in a church where there wasn't at least one emotionally unstable person who was so messed up with bitterness they constantly made life miserable for others. And with their hand in the mix of most every church fight you'll find a person full of bitterness.

Bitterness never stays put - it flows into other areas of life...It hurts the things you most value...And rarely does a person realize the pain they are causing innocent bystanders with their bitterness. They've hurt me and they've hurt you and on occasion I have to make sure I've done the weeding I need to do to make sure I'm not hurting others because of something that has happened that made me a little bitter.

Peterson styles the verse this powerful way: "Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time." Be careful, don't let bitterness choke the joy of life out of you.

NOWHERE...A MAN WITHOUT A COUNTRY, ER, CONGREGATION...

As strange a place as I've ver been in! I've been preaching pretty much, regularly since I was 15. That engulfs 30 years of preaching. Since I started preaching fulltime I have never had two Sunday's, back to back where I did not preach. not been 2 consecutive Sunday's that I have gone without preaching. Every time I've changed jobs I've gone from preparing a challenging "goodbye" one week, moving during that week and preparing a challenging "hello" sermon the next Sunday. Worn and frazzled I'd limp into the new work. Folks expecting my best on my first Sunday, but getting, well, getting what they got.

When this move started to look real I decided I was going to, regardless of when I stopped and started, actually take a few breathes between works. Some time away.

When I started discussing it with Melanie she said I would be miserable. My response: "Oh, I hope she's right! Think how bad it would be if I actually discovered I liked not preaching. "

It's not that I don't have anything to do. I have more manuscripts due before September 15 than I've ever had at once before. I have several speaking appointments and of course there's editing to be done. So I have plenty to keep me busy. It's just I don't have the Thursday pressure of an outline to turn in or the Friday pressure of a manuscript to send off for Power Point purposes or the restless Saturday's that seem to be a part of this field. Never finished until I'm finished. I used to think I procrastinated, I may, but I've decided that actually I work on whatever project I'm concentrating on until it is complete. That said, I've got a lot to get done in these "days off". But so far, I've enjoyed it.

One of the things I've really looked forward to was getting to visit some places. When you preach you never get to just go and be. It's been so very rare for me to have a Sunday to pick where I "go to church" (I hear my pre-doubledigit boys squeaking - "Dad, you cant' GO to church...").

I got to hear my college roommate, the one and only Van Vansandt! First time I've gotten to here him preach in 20 plus years. I first heard Van back in 1979 when I was a Senior in High School and remember it to this day - I wanted to preach like that! Pure energy and love for God that came through with a smile as big as Texas but an intensity like none I could remember from anyone that young. I spend years trying to imitate him before I really knew I could never be him. It was great hearing him again. He has that same intensity but the maturity of years has given him the added dimension of depth. So my first experience sitting was great. We had people who met us at the door and welcomed us, people in the lobby who made us feel welcome, the people in front of us shook our hands and welcomed us. So nice. The building was comfortable, the singing strong, they had powerpoint and good lighting. We were welcomed warmly from the pulpit. If I'd been a visitor looking I would have come back. I won't tell you where we were Sunday night. It was a large church. We got there about 10 minutes before the service started. Passed a couple of families on our way into the building, walked down the hallway, into the foyer area, into the auditorium, down about two-thirds of the way to the front and took a seat behind some people. Had about five minutes or more after we sat down before the service began. NOT A PERSON SPOKE TO US! Not a one. I was embarrassed for them. People around us were visiting with each other - and we both had had a shower - I even had a suit on. They had powerpoint but did not use it. Now to their credit after the service several people who know us spoke to us. Most of those people I did not see coming in (perhaps friendly people need to think to come earlier?).

Folks, being friendly is important and ever member is responsible for the friendliness of the congregation. It is the bottom shelf, it is the least we can do, but it might be the most important thing we can do. Make people feel welcome. Don't be afraid of overdoing it. I've NEVER heard anyone say, "You know, those folks were just too friendly!" A friendly church opens the door to much MUCH greater impact.

Is the church really friendly, or are they just friendly to each other, just friendly at certain times, just friendly to friends of members (i.e. People who come with a "sponsor"). Set up a test: have a friend visit your congregation anonymously and give them a score card to rate you. And then challenge the church to figure our real and concrete ways to make sure you are friendly, but more than that, set yourself up as a "one man welcoming committee" to every person there.

JUST REMEMBER IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

LAST POST OF "TIE" IN AIM...

SAYING GOOD-BYE PART II -

What follows is copied from this week's AIM (bulletin of the Granny White church) -

This is my last Tie that Binds in AIM. I need to and want to say avery sincere "Thank you." You the readers have been a blessing to my life. Over and over again through the years you have let me know you have appreciated the nature and spirit of this column. Some of you whom I've never met have written and told me stories of your connection to this grand congregation and how much you enjoy this space. With the history of this illustrious newsletter, your response has been humbling.

So many of you have been such an encouragement to me that my thanks seems very inadequate, but they come from my heart. Next week (in a "non-Tie") I hope to spread a larger "thanks."

This week I just wanted to thank the readers of AIM and to say a clear "thank you" to Denny Loyd who has been much more of an editor than I have been. He is known as one of the finest proofers (He'd never let that word get by) ANYWHERE, but also being an elder he has "had my back."I've trusted that what is in AIM has been OK for it had "elder approval."Kathy who has handled more of the "newsy" notes rarely makes any mistakes. As you know, she is the very best at what she does - I do not know how I could have made it without her. From Kathy's hands, AIM goes to Tommie, Barbara, Carla (and previously to Anne Marie) who each routinely find things that we've missed in our work. From there it finally makes it toBrother Loyd for his perfecting process. I've often said that AIM is the most proofed bulletin in the brotherhood. We still toss in a mistake now and again to keep those who like to find them, satisfied :-).

Again, "thank you"- all that work would be a waste if we didn't trust that there were many out there reading it all. So I will sign off, happily-sadly. You can catch me in the land of blogging. Love, Dale

Abide With Us...

Do you have a favorite song? I think I actually have a couple of hundred - today I'm singing the line from an old favorite: "Change and decay in all around I see..."
Seems to be story for our lives this summer. I have a niece who is getting married, a nephew who has moved in with us, a son who is getting married, graduating and starting a new job, my other son is doing an internship and well, we are getting our house ready to put on the market and will be starting a new job, leaving dear friends and moving into an unknown future.

Might we ask you to pray for us....
...and sing the refrain with me, "Oh, Thou that changest not - Abide with me."

-Amen

NAME CHANGE ALERT!!!

So I'm changing the BLOG name and here is the long story as to why...
It was 1982, Melanie and I had just married, and I was beginning my first work with a congregation. It would be unfair for me to say anything but good stuff about those folks on whom I was first "unleashed." I was looking for a name for a bulletin column. I'd seen a couple of articles by Jim Bill McInteer, a big-name preacher in Nashville that I'd never met or heard in person but whose bulletin (though not strong aesthetically) and though I knew no one at "his congregation," I read with interest each week (who would have ever dreamed I'd follow him in one of his editorships - I still find it hard to believe that I've been so blessed). And there was a young fellow over in the little "map dot" called Centerville, named Paul Rogers, whose Family Matters seemed at times a cool drink in a desert of negativism. I wanted to write like them aninformative article that was personal and highlighted the good. I wanted it to be my personal message to every member and reader every week: Sort of a personal visit - a time to communicate news and other stuff that is rather casual, sometimes fun and sometimes serious.
I turned to my brother (as I so often have) who had just begun preaching for the Midway church near Decatur, Alabama, and asked for suggestions. He used "the Tie That Binds" and had a neat graphic that looked like a snowflake until close investigation revealed it was actually a group of people holding hands in a circle - very creative. He left that behind years ago - but it stuck with me. I've thought of changing it so many, many times. Some have read us and accused us of a Pollyanna attitude ("every week," they argue, "can't be great." It can and is if we are worshipping God and trusting that He is in control in the universe). Others have read to find errors (but with the proofers around here that's been quite a task they've assigned themselves). For the most part people have expressed their appreciation for these ramblings. "The Tie" is rather rare in that it has been produced 52 times a year...that's right. Most take a week or two off, but for roughly 25 years I've written "The Tie" every week. That's over 1250 "Tie's"! That is over a half million words. Rarely have we struggled to find something good and encouraging to share.
Next week will be our "Tie" in AIM. I'll say some Thanks there and then. AIM will continue - it was before I was born and, I suspect that if the Lord tarries, it will continue even after my body is in the cold clay.
At Spring Meadows we may never produce a paper mailed weekly bulletin but may go totally to an e-bulletin. So for the real immediate future - we'll be posting here - "The Blog That Binds". I know that's a little cheesey but a lot of BLOGS are.
IF YOU WANT TO BE E-MAILED WHEN WE UPDATE THIS BLOG JUST SEND ME AN E-MAIL REQUESTING THAT.

Here are two things you can do to follow our writing.
1. If you want the hard (paper) copy, if we ever publish one, write your name and the address you want it sent to on a 3X5 card and give it or mail it to me in the next five days to Dale Jenkins, 1032 Saint Andrews Place, Nashville, TN 37204.
2. If you want the e-bulletin - "Vision" send me an e-mail in the next five days to dale@edge.net and when we get it going we'll send you the notices.
In the mean time, feel free to check in here at the blogspot - it's a lot of fun - but I guarantee you it will never be proofed as well as AIM :-).

"Finding Tombstones"

Dad called (a treat too rare) I could tell it had been a rough day. He had gotten mom's grave marker in and thought it was too small, not nice enough. So next time I was passing through Birmingham I thought I'd stop and see it. Call him and assure him he had done good.

We only had an hour or so, but that would be enough time for us to jump off the interstate and pay a quick visit, at best, to see the marker dad had put on mom's tomb.

So there we were, off I-59 at Jefferson Memorial Gardens looking. We (Melanie and I) knew we had the right spot for dad had selected, in the hectic moments following her unexpected death, a perfect spot. On the side of a hill, overlooking - a wonderful shopping area (I think mom would have laughed!). Looking and not finding. It was quite disconcerting. And as I walked up and down and looked all around I was reminded of Mary in the garden and the tomb of Jesus, looking but not finding.

You remember the words?

John 20
"1Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."

I suppose I'd never really thought about how Mary must have felt on the morning...it didn't matter how much Jesus had talked about resurrectiontion. Nobody comes back from the dead! I suppose that is why after infallibleable proofs of resurrectiontion these dedicated disciples were willing to die for Him. They knew, beyond a doubt that He was who He claimed to be - The very Son of God. "Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have believed." Their witness to us becofoundation'sonal in our belief! Thank God.

BTW: We finally gave up, called dad and he pointed out just the spot of mom's grave. I suppose that's what those angels did that day in a way - they came from the Father and pointed out just where the Son now was!

Living courageously...

If you've stumbled here you are going to find something possibly shocking...If you are not shocked then that could only mean that I have already talked to you about this.

LIVING COURAGEOUSLY!
How do you live your life? Do you just accept - there is grace in that. There is the contentment of "come what may" (Philippians 4:11) I will live my life faithfully. There is blessing in a life of quiet peace (1 Timothy 2:2; James 3:17). But that doesn't mean a plain and meaningless, adventureless life. In fact Paul who wrote two of three of the above verse lived anything but a "cottage in the fair woods" sort of existence.

So I've struggled with how "comfortable" to get...All my life. I struggle with reaching a point where life is easy. I lived in the Mecca called Hamilton ("my town" as I called it) for nearly 10 years. I loved it...I knew most everyone there and the few I didn't know, knew me. I was a big fish in a small pond. With God's help and the blessings of good people, we made a difference in that little world. We could have stayed there and continued to build that good people and made quite a legacy. But I started to feel to comfortable - like I should/could influence more.

About that time the opportunity came to move to work with the renowned Granny White church. It was the "holy place" in the "holy city" - the "temple" in 'Jerusalem". There are, maybe 10, possibly 20, congregations in our brotherhood that are "known" everywhere. And these peoples' faith is spoken of everywhere. To help that church regain it's vitality - to be a part of a sudden movement - to influence the energies of a church that had struggled after a great history but was now awakening. So we moved and with God and timing and some of the best people I've ever met - things moved! It's been a wonderful 9 years!

Well, I feel comfortable. We could stay here and continue to fight the ultra's - we could be happy for a long time - walking with giants in a place where even midgets become giants...but here goes...

Back roughly 6 years ago now a man who I did not know came into my office and unfolded a dream to me. He told me of the growth in Spring Hill and the projections for the growth over the next 15 years or so. He told me there was virtually no congregation with a mind to grow in that area and that he and some others from a couple of faithful congregations in South Nashville and Franklin, who were living in Spring Hill were going to plant a congregation to take that city and the many young families there for Christ. He told me they wanted me to be their preacher - I assured him I was not his man He told me they would be back in touch with me.
That infant congregation began meeting in November. They have purchased 35 acres on I-65 that they will be developing into their church campus over the next several years. They are averaging about 85 in attendance in the little building that was designed to seat roughly, well, 85.

I cannot believe I am doing this, it was not a dream of mine - but it has become a passion. Spring Hill is the 14th fastest growing city in the US.

When I was much younger I often lamented how we would take our most experienced, our older ministers and they would be hired and paid well by the healthiest of congregations - and that we take our young bucks and send them to churches with no elders and limited resources. What I am going to be attempting is well, a risk, it is either the most courageous thing I've ever done or the craziest.

It will have always been one of the great privileges of my life to have worked with the numerous Godly people that make up the Granny White church. It has been one of the thrills of my life to stand in that pulpit - to grow comfortable with the giants of the faith that inhabit those pews. Regularly I'll introduce myself "I'm Dale Jenkins" (and that'll mean little) then, I'll say, "I preach at the Granny White congregation" and suddenly I'm important- The ego that comes from that has been one of the challenges to my faith that made coming to this decision challenging.
To stand in this pulpit each week has been a phenomenal challenge! The history of this great church - I wish this opportunity did not intrigue me - I wish it had come 5 years later but IÂ’d rather leave happy than angry.

This is not in any way about unhappiness or frustration here - I am not unhappy with the elders or church here - nor am I running from anything. This is about a dream - an opportunity - a vision.

In one of our elders' meetings a few years back an elder asked if we'd ever considered "swarming" starting a new congregation. I thought it was crazy - a new church in Nashville! Over the next few years as I looked at how the outlaying areas have grown I've wondered who was going to reach those many families moving into our area.
I want my two sons going into ministry to see that there is value in risk!
I want my life to count - to mean more - to be a part of building something great for the Lord. I want this risk.
I want to leave you happy - not where you wish I was leaving and wonder why I havenÂcourageously I want to live couragously...
So on June 4 this announcement will be made and on July 23 we will begin working at the Spring Meadows church - A PLACE OF VISION.
So, will you pray for us? And if you've stumbled onto this site accidentially ... prior to June 4, congrautlations, you are privy to a secret - shhh....



http://springmeadows.faithsite.com/

Dale's Spot

STARBUCKS BLOGGIN'
I'm blogging from Starbucks this Friday evening. Seems to be the place to blog from. Mel's on her way to meet a dear friend in Alabama for supper, Andrew is out with friends, Philip is at FHU and Ren is at work here in town. So a Friday night and I'm alone - just me, my computer, iTunes, a manuscript and God.

About Starbucks. Those who know me know that I've been "anti-coffee" all my life. In fact, coffee has always made me dizzy. Last July my buds Scott and Jeff were with me in New York City. We were there for the 25th anniversary of the Springfield Gardens church. The preacher there is Bill Johnson a one of a kind fellow. He's one of three Bill Johnson's I now know. When I moved to GWP the elders told me about this big lovable guy named Bill Johnson who they supported. I knew Bill Johnson. I met him when he was raising funds for One Nation Under God. Big personality, lovable - as the elders described Bill to me I of course, said, "Yeah, I know Bill, he's great!) Imagine my surprise when I made my first trip to NYC to work in a training program with Bill and he was big, lovable, all the things "my" Bill Johnson was, except this Bill Johnson was a black man. The elders never mentioned that - and I didn't care - but imagine my surprise!

I love Bill. He's huge - a big man with a big personality - but an even bigger heart. If you don't like Bill, you wouldn't like Jesus, I imagine :). I've been up there a few times with Bill, we went up in the World Trade Center together several years ago (one of the members of the church there was a part of the Police force in that building. He'd taken the day off on 9/11). Bill introduced me to Junior's Cheesecake (an introduction that surely has added 10 pounds to my life!).

So Jeff and Scott and I were up there again last July (05). It was great. Jeff and Scott had never been there before. We had a free morning and headed down to see the Empire State Building, Time Square, the Lady and ground zero. It was a somewhat misty chilly day (yes in July) and Jeff said, let's get a coffee. I said, "You go ahead, I'll pass, I don't drink coffee." Jeff said, "Let me get you something, you'll love it." It wasn't bad. Really. Pretty good. Had a weird name, but not bad.

Fast forward - two months. Family vacation - Ohio - we were in a mall, Melanie, Philip, Andrew and I. Just wasting time. Just walking, enjoying ourselves. We passed a Starbucks (I've always loved the smell of coffee) and I thought, hmmm...I think I'll have another. I couldn't remember the name - but it was the longest thing on the menu - so I ordered one - not bad.

Fast forward - three months - Gospel meeting - North Carolina - I'm in a cruddy motel (cruddy meaning-they had no internet connection and the lobby didn't have any chairs so I could meet and watch interesting people) and need an internet connection so I can forward reviewed chapters to my editors. There's a Starbucks near the motel. So I had another Sunday night, Monday morning, Tuesday night, Wednesday morning, Wednesday night!!! After all, I was using their connection and needed an excuse for being in there.

Fast forward to today - I now visit Starbucks a couple of times a week (at least) - (I'm not sure I love Jeff anymore! :)). It's a great place to compute, to hideout, to watch people. Tonight I met a guy from Montana. A truck driver who owns land and claims to be a millionaire, he is antimedia, antigovernment and powers his truck with some non-oil-based fuel. And, he was, well, frankly, spooky. I doubt I'll see him again. We talked about family, his children no longer talk to him. We talked politics, he hates Bush and Kerry but thinks Hilliary will be president someday (I'm not sure he liked her either). He was strange with his old leather prospector hat, worn leather driving gloves, coffee stained teeth and leather vest - but he has a soul. Someday he will stand before God. And I met him tonight. I talked to him about Christ. He didn't know much about Him - only what he's heard on Sirus. So I gave him some material and talked to him about how important Christ was and IS. As he left, he said, "this is the best times I've had in years. Thanks for talking to me." Who knows, maybe I'll meet him in heaven someday. Jeff, thanks, I love Starbucks...The coffee's OK, but the opportunities are wonderful.

Dale's Spot

Death Sentence:

An interesting day. Today I got a call from a reporter from the local ABC affiliate. When my secretary told me the call was from a TV reporter I assumed it was someone wanting a sound byte on the DiVinci stuff. Well, I was wrong. They asked if they could come interview me for a story on the death penalty. I said OK. The interview lasted about 30 minutes and when the report came on tonight they used less than two minutes of what I said - they used the only time I studdered and stammered for words - my worst moment of the 30.

I talked of compassion for all involved, of forgiveness and repentance, I talked of appeals and vigilance in being very sure of the facts of a case. I used Romans 13 and Acts 25 as proof of God's support of a death sentence. In Acts 25 Paul in one majestic sentence allows for both the death penalty and the appeals process. But they picked a couple of my weakest quotes in my opinion.

Over the past 20 years I've been interviewed on television more times than I care to count. Its an honor to have such an opportunity. On 9/11 the NBC affiliate called me and did a live interview. To talk to a "wide" audience is a rare opportunity. You'd think by now I would have learned that these interviews rarely are as fruitful as promised.

And it occured to me that my life in this area is like so many lives. I tried but it didn't go as well as I had hoped. Tonight as you pray, pray for those who try and seem to fail and be thankful for a loving God who is the God of the second chance.

77?

I think a lot about forgiveness - giving it - receiving it. For you see receiving it for my errors, my sins is essential to my own salvation, just as is my giving it.

Matthew 18:22 - You know the context - Peter asks Jesus, how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him, seven times? And you know our Lord's response.

Perhaps you've had this thought a million times, perhaps you saw it in the passage the first time you read it, but I didn't! Not at all. 7 times - no 77 times.

We always talk about how Peter was showing such compasusingseing the complete number of seven and how Jesus called him to such a higher level of thinking. BUT...I've been thinking that 77 times is not really that often. It may seem a lot when we think of how many times we have to forgive others. You think if someone had to come to you that many times, you'd question their sincerity?

But wait, I'm pretty sure I've asked for Mel's forgiveness that many times and I known I've asked Christ for forgiveness many more times than that.

Paul caught hold of this and informed us that it is much more than a math formula. He simply taught that our forgiveness is dependant on our forgiving others.

So, forget the count and the amount - forgive freely...

Still learning this blogging stuff. It's Tuesday night. What a day. I'm thinking tonight of the value of small things.

Drove down to "the great state" and spent some time with a group of youth ministers. We were starting something new with Maywood Christian Camp. Every year was want to honor good youth ministers for their service. This was the first year - it was small but hopefully the start of something that will be meaningful.

Then tonight Mel and I drove out to Cool Springs for the benefit dinner for Heritage Christian University. I'm honored to serve on that board of trustees as well. It is always refeshing to be around the dedicated people who work with that school. They know who they are, what they believe and represent it well. It is worthy of your support (www.hcu.edu). It's been a tough year for this small school financially. That will happen: We'll never turn out guys with huge incomes and have large endowments, we depend on faithful Christian who want to see the gospel preached and taught.

So, I'm thinking about small things and remembering that "small things - in God's hands can do great things." So what will you do tomorrow for the Lord that may seem small?

Welcome

This will be a public forum in which you'll get both opinion and truth. Opinion being that which all of us have and is arrived at from everything from experience to, well, just stupid thoughts. Truth is the definable verifiable commodity found in the God's Word the Bible. I want to both have some fun on this blog as well as, at times, perhaps give you something deep to think about.