Another update...so soon. Yes, more progress and news. They completed the interior footings and the rebar and posts.  The inspectors came and gave us "a good bill of health" to proceed.  If the weather is nice enough they may pour concrete tomorrow. Yes, tomorrow.  Here's a couple of pics of the rebar and the final one is of everything covered for the rain that came tonight.

Real Progress showing...

Well with the final permit in place as of today digging on the interior footing has begun - they should actually begin pouring some of the early concrete by Tuesday of next week but with the rain coming in I guessing it will be the end of the week but we will see. 

Long awaited...finally here! Both building and sewer permits.

Just before the beginnings of digging the footings

Early on - interior footings.

Over half through.

A little perspective on how deep the footings are.

Five favs....

Last night I was privileged to preach at Calvert City, Kentucky.  I always consider it a joy to preach and am somewhat amazed when I'm invited back places.  Frankly I'd never even heard of Calvert City prior to moving to middle Tennessee.  Apparently there are a lot of Willard Collins fans there and shortly after moving in GW I received an invite through my friend Lance Cordle (who is now in his, I think, 19th year there).  Well, I've been back getting close to 10 times now.  It is a wonderful church.  

A visit to Calvert City isn't really complete without a visit to a place called Miss Patti's.  Enjoying my

 meal there last evening with their youth guy (and good friend) Craig Evans, I had a thought to a quick blog.  

Dale's Favorite Five "non-chain" Restaurants (and I'd like to see your list too):

5.  Dinelli's:  A wonderful pizza restaurant in Hamilton, AL.  They have aweso

me dough, wonderful cinnamon sticks and the world's best peach cobbler...plus you

 always get to see some of the local's and that's special to me.  I like the owner Dwight too. If I'm in Hamilton more than one day I'll eat a

t Dinelli's - if I'm there for only one day - KFC will be where I'll go. It is the best KFC in the world...but it's a chain so it can't make my list).  

4.  McDougal's Chicken Coop:  I absolutely love to scout out new places and then take friends.  My bud Scott and I found this place on a side road near the Vandy Campus a few years back.  Talk about a place with personality. It has the most random things hanging on the walls in mass quantities you can imagine.   They really only have one thing on the menu, chicken (mostly tenders and wings).  They have several fabulous sauces - I get torn between the Honeybee and the Gold.  And, yes, they have super sweet tea (just one lump of sugar below Chick-Fil-A), a staple of any good place to eat.  Also, McDougal's just opened a second location in Cool Springs.  

3.  Miss Patti's: This is one well worth the drive!  It is about an hour and a half west of Nashville in Grand Rivers, KY.  They have a large menu and I've been told a lot of it is really good...but I wouldn't know. I've eaten there maybe 10 or 15 times and every time had the same thing. Pork Chops!  They have one or two inch pork chops and a super sauce on them.  They bake their bread in a flower pot and have some super strawberry butter.  But save some room - they have what they call 7 inch high chocolate pie. It's pretty wonderful.  

2.  Big Spring's #2:  OK - this one is not for the faint of heart.  It is a hole in the wall in Huntsville, AL. It has been there forever and it shares the location with a bait and tackle shop (seriously).  The place looks nasty from the outside and is unimaginably small (one table and a bar), but look in the parking lot - you'll see everything from Mercedes to old Chevys. You'll want to order at least 4 of their hamburgers - they were small and square before Krystal thought of it.  They are the only restaurant (maybe in the world) that serves Double Cola.  I have loved Big Springs #2 (not sure if a Big Springs #1 has ever existed) all my life.  I remember one sunny Saturday that mom and I drove all the way from Birmingham to Huntsville just for a bag of burgers from Big Springs.  Alabama was playing Washington that day - it is a perfect day in my memory bank.  They offer a couple of things other than the burgers - but don't waste your time!  It'll take 6 months off your life to eat one meal there - but hey - you'll get to heaven quicker.  It'd be hard to spend more than 6.00 on a meal here.

1.  Brooksie's Barn:  Jackson, TN.  Cross I-40 going North on 45, turn on Oil Well Road and it is on the right.  I eat here one time a year. I have to fast for about a week before and after.  I've joked I want to be buried there - and I'll probably have to be since I eat so much there I'll probably stroke out there.  It is a little pricey. They have a buffet with about every imaginable meat on it (outstanding fried chicken, barbeque, ribs, etc), they have rolls that you'll want to stuff a few extra in your pocket and pineapple fritters!!! WOW.  Hmmm...I could be there in about 2 hours....

So share...what are your favorites. I may have to try one of them.

Sunday...

Sunday was really a neat day.  I'll forego all the flowered language I'd like to use to express the energy and excitement of a day where we set a new attendance record of 350 (I didn't do the count) and just leave it at a really neat day!  

These were taken after the little ones had gone to Children's Bible Hour.  Enjoy...

Rhubarb ... Rebar

Today 19,576 pounds of iron and steel were delivered and unloaded at the "site", another sign of progress. Here's the pics

Picture 1 is the "tag" revealing that this metal is for Spring Meadows Church of Christ

Here's the full load - the guy on the truck was the very friendly driver.



Action shots :)

Here is a little extra - power being run to the site. At least that what it looks like to me.

wood...

Not much but just in the interest of keeping you up to the minute...these appeared on all four corners today.

Just one picture today...

Well, just one picture today! This small pile of 2x4's appeared today. Not sure what purpose they serve - maybe to frame up corners? What do you think?

Not much but something is better than nothing...

This contraption appeared today on the property. Of course it's one of the tool surveyor's use.

And here is what it was "shooting". From about 50 yards away looking through the locater the pencil looked as large as one you'd hold in your hand. This is the Southeast corner of the building - probably as close as we could call where our "cornerstone" would be located.

And then these signs had been put up - probably just for me :).

And one more looking toward the "shot".

It's Official...we have a building program...

Keeping you all updated as best I can in layman's terms:

Everyone knows that when the portapotty arrives construction isn't too far behind. Here's the proof...along with a picture of the construction trailer.

It's the first time I've ever felt that a portapotty was a thing of beauty - it's a sign of progress!






The "construction trailer".

As I understand it: They were doing survey work and setting up frames for the footings yesterday and today. I can't predict (and fear even trying) but after talking to one of the bosses I estimate it will still be about a month before we SEE real progress, but then it should move, at least exteriorly fast for a while. I hope. IF I understood it will be a couple or three days till the "rods" (my term) that will secure the beams are in place and then they have to "encase" (concrete) them. They have to "cure" for seven days (or did he say three) before the beams go up. That should then take maybe 3 (wow) days. While that is going on the "blocks" that will be the outside walls will be going up a couple of blokcs hing and then the slab will be poured. All of this should take about a month (if they don't run into any major problems). Again (major, disclaimer - I am not in the construction field and I am speaking very carefully) If I heard correctly.


A view north from the drive into the development of the construction trailer arriving. As a point of reference you can see the "pad" in between the two trucks.



At the Duplex Road entrance - a picture of the SBG (State Builders Group) sign on the hill. Another "sign" of progress!

Rainbows? How sweet?

I’ve been thinking about Rainbows…

Rainbows are "out" these days among moral thinking people – they have been hijacked by the homosexual community.

WIKIPEDIA has some rather lengthy comments. I’ve shortened them solely for space, but a little history might interest you:
“A rainbow flag is a multi-coloured flag consisting of stripes in the colours of the rainbow. The use of rainbow flags has a long tradition; they are displayed in many cultures around the world as a sign of diversity and inclusiveness, of hope and of yearning. This denotation goes back to the rainbow as a symbol of biblical promise when God gave the sign to Noah that there would never be a flood like the one that happened then ever again. The use of all the colours of the rainbow symbolizes all flags of gay people. There are several, unrelated rainbow flags in use today…The most widely known is perhaps the flag representing gay pride. The rainbow flag, sometimes called 'the freedom flag', has been used as a symbol of gay and lesbian pride since the 1970s.

To me that’s all sort of sad. Rainbows are so beautiful and they belong to believers not those who would pervert God’s Will, God’s Way and God’s Word.

But here’s a thought: Rainbows are a reminder that the Lord will not destroy the earth again by water (Genesis 9:13-16). The next destruction will be one of fire (2 Peter 3:9-11). And, yes, there's a rather ironic connection here - there was another time the Lord destroyed a portion of the earth with fire – it was because the city had become so very wicked with the sin of homosexuality (Genesis 19). So next time you see a Rainbow – remember God’s Promise and the next time you see the homosexual community revealing with “their flags” remember their end - Without their obedience to the Gospel.

Rainbows may be sweet little symbols of homosexuality to them but they were also a symbol intended to remind people of God's POWER, His mercy and the stand He takes against sinful living. The rainbow might serve as a reminder that the Lord will destroy again - this time all those who do not love Him or obey the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore Christians have a mission to all. There is hope - but only in Christ and only His Way.

A "rare" guest blogpost...

As you know, I very rarely post blogs from others writing but this one is worth a quick read. Scott Gleaves is the preacher at Granny White. A number of his thoughts made me think of things I stressed to my sons about happiness when they were growing up. God's ultimate interest is in our faithfulness and if I have to be unhappy temporarily in order to fulfill His supreme purpose, so be it, but too many use that as an excuse not to monitor their own joy. Thanks Scott for your thoughts on this.

How to Enjoy Life G. Scott Gleaves

God has always been interested in our personal happiness (John 10:10). The problem with happiness is that it's elusive when it's pursued. In other words, happiness is a by-product of doing something else. Here are a few suggestions about happiness that seem practical and possible:

1. Learn to enjoy life. Happiness is connected to the journey, not the destination. Until we can enjoy the daily experiences of life, we will never enter into a state of happiness.

2. Be responsible for your own happiness. If we shift the responsibility of happiness to someone other than ourselves, we'll end up disappointed and frustrated. I cannot ultimately be responsible for my
spouse's happiness. She must be responsible for her own happiness. I will
do every thing I can to contribute to her happiness, but I can't make her a happy person. This might be the reason why so many relationships fail.
People want others to make them happy. That's immature and unfair. I'm happy because I choose to be that way. I'm happy because I choose to serve God and others. Too much self-indulgence leads one away from true happiness.

3. Associate with happy people. The Bible says, "Bad company corrupts good morals" (1 Corinthians 15:33). We become like the people we hang
around. If you're feeling miserable, pessimistic, and cynical about life,
you might need to seek out people who are optimistic, joyful, and grateful.
You might need to hang around God a little more than you have lately Prayers and Encouragement

Pre-Non-Anti Denominational...

Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life religious landscape survey made front-page news across the nation this week and appeared in several of the websites, blogs and papers I read.

Perhaps most significant is that mainline denominational groups are dieing, loosing members at alarming rates. In the mean time non-denominational church are the ones growing.

Americans no longer are just "Baptists" or "Methodists" 'cause granddad was. 44% say they are not tied to the church of their childhood. Did you hear that? 44%!

They are looking for authentic religion and see the hierarchy and layers of nonsensical traditions as nothing more than burdens - foolish ones at that.

I haven't heard news this good since visiting Russia in the mid-80's. Folks, churches of Christ, if we will be what we our plea claims are positioned to grow like NEVER before. We have the opportunity to become more relevant than in generations. Or not.

It's heartrending that in the very moment when people are flocking to non-denominational churches (and yes, I know all that implies) it seems some in our fellowship are running helter-skelter toward denominationalism. They are mimicking the denominational world as they jettison, ignore and refuse to discuss the things that are of priority, like the authority of the scriptures in worship, church polity and the singular nature of the church. I want to ask the most radical of them "Do you still even believe the Scriptures or has the latest "trend" become your 'Bible'?" They belittle the past and make jest of men who's heart's desire was to speak God's Word clearly. They pretend to have it all figured out - oftentimes hiding behind a degree from some prestigious seminary or school of theology (where often the teachers themselves do not even believe in the inspiration of the Scriptures). And those who follow these folks often do it for the smooth speech and sharp intellect of these or because of the ineptitude of the "right".

Just as deflating, some of our right leaning brethren seem to want to denominationalize the church by setting a prescribed agenda based on reliving glory days of old. They have deified the past as surely as the other have change. If it is a method and it works, embrace it. If it is a matter of opinion leave it in that realm. Don't judge brothers over matters of opinion nor shut doors just because the congregation you worship at is not going to embrace a practice (even if you think it an unwise one) decides to in a matter of judgment. Some of you are making easy sport of our brotherhood and I'm tempted to question if you sincerely love the brotherhood (remember that's a command). The word for those who cut brethren off over matters of opinion is "legalists". And Jesus had no words more harsh than to those who made laws over and above God's Law. How crazy when some in our brotherhood are going to far to push over the edge a brother or group for some matter of judgment. Are you too a know-it-all? Don't make sport of striking off brothers and sisters who are tying to do right!

I love my brethren on both sides of these issues, and I fear the very words written here will not serve their intent but would only cause those angry or misunderstanding. But brethren, let us not rend the church of our Lord in a time of great opportunity. Let's not shut doors that are opening and create a negative imagine for Her over our pet agendas and/or preferences.

What a time to live in - let's not squander it! Reach out with the love of the Lord in His joy with His good news. If someone is trying to break from traditions of men, getting closer to the Word of God...applaud the good. Commend the desire and effort.

Non-denominational Christianity, who'd ever thought it'd work? Well, other than God.

In Every Way...

In every way preach Christ. That is my goal and my honor. I consider it a sacred trust, a burden, a responsibility, as well as a blessing to stand before people with the Word of Life. I never take the task lightly and I rarely step aside from the pulpit completely satisfied.

I want to toss something that has been on my mind for sometime that is a little frustrating...but perhaps writing about it and hearing your responses will help me sort it out some.

It's probably been 20 years ago that I first heard the quote attributed to Fred Craddock: "The worst kind of preaching is, the same."

I have made it my life to study preaching. To study the Word to be prepared, but more, to study the art of preaching. Not that it shows too often, but I have learned much from many. And I'm not through learning.

In 1987 I started using "fill in the blank" outlines. I suppose some might say it is a gimmick, but honestly, I've never felt like I had the ability to communicate in a way that kept folks attention but people have always commended and seemed to apprecaite the outlines. So I started using them. About the same time and for much the same reason I started most always having at least 5 points in sermons. On the outlines I use them almost every time I preach. It is VERY rare that I do not use them. It provides ability for the listener to follow the flow of the sermon and since I use complete sentence outlines a reference if they share the sermon with another or go back to review them later. The fill in the blank prompts the listener but doesn't tell them too much. My friend James uses to fill in the blanks before the sermon and his answers were always very entertaining :). Doing the outlines adds at least two or three hours to my prep time most weeks. Unless I'm using a Rick Warren sermon (yes, I'm being honest, he outlines just like me - or vice-versa). I like to put an action word in every point and a personal pronoun.

I added "Kid Words" about 10 years ago. I remember when I was probably 5 or 6 a preacher saying that as a child if you have a hard time listening write down two words - i.e. God, Christ, Bible, Heaven, etc. And count which the preacher said most often. It helped me and I figure there are other little ones listening, so I added that to the outlines.

Outlines: I think they help and if they help some to "stay with the sermon" then it is worth it. But I am in a routine. I think they are one of the things that helps people listen to me and so I use them and I use them all the time, cause what if the one time I didn't someone showed up who this was what drew them to listen and their life was changed? But I know some people and some sermons don't lend themselves to this. So I think sometimes I shouldn't but I keep on 'cause again, what if that one time? Not everyone appreciates them and some plain don't like them. And I'd like to give them a break sometime. But what if the Sunday I didn't use one a non-Christian was in the audience for the first time and they couldn't follow - see.

About five years ago I started using PowerPoint. One of the most helpful things happened when a fellow "whipped me with a wet noodle" about how preachers use PowerPoint incorrectly. We make it about words and it is about pictures. Man, he changed and greatly improved what I do. Yes, I know it's a new technology, but the most effective of preachers have always used both what is happening in culture as well as aids that come along to improve their impact. BUT it also adds at least 2 hours of prep time to every sermon to do it right. And then some people just don't like PowerPoint and I can appreciate that. But more people in our culture are visual learners. I think, at least once every week - I won't do PowerPoint this week and then I start thinking - what if a person shows up who has a hard time listening to preaching but the visual aspect that PowerPoint allow brings there attention to the spoken Word? Same thing. I don't want to be in a rut...but what if that was the Sunday?

Man, do I over think this stuff or what? I do take it seriously. I'd be interested in hearing/seeing your thoughts on this. Preachers and non-preachers alike. Mostly listeners.

For those of you wondering...

Well, we got it! The permit from the Fire Marshall is in hand. When we met with our contractor in April of last year and he gave us time estimated he said the one thing that could slow us down was the permit from the FM - that that is where we could most likely face problems. Well it was in October that I indicated we had hit a snag here but hoped it would only be a small one - OCTOBER people! That was 4 to 5 months ago! AAAARRRGGGGGG.

Sorry I had to get that out of my system :). Great news. We have the permit. Now we have a couple of HOPEFULLY real small county permits and we can get moving. Our understanding is that once we have this permit the others are pretty much academic.

We are thankful for all who have been so faithful to pray about this matter and to those who have worked so diligently to make it happen. Please continue to pray for us.