Years ago when I worked for Nabisco, we "revved" it up and stayed busy through the holidays. We would come out of the gates running the end of October, first of November with our holiday displays--get 'em in, get 'em up and move 'em out. Another reason, too was so we could ease up with a four day-work week at Thanksgiving. In essence, we shoved three days work into four that week.
When I would do that, I would work the small town of Hartsville, TN later Wednesday afternoon (normally I would do it on Thursday). When I would finish, I could not make it home in time for Wednesday evening Bible Study, so I would visit with my friend and "BIG" brother, Dwight Fuqua and the church of Christ at Halltown Road. On that evening, they had a special "thanksgiving" class and within this class, Dwight would ask questions.
Brother H.I. Holt, I believe was his name...he has since passed on. Fine, fine man...in his eighties, I believe. Dwight called on him and said, "H.I., what is one thing you are thankful for?"
That kind, aged, beloved brother in the Lord thought a minute and said, "I am thankful my wife got a good husband."
Broke the whole class up! Oh, it was great...and I still laugh about it to this day.
Hope you enjoyed the laugh...and a happy thanksgiving to you...from the Wildwood.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
X-Rays and CT scans...and Daddy
A lot of you knew about my daddy and his passing June 4, 2009. It was a heart attack that took Daddy's life but he was also battling lung cancer and of course, the lung cancer played a part in the heart attack.
My sister and I became a little more educated about lung cancer and learned that the causes were attributed to Daddy smoking at one time (he quit in 1978, but had smoked probably 30 years at that time--those old, nasty Pall Mall Reds for the most part) and that it is also genetic. Immediately little brother here asked what we could do and Daddy's awesome doctor, David Spiegel said, "Get a yearly chest X-Ray."
Fast forward to November 9, 2011--physical time...and chest X-Ray. Sure enough, I get a call and there is a little something on that left lung--pulmonary nodule, believed to be nothing major; don't worry. "Let's get a CT scan," my newly California transplanted doctor says.
Had the prayer warriors at East Side church of Christ praying.
Fast forward to November 14, 2011--that CT scan was awesome! November 15...to quote my doctor: "GREAT news, Mr. Archey." A calcified granuloma, a scarring from some infection in the past. It is benign, not worrisome, and not cancerous.
Here's my point with the blog...
Was I worried? Nah, I don't worry; I have a Heavenly Father (Matt. 6:24-33) who tends to it all.
Next...Daddy's treatment was a trial drug treatment and you know, Daddy would have loved to have known if what he went through helped somebody else out.
From all that, I learned to get a simple chest X-Ray to make sure everything is all right.
Yep, Daddy sure helped someone...his boy...who types this with a thankful heart and tear filled eyes...at the Wildwood.
My sister and I became a little more educated about lung cancer and learned that the causes were attributed to Daddy smoking at one time (he quit in 1978, but had smoked probably 30 years at that time--those old, nasty Pall Mall Reds for the most part) and that it is also genetic. Immediately little brother here asked what we could do and Daddy's awesome doctor, David Spiegel said, "Get a yearly chest X-Ray."
Fast forward to November 9, 2011--physical time...and chest X-Ray. Sure enough, I get a call and there is a little something on that left lung--pulmonary nodule, believed to be nothing major; don't worry. "Let's get a CT scan," my newly California transplanted doctor says.
Had the prayer warriors at East Side church of Christ praying.
Fast forward to November 14, 2011--that CT scan was awesome! November 15...to quote my doctor: "GREAT news, Mr. Archey." A calcified granuloma, a scarring from some infection in the past. It is benign, not worrisome, and not cancerous.
Here's my point with the blog...
Was I worried? Nah, I don't worry; I have a Heavenly Father (Matt. 6:24-33) who tends to it all.
Next...Daddy's treatment was a trial drug treatment and you know, Daddy would have loved to have known if what he went through helped somebody else out.
From all that, I learned to get a simple chest X-Ray to make sure everything is all right.
Yep, Daddy sure helped someone...his boy...who types this with a thankful heart and tear filled eyes...at the Wildwood.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Remembering our Veterans
...Mansel Parkinson, Ernest Jones, Jimmy Ray, Roy Barber. If memory serves me well these are four WW II veterans still serving as soldiers of the cross at the East Side church of Christ where I labor. These are four of the finest men I know and my, they are good to me--always have been. I love them not only as my brothers in the Lord, but also as "father" figures and friends.
And, only deep in their hearts do they know what they faced when they battled for our country. I recall bro. Jones telling me once, “We were young and we just did what we had to do,” a humble, gracious reply followed quickly by him pointing to the heavens and saying, “And all I have, He gave it to me.”
Throughout the congregation, there are many others who served in our armed forces whether wartime or peacetime. We keep a list of our military family in the church bulletin. I look out and see folks with a son or daughter currently serving our nation.
I came across the following some years ago and have used it at military funerals...thought it would be worthy for us to remember what Veterans Day is about: remembering…an early thought of respect....from the Wildwood...
And, only deep in their hearts do they know what they faced when they battled for our country. I recall bro. Jones telling me once, “We were young and we just did what we had to do,” a humble, gracious reply followed quickly by him pointing to the heavens and saying, “And all I have, He gave it to me.”
Throughout the congregation, there are many others who served in our armed forces whether wartime or peacetime. We keep a list of our military family in the church bulletin. I look out and see folks with a son or daughter currently serving our nation.
I came across the following some years ago and have used it at military funerals...thought it would be worthy for us to remember what Veterans Day is about: remembering…an early thought of respect....from the Wildwood...
It's the soldier, not the reporter who has given us Freedom of the Press.
It's the soldier, not the poet, who has given us Freedom of Speech.
It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the Freedom to Demonstrate.
It's the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the Right to a Fair Trial.
It's the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who gives the protestor the right to burn the flag.
--Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Arrive, apply and amplify
I am currently embracing and enjoying the book of 1 John and in chapter three, John brings forth the strong love and compassion we are to have as brethren—fellow Christians. In reading some thoughts on this, I thought of the following—a simple little ditty, “Arrive, Apply and amplify.”
With my love for the church, let me arrive every time the door is open. In 1 John we are told the world doesn’t understand the love man has for God and fellow Christians. It is interesting to hear folks think of any excuse not to attend the services of the church. Oh, but if I love the church, I will arrive! I will arrive at the church building; I will arrive on time; I will arrive because it is the best place to be with the best people in the world.
But, not only will I arrive, but I will apply. I’m not going to simply show up to be counted; I will apply what happens within. Yes, I will sing; I will pray; I will remember the death of my Lord through partaking of the Lord’s Supper; I will give of my means and I will study with the preacher the unsearchable riches of Christ. I will apply worship in my heart both vertically and horizontally—to my Lord (John 4:24) and to edify my brethren (Heb. 10:25).
And, then, when I depart—I will amplify. I will tell to all what Jesus has done for me when the opportunity arises. I will respond and let others know the blessed opportunities that awaits them if they will but arrive, apply, and then amplify.
Arrive, apply and amplify—just a little thing from the Hills*…via the Wildwood.
*"From the hills" is when I write a few things from our subdivision called Weston Hills. When it's time to go home, gues you could say I "head for the hills." :-)
Friday, November 4, 2011
Just a couple of things a preacher is thankful for...
...from the Wildwood.
A preacher is thankful when he spends time in prayer and notes the newcomers to the congregation who infuse fresh life and renewed diligence for us all. They love Bible Study and worship and serve whereever they can. They express love to us all and lift us up.
A preacher is thankful when he spends time in prayer and notes the long time, year after year dedication of so many that have remained faithful through the years. They are stalwarts--you know their pew will always be full with their hearts and presence. They are the kind of folks that make it possible for you to have a place to serve.
New folks come...faithful folks staying...that's what makes the East Side church of Christ special and may our light humbly shine...from the Wildwood.
A preacher is thankful when he spends time in prayer and notes the newcomers to the congregation who infuse fresh life and renewed diligence for us all. They love Bible Study and worship and serve whereever they can. They express love to us all and lift us up.
A preacher is thankful when he spends time in prayer and notes the long time, year after year dedication of so many that have remained faithful through the years. They are stalwarts--you know their pew will always be full with their hearts and presence. They are the kind of folks that make it possible for you to have a place to serve.
New folks come...faithful folks staying...that's what makes the East Side church of Christ special and may our light humbly shine...from the Wildwood.
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