Sweet Hour of Prayer

My, I love that hymn...the words, the melody...truly one of the sweetest hymns of all time.

Stanza one reminds me that the time of prayer to my Father takes me away from a world of care.  I'm not studying, driving, watching TV, listening to the radio, etc..  I just take the time as a child to go to my Father's throne and make all my wants and wishes known.  When those times of distress and grief come, relief is a prayer away.  I can often escape the temptation of Satan if I will pray before by the return answer of my Father above.

Stanza two reminds me of the joy and bliss that I feel and the rekindled desire for our Lord to return and for this old world to end.  I hasten to the place of prayer and take my station, my stand, my aim toward higher ground.

Stanza three reminds me how my petitions rise with no interference or like the cute picture I saw the other day of a little girl praying and the caption said "Oldest form of wireless Communication--Never dropped a call."  I'll seek Him, believe Him and trust Him and cast my care upon Him.

Yes, indeed...I'll wait for thee...sweet hour of prayer...my thanksgiving and my petitions to my Father...from the Wildwood.



Evangelism, Exhortation and Edification

Sometimes, it is just time to get back to the basics.

You know, this year has been a bit tough--pretty close to burnout, actually.  Been a hard year, especially when the tornadoes came our way.  And, sometimes the work of an evangelist can be a challenge even without that.

Some days I have been tired, weary...through God's grace it is getting better.  So, it is time to look at my life and simplify some matters and get back to the basics...like evangelism, exhortation and edification.

Yep...time to make some changes...in the wildwood.

Julius Sprayberry

Do you know that name? You may not find it in the annuals of history. Actually, I never met him--all I know is he was a Christian man who worked in a Georgia factory. While working there he met a young man, a co-worker, and he began talking to this young man about the gospel of Christ and invited him to worship services at the local church of Christ. That young man and his sweet wife attended, studied with brother Sprayberry and both the young man and his sweet wife obeyed the gospel of Christ.

That young man brother Sprayberry converted decided to become a gospel preacher...and he did! He and his wife are faithful servants to this day, some sixty years later.  My, think of all the souls that have been reached due to the efforts of one man, bro. Sprayberry, in reaching another soul...that certain young man.

Tonight, I am going to hear that "young man," Lord willing...and I cannot wait to hear and see my good friend, James Watkins and his sweet wife, Foye.  I'll be headed out to the country...when I finish working at the Wildwood.

Remembering 9-11...

...as I am sure many will think about where they were that day.  Me?  I was on a sales call at the old Wal-Mart in Sparta, TN and conducting a meeting at the West Sparta congregation in the evening. 

While in Wal-Mart, I was talking with the manager when the office clerk opened the door and said a plane had hit the World Trade Center.  I ceased discussions with the manager and returned to my hotel room just down the street and saw the second plane hit.  After a few moments I said out loud, "That thing is gonna fall" and I no sooner said it, that it did.

Then the second building went down.

Fast forward to a couple of weeks later...at that time I was working for Russell Stover Candies.  Being a national company, we would have annual sales meetings and sales reps from all over the country would assemble at one locale.  The company would have “smaller” meetings mixing regions together so we could learn various sales techniques.  The south region blended with the northeast region—of course, two different cultures so to speak.
 

Yet, from those meetings, I met a native New Yorker named John.  We really hit it off well and of course, we both accused one another of having an accent.  He loved to hear about Tennessee and honestly, I was fascinated by New York life.

A couple of weeks after 9-11, I called John and we visited.  I was sitting on the front porch of our house admiring the beauty of the fall night telling John what I was seeing.  He told me he would love to be sitting there with me.  He attended his third funeral that week as seven members of his church had died on 9-11.  He broke down crying like a baby and in that distinctive voice said, “Jeff, nothing you see on television touches what we are seeing and what we are going through.”

I have thought of my friend, John...wonder if I could find his number?  Might just give him a call...from the Wildwood.

It's not too far...

...around the corner until fall of the year.  Got to admit, I am an all-weather fan...whatever the Lord brings I will accept and adapt.  I am ready for a break from the heat, I must admit, but until then, we'll remain cool and refreshed as I can.

Speaking of refreshed, I have a good young friend named Jacob.  After I preached last evening concerning Gnosticism and 1 John, Jacob "waved" me to him during the invitation song.  Thinking he might respond, I spoke to him after the song and he said something along the lines of "Bro. Jeff, before the Lord's Supper (wherein he was serving ), is it OK if I comment about your lesson and tell folks I appreciated it and that we really face things that try to take our faith?"

Was I touched with his kindness?  Absolutely.  But, I told him how much I appreciated his encouragement and it meant the world to me...but let's focus on the purpose of his effort--to remind us all of the death of our Savior and to address that thoroughly.  He smiled and said all right.

Here is a young man who encouraged me and in turn, encouraged and exhorted us all with his reverence and focus on the Lord's Supper.  What a precious night...from the Wildwood.

1 John

Starting Sunday evening, I am preaching the book of 1 John.  If the sermon preparation is anything like this week, man, what a joy it will be. 

First lessons from a book of the Bible will have one researching and reading...and reading...and reading the background of the writing of the book.  To whom is one writing?  Why is one writing?  Is there anything of that era that factors in?

With 1 John, most definitely.  One of most far-fetched, unbelievable, false doctrines ever about my Lord Jesus was taught...and John defeats it solidly.

What is it?  Well, that's coming from the wildwood Sunday at 6 PM.

Blessed Assurance

I am blessed in reading Tom Holland's 80th book Blessed Assurance.  Just started it and already some great reminders and marvelous thoughts.  In the preface:

"In a world of turmoil, war, hatred, and greed, God wants His people to live in peace.  In an age of doubt and uncertainty God desires that his people live in confidence" (11).

Peace and Confidence...yes, indeed.  Peace that eases and confidence in "easin' onward." 

As I embark upon chapter two about Christ as the author of our salvation (Heb. 5:9), I am also reminded that He is the "captain of [our] salvation" (Heb. 2:10).  I love this book for it reminds me that as my Captain, He guides and leads...and I'll trust the travel arrangements; not mine, but His.