Christmas Travel

During our Christmas travel back home to Indiana, we were able to see family & two different churches. On Sunday, I was able to give an up date of our work to the Dupont Baptist Church during their SS. (Dupont is my sending church.) We left & caught the morning service at the Harvest Baptist Church in North Vernon. This is the first church that we started. Pastor Hadley is the man that took the work when we made plans to start another church. They have bought new seating and have also dressed up the platform area. Things looked nice and it was good to see many new faces there.

On our way north, I realized that I'd forgotten my suit and then the boys couldn't find some of their Sunday duds either. Most everything I have on in this picture is borrowed. Life with the Jones family, never a dull moment.

Thanksgiving at Heritage Baptist

We recently enjoyed our Thanksgiving dinner at Heritage. Great food is always a highlight: deep fried turkey, dressing, deviled eggs, fried okra, broccili cass. and much more... The midweek service before Thanksgiving Day is a special for us each year. I had a short message and then sat down in front of the congregation & it was their turn. We worked ouor way through the crwod & each person had the chance to share what they were thankful for this last year. Even some who are typically quiet got involved.

A common theme was that someone had a problem, struggle or tradegy & they could see how God was there for them. They also were thankful for how God used the people in the church to help meet many of those needs. The Lord showed me again something that I probably knew but needed to be reminded of again. People remember what you do more than what you say. Not one person mentioned a particular message I had preached. (A great blow to my ego. haha) I told our people all of that & that we need to continue to rise to the occasion as we face a new year ahead of us.

What Will the Gospel Do?
This picture was taken on the first night of our revival a few weeks ago. Pastor Dan Boatman is on the left & one of our men, Tommy Thrower is on the right. Bro. Dan preached a powerful message on Faith. Both of these fellows have been friends for several years. I thought it was funny to see them both in their team gear. The gospel can make bitter enemies the best of friends!