Boy's Night/Day Out

This past weekend, the Jenkins boys packed up and headed to the wilderness for a Friday night and Saturday trip. We were excited to go and Melanie was excited to stay home and get some peace and quiet! A great BSFBC guy and friend, Jerry Hile, along with his boys Brennen and Hampton, invited us to spend the night with them at their cabin in Daisy, AR on the northern shores of Lake Greeson. After the drive up, some cabin time, and a greasy pizza dinner in Glenwood, Friday night came to an end. We got up early Saturday morning and rode 4-wheelers in the Albert Pike Rec Area...part of the Ouachita National Forest. I had heard about this place, but never been. This first-timer just marveled at the beauty of this place. From the "Blue Hole" to the Little Missouri River Falls, and all the trails in between, we had a great time together enjoying God's incredible creation. For most of the day, Brennen and Ryan (both 14) drove a 4-wheeler each with Reid choosing to trust riding on back with Brennen over his brother! (Imagine that!) Jerry, myself, Hampton, and Rett rode in the Ranger. We hit a few mudholes and returned back only mildly dirty.

What was so neat for me is that Sunday morning I preached on the Christian core truth of creation in my current series "Identity". Talk about a way to wrap up a week of study and preparation...getting to see all that He made up close and personal. That will not be my last time to Albert Pike. The boys insisted that we have to break down and show Mom some of these sights...so we will be back.

It made for a great weekend of God time, Dad time, and friend time!

Perspective

On my run early this morning, the cool sky was packed with stars. At two points on my run, I saw shooting stars. They were so vivid and clear against the early sky. It made me think, "Who threw that star?" As just little me ran, I was overwhelmed with the thoughts of how God knows and cares for me, even while all that He made, He is maintaining. I mean, it's not like God does not have millions of other things He is working on, yet He knows me...He was speaking to me. God prompted my heart to the words of Psalm 8.3-4, "When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?"

Lather that morning, I read Luke 10.38-ff in my One-Year Chronological Bible. It is the story of Jesus visiting the home of Martha and Mary. Martha was not bad, so was just busy. She was so busy doing for Jesus that she missed an opportunity to just sit at the feet of Jesus and take in his truth. It is so easy to become like Martha! I need to hear that...I need that perspective to keep me focused and balanced. May I and you be more like Mary in this story...choose what is better...and He is better than anything else!

Busy Few Days

I found this neat picture of a really busy airport. The last few days and this coming week are going to be like this for me...lots and coming and going!

I want to thank Chris Wright and the folks at Grace Baptist (www.gracebastrop.com) in Bastrop, Louisiana for a wonderful Sunday at their "Friend Day". I love to preach and count it an undeserved joy each Sunday. While I was sad to be away from my Beech Street family, the folks in NE LA were kind and a joy to be with. A nice lady shared with me after the service about how encouraging and on-target the message was for her. She said that if it was just for her, thanks and it was worth it. Words like that make we love what I'm privileged to do.

Sean (www.seanmillsh20.com) did a great job here at Beech Street. What a blessing to have a partner on staff that can bring it from the pulpit! I try not to let him preach too much...they might want him instead of me! If you missed his message like me, you can watch it on our website www.beechstreetfbc.org under the "Media" tab. I was excited to hear of another new family that joined in on what God is doing at Beech Street...welcome Wheat family!

After a full Monday of office stuff, study, and visits, I'll be in Little Rock tomorrow for a Ouachita meeting. I'm heading to Fort Worth to see family Friday and Saturday so it will be a short and very full week. Looking forward to getting back to the "Identity" series this Sunday morning...preaching on the Holy Spirit. In all my flights this week, Lord, keep me grounded!

Happy Birthday Dad

This past Tuesday, September 29, was my Dad's birthday. We had a great phone visit and I know that he enjoyed the boys calling that night wishing him a happy day. My dad is a great hero to me. I'm so thankful to have been raised by parents that valued faith and family. I'm not much, but what I am is owed solely to the Lord and my parents. As I thought about what I admire the most about my Dad, many things came to mind...I'll share a couple with you. First, I admire his amazing work ethic. My dad taught and modeled the value and importance of work to me. Dad worked as a tool/dye maker in a machine shop in west Fort Worth for 42 years. Even in the last years of working at Howell Instruments when he became the leader over the fabrication department, he still worked at a machine, getting his hands dirty. He could have coasted at a desk, but that is not him. Even since his "retirement" a few years ago, he is still working for a friend in his machine shop. Hard work, for too many, is a lost thing today. I appreciate a great example to follow in my dad and one to pass to my boys.

Second, I admire his sacrifice. I did not have a wealthy, privileged upbringing. My parents were not "loaded", yet we were rich and I lacked for nothing. My parents sacrificed for me and my sister to do things that they never got to do. The greatest of these gifts for me was sending me to college at Ouachita Baptist University (www.obu.edu). The only college campus my Dad set foot on was the ones that Lori and I attended. He worked, saved, and sacrificed to pay for my education. My 3 years at OBU blessed me incredibly. It was there that I met Melanie, established many lasting friendships, a received a quality education that still gives today. I'm in my second year of serving as a Trustee at OBU...I often think that without the sacrifice of my parents to allow me to attend there years ago, I would not have the opportunities I am blessed with today.

There's lots more I could say, but I'll save some for next year. Happy Birthday Dad...I love you!