The Top Thrill Dragster

The Top Thrill Dragster

5.27.09

First of all, let me just say to my blog friends that I am sorry this is late in getting out.  I had even toyed with the idea of stopping my blog because my life is not all that exciting.  A person can only be chased by alligators,  run the Cooper River Bridge Run, and go on a Safari in Africa so many times.

In order to provide my readers with fresh excitement, Sunday afternoon I hopped on a plane and flew to Akron, Ohio to see some old friends, Mark and Jan Ford.  They are friends from my Central Bible College days and we were in Ohio ministering at the same time.  Mark also preached two revival meetings for us at Faith Assembly of God.  Mark would tell you it was what turned Faith Assembly around.

You can’t come to Northern Ohio without going to Cedar Point, the Roller Coaster Capital of the world.  We had just finished riding the Iron Dragon and were in line for the Millennium Force, when the rains shut everything down.  Gloom, despair and agony on me!  But after about an hour and a half, the heavens cleared.

Some of my favorite rides were the Mantis where you hung suspended standing up.  The Raptor featured six loops and the Maverick was voted “Best New Ride of 2007″.  But the Millennium Force was the Granddaddy of them all.  The first drop was 310 feet, 80 degrees at 93 miles per hour.  What in incredible rush.

But just when you thought it was safe and you conquered everything, we came upon the “Top Thrill Dragster”.  The coaster was shot out of the starting gate and went from 0 to 120 mph in three seconds.  Then it ascended straight up a corkscrew slowing to 5 mph to crest the top.  Then plunging straight down another corkscrew to the bottom.  Probably the most intense adrenaline pumping 30 seconds of my life.



{click image(s) for larger view}

We did not get to ride every coaster because we left early to catch the Cleveland Indians baseball game that night.  Club seats, which is another way of saying all the food you can eat.  All in all it was a great day.

The challenge for this blog is my deep, meaningful spiritual lesson.  Let me just say I am thankful to be alive and I had a great time.

I Thess. 5:18 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Thrill Seeker,

Pastor Larry

May 28, 2009 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

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Ordained for Ministry

Last Wednesday night we had the privilege of hosting the South Carolina District Council.  Our praise team did a wonderful job.  There was tremendous joy and a sense of God’s presence in the house.  Randy Hurst brought an excellent message on the calling of the disciples, from Mark 3:13-15.  {video below} They were sent out to preach and have power, but first they were called to be with Jesus.  Out of that relationship comes all ministry.

The highlight came when Jason was ordained for ministry with the laying on of hands by the elders.  In the Assemblies of God, after a minister has been licensed for at least two years and has a proven record of ministry, he or she can be ordained.  To say I was very proud of him would be an incredible understatement.  

1 Timothy 4:14

14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.

 

Congratulations Pastor Jason,

Dad

The video of the service:

May 19, 2009 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

3 Comments 

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day

5.11.09

Mother’s day was one of those bitter-sweet days I have journeyed through in this last year.  Tania would start preparing to preach several weeks out.  I’d come home and find her sitting at our table on the back porch with her books spread out.  She always had a banqueting feast of God’s word for us on that Sunday morning.  With Tania, not only were we treated to a feast, but she lived what she preached.

I enjoy preaching and have plenty of years of experience, but it was a daunting task filling Tania’s shoes Sunday morning.  I am thankful for God’s grace, and that when I am weak, He is strong.  She was a wonderful mother, and for Chad, Jason and Lindy, a great model of faith.  When I was absent at the church late, or out of town, or on pastoral calls, she was the driving influence and glue holding our family together.  I feel for my kids on this first Mother’s Day without her.

God’s grace is sufficient and His presence was so strong in our services.  Thanks again for all your love, support and encouragement.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

 

Blessed and Highly Favored,

Pastor Larry

May 11, 2009 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

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Gator Bait

Gator Bait

5.4.09

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The weather is getting beautiful, which can only mean it is time to get out the kayak!

 There are so many things I love about kayaking…it is typically scenic, calm and peaceful.  Recently I headed out and found the current on Durham Creek to be quite swift, so I headed up Chicken Creek instead and I saw a grey heron flying and carrying a long snake!  The gators were really out as well.  I saw a small baby and several large ones.  

Typically when my kayak gets close to a gator they drop under the water, but this time I eased up on a big gator and for some reason she did not submerge.  In fact she turned parallel to me as I tried to slip by about five feet away from her.

As she moved closer I began to pick up the pace when all of the sudden she swung around and begin to chase me.  I looked back and she was coming at the back of the kayak with her mouth open.  I paddled as fast as I could, not looking back until I had gone about 50 yards - when I looked back, she was gone.

One big problem came to mind, I had to go back out that same way…but I went further up stream before turning around and fortunately I got back home without incident.

I couldn’t understand why this gator’s behavior was so aggressive, but I later discovered that in the Spring the mothers guard their nest.  And if you get too close then you are perceived as a threat.  I think I’ll wait until the summer before I venture up Chicken Creek again…it is just too narrow.

The freakiest thing occurred when I got back to the dock.  I went to tie off the kayak and the back handle was missing.  The gator had bit it off!

Last fall I was out with gator hunters, but on this day I was almost gator bait.

Psalm 91:2-4

2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
       my God, in whom I trust.”

 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
       and from the deadly pestilence.

 4 He will cover you with his feathers,
       and under his wings you will find refuge;
       his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

 

Angels working overtime,

Pastor Larry

May 4, 2009 | Filed Under Pastor's Thoughts

7 Comments