Florida Trip

After Christmas, which you can see some pictures of over on Wife’s blog I was scheduled for a trip to West Palm Beach, FL area for a preaching weekend.

I left on Saturday morning early, and arrived around 10AM or so. Bro Jack picked me up from the airport, and after a nice breakfast and some errands, we arrived at his very marvelous home. We fellowshipped a bit more, and then I went out to the back porch to begin to prepare for the mornings sermon.

Here’s me getting prepared for the morning.

In my defense, it was a wonderfully balmy 80 degress out. Bro Jack’s pool has this little waterfall like thing, creating a nice water noise. So there I was just kicked back, listening to some preaching, with my reference books there near me. It was just a small piece of heaven. Bro Jack’s daughters decided that was a photo op too good to miss.

After my studying and nap. We got ready to go to Bro Smiley’s church for service. Bro Ben Norrod from Tennessee was in and speaking for Bro Smiley’s little flock.

It was great to meet Bro Ben and Sis Sam. We immediately hit it off and had a great time of fellowship. They were both very gracious people.

Bro Caleb, Bro Jack, Me, Bro Ben, Sis Sam and little one, Bro Smiley (love that bow tie), Sis Smiley.

The service was very nice that night, it was good to just hit the altar for no good reason but for a refreshing.

The next morning I preached at Bro Jack’s church. I took a thought from Habakkuk 2:3. “Tho it tarry, it will not tarry”. It went over very well, and really spoke to alot of the people I believe. I think it was just the Lord’s timing to help them through some of the things they have been going through. They were recently disappointed to not get into a new building like they had hoped. Tho the vision tarry, it will not tarry!

Just prior to service, I learned that I was requested to speak back home in Indiana. After service, Bro Jack decided that was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, so we began looking at changing my flight to get me home early. I wanted to cry at Bro Jack’s graciousness to get me back to my home church for this opportunity. I wanted to stay and preach Monday night as I was scheduled too, but my heart (and the Lord, most assuredly) was calling me to be back home to preach Monday night at the Tabernacle.

Sunday night, we went to a Haitian church in Florida. It really felt like a different country. Wood floors, wood ceiling, wood everything really. Benches close together, with straight backs. The entire audience except for myself and Bro Ben and Sis Sam were colored folk. I’ve seen pictures of churches like this in far away countries. It was neat.

Bro Ben preached again, and it was a nice time, although I must confess, my mind was rather focused on preaching Monday night at home.

I flew home Monday, and after spending time with the fam a bit, I began to ready my notes for that evenings service at the Tabernacle. My sermon went really well. I spoke on the Glory of the Lord, and how God wants us to choose to display it, versus our own selves. I typed the children of Israel in bondage, and God bringing them out with a Glorious arm, and then brought it home with “what are WE doing to display God’s Glory” (hint, watching the news probably aint it).

I thought I preached pretty hard at the people, and either it was a case of “it hurts so good” or nobody caught it in the gravity I meant it. I spose time will tell. It was a very tough sermon, and tough to deliver.

Well, that was a very great weekend spiritually. I’ll post more updates presently.

P.S. If you think it is long, blame my father-in-law for complaining of not having anything to read, this post is dedicated to him. (Hi Gene!)