Silver Dollar City

SDC is having its 50th birthday party this Sunday night May 2 at 6pm
in Echo Hollow. I plan to be there.

Since SDC has always been a family and Christian friendly place, it is
appropriate the birthday festivities will be family and Christian
oriented. The combined choirs of James River Assembly and Second
Baptist will be providing an evening of blessing.

It should be a memorable night. Come share it with us. We'll add it to
the already huge collection of memories we have of good times spent at
SDC.

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GIC 2010

Too many highlights to remember them all. A few events help capture
the essence of this year's GIC.

The music, as always, was stellar. Thank you, Kevin and Ryan. The
preaching and teaching were rivetting. Thank you, Al and Josh Gilbert.

The food was delicious. Thank you, Belinda. The testimonies, stories,
seminars, and interviews made me want to pack my suitcase and go.
Thank you, missionaries.

Our missions staff made it happen. Thank you, John David, Kaila, Todd,
Kayla, and Bev.

It would all be for naught were it not for you, the dear people of
Second. Missions has been on your front burner for over a decade. Your
commitment seems unabated. Thank you for your bulldog determination to
take the Gospel to the ends of the earth, beginning next door.

Ruth and I love you. It is an honor to be your Pastor.

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Cowboy Church

I loved it!!! I preached tonight at the Cowboy Church west of
Springfield. They sang Mrs Huey's favorite song, "A Beautiful Life".
They sang a song I used to hear in southeast Missouri, "Ain't No Grave
Gonna Hold My Body Down".

There were words on the walls I never saw in church before. "Cow
Pregnancy Chart", "Heifers", "Bulls". The sign that scared me most was
one that read, "Total Weight". I was afraid I might step back onto a
scale and have my weight revealed to the whole world.

They gave me a good honorarium, plus a dozen eggs. Best of all, they
laughed at my jokes, all of them. Once again, I think I maybe should
become a comedian when I retire.

Thanks to Pastor Scotty Killingsworth for inviting me to come. I will
long remember the sweet spirit of his people, and the gentle mooing of
cows in the background of my preaching.

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A Friend

Ruth and I moved into a parsonage 31 years ago. A lady from the church
was there when we found out the dishwasher did not work. She quickly
let us know she was able to get along quite well without one.

Ruth never uttered a complaint. She used the dishwasher to put towels
in to dry dishes. One evening we had company over. My mother-in-law
opened the dishwasher and took out a towel.

One of our guests was humiliated that the church had not fixed the
dishwasher. He got it fixed. He was so hurt that we became a special
project to him. He made sure our household needs were taken care of
for years.

He has remained our friend across the miles and through the years. He
turned 80 today. He is dying of cancer. He was too weak to make it
through the whole party. He'll be in Heaven soon. Ruth and I are
grateful for the gentle Christlike life he lived, and for the love he
showed us. God bless you, Charlie.

Twitter @john316marshall
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Too Much 24

I'm home after two days away for a preachers meeting. Two
observations. One, I thoroughly enjoy preachers. They are the funniest
people on the planet.

Two, I miss Ruth when I'm away. We text each other often. She texts me
photos of the grandchildren to make me feel like I'm sharing their
life when I'm away.

I received an odd message from her. She said she was about to go into
a meeting, and was "going dark."

Going dark? What did that mean? Was she in a room with little light?
Was she wearing dark clothes?

I texted her, "What is dark"? About two hours later she wrote and
explained it is a code word from the TV show 24 meaning undercover,
out of communication, unreachable.

Laughing out loud, I called her. I said I was maybe the only husband
in the USA who needed to watch 24 in order to be able to communicate
with his wife. What a hoot!!

Twitter @john316marshall
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I am a Thespian

Yes, I am a histrion. It sounds more exciting than merely saying I am
an actor.

After I retire, I may pursue a career in comedy. But if that doesn't
work out, I may try acting. Today I test the waters. I have my first
rehearsal with Second Act for my role in "I am the Vine," a dramatic
portrayal of the Last Supper.

I'm trusting our new drama director, Vanessa Burks, will go easy on
me. I'm sure my feelings will be very sensitive.

I am experiencing the jitters Harrison Ford and Meg Ryan felt the
first time they went on stage. This is tough, but the show must go on.

Twitter @john316marshall
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Ordination

Forty years ago today, I was ordained to the Gospel Ministry by Hooe
Baptist Church in Southeast Missouri. The church (pronounced hoe, not
hooey) sat on Base Line Road, between Morley and Bell City.

Dad preached the ordaining sermon. My Grandpa Hill was there, as was
my future father-in-law. Ruth had planned to come, but had the flu.

When I was born, Dad had named me for John the Baptist. At my
ordination, he preached from the text, "There was a man sent from God,
whose name was John." Dad challenged me to exhibit the traits of John
the Baptist's ministry.

By today's standards, my ordination was a very simple affair. But it
evidently worked. It's been a marvelous four decades. Thank You, Jesus.

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Mom and Easter

I talked to Mom a few minutes ago. She is in the hospital. The plan
was to put in a pacemaker, but at the critical moment, she coughed up
a little blood.

The pacemaker will have to wait another week. After two days of tests
on her lungs, she has a clear bill of health. She is sitting in her
room, waiting impatiently for the doctor to send her home.

Easter is here. Resurrection Sunday. Please pray the Holy Spirit will
have freedom to work mightily among us. Ruth and I are both bringing a
guest to church. Who are you bringing?

Humor helps. At breakfast this morning at a restaurant I suddenly
noticed Ruth had her blouse on inside out. We were both howling as
she dashed off to the bathroom to make the change. I love Ruth. I have
never been bored in her presence.

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