MO Baptist Convention

Baptists are gathering for this year's MO Baptist Convention. I have enjoyed my year as President. If all goes according to plan, I will be nominated for a second term on Tuesday.

The big buzz here is the presence of our new Executive Director, Dr. John Yeats, and his wife Sharon. God has smiled on Missouri Baptists.

Over 100 choir and orchestra members from Second will be presenting music at tomorrow night's installation ceremony for Dr. and Mrs. Yeats. I can hardly wait for our music people to arrive. I do love our choir and orchestra, and their leader Kevin Hawkins.

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Angie's Retirement

My assistant is retiring. For over 15 years, I have enjoyed every minute of working with Angie Roth. As best I can recall, she has never had a bad day. I never one time ever dreaded heading to work with her.

Angie's parents died when she was a girl. An older sister raised her. She married a Nazarene preacher. Ron and Angie hope to travel a lot together. He stays busy as an evangelist.

I will miss Angie. This may be the biggest understatement of the day. I pray God will let the rest of Ron and Angie's days be the best of their days. I also bid them Godspeed in their travels.

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A Grandson Driving

My fifteen year old grandson, Caleb, is driving.  Ruth and I were working here at church in my office this afternoon when our son called and asked us to come to the atrium door.  When we stepped outside the door, John was in the passenger's seat of his car, Caleb was driving.

Isn't it amazing how one moment can seem to bring life into focus?  It seems like yesterday when we were at Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth for his birth.  Time is passing me by at an alarming rate of speed.  Let's remember to relish each day.  Enjoy the journey.

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Cenotaphs and Rules

I lie awake at night wondering about the weirdest things.  Two of my midnight mysteries were solved today. I enjoy cemeteries.  One of my favorite spots is the huge marker in the federal cemetery for General Lyons, who was killed at Wilson's Creek.  The interesting thing is, his body is not there.  It was taken back to New England. This raises the question, what do you call a tombstone that does not have a body present?  Years ago I knew the answer, but couldn't remember it.  Today I found out it's a cenotaph.  I will sleep better now.

Mystery two.  The other night Ryan Howard made the last out in a ballgame.  He injured himself as he made the last swing and was unable to run at all.  He grounded out, but what if he had hit a home run, and could not run the bases?  I couldn't find the answer.  Until today. I thought the batter would be out, but no.  Instead, "a substitute runner shall be permitted to complete the play."  I feel a good night's sleep in my future.

How did I find these answers?  At a lunch meeting today, I raised both questions, hoping someone would know the answer.  After the meeting, our graphic artist, Leah Kiser, through her expertise with Google, provided me the answers.  I told her how impressed I was.  She shrugged it off and said, "That's what you pay me for."  Wow this younger generation is good.  I'm impressed.

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A Memory Every Mile

Ruth and I are headed back home from my preaching in Southeast MO, the hub of the universe. Everywhere we look we see remembrances.

We pulled off Hwy 60 and drove one mile to see First Baptist Church of Essex. I preached there several Sundays when Ruth and I were engaged to be married.

At a Sunday dinner on the ground there I once swallowed a sharp chicken bone. It lodged in my throat. Couldn't get it up. Couldn't get it down. The pain was excruciating.

A lady ran into the church and brought back a cup of vinegar for me to drink. It almost gagged me. I still remember what it smelled and tasted like. Awful!! But it worked. I still hold vinegar in high regard, even though I don't like it.

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Timing

The timing of events can sometimes be utterly amazing. In my sermon yesterday I mentioned the death of a dear friend who died about 25 years ago, and a funeral I preached 41 years ago.

Today as I drove through Southeast Missouri I mentioned to Ruth, "There's the hotel I was in when I heard about the death of my friend 25 years ago."

Tonight I saw the 84-year-old preacher who did the funeral with me 41 years ago. Wow. An amazing day. My past came alive today.

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Eating Crow

Bob Robert's dad often advised his family to always eat crow while it was young and fresh. That's what I'm doing right now. I'm revoking the bad things I said earlier about O'Hare Airport in Chicago.

My plane out of Roanoke was delayed two hours due to mechanical troubles. It landed at O'Hare after my departure time for Spfd. But lo and behold!! The flight out of O'Hare was delayed two hours.

I've never been this happy about a delayed flight. It's odd though. I'm the only happy person at this gate. I'm trying to wipe this silly grin off my face. I'm coming home, Ruth!!

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