Mel's Day

Melanie is getting married today. Okay, we'll give the groom a little cred...Ryan's day too. But she's my little girl, so this is for her. It's 82 degrees...a beautiful day. A beautiful day for a beautiful young lady that has blossomed into a beautiful young woman. Melanie is beautiful on the inside and out. I'm not real sure most of us could say that about ourselves. Melanie always liked dressing up and looking "ta da". Hopefully, she will enjoy this day and not be stressed. She is the epitome of sweetness (wouldn't hurt an ant. I know the saying is "wouldn't hurt a flea" be she literally wouldn't hurt an ant). Her biggest fault is being nice to everyone, and I don't think that is a fault at all. Probably, the worst thing she ever did was picking on her little brother. It really wasn't picking. She just loved him so much, she wanted to squeeze him to death. (He has since grown up and has terrorized her the last couple of years!) I listened last night(at rehearsal dinner) as girl after girl spoke about Melanie calling her their best friend. How could you be that many people's best friend? Some she had known for a long time, while others were recent friendships. Is this a sign about our society that so many people need a best friend, and there are so few to go around? Hmm. Melanie, your mother and I are so proud of you. Thank you for being a pleasure to raise. Congratulation to Ryan who succeeded in his pursuit of Melanie. Congratulations to Melanie for finding her man.
God bless both of you.
Love,
Dad

Sooner Than Later

Sometimes we wonder why someone dies what we would call prematurely. We especially wonder this about a person that seemed to have such potential, or even godly potential. From our perspective it almost always seems too early. Have you ever considered God's perspective? We won't even get into the whole "God is outside of time and space" thing. I have wondered at times why a pastor, missionary, etc. seemingly in their prime died "early." I think of singer-song writer Keith Green who was radically saved years ago. His passion for God was incredible (if you can find it, read his book "No Compromise"). He was killed in a plane crash at the beginning of his prime. The world had not yet seen the good he could have brought. Why? Why so early? So, I wonder sometimes did God just want them to Himself early? In 1 Kings 14, King Jereboam is upset because his son Abijah is sick and looks like he is going to die. He sends his wife to ask the prophet Ahijah about it. Unfortunately he gets the news that not only would the boy die, but because Jereboam had been a terrible king in leading Israel into pagan worship practices and such, that all his sons would be killed. However, God said that Abijah was the only good person out of Jereboam's house. In fact, God looked at taking Abijah home (death) to be a good thing. He would be the only son that received a burial. This Scripture devotion was timely. My wife's dad, Bill Butler, went to be with the LORD over ten years ago. He was in the midst of his prime serving the LORD. God saw fit to take him home. A good friend was kind with this reminder from Acts 11:24 "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord." And so his legacy and the likes of Bill Butler keep on perpetuating the Gospel through disciples that continue making disciples. Let this be a tribute to those that have served faithfully and gone on ahead of us. Thank you.

Here, There or In the Air

I didn't go to any parades or anything like that today, but I did consciously take the time today to think of the fallen soldiers. Yes, I certainly relaxed, goofed off, did a little work but not enough to call it work like many Americans today. I did take the time to pray on a number of occasions thanking God for those that gave their lives for the freedom that we often take for granted. Funny thing though, each time I thanked God for our warriors who have battled for the peace of the nations, I couldn't pray without thanking God for my Savior that died on the cross for my ultimate freedom...my freedom from sin... my freedom from death, hell and the grave. To this I say Hallelujah! Thank you Jesus.---On a personal note, I do have a friend that has preceded me to heaven that I think about every Memorial Day. His name was David Jones, a great marine warrior. He went down in a helicopter several years ago now. We have many friends now that have been trained in NAS Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field. David was awesome. Teresa and I served in ministry (well before God even called me to preach) with David and Angie. David had the spirit of God in him. He was full of life. Sometimes I wonder if God just likes to get people like him sooner than later to the other side. He was great with kids, and always brought excitement into the room. He had plans to be a missionary pilot later on in life. God had different plans. I remember visiting David in his driveway before the moving van came. I hated to see them move on to the next station, but that's life. He had impacted me, and hopefully the feeling was mutual. Our goodbye went like this (he was the first to introduce me to this, but I've since heard others) "I will see you again, here, there or in the air."---How prophetic! David I'll see you there. Thanks.

The Pastor's Wife

I am thankful for the God who saved me. And I am thankful for the wife He gave me. No one knows the junk the wife of a pastor has to put up with. What if Paul had been married? Imagine the junk his wife would have been put through. I'm thankful for the great church God has allowed me to be a part of, but through the years time can take a toll on the ministry participants...including pastor's wife. Actually, everything is great right now, so this isn't some stealth shot at fellow participants in ministry (I don't roll like that anyway.)Recently, we have relocated my office to my house. Uh, I've got a bunch of stuff, and a little room to fill in...um...it was the guest room. Teresa has had a great attitude, especially considering, I just kind of started bringing all my junk home. It is officially called the Noffice. Without an office, the membership class has moved to my house for two consecutive sessions, and Teresa has had a wonderful attitude. This is an ode to her. Thank you, to my lovely wife. And yesterday, she made red velvet cake for our newest members to enjoy. Teresa, I love you. ---This is between you, me and the few people that read this. ---You know what...shout out to the unsung hero at your church (wherever that is)the pastor's wife.

Speechless

Speechless...that's what I've been seen the phone call in the wee hours of the morning of 9-2. Our Discipleship Pastor [Andy DeGuire] called with the news that he was at the hospital with his wife who had suffered from a brain aneurysm. (I'll leave it at that for this posting.)Our prayers continue to be with the family, especially considering we don't know the timetable on this healing process. Things are serious and hopeful, nearly a week later. ---Andy is a champion for marriage and the family. He is spear-heading the More Than Married Conference that will be happening on September 25 at Pine Terrace Baptist Church. While he is in B'ham taking care of his wife, I know that he would be most encouraged for couples to commit 9-25 to work on their marriages.

Coming Together

Today we were missing the four veteran members associated with LTC's worship team(for various reasons), and I must admit I was just a teenybit anxious of how things would go. My son, Josh led worship and Dave's son Dylan played drums with the Big Boys for the first time and Mark's son Tim sang for the first time with LTC. I know, I know the moms were proud (Teresa, Jane and Crystal). And I know Whitney, Emmanuel and Dave made their contributions...oops and Michelle on the soundboard---to all, thanks for your faithfulness and hard work. Thanks to Travis, Ricky, Robert and Joel who have been the peanutbutter to this group, but have not been so sticky as to not let others get involved. Together you make a great sound, and together you set a good example. Thank you.

Tribute

Below is a tribute of a dear friend of man who I am in mourning with. His wife's 47th birthday would have been today. She went to be with the LORD last week. See what Steve wrote:

A Tribute To Pam
I must admit that there is a lot of painful grief that goes with losing a loved one early in life. Pam would have turned 47 today (May 11, 2009) and although I felt that she had much more to do in God’s service on this earth, I do recognize that God tells us in Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God" I believe that God had a purpose in taking Pam home, we may not understand it now but one day we will. I could take many different directions as I continue on this journey but as Pam did in her life, I chose to follow God. I have made a choice to praise God and expect that Satan will be upset about that decision. I proclaim that Satan will not claim a victory, but as for the Collier’s house we will serve the Lord and the victory will be claimed by Jesus:
I Praise Him for 27 wonderful years with a Godly woman that inspired me to be the person I am today
Praise Him for two beautiful daughters that are as strong as their mother in their faith
Praise Him for the support that I have in my family, church, friends and co-workers that have helped carried us thru the valley
Praise Him for the peace that goes beyond all understanding
Praise Him for His arms that were wrapped around our family just when we need Him
Praise Him for loving me, when I don’t deserve it
Praise Him for His many promises; one is that we will see Pam again
Praise Him for his grace and comfort
I chose to walk closer to my Lord, to serve Him, to honor Him and in my service to God; I will honor the legacy that Pam has established while on this earth for 46 years. I hope that each of you will get fired up for Jesus and treat each day like it could be your last.
I want to share with you a portion of Pam’s journal that we found yesterday, the date was back in 2002 thru 2005 when she was going thru so much chemo:
"In spite of it all my faith in an all powerful God – my rock & shield, is always my source of strength. He understands what I feel & I think allows me to have these personal ups and downs- doubts & fear because it helps me "deal" because He knows my full direction & eternal faith is always in Him! Praise God to whom all blessings flow."
In every entry she wrote as she would described good days and real sick days she always ended with "God is Good" I hope Pam’s life has helped someone out there to live passionately for Christ, I know that it has for me.
God is Good, God is Great! ---Steve Collier

Winner

Pam won her battle with cancer.
To be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD. Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
We’ll be home soon. See ya then.