THANK YOU . . ROY CLOUDT

I've been thinking recently about people who had a great influence on my life. My life has been like most; it is the reflection of many people who touched my life with their love and support. One of those people is Roy Cloudt.

I headed to East Texas State University, Now Texas A&M Commerce in the fall of 1959. I had just completed two summers of mission work, had led music in a local church and for several revivals. I was now ready to find a place to minister as a Music and Youth Director . . if I could just find a church and pastor willing to give me the chance.

After visiting with the BSU Director at East Texas, he told me that a church pastor had recently called him about a position in the church. They needed someone . . and I needed a church. I called Roy Cloudt, talked with him on the phone, and then headed over to First Baptist Church of Howe, Texas for a visit. It wasn't long before I was the new guy . . serving on the staff of a church . . doing what God had called me to do.

Roy and Joyce Cloudt were wonderful encouragers to me, and they became lifelong friends because of that simple phone call made in 1959. That's 50 years. As an aside, that reminds me that little baby Carla will be 50 years old this March.

I often stayed in the Cloudt's home; they became my confidant and counselor before RL and I married. They stood alongside RL and me in Howe . . later at Calvary Baptist Church of Denison . . and then at Second Baptist Church of Baytown. We served together in three different churches and felt God's power at work in the lives of many people. We literally raised our families together in their young lives.

I owe Roy and Joyce a great deal of thanks. They had confidence in me when I didn't know what I was doing. They continually taught me God's word, taught me how to do church ministry, and stood with me in some difficult times.

Thank you . . Roy Cloudt (and Joyce)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIRDIE # 2

We had a lunch today for Birdie at Holland Lake Nursing Center. There were eight of us present, and we enjoyed a good meal together. We then began to talk with Birdie, asking her questions from the past, just getting her to talk.

It was lots of fun. She told of riding in covered wagons, of her brother losing his hat from the wagon while going over a bridge, of riding on a train, of living in the hills of Arkansas, and of the great stories of life. She wanted to tell us more but her mind just couldn't put the right words into her mouth.

She talked a lot about wanting to go to heaven. She spoke of her wonderful life, of the joy of her family, and of remembering the great things from the past. But through it all, she said she had asked the Lord why he wouldn't just go ahead and take her. She's ready, but she said God must not be ready.

I wish I could have recorded what she said. She looked at us, her children, grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Then she said it . . the most important thing is to do what God wants you to do. It was very lucid . . very clear . . very ominous.

We all listened in amazement as this woman, who usually has a hard time making a complete sentence, gave us the great plan for living. It is to trust God. She does. She wants everyone else to trust in God just as she has . . for 102 years.

There's not much more to say. She said it all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIRDIE

My mother is 102 years old this week. She grew up in a very humble background in west Texas. She never had very much as far as worldly goods are concerned. Her own mother died when she was 12 years of age, and she helped to raise 4 younger siblings. She then married, survived the depression, picked cotten along the roads of Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, and finally settled in Weatherford, Texas where she raised our family.

She has gone from poverty to her final years in a very nice nursing center. She really doesn't understand politics and that we've elected a new president. Her mind can't put complete sentences together very well. She doesn't really understand where she lives or why she lives there. She does recognize her family, and that is good. She has lived a full and wonderful life. I visit her every day. I try to help as much as possible.

I love her dearly, and I thank her for the wonderful Christian heritage that she passed along to me . . to my children . . and now to my grandchildren.

Happy birthday Mother.

IN 2008, IT ALL WENT DOWNHILL

That was the headline on the Ft. Worth Star Telegram today.

In 2008:

1. I finished a wonderful interim pastoral ministry in one of our small churches.

2. All of my grandchildren are doing well; they are making good grades in school. They are growing spiritually.

3. RL and I are enjoying good health and the fun of retirement.

4. All three of our children have good jobs and are fulfilled in their positions.

5. My mother continues to thrive at 102.

6. RL and I continue to grow in the Lord, to enjoy our lives together in retirement years, and to look forward to a great future.

I thought things were going great. I must be wrong. So, to the Star Telegram, I offer my apologies for living a life by faith.

I'M GONNA TRY HARDER

That's really what new year's resolutions are all about. They are based on the idea that . . if I just try hard enough, I can do it. It's all about me and my abilities. "I can be anything I want to be . . if I just work hard enough."

God made me and created me in a certain way. I never was able to force myself to grow to the heighth of 6'8". I tried, but I just couldn't make it. I took my vitamins; I ate my veggies; and I got my exercise. But here I am at 6' tall. That's it. No more or no less. I have some friends who never made the 6' status, but they are really big people.

Most of the things that I write on my blog say the same thing. I really don't have a new story or a new philosophy. I guess I'm just hung in the past.

The same old thing is this. If you want to be really big, quit making resolutions. God has already given you a plan. Follow that plan. Then 2009 will be a year that will honor the Lord. It will be a good year; no, it will be a great year.