I have enjoyed for over sixteen years being able to say that my brother was the Chief of Police in Wake Forest, North Carolina. So, let me say it now...my brother is the Chief of Police in Wake Forest, North Carolina. I can keep saying that for about thirteen more hours as of this writing as he has retired effective at mid-night tonight, December 31st, 2009.
Tuesday night I attended his retirement dinner given by the town of Wake Forest. The venue was nice, the food was good (heavy hors d'oeuvres) and the crowd was impressive. A very, very cold night in the middle of a busy Holiday season could have meant a scarce crowd but the place (actually a large heated ... almost ... tent attached to a beautiful old home which is rented for social events) was packed.
One after one, officers, town management, state officials, town employees, organizational leaders and two family members (my oldest sister and I) shared stories and appreciation and many many plagues and gifts and items of recognition.
When Greg went to Wake Forest, they were a town of just over 6,000 people and 14 employees in the police department. Today the town is over 27,000 people and the police department has 64 employees which includes 54 officers. They have their own training department and the police department has been called one of the best in the state with highly trained personnel and state of the art equipment. The crime rate in Wake Forest is amoung the lowest in the state in spite of the rapid growth and close proximity to Raleigh.
Greg is a graduate of the F.B.I. Academy and has sent several of his officers through the academy as well. He was the first to receive the first police science degree offered at Elizabeth City State University where he was an Honor graduate.
He has served as preisdent of N.C. Police Chief's Association and the state board of Special Olympics and the State D.A.R.E. program.
Greg served on the Roanoke Rapids Police department for several years was Chief of Police in Weldon, NC prior to going to Wake Forest.
I said Tuesday night and I repeat here, Chief Greg Harrington is my hero! I am very proud of him. We came from very humble beginnings and Greg has truly been an example of success and all along doing it with strong Christian values.
I was greatly moved Tuesday night by the constant mention by his peers of his strong Christian convictions and lifestyle. That's not something you hear a lot about at that level and that blesses me deeply.
I love my family and am very proud of my brother and very grateful for all the influence he has had on me and my family.
Congratulations "Chief"!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
Remember
I wrote this poem for the Step of Faith 13th annual Christmas Concert today.
Remember
Remember when life was simplier and coke was something you drank.
Remember when it wasn't abuse to give your child a little spank.
Remember three channels, four if your attena was just right.
Remember leaving your doors unlocked when you went to bed at night.
Remember your first telephone and you probably had a party line.
Remember wearing a cross to work, and everything was just fine.
Remember playing after lunch, just be home when the street lights came on.
Remember turning on the radio and actually understanding the song.
Remember having to get out of the chair just to turn the channel.
Remember when modern technology was teaching the bible with a board and some flannel.
Remember when the whole family ate together at the table.
Remember when being a Christian was not a negative label.
Remember when respect was shown when the National Anthem was played.
Remember when marriage meant, no matter what, we both commit to stay.
Remember waking on Christmas morning full of excitement and glee,
And being overwhelmed with just one or two presents under the tree.
Remember when someone told you that we are in need of saving grace.
Well, please always remember the love found in Jesus' face.
For many things have changed and few have stayed the same,
but Christmas is about eternal life ... found only in Jesus Name!
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The Issue of Traditional Marriage
Well, I'm probably writing this article for myself, seeing how I haven't written a blog in almost three months, no one will think to check by. But in case someone (you) did, here ya go.
Not exactly a HEADLINER in the paper or Network news today, but I noticed an interesting fact. As of yesterday, thirty one (31) states in this country of ours have put "Same-sex Marriages" to a popular vote. Thirty one states have come to the place where they asked the PEOPLE (residents...employees...tax payers...civic contributors...etc.) to vote on this issue.
"Should Gay Marriages be recognized as legal and appropriate in this country/state?"
Out of thirty one states to vote on this issue so far, THIRTY ONE (31) have voted against the amendment. Thirty one states have said no to that idea. Yesterday's vote was in Maine and was defeated 53% - 47%.
The American people continue, election after election, to uphold the traditional, God-ordained institution of marriage between one man and one woman. Even, other major religions (other than Christianity) hold fast to this institution.
Does it resignate to this world that the continued existence of the population depends on procreation and that there is NO OTHER form of natural procreation than one man's contribution and one woman's contribution that creates life. I believe that is Almighty God's sacred design...HOWEVER, if you choose not to join me in that conviction, it does not change the fact that the statement is nonetheless, still true. We can "mess" around with ways to "take this and plant it here and manipulate there", but you still have to have the man's contribution and the woman's contribution to procreate, period.
I do not believe any homosexual (or other groups) should be mistreated and abused for their lifestyle. I will stand with anyone on the issue of protection and preservation of freedom of diversity without abuse or hate monging. But that does not put me in the category of believing it is okay or accepting the idea of Gay Marriage.
Some would call me a bigot or intolerant for my beliefs and convictions, but they(my convictions) are scripturally based.
Millions of people in thirty one states have held to the idea of traditional marriage existing between one man and one woman and that's the way God presented and intended it according to the scriptures.
I will love and welcome those who do not agree with me, but I will continue to defend my right and duty to preach the truth .
As I write this blog let me state my concern for the internal agony of all who struggle with this issue on either side. God Bless.
Not exactly a HEADLINER in the paper or Network news today, but I noticed an interesting fact. As of yesterday, thirty one (31) states in this country of ours have put "Same-sex Marriages" to a popular vote. Thirty one states have come to the place where they asked the PEOPLE (residents...employees...tax payers...civic contributors...etc.) to vote on this issue.
"Should Gay Marriages be recognized as legal and appropriate in this country/state?"
Out of thirty one states to vote on this issue so far, THIRTY ONE (31) have voted against the amendment. Thirty one states have said no to that idea. Yesterday's vote was in Maine and was defeated 53% - 47%.
The American people continue, election after election, to uphold the traditional, God-ordained institution of marriage between one man and one woman. Even, other major religions (other than Christianity) hold fast to this institution.
Does it resignate to this world that the continued existence of the population depends on procreation and that there is NO OTHER form of natural procreation than one man's contribution and one woman's contribution that creates life. I believe that is Almighty God's sacred design...HOWEVER, if you choose not to join me in that conviction, it does not change the fact that the statement is nonetheless, still true. We can "mess" around with ways to "take this and plant it here and manipulate there", but you still have to have the man's contribution and the woman's contribution to procreate, period.
I do not believe any homosexual (or other groups) should be mistreated and abused for their lifestyle. I will stand with anyone on the issue of protection and preservation of freedom of diversity without abuse or hate monging. But that does not put me in the category of believing it is okay or accepting the idea of Gay Marriage.
Some would call me a bigot or intolerant for my beliefs and convictions, but they(my convictions) are scripturally based.
Millions of people in thirty one states have held to the idea of traditional marriage existing between one man and one woman and that's the way God presented and intended it according to the scriptures.
I will love and welcome those who do not agree with me, but I will continue to defend my right and duty to preach the truth .
As I write this blog let me state my concern for the internal agony of all who struggle with this issue on either side. God Bless.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Staff Changes
Change is seldom easy.
We recently called a new staff member at Fellowship. Pastor Mark Brady brings many years of ministry experience with a mix of specialties that meet many of our needs as a church. With 25 years of music ministry experience and 14 years of Church administration experience and lots of computer and technological knowledge, Mark comes on board to help us as we move forward as a church. Mark's official title is Associate Pastor of FBC.
This change included replacing two of our current staff members. Pastor Jim Clark has been with us for almost 8 years and we are grateful for his many contributions and trust God will provide a place for Jim to continue to use his gifts and to follow God's call in his life. Jim has almost 30 years of ministry experience and he plans to continue serving the Lord in whatever opportunity God provides for him.
Darryl Stallings came on board in December of 2007 to move our music ministry forward as our interim Minister of music. Darryl and his family have won the hearts of our people and we are very appreciative of all he has done to help advance our ministry for over 20 months. We are confident that God will continue to use Darryl for many years to come and we hope to play a supportive roll in his ministry.
We truly appreciate these two men and thank God for their involvement in our ministry.
So, change is not always easy but we trust the Lord to provide each of us with the wsidom to follow Him and the heart to do it well.
We recently called a new staff member at Fellowship. Pastor Mark Brady brings many years of ministry experience with a mix of specialties that meet many of our needs as a church. With 25 years of music ministry experience and 14 years of Church administration experience and lots of computer and technological knowledge, Mark comes on board to help us as we move forward as a church. Mark's official title is Associate Pastor of FBC.
This change included replacing two of our current staff members. Pastor Jim Clark has been with us for almost 8 years and we are grateful for his many contributions and trust God will provide a place for Jim to continue to use his gifts and to follow God's call in his life. Jim has almost 30 years of ministry experience and he plans to continue serving the Lord in whatever opportunity God provides for him.
Darryl Stallings came on board in December of 2007 to move our music ministry forward as our interim Minister of music. Darryl and his family have won the hearts of our people and we are very appreciative of all he has done to help advance our ministry for over 20 months. We are confident that God will continue to use Darryl for many years to come and we hope to play a supportive roll in his ministry.
We truly appreciate these two men and thank God for their involvement in our ministry.
So, change is not always easy but we trust the Lord to provide each of us with the wsidom to follow Him and the heart to do it well.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
It is Well!
Sitting in a small room was the husband of 57 years of the dear woman laying just feet away being kept alive by artificial means. The man's daughter and her husband and myself joined by a doctor and a nurse who explained the horrible reality of a choice that must be made.
Not a choice any of us ever want to have to make. How do you choose to sever a part of yourself. A companion heartbeat that has been attached in every way for over half a century.
The body grows old and tired and unable to continue being the affective conduit for a precious life of a wife, mother, grandmother , mother-in-law, friend and so on.
Tears shed and then a funny story of days gone by, blank stares , another tear, a smile, another story, distant look and expressions of emptiness and sadness.
But somehow, there was the sense of joy and hope and yes, even victory. There was the absolute hope of glory because of a decision made so long ago ... a decision of surrender and acceptance.
The dear husband of so many years, burdened bythe guilt of making such a decision regarding the removal of artificial life support, in my way of thinking, offered the most wonderful of gifts when he agreed to allow his precious mate to slip peacefully into the arms of a waiting and loving Savior, Friend and Lord.
Oh Hallelujah, What a Savior.
Take a moment and express your love and enjoy the moment in which you live.
Not a choice any of us ever want to have to make. How do you choose to sever a part of yourself. A companion heartbeat that has been attached in every way for over half a century.
The body grows old and tired and unable to continue being the affective conduit for a precious life of a wife, mother, grandmother , mother-in-law, friend and so on.
Tears shed and then a funny story of days gone by, blank stares , another tear, a smile, another story, distant look and expressions of emptiness and sadness.
But somehow, there was the sense of joy and hope and yes, even victory. There was the absolute hope of glory because of a decision made so long ago ... a decision of surrender and acceptance.
The dear husband of so many years, burdened bythe guilt of making such a decision regarding the removal of artificial life support, in my way of thinking, offered the most wonderful of gifts when he agreed to allow his precious mate to slip peacefully into the arms of a waiting and loving Savior, Friend and Lord.
Oh Hallelujah, What a Savior.
Take a moment and express your love and enjoy the moment in which you live.
Friday, June 26, 2009
LIFE: A short gig!
There have been several public figures who have died this week that have been very familiar to many of the national and world population for a long time.
We remember "HHHEEERRRRREEEESSSSS JOHNNY!" from Ed McMahon and the hair and smile of "Charlie's Angels' " Farrah Fawsett and "I'll Be There" from Michael Jackson.
Many people are mourning the lost of these well known stars. They have in their own ways touched the lives of millions of people. Each of them have enjoyed their highs and have suffered their lows. Each of them have made some kind of contribution to society.
Much will be said in the press about their good and their bad moments, no doubt. In fact we will be inundated with their stories for a while.
The truth remains from the word of God "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgement." Hebrews 9:27.
Dying is something everyone has to do (except for those who go up in the rapture) and being judged is also something each of us has to experience.
That is why I appreciate the next verse "so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." Those are the people who have accepted his free gift mentioned in Romans 6:23
"...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." How do we receive this gift? The answer is found in Romans 10:9 & 10 ... "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
The news of anyone dying, whether it be well known people like those listed above, or the local preacher, Rev. William Mayo, who will not get national headlines, should be a reminder to each of us. A reminder of our mortalilty, our responsibility and the short time we have left.
The book of James reminds us in chapter 4, verse 14 ... "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."
Life is short... eternity is long... hope is found in Jesus Christ.
We remember "HHHEEERRRRREEEESSSSS JOHNNY!" from Ed McMahon and the hair and smile of "Charlie's Angels' " Farrah Fawsett and "I'll Be There" from Michael Jackson.
Many people are mourning the lost of these well known stars. They have in their own ways touched the lives of millions of people. Each of them have enjoyed their highs and have suffered their lows. Each of them have made some kind of contribution to society.
Much will be said in the press about their good and their bad moments, no doubt. In fact we will be inundated with their stories for a while.
The truth remains from the word of God "And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgement." Hebrews 9:27.
Dying is something everyone has to do (except for those who go up in the rapture) and being judged is also something each of us has to experience.
That is why I appreciate the next verse "so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him." Those are the people who have accepted his free gift mentioned in Romans 6:23
"...the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." How do we receive this gift? The answer is found in Romans 10:9 & 10 ... "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
The news of anyone dying, whether it be well known people like those listed above, or the local preacher, Rev. William Mayo, who will not get national headlines, should be a reminder to each of us. A reminder of our mortalilty, our responsibility and the short time we have left.
The book of James reminds us in chapter 4, verse 14 ... "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."
Life is short... eternity is long... hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Tribute to my Best Friend
The first sermon I remember preaching was at the church I grew up in and I think I was around 18 or 19 years old. The sermon was titled "What's in a Name" and it was about Peter and his episode of walking on the water. Amazing that I remember that.
I worked in youth ministry for several years after that and preached on many occassions through the years, often filling in for preachers for various reasons.
Then in the summer of 1985, a new preacher came to our church. We immediately became friends and soon best friends. Though I was preaching a little before he was even saved, he was a big influence on my life. While he was a rising professional God saved him and immediately called him to ministry. He and his wife surrendered to seminary, unlike myself, and the church I attended at the time was his first pastorate.
Chip and Teresa Roberson moved here from Texas (they are originally from Georgia) and God used him to challenge me and prepare me for the next step in my ministry. We went through some challenges together in a church where some people thought they were supposed to be God (rather than serve God) and God grew us through those experiences.
A group of us started a new work and called Chip as our pastor. After a year of that ministry, God called me to Fellowship Baptist Church. Chip stepped out and ordained me to the gospel preaching ministry against the desires of some folks in our association.
God has used us both in exciting and remarkable ways.
Since coming here in 1988, I have preached on five continents and visited several countries. I have preached in many churches in several states as well as conferences and camps. All of those overseas trips and many of those preaching opportunities came as a result of Chip's influence and, or insistance.
Now after 25 years in the Pastoral ministry, Chip has retired and is returning to his previous vocation of being a pharmacist in his hometown in Georgia. Now, make no mistake, he has not retired from ministry as he will always be a preacher and proclaimer of the gospel of Christ.
I am so happy for Chip and Teresa as they return home to be where their hearts are and to have the opportunity to continue to serve the Lord in a less restricted venue.
Thank you Chip for being my best friend these many years and for pushing me to be who I am today. No other human outside of my family has ever encouraged me as you have. May God use you and your family mightily in the years to come.
I worked in youth ministry for several years after that and preached on many occassions through the years, often filling in for preachers for various reasons.
Then in the summer of 1985, a new preacher came to our church. We immediately became friends and soon best friends. Though I was preaching a little before he was even saved, he was a big influence on my life. While he was a rising professional God saved him and immediately called him to ministry. He and his wife surrendered to seminary, unlike myself, and the church I attended at the time was his first pastorate.
Chip and Teresa Roberson moved here from Texas (they are originally from Georgia) and God used him to challenge me and prepare me for the next step in my ministry. We went through some challenges together in a church where some people thought they were supposed to be God (rather than serve God) and God grew us through those experiences.
A group of us started a new work and called Chip as our pastor. After a year of that ministry, God called me to Fellowship Baptist Church. Chip stepped out and ordained me to the gospel preaching ministry against the desires of some folks in our association.
God has used us both in exciting and remarkable ways.
Since coming here in 1988, I have preached on five continents and visited several countries. I have preached in many churches in several states as well as conferences and camps. All of those overseas trips and many of those preaching opportunities came as a result of Chip's influence and, or insistance.
Now after 25 years in the Pastoral ministry, Chip has retired and is returning to his previous vocation of being a pharmacist in his hometown in Georgia. Now, make no mistake, he has not retired from ministry as he will always be a preacher and proclaimer of the gospel of Christ.
I am so happy for Chip and Teresa as they return home to be where their hearts are and to have the opportunity to continue to serve the Lord in a less restricted venue.
Thank you Chip for being my best friend these many years and for pushing me to be who I am today. No other human outside of my family has ever encouraged me as you have. May God use you and your family mightily in the years to come.
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