...and a new course record for baptism laps was set, as well

This past Sunday evening, we had a baptism celebration at our church. I had the privilege of baptizing Brittany and Joshua, two new followers of Jesus who have taken great strides in their faith journeys already.


We began the evening at our home with some teaching on the place of baptism in a person's faith journey as part of our church family, and then we loaded up and headed to the Comfort Inn close to our home for the baptism.



Afterward, we came back to our home to share a meal and rejoice together in what God is doing among us. Many members of Joshua's and Brittany's families came to help us celebrate, and we enjoyed having 25 people in our home eating, laughing, and sharing.

It was awesome.

it's good to be the rev.

Several times this past winter - and recently, with all the crazy weather changes - the flu bug has swept through our house, knocking out each of the kids, then Kristy, but never me.

Then last week happened.

All the kids got this 36-hour-nasty-stomach-thing, then Kristy got it, then on Thursday, I got it. Couldn't believe it. It was a terrible 36 hours.

So on Saturday afternoon, I'm lying on the couch, in that mode of, I'm going to convince myself I'm not sick anymore, though I kind of am, but not really. As I'm lying there, the doorbell rings, and Kristy answers the door.

"Is the Rev here?" It's SoHaan, one of two teenage brothers who live with their mother across the street.

Kristy calls me, and I drag myself off the couch and to the door. SoHaan earnestly explains to me that Shamer, his brother, is getting his tux on for the prom, and he can't figure it out, and Mom had to leave for work, and can you come over and help him out?

So I put on my tennis shoes and head across the street, into the guys' house, to find Shamer standing in his room, holding a pair of suspenders and looking at them with the blank stare of a rookie tux wearer.

So we got to work. I showed him how to tuck in the shirt, introduced him to his actual waist ("Am I supposed to feel like Urkel?"), lined up the gig line (thanks, Bro. Dave), and together we talked SoHaan into tying his shoes so he wouldn't crease his pants.

Our crisis averted, we memorialized the moment.

I turned to leave, and as I stepped out the door, Shamer yelled out: "Peace out, Rev!" And I could not hide the smile that came across my face.

Ah, yes. It's good to be the Rev.

- - -

Oh, and the next morning, my friend Shamer joined us for our Worship Gathering.

in honor of my forbears

This evening, I had the chance to attend a gathering of the International Fellowship of Baptists on the southeast side of Indy. It was a special time for me, because I had the chance to catch up with many of the pastors who were friends of my dad and my family, and who have inspired me, prayed for me, and helped me over the years.


Ken Graham pastors the Victory Baptist Church of Benton, Arkansas. My dad's first ministry roles, when my age was in the single digits, were with Pastor Graham and his father.


The man on the right in the above picture is Pastor Garvan Walls. He pastors the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church of Oliver Springs, Tennessee. He has been a dear friend of my dad and my family for many years. When I gave him a picture of my family, he responded by saying, "I'll put this in the place where I pray for you every Sunday." It was my favorite moment of the evening.

The man on the left is Everett Barnard, the recently retired pastor of the Good Shepherd Baptist Church of Mooresville, IN.


Pastor Mike Poole has been the pastor of the Bible Baptist Church of Highland, Indiana, for many years. My siblings and I sang at tent revivals hosted by his church several times. Pastor Poole's heart for Jesus and the ministry are a great inspiration to me.


Pastor Gerald Privett is a neighbor in ministry. He is the longtime pastor of Faithway Baptist Church, not more than ten minutes from my house. I owe him breakfast, but he didn't hold it against me.

- - - -

As I look forward to what God has in store for me and my ministry, I do so standing on the shoulders of these men.

new rule: nothing that looks like a banana tastes remotely good with chili and cheese.

After our Learning Environments on Sunday evenings, we always have supper with everyone who comes.

Tom has gotten it in his head to bring exotic food items on occasion for the purpose of broadening my culinary horizons. Tonight, he brought plantains.

Apparently, you can eat plantains with butter and honey, or with chili and cheese.


And this expression sums up my feelings on the subject.


The role of the plantain in American cuisine is already being filled...by the potato.