Relative Truths

Ok, so today was my last Sunday at FUMC.  This morning Davis and I did a
dialogue sermon.  It was the first time I had ever attempted one, and I think
it turned out well.  We went with the text from II Timothy 2:1-13 and the
dialogue centered around the themes of endurance and final words.  It was
a pretty emotional day for me.  I have loved my three years there.  I know
that I have made mistakes along the way, and not everything was perfect, but
I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.  Tomorrow I am going to Six Flags
with the Jr High.  Tuesday and Wednesday will be wrapping up stuff for my successor,
Allen Hoskyn.  This week I will do a few posts on truths that I have learned.

The first truth I want to share is that nothing can replace people that care for you.
We had a reception today and people came to say goodbye to Rebekah and me.  I
can't express how amaxing it felt to have people tell me how much they love us and
will miss us.  One woman left crying after the service and I about lost it.  Anyway, I
have made some great friends with people at FUMC.  I hope that I can keep those
relationships because, like I said, nothing can replace the people that care for you.

Anyway, it has been a long day and I am off to bed.  Hope you have a great start to
the week.  God bless.

Ok, so Annual Conference started yesterday.  Most of yesterday was
introductory meetings.  That is pretty common.  However, there was one
occurrence that was out of the ordinary.  We were hearing a report about
General Conference.  The representatives were talking about a great program
called Nothing But Nets, which is a program that raises money to purchase
mosquito nets for homes in Africa .  These nets prevent the spread of Malaria, which
kills one person every 30 seconds.  At General Conference, they did several things
to raise money, including auctioning off basketballs signed by all the Bishops.

 

Our delegation bought one basketball and presented it to the bishop.  Jamie Jenkins
threw out $20 if Bishop Davis could make a shot.  After Jamie threw out the challenge,
churches started stepping-up with donations to the program.  $1000 here, $2000, one
church even offered $25,000!  Now, some churches couldn’t give that much, so they
donated what they could.  It was amazing.  In about 20 minutes, we raised over
$114,000!!!  Now, over 14,000 nets can be purchased to keep people from
unnecessarily dying from Malaria. 

 

I complain a lot about how inactive and divisive we are in the church.  I hate when we
send things to a committee instead of acting on what God is calling us to do.  Yesterday,
the conference stood behind one vision and did good for God.  I was proud to be a
part of that.  Anyway, I wanted to let you all know what is going on, so have a great day!

Ok, so today was a long day.  Fun, but a little long.  I wasn’t at FUMC this
morning.  I went to Mt. Bethel in McDonough to baptize Alex and Erin Stroud’s
daughter Faith Carolyn.  I was extremely honored that they asked me.  Alex and
Erin were on staff with me at FUMC.  They have a little boy who I think is i
ncredibly cute and cool,and I know that Faith will be awesome as well.  We hung
out at their house afterwards with some family and friends.  The truth is spending
time with people you really care about is the best way to spend an afternoon.

For dinner, we went to Mom and Dad’s house.  Adam, David, Liz, and the kids
were there.  We talked, did some wedding stuff with Adam, and concluded the
evening the front yard kicking a ball and throwing a football with Brayden.  The
truth is there is no better way to spend an evening that with people you really care
about. 

Get the point of what I am saying?  I hope you had a great day.  This week
is Annual Conference.  My goal is to have a daily post about what is going on,
so come back for information.

Ok, so I have been out of town most of this week and the rest of the week was
catching up on stuff.  I wanted to do a quick post to get you thinking about
something that popped into my mind while away.  It isn’t really a truth, but
hopefully a blogversation starter. 

We went to Sarasota this week.  It wasn’t really a vacation.  We left Monday
mid-morning and got back Wednesday late.  We were gone about 60 hours,
and it is an 8 hour drive there and another 8 back.  So, I had a lot of time to
think in the car.  Last year, I did a post on if I could have lunch with people,
who it would be.  Well, I have had lunch with one person on the list
(try and figure out who).  Well, this made me think about another question:
If I could meet any three people in history, who would it be?  Taking out Jesus,
whom I feel I have encountered, the three would be (in no order):

John Wesley: Guy founded the denomination I am in and I love his views
on grace.  I would love to talk about his Aldersgate experience and
hear about how his Holy Club kept each other accountable.

Abe Lincoln: I know he is not the most popular of presidents here in
the south, but he was a great leader.  I would love to know just how
he found the wisdom to keep a country together at that time.

Moses: Best leader of all time in my opinion.  He was reluctant at
first and looked for excuses.  Then, when God showed him that
with God, we can overcome our shortcomings, Moses rose up
and became a great leader.  He even overcame his weakness (speaking)
 and used it to lead his people in the desert.  Powerful stuff for any leader.

Ok, those are my three.  Who are yours?  I really want some response
to this.  Anyway, hope all is well with you and I hope you know
the truth that God loves you.

Ok, so I think my blog has been fixed, so I wanted to do alittle post.  I am sitting here at David’s house watching UGA vs. NCState.  Rebekah and Liz are hosting a shower for ourolder brother Adam’s fiancée.  So,Will and I left the house before it was bombarded with females.  We ran a quick errand and then headedup to Braselton.  After helpingDavid and Gregg set upchurch, we went to get some lunch, and then came back to the house to watchsports.  It has been fun hangingout with David and Brayden. 

 

The truth is, a little guy’s time is fun every now andthen.  After spending most ofyesterday and today getting ready for the shower.  I needed some guy time.  We have talked about TV shows, movies, and sports.  I don’t know what you like to do forfun, but do something that is relaxing. Do something that allows you to see some friends.  The truth is, that is always a Saturdaywell spent!

 

Sorry for the errors, but something is wrong with the blog.

Hopefully it will be worked out soon, and the lines will be readable. 

Hope all is well.  God bless.

Ok, so I had a fun experience this weekend.  I work with Cindy Walters here at the church.  Her husband Randy is one of my committee chairs.  I love those guys.  Their daughter, Darika, married Jim Stevens.  I went to high school with Jim and Darika.  They asked me to officiate the wedding.  I was honored to do it.  One, I love Cindy and Randy.  They have been so awesome to me in my time here, and I am proud to call them friends.  Two, I used to work with Darika and knew her and Jim from high school.  It is always cool to officiate a wedding of people you have known for a long time.  Three, I thought it was really neat that I, Stephen Walters, officiated the Stevens-Walters wedding.  Ok, maybe I am a dork (no comments allowed about that last statement), but I thought I was a cool coincidence.

It makes me wonder what other neat little coincidences or occurrences happen in life, but we are too busy to notice.  I think God wants us to enjoy life.  Now, I am not saying just do whatever makes you feel good.  I believe God has a perfect plan and purpose for us.  I think when we live in that plan God will give us the ability to enjoy it.  I found something small that made me real happy because I was looking for it.  What little thing has made you happy lately?  Yes, I know the big things (promotions, new cars, Michael Bolton’s entire catalog, etc.) are easy to notice, but what is something almost unnoticed that has given you joy lately?  Just wondering.  Hope everyone is having a great middle of the week.