“Thank you” to borrow a line from a movie of my childhood is a “wonderful phrase.” It doesn’t mean “no worries for the rest of your days” but it sure helps. It can be used sarcastically as is the case with much of the English language but today I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

The devil is a great deceiver. In fact, Jesus said he was the “father of lies” who speaks from his own nature (John 8:44). In that same discussion he makes it clear that some of those standing there were doing the bidding for the devil because they were “of your father the devil” (44). Even today there are those who would deceive and there are those who would manipulate. It happens regarding religion but it also happens in everyday life.

It was just a picture. A picture, however, that sent a wave of emotion. It was a photo of Solomon’s Porch at Maywood unlike I had ever seen. The roof was gone and the demolition of this landmark of my life was underway. I’ve sang thousands of songs under that roof. I’ve spoken, listened, laughed, cried, repented, played, and studied under that roof. Ive been under that roof before the sun came up, while it was high in the sky, and long after it came down. I’ve seen kids be completely care free under it and I’ve seen kids share their greatest struggles under the comforting shelter it provided.

I come from the old school of preaching where I like to meet and greet folks in the back of the auditorium or in the foyer after services are over. For the most part I enjoy speaking to the men and women and children who have chosen to worship and fellowship with our congregation or whatever pulpit I happen to be visiting that particular service. Granted, there can be some personal encouragement that comes from the compliments one receives during that time, but it is more just to make sure everyone knows that I was happy to see them.

New things bring quite a bit of excitement to our lives. Emmie started school this past week, and each morning I am the designated chauffeur for her. On the way to school each morning, I let her pick out the songs we listen to. For the past month or so, Lynsey has gotten her really into the band, "For King and Country." It was no surprise when Emmie picked several songs from this band for our morning commute.

Some of our kids and teenagers have already begun the trek to school each morning and the rest will follow this week. Parents are packing lunches, battling car lines, and anticipating long nights of ball practice, games, and homework. The 2023-2024 school year is underway. As I commented last week, I know some are excited and others are apprehensive, but either way, it is here. I hope it is an amazing year for each and every one of our students.

Senior year can be stressful. You want to make the most of the time you have left with your friends and have a rich social life, but there are so many things that have to be done to prepare for college that life can begin to feel overwhelming. You’re worried you won’t make the right college decision or that you won’t enjoy your major.

It is once again that time of year. The time where school supplies are being rounded up, new wardrobes are likely being considered, and bedtimes will soon be more strictly enforced. The roads around town may be a little more crowded and the out of town travel plans begin to slow down. So, what is your view of this time of year? Do you look forward to it? Do you dread it with every fiber of your being? Is it even on your radar?

It is all about perspective isn’t it?

It is my hope that you’ve all had a good Summer. Let me encourage you to soak up as much of the sun as possible as we approach the end of July with renewed excitement for a new school year. Yes, it is that time of year again as the stores fill up their displays with fresh, new notebooks, unsharpened pencils, backpacks and trapper keepers. Athletes wrap up their Summer workouts as their upcoming season seems to creep closer and closer. As a teacher and coach these thoughts bring some great memories to mind and also challenge me to be a better educator this year. I’d like to share with you some tips and challenges I’ve learned in my experience as we return to school. They are applicable to every day but especially school days.

Today I stood in the place where a many of great men have stood. I stood in a place of pioneers. I stood in a building where, prior to the Civil War, slaves and masters sat together in one house. I walked through a cemetery where soldiers were buried. Possibly some who were killed in the Civil War. Some graves, unmarked even now, are believed to hold the remains of Union soldiers killed far away from home. Some soldiers buried there were not physical soldiers but great armor bearers of the King of kings. They had preached faithfully the gospel that changed lives. One marker was formed into the shape of a pulpit with an open Bible atop.