Point of View

Here are several things that I wanted to share with you.

I have just finished reading You: The Warrior Leader, by Dr. Bobby Welch, pastor of First Baptist Church, Daytona Beach, and Southern Baptist Convention president. It is uniquely written from experience in, and commitment to, principles that work in life.

The book is worth the price just to read Bobby’s thrilling testimony of Vietnam and his brush with death. The medics thought he was dead until he groaned when they were stacking his body with the other casualties. One of them yelled, “This one is still alive!” It is a moving tribute to the grace of God and His healing power. You need to read this book.

It was my privilege to preach in chapel at The Baptist College of Florida a few weeks ago. We have a choice “crop” of students—attentive and responsive. While there, Dr. Tom Kinchen took me on a tour of the Shepherd’s Cottages.

The Shepherd’s Cottages are well- designed and absolutely beautiful homes that measure 1,400 square feet. Two are completed (or will be soon) and will receive their first occupants soon. They are built for retired pastors who have no place to live or need a better place to live. These cottages are being built with professional volunteer labor for $50,000 each. It will be a dream come true to some retired pastor and his wife when they move in. You may want to build one of these in honor of a loved one. Dr. Kinchen would be delighted (more than delighted) to visit with you about the possibility. It is a noble and worthy ministry.

Easter (Resurrection Sunday) came early this year. What a tragedy to wake up on any Sunday without a sense of rejoicing. But to awaken on Resurrection Sunday without a shout in your heart that “Jesus is Alive!” would be a double tragedy. Jesus is the only reason for the word “resurrection” to exist in the dictionary. “Up from the grave He arose. With a mighty triumph o’er His foes. He arose. He arose. Hallelujah, Christ arose!” I hope you took time to reflect and thank God for the resurrected life of Jesus that continues in you.

You would want to know that most of the 239 church buildings that were damaged or destroyed during the storms are in some state of repair. God has provided so well for our needs. We thank you and we thank Him.

We also continue to receive volunteers, supply materials and assistance in rebuilding houses damaged by the storm. The Lord continues to give great victory out of tragedy.