The New Adventures of an Old Preacher

We all know how life has a way of layering us with the tyranny of the urgent often resulting in the neglect of what really should matter most.

We also know how tragedies have a way of bringing many things into sharper focus. Regular readers of my blog are aware of how death has touched our family and friends in recent weeks. Dealing with this has given me pause to unlayer a bit- that is- to try to see more clearly what really is important.

My thoughts first go to family. All kinds of layers can complicate family relationships creating hurt and even estrangement. What a pity. Life is too short for these kind of layers. Forgiveness can unlayer. Love can heal. I understand that some layers may never be completely removed, but harboring pain and nurturing grudges helps no one. Life is fleeting. Unlayer family complications as much as possible, bury pride, let go of the anger and cherish your family while you can.

Layers are also very evident when it comes to church also. So much seems to get in the way here sometimes. Church folks occasionally add layers of self-righteousness, of harsh condemnations, of unhealthy pretense, of fruitless arguments and of selfish preferences. Forgotten in all of this is the call by God to love and accept one another in Christ and to be the light of the world. Unfortunately these layers often end up in bitter dispute and devastating division. As a result our Christian witness suffers. It is past time to unlayer here. According to the Bible the church is the beautiful bride of Christ but these layers often diminish that beauty. Lifting up God’s amazing grace will begin the unlayering process. Demolishing pride will continue it. Loving each other as God loves us will complete it. Church is a place of refuge and of safety from the harsh layered world. Let us work to really make it so while we have the opportunity.

Finally I think of how we layer ourselves with our work. Career is such a high priority among us that we often spend a disproportionate amount of our time and energy becoming “successful”. Preachers are not immune from this. We often measure ourselves by church size and speaking engagements. (Never mind that some of the very best I know among us faithfully labor away from the limelight) But whatever our careers are we may need to unlayer them- to free ourselves from these demands in order to focus on the more important matters. We can literally “work ourselves to death” and miss the real joy and blessings of life.

Remember the call of Scripture to “be still and know that I am God”? It is about unlayering.

The time to do this is now.

Last week was framed for me by two funerals.

The first was an older lady who had fought a battle with cancer. Her death was not completely unexpected. She was a nice lady who cared for her family and her neighbors. Since she was related to a family member I was asked to officiate at her funeral.  She was connected to a church but not very active.  Only a small group came to pay their respects and honor her memory. She will certainly be missed and no doubt influenced more than just those who attended her funeral.

The second funeral I have already posted about. John Robert Dobbs was a young man about to graduate high school. His death was totally unexpected. Since I had known him from birth and am very close to his family I was asked to participate in his funeral. He was very connected to his church. He grew up in church, at church camp, at youth rallies, and leading worship. Hundreds came to his funeral to pay their respect and honor his memory and literally hundreds more have contacted his family with an outpouring of words of comfort and prayers. John Robert’s influence will only continue to grow through this network of believers and beyond.

Don’t misunderstand, I am not attempting to pass any kind of judgement on the life lived by this sweet lady or even by John Robert based upon their respective funerals. They departed this life under greatly different circumstances. And now they are both in God’s gracious hands.

 I am just observing.

What a difference a church family makes.

Who needs church?

We all do.

Tears flowed freely during yesterday as we celebrated the life of John Roberts Dobbs, but so did the laughter. The memorial captured, I think, the spirit of John Robert through the words spoken and the songs sung. The Spirit of God surrounded John and Maggy. John Robert touched and influenced so many in life. He will touch and influence even more in death. John and Maggy- along with their family- are making a final journey with John Robert to Ruleville, MS for the burial. Please continue to pray for them.

The Dodds are seeking a little retreat and rest for a few days. Thanks to the graciousness of friends we are going to be able to enjoy an Alabama country home with some of the best fishing in the state. I am so excited. For some reason Terri does not quite share my enthusiasm!

May God bless your Memorial Weekend holiday.

The celebration of the life of John Robert Dobbs will take place on Friday, May 23rd at ll a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church (in able to hold the expected crowd) in Pascagoula, MS.

The son of my best friend was killed earlier today. He was just 18 years old and about to graduate from high school. Such a talented kid. Such a funny guy. Such a sharing Christian was John Robert Dobbs.

I had known him all of his life. At first he was JR Buddy to me as we played monopoly together (He seemed to always win). Then he became JR Beadreaux for reasons I really cannot even remember. Later he was John Robert. Lately he was just John.

I spent a few after-Christmases with JR Buddy. It was in a rough patch in my life, but JR’s giggle helped smooth some of that out.

Now he is with God. I spent Wednesday with his mom and dad. John and Maggy Dobbs and I have gone through a lot together- from divorce to births to hurricanes, but we were not ready to go through this together.

John and Maggy, I love you.

Goodbye JR Buddy. I-along with so many others- will sure miss you. I hope your room in God’s house is overlooking Park Place.

Jordan is our youngest daughter. She is two years old and full of life and mischief. Recently she came crying to mom, complaining about her nose hurting. Terri quickly discovered the reason. Seems Jordy had put a coca puff in her nostril! lol It pained her even more to get it out. But what did Terri catch her doing shortly thereafter? Yep, she was going for the other nostril. Like so many of us, she kept doing the thing that hurt her.

This week I was having lunch with one of our elders when I get a call from Terri. She was so excited that I could not understand her at first. Why? Jordy had pooped in her potty! The elder joined in our moment of pride.

Just thought I would share these Jordan stories!

Busy times for the Dodds these days. Terri made a return trip to see her grandmother in the hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Not much change. They are just keeping her as comfortable and pain-free as possible.

My first class in the MMin on-line program from Harding University has begun and is consuming quite a bit of what used to be my free-time, but I am enjoying it. The class is a orientation short-course, but is requiring some reading, assignments and daily on-line discussion . The bigger stuff kicks in soon.

Our oldest daughter, Taylor, is winding down her kindergarten and ballet year.  Next week she is featured in her school play on two nights and has her ballet recital on another.

My mom, Eleanor Jennings, is visiting with us which is always very enjoyable. She is from Greenville, Mississippi and at age 79 she does not make the trip very often. My sister brought her and we are all grateful.

At Gateway, God continues to bless our  kingdom efforts. Of course, we are getting ready for a full summer of camps, VBS, retreats and mission trips. Before then, our preschool graduates their 37th class this Sunday. Dr Carolyn Barnes who has wonderfully directed and led our preschool to great heights is retiring. I have the privilege of speaking at the graduation exercises. It is an honor.

We have also had visiting with us over the last few days- Vladimir Rancev. Vlad the Glad- as I call him- is from Vilnius, Lithuania and is passing through on vacation. He is a member of the Vilnius church and was one of our translators when we lived there.

Next weekend during the Memorial weekend holiday, we plan to head north a bit and enjoy the solitude and fishing of the Alabama outback. Some friends offered their not-so little cabin in the woods to us. We are very grateful. The break is needed and greatly anticipated.

Thanks for dropping by the blog. One day soon I will go back to doing a little “theologizing”!