The Best Is Yet To Come

Paridise Almost Lost

2010-10-31T07:07:00.000-07:00

The clock beside the bed read 4:45 a.m.! We wanted leave for the airport at 4:00 a.m.! We are already 45 minutes behind schedule to catch our 6:30 a.m. flight. Hurry to dress and finish packing. Out the door in 20 minutes! Left cell phone behind! 30 minute drive to the Orlando airport done in 25 minutes. Arrive at airport at 5:30 a.m.! Sherry runs in to to print boarding passes and check luggage. I do laps around airport....1....2....3...4. Sherry jumps in. I jump out with my carry on bags. Sherry hands me "my" boarding pass and leaves to park car in employee parking lot. In the dark and hurry she gives me her first leg boarding pass. I, without glasses on, do not notice. I head to the security check. Somehow (miracle?) the TSA guy does not catch the wrong boarding pass, checks my passport, and lets me through. I help lady with her bags on security conveyor. I leave my passport and wrong boarding pass somewhere in the process. I go to pat down (pace maker). I realize I do not have passport and boarding pass in my poscession. I am sure that I am not going to be able to fly. I have no way to contact Sherry (cell phone at home). A TSA agent says; "Are you Dicer, I found your (Sherry's) boarding pass and passport. (miracle?) Both look at passport (not boarding pass) and return them to me (miracle?). Time now 6:10 a.m.! Flight is finishing boarding when I arrive at gate (furthest one away it could have been). Time is 6:15 a.m.! Sherry arrives at gate and says; "How did you get through with the wrong boarding pass". I reply; "I had the wrong boarding pass?" She straightens everything out behind the gate counter. We board plane at 6:20 a.m.!

It never should have happened. No way to communicate with each other. Wrong info. Running late. Mistake after mistake. But somehow it did! And as I plopped into that seat in row 47 I took a deep breath, thanked God, and said to myself; "Surely THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

And it was! See photo!

Retirement Thanks To Timeshare 101

2010-10-03T10:48:00.000-07:00

I am one of those "idiots" who got messed up in buying timeshare vacation housing. Back in 1984 Sherry and I purchased our first timeshare property in Tennessee. Throughout the next 26 years we picked up a little more here and there as we could afford it. With each purchase our "Annual Maintenance Fee" increased to be quite sizable but for the last ten years we have rented enough vacation weeks to pay 90% of that fee.

Now as we retire we have enough "points" accumulated to live at Wyndham Vacation Resorts year-round. While Sherry continues to work for Delta Airlines (6 more years) we will live here at Wyndham Cypress Palms in Kissimmee, Florida. After she retires, we will be free to travel anywhere there is a Wyndham and stay however long we like.

Here's the bottom line! We paid our monthly maintenence fee ($700) and that's it! No utility bills, no pool care expense, no lawn care expense, no cable TV expense, no upkeep expense (if anything breaks they replace it), no home insurance payments, etc. You get the idea! We'll never have to buy toilet paper, kleenex, dish washer soap, laundry soap, coffee, appliances, furniture, carpet, window treatments, newspaper, etc. You get the idea.

Here, at Cypress Palms, we will have 2 pools, 2 hot tubs, an exercise club, playgrounds, gas grills, twice weekly maid service, etc. You get the idea. The two bedroom condo we have is spacious and newly remodeled (last month) with all new furniture, floor coverings, appliances, etc. You get the idea.

We have sold or given away all our furniture and most of our clothes. We are going to live simply yet comfortably. So you can begin to see how I can continue to say: THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

The First Day Of The Rest Of My Life

2010-09-20T06:14:00.000-07:00

September 19, 2010 marked, perhaps, my "last" day in full time pastoral ministry. That would mean that today, September 20, 2010 marks the "first" day of the rest of my life. What a staggering thought that is! Sixty two years gone and ? years to go. Right now so many questions and so few answers. One thing I know for sure however is that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

I went fishin' last week up in Indiana. I go every September and every year I am taken by the beauty of Sugar Creek as it tumbles along with clear, cool, and small mouth bass filled water. Some times running so rapidly that you can hardly walk in it, sometimes only ankle deep, and sometimes a quiet, deep pool. All very different but all holding fish if you know what you're doing. I think life is a little like that. Sometimes the river of life runs so fast you get worn out just trying to hold your own, sometimes it is so shallow and seemingly empty that the journey is easy, sometimes so deep and quiet that you can't even take it all in. But in every aspect it can be productive if you know what you're doing.

Like the picture above (taken somewhere in Indiana...don't ask where) life runs from one deep, peaceful spot to another. The issue is, in Sugar Creek or life, you have go through the rapids to get there. But the transition is worth it. I have always been one who loves to see what is just around the bend, to see what new water and deep hole might lie ahead.

That's where I am now; in the rapids, in the transition. Exactly what lies around the next bend in my life I don't know but I do know what I'm doing. I am trusting in Him who has called me to lead and guide me. I truly believe that THE BEST IS YET TO COME and I can't wait to see what's around the bend.

One Journey Draws To An End While Another Begins

2010-08-25T18:21:00.000-07:00

On August 15, 2010, after a little over 40 years in pastoral ministry, I announced my resignation from the pulpit of the Metrowest International Church of the Nazarene. It was a bitter sweet day. You don't spend six years with people and not develop relationships and feelings. There were five other such moments of blended joy and pain across the years but this one was different.

There was not another church to become excited about, no new people to meet, no new shared vision of the future, just the wide open future of "retirement". So many questions, so few answers! But all the particulars will be the subject of a future blog. For now I just want to say a few words to any "laypersons" reading these words.

Let me tell you what it feels like to resign a pastorate. It is a wonderful, exciting time knowing that you are being to His plan for your life, it is a frightening and tense time not knowing exactly what the future holds, and it is a time of heartbreak and sadness knowing that you will be saying goodbye to so many you had helped along their spiritual journey.

It is the best of times and the worst of times.

If your pastor resigns remember all the emotions he is going through and support him with your prayers and affirmation. His mind is running a hundred miles an hour and he is trying his best to say and do the right things so that the one who follows him will be able to pick up where he left off and continue to build the Kingdom. He wants to leave with grace and dignity. Help him be able to do so.

The one thing that I would remind you is that, if the Lord is being honored, the BEST IS YET TO COME for both the congregation and the pastor. Remember that Paul said "all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose.

Walking with a King

2009-03-30T14:19:00.000-07:00

I was blessed this past week to be given two passes to Arnold Palmer's PGA tournament at Bay Hill here in Orlando. I called a good friend and the two of us enjoyed four days of beautiful Florida weather, the vistas of a spectacular golf course, and the amazing way the pros play the game. Since the "free" passes were for the entire week we even took in the "Pro-Am" event on Wednesday. One tee time we made sure to see was the tee time of the King, 80 year old Arnie, himself. He played that day with hockey great, Bobby Orr, and Homeland Security Director, Tom Ridge. After the grouping finished the first hole they proceeded to walk toward the 2nd tee and during that 100 yard or so walk guess who I ended up walking next to....The King, himself! I even managed to brush his shoulder with mine and offer a humble and polite greeting.

O.K., so you know where this is going. I'm goin' there anyway! I, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, have been given another "free pass". And with that one I will have the blessing of walking side by side with the "real" King, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lord's.....Jesus Christ, Himself! On that special day I suppose my response will be to get as close as I can and offer a humble and polite greeting. So once again, while I certainly enjoyed the moment, I know that the BEST IS YET TO COME!

Just One More Cast!!!

2009-03-01T12:30:00.000-08:00

If you are any kind of fisherman I know that there have been times when, after a great full day of fishing, you have found yourself saying; "Just one more cast!" Why? Because you are just certain that "the big one" is right there underneath that log and although you've already got a "mess" to clean that one more cast might just bring you the best catch of the day.

I went fishing this past week and enjoyed every minute of the day. The weather was beautiful, the water was clear, a gentle breeze helped our drift, and the fish were hitting. I cherished each moment on the lake and soaked it all in the best I could but when the day was almost done I found myself asking my fishing buddy; "can't we make one more drift...just one more" (I said the same thing three separate times). Why? Not because i hadn't enjoyed the entire experience but because I was sure that the BEST WAS YET TO COME!

My youngest son, Drew, now 27, told me the other day he thought my blog "too dark" to much focus on "death". He said he understood that for the Christ follower the best is yet to come but that I didn't need to think about it so much. Then I read my daughter's facebook status that said she found herself looking forward to so many things but maybe missing the moment. And I thought about my fishing trip.

For my entire life I have enjoyed the moment. It is the moments that comprise the life. Discovering true love, watching your children being born, cheering for your favorite teams, seeing someone "come to Christ", experiencing childhood, youth, the young adult years, the middle adult years, and even the senior adult years. Moment after moment after moment to be enjoyed and savored, to be cherished and devoured.

On the fishing trip, with a live well full of fish, I still couldn't wait to make one more cast and see what might happen. In life, with so many wonderful memories filling my heart, I still can't wait to see what lies just around the corner. For me, THE BEST IS NOW and and yet I know that THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

I'm Blessed thank you. And you?

2009-02-21T12:53:00.000-08:00

Some time ago I made a choice. Whenever someone would ask me; "How are you?" my chosen response would be; "Blessed, thank you. And you? It is interesting the responses I get from so many people that I really don't know. People like the clerk at the bank or the grocery store. I wasn't sure it was making any kind of real impression but I kept it up none the less.

A couple of days ago, at the grocery store where I shop, got my answer. The check out girl was new and being trained by a manager who had helped me check out several times. As she started sliding my few items across the scanner she said;
"How are you today, sir?"
"Blessed, thank you, and you?", I replied.
"I'm fine.", was her somewhat puzzled response as she quoted me the damage and her supervisor handed me my plastic bag filled with my goodies. (don't ask)

About half way to the store door I overheard the manager say to the new clerk; 'Now there's a true Christian man!" I felt good, as I made my way to the car, to know that the message of my faith had come through and that if the manager was a Christ Follower (and I believe she is) that I had given her the perfect opportunity to share her own faith.

As I was basking in the good feelings of being acknowledged as a "true Christian man" I was reminded that, no matter how good it felt, it would pale in comparison to the day when I check out of this life and check in to Heaven. On that day I hope to hear the King of Kings and Lord of Lord's say; "Father, now there's a true Christian." On that day I will truely understand the meaning of being "blessed" and fully understand that THE BEST WAS YET TO COME.

What'd I Say?

2009-02-02T07:44:00.000-08:00

It has been my blessing to have continued my ministry here in the Orlando area for I have found a new opportunity of sharing the Gospel that is somewhat out of my confront zone. I am talking about the chance to preach with an interpreter! Since moving here in 2004 I have found myself preaching to Spanish speaking congregations, Creole speaking congregations, and Vietnamese Speaking congregations. All with the use of a translator! This doesn't even count preaching every Sunday to a beautiful group of folks for whom some English is their "second" language. Needless to say, in each case, it is an ongoing challenge.

Yesterday I shared with a wonderful group of believers at the Orlando Vietnamese Nazarene Church as they celebrated their 6Th anniversary as a church and also the "Lunar" New Year. The musical part of the service was wonderful (ever tho I didn't understand a word). You could just see the presence of the Lord on their redeemed faces and hear their love for the Savior in their voices. The interpreter was amazing as he followed me around the platform echoing my every word (I hope), the people were responsive, and the Holy Spirit put it all together to make a special service.

As I thought about it, on the short drive home, I couldn't help but thank the Lord for placing me in this place right now, late in my ministry. It is a vista and positioning that I have never had before and it is incredible! I thought also about Heaven and how spectacular it will be as we come together to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! No one will need anyone else to speak his words of praise. Somehow people from all nations will join in joyous celebration together and language will not be a barrier. I thank God for the things that He is teaching me and the blessings He is sending my way.....but deep in my heart I know that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Weather Report: "It's goin' be hot, it's goin' be cold."

2009-01-16T13:00:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year when everybody in the "northland" wished they lived in Florida. The wind chills in places like Coleman, Michigan or Avon, Indiana are - 30 degrees, schools are closed, roads are blocked by drifting snow, and being outside can be a literal "pain". Here in the Sunshine state right now it is in the high 60s and low 70s, the sky is deep blue, the grass is green, and the oranges are waiting to be picked. It seems, right now, to our northern friends that good old Florida is the place to be. But wait a few months! Now the temperatures in the land of the relentless sun are in the mid to high 90s, the humidity to stifling, and the sever thunderstorms (with the occasional hurricane) are to be expected. Meanwhile, it is the north that has become the desired destination with its' low humidity, temperatures in the high 70s and low 80s, and the fresh, cool, refreshing evenings. Both places have their pluses and minuses.

Whether you prefer to endure the cold and snow for the beautiful summers or you prefer to endure the scorching heat for the mild winters, there is one thing that remains perfectly true for the Christ-follower (you guessed it) THE BEST IS YET TO COME. There will be no discussion of weather, of hot or cold, of ice or hurricanes there....it will be perfect there day in and day out (if there are literal days there). Everyone will somehow be happy with the climate and every day people will say; "It just doesn't get any nicer than this!" But until then...keep your chin up and learn to enjoy what you got, while giving God all the praise for his wonderful creation.

January in America's Tropical Paradise

2009-01-10T19:09:00.000-08:00

January in Florida is nice but a January break to the U.S. Virgin Islands is nicer! I now understand why they call them "America's Paradise". Sherry and I just returned from an all to brief four day excursion to St. Thomas where the quiet and peaceful surroundings on Cowpet Bay were just what we both needed.

The weather was perfect with gentle tropical breezes, deep blue skies, soft white clouds, and temperatures always in the 80s. It was 80 when you went to bed and 80 when you got up and with the light but constant trade winds it was as nice as it gets. We got up when we wanted, ate when we wanted, and time was almost irrelevant. We simply enjoyed each other and our beautiful surroundings for four blissful days.

But.....I am now home. Oh, the temperatures are in the 70s (not bad) and we have blue skies and white drifting clouds but it's not quite the same. Nice but different and once again I was reminded that the BEST IS YET TO COME. Don't get me wrong, I love planet earth and plan to thoroughly enjoy my time here but I know there is a better place and day coming where it is as nice as it gets. A place where time is irrelevant and we can enjoy our surroundings forever!

I wonder if John felt this way after his vision of that place. I wonder if after that he kept telling people that the BEST IS YET TO COME.

A New Year and a Vision to be Completed

2009-01-02T08:55:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the lack of any blogs in December but for pastors that is one month where there is not a lot of spare time. Add to that trying to keep the construction of our new church facilities on target and thus no blogs. But a New Year has begun and it will be a year filled with anticipation and excitement. 2008 was a year of mixed emotions with the poor economy and all but it was a year when we all learned that "God knows best".

Three years ago when He first impressed upon the church that we should do our relocation and building project debt free it just seemed like the prudent thing to do but now we understand that He knew it was the only thing to do. To incur any new debt with the economy effecting our tithes and offerings would have been disastrous! But He knew!!!!!!!!

His timing in the entire project has been perfect! We sold property at the peak of the real estate run up in Florida, we are building the buildings while contractors are looking for work and the gas prices have dipped to the lowest levels in years! We didn't know these things were going to happen when they did, but He did! So can there be any doubt that THE BEST IS YET TO COME and that 2009 will be another year of His leadership and blessing.

Every Day Something New

2008-11-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

Everything is happening at break neck speed these days around the building site. I take a good look around in the morning when I get to the office and by the time I make my daily 3/4 mile walk around the property everything has changed! Last night when the workers left they had just nicely lifted one section of the front frame of the Family Center into place. Now, as of 4:25p.m. the entire frame is up and most of the roof is on! Last night when the workers left they had just nicely placed the "lift station" in place. Now, as of 4:26p.m., it is completely installed and buried and the water lines running to the buildings have been trenched, placed, and filled!

The pace is amazing and appreciated!

That's kinda the way life is for us "oldtimers"! It seems like as soon as we seem to get a grasp on where things stand, everything changes. About the time I learned to control the the reel to reel tape recorder, they gave me an 8 track player, about the time I learned to control the 8 track player they gave me a cassette player, about the time I learned to control the cassette player they gave me a CD player, about the time I learned to run the CD player they gave me an IPOD! You get the picture! Oh yeah, about the time I learned how to use the remote to control the picture on my TV they bundled everything together and told me I had to have HD! Super 8 movie camaras became VCRs, and VCRs became DVD players! Typewriters became desktop computers, desktop computers became laptop computers. Maps became GPSs and telephones became message centers! Is it any wonder I'm confused! The pace of these last 60 years on planet earth has been amazing and in spite of everything happening so fast it has been appreciated.

One thing I know; before to long we are all going to take a walk from this life to the next and there, for the Christ Follower, we will spend eternity with the one who is the same yesterday, today and forever and it wouldn't bother me one bit if everything else in the Heavenly realm is also changeless! For me that would simply be another proof that THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Up Up And Away

2008-11-07T16:21:00.000-08:00

The concrete has now been poured for the floor of the Worship Center and some of the walls have now been set! What was is no longer and a new beginning has begun to be visable to all. Not much to say right now but I know tht the "BEST HAS JUST BEGUN".

A Man For All Seasons

2008-10-23T10:29:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I am indeed a man for all seasons. My wife would have you believe that that means the football, basketball, baseball, and hockey seasons. However, what I am talking about are the "real" seasons! I am presently visiting with my oldest son and his family in central Michigan and the colorful leaves and grasses reminded me of all the beauty that is a part of this wonderful world of ours. Living, as I do, in Florida we just have two seasons; wet and dry!

Having lived the vast majority of my life in the Midwest I became accustomed to a variety of weather and the seasonal changes. Spring time, with the warming of the soil and the budding of the trees and plants, always reminded me of the freshness of life and the promise of things to come. Summer time, with its' flowers and song birds, reminded me of the fullness of life and the joy of living. Autumn time, with its' colorful displays and the touch of freshness in the cool air always invigorated me. Winter time, with her bone chilling winds and blowing snow,always reminds me of why I live in Florida.

Seriously, it seems like which ever season I was living in I was always looking forward to the next. For 60 years it has been a cycle of looking ahead to what was to come next. While here in Michigan this week it finally dawned on me (I'm a slow learner) that while it is important to understand that THE BEST IS YET TO COME it is just as important to enjoy the present as it happens. So, as our lives continue to cycle by, let's somehow learn to live in the moment while still looking forward to all the changes that are yet to come.

Sun Set / Sun Rise

2008-10-02T08:32:00.001-07:00

On September 30th and October 1st I was forced to do something I had long thought about doing. I had wanted some day to go from coast to coast here in Florida and see a sunrise on the Atlantic Coast and a sunset over the Gulf coast. After all this is the "Sunshine" state! I even thought about listening to the song; "Sunrise / Sunset" on the journey east to west.

But as you can see from the title of the blog I got it backwards; "Sunset / Sunrise"! One of our good members was placed in the V.A. Hospital in Tampa on the day before a scheduled prayer retreat in Daytona Beach. So the door was opened for my trip...just in reverse.

After a mid-afternoon hospital visit I drove to Hudson Beach, enjoyed dinner at "Sam's", and watched the spectacular splashing of the sun into the calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The drive, almost straight across the state, took me through the Ocala National Forest and into Daytona Beach by 11 p.m.!

By 7:18 a.m. the following morning, the orange orb had found its way to the Atlantic Ocean and made a sizzling appearance over the wet horizon.

I got to thinking, as I walked down the beach, during my day of prayer that my trip really wasn't backwards at all. It was just the way it should have been. Someday, also at perhaps an unexpected moment, I will take a journey into the setting sun. My day here on earth will come to end and I will wake to the sunrise of a brand new day. Thanks to the "SON RISE" I am excited about that experience. It helped me to remember that for the Christ-Follower the "BEST IS YET TO COME".

A Beard and a Building Permit

2008-09-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

I have never had facial hair! Not until now! I have discovered that, for my wife, my growing facial hair once every 60 years is too much! My sons have both had a variety of facial hair but me..never. A month ago I decided not to shave until our final building permits were issued by Orange County. We were at the point of re-submitting all the changes required from our first application and everyone seemed confident that after the 30 day review period we would be set to go. That 30 day period just ended and two of the eight departments have come back with additional requirements. That means it could be another 30 days (hopefully less).

No one ever told me about all the controversy a little hair on the face might cause. My daughter likes it ("trendy" she said), my granddaughters won't kiss me ("what's that on your face?" they said), my wife hates it ("looks dirty" she said), people from the church have mixed reactions ("love it", "you look like Jack Sparrow", "hate it", "where'd Pastor Dicer go?", "I am praying really hard that the permit comes soon.", they said).

Add to that the fact that I am not sure I like it. You see, after 60 years of looking in the mirror at a clean shaven face it's tough to get used to something different. Besides no one told me how much it would itch, or how nasty it feels when you sweat and your upper lip becomes saturated with moisture (remember..we sweat alot in Florida).

I guess I see it as a reminder to me and the congregation that we are waiting on God's timing for something very important. And in that regard, a reminder that the BEST IS YET TO COME.

I can't wait until that Sunday when I appear clean shaven as an indication that we have cleared a very big hurdle and everyone begins to rejoice. I have a feeling that Sherry will lead the cheers.

Until then..."be patient...THE BEST IS YET TO COME!"

Fishin' and Fashion

2008-09-09T15:24:00.001-07:00

I can't believe that it has been so long since my last post but things have gotten really busy here in Orlando. It seems that every day is packed with issues regarding our new building. Everything goes well and almost 70% of the site work is completed! We are still waiting on our actual building permit and hope to have it by October 1!

I did manage to take a few days off and fly to Indiana to do some small mouth bass fishin' in Sugar Creek with friends Clyde Barnhart, Tom Hull and Rick Wetnight. It was a wonderful, refreshing time of fellowship, sport, and the great outdoors. This is one of my favorate spots in the entire world.

The trip doubled up for my granddaughter's second birthday party in Danville, Indiana. When I asked her where I lived she replied, "At the airport"!!!! LOL. She just knows that's where they pick me up and that's where they drop me off. Grandma Sherry and I had a good laugh at that but, to be honest, it hurt a little. I wish I could be closer to all the grandkids but I know I am where my Lord wants me to be. She made a beautiful princess in her new dress.

I guess my upcoming trip to Heaven will be alot like these trips to Indiana. I will be going to a place where the beauty is second to none and I'll have the chance to see family and friends that I haven't seen in a long time. So I continue to believe, that as good as it is here and now, that THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

I Wonder What's Out There

2008-07-31T08:31:00.001-07:00

Every so often this picture of my four grandsons comes up on my computer screen and right now it is my screen saver. It was taken last December at Daytona Beach. There's just something about it that really makes me pause and think about what their futures may look like; something about the fact that they are running toward the vast Atlantic Ocean hand in hand.

Along with my two lovely grand daughters, I pray for them daily. I can not begin to imagine what the vast ocean of the future will look like for them. I have journeyed over 50 years since a similar picture of me might have been taken and what a different world it is today then it was in the 1950s. I don't even want to get into all the changes I have experienced in those years. Chances are that it will be even more staggering for these children.

How important it is that we, who are parents and grandparents, do our best to provide a stable backdrop as they run head long into the waves of life. And how important is it that they as brothers and sisters stay hand in hand; supporting, encouraging, and strengthening each other. I pray that they will always be close, always be connected, and that for them THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

Ripping Out and Bringing Down

2008-07-23T10:38:00.000-07:00

It has started in earnest. The heavy equipment has arrived and the initial steps toward constructing a new building has started. Before the week is over much of what has been standing will by piled up and laying on the ground. That includes sheds, buildings, and trees.

Once the entire 16 acres that comprise the building site are cleared we can begin to see the foundation of the new facility laid. Somtimes life is like that, before we can make any real progress in building a new life we must first of all take care of the things that are tied to the old life. For the believer that is exactly what happens when we, through repentance and faith, become a Christ-Follower! That's why we read in the Word that "all things pass away and all things become new".

You see the old and the new cannot co-exist. It would be impossible to build our new building with old buildings, concrete slabs, and trees on the building site. They must be removed.

It is exciting to watch the heavy equipment rip trees out of the ground, roots and all. It is exciting to see them knock down and remove those things that stand in the way of building our church. But I can tell you with assurance that, as exciting as these things are, I know THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

It is exciting to watch the Lord rip sin out of someones life, roots and all. It is exciting to see Him knock down and remove those things that stand in the way of that new believer becoming a "sanctuary" for His Spirit. But I can tell you from experience that, as exciting as these things are for the new believer, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

"Fightin' Waves"

2008-07-14T10:58:00.000-07:00

We just returned from South Carolina where we took our five year old grandson, Christian, on his special vacation with grandfather and grandmom. A great time was had by all.
He spent allot of his time "fightin' waves" . He saw them as a challenge, an adventure, something to be conquered and enjoyed. Time after time he would pick himself up and go after the next wave hoping that it would be the biggest and best one yet. I would stand close by in case he needed me but didn't rush in each time he went under the foam. I think it made him braver just because I was near. He taught me a lesson.
I have gotten too old! When the "waves" of life come against me I see them as dangerous and threatening. I have determined to accept these billows as challenges and adventures, as events to be conquered and enjoyed. I have determined to pick myself up and wait on the next "wave" with great faith that my Heavenly Father is standing close by in case I need rescued. I know He won't rush in each time I seem to be going under but I'll know He is there just the same. I think I can be a little braver knowing He's close and that THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

A Wonderful 60th Birthday Present

2008-07-01T15:36:00.000-07:00

Yep, I'm 60, six oh, the big 60! Not 40, not 50, but 60. That used to sound so old. I don't feel 60 (well not all the time). Sometimes I feel 70. But it's just a number, right? And I guess I really turned 60 about nine months ago anyway so what's the big deal. So what'd I do on the BIG day? Spent nine hours in the office, ate dinner at Red Lobster with my "younger" wife, fielded phone calls from family and friends, watched some TV, surfed the net, and went to bed at 9:30 p.m. Just another day like most of my other 21,915 days.

But on day 21,916 I got a great present! I finally was able to sign the papers that will get the permitting phase on the road and the dozers on the site. We could be beginning the site work by next week.

So this seventh decade of my life begins with a brand new adventure. They say these kind of things keep you young. We'll see! Regardless, I know one thing for certain...for both the Metro West International Church of the Nazarene and for me, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

"It's Only Just Begun"

2008-06-24T10:36:00.000-07:00

The Carpenteers sang a song some time ago called "It's only just begun". That title came to my mind this week as I watched truckloads of building materials being unloaded at our Apopka Vineland Road property.

They started arriving around 8 a.m. and are still a day later unloading and moving things around. It finally looks like a work site! Oh, we still have some "permit" issues to take care of but it is now only a matter of time until the building that lies on the ground right now becomes the building in which we will one day worship. I am excited to see things start to happen but I know that "the best is yet to come." And I give thanks.

When the Church Throws Dirt

2008-06-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

In case you were looking for something controversial you'll have to look elsewhere! We're talking about the Ground Breaking Ceremony we had last Sunday (June 8, 2008) for our new church facility! It was a wonderful day as we remembered all those who have paved the path for us to get to where we are and dreamed about where we'll be a year from now.

One of my very first acts as the new pastor of Metro West International Church of the Nazarene was to sign papers purchasing 30 acres of new property. That was 46 months and a 100 meetings ago. Now we move from the selling property, raising funds, and worshiping in a school phase to actually constructing the buildings phase.

These have been good months with plenty of blessings, a great deal of struggle, and a a bunch of promise. Faith has brought us to this place. Yet, as good as it felt to gather on site, worship the goodness of the Lord, and turn a few shovels full of dirt, I need to be certain you understand that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!!!!

Friends, Five Irons, and Fairfield Glade

2008-06-07T12:24:00.000-07:00

, and hittin

On Memorial Day six friends met to play some golf and make up for lost time.

Fred Hall, Gene Smith, and I grew up together going to church camps in Eastern Michigan and to college together at Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illinois.

That's where we met Bryan Solomon and we all became close friends.

Mike Adams just thinks he went to Olivet but the truth is he came into the picture in the late 1970s. The final member of our group that day was Don Smith, Gene's "little brother" who tagged along at those church camps.

It was a great time of renewing friendships, enjoying the beautiful scenery on the Cumberland Plateau around Crossville, Tennessee, and losing not just a few golf balls. Gene and Fred now minister in Michigan, Bryan pastors in Indiana, Don and I pastor in Florida, and Mike travels around the nation as a full time evangelist.

We seldom see each other but when we do, we pick up right where we left off. True friends truly are friends forever! We laughed, we cried, we competed, and we told stories of days gone by. As far as I am concerned it was a 9.998 out of 10!

But as good as it was, as beautiful as it was, I can't give it a perfect 10 because it will pale in comparison to that great reunion day that is yet to come. There, amidst the beauties of Heaven, we will be joined by so many good friends and family that we haven't seen in quite awhile, we will tell stories of days gone by, and we will laugh. We won't cry and we won't compete but we will say that it was true; THE BEST WAS YET TO COME!

Hockey and Heaven

2008-06-06T09:01:00.000-07:00

"My" Detroit Red Wings just won the National Hockey League Championship! (Real fans always take ownership of their chosen teams!) I am a big sports "nut". I love the the drama that plays out in heated competition and it doesn't get any better than in playoff hockey!

A hockey team, probably more than in any other sport, reflects family. They refuse to let anyone pick on another team member, they refuse to sit on the bench with some litttle pain and allow another team to have an advantage, they just seem to reflect the old "all for one and one for all" thing. They pull together, each filling their own role, for 60 minutes of controlled chaos.

The ultimate goal is that, after about 100 games, they win the Play Offs and hoist the Stanley Cup high in the air for a victorious skate around the arena.

I also noticed that "everyone" got to take a lap with "the" cup! It didn't matter whether they played or not, they were counted as a part of the team.

Sounds a little bit like the way it should be in our biological family and our church family. We should always stand up for each other, refuse to let the little hurts sideline us, and understand that only as we work together as a team will we be successful.

One last thing. In order to win the Stanley Cup you must first win your Conference title. In hockey you will not even touch the trophy that goes with that hard fought victory. Why? That is not your goal. Your goal is nothing less than the Stanley Cup!

For the Christ follower we trust there will be numerous victories along the way but we must never allow them to detour us from our ultimate goal, our final victory, when we conquer the last great opponent, Death, and reach the pinnacle of our life's Play Offs. Yes, someday this controlled chaos that we call life will hear the final horn and we, who have "toughed it out" will be the final victors.

I want to be able to hoist the emblem of His cross high above my head, take a skate around the ice, and end up in Heaven! Remember, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Caps, Gowns, and Robes of Pure White

2008-06-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

Every year we take time in our church to celebrate those who graduate from High School and College. Every year my graduation gets more distant and forgetable. It was 1966 in Port Huron, Michigan that I "graduated" from Port Huron Northern High School and 1970 that I "graduated" from Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee, Illlinois. I heard somewhere that by the time we reach 55 years of age that we only have our brain working at 50% capacity. So I guess I'm normal in that I can't remember anything anyone said at either ceremony and that I can't even remember who the "commencement" speakers were. (You'd think I'd remember 1 of the 2 so maybe I am worse off than most.)

I do know that the words graduation and commencement always go together. We graduate (finish, leave behind) and then we commence (make a new start). With that in mind, I remind you that "the best graduation and commencement are yet to come." One day we will graduate from the school of this life and as believers we will walk across a final "stage", the book will be opened and we will hear "well done...enter in....and commence to enjoy all the blessings of eternity in Heavenly places with the Lord, Jesus Christ." We'll put on a graduation gown of pure white and walk into the glories of time without end. Yes, THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

We Have The First Images Of Our New Baby

2008-05-16T07:20:00.000-07:00

We have the first images of our new baby! The artist renderings for our new facilities on Apopka Vineland Road have arrived! Gestation time will be 50 weeks! A due date has been set at May 2, 2009.

This has been and will be a costly "pregnancy" for our church family but the Lord is providing the resources to pay all of the costs of the adventure. The final bill, including purchasing new property (30 acres), remodeling a 3,000 square foot house into office space, and building a 20,000 square foot building, will be around $6,200,000!! And you thought your babies were expensive!

The good news is that we are within a few thousand dollars of being able to pay cash for the "baby". The sale of our Hiawassee property, interest on our banked funds, and our local building fund should, by the due date, be able to pay the bill in full!!!!!

I trust you'll check in from time to time to see how the "baby" is coming along.

Fried Chicken, Curry Chicken, Jerk Chicken

2008-05-06T06:05:00.001-07:00

Sunday was our first "annual" Sunday School Picnic! What an afternoon! We gathered on our new property after church and stayed most of the day.

I remember Sunday School Picnics growing up as great times of the church family getting to gather to share food, fun, and fellowship. The three-legged sack races, the balloon toss, horse shoes, and so much more made them great experiences. They are fond memories.

This one, here at Metro West International, was not all that different. We played softball, touch football, volleyball, and horse shoes. We had an abundance of great food and a good time of "Hymn Singing" before we went home. The difference between this great event and the ones I remember as a kid was the variety of foods.

In days gone by it was hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, chips, and lots of great deserts! This time it was all of the above along with special dishes from South America and the Islands! Simply put, it was indeed an "International" Sunday School picnic!

I couldn't help but think (and thank) about the beautiful fellowship that the Lord has allowed me to be a part of here late in my ministry. It must be a little like what Heaven will be like and as I listened to all the different accents sing "It is well with my soul" I found it hard to believe that "the best is yet to come". Yet I know it is! When we join together on that Heavenly property, share in a banquet for the ages, and sing praises to our God and Savior, it will be beyond compare. I know that the "best is yet to come" but I sure am enjoying the blessings He allows me here!

On District Meetings

2008-05-01T15:03:00.000-07:00

In our denomination it happens once a year. Pastors and delegates from a certain geographical area get together to reflect on the year past and to dream about the year to come. It is called District Assembly. I remember a time when I was excited at the approach of a District Assembly with all of its' reports, elections, special speakers, and reunions. They lasted three or four days, every pastor gave an oral report and it was a wonderful time of shared fellowship for the "church".

Now "Assembly" lasts a day and a half. There are no oral pastor's reports and there is hardly time to say hello to anyone. I suppose that in our busy world it is a better way to go, more convenient, more programmed but I miss the the slower pace and the chance to spend more than a moment with friends and fellow clergy.

Our Assembly last week was as slick and ordered as any I have ever attended. The speakers were excellent, the music was awesome, and the time was well spent. But, for me, it lacked. I must be getting old as I find myself thinking about the old days and the memories come flooding back.

I guess there's no question I'm getting old as two friends, who shared many of those early Assemblies with me in Eastern Michigan, RETIRED!!!!! Dr. Eugene Frame and Rev. Ernie Lewis RETIRED!!!!! I turn 60 in just a few more weeks so I know that the rocking chair can't be to far away. Not to far away for me or my friends who started in ministry when I did (back in the days of Yore) Fred, Gene, Brian, Mike, if you're reading this, just know that even for us old preachers "the best is yet to come".

What's Wrong With Being A Secretary?

2008-04-25T06:49:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I just don't get it! What's wrong with being a secretary?

This week we were to honor our "Office Administrative Assistants" with a special day. When did it quit being secretaries day? Someone help me out here. Is the word "secretary" a bad word? Is it somehow demeaning and degrading to those wonderful folks who do the bulk of our work for us? Is it "sexist" in some subliminal way? I just don't get it!

Wendy is our secretary (OAA) here at the church and believe me she deserves to me honored for the work and ministry that she does. She is my right hand "person". She rescues me on a continual basis. She is faithful in her work ethic and and is absolutely indispensable in the office.

(Don't tell anybody.....but she even brings me coffee every once in awhile)

If Wendy were a William would "he" be offended by being called a "secretary"? Is that what it's all about? Are male nurses soon to become "Medical Personal Care Givers"? Where will it end?

But until it does just let me say,one more time,; "Happy Secretaries Day" to all who do so much for us and remember "the best is yet to come."

Grow Where You're Planted

2008-04-24T06:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I transplanted one pathetic little white flower to an empty flower bed at our new office complex. One little lonely bloom!

It came from my home where I planted its' grandparent three years ago. The grandparent, a mother's day gift for the moms at church, must have been healthy because now I have it's offspring all around the house and pool enclosure. We'll see how Jr. does here at the office.

I got to thinking, as I dug Jr. out from where he had been comfortably growing, that God's children are also sometimes dug out of comfortable places and relocated far away. The fact is, that if we will grow where we are planted, we can bring happiness and beauty to our new environment. It is not easy to find ourselves at a new place in our lives either figuratively or actually. But let us determine to grow in the midst of the uprooting and to show God's grace and beauty to those in our new surroundings; in the midst of struggle, in the midst of loneliness, in the midst of disappointment, in the midst of confusion. Where ever the new place may be let's remember that, if we are faithful and drink in the water of His Spirit, the best is yet to come.

The Blessings of Struggle

2008-04-23T08:02:00.000-07:00

One of the things that pastors are called on to do is to visit folks who are in the midst of the struggles of life and death. Yesterday was such a day for me.

First, I traveled cross town to visit Eric in his hospital room. Eric is a long time Christ follower who plays various percussion instruments in our Praise Band. He has been fighting cancer for the last year and nearly lost the battle this last week. As we visited I told him about Bazil, a young man whose mother passed away just hours after he had joined our church. When I concluded my prayer at the end of our visit Eric asked me if he could pray. His prayer, less than a minute long in his weakness, was for Bazil! Here, in his weakness, he prayed for strength for another whom he hardly knew! I was blessed.

I found Bazil at his parents home surrounded by family and friends. The home was filled with praise and laughter. But why shouldn't it be....a child of God had gone home. He shared with me the story of her quiet passing and how he had shared some thoughts from my Sunday morning

sermon with her just before she passed. He told her that "the best is yet to come" and that "death is just a comma (,)!" Her last word spoken this side of eternity was "Allelluia"! And again I was both humbled and blessed in the midst of struggle.

2008-04-22T06:41:00.000-07:00

2008-04-22T06:04:00.000-07:00

Last night was "Church Board" meeting.

One of the "joys" of being a pastor is the holding of monthly church board meetings! I figure that I have chaired over 600 such wonderful encounters during the past 38 years. They can be times of rejoicing and celebration or they can be times of contention and frustration. For the most part, my experiences with these monthly business meetings has been mmore enjoyable than not. The fact is that it is a miracle of God's grace that so many different types of folks can come together and accomplish anything.

Board members come from all different walks of life and all different steps on the social economical ladder. Some come to the meetings from their own board rooms, see it as just another meeting, and can't wait to get home. For others it is their big chance to be heard, their only "meeting" of the month, and a place where their opinion is valued. The secret to any success achieved by such a diverse group of people can only be atributed to the fact that the church is a divine institution and that the Lord uses all kinds of folks to get His will done.

Here at Metro West we have all the factors that make a Church Board diverse and then some.
Our Board is comprised of people from seven different nations who come in every shade and color. Our meetings look more like a committee meeting at the U.N.! People born in the U.S.
(African American and Anglo), Haiti, Barbados, Jamaca, Antigua, Puerto Rico, and Brazil make up the leadership team of our International congregation. They mirror our wonderful congregation and give just a little glimpse of what Heaven will be like.

Our meetings are not quite "heavenly" but pretty close and I know that the "best is yet to come."

2008-04-21T09:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a wonderful day at our church as we welcomed 18 new members into our fellowship. I was a little tired as we got back from Grand Cayman (wonderful, restful vacation week) at midnight but the praise and worship and the wonderful people of Metro West kept me goin'.

It is nice to get away but I am always glad to be back home. I am glad that throughout my years of ministry that our family has taken time to vacation together. Those times provided many of my fondest memories. I trust Sherry and the kids can look back with the same good feelings as I do.

Now that I am getting older I still believe that the best vacation days are ahead. Now we enjoy special times with kids and grandkids and I know that "the best is yet to come".

And away we go....

2008-04-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

I have decided to join the other "bloggers" in my family and away we go...
The title for this blog space "The Best Is Yet To Come" comes from when Jesus turned the water into wine at the wedding reception. When the host tasted it he said to the bridegroom; "You have saved the best (wine) to last". I have decided that that is just the way our Lord works. He saves the best 'til last. I believe that, for the Christ follower, their best days are not yesterdays but tomarrows! Thus, I trust that with every post you will this truth exibited in my living and my words. He has given me some fantastic yesterdays and I can't wait to see what my tomarrows may bring. Even when this earthly life of mine comes to an end, I believe my best days are yet to be.