Great Garden Seed

Day 5 Doxology: "Great Garden Seed!" Those are the words of Coach Wimp Sanderson, the Alabama Basketball Coach at the University of Alabama from 1981 to 1992.  Believe it, or not, he was born in Florence, Alabama which lends him ties to North Alabama and the area of today's doxology!

In truth, today's doxology transcends geography!

Today was the first team meeting for Face to Face Encounter #2 held at Isom's Chapel-the church I have the pleasure of serving as pastor.  A Face to Face Encounter is specifically crafted to meet the needs of older adults-60 plus. This event is based on, or a spin-off of, the Walk To Emmaus.  I just shared a lot of info that doesn't add to my doxology except that this experience is important to a statistically proven aging denomination, and I've been wanting to learn more about how I can be a part of Face to Face Encounters for years!

More truth, I'm selfishly proud that my church is hosting this event!

My doxology is simple...I was asked to serve Holy Communion without the formality of The Great Thanksgiving close to the end of our team meeting's first day!  In the haste of the last minute prep, my FIRST thoughts were of those that have contributed to my life's commitment of service to God and God's Church.  

My thoughts were on those that stood in the gap to help shape me as a husband, father, Christian, and pastor.  My thoughts were on those that gave me praise over some of my first sermons that, in their words, "were enjoyable, but didn't really make sense." My thoughts were on musicians that played the songs that I asked even when they didn't fit.  My heart bends to the youth that read scripture in studies and sermons, that delve into deeper conversation, and gave me the gift of their union!  Additionally,  thoughts are often for a group of women that fettered their voices together to become the litmus test, or standard, for every song I hear and the gift they gave me of watching my wife become absorbed/consumed in worship to God because of their ability to transcend!  

In more truth...the Men's club!

Here's the back story...My home church is approximately 800-900 members, and of those 800-900 members is a group of men that have watched over, prayed for, invested in, and coached through my calling in ministry!  I could tell you stories of their love and affection for me and my family, but it might distract of their love for God!  These men made sure that my family didn't feel the brunt of my decision to enter into ministry-a husband/father's greatest fear!

So, today I served Holy Communion (Not Physically Pictured) with my Peeps!  That means, I served Communion with a "cloud of witnesses" that have loved me, tutored me, disciplined me, sung to me at every appointment and at every opportunity only to honor God with their love!  

Standing with me, there are so many I cannot dare name...all I can say is Great Garden Seed!