A church in the area was having a Bible study tonight and I took the opportunity to go over and listen to a very capable speaker (Ira Lynn) deliver a very good lesson on some things that Paul had to say to the church at Thessalonica. While his sermon was excellent, this was not what sent my mind on a journey back in time. I was transported tonight by a prayer.

When I say I was transported, I do not mean that I experienced some out-of-body experience or that my mind and body were projected into some alternate type of reality. As I sat in the pew in this little country church in the midst of an assembly of no more than fifty people, I was transported in my mind back to one of the greatest times in my life, surrounded by a cast of hundreds.

The gentleman who began the service invited us to bow our heads as prayer was offered. As my normal custom is, I leaned forward in my seat, bowed my head, and closed my eyes, trying to put myself into a frame of concentration (I have a very hard time focusing when any one person is speaking, so I really have to re-orient my body position to help me concentrate). A man sitting behind me, who had been asked to lead the prayer, stood up and began to speak to God on behalf of us all when my journey began…

Sitting in my pew, I was suddenly transported, in my mind, back to a wooden, weather-worn bench, complete with protruding nails and splintered boards. These benches were collected together, in rows of three, inside of a multi-use building affectionately referred to as “The Tabernacle”. It was there, on those uncomfortable benches housed in that dusty, open-air edifice located on the grounds of an anything-but-typical Louisiana campground that so many of my favorite and most treasured memories were born.

As I sat in church this evening with my head bowed, the man behind me, a true friend since junior high days (although it has been years since we have had anything more than a casual conversation) stood and offered his petitions to God Almighty. What immediately struck me when he began to pray was that it had been years, specifically five, since I had been in this position before. And the last time I had been in this position, bowed head, praying to my Father, had been in the company of the greatest friends one could ever ask for.

You see, it was in that dusty building that I sat on those weathered benches and prayed to God with my best friends. It was on those splintering boards that I sang so fervently with others around me, our joy and zeal almost visibly springing from our tongues to the world outside of the chain-link fence which, for those six days created a welcome reprieve from so many of the temptations, sorrows, and disappointments which normally our way. It was on that concrete floor, sullied by the dirt that would inevitably cake our shoes, that I stood with my sister as we cried together. It was on that same concrete floor that I stood with many other brothers and sisters, made by Jesus Christ, and shed many more tears than any high school boy would ever admit, understanding that the end of this wonderful experience we simply referred to as “camp” would be coming to an end, forever, in a matter of hours.

As Mike began to pray tonight, his voice called me back to a sweeter time, a time when the cares of this world were not so heavy. As he continued to address our Heavenly Father in the company of that relatively small crowd, my mind again drifted. His prayer, set upon a background of silence, took me to the same campground, but to a different building.

Those of you who ever attended Dry Creek know that sometimes you have a cabin that just clicks. That describes the cabin which Mike Thomley led and befriended. I’ll never forget the time, all of exhausted from the days activities, slept through what was supposed to be the time set aside for our in-cabin Bible study- and by all of us, I mean to include Mike. After waking up a few minutes before suppertime, we were sternly cautioned (and perhaps sternly is too loose a term) not to tell anyone that all of us had overslept; I hope that since quite a few years have passed that I am at liberty to share that, Mike. However, my favorite moment ever in Mike’s cabin was the very last afternoon we were all together, just before supper, mixed Bible study, the counselor talent show, and bonfire. After we had concluded our in-cabin Bible study, we prayed. It was a prayer begun by Mike and ended by the junior counselor. During that time, we each, one by one, prayed aloud- some prayed from strength to survive the foreseeable hardships that would come upon leaving camp; some prayed for family members or friends for whom they were concerned; some prayed and thanked God for the time we spent at camp and the camaraderie that had formed within our cabin. I had never felt so spiritually encouraged as I did that day.

As Mike concluded his prayer this evening, I was almost sad to come back to reality (and just in case you’re wondering, yes, I did pay attention to Mike’s prayer tonight). Don’t get me wrong, it was wonderful to be associated with the folks I was with tonight; the blessing God has given us to be able to worship him corporately is very rewarding. But, I couldn’t help, if just for a few moments, to allow my mind to be transported back to some of the best days of my life.

You, the ones I have tagged in this note, as well as a few other Dry Creek-ers with whom I have lost contact, form the bedrock of all those wonderful memories. I miss you all. I pray for all of you nightly… I hope this note finds you all doing well physically, but most importantly spiritually. Never forget the joy and the honor we had of, if just for a few weeks out of our lives, worshiping our God in the presence of each other… I certainly look forward to the day when a real transportation takes place- when we all, having lived faithfully here, are transported to God’s glorious throne and are able, throughout all eternity, to praise Him forever. I love you all and miss you dearly.

Your Friend in the Kingdom,
Tyler

I have always felt a special connection to Longview from spending time here as a child with my grandparents. However, as I got older, I always wondered if the town would still hold the same allure if I lived there as it did when I was young and just visiting. I can safely say that I still love the town (mind you, though, this is only 4 mos. into it).

I am so lucky, and so very thankful, that this opportunity came my way. I love working with the church here and I am absolutely enthralled with all the potential we have at Judson Road to do such a good work... now we just need to capitalize on it (which is always the tricky part). We had two families place membership with us on Sunday, which is encouraging; there's also another family which has been visiting quite frequently. They are very nice people, but I am anticipating that there may be some obstacles; please keep them in your prayers.

My congrats and prayers go out to Adam and Whitney and also to Brett and his fiance... I'm excited for all you guys and wish you all the best.

Gotta run... heading out to watch the Mavs playoff game at some members' home (gotta love it when 70 year olds invite you over for pizza and a ball game!!).

Before I go, three things I'm thankful for:
1) The jogging trail I recently discovered not too far from my apartment.
2) Getting to see my family very soon.
3) Good brethren here in Longview that make life so much easier and so much more enjoyable.

What're three things you're thankful for?

I've been in Nacogdoches the past 2 days attending the lectures at Stallings Drive. It has been such a joy to go back there and see so many loved ones... that church holds such a special place in my heart. The preaching has been very insightful and very applicable. Before this week, I had never heard Wilson Adams or David Holder speak; I can say honestly that I've enjoyed listening to both of them present the gospel. Lawrence Kelley has also been a part of the lectureship and it's been nice to visit with him more and listen to him teach from God's word. Lawrence is staying with my aunt and uncle this week, which is where I have been staying, too (no jokes!).

The fourth preacher this year at the lectureship is James Lusby, a man I deeply respect and admire. Brother Lusby has been so kind and helpful toward me through the years; I am truly indebted to he and his good wife Marty. After the evening services last night, I went over to the house of one of the elders here at Stallings Drive and was able to visit with him and James for nearly 3 hours ('til midnight). I really enjoyed that and was able to get some really good advice.

It's been an honor to see James this week, but it's also been an honor to be with Randy again this week. Since I moved to Longview, I haven't been able to talk much with Randy for the simple fact that he's been in Ethiopia much of that time. However, he's back in town now and I made good use of that fact by getting him to open up his file cabinet and letting me raid it one evening for some study materials.

I am so lucky to have been blessed with such a good congregation of people to work with when I began preaching. I certainly made my fair share of mistakes, but the people here at Stallings were very forgiving and very patient and certainly helped me to become what I am now (whether or not they're pleased to claim that is up them).

So, to all you guys at Stallings, thank you for being there for me and thank you for your forgiveness and patience. I am lucky to have you all in my life. I love you guys!

Just a few thoughts... no particular order or schemata...

- I love living in Texas.
- That being said, I certainly do miss aspects of Arkansas (Greenbrier, family, Hwy. 65, Hart's, and the abundance of hills, rivers, and lakes).
- Got to watch an Extreme Bullriding event... that was awesome.
- Got to see Big and Rich in concert... loved it.
- MLS season about to start... GO YOU ORANGE! Houston 3-peat? I sure hope so.
- Looking forward to FCD game in late April.
- I absolutely love preaching.
- I am thankful for my friends down here.
- I am so thankful for the church at Judson Road, and I'm really excited about all our potential.
- Having my own place is awesome.
- Living a short walk from a McAlister's = awesome.
- Living within driving distance of so many faithful gospel preachers who I respect greatly = comforting.
- I hate it that HS soccer season is winding down; I've enjoyed officiating this year. Got requested for a playoff game tonight between Marshall and Jacksonville... lookin' forward to that.

Hope all is going well for everyone out there!

or, actually, flying in them. Just got back to the apartment after a trip to Memphis and back with Larry. The technology we have today that allows us to travel such great distances in such a small amount of time is amazing: Longview to Memphis, TN, and back in under 5 hours.

But as fun as the flights were, the most enjoyable part of the night had to be the run through the Whataburger and the Bible discussion on the road... definitely enjoyable.

Day by day, I'm getting more settled here; I love it here and am so thankful for the opportunities that God has given me. Today, though, I was almost moved to tears. Visiting at one of the nursing homes, I stopped in to talk to an elderly man who for many, many years was a faithful gospel preacher. He and my grandfather were quite close and after a minute or so he quickly placed who I was. I can remember hearing this man present the gospel so simply and passionately, complete with his big, calming grin. Today, I saw that man, but a shell of his former self; barely able to speak, confused and depressed, with emptiness now present where that once bright smile resided. While that saddened me, quite possibly the most heart-wrenching episode occurred right before we (I was visiting along with two older gentlemen from the church) left; he grabbed my arms, fixed his eyes on me, and begged for me to "get me out of here"... he had to say it at least 5 or 6 times. It was all I could do to choke back the tears.

Since then, I haven't been able to get out of my mind just how cruel the cylce of life can be: born unable to care for ourselves, living rubustly, and then returning to a state where we are unable to care for ourselves. It reminded me of a poem I heard a long time ago by Longfellow:

"Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave."


The cycle of life is saddening, but at the same time comforting when we understanding that the futilities and frustrations of this life are merely proofs of the future reward that awaits the righteous.

_______________________________
Update:
The preacher I spoke about in the last post passed away early this morning. Some of you may have known him; his name was C.F. Shirey. He preached, if I have my facts correct, for around 60 years in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas (quite a bit in the East Texas area). The family, especially his wife, would sure appreciate your prayers.