From the Pastor's Desk

For those old friends who check in from time to time, I thought I would give you  a family update….

Pam: Pam continues working hard as Director of Student Services at Cumberland Law School. She is still recovering from foot surgery in September of last year.  Although walking again, it still gives her trouble if she is on it too much. She is glad that it has improved tremendously. Pam also serves as our music coordinator here at Tabernacle, directing the choir and organizing our special music. She is looking forward to another trip to England in July to work with the Law School at Cambridge University in their international program.

Julianna/Michael: Julianna received a promotion several months ago that will relocate her and Michael in Atlanta. But as to date, they haven’t been able to sell their home here in Homewood so she is having to commute a lot between the two cities and still traveling extensively with her responsibilities over four states. Michael travels a lot with his job as event coordinator for the Southern Company. He has struggled physically lately with a herniated disk in his neck and some bone spurs. He is hoping to avoid surgery with therapy, but I am beginning to think that it is going to take surgery for him to get well.

Jennifer/David: Jennifer continues to enjoy her position as a nurse practicing in a  plastic surgeons office in Carrollton, GA while David stays busy with Brown’s pools. Despite the recession, David’s area of remodeling pools continues to grow. They recently moved into their new house in Villa Rica, GA and this weekend they are celebrating their third anniversary.

Mom: Mom still lives in McDonough, GA. She is 77 years old and is still going strong and we look forward to the times that we can call and visit with her.

Myself: I am in my 19th year of pastoring GBT and administrating over TCS. I am serving my last year as president of the Alabama Christian Education Association. I still love preaching and teaching, and in several weeks, we will be sliding down the slopes in Lone Mountain of Big Sky, Montana.

I would love to hear from some of you that we haven’t heard from in a while. You can keep up with our ministry at www.gardendalebaptisttabernacle.org.

This morning we began our first full day back with ministry. after a two-week break, we have all of our students and teachers with TCS beginning class today with a full slate of activities for the remainder of the month of January.

I certainly enjoyed the holiday break. Our first week we were able to go to Atlanta for a day and to see both Pam’s family as well as mine. It was a great time of fellowship. The second week of Christmas break, Pam and I took a few days off and went to Townsend, TN for some great hiking and biking. The Christmas winter storm had dumped about 14 inches there, and I don’t think I have seen Cades Cove more beautiful. We have always talked about staying in Townsend instead of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, but this was the first time we have actually done it with the intent to just find a quiet place and rest. I found a new mountain road for biking that is rarely used and it provided some great scenery with the snow cover, and believe it or not, another bear siting.

We enjoyed the special services in December. Our choir did a great job the night of the Cantata and, as always, our candlelight service was a special time with our people.  Last Sunday we began a brief New Year’s Series that we have entitled, “A New Hear for a New Year”. You can go to the sermon file to listen to the first two sermons.

We have no idea what might be in store for GBT in the next 12 months, but we are praying and planning and working hard to continue to be the best church that we can be. Please join us in our efforts. Let your new year’s resolution be, more than anything, to build God’s Kingdom and to build a stronger and happier family.