The Place, The People, and The Purpose

Isaiah 61:11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.


It was a wonderful time at the Ladies Retreat on Friday night and Saturday. I'd like to share with you the Three P's of how God worked in my heart.

The Place..... The retreat was held at The Palms of Destin Resort. It was a beautiful condo with lots of amenities. It was quiet and serene and afforded us a wonderful atmosphere for drawing closer to the Lord.

The People... About 100 ladies from our church attended the Retreat. There were girls just out of college up to ladies in their 70's with the majoring of ladies being the young set in their 30's and 40's. I enjoyed seeing so many ladies whom I know and then meeting and making some new acquaintances during the retreat. It was a blessing to hear our guest speaker, Debbie Morris as well as our own church member Dee P. Tracy, our pastor's wife, did an excellent job of emceeing the retreat. The ladies who led the singing, played the keyboard, and sang specials were all used of God to draw my heart closer to Him. Of course I so much enjoyed staying with 5 of my dear friends. Sandra, Ann, Lucille, Peggy, and Regina were all used of God to encourage as well as challenge me in my Christian life. The pic is of them on the balcony of our 3-bedroom condo.

The Purpose... The purpose of the retreat was to come apart from our everyday busy lives to be able to focus on God's Word, draw closer to Him, and of course to have some fun time together as sisters-in-Christ. The Theme of the Retreat was "The Secret Garden." The sessions were designed to help us retreat back to the Secret Garden of knowing Christ in a very real and intimate way. It's amazing how easy it is to relegate Him to a backseat in our lives. The Retreat helped me to re-focus as a Christian. It all worked together for good in my heart... the messages from our guest speaker, the fun stuff we did as a group, the meals shared, and the wonderful fellowship and time of sharing with my friends in our room. I'm so glad I was able to attend and know I would go again in a heartbeat, the Lord willing!!

Our Theme Song for the Retreat was "In the Garden." That song is special to me anyway as it was sung at both my mother-in-law's and father-in-law's funerals. I was blessed to read what was printed in our program regarding the words of the first verse and thought I'd share those thoughts here....

"I come to the garden alone" ~~ Matthew 6:6
This verse brings to mind the idea of a secret or private place that you can go and spend time with the Lord. Do you have a special place that you can go to every day to spend time with the Lord? Where is it? What makes that place special? Are there things that draw you to that place?

"While the dew is still on the roses;" ~~ Psalm 5:3, Psalm 63:1
These verses indicate a need to get up early to have a special time with the Lord. Do you get up early?Do you give God the first part of your day or is He just mingled in with the rest of your busy schedule? Some people would say they do better spending time with God at night because they are more alert. Consider this thought: a thing is more precious if it is gained through sacrifice. If an early quiet time with the Lord is a struggle, will it not be sweeter once you have done it?

"And the voice I hear, falling on my ear," ~~ John 10:4-5, 27
The sheep recognizes the voice of the Shepherd because the sheep stays close to the Shepherd. The sheep listens attentively for the voice of the shepherd, and it is not led astray by another. Are we so in tune with the Father that we recognize His voice and leading right away? Do you doubt when you hear or do you know the Father so well that you can recognize it immediately?" I John 4:1 tells us to "...try the spirits whether they are of God." Are you aware of deceivers who would try to lead you astray?

"The Son of God discloses." ~~~ John 20:14-15
Can you just imagine being there in the garden weeping because the One that you love is dead and His body has disappeared? Oh what joy when He says your name! You recognize His voice and are consumed with the fact that He has revealed Himself to you. Do you know that tender love of the Savior? Have you heard him call out your name and speak to you? Is your relationship with God close enough that you hear His voice?

"And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known." ~~Genesis 3:8-9; I John 1:3-4; Revelation 3:20

God came looking for Adam and Eve in the Garden. God desires that we have fellowship with Him. He comes to us and waits for us to enter into that place of fellowship. In order to have sweet fellowship with God, we must first come to God with a clean heart. I John 1:9 tells us to confess our sins and we will receive forgiveness. Are there things in your life that are keeping you from having sweet fellowship with God? Take a moment and do a little inventory of your heart to see any hindrances. Confess those to God. Then ask God to help you to have communion with Him.

I thank God for the privilege of attending the retreat as it was used to bring me back into the secret garden where my heart was reigned in and refocused on JESUS.

Blessings afterwards..... riding home with my daughter Amy, but first, we went shopping in San Destin together. Being just the two of us, we enjoyed a lot of mother-daughter conversation all of the way home. No one would believe how little time we are able to spend together ~~ especially with just the two of us. It was the "treat" of the retreat!!

And then coming home to my sweet Richard. In the past 6 years of living in Pensacola, we have probably not spent more than 5 nights apart. I missed him!! While I was away, he did a couple of neat things for me..... one of which was to do our laundry. That was totally unexpected and a real sweet blessing. :) I thank God for His blessings on all fronts!!

The Wedding~~ Jason and Rachel

Matthew 19:6~~ Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.


Jason H. was wed to Rachel L. on Saturday, October 27. It was a lovely outdoor wedding on the Bay. Here is a picture of Jason and Rachel with the family. L-R: Joey (Wayne's and Rita's son), Wayne, and Rita (Nita's sister), Terry holding Sara-Grace (Beau's and Michelle's daughter), Bride Rachel, Annika (Jason's daughter), Groom Jason, Nita, Jaeden (Beau's and Michelle's son), Michelle (sister of the groom), Beau (Michelle's husband), and Bruce (Rita's son) with his wife and their two young children. Remember to double-click the picture to see a nice large view of it!

Saw this on the Indiana Church Website...

Farewell to Chip Dean

October 21, 2007

Sunday, Oct 21st, was the last day for our youth pastor, Chip Dean who follows God's call for him to serve at Capshaw Baptist Church in Huntsville, Al.

We appreciate the past 3 1/2 years Chip has not only led our youth, but led us in the current transition between senior pastors. We also appreciate his willingness to stay beyond the time we asked of him when he graduated seminary. In fact, Chip has had the longest tenure of any youth pastor here at Harrison Hills. Thank you Chip for serving Jesus here at HHBC.

All Dressed Up

I always enjoy seeing my GRANDkids on Sundays. Well, I most assuredly LOVE seeing them every day but meant that I enjoy seeing them all dressed up on Sundays. I know a lot of folks have gone to casual dress for worship on Sundays, but I still like to dress my best for church. Not to be seen of men. Not even to be seen of God for I know the Word says that He looks on the heart and not on our outward appearances. It's just that for church and our worship of the Savior on that day, it seems appropriate to me that we put on our best to meet the Master. If "best jeans" works for some folks, it doesn't offend me. Personally, I lean toward the "old-fashioned" traditional dress for church. Anyway, I didn't mean to get off on that for it is just a personal matter of mine. Back to the reason for this post: Here some pics of the kids made EARLY on Sunday morning at breakfast. A couple of them were still half asleep but made the sacrifice to get up an hour early in order to have a "good-bye breakfast" with Uncle Chip.

(You will note that Jarrett isn't wearing his coat and tie at breakfast, but look at him in the group pic with Uncle Chip in the next article as we are ready to embark for church. :)

Going-Away Breakfast with Chip on Sunday Morning

Ecclesiastes 12:10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.

We ALL enjoyed Chip's visit home this past week. We are always challenged spiritually by Chip. He keeps us on our toes for sure. We did a lot of fun stuff as a family. One highlight for the kids was that Chip joined them and their parents at the fair on Friday night (10-2). It's great that the kids know he is a preacher, but that he is real and has fun and that it is a joy to live the Christian life.

This Sunday morning, we all went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast as Chip was taking off for Huntsville. It was an especially fun hour together. He got off and we even made it to Sunday School on time. We look forward to his Thanksgiving visit!!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Jaden

Proverbs 4:10 Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

Click arrow on bottom left
of video to view it!

Our GRANDson, Jaden, will celebrate his 3rd birthday on Friday, November 2. Because his Uncle Chip was here visiting, Amy and Brian had his family party a week early.









We missed Jaden's Pappy Jim as he had to work but otherwise everyone was there: Daddy, Mommy, siblings: Jarrett, Isabella, Joshua, Great-Grandma Goldie, Grandma Carol, Grandma Susan, Grandpa Richard, Uncle Matthew, Aunt Mary, Cousin Morgan, Uncle Chip, and Great-Aunt Darlene and Great-Uncle Bill. It was a nice lunch, sweet fellowship, and a fun party celebrating God's blessings upon Jaden's young life. We pray Jaden will be saved at an early age and will receive God's sayings and live a long life for God. Here are some pics made at the party. The birthday video was made by Jaden's Great-Uncle Bill. The clear pics were taken by Bill or Darlene and the fuzzy pics were made by me. I was having terrible camera problems!! Anyway, HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY to JADEN!!!!

A New Family ~~ Established on October 27, 2007

Matthew 22:9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

Chip was a groomsman in his friend Jason H's wedding on Saturday evening. We were privileged to attend and pray God's richest blessings upon Jason and Rachel as they begin their new life together as one. Here are some pics of Chip in his role as groomsman.

Wednesday Night Dinner

We had a nice family dinner at the Palms Grille on Campus. Here are a few pics from that fun dinner hour before going to church together....

Wonderful Wednesday with Chip Home

Matthew 18:10~~ Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Chip takes his ministry to young people very seriously, and it shows in the relationships he has with his nephews: Jarret (14), Josh (8), Jaden (3), and with his only niece: Isabella (12). He is a preacher who loves God, and they know it. He is their uncle who loves them and enjoys their company ~~ and they know it. I imagine Jarrett, Belle, and Josh were all sorry they couldn't spend the day with Uncle Chip as Jaden has been privileged to do. Jaden and Uncle Chip have had a fun morning. We have made a few pics and will make a few more just before Chip leaves to go have lunch with his Dad and Dr. Jackson.

Terrific Tuesday with Chip

1 John 1:7~~ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

It is such a blessing having Chip here. We are a close-knit family and miss him so much 51 weeks out of the year.

Our day started out with a little excitement as we had a tornado warning at 6:40 for right here in our immediate area. I knocked on Chip's bedroom door to wake him and asked him to put on his shorts in case we needed to get in a closet. Thankfully, a tornado didn't occur and the warning was canceled.

Later, when Chip got up, he and I enjoyed our quiet morning together and then met Richard for lunch at Sonny's Bar-B-Que. From there, we all three went our separate ways.

All nine of us met here at the house for dinner ~~ which I cooked for the family. For 30 minutes before dinner, Chip romped with the kids out in the front yard. They all woke up to see him briefly last night when he arrived but, of course, were in school all day so hadn't been able to see him since those 5 minutes on Tuesday night. This afternoon, they had fun reuniting with their Uncle Chip. He is so good to interact with them and to show them his love. All four of them respond whole-heartedly. The pics shown are from their pre-dinner fun out in the front yard.

Richard and I are enjoying our quiet evening with Chip; however, it is quickly becoming our bedtime. We can't outlast Chip for sure.


Wednesday's Plan: Jaden is all excited to be coming over tomorrow morning to spend the day with Grandma and Uncle Chip. Uncle Chip will be here in the morning but then he and his dad are meeting our pastor, Dr. Jackson, for lunch. Dr. Jackson has heard a lot about Chip, and Chip has heard a lot about Dr. Jackson so it ought to be an interesting first meeting. :) After lunch, Chip wants to go by the Academy to see Amy's office and then is going to pick up Jarrett from school at 3:00 to spend some quality time with him. And then tomorrow night is church. It will be a full day!

That's my reminder that it is now my bedtime. Good-night!