A Week Ago....

This has been a very busy couple of weeks for me.  Business has picked up a bit, and I am grateful.  Last Wednesday, while sitting alongside the interstate  near waiting for an associate near Ashland, Ky, I received a call from some of our dearest friends in Virginia.  They were in a crisis and needed prayer.  Their son, Scott, was enroute to the Potomac Hospital in Woodbridge, VA by ambulance.  In a few minutes they called again, to tell me the news that Scott had arrived at the hospital and within the ten minutes between calls, he had suffered a massive heart attack and went to be with the Lord.  This was very shocking to everyone.  Of course, the Simmons' were devastated.

As I sat there in the car, the words of the psalmist came to me:  "In my distress, I cried unto the Lord and He heard me!"  My mind raced back to the first time that I had met Scott.  He was in a very difficult situation.  He was almost at the bottom.  I remember the day that Scott finally, with great sincerity, called upon the Lord, yielding his life to the Master.  It was just over two years ago.  Scott's life was never the same again.

I was asked to officiate at the services for my friend.  It was a very sweet time as more people than the chapel could hold, packed into the seats to remember Scott.  It was a moving service as his friend Monty came to the podium and gave a tribute that brought tears to everyone's eyes.  I ministered a message from Luke 15 concerning the father's love for the prodigal.  What a moment as several have called to ask the Lord to come into their lives.  

Scott was a truck driver for Stephens Transport, Inc.  He was in attendance every Sunday morning for the sermon at the church where I pastored by means of cellular phone.  Every week, a cell phone was placed near the sound speaker so that he could participate in the service wherever he was.  He was interested in the scripture and would listen by the hour to the scripture on tape, often calling to ask for my interpretation of the passage to which he had listened.  

Glenda and I have often questioned God's purpose regarding our ministry in Virginia.  Last Sunday, I said 'so long' to one who returned to the Father while I was pastoring in Virginia.  He had run the race and had run it well!  It could well be the reason that God sent me to Virginia.  I was grateful that I had been a part of God's design.

Dear friend, be not weary in doing well, for you will reap a harvest for the seed that you sow! 

Please keep Debbie, Thelma, Bill, and Rita in your prayers as they pass through these difficult days!  

CARRY ON!!!!!