Tony's Blog

Vacation Bible School

2008-06-24T21:44:39Z

Wow! VBS was simply unbelievable last week. We averaged over 400 each morning and God really moved. We saw 24 children come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. Another amazing thing was the amount of money the children raised for missions. We received just shy of $5,000. Unbelievable. So many people worked so hard to make this event a success and I want to, once again, say thank you. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!!! I hope to post some pictures over the next couple of days.

For those who came Sunday night, I told you that you would see me in a way you never have before (and never will again) and I followed through on my promise. I am looking for some pictures.

Long Overdue Updates

2008-06-14T22:42:59Z

I thought it might be time to update you all on several things:

FBC Tacoma - My revival in Tacoma was awesome and the Lord really blessed. We had a church-wide evangelism day on Saturday. It was awesome seeing churches other than ours out sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. I spent my day at a park handing out water bottles. I had a chance to share the gospel several times with some basketball players. We saw some folks saved and it created excitement for the participants.

Kristen - Kristen left to Wales a couple of weeks ago. I miss her terribly and the time seems to be going very slowly. She is having the time of her life. I spoke with her earlier today. She has completed her training and has arrived at her place of ministry. Her life is changing!!

Southern Baptist Convention - I love going to the Southern Baptist Convention. The highlight this year was the election of my hero, Johnny Hunt, has our president. He is excited and is definitely the right man for the position. My prayers are with him. I saw many friends and enjoyed their fellowship. The best part of the convention each year is definitely seeing old friends.

VBS - VBS begins this week and I am praying for many kids to be saved. I appreciate all those who have worked so hard to make it happen.

Vacation - I need one!!

FBC Tacoma

2008-05-21T13:28:04Z

Thursday morning I will be heading to Tacoma Washington to preach and teach. I would like to ask that you pray for me and this church. This will be a different type of meeting than a traditional revival meeting. Primarily I will be teaching evangelism strategies to the church. I am meeting with youth, with adults, and with leadership, and we are going into the streets to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, I will preach a few sermons on evangelism. I appreciate FBC Lavaca's emphasis on intentional evangelism and pray that FBC Tacoma will be able to catch the same passion. Thanks for your prayers!

The Fun and the Tough

2008-05-13T16:27:30Z

THE FUN: Last Wednesday, I was in my office and the pro at Hardscrabble Golf Course, Jeremy Moe called me concerning the Nationwide Tour event they were hosting. It seems they were very short on caddies and wanted Josh to help out. I told Jeremy that Josh would be welcome to do so. Then he said that I could do it if I wanted. I decided to do it. It really was awesome getting to know some of the pros and understanding their mindset on the golf course. I caddied for Vance Veazey. Vance is a good golfer, but didn't have a great week and missed the cut. Josh caddied for Steve Schneiter and he played very well. In fact, after his first 6 holes on Sunday he was in the top 5, but then fell back. We both really enjoyed the weekend and I was able to fulfill a childhood dream of being inside the ropes.

THE TOUGH: Kristen left for Israel and Egypt Saturday. It was much tougher than I thought it would be. She will be back in 17 days for about a week and then leave to Wales for the summer. I am unbelievably proud of her, but I really miss her. Today is her birthday. Don't worry she make sure she got her present before she left. Please keep her in your prayers and also her parents. (Espcially Edie)

The Man in the Mirror

2008-04-23T13:17:05Z

Before I type my intended post, I want to say that Sunday night was awesome! Some may say that we cancelled church, but in my eyes we just took church to the streets. It was unbelievably exciting to see hundreds of people leave Lavaca to be intentionally evangelistic. Thank you all for your dedication and commitment to seeing people come to faith in Jesus Christ.

And now my post: Last night I was standing at my bathroom sink, getting ready for bed and I looked into the mirror. What I saw took me back a little. Of course, I saw myself, but I also saw my dad, especially around my eyes. It has happened a couple of times over the past years. I guess the older I get the more I see glimpses of my father's appearance in my own appearance. I laughed quietly, then a question came to my mind. I wonder if other's see glimpses of my heavenly Father when they look at me? Admittedly, there are times when I fail. I say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, and even think the wrong thing. But I wonder if others see who Jesus is and what he does when they see me. I wonder if others see Jesus when they look at you. Philippians 1:27 begins by saying "Let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ" O that my conduct would be worthy of the gospel of Christ!!!

Lawnmower Lessons

2008-04-12T20:47:52Z

Over the years, the Lord has given me some of my best sermon ideas while mowing grass. I have no idea why the Lord seems to speak to me on a lawn mower, but He does. Today, I learned a lesson about the church while mowing. May lawn mower is a 42 inches Cub Cadet. It is an excellent for a smaller yard, but is not nearly big enough or fast enough for my 3 acre lot. However, it is all I have so I got up this morning to mow. When I went to get gas, I met our chairman of deacons, Kenny Smithson. He was pulling a trailer with his lawn mower on it. He owns a monster mower. It is a 52 inch Grasshopper, zero turn. That mower is awesome! He said he would help me mow my yard. So there we went. My slow mower and his awesome mower. I mowed on mine as hard as I could go and he mowed as hard as he could go and we finished in less than an hour (Remember, I still have plenty of bare spots) Our mowers are kinda like spiritual gifts. Some people have many gifts, or very extravagant gifts, or very visible gifts. You might say they are the "Grasshopper Mowers." Others have gifts that are used behind the scenes. You might say they have the "Cub Cadet" gifts. It would be terrible for those with "Cub Cadet" gifts to say they won't they won't serve because they don't have "Grasshopper" gifts. We can't compare our gifts with the gifts of others. We must serve the Lord as hard and we can go with the gifts we have. Ultimately, we will give account on how faithfully we used the gifts we have been given.

Kristen's Call

2008-04-07T23:10:34Z

Sunday Night caught me somewhat off-guard. Kristen publicly announced, to the church, her call to be a missionary. That is not new news to me, but I didn't know she was coming forward before the church. If you were there, you know that I was a basket case. I cried so hard, I was making noises. (In Tennessee, we call this "having a spell") As you can imagine, I am unbelievably proud of her. God has done such a marvelous work in her life over the past months. I think I realized last night that I was going to have to let her go. I know it is right, but the thought causes me to physically ache. May the Lord use her to reach the nations.

Pictures

2008-04-07T15:49:29Z

Enjoyed fishing when I went to Tennesee. This the first fish I caught on this very cold day.

This is my good friend, Larry Porter. He is the best bass fisherman I know.

Reverend Kenny Bailey is one of my dearest friends and my most loyal fishing buddy. This fish weighed about 5 lbs. The biggest fish I have seen him catch.

I preached Kenny's ordination service. It was very moving. Kenny is one of the finest men of God I know.

This is Josh with Jack Fleck. Jack won the 1955 U.S. Open by beating Ben Hogan in a playoff. I spoke with him about his relationship with the Lord. I happy to say that Jack loves the Lord and gives him glory for his success on tour. Meeting him was a real treat.

Great Trip to Branson and Tennessee

2008-04-04T14:13:03Z

Last weekend was like a whirlwind. Edie and I had a wonderful time in Branson. Actually, we drove to Springfield and went to the biggest Bass Pro in the World. (Score) We didn't have nearly enough time there, but it was awesome for the couple of hours I wondered around. Edie enjoyed shopping and I bought her a Coach Purse for our anniversary. Honestly, I don't get those purses, but it sure made Edie happy. Therefore it was worth it.

I departed for Tennessee early Saturday morning (6 am). I had great flights. I sat by a young man name Andrew from Dallas to Knoxville. I began inquiring about his relationship with Christ and turned out he loves Jesus. We enjoyed sweet fellowship together.

After landing in Knoxville, Kenny and I met Larry Porter at the lake and spent the rest of the day fishing. We had a great day other than I almost froze to death. We caught fish pretty consistently all day long. All of us caught big fish. As difficult as it is for me to admit, Kenny caught the biggest fish (5 lbs) It is important to note however, that he didn't catch the most.

Sunday was awesome. The morning service at East Rogersville was very moving for me. I met the new pastor. His name is Steve Owenby and he is the real deal. God is already using him greatly. The choir sang my favorite song (Who can Satisfy) and did a wonderful job. It messed me up right before standing to preach. Sunday morning I preached on God's amazing Grace from 2 Samuel 9.

Sunday night was the real reason I went to Tennessee. Kenny Bailey was ordained to gospel ministry. What a service. Kenny had a spell from the first note to the last amen. I am proud of Kenny and his willingness to follow the Lord's leadership.

My travels were interesting on Monday. Storms were everywhere. My flight was Knoxville was quite late. However, God had a purpose. I was standing alone by the window and noticed a lady coming toward me with two young sons. As she approached, she fell to her knees in tears. The aunt that raised her had just died. God put me there to minister and pray with her.

My flight from Dallas to Fort Smith was cancelled so I got to spend about 9 hours in the airport. Boy, that was a blast. At one point, I got on the little train and just rode it around. Again, the Lord worked and I was able to meet many people and had the opportunity to share Christ several times. In fact, one lady assured me that she and her husband would come to our church. We'll see.

I will add some pictures of my trips soon.

Anniversary and the Weekend

2008-03-27T15:27:28Z

Well, I have a big weekend planned. I will leave this afternoon heading to Branson with my sweet wife. Tomorrow, we will celebrate 21 years of marriage. We are going to spend the night in Branson and then go the the big Bass Pro Shop on Friday. (My pulse is racing as I type) I'm sure I'll be able to find a satisfactory gift for myself there. I can hardly believe that I have been married for 21 years. God has richly blessed me with an awesome wife. I love her with all my heart and pray the Lord will give us many more years together. Edie, one life-time is not enough to spend with you! I love you!!

Once we get back home early Friday evening, things begin happening quickly. We will have kids in our home for a Disciple Now weekend. Kristen is the leader/teacher (that freaks me out a bit). I will get up very early to catch a 6:00 am flight to Tennessee where I will be preaching twice at East Rogersville Baptist Church. On Sunday Evening, I'll be preaching an ordination service for my good friend Kenny Bailey. I will land in Knoxville around 11:10 where I will be picked up by Kenny and another friend, Larry Porter. Larry is the best bass fisherman I know and makes a living as a guide. Anyway, they are picking me up in the truck and boat and we will be having fellowship on the lake. (Again, my pulse is racing). It will be an awesome weekend,