Scripture

A joyful heart makes a cheerful face.

~Proverbs 15:13, NASB

Quote

“Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.”

~Karl Barth

I have a ton of stories and many I have not mentioned in a long time. A couple of them came to mind as I was preparing for a Sunday message. I served two small churches while I was in Seminary, and I have a good story related to both. Just in case they have some relatives living, I will use only the first name.

The first story involves a woman named Hattie and she was not from Cincinnati. Hattie was what they call a matriarch–a female who runs the church. The pastor I followed told me: you will not have any problems as long as you drink a little coffee with Hattie and run everything by her. You can imagine my response. I said, “I am not doing that.” You probably know the rest of the story. One of our new converts, a man by the name of John, was out in the parking lot greeting people as they came into church, and he caught Hattie telling folks, “You don’t want to come here. This church is head over heels in debt and the pastor is a dictator.” Of course, I could not let that pass so I confronted Hattie. She was not happy that I came to her house the very next day and talked to her in front of her husband Clarence. Guess what, Clarence, who did not come with Hattie to church, liked me. I guess he admired me for standing up to the beast. Clarence died a year or so later, after I had resigned the church. We were in Athens visiting our folks. I get the message: Hattie wants me back in New Orleans to do the service. I suppose this was his request. In those days we had no money but I scrapped enough together to make the trip. Hattie was well off and I assumed she would cover my expenses. I was wrong. Hattie didn’t even thank me for doing the service. Hattie had the last laugh. Hattie was the only person I’ve ever seen that made June cry, but that was pre-Big Mama. Hattie would be no match for Big Mama.

The second story happened while June and I were at Lena, Mississippi. A sweet lady by the name of Francis bought her a cassette recorder. One Sunday night, I noticed she had it with her and I heard her click it on as I started the message. Then in the middle of the sermon I heard her click it off. When she went out the door that night, she stopped and said to me, “Will you tell me when you are going to preach a good sermon, I want to record it.” I said, “Francis, I am sorry, but I never know.”

One more, same family: Francis’ husband Junior  was our song leader. I was preaching through the Ten Commandments and I was on committing adultery. I said to Junior before the service, “Whatever you do, do not sing O WHY NOT TONIGHT for the invitation.” Evidently he misunderstood and that is exactly what we sang. Fortunately, June and I were the only ones who caught it.

Extra

That warm front felt good but it was crisp this morning coming to the office. We will be do some more visiting today and we get to rest tonight with Doug being in charge of the Christmas Program. One week until Christmas and it will go by fast most likely.

I hope you have a good day and thanks for reading the blog.

By the way, Josh Melson will preach December 28. I will be there, not going anywhere but he asks to do it and I knew I could use some time off.