Melanie Jackson’s dad, Barney, had a stent installed today in one of the grafts that was done in 1996. Otherwise, everything is fine. He will go home in the morning.

You remember the story. Adam & Eve were thrown out of the Garden because the did what God told them not to do. They ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and in doing so, they gained the knowledge of evil (they already had knowledge of good!). Unfortunately, they had no idea of the consequence of having knowledge of evil. We now know that it was very severe; they knew it as soon as the gate to the garden was closed. As you remember, God placed a flaming sword and cherubim at the gate, and in doing so, He made certain that they could not return to the Garden and eat of the tree of life. Ever since, man has been trying to get past those gatekeepers and return to the Garden. No one has accomplished that feat! Not one single person has been able to return on his own, try as he might. As Steve Brown would say, “You think about that!”

I hope you are planning on attending our service tomorrow! Seriously! What the Holy Spirit will do is up to Him, but you do not want to miss whatever it might be. Come expecting Him to meet you and to encourage you to press on in the journey.

“Overcoming the Sense of Being Overwhelmed”

In my humble opinion, today’s service was “magical.” I really don’t like to use that descriptor for things spiritual; however, I think you know what I mean. I am one blessed pastor and that is for certain.

The Holy Spirit is doing what He does best. For that, I am very thankful!

Much love to each of you!

Mac

In the very near future, I will be speaking at the funeral service for a man I have never met. Everything I know about him, I read in his obituary. I know his name, his age, his wife’s name, how long they were married, his children’s names, and that he served in two wars. I also know where he lived (not in Macon).

I also know (from the funeral home) that his family desires a “short and sweet” service. I wonder what they meant by “short?” I really wonder what they meant by “sweet?” Now that I think about it, I wonder what they meant by “short AND sweet?” The funeral home might have meant one thing and the family another. How am I supposed to know? “Short” might mean “a brief prayer and an Amen.” “Sweet” might mean “stand in the foyer and pass out chocolates.” For some reason, no one bothered to define these terms for me. Since brevity is not one of my finer qualities and neither is sweetness, I guess I am in a quandary.

Oh, I am sure the funeral home will ask me to lead the way to the grave site. That is no big thing, except for the fact that I have no idea where it is. Yes, I am confident that there will be more than one tent in the cemetery today, which will only make my locating the grave even more difficult. I don’t think my GPS, even though it is a new one, locates grave sites. I suppose I should try, in hope against hope.

There is one other thing you should know: I tend to have stage fright at funerals, especially when I know so little about the deceased. When “they” teach you how to speak at funeral services for people you do not know, they, well, come to think of it, I don’t think “they” teach this. If they do, it has been so long ago that (1) I have long-since forgotten what they taught or (2) what they taught is now out of date.

I will see you Sunday! Some of you played hookey this past Sunday, but I won’t call names, unless you are AWOL this Sunday.

Amen.

Alan Parker has met someone who needs an inexpensive vehicle. This individual has severe kidney problems and is unable to purchase one outright. If you know of anyone who has a vehicle that is in running order with a cheap price (free would be nice), please let Alan know. I do not have his number handy, so you can call me at 478-361-0415.

Thanks!

Mac

Sunday’s service will be different and you do not want to miss it! Yes, I know that all of our services are different, at least in some ways; however, this one will be DIFFERENT.

I am convinced that you want to be present and accounted for.

More to come, as we get closer to Sunday.

Be alert!

I just learned that Alan Parker’s office manager’s husband, Don Pacquet, has had a major heart attack and is in the Medical Center. Please remember to pray for him, as he is in serious condition.

Kevin’s father-in-law’s by-pass surgery went well; however, his kidneys are not up to par, so they haven’t released him from Emory. Maybe tomorrow or the next day, depending upon his kidney functions.

Grace & peace!

Mac

Roger & Barbara Miller have a new grandson: 9lbs. 8 oz. Will be playing football in a week or two! His name will come as soon as I know it!

Congratulations!!