Church Blog

I, in no way, want to steal any thunder from or try to upstage my good friend and fellow staff member Nicole Hamrick who is writing a book full of dawg stories. But, I have a couple of my own. Specifically I would like to call to mind dogs that have been helpful to me in times of difficulty and crisis… “therapy dawgs”. I am a dog lover and have a list of great dogs in my history starting with…

Each new month that we are still at home and limiting our exposure brings new changes and emotions. I’m experiencing a new sort of weirdness now. It was weird to not be able to see friends, go out to eat, or swing by Marshalls on my days off. As April began, it was weird to have missed so many church events… the dress drive, Saturday breakfasts, and other fundraisers. As I sat in my office a month ago and looked…

My dad died in January and with him went his numerous stories that hopefully we can remember and retell as a part of our family history . One story he would recall was his adventure aboard the Queen Mary. This luxury cruise liner was converted into a troop carrier during the World War II and Glenn Oliver was one of the passengers/soldiers traveling from Boston to Australia (or was it the Philippines?). Dad would tell us about the German U-Boats…

I was cutting my grass on Saturday evening when a black Acura SUV slowed to a stop in the road beside my lawnmower. This family was so friendly and the young lady driving the vehicle had an enthusiastic smile which was made even more pleasant as the kids in the backseat began rolling down the windows and even opening their doors to speak to the old guy on the turf tractor. The late afternoon sun was in my eyes, my…

I am currently having to adjust to getting older and it has been a rather challenging ordeal. I am sure there are those reading this who can identify with this dilemma and the sense of helplessness when confronted with a task that is beyond their ability. I am finding out everyday that more and more work opportunities are becoming things I used to be able to do. Kim wants our master bedroom painted and I am going to do the…

The Mother’s Day Offering for the N.C. Baptist Health has been a part of many N.C. Baptist Churches special offering menu for close to a century. For a number of years, if I am not mistaken, we called it The Offering For N.C. Baptist Hospital and I think for a few years the offering was combined with an offering for N.C. Baptist Retirement Homes and it was called the Homes and Hospital Offering. I gave to this effort for many…

For a part time job extrovert like myself, full time isolation is getting the best of me. But I believe after consulting our health promotion team and trying to keep up with expert health opinions nationwide, that the isolation is for our own good. I was corrected early in the pandemic process when I said in so many words… “I ain’t skeered of gettin’ no virus”. One of our health professionals corrected me… “What if you give it to someone…

As we have noted numerous times, these extraordinary times will result in some tremendous opportunities to minister. I also, as you do as well, know that though times are stressful people often exhibit tremendous selflessness and generosity because we are all confronting a common enemy. The enemy in this case is the Covid 19. A number of you are helping in the community in a variety of ways and some are seeking that area of service where they can connect.…

I have been playing “musical cars” over the last year and you are probably aware of this as you have seen me driving a variety of vehicles. I drove a BMW for a while it was a great car that my oldest son owned for a couple of years and then he sold it to me. I, after a year of extreme driving pleasure, sold it to my youngest son who in turn sold it back to me a few…

Kim and I were watching a movie Saturday night when I found myself thinking with my new Coronavirus mindset. In this film there was a scene which included a large group of people in a rather closed space and I shared with my movie date the concern I had due to the fact that those actors were in such confined quarters. Such is life now in our new normal Covid-19 world. I never thought like that. I am a handshaking,…