Annual events are most times anticipated, though some are dreaded. I will not get into tests, physicals and maybe a few difficult family situations.
Let’s think at this season about the good of the seasons. There are birthdays, so give thanks that you had another one! I remind people that in our season, though I don’t know when this season commenced, old is always five years more than we are at present. In fact, I have observed that people like our own Dr. Don Moore will never be old no matter how many birthdays they celebrate.
Family gatherings around Thanksgiving and Christmas are special. Do you remember sitting at the kids table, then with the adults, then seeing your kids and now grandkids at the kids table? The annual seasonal memories and present experiences are wonderful. Enjoy them.
The Christmas season is surely like no other. The time of year, the songs we hear and sing, the services celebrating our Savior’s birth, and the giving of the Lottie Moon offering for international missions comprise a huge part of this season.
The primacy of missions, local, state, our country, and the world, are one of the two stated purposes of our convention. Encouraging cooperative support and involvement in missions joined with assisting the churches gives direction to the ministries of the ABSC. The ministry of the International Mission Board of Southern Baptists is one thing that finds nearly universal agreement. My life has been impacted by people in various churches who have served the Lord in other nations. I think of couples in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas who inspired me by their love of and commitment to the nations.
We all know about Lottie Moon, but we do know people like her who followed God’s call to serve in places far from home? My dear friend, Stan Parris, who I knew as an athlete, coach, fellow seminary student, pastor, missionary, and co-laborer for a time with his wife, Charlotte, stands tall in my view for serving and continually advocating for missions. Now in this season, five years from being old, Stan writes and speaks on missions at every opportunity. You know people like this don’t you?
Let’s be generous, prayerful, and thankful for this season that is upon us. Bless you, Arkansas Baptists. How blessed I am to be one of you!