October 14, 2019 - In 1984, I became the Pastor of The Magnolia Baptist near Vinton, Louisiana in a community called “Big Woods.” It was a utopia for anyone wanting peace and quiet. The church was so hidden on a backwoods road that that there were days that not a single vehicle passed through “The Woods.”
September 30, 2019 - This is the Clever Creek Baptist Church located in South Central Shelby County. I preached the Homecoming Service there today. I preached my first Youth Revival there in 1952 and hadn't returned till today…67 years later!
July 1, 2019 - “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…” Proverbs 18:24
I met the late Fred Smith when I was a student at ETBU in Marshall, Texas. He was one of our best (and biggest) basketball players and his size earned him the name “Big Fred”. Our paths crossed again when I met him in his pickup on the hill at Geneva, Texas back in the 70s. “Hey, Fincher”, he hollered. “Hey, Fred,"…"Whatcha doing nowadays?”.... “Fox huntin’,” he laughed.
September 17, 2019 - In 1952, my pastor, Dr. Chadwick of Center, Texas invited me to a revival he was preaching in the Clayton Community near Carthage, Texas. He made arrangements for me to stay that week with the church Music Director and work with the youth. Brother Bass was short, loud, and wore a pocket watch with a long gold chain. He vigorously snapped his fingers as he led us in songs like “Turn the Radio On” and “I’ll Fly Away.”
September 9, 2019 - After shopping in Lufkin .last week, Pam and I drove through a Barbecue Drive-thru Lame and ordered sandwiches to eat on our way home. When I opened mine, I instantly recognized the aroma of good barbecue, but my joy was short-lived.
August 19, 2019 - In 1957, I became the Student Pastor of the Liberty Hill Baptist Church of San Augustine, Texas. One of the members, Mrs. Maud Bucklew, often invited me to eat lunch with her when I drove down to San Augustine on Saturdays. Maud lived a couple of miles from Bland Lake down a hot unpaved road.