"A PERSEPECTIVE ON THE FAMILY OF GOD - THOUGHTS ABOUT SOUTHERN BAPTISTS (AND OTHER CHRISTIAN GROUPS)"

Through the miracle of modern technology, I am writing these words on a laptop computer through wireless internet in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, as we travel to Indianapolis, Indiana, and the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). (The logo above is the official symbol of the SBC. It represents Southern Baptists commitment to sharing the Good News of Christ as recorded in the Bible with the world.)

Through the miracle of biblical teaching, I am writing these words on the place of Southern Baptists in God's family as we anticipate attending the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The Southern Baptist Convention was organized in 1845 at the First Baptist Church of Augusta, Georgia, by folks from various Baptist churches across the South. Prior to 1845, Baptists in the South were part of the Triennial Baptist Convention, consisting of Baptist churches throughout what was then the United States. From turbulent beginnings to today, the SBC has become the second largest Christian group in the world and the largest evangelical Christian group.

Although the SBC does many wonderful spiritual and humanitarian services from training missionaries to feeding the poor, the SBC was formed and continues to exist for one reason: to enable local Southern Baptist churches that cooperate together to do missions (the sharing of the Good News of Jesus Christ). Yes, there are doctrinal and practical differences between us and other Christian groups, but I hope that when you think of Southern Baptists, you think not of the things that differentiate us, but of the one thing that all Christians can have in common if they so believe: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). I learned a long time ago that if Christians are going to share the Good News of Christ with everyone everywhere, it's going to take Southern Baptists as well as every other Christian group.

If you'd like to learn more about Southern Baptists, you can contact us or visit the website of the Southern Baptist Convention - www.sbc.net.

This is just one Southern Baptist pastor's perspective.

"A PERSPECTIVE ON THE MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY WEEKEND - THOUGHTS ABOUT CELEBRATING WHILE FORGETTING TO REMEMBER"

This past Monday we observed Memorial Day. I used to say "celebrate," but after reading the following comments by noted Christian author Henry Blackaby, I now think that it's a day that we should "observe" rather than "celebrate."

Blackaby notes that "Memorial Day was first observed as Decoration Day on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Civil War soldiers. Following World War I, the observance was set aside to honor the fallen heroes of all American wars. In 1971, the National Holidays Act passed by Congress took effect, making Memorial Day into a three-day weekend. I am saddened to see, however, that through the years that have followed it has become somewhat less a day of remembrance and more a day of holiday and celebration. Like Christmas, many have forgotten the history and true meaning of the day."

I agree. Of all of the "holidays weekends" on the calendar, the Sunday of the Memorial Day weekend should be one of the highest church attendances of the year for people to gather to thank God for the men and women who died in order that we might live. Instead, studies show that Memorial Day weekend always has one of the lowest church attendance of the year. Television, radio, and newspapers advertise Memorial Day weekend as the start of the summer season and many citizens celebrate it that way to the extent of ignoring the observance and remembrance of those who died to protect that celebration.

How do we, as Blackaby said, remember "the history and true meaning of the day?" Here are the stories of two heroes that I shared at our church Sunday that may help remind of us.

Audie Murphy, who became one of Hollywood's film starts in the 1950's, became the most decorated U.S. combat soldier of all time. In 27 months of combat action in World War II, Murphy received the Medal of Honor (the U.S. military's highest award for valor) along with 32 additional U.S. medals, five medals from France, and one from Belgium.

The official U.S. Army citation for Audie Murphy's Medal of Honor reads:

Second Lt. Murphy commanded Company B, which was attacked by six tanks and waves of infantry. 2d Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to a prepared position in a woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give fire directions to the artillery by telephone. Behind him, to his right, one of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. 2d Lt. Murphy continued to direct artillery fire, which killed large numbers of the advancing enemy infantry.

With the enemy tanks abreast of his position, 2d Lt. Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was in danger of blowing up at any moment, and employed its .50 caliber machine gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to German fire from three sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. The enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour the Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate 2d Lt. Murphy, but he continued to hold his position and wiped out a squad that was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards, only to be mowed down by his fire.

He received a leg wound, but ignored it and continued his single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way back to his company, refused medical attention, and organized the company in a counterattack, which forced the Germans to withdraw.

His directing of artillery fire wiped out many of the enemy; he killed or wounded about 50. 2d Lt. Murphy's indomitable courage and his refusal to give an inch of ground saved his company from possible encirclement and destruction, and enabled it to hold the woods which had been the enemy's objective. (End of citation.)

Murphy, like many other military men and women, returned home. Some returned to full lives, some returned wounded physically and emotionally. Some fell in battle. All should be remembered and never forgotten.

Take a moment now to think of someone close to you who served in the military and no longer alive. Perhaps that person died on the battlefield. Perhaps that person returned home. The person I am thinking of served in the Philippines in WW II.

Thankfully, he did return home and lived a full life. In 1953, I was born as his seventh child. In 1987, he was buried with a 21 gun salute as "Taps" played. One of the men in the honor guard handed me several of the spent casings and told me to be sure and give them to my children as a reminder of the military service of their grandfather. The flag that draped his casket is now displayed in a case on a bookshelf in our home. I hope you have some remembrance of one like my father in your life. If you do, take a moment to thank God for that person's willingness to risk health and life so that you now remain free. I know these heroes would want us to celebrate and enjoy life, but try to remember next year to "observe" Memorial Day and not just "celebrate" it as a long holiday weekend.

This is just one grateful citizen's, pastor's, and son's perspective.

“A Perspective on Worship Music - Thoughts about Music that Pleases Both God and People”

(Click on the cartoons
for a much larger image.)

Traditional and Contemporary. Old-Fashioned and Modern. Words and Tunes. The argument is as old as the Bible Psalms written hundreds of years ago to be sung and as new as vastly differing styles of hymns, gospel songs, and contemporary Christian music written within the last generations.

This past Sunday, our church enjoyed some contemporary Christian music by the band "LED" (www.infaithbydesign.com) from Cabot. Instead of our traditional piano and organ, the group featured their electronic keyboard, acoustic, electric, and bass guitars, drums, and bongos. Yes, the tunes were newer and louder. But, the words and music was just as biblical as the older, softer, traditional kind.

People have strong feelings about the worship music they prefer. God does, too. However, unlike many of us, He's not concerned with the tune but with the words.

Rick Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in California and author of the second best-selling book of all time, "The Purpose Driven Life," hits the nail on the head. If I may paraphrase his words, I would say it this way: it's not the sound of the tune but the sacredness of the words that matters. Remember, it's not about us ... it's about God.

Although the music (the tune) is quite different for the following two songs written almost one hundred years apart, the lyrics (and therefore the message) of both are quite similar. Although we didn't sing the 1899 one so familiar to many of us older folks this past Sunday, the band "LED" did invite us to sing the 1997 one.

"Open My Eyes (That I May See)"
Words and Music by Clara H. Scott, 1899.
Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.
Silently now I wait for thee,
Ready, my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

"Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord"
Words and Music by Paul Baloche, 1997.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You.
I want to see You.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart.
I want to see You.
I want to see You.
To see You high and lifted up,
Shining in the light of Your glory.
Pour out Your power and love.
As we sing holy, holy, holy.

We sing both kinds of worship music at our church. We use the traditional piano, organ, and handbells. We also enjoy worship videos and choruses with a keyboard and sometimes a guitar. We're trying to offer music that appeals to all ages and all tastes. But, most importantly, we're trying to offer music that appeals to God. As long as the words honor Him, I know He'll enjoy the tunes. The above cartoons are funny, but it's sad when worship music is offered or rejected with the wrong intent.

Let's not let the kind of tunes you prefer cause you to reject words that honor God that happen to be in tunes you do not like.

This is just the perspective of one who loves to sing many kinds of worship music.

“A PERSPECTIVE ON THE CIRCLE OF LIFE - THOUGHTS ABOUT BIRTH AND DEATH”

Usually I write from the perspective of a pastor, but two events of the last few days have prompted me to write from the perspective of one attending (but not preaching) two funerals.

Friday, I attended the funeral service for Brayden Sikole, whose earthly life did not last outside the womb. Monday, I attended the service for Mrs. Mildred Fisher, who earthy life ended the age of 92.

The services were conducted by two other pastors - one a “new” friend that I met that day (Chad Graves, pastor of Monticello Pauline Baptist Church) and the other by an “old” friend of many years (Robert McDaniel, former pastor of our church and now pastor of Otter Creek First Baptist Church). The two services contrasted two very different stages of life ... a baby's service led by a young pastor and a senior woman's service led by a pastor nearing retirement.

Something I’ve learned through my years both in ministry and in life is that grief is powerful no matter what the age of the person who had died.

I never met little Brayden, but I know his family. His England great grandparents are member of our church. His Monticello family is an active part of their church there. His grandpa Mark wrote and read the following poem at Brayden’s funeral service. With the family’s permission, I share it here with you. It tells you a lot about Brayden and his family.
“Prepared to Do My Part”
"This little boy came into my heart A difficult way with a difficult start.
But I was prepared to do my part. To give him to a family unknown That he may never be alone.
Parents, he will need To help him through this world - But this was not meant to be.
God was ready for him to be In heaven now and not with me.
But I do understand That God has made the perfect plan. Someday I’ll see this little man."

I did know Mrs. Fisher. Several of the ladies of our church would go with me to visit her after she became homebound. We saw her the day before she died. The time before that (a couple of weeks ago), she was well enough to visit with us and we talked about several things. She lived an active life until about the time I moved to England almost seven years ago. I loved to hear her talk about the past, especially her love for high heeled shoes. But, even more than that, I’m glad that she loved to talk about the Lord and the church.

Some would say that funerals are sad occasions. And, yes, they are. But, they can also be comforting occasions when we know that we haven’t really “lost” those who love Jesus ... we’ve just been separated from them for a time. Notice that I wrote “earthly life” at the beginning of this article. Brayden’s life did not end last week. Neither did Mrs. Fisher’s. God protects children and He protects those adults who put their trust in Him. As my mother once wisely told me about living with the death of my middle brother at age thirteen: “You never got over it, but with God’s help you learn to live with it.”

I hope you'll have this comfort when death comes to your family so that God can help you to “learn to live with it.” And I hope that you'll give that comfort to your family when death comes to you ... whether young, middle aged, or elderly.

Mrs. Fisher's funeral service ended with us singing the following words from a familiar hymn:
"When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.
When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory."
When I get to heaven, I will see Brayden Sikole and Mildred Fisher ... two whose earthly lives ended very differently but who heavenly lives have the greatest similarity: the love and protection of God.

This is just the perspective of someone who attended two funerals last week.

"A PERSPECTIVE ON CELEBRATING MOTHER'S DAY - THOUGHTS ABOUT A SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY GIFT"

I've posted this entry before ... but this time it's from a different perspective with a different photo. The photo is from 1983 with me and two of those grandchildren (our daughter Carrie and our son Jonathan) that my mother "hoped for" in the article that follows.

Mother's Day is this coming Sunday. In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother's Day as a day for American citizens to honor those mothers whose sons had died in war. The day was soon commercialized to celebrate all mothers. Today it has become the one day that leads all others in flowers, cards, phone calls, and dining out. What's the best gift you could give your mother this Mother's Day? I gave my mom the following story several years ago.

I wish that I a nickel for every time that I heard my mom say, "I hope that I live long enough to ..." I guess that she was concerned that since she was in her forties when I was born that her time would be up before my adult life began to unfold.My mom would say often, "I hope that I live long enough to see you graduate from high school." I’m the last of seven children, born seven years after the sixth. My education was important to my mother. My parents missed the important spiritual foundation in my early years, but thankfully both they and I got involved in church when my dad retired and we moved to Arkansas when I was twelve. At age seventeen, I graduated from high school. A lot of credit must go to my mom.As time passed, my mom started to say, "I hope that I live long enough to see you graduate from college." Well, she did ... four times, in fact. She saw me graduate from college twice and got to see the pictures of me graduating twice from seminary. Her persistence in my childhood education instilled in me the need to continue.While I was in college, mom then started saying, "I hope that I live long enough to see you get married." Well, she did ... in 1975. God gave my wonderful wife who became a wonderful mother to our children. And that leads me to ..After Kay and I married, mom began to say (yep, you guessed it): "I hope that I live long enough to see your first child born." I remember that when we found out we were expecting our first baby, I called home and joked with her, "Mom, if you can hold on for another six months, you can die a happy woman!" She not only "held on" for the first baby, but she saw our second one born, too! My mom took great joy in her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

My mother passed away several years ago. End of story? Not quite. I think that if she could speak now she might say something like this. "I hope that while you live, you not only hope for things to come to pass but you do the things that pass along hope to your children." For a lady who, at age 40, began to "hope" a lot for me, she "did" a lot for me in the years before her death.I hope you have a blessed Mother’s Day. I will because of what my mom hoped would come to pass in my life. And, even more, I will because I know that some day I will see my mother again in God’s eternal Heaven because we both trusted Him. She wrote an account of her salvation experience for me years ago. It's framed with her picture in my office. Write an account of yours and send it to your mom. She'll think it's one of the best Mother's Day gifts ever.

This is more than just one pastor's perspective. This is one son's blessing. Thanks, mom.

"A PERSPECTIVE ON AGING - THOUGHTS ABOUT SENIOR MOMENTS"

This coming Sunday, May 4, is Senior Adults Day throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. Up to now, I've always celebrated it as someone honoring those older than me. This year, I will celebrate it as one of those being honored.

I have arrived. I turned 55 this year. Double nickels. Or, as my son so aptly put it, the same as an the speed limit on any old two-lane road.

When does one actually become a "senior citizen"?

You can join AARP at age 50. (Yes, I'm a member.) You can begin drawing Social Security at 62. Medicare at 65. Am I a senior citizen? Not quite. How about "senior citizen in training" or "senior citizen apprentice"?

Does "getting older" bother me? Not really. In fact, it sounds good to me. Yeah ... I'm ready for those things that come with age ... discounts, grandchildren, etc.

Tuesday I attended our Baptist Association's annual Senior Adults BBQ in Lonoke. This fall, I will be attending a Senior Adults Rally in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, with several senior adults from our church and other churches. As George Burns used to say (if you have to ask who he was, you're way under 55), "Growing older is only a matter of mind ... if you don't mind, it doesn't matter!"

Two songs come to mind to make the senior years joyful:

"Jesus Loves Me" (Senior Adults Version)

Jesus loves me, this I know, Though my hair is white as snow.

Though my sight is growing dim, Still He bids me trust in Him.

Chorus: I love Jesus, does he know? Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say, That I love Him every day.

Though I am no longer young, I have much which He's begun.Let me serve Christ with a smile, Go with others the extra mile.

Chorus: I love Jesus, does he know? Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say, That I love Him every day.

When my work on earth is done, And life's victories have been won.He will take me home above, Then I'll understand His love.

Chorus: I love Jesus, does he know? Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say, That I love Him every day.

"Young at Heart" (as sung by Frank Sinatra)

Fairy tales can come true, it can happen to you ... If you're young at heart.

For it's hard, you will find, to be narrow of mind If you're young at heart.

You can go to extremes with impossible schemes. You can laugh when your dreams fall apart at the seams.

And life gets more exciting with each passing day. And love is either in your heart, or on it's way.

Don't you know that it's worth every treasure on earth To be young at heart.

For as rich as you are, it's much better by far To be young at heart.

And if you should survive to 105, Look at all you'll derive out of being alive!
And here is the best part, you have a head start If you are among the very young at heart.

This is just one pastor's (and one senior citizen in training's) opinion.

(Footnote: I guess I had a "senior moment" when I first posted this entry ... I scrambled and left out part of the lyrics to the first song. Oh, well ...)

"A Perspecitive on Freedom of Religion - Thoughts on an "Oprah" Clip"

A clip from The Oprah Winfrey Show has been making the rounds on the internet and e-mail lists lately. You may view it at www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA. In it, Ms. Winfrey comes down pretty hard on those who insist the Christianity is the only way to God (or whatever Ms. Winfrey says you wish to name or not name a deity). Ms. Winfrey asks all people to agree that there are many ways to salvation.

Two thoughts on the "Oprah" clip ...

As Americans, we should be tolerant of those who believe differently than we do. Our Constitution and Bill of Rights guarantee us freedom of (not from) religion. I have never been opposed to Mormons, Jews, Muslims, or any other religious people expressing their views in the public forum. Even non-religious and anti-religion views must be allowed. For example, it would not bother me at our public schools for Mormons to hand out the book of Mormon or Muslims to hand out the Koran or Jews to hand out the Torah or atheists to hand out literature as long as we Christians are able to pass out copies of our Bible. By the same token, I wish that public prayers and "moments of silence" would return to the public classroom ... whether they be Muslim, Mormon, Jewish, Baptist, Methodist, "moments of silence" for those who are not religious, or whatever. And, I wish that public high school students studied all religions and opposing views. I taught sociology to public high school students for several years at Sparkman, Arkansas. (I have an M.S.E. in education and social studies as well as an M.A.R.E. and D.Min. in religious education and ministry.) We studied the five major social institutions of family, education, economy, government, and, yes ... religion. Most scholars, religious or not, include religion as a social institution. All information and knowledge is valuable. Let the schools teach it. Churches can then seek to teach the wisdom of knowing the truth. At school, I did not endorse Christianity as the only way unless asked privately by a student. At church, I do, of course ... but I still ask Christians (and especially my fellow Baptists) to be tolerant.

However, as Christians, we must be clear that although we are tolerant of other religions and the unreligious, the way of salvation and heaven is through Jesus Christ alone. Scripture is very clear on this: Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). Jesus did not die just for Christians who believe, but for everyone who will believe: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16). Christianity is the only religion in which the founder came back from the dead. This is both biblical and historical evidence of this.

Unlike "Oprah," I don't do video, but I do audio. For more of my views, you may find them at www.englandfbc.org by clicking on the blue microphone. As an American, I must be tolerant of Ms. Winfrey, no matter how wrong she is. As a Christian, I must pray for her to see the only true Light.

It's great to be an American. I was reminded of this last week while in Washington D.C. (See the attached photos. Especially note the ones of the students placing the wreath at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.) However, it's even greater to be a Christian.

This is just one pastor's (and former public school teacher's) perspective.

“A Perspective on Ancient Messages - Thoughts on Modern Technology”

I love to reach church message signs. Mike Brogan, pastor of England First Assembly of God, is quite creative with his church sign and sermon titles. Sometimes I wish I could go hear the sermon just based on the title he posts. I guess my way to post messages is though this column. As the comedian likes to say, "Here's your sign."

It's not a church sign ... but there's an interesting sign in the neighborhood where we live.

It is interesting, a bit ironic, and it makes a good sermon illustration.

It's in the yard of one of our neighbors.

They had an "invisible fence" installed ... the kind that zaps the pets with special collars when they cross the line.

Not only is there the bigger sign from the fence company announcing the invisible fence, but there are numerous little white flags with the words "Invisible Fence" on them along the property lines.

I know the little flags will soon disappear. They are for training purposes ... the dogs are supposed to avoid the "zap" by learning not to cross the line of flags.

And therein lies a scriptural life application.

The Bible reminds us that we have an invisible fence around us.

One reason is to protect us:
Job 1:8-12 from The New International Version tells us: Then the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?"

God's "hedge" around us keeps us safe just as that invisible fence keeps our neighbor's pets safe. Just as there's a large sign that reads "Invisible Fence," God has a large sign that should remind us of His care ... it's called the Bible.

Another reason is to warn us:
Hebrews 12:5-11 from the NIV reminds us: And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: "My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. ... God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Just as God's "hedge" around us protects us, his "discipline" upon us keeps us safe, too ... like those smaller flags that warn the pets. God has flags to warn us ... flags like the Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule, and many others.

A closing word about the invisible fence "zapper" ... the special external collars the pets wear. Christians have an internal alarm ... He's called the Holy Spirit. He reminds us to stay in God's grace and convicts us when we stray. "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you ..." (John 16:13).

Thank God for His "invisible fence" around us. Try not to get "zapped" this week. Let His Word and His Spirit guide you.

This is just one pastor's (and neighbor's) perspective.

" A PERSPECTIVE ON THE EASTER HOLIDAY - THOUGHTS ABOUT EASTER EGGS"

I like holidays. Christmas and presents. Easter and decorated eggs. Yes, I know that the most important thing about Christmas is the birth of Jesus and the most important thing about Easter is His death and His resurrection. However, we who are Christians can use the secular aspects of the holidays to illustrate sacred principles.

Although the origin of “Easter” and it’s traditions is debated (see wikipedia.com), we accept the practice as part of our Easter traditions. May I make a spiritual application?

Think about Easter eggs for a moment. They come in all kinds - hard boiled, candied, chocolate, peanut butter, and even plastic. The plastic kind come empty. Hmm ... and empty egg. An empty shell. An empty container. An empty tomb. One of my Easter traditions is to give the kids at our church two plastic Easter eggs - one empty and one filled with candy. I ask them to share the candy with someone else and tell that person the story of the empty tomb. But, before I do give them the eggs, I hold up a traditional Easter egg - one that has been dyed and hard-boiled. But, unknown to the kids, it’s not hard-boiled but only a real eggshell with the egg removed. (It’s not hard to do. Simply poke small holes in the top and bottom of a raw egg and blow out the contents.) I explain that this egg is a 100% real, honest-to-goodness, Bible Easter egg because (and as I crack the egg on one of the kid’s head) - IT’S EMPTY! Just like the tomb that first Easter morning. The look on the kids’ (and the adults) faces is always great.

As you celebrate Easter and eat too many Easter eggs this week, think about empty plastic Easter eggs ... and the empty tomb.

Holidays ... I love them. This is just one pastor’s perspective.

Listen on-line and/or download by clicking on the blue microphone at englandfbc.org.

"A PERSPECTIVE ON OUR COMMUNITY - THOUGHTS ABOUT NEW CITY SERVICES, INDUSTRIES, BUSINESSES, AND CHURCHES"

Small town life is great. Although I grew up a "city boy" in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri (Go, Cardinals!), I have been in small towns in Arkansas since the age of 13. (First in Paragould, then Walnut Ridge, Arkadelphia, Sparkman, Murfreesboro, Malvern, and now England.) I tell people that I am "a Missourian by birth but and Arkansawyer by the grace of God." (I've become such a lover of "The Natural State" that I even prefer the term "Arkansawyer" to "Arkansan." However, there are few drawbacks about small town life ... the most discouraging is that of decline ... population, businesses, industries, and churches. Our town is not what is what fifty years ago. Once filled storefronts are vacant. Shells of factories are in decay. Church attendance is not what it used to be. England is one of those towns "too close" to the Little Rock / North Little Rock metro area. Natives in our town drive to LR/NLR to work, shop, eat, and, yes, to go to church. Very few people have moved into England while many have left. (In my six years, over twenty families have moved away from our community and our church. Not nearly that many have joined in that time.) We haven't experienced the growth that towns west and north of LR/NLR have - Conway, Cabot, Bryant, Benton. We are closer to LR/NLR than those cities. England is only 20 miles from the LR airport. There's only about 18 miles of good two-lane highway with extra-wide paved shoulders (for the farm equipment). The rest of the road is interstate. Our town is one of the most overlooked communities in central Arkansas. Why? Here's the reality check: Yes, we lack a Wal-Mart. And yes, our school system is small (but good). And, yes, the scenery is flat and the mosquitos can be pesky. But here's the optimistic check: The wide open spaces, friendly folks, and closeness to the LR/NLR metro area make up for any negatives.

Enough of the negatives. The good news is ... our community is growing! Our new community recreation center is going up not too far from our home (pictures 1, 2, and 2a below). Recently, I attended the dedication of our newest industry, "England Oil Field Service," that is now hiring (pictures 3 and 3a below). Last year, our new community fishing pond was dedicated (picture 4 below). And, even our church is sprucing up ... last year we built and dedicated our new foyer addition of Bride's Room, Church Library, and restrooms (picture 5 below). It's the first step of a three-part long range building plan. Many in our church believe that England does has a future.

Some people believe that our town and our church will never "be what it used to be." I don't want either of them to be "what they used to be" ... I want both to be better than ever. We can either sigh for the past or plan for the future. Either way, it affects how we live in the present. I choose to plan and hope instead of wish and regret. I choose to not only live in England, but to support it's businesses and institutions as well. To paraphrase a popular song ... "You may say that I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one; I hope someday you'll join us And we will be as one." Let's support England!

Eventually, the urban sprawl will come our way. It may still be a generation away ... but it will come. One builder is planning to erect a gated community. The future may get here sooner that we think.

This is just one pastor's perspective. I hope that our church members and our town citizens share it.