Yesterday, I celebrated my 86th birthday, marking the end of my 85th year. It’s a strange feeling, this journey of aging. I can’t help but reflect on the past and look forward to the future.
Birthdays are interesting. When we are born, we are 0. Then, on the anniversary of our birth, we celebrate one year of being on this earth. Birthdays are celebrated at the end of the year. Today, I’m 86. I celebrated the completion of 86 years and started year number 87.
As I turn 86, I jest that I’m in overtime. Considering that the average life expectancy for men in the U.S.A. is 75.3 years, I’ve certainly surpassed expectations. But it’s not just about the numbers. I hold steadfast to the belief in Jeremiah 29:11, ‘For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord.’ This verse has been a beacon in my life, reminding me that the Lord still has significant plans for me, even at this age.
The last time I wrote a Blog was the first of this year, 2024. I was going to review the goals I had set for last year, 2023, and list new goals for this year. There is no real reason I didn’t do that. If there was a reason, Tanya and I just got so busy.
Our days have been filled with purpose and joy, primarily through our active participation in the prison and School of Ministry. We are pleased the Lord allowed us to launch the Eagles Rest School of Ministry in January at Clawson Church. This endeavor has seen a steady attendance, ranging from the mid-20s to as many as 40. Our teaching team includes pastors from six churches, two public school teachers, and myself.
We continued working with Prison Ministry Volunteers this year, teaching various classes, mostly in tandem with the program directors. We connected with Jim and Linda through our home groups last year. Tanya continues to be more engaged with the classes than I am. God has used Eagles Rest Ministry, our 501c3, to launch some initiatives on our own at the prison. It started with three of the Duncan Correctional Facility inmates requesting I propose and teach John Maxwell’s Developing the Leader Within You. The Chaplain said he did not have a slot to offer the course but asked if I would be interested in preaching two or three evenings each month. I now preach on the third, fourth, and if there is a fifth Tuesday. The Chaplain in the adjacent Diboll Unit told me he had a slot where I could teach the course. We are in our second month of teaching the leadership course to about 17 inmates.
Back to Duncan, where John is a field minister, like a trustee, and he is the Chaplain’s assistant. He knows we are doing the School of Ministry. He quizzed me about the program and gave my information to the Chaplain. Chaplain Willis liked the idea, and now the Texas Department of Corrections is in the process of program approval.
Plus, church and our home group make for a busy calendar.
My writing journey continues to evolve, and I’m thrilled to share that I’ve added three more books to my published works. I’ve been extracting individual goals from ‘Climbing Mount Everest to Accomplish Your Spiritual Goals. They are now available for order on Amazon.
SALVATION, Goal # 1, Spiritual Base Camp: To Accomplish Your Spiritual Goals
BAPTISM & HOLY COMMUNION, Goal # 2, Spiritual Base Camp: To Accomplish Your Spiritual Goals
HOLY SPIRIT, Goal # 3, Ascending the Spiritual Mountain: To Accomplish Your Spiritual Goals
But there are more exciting projects in the pipeline. My goal for May is to publish DISCIPLESHIP, Goal # 4, Descending the Spiritual Mountain: To Accomplish Your Spiritual Goal.
Then, over the Summer, I will be working on Cleansing The Temple, a book I’m collaborating on with my close friend Rick Shields.
So, all is well here in Lukin, Texas. God bless you, my reader.
Spiritual Wanderings 