Is He Baptist or Episcopalian?

You be the judge! Here I am standing with Father Patrick Gahan, pastor of St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Wimberley and Bishop Earl McArthur (Ret., West Texas Diocese). We had just held the Saint Stephen's Opening Convocation on the first day of school. Father Gahan preached a wonderful sermon, I read from the Gospel of Luke and prayed, while the Bishop gave the final blessing to the school, students, faculty, and staff.

A Big Bend Moment

This moment was obviously filmed at Big Bend National Park.

A Civil War "What's in the Cup?" Moment

Well, here's another moment video that my son filmed. We were at Fort Davis National Historic Site in West Texas. Enjoy!

Shaenyn Alyse Yates

Here's the beautiful baby Shaenyn Alyse. This is our student minister and his wife's baby girl, born last Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. She was 6 lb. 15 oz. and 19 1/2 inches. Mom and Baby are fine! Congratulations to the Yates family!

Yellowjackets Music Video - "Wildlife" from 1988

Leslie and Classmates of her Motorcycle Class

Here's a picture of Leslie and some of her classmates who participated in the Javelina Harley-Davidson Riders-Edge class. It was earlier this month.

Paul's Letter to FBC Wimberley

Here's a letter written by the hand of the Apostle Paul to our church. OK, it was actually written by one of our church members, Jay McDonald. He wrote it when Harold O'Chester was our interim pastor. Some of you recall the healing that our church needed to go through when Harold was here. Harold and Barbara's ministry were just what our church needed at the time. Anyway, I was going through some old emails, and came across this letter. So here it is. It's as timely now as it was then:

Greetings to the First Baptist Church at Wimberley

I, Paul, have decided to write to you and offer some words of encouragement, correction, and love.

There is, and always will be, diversity among humans. Our God started this when he created Eve, rather than leave Adam alone. The first two children born of this union were tragically different. God does not use a cookie cutter.

You members of this church are joined to serve God. There is a common, holy truth among you – belief in Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior.

The very fact that you are all different can be, and should be, a great asset -- gathering strength from each other. These collective strengths can be marshaled into accomplishing amazing things under God’s leadership. So, use these differences as a plus, not fretful of them, but mindful of, and grateful for God’s unerring wisdom.

Remember that as you serve Him, in this body, that the overall goals and needs of His church are far greater than any one person’s preference or agenda.

So, don’t stir up trouble! Not only will you ultimately be punished, but, tragically, God’s work in your community, and even around the world will be hampered. If one part of a body is weak, damaged or wrong, then it is without question that the entire body suffers.

I am certain that God’s love permeates your body of believers. When God created us, He gave us first the ability to love Him – but also to love others. Why did He do this? I don’t question God’s unfailing wisdom, but in wonderment, what if He had left the last part out?

My partial answer to you is that the world is made infinitely more pleasing to us all when we give and receive love! I strongly believe that of all the abilities God gave us, love is the best of all!
So, practice God’s love in your midst. How infinitely beneficial this will be!

Paul

Yellowjackets Music Video

This is Yellowjackets, my favorite modern jazz quartet, performing Invisible People. Give it a click and listen. They're incredible!