Country Living

Paradise is not a large community. It used to be a lot smaller. It is 5:44 a.m. I just stepped outside the RV to view the sky for signs of approaching thunderstorms from the west. I was greeted by the sound of a crowing rooster from one of the neighbor’s houses. It suddenly dawned on me for the past few months the sight outside the front door of the RV are rows of round bales of hay. I am definitely in the country. There are no gated communities in Paradise and residential areas do not even have curbs. Most people have gravel for a driveway.

You can still find fresh farm eggs in town. Cows are a familiar sight along with buffaloes if you drive down the right road. Horses abound and it not unusual to see stray dogs strutting about. We used to have a dog roaming around town nick named “Mayor.” He wondered the streets with no home loved by all.

I like living in smaller towns and enjoy country living. In a bit I will take Tanner to early morning practice and Taylor and I will hit the weight room. Yesterday, Turner and I enjoyed a day at the Fort Worth Zoo for his field trip. I sat on a bench with one of the men from our church after Tucker’s basketball practice enjoying a visit. He is the first person I baptized at Faith Community Church.

Later this morning I will eat breakfast at the Finish Line Café. I will see the same older men seated at the same table drinking coffee like they have been doing for years. I will see the same familiar patrons seated at their same tables. I hope to get my usual table in the back corner where I write and read over breakfast. I jokingly call that place my office.

Though influences from the big city have made their way into Wise County, for the most part Paradise is a charming place to live. It is big news we are about to get a donut shop. Bigger news that just a few months ago we got a Subway and recently a dry cleaning business came to town.

I enjoy the scenic drives with rolling hills cluttered with trees. With recent rains things have really greened up around here. I love the school system in Paradise. The teachers love the students. The administrators or well qualified and work diligently to ensure our children get the best education. The coaches care more than just about wins and losses but care about the character of the young men and young women they coach. For the most part Paradise is a close-knit community.

The churches often work together to serve the community. Egos are kept in check as we all realize each church serves a purpose.

Paradise may not be a large community but that does not mean it is not a busy community. Calendars are filled with all sorts of activities. It is a great place to live and to raise your family. The pace of life in Paradise is slower than the metroplex. While driving home yesterday from the Fort Worth Zoo I mused on how thankful I am I do not have to live in that rat race. It is busy in Paradise but generally the pace of life is slower and more casual.

I go to an old fashioned barber in downtown Bridgeport where they still using shaving cream and a straight razor to shave your neck and around your ears. People still go in there to just sit and visit. Kind of reminds me of Floyd’s Barber Shop in Mayberry from the Andy Griffith show.

The most enjoyable part about country living is the relationships. I love running into familiar faces at the post office, café, ball games, while waiting in line to get the boys after school, and on field trips. Relationships enrich life. I have been fortunate to have spent my entire ministry in smaller communities. I have served in places like Hudson, Burke, Rochelle, Spring Creek, Seminole, and of course Paradise.

Today as you go about your day and if you happen to enjoy country living in a smaller community why not thank God for it. As you encounter people you know and care for through out the day why not thank God for them and tell them how grateful you are to know them. Let me start by saying I am thankful for a bunch of people who walked out on a limb with me to start Faith Community Church. I am thankful for the testimonies of the numerous people I have talked to who told me they prayed, believed, and hoped God would draw my family back to this community.

I have served many wonderful churches. FBC Paradise and FBC Seminole touched Brenda and at a soul level. How thankful we are for the years we spent there and for the people we have come to know and love in those churches. Our lives are the richer for knowing those people. God has used them to bless our lives in profounder ways than I can put into words.

Though I am still seated in this RV writing another blog with the pitter- patter of rain beginning to fall on the roof I am extremely contented. I am a blessed man. I am contented to spend my remaining days and ministry in small communities where my family enjoys country living. [Phil 4:11] “…I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am…”

The Wounded Heart

I have encountered many people in the past few days with wounded hearts. Some feel unloved and unwanted. Others have had the rug snatched out from under them. A few are beaten up by careless and thoughtless words. The old childhood saying is not true, “Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me.”

Many are walking around the community with wounded hearts. Children get wounded by parents and caregivers. These are supposed to be the people who love, nurture and protect. At times these very people do not encourage the child but constantly point out their faults. That child will carry those wounds on into adulthood and likely into marriage and parenting. If they do not find healing and wholeness they will likely pass on those same wounds to their own children. The cycle keeps repeating itself.

Many spouses endure loveless marriages where love is not expressed and respect is not given. Harsh words, critical looks, and cruel treatment are endured. Many cry silent tears nobody but God sees. They wonder what happened between standing before the preacher saying, “I do,” and the wounded heart they live with.

Widowers and widows endure the lingering days of loneliness with holes in their hearts where the love of their lives used to fill that hole. Day in and day out they try to get on with life but at times the grief overwhelms them as they sink in a puddle of tears. Nobody seems to care or remembers. While life moves on these wounded hearts are stuck in the rut of grief they cannot get out of.

Critical people verbally assassinate others constantly. If you serve in a high profile job and you happen to be the target of their venom more wounds occur. School administrators, teachers, coaches, ministers, politicians and bosses all get their share of undeserved criticism from time to time. While they press on at work the wounds are deep. Many of these wounded hearts begin to feel like nobody can be trusted. They retreat into a private world insulated from those that can cause further damage.

There are even some that feel wounded, betrayed, and abandoned by God. Questions abound such as: “Why?” “How could you have let this happen?” “What have I done to deserve this?” “Do you not care?” “Why don’t you do something?”

Some hearts are wounded because they have been betrayed. Love and trust were extended and then trampled on. These wounded hearts are left picking up the pieces of their broken hearts and broken spirits vowing they will never trust again.

Does God have a word for those reading this with wounded hearts? “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” [Ps 34:18] Is your heart broken and wounded as you read this? Let this truth sink in. God is near to you. Call out to Him. Pour out your soul to Him. Offer Him your wounded heart. He is available and accessible.

If you are living life with a crushed heart and a broken spirit He offers two things for you. He is near and He saves. The word saves means He delivers, He preserves, He rescues, and He restores.

I grew up with a wounded heart. Verbal abuse. Physical abuse. Lies and deception from my very own family abounded. I lived seventeen years of my life with a wounded heart. Jesus took that wounded heart and through His love, grace, and tender mercies He made me whole. That same heart has been wounded numerous times since then. I have always found God near and always experienced His deliverance from bitterness and rescue from destruction. He rescued me from eternal damnation and from a life of hatred and retaliation. O reader offer to Him your wounded heart. Let Him put it back together and bring the healing of salvation and restoration through a relationship with Him.

I cannot spare you the wounds in your heart. They come to us all. I can point you to the only One that heal the wounds, restores the soul, and that can put your life back together. He is my best friend Jesus.

Getting Back in the Flow

Some of you may have noticed I have not written a blog in nearly a month. I have been battling writer’s block. I know in part it is due to exerting my energies into starting Faith Community Church. God has blessed our new church in ways that have been humbling and astounding. We have come so far in only three short months.

For some reason I could not write. Multiple times I opened a word document and stared at the screen watching the cursor blink. A few times I forced out a few sentences but ended up deleting them in disgust. No matter what I experienced from day to day I could not find any inspiration to write. The desire was still there but the inspiration would not come.

I would go to bed night after night feeling guilty like I was letting all of you readers down. I know many of you have checked this site repeatedly hoping for some inspiration, wondering how the Edwards family and the new church were doing, and possibly hoping to hear a message from the Lord. I felt the pressure to write something but honestly had nothing to write.

We have experienced thunderstorms, high winds, football and more football, but none of this inspired me to write.

This past Monday I went into the local library and found an isolated corner. While in there I cried out to God to inspire me to write again. I pleaded with God for anointing and inspiration. I did not feel anything. Nothing magical or mystical transpired.

Instead I sent an email to a publisher I met about nine months ago. He learned about me through a mutual friend and offered to take me to lunch while we still lived in Seminole. During lunch he told me about his publishing ministry and immediately my interests were peaked. In the months following our meeting he gave me a writing assignment. He asked me to write a book giving advice to young men entering the ministry.

I started the book back in the spring of 2011 but once we discerned the Lord calling us to start Faith Community Church and moving, the book got put on the back burner. That is where it has sat for the past six months.

While sitting in the library I sent this man an email telling him I had not forgotten about the book but felt stuck in writer’s block. I assured him I wanted to not only finish the book but to have him mentor me in writing. He is the kind of man I have been praying God would bring me into relationship with for years.

I opened the manuscript and began reading. Next thing I knew I started writing a new chapter. One chapter turned into two and then three. I sent them all in to the publisher. He made suggestions and I kept writing. Three chapters turned into six new chapters as I kept feeling inspired with the desire to write and finish this book. Yesterday I finished the book before lunch. What a sense of relief and accomplishment. The title of the book is Shepherd My Sheep.

Now begins the not so fun part. I have to reread the rough draft and rewrite certain parts of the book to put the best book possible forward. Though this is my least favorite part of the writing process it is one of the most valuable to the writing process. God wants excellence and so we press forward to tweak the manuscript.

On top of this my newest book, Sitting with the Savior, is scheduled for release before Christmas. I just finalized the front cover and the book is in the process of publication even as I write this. I should receive a sample copy before Thanksgiving. I will schedule several book signings in Paradise, Lufkin, on the campus of Howard Payne and Seminole.

All of this to say I am so grateful to God for allowing me to get back in the flow once again to write. Look forward to regular blog entries between now and the end of the year. I am thankful each of you come to this site and read what the Lord gives me. I see you as the reader as extended flock to love, nurture, and minister to through the written word. Thank you for your prayers.

For a long time I have believed God wants to do more with my writing ministry. I remember very well the early days of this blog and watching as a few people came to this site. With excitement I remember the benchmarks of surpassing one hundred hits, five hundred, and a thousand. I thanked God the day we went over ten thousand and today we are approaching thirty thousand.

I could not do this on my own. A servant of our Lord back in Seminole takes what I write, comes up with a picture to capture the essence of the blog and then posts them. Thank you Tim. I could not do this without you. I pray in the days ahead I keep you pretty busy as God gets me back in

The Abundance of Rain

As I write this it is 2:20 a.m. I was awakened by thunderstorms rumbling through dropping heavy rains. I love the sound of rain on the top of the RV. It makes for sound sleeping only this time the rain came with a great deal of lightening and thunder. At times I think the rain is letting up only to have it increase in intensity. The sound is deafening at times and rhythmic at other times. I am at peace.

In the past week we have been blessed with about six inches of rain. The radar shows this rain will last until at least the start of school, which means rain for about another five and a half to six hours.

God is amazing. For over a year we experienced severe drought conditions. In just five days God has put a major dent in our deficient rainfall. As I have driven around in the past few days it has been amazing to see how ponds have begun to fill back up and how the dead grass in many areas started springing back to life.

I rejoice for the many farmers and ranchers I know. I rejoice that their heavy burdens are being lifted. I rejoice that with the rain comes hope for better days. What God has done in the past five days should not surprise us. He always comes through. He always shows Himself to be faithful in one way or another.

In these early morning hours that faithfulness is translated into rain. Later that might mean something entirely different. I think back on the all the prayers offered up pleading with God to send rain. Multiple times I have seen hand painted signs put up in pastures asking people to pray for rain. Many have worried and fretted through sleepless nights over the lack of rain. Few of us could have predicted we would see multiple inches of precipitation in only a matter of days.

As you read this I hope you will be reminded that in the same way God will come through for you in your situation. He will provide what you need in His perfect timing. That means we have to wait on Him and trust Him while we wait no matter what our eyes tell us. What we need to do is to remain patient and to never lose hope.

Only a few feet away from where I am writing this Turner is sleeping soundly right through the storm. He sleeps with me most nights in the RV. He has not been concerned with the lack of rain. He trusts perfectly. He does not know the meaning of the word stress or anxiety. He goes about his days carefree and happy trusting Brenda and I will meet his needs and trusting God will always come through. I have thought a great deal about his child-like faith.

If we could only learn to trust as a little child. Just a few weeks ago I drove through a pasture with a rancher friend of mine churning up dust over this parched grass. The topic of conversation was the drought. I smile as I think of my friend about to receive this rain as the storms rumble east. I smile as I think of God coming through once again for Him as He always does. God thank you for the abundance of rain. [I Thess 5:24]

The Blessing of Fatherhood

Out of the many blessings in my life I count being a father toward the top. I have countless memories built into life with Jennifer, Taylor, Tanner, Tucker, and Turner. Each of them has brought more joy into my life than I can possibly put into words.

I woke up this morning with Turner nestled up next to me trying to keep warm in the RV. He has been staying there with me for the past few weeks. Walking down the hall this morning Taylor (who is now officially taller than his daddy) stopped to give me a hug. How many sixteen-year old sons initiate giving their dads a hug? I relished the moment. Earlier I drove Tanner to his early morning football practice. Our parting words said ritually before he closes the door is, “I love you dad.” “I love you too champ.” Tucker is not a hugger (takes after his daddy) but I did manage to wrap my arms around last night to tell him I am proud to be his daddy.

I do not understand fathers who do not take the time to invest in their children. Spending time with my children is not drudgery but a delight. Taylor commented after we saw the new movie Courageous he was glad he saw that movie with his family. I second that sentiment. I loved sharing that experience with the four T’s as Brenda calls them.

I know all too well my children are growing up. Jennifer has been married for some time and is expecting her second child. Taylor is already sixteen and nearing getting a driver’s license. Tanner is in eighth grade and growing taller nearly looking me straight in the eye. Tucker is already in Jr. High and this is Turner’s last year at the elementary school.

I only have the boys for a short time and I am not about to waste those precious years. Fatherhood is a blessing. God has entrusted me to mold and shape those young and impressionable minds. It is not easy. They are bombarded by continual messages from people and organizations with an agenda. I also have an agenda and that is to point my boys to Jesus to live for Him, fight for Him, and to love Him for all of their days even if it means they stand alone.

It does not matter how large the church is I pastor. That does not determine my success. My success in life will be determined by my boys and Jennifer following Jesus and teaching their children and my grandchildren to follow Jesus.

That means while I have them I must guard their hearts and minds from destructive influences. I must pour the word of God into them. I must have continual conversations about things that really matter; dreams, peer pressure, persecution, surrendering to Jesus, enduring difficulties, eternity, quiet times, sex, alcohol and death. I want to be used of God to be a positive force for good in their lives. I am more interested in being their father than their friend at this stage. That means from time to time my decisions will not be popular. I pray those decisions will be guided by scripture.

I cannot imagine my life without my kids. Sure I have to make a few sacrifices in time, money, and priorities but the rewards are worth it. It is worth taking lunch to Turner and the rest when they ask. It is worth sharing my seat when one wants to sit in my lap. It is worth eating where they want to eat even if it is not my favorite. It is worth chasing them playing ball all over the place. It is worth it because of all the titles I wear in this world none means more to me than “Father.” Fatherhood is a blessing. My quiver is full. “Behold children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.” [Ps 127:3-5]

It is Supposed to be a Prayer Meeting

For the past twenty-one years students have been meeting around the flagpole on their campuses to pray the third Wednesday in September. Hundreds of thousands gathered all over the state and many others around the nation and the world to gather around their flagpoles to pray earlier today.

What started out as a small gathering of students to pray for their campuses has turned into a full fledge production. Many bring in sound systems and worship bands and sing. Some have several students read scripture. Some even have a speaker to speak to the masses gathered before the start of schools. You can buy t-shirts, bracelets, and posters for See You at the Pole. Some churches provide elaborate breakfast while others opt for donuts and juice.

When I pulled into the parking lot this morning at the school we were one of the first to arrive. Another church provided donuts and orange juice. The boys and I waited until after 7:30 a.m. and the junior high early morning football practice was dismissed to attend. Dozens gathered to grab donuts and juice but I noticed no one ever went around the flagpole to pray. Finally three of the boys (Tanner was in football) went to the flagpole and joined hands and offered prayer. Nobody joined us.

We were on the high school campus praying and afterward walked up the hill to the junior high campus where Tucker and Turner and I prayed around that flagpole. We were the only ones. All the other students had gathered at the high school campus or were just arriving at school. When I drove out the parking lot later to take Turner to school I glanced down at the high school noticed no one had gathered around the flagpole to pray.

Turner and I went to the flagpole at his school and prayed together. I am sure others had already prayed and gone into the school. We prayed alone. Turner prayed for his teacher Mrs. Norwood. I felt honored to keep this long-standing tradition with my boys. I loved making the memory of praying with them around the flagpole and telling them the story of how it all began back in Burleson, TX with a group of students joining together to pray for their high school twenty-one years ago.

Over the years I have noticed what began as a prayer meeting has become anything but that on many campuses. I am not sure if they ever got around to praying at our high school today but I can tell you for certain praying was not the main business. This is supposed to be student led. While I applaud the energy our students put into worship I do not seem the same passion for prayer. Even my boys seemed pretty unsure how to pray this morning.

See You at the Pole is supposed to be a prayer meeting. The enemy would rather us sing, fellowship, and eat anytime more than engage in spiritual battle through prayer. We must pray now more than ever. There is power unleashed by God when His people gather to call on His name. We would all love to see the power of God unleashed through the gospel message on our children’s campuses and in the communities we live in.

What happened to the prayer meeting? Even among adults prayer meetings are among the least attended activities in the local church. Many of the ones I have attended in the past tended to focus on praying for the sick and infirmed more than for more laborers to go into the harvest.

I have often wondered why we have not seen God unleash revival fire in these twenty-one years of meeting at the flagpoles. I know many have prayed. Sadly some have had to pray alone as no one else joined them. I also know prayer has not been the sole focus of many of these gatherings in a long while.

We must be reminded it is supposed to be a prayer meeting. We can also be reminded it does not have to happen just one time a year. We can gather multiple times for the glory of God and cry out to Him to heal our land. I challenge all who read this to make See You at the Pole about prayer even if the size of the crowds dwindle. Remind your children, train your students, encourage your leadership to keep the focus on prayer.