The Beacon Article 9/2/09

Dr. Douglas’ message on choices this past Sunday gave me cause to ponder choices I have made in the past. I have had the blessing of living long enough for my children to thank me for my choices on the discipline I used on them. I have also learned some valuable lessons from some of my choices.
We make choices every day and sometimes never consider the effects our choices make on other people. How often do you ask God about a choice you have to make?
In December of 1991 I had made the choice to pursue a career change. Praying for this opportunity for six years, in my last prayer I promised God if I did not obtain this career I would quit pursuing it.
I arrived at the interview, in a corduroy suit, just barely on time. It was the first interview at which I had ever been nervous. Needless to say, I had such a poor interview I knew I would not get the position. Keeping with my promise, I stopped pursuing that position.
In March of 1992, I received a call and was offered that job. I had to make the choice quickly. I started my new career on April 1, 1992, (yes that’s April fool’s Day, think God was trying to tell me something?). I count the eleven years in that position a blessing in how God put me in areas where I could witness for Him (yet another choice). My wife learned what it was like to be a single parent due to my constant travel.
We all have a choice to make. Who do we serve? In Joshua 24:15 (NKJV) its says
15 …choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,……………………………………………………………………...…..( I praise God I made this choice when my children were small.)…............But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”







With The Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
Deuteronomy 31:6

The Beacon Article 8/26/09

The Deacons Corner

School has started back. The choir has started working on Christmas music. Everyone seems to be preparing for fall. I still have to do some work around the house before winter (so my pipes won’t freeze this year). Have you ever thought about how we make plans? Birthday parties, weddings, school, careers, and life in general just to name a few.
As shown in Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT):
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.
“They are plans for good and not for disaster,
to give you a future and a hope.
God already has our lives planned. Now it’s up to us to listen and follow God’s plan. How many times do you plan something only to find that you are stressed or don’t have time or money to finish your plans? I have projects at home I plan to do.
If I finish all of them, I will have to live to be one hundred and fifty years old. When we plan, it sometimes seems like we disregard everything else. James 4:13-17 (NKJV) says:
13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”;
14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
I have often wondered am I stressed about my plans because "are they my plans or are they God’s." I have asked God about some plans for my life (and Charlotte’s). Within His time I will know His Plan for our lives. How about you? What are you planning? Have you consulted the greatest Travel Agent ever?
See you Sunday if the Lord wills it.




With The Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
Psalm 100:5

The Beacon Article 8/19/09

The Deacons Corner

Vacation time is almost over. Once my family was going on vacation to visit my uncle Jimmy Carter (yes that is his real name). We left Kentucky for Searcy, Arkansas after my dad wrote down instructions from my Uncle Cecil. My uncle told my dad to go to Nashville, TN and get on I40 then take whatever exit we needed to go to Searcy. My brother and I immediately started telling Dad he was going the wrong way when he took Interstate 40. Dad finally listened to us and looked at the atlas when we reached Knoxville, TN, I think a little off of our path. Yes, 180 miles in the wrong direction.
You see, my father would not acknowledge that my brother and I could be right or trust that we could read a map. He didn’t have to listen to us. We were just two teenage boys. You see, his pride got in his way.
Sometimes in life we may take the wrong path. If you are Christ’s, it can happen because of your own pride or trusting in your own capabilities. Just take your eyes off of the Father and you may take a wrong turn on the path.
As it says in Proverbs 3:5-7
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; ………………….(NKJV).
So how’s your map reading skills? I hope you had a great vacation.








With The Love of Christ,
Deacon Dan
Psalm 26:1

The Beacon Article 8/12/09

The Deacons Corner

If you saw my sister, you might think we are twins. When we were twelve, people often asked us if we were twins. I would say “No, I am twelve, my birthday is in July.” and she would state her birthday was in March and that she was twelve also. We liked to confuse people. Patty (my sister) was actually like a sixth cousin twice removed or something. We did look alike then. Patty came to live with us at about age eleven.
Brad Paisley sings about adoption in a song titled “He Didn’t Have to Be”. It tells of a story of a stepdad that adopted a little boy. The chorus sings he didn’t have to be. My son-in-law has taken my granddaughter as his to raise and to be her father. “He didn’t have to be, but he did and I praise God he did. Do you realize if you are a Christian you have been adopted? He didn’t have to be either but He chose to.
Romans 8:15 (NKJV) says:
15 …………………………, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ because as it says in Romans 8:16 (NKJV) 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.

When was the last time you had a heart to heart talk with Dad? He’s waiting.



With The Brotherly Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
Psalms 26:1

The Beacon Article 8/4/09

The Deacons Corner

Have you ever heard a song you just couldn’t get out of your head? What about all of those silly jingles or TV theme shows?
Usually the first song I hear in the morning stays with me all day long. So I try to listen to something that reminds me of God.
When my children were younger 6:15 a.m. you would hear them at the top of their lungs. No not singing but complaining “Momma make him shut-up”. I just love to sing in the shower. Well my singing could have been considered “noise” I guess. I mentioned how I like to sing in the shower to my neighbor one time and she replied “I know!!” She had heard me too. I wonder if she was saying “Make him shut-up” Then Beth my oldest daughter reminded me of Proverbs 27:14 (NKJV)

14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning,
It will be counted a curse to him.
Needless to say that stopped me from singing in the shower. I still sing though, in the morning, evening and sometimes walking around at church or work. I think music is a gift from God so
3 ………………..I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel. Judges 5:3 (KJV)




He keeps me singing

With The Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
Psalm 26:1

The Beacon Article 7/29/09

I was there the day my oldest daughter, Beth, was born. I was holding my beautiful wife’s hand. Jennifer came with an emergency C-section and I was not allowed in the surgery suite. We were scared to death. Melissa was born by an elective C-section. Once again, I was there holding my wife’s hand.
Each time I held one of my new born children for the first time, I experienced the blessing of being reminded of John 3:16. Even now I tell expectant first-time parents how great an experience birth is. I also remind them of John 3:16 (NKJV)16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Everlasting life is yours for believing in Jesus. Ask any parent, they know the cost. Yes, Jesus freely gave his life for us. He did so to stay in the Father’s will. God loves us immensely. He gives us the gift of eternal life freely. All we have to do is BELIEVE in JESUS. I hope and pray the next time you see a baby you’re reminded of John 3:16.


With The Love of Christ,
Deacon Dan
Proverbs 19:11

The Beacon Article 7/22/09

The Deacons Corner

Golf balls, a boy picking up golf balls for cash. The day would get me maybe $10.00. It was a lot of money in that day. I loved my father. He loved golf. I could have cared less about the money, I just wanted to be with my father. I used to caddy, too, even though it was a difficult job for a twelve-year-old.

Little did I know I was learning valuable lessons: how good, honest work gives you a satisfaction in your heart and how others respected you when you would do a job well.

I also learned that working as agreed with a good attitude would benefit you in the future, how honesty and a good work ethic were the basis of happiness in a career. No, I didn’t realize it then. Nor did my father get to hear me tell him thanks for those lessons. God shows me almost daily the blessing of good parents and a good work ethic.

Proverbs 14:23 (NKJV)
23 In all labor there is profit,
But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

1 Thessalonians 4:11 (NKJV)
11 that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, ………………….


With The Love of Christ,
Deacon Dan
Proverbs 19:11

The Beacon Article 7/8/09

The Deacons Corner

Well Independence day has come and past. I hope your celebration was a great one. We have a great country. The enemy is working to destroy it and the Christian principals it was founded on. Pray for our nation, community, our church and one another.
Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Is the enemy at work in our church? We all are unique and have different quality’s or gifts. Never before in our church have I experienced the attitudes of today. I pray that everyone seek the Lord earnestly and whole-heartily. Are you angry with someone? Are you harboring a heart that is bitter? I urge everyone to pray as never before. We all need to be of one accord.
Philippians 2:1-4 (NKJV)2 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.




With The Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
Deuteronomy 31:6

The Beacon Article 7/1/09

The Deacons Corner

Picture a small eight year old boy sitting in a swing crying and pouring his heart out to God asking for a miracle. My dad had extremely bad emphysema and in an episode when he couldn’t breathe God granted me a miracle. There have been many more in my life. Have you experienced a miracle from God? Do you expect miracles today?
Some people think just because Jesus is not with us in the flesh miracles don’t occur anymore. Sometimes our faith is not strong enough to see miracles that happen everyday. When you pray and ask God for something do you really expect to get it? What if God grants you a miracle but not in the way you expect it? Do you recognize it? Sometimes it takes me a while to realize miracles and sometimes not. You see as a church we have just witnessed an answer to prayer, a miracle.
God is good all the time.What a blessing to see the Edmonson family here this week.
My little brother in Christ is doing great. I praise God for these blessings.
Matthew 21:22 (NKJV)
22 And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
You see God still hears our prayers Clarksdale Baptist Church. Keep praying we our going to get an awesome pastor and youth minster. I am excited to see what God is doing. Aren’t you?
Glory to God in the Highest, May all Heaven and earth proclaim His Majesty.
Oh and by the way I have many more miracles to talk about.
I’ll share them with you if you ask.

With The Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
Deuteronomy 31:6

The Beacon Article 6/24/09

The Deacons Corner

I go by several names. My girls call me Daddy. I am known as Dan to current friends and colleagues. My wife, in-laws, and people I worked with over thirty years ago call me Danny. I am known as LT Dan to a few special friends (that means you, Presley Utz). I have also been called Son, Dip, Duffus, CT Dan, Sandbags and a few others I can’t put in a church newsletter.
My favorite is Papaw. You see, my children and I are training my grandchildren to call me Papaw (yes I said “training” but that discussion is for another article). That is what I knew my Grandfather Carter by (now you know where my grandson gets his name from); Papaw, a term of endearment because I loved my Grandfather immensely. Papaw is derived from Papa. You may even call your father Papa.
Have you ever wondered why we call God “Father”,
more specifically Abba Father? The definition of ABBA is [AB ah] (father) — an Aramaic word that corresponds to our “Daddy” or “Papa.”
It is found three times in the New Testament.
Daddy or Papa just sounds close, warm and personal, doesn’t it?
I hold my Papaw in an endearing respected position.
Why? He loved me unconditionally.
Our Heavenly Father does too.
John 3:16 (NKJV)16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Dr. Mahoney put in perspective this Father’s Day.
I hope you enjoyed your Father’s Day as much as I did mine and
I pray that you embraced the Father’s love too.


With The Love of Christ
Oh and Deacon Dan
Deuteronomy 31:6

The Beacon Article 6/17/09

The Deacons Corner

Not so long ago my “girls” were in the Mississippi Baptist All-State Youth Choir and Orchestra. I would have liked to have heard the choir Sunday at “my church” but I was out of town. Thank you all for your prayers and calls. Mrs. Hollen Fortner wasn’t only Charlotte’s aunt, but she was our sister in Christ. Even though we were saddened by her passing, we celebrated her release from the pain and suffering of the flesh. The day’s events ended with Charlotte and I attending church in Houston, MS to see the choir. My, how things have changed.
I understand our youth minister preached his best sermon yet. This past Sunday has reminded me how quickly change can take place. I have watched Todd grow up, date, get married, and become a father. Change, it always happens. All in God’s Time.
As it says in Ecclesiastes 3: 1To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
Our church is changing, too. You see, God is renewing our church and sending our people to the uttermost, wherever that may be.
I pray that God blesses Todd, Jenny, and Evie immensely.
Be In prayer for Todd and Jenny and our church.




With The Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
Deuteronomy 31:6

The Beacon Article 6/7/09

The Deacons Corner

Time and tide waiteth for no man. I used to ponder that Geoffrey Chaucer quote often in my youth. I wanted to be sixteen to drive & date, eighteen to “do what I wanted to do”, and twenty-one to pursue my career. I wanted to grow up fast. At the age twenty-six I went through somewhat of a “mid-life crisis”. I had not conquered a goal in the medical field I had set early in my career. Eventually I did obtain my career goals.
I noticed as time went by my hair (among other things) changed: my children grew into beautiful young women, other people’s children grew up and had children.
Oh, back to the hair (I chase rabbits more now than I used to). It started becoming what some would call salt & pepper, much more salt than pepper. I watched the hair turn gray-white of men whom I considered mentors. I realized it may have been their gray-white hair that made them my mentor. Well, not really the hair but the years and the wisdom the hair represented.
The glory of young men is their strength, and the splendor of old men is their gray head.Proverbs 20:29
As my glory fades, I will learn to enjoy the splendor of my years. As Martin Luther put it: “It would be a good thing if young people were wise and old people were strong, but God has arranged things better.”

Yes HE always does. My, I’m feeling splendid today.

With The Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
Deuteronomy 31:6

The Beacon Article 5/27/09

The Deacons Corner

This Memorial Day has given me the chance to reflect on the price of freedom. What would you give to have freedom? Men and women have given their lives both as a career in our armed services and from the brutality of war. I thank and praise God for men & women who have afforded me a free country.
I seldom have thought about another freedom. I am free from the wages of my sin. I never thought about being free from sin much until this Memorial Day. If you are a born again Christian then you are free too. You see Paul’s letter to the Romans explained it all.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2. Jesus paid it all. He set me free from the wages of my sin and gave me everlasting life. He can set you free too. Freedom a gift from Jesus, won’t you accept it if you don’t know him? I hope you have reflected on Freedom this Memorial Day.

In Christ’s Love
Deacon Dan
Deut. 31:6

The Beacon Article 5/13/09

The Deacons Corner
I remember cold hands on my hot sun scorched face. I remember church bells at noon walking home from kindergarten holding tightly to her hand. I remember at the age of 15 being embarrassed when she announced to the world (people at the beach) that I couldn't’t swim. Most of all I remember how much my mother loved me. This past Sunday, Mothers Day I had a flood of memories these were just a few.

My mother was blessed. She has been with the Lord for over fifteen years now. I still miss her and her hugs. I will see her again I know. I hope you had a great Mother’s day. They are a gift from God. In praise and honor of my mother, wife and mothers everywhere:

Proverbs 31:25-28 (NKJV)
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:

Proverbs 31:30 (NKJV)
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.


Love In Christ

Deacon Dan
Deut. 31:6

The Beacon Article 4/22/09

6:30 a.m. Sunday morning I was watching the rain come down so hard it looked as white sheets. The T word came to mind. I have been in two Tornados.
When I was five the house we lived in was completely torn down around us, devastated by a Tornado. Then again when I was a sophomore in high school one hit our neighbor’s house. The roof of that beautiful antebellum home was peeled back much like the lid on a can of sardines. Yet both times the sun came out and hope came out of the despair of the storm.

You see life can be hard dark and foreboding much like a storm at times.
Randy Travis even sings a song about “The Storms of Life”. Casting Crowns also sings about a storm. The title of their song says it all.
“I’ll Praise You in the Storm”. It speaks of our hope and comfort in Christ.
The sun shinning in the stained glass windows Sunday morning reminded me of that hope. You see if you belong to Christ. He calms the storm. If you are suffering from the storms of life be still and let the peace of Christ shine through you. Praise him even in your storm. I believe you will get a blessing from the praise. Look for the SON.




Deuteronomy 31:6
Deacon Dan

The Beacon Article 5/3/09

OK first off I am not a writer. I am of all things an X-ray technologist who specialized in Computed Tomography. And if I can claim to know anything it would be C. T. (CAT scanning). I really don’t know where my previous articles have come from (except GOD has blessed them).

Sunday was a great day. With all the blessings that I could write an article on, (you’re not going to believe this) I am writing on a movie / book Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Remember the story line? The mild mannered gentlemanly Dr. Jekyll creates a potion that lets his primeval ego escape. In this state Mr. Hyde effectively commits mortal sins: physically abusing his illicit lover, (which he would not even have had as mild mannered Dr. Jekyll) and murder. Dr. Jekyll tries to rid himself of Mr. Hyde but begins changing on his own without the potion. I guess you could say the potion could be liquor that has the same kind of devastating effects on people. (NOT MY POINT). Point is, we all have a Mr. Hyde inside. You see it’s a nature we inherited from Adam & Eve. We call it sin. You see John 3:19 says ………………… that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
I know good people, but left to their own nature they probably would not be good for long. What could you do if no one would see you and there were no consequences to your actions? I shudder to think how I would be if Christ had not entered my life in 1979. Jesus has put forgiveness, love, patience, and most of all peace in my heart. You see, what Dr. Jekyll really needed was a heart doctor. No not Dr. Wiener, Purdon or someone else in the medical profession. But the REAL heart doctor that heals all things, JESUS CHRIST. What we need is to look into our own heart and reflect on what we see. Do you see a Dr. Jekyll a Mr. Hyde or do you see Jesus?
Let’s all have a heart check-up.
In Christ’s Love



Deacon Dan
Deut. 31:6
[John 1:4, 9–11]

The Beacon Article 4/15/09

I like chocolate. I especially like dark chocolate. I like dark chocolate because it has a pungent, sharp taste first and then the balance of the creme and sugar comes in with a sweetness. Easter 2009 was like dark chocolate to me. First, five baptisms; and what a sermon our pastor preached, so sharp and pungent with the truth of God and then the sweetness of salvation through Jesus Christ. To top that all off, we had two young families present their children to God with a commitment to follow our Lord. Dark Chocolate, though our pastor becomes someone else’s pastor next Sunday. He moves on, following God`s will, and we will miss him. What a pungent feeling I have about that. The sweetness is to know I have been lead, taught, and mentored under a man who is following God’s will. You see, he has answered a call and I for one am proud to know he follows our Lord. Pray for his ministry. Yes, I like dark chocolate, sometimes too much. Easter is our victory through Christ. Enjoy the dark chocolate.

Deacon Dan
Philippians 4:13

The Beacon Article 3/8/2009

The wind this past weekend has cause me to use the cliche “In like a lion out like a lamb”. I like the wind, to feel it blow through my hair and on my arms. I like it brisk but not too hard.
You see I like to fly kites. Have you ever noticed a child flying a kite?
They run and run and rarely give up. You see they have faith that the kite will fly. What they sometimes don’t understand is the kite has to have a breeze, a tail and a bow in its body. Yet they will run until they can’t any more. They have faith. As the kite catches a breeze and rises you can see the joy in their face and sometimes hear laughter. Yet too strong a wind and the kite may get driven into the ground too slight a breeze and flight does not continue.
Jesus to me is the steady firm breeze providing the power and lift, The Holy Spirit the tail providing constant direction. The bow of the body is past trials and lesson of God that I have learned shoring up my life as the bow does for the kite.

You see I like kite flying because it reminds me of my walk with the Lord. I need to be still and wait on the small steady breeze of the Lords voice. Yet during the strong winds of life I try to force my kite to fly on my own only to see it crash to the ground. Then I am soon elated because the Lord provides a steady firm breeze to help make it fly again.

Yes I like the wind and if you tell me to go fly a kite I just may. It’s just a great way to reflect. May The Steady Firm Breeze lift you today just have faith as a child.

Deacon Dan
Psalm 46:10

Welcome to The Deacons Corner Blog

Easter 2009 our pastor resigned. I am the deacon council chairman. I began writing an article to replace the pastors article. I decided to share them on this blog and will post one every time I create a new one. I am not a writer. These articles are intended to edify and challenge our church members. My term as chairman ends in 2010. I will post articles already published in our newsletter as well as new ones I write. I am Baptist and adhere to the Baptist Faith & message. I would gladly discuss the gift of life with you.
Deacon Dan
See our Church website http://www.clarksdalebaptistchurch.net/