Time & Tide

 It's amazing how time has sped up as I've gotten older. The last post has been too long ago. We now have seven grandchildren. I have been pastoring two churches for about 14 years, suffered through much loss and much joy. I almost lost my wife in 2020, but the Lord gave her back to me. I ended up taking early retirement at age 62, I'll be 66 in July. I'm unsure where God is taking me, but I'll go.

If you don't know the Lord Jesus you're missing out.  

The Beacon Article 9_16_09

I had been in class for an hour trying to teach adults new CT software for the C.A.T scanner their hospital had purchased. It didn’t take much to lose the attention of the students. The TV set in the rotunda of the office building I worked in was blaring. Someone was watching current events. The date was September 11, 2001, what would commonly be called 911. A fateful day for our nation, there was probably more prayer and patriotism that day than since the great revival or the signing of the constitution. Eight years later though the patriotism and prayer has all but waned.
As a Christian sometimes I become discouraged by current events. A look at our current administration or even our past one, it seems we as a nation settle for whatever will increase our coffers.
Our problems as a nation could be remedied if we would follow Gods instruction in 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 (NKJV)
14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

But if our nation decides to turn a blind eye to the instruction of our God, then we as Christians must stand firm in our faith as it says in Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV)
6 Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Keep praying God is listening. Will you stand and be strong?


With The Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
Psalm 32:1-2

Sealed With a Kiss 5/15/24

When I'm with my Granddaughter Audrey Gail she brightens my day. She reminds me of how we are to be with Jesus trusting, unconditionally Loving, accepting, and filled with abundant joy. She kisses me as a show of her affection for me. You see the love of a child toward their grandparents is special. The love shown to me by my grandchildren I believe is a reward, a "kiss from God"  you see they joy they provide is like the joy I experienced with their mothers when they were little. It also reminds me of how blessed I am and the goodness of God

Deuteronomy 28:2 

2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:

Pastor Dan

former (Deacon Dan)

The Storm Shelter

One night when I was five years old a storm turned into a tornado. The things I remember most are the rain and and thunder but most of all how it suddenly stopped and an erie silence set in. It seemed like hours of silence but it was only seconds. Then it happened a boom like an airplane hitting the side of the house. Glass, household articles, and other things went flying all around the house. My mother was raised three feet off the floor trying to save new drapiries going out of the window. Western Kentucky being proned to tornandos had many houses with a storm shelters. Unfortunately our home did not have one. A survey of the homesite the next morning showed total devastation yet no one suffered injuries more than scracthes.

Randy Travis released an album in the mid 80's titled "The Storms of Life" . Randy croons in it's titled song. " I better change my wandaring ways, I know I've seen my better days, always getting high when I get low, Well I left my soul out in the rain, Lord what a price I've had to pay. The Storms of Life are washing me away" .

You see we have many "storms" in life. Some are caused by decisions we make, some by circumstances we have no control over. Whatever your storm may be fianancial, relationships, or health issues where do you go? Some people search for comfort in alcohol, drugs or illicit physical relations. Yet with all this searching they just make the storm rage more.

In Luke we are told of a miricle of Jesus during a storm.
Luke 8:22-25 (NKJV)
22 Now it happened, on a certain day, that He got into a boat with His disciples. And He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they launched out.
23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy.
24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, “Master, Master, we are perishing!” Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm.
25 But He said to them, “Where is your faith?”
And they were afraid, and marveled, saying to one another, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him!”
In Mark 4:39 we are told Jesus rebuked the storm by saying " Peace Be Still"

Jesus Is the "Storm Shelter of Life" Do you know Jesus? Why let the storms rage on?
Know Jesus Know Peace

The Tragedy of Jesus' Birth or The Real Cost of Christmas

The Tragedy of Jesus’ Birth 

(The real cost of Christmas)

·         A tragedy is defined as

    1.    very sad event: an event in life that evokes feelings of sorrow or grief

    2.    disastrous event: a disastrous circumstance or event, e.g. serious illness, financial ruin, or fatality

Have you ever thought that the birth of Christ had tragic consequences? In today's society we rarely think about the true cost of Christmas. I'm not speaking about the expense of toys, travel, or  holiday festivities.

In today's society we think about not being able to buy Christmas presents and give to our loved ones a tragedy. It may be we can't afford to visit our love ones during the Christmas season. And although this may be a very sad situation it is not a true tragedy.

I'm talking about the real cost of Christmas. On the day that Christ was born Angels announced his birth to shepherds watching their flocks at night. The shepherds went to find the Christ child. They found him lying in a manger among the animals with his parents. They could never imagine what would happen in the near future. When a jealous king would destroy an entire city’s male children, every child under two years of age in Bethlehem  would be put to death in fear that they would be king someday. In Matthew 2:16-18

¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 

 ¹⁷ Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

   ¹⁸ “A voice was heard in Ramah,

     Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,

     Rachel weeping for her children,

     Refusing to be comforted,

     Because they are no more.”

 Little did Herod the great know that Jehovah God had warned the parents of the eternal King, Joseph and Mary to flee to Egypt.

Matthew 2:13-15

¹³ Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

¹⁴ When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt,

¹⁵ and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son

Upon Herod the Great's death Jesus and his family would be called out of Egypt. Once again fulfilling prophecy.

So you see there was a great tragedy that occurred shortly after Jesus’ birth. The tragedy once again fulfilled prophecy. Jesus birth came at a great cost to Bethlehem. Jesus’ death and resurrection paid the ransom of the sin of the world.

The tragedy today is that people still reject Jesus as God's son. This rejection will lead them into eternal damnation and separation from God for all eternity. As Christians we are not responsible for a person to accept Christ. We are responsible as stated in Matthew 28 to tell lost people about Christ and to make disciples.

This year as you contemplate Christmas presents and their cost please keep in mind the greatest present of all which could never be repaid was the birth of the Christ child. Merry Christmas to all and may the love of the Christ child living you.

Let's Grow UP

As I get older I am amazed at how many older Christians have held onto childish attitudes. I have seen people that I had greatly admired for their service to the Lord fall in the area of forgiveness & love. At times the scenario this fall was over may of been very inconsequential at other times very valid.

What has amazed me is sometimes they freely give up a position serving the Lord because they didn't get their own way or they wallow in the anger and bitterness for a very long time. They do this to the point it destroys all the good they have done. I try hard not to question their salvation but it is difficult not to. Seeing someone you've watched for 20 or so years serving the Lord well, sin in this manner is very disheartening.

In 1 Corinthians 13:11 it says ^"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. "

We are called to Love each other in 1 John 4:20-21 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

LET's put away childish things and GROW UP.

No Shame

A couple of nights ago while eating at a local restaurant two women with two young children came into the restaurant and sat down. They went and served themselves from the buffet. I didn't think they had paid upon entering which was how this restaurant was set-up. I wasn't sure.
While eating their meal a waitress asked if they had paid,  When she informed the manger they hadn't paid the manager started calling someone (police I suppose). The women and children left quickly.

What I must say that shocked me the most was the women were not the least bit ashamed and almost seemed to have the attitude that they were entitled to eat there for free!
No matter how you see it those "ladies" (term used in the loosest since of the word) had  stolen from the restaurant. You could argue they were just trying to feed the children (why did the two adults have more food) or maybe they were hungry ( they didn't look too hungry if you catch my drift).  Bottom line is they are thieves.

 I have often wondered how modern society would handle immediate punishment for any wrongs (sins) committed. God would dole out punishment as soon as the LAW was broken.

Remember Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-10 of the New Testament?.  God Struck Ananias dead at the alter. Then when Sapphira committed the same sin she was struck down too. You see what they did was essentially what the "ladies" did. They had stolen and lied. The "ladies" from the restaurant,  Ananias and Sapphira  from God.. Both cases totally without shame. Both case have consequences.



I just wonder what would happen tomorrow at work if someone steals something or lies about something and the Lord strikes them down immediately how long would it take to make a better work environment. How many people would still be there to take care of the patients. Would you ? Would I? Something to think about isn't it. See you in chuech Sunday?

Deacon Dan
Pastor Dan
John 3:30

Acts 5:1-10 (NKJV)

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.

No Shame

A couple of nights ago while eating at a local restaurant I noticed two women with two young children come into the restaurant and sat down. They went and served themselves from the buffett. I didn't think they had paid upon entering which was how this resteraunt was set-up.
While eating their meal a waitress asked if they had paid,  When she informed the manger they hadn't paid the manager started calling someone (police I suppose). The women and children left quickly.

What I must say that shocked me the most was the women were not the least bit ashamed and almost seemed to have the attitude that they were entittled to eat there for free!
No matter how you see it those "ladies" (term used in the loosest since of the word)  stoled from the resturant. You could argue they were just trying to feed the children (wny did the two adults have more food) or maybe they were hungry ( they didn't look too hungry if you catch my drift).  Bottom line is they are theives.

 I have often wondered how modern society would handle immeadate punishment for any wrongs (sins) comiited. God would dole out punishment as soon as the LAW was broken.

Remember Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-10 of the New Testament?.  God Struck Ananiash dead at the alter. Then when Saphira comitted the same sin she was struck down too. You see what they did was essenitally what the "ladies" did. They stoled and lied. The "ladies" from the resturant,  Annais and Sapphiria from God.. Both cases totally without shame. Both case have consequences.



I just wonder what would happen tomorrow at work if someone stoled something or lied about something and the Lord strucjk them down immeadately how long would it take to make a better work enviroment. How many people would still be there to take care of the patients. Would you ? Would I? Something to think about isn't it.

Deacon Dan
Pastor Dan


John 3:30

WOW AGAIN

My little church Union Chapel has had an increase in attendence
Ordained into the ministry on Mothers Day
My first Funeral today
To God Be The Glory

WOW

Well My Last Post was in June 2010. I alluded to the fact that I had done pulpit supply here in the Delta. You see in April 2010 my wife and I went to the alter at our church my prayer was God if you want me to go into the ministry if you opened the door I'll go through it. I didn't tell anyone about this. The very next day I recieved a phone call to preach at a church. The calls kept coming . Wednesday nights, Sunday morning breakfasts many more churches.
After several Sundays in one particular church I recieved another fateful call A deacon from that little church called and we talked. A week later I met with the deacon board. I have been their pastor now for about two and a half months. We have seen the attendance grow from between seven to thirteen to twenty to twenty-five. God is blessings our church. I will be posting my sermons here on a regular basis. They will not be verbatim as I delivered them but the main thought and verses will be here. Only my personal analogys will missing.
Brother Dan
John 3:30

The Deacons Corner

Well A lot has happened since my last post. We have an interim pastor. So I have not written any more articles. I have rotated out of the "hot seat" as the chairman of the deacon council. My youngest daughter graduated college on May 8th and then got married on May 15th. All the while I have filled several pulpits in this area. God has given me many blessings. Today is my oldest daughters birthday and she's a great mother, wife, daughter and teacher. She was an answer to prayers over 28 years ago.

First Baptist Church Tutwiler, MS 4-11-10

The Reason For The Season

Ecclesiastes 3:1 3 To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

From 1960 to 1980, the divorce rate more than doubled
Though the divorce rate seems to have decreased and stabilized, it
is with a skewed look at the data. The study does not take
into account more couples co-habitat now. Men and women are
waiting longer to get married and it does not ask if a married
person is on first marriage or consecutive marriages.

W. Bradford Wilcox is the director of the National Marriage
Project at the University of Virginia and a senior fellow at the
Institute for American Values. See

If you look at the magazine counter of any store you’ll find
numerous novels and magazines devoted to romance and love.

Television shows today show a perverted idea of love; shows like
Desperate housewives, Army wives, Married with children, Ellen
Degenerate and Will and Grace.

Many people seek to be loved and accepted. We are born with a
need for love.

Love is mentioned in the bible (573 xs NKJ) & 429 KJ times.


I contend that the real reason for this season is Love.

First what is Love:
Some say Love is Blind
We find In
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NKJV)4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails…………………

Jesus said to the disciples in John 15:17 (NKJV)17 These things I command you, that you love one another

What about you? Do you feel unloved? The enemy will tell you no one loves you. God loves you. We see in Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

A very familiar verse says it all. You may have learned this verse when you were small and still felt loved.
John 3:16
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.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV)3 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:


What Season are you in? Are you in a season of hope or despair?
Do you want to know true Love. Make this Easter season the
Season you experience true love. The Love of the Father.
Jesus said: in John 14:6 (NKJV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Article 53 The Deacons Corner

The three amigos for a medical company on the way to The Cleveland Clinic. Myself, Paul Rigoni and Mike Bonfig We all worked in CT for this company. I was grateful to be with two of the smartest people at the company. The one thing we had in common other than CT was a sharp sense of humor. As Mike drove our discussions would vary. Sometimes it would be just laughter as we would pull pranks on each other.

I saw a tree in full bloom just like one I have in my back yard. I called it by the name I had been told it was a "Tulip Tree". Miked and Paul just rolled with laughter. Paul said it was a Japanese magnolia.
You see being the only southern person in our group I was always hit with southern jokes. All in good fun. I learned a valuable lesson that day.
When I got back to the hotel my research began. I surfed the web. When I got home I looked in my encyclopedias. I was right, the trees common name was a Tulip tree because the bloom looked like a tulip. Paul was right because it was a Japanese magnolia. Every time I see the blooms on a "Tulip tree" I think of my friends. I miss working with them. I am also reminded we should "test" our knowledge and seek out the truth in Gods word that we are given by others. We find in 1 Thessalonians 5:21:
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

I have many good memories of my days at that company. I'll hold fast onto them and God's Word



With the Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
John 3:30

The Deacons Corner 3/15/10

Working in the medical field I see people in pain everyday. It reminds me of how much pain this world has in it. There is pain that comes from injuries we suffer. A broken arm maybe from a fall, a hurt back from lifting improperly or maybe pain from a burn while cooking. Yes there is much pain in this world.
I remember visiting with our former interim pastor Dr. Stan May to a lady's home. She felt pain. Her pain was not physical though. It was more of mental pain some real pain some perceived pain. Mostly her pain came from life choices she had made in the past. Family members had deserted her, she was divorced . Her pain was so great I felt as if it slithered onto me by the time we left. Dr. May had a message of Hope for her. He didn't hesitate to share the love of Christ and God. She felt even God had turned His back on her.
So many people become depressed and believe that God has turned His back on them. Even Jesus experienced this type of despair in Mark 15:34 we read And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” As Jesus took our sin on himself He seemed all alone. But the good news is we don't have to be. Jesus said in Matthew 28:20 ...................and, Lo I am with you Always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

May you know the Love of Jesus Christ

With the Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
John 3:30

The Beacon Article 3_10_10

Willie Carter, a great man in my eyes. I am sure you don’t know him. He had a son named Jimmy (no not the president, Jimmy was my uncle). What made Mr. Carter a great man one may ask? Well he was honest, he had integrity and character. A meticulous carpenter people sought him out to build their own house.
He was ordained into the ministry of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by Muddy River Baptist Church. It was in a day when microphones were unheard of. I don’t think they had been invented yet or at least they were only used by radio stations. Mr. Carter was a very soft spoken man, yet when he spoke his words of wisdom demanded respect.
My grandfather left the ministry for some reason. I was always told it was because people couldn’t hear him when he preached. I hope that is so. I know he never turned his back on God. He never lost faith.
I remember him falling asleep daily reading his bible, while sitting in a naugahyde chair. It took me years to learn that I couldn’t’ go hunting for Naugas, that the chair was made from vinyl.
Oh! I digress.
Character, Mr. Carter (Willie to some, daddy to others but he will always be papaw to me) was the epitome of character. He demonstrated the love of Christ to everyone he met. You see he had many trials and tribulations in his life. My aunt Betty (whom I never knew) was taken from my grandparents at the age of two. His last days were filled with the pain of multiple heart attacks. He never complained.
I think that’s why I love our church so much. The elderly members of our church never complain. They remind me of him.
In Romans 5:1-5 we find how character is built:
5:1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our LordJesus Christ,
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we
stand,and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that
tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured
out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
I hope you rejoice in your character building exercises.
Keep the faith and hope as God builds your house of character. .



With the Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
John 3:30

The Beacon Article 3_3_10

The Deacons Corner
A young strapping boy of 15 looking to impress the young ladies waded deeper and deeper from the shore of the beach.
He didn’t want them to know some things about him. One secret was that he couldn’t really swim. At 6’ 2” he thought they would think he was swimming if he just waded far enough from the shore. As he tried to impress the teenage girls at the beach, he didn’t want them to find out that his mother was on the beach, too.
Just about three minutes into the water, he heard a bloodcurdling scream that unnerved him. He became so embarrassed and ashamed when his mother yelled, “Charles Daniel Sandlin, come back here, YOU CAN’T SWIM!” that he insisted on leaving the beach.
You see, I was ashamed that I couldn’t swim and as a young “man” my mother came to the beach with me. Not too impressive for young teenage girls.
What are you ashamed of? I am ashamed of many things that I did before I met Christ, yet they are all forgiven now.
All my shame is under the blood that Christ shed for us on the cross.

Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 1:8
8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but

share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God,
I pray that you feel the freedom to tell others of what Christ has done for you.

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 (KJV)


With The Love of Christ,
Deacon Dan
John 3:30

The Beacon Article 2/24/10

The Deacons Corner

Jeremiah Was A Bullfrog used to be a favorite song of mine. Three Dog Night sang that song passionately. I wanted to sing that song in a talent contest at the county fair. My mother said I could if I would sing it to my Papaw (Willie Carter). Papaw had only been home from a Nashville hospital after his third heart attack for a day or two. I didn’t know it then but within a month I wouldn’t be able to sing to my grandfather. You see I have learned since those days that Jeremiah was a prophet, a prophet of the most high. I sing a new song nowadays. It says in Psalm 33:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.
2 Praise the LORD with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.
I will sing praise unto our Lord. I hope you enjoyed The Two Tenors this past Sunday night. Talking about singing a new song WOW!


With The Love of Christ,
Deacon Dan
John 3:30

The Beacon Article 02/17/10

Facebook had people sending Valentines wishes to “friends”, Wal Mart went all out this year for Valentines day much like they do at Christmas. I have several reasons to like Valentines Day.
Most of you know I love chocolate, but did you know my first name sake Danielle Sircy Violette , and her twin sister Michelle Sircy Trimble were born on Valentines Day 27 years ago? Happy Birthday my little Valentines.
I love my wife and girls what better way to celebrate that love than flowers and chocolate?
But this year I believe God has impressed upon me to look at it from a different perspective.
God’s love is amazing like a big heart shape box of chocolates (stay with me, no irreverence intended). It demonstrates the size of His love with the sweetness of his blessings inside. Oh and the color red, this year it reminded me how God loved me by covering my sins with the blood of Jesus. Jesus tells us how we are to love in. John 15:9-13 (KJV)
9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments,
And abide in his love.
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Real love means we accept one another no matter of each others flaws. I hope this Valentines Day you were full with the joy of Jesus oh and chocolate too.


With the Love of Christ
Deacon Dan
John 3:30

The Beacon Article 2/10/2010

I gave in I finally got an old mans chair (a recliner).
It seems like the older I get the faster time passes. Maybe it's just that I can't keep up with the pace like I used to. There is more work to do now, and less time to do it in. This is not new I just thought I would be able to slow down once my children were grown. I am not complaining.
God has blessed me immensely and I am thankful to be able to work. I am just trying to convey my experience on aging. It also seems that most things I thought were major issues and concerns for me in my twentys are so trivial now. My perspective has changed. All the time I struggled to bank and save time to enjoy with my children later just disappeared. My children grew up way too fast.
Older men and women would look at my young children with a strange admiration.

I now find myself doing that, understanding that the older people of my youth was remembering special moments in their youthful parenthood days. Maybe they would see one of my daughters do something that reminded them of heir own children. I do that more now. I have slowly learned that yes God is in control and I can turn over to Jesus all my problems just as He promised in:

Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Do you rest well? I think I'll sit back in my chair now and enjoy the rest Jesus gave me a long time ago.

With the love of Christ
Deacon Dan
John 3:30

The Beacon Article 2_3_10

I loved my uncle Floyd he always had time for us and he was always pulling practical jokes. I liked him for another reason too; he was the only person I knew that was more scared of the dark than I was.
When I was eight years old my uncle Floyd cane over to my grandmothers house after dark. I knew he was coming so I hid behind a bush and jumped out and scared the bejeebies out of him. Well it was really funny until my uncle caught me. No he didn’t whoop me he just gave me a talking to very sternly. That actually hurt me worse than any paddling would.
I digress, back to surprises, of all times to be late for church I was this past Sunday. How could I have known what would happen at the end of the service? I didn’t even wear my sport coat. I had a surprise.
Mere words could not begin to express my gratitude for the gift from the church. I thank you for that gift and for the blessing of your support. CBC means so much to me and my family.
I have seen God operate this past year in many different ways. He has taught me many things and given me a glimpse of what a pastor’s life is like. I just want to serve Him in any way I can.
Please continue to pray for me and Charlotte as we seek the direction God wants us to go.
I have had something on my heart now for a couple of years and I am trying to make sure it’s what God wants too. When I am convinced it is what He wants I’ll let you in on it.
Please accept my humble thanks and gratitude but my feelings really are much more expressed in my wife’s favorite hymn “To God Be The Glory”.
He has given me the “Abundant life” promised in John 10:10 (New King James Version)
10………………………………. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Once again thank you and God Bless you
Philippians 1:3-6 (New King James Version)
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,
5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;


With the love of Christ
Deacon Dan
John 3:30