Final Post

       As we have all now returned home to our families, our hearts are filled with great joy when we consider the week well spent in Lakeshore.  The memories will long be a part of our lives.  Most of the memories will be dear, but there will also be those that are troubling.  We encountered so many folks who lost so much, and in some cases were a moment from death.  You would think that such events would sober an individual regarding eternity, but sadly, it is rarely the case.  Our hope was that we could persuade as many as possible to receive our invitation to hear the preaching of the Word of God, in hope that their eternal perspective can be dramatically changed.  
       “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” I Corinthians 10:14.   Friday night, in the presence of many unconverted souls we heard an exceptionally clear message of salvation.  The Holy Spirit was empowering all who stepped into the pulpit.  Much prayer had prepared the way and there was an earnest appeal for men to come to Christ.  Our brother, Steve Graham, was enabled to deliver a penetrating sermon from Matthew 13.  Pastor Graham is bi-vocational, a builder by trade.  His skills were much needed on the worksites, so he weathered the cold, mud and fatigue and was not in peak condition by the end of the week.  With God’s help and some potent tea, laden with lemon and honey, his flagging voice was rejuvenated and the preacher was in the house.  The sermon drew out Gospel lessons from four parables.  The parables are identified as the four soils, the pearl of great price, the treasure hidden in a field, and the full net of fish.  The delivery was dynamic, the illustrations colorful, and the message abundantly clear.  He reminded his hearers that the passage repeatedly uses the word “again” to introduce the parables.  In fact, he would reinforce the message by saying “Again and again and again”.  This was used to emphasize  the truth that apart from Christ, we are hard of heart, and Jesus used such repetition to mercifully accommodate our stubborn ways.  Pastor George McDearmon then bolstered the sermon with an exhortation to heed the message, and finally Brother Mitch Axsom closed with a benediction that had bound in it a closing sermon.  It’s been a long time, if ever; I have heard such an exhaustive and evangelical presentation of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
        There are many individuals who I would like to thank for their tireless preparation and labor toward this project.  I dare not do this by name, although, because there is a risk that my memory would disappoint me, and I would overlook someone.   I am also aware of the humble frame that marks the people involved with the project and fear that my praise would embarrass many.  So let me express my sentiments this way.  Everyone who stepped on the soil of Lakeshore, Mississippi was a blessing to my soul.  The spirit of cooperation, perseverance, and faithfulness was remarkable.  I learned much, from both young and old.  My heart was greatly encouraged to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  It was great to see eminent pastors, godly women, hearty construction workers, and maturing young folk all blended together in harmony.  All with the common goal to see God glorified with our hands and voices.  I’m already looking forward to next year, but then again, we have much work to do in our own churches and communities.  So let’s get busy doing the work of the Kingdom.
        Finally, if someday you are getting flustered by all of the changes the Lord has placed in your path and you just don’t want to adjust, remember “Semper Gumby”.  Hopefully, the concept of being always flexible when considering God’s will is at least one lesson learned in 2011.
 
Larry Springer