OK it’s time for a quick note of explanation. For over two years we have been seeking to relocate our church and finally it has happened! Two weeks ago we sold our property and we are now in the process of moving in a beautiful new building in the exact location where we wanted to be. Last Sunday we voted to change the name of the church to Lakeway Baptist Church, an appropriate name for our new location near Lake Houston.

I can’t even begin to tell you all the wonderful things God has the last two years. I can’t understand it, and we don’t deserve it, but I’m sure enjoying it! In spite of all our faults and failures God has blessed us in marvellous ways. Our people are excited and our future has never looked brighter. As I told someone, it makes me wish I was 20 years younger. I would love to see where all this is going. However, I am perfectly content in this because I know it is exactly as God has planned it. By His grace I plan to enjoy every minute of it. This whole situation has reminded me that regardless of how bad times are God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think”(Eph. 3:20).

I am not able to write as much as I would like, so article might be few and far between for a while. We will be making changes to our website asap, so bear with us. I will keep you updated the best I can. Most of all, pray for us that many precious souls will be saved. HDS

We just celebrated our 40th anniversary as a church and the entire day was wonderful. We had a packed house, saw many old friends, and met some new folks. We also were blessed with three new additions to the church.

I love what one person said–“I have never before been in a church where so many people are willing to help.” Isn’t that great! As the pastor, I am so very proud of our folks!! They worked hard and did so with a sweet spirit. That’s the way it ought to be. How could anyone not want to be a part of a church like that?

Now we have a major task ahead of us. We are preparing to relocate and there will be a lot of work to do. As it looks now, our first service in the new building will be Nov.1st. We are looking forward to this challenge and I ask that you pray for us that we will impact our new community for Christ.

I have said on many occasions, If we live long enough we will have more friends in heaven than we do on earth. Yesterday God added to the ever growing list of my friends who now wait for me in heaven. Amid all the earthly activities that I’m involved in I was forced to pause long enough to preach the funeral service of my friend. As I rejoiced over all the good things God is doing in my life, I had to pause to weep. As I struggled to deal with the unpleasant problems of life, my burden became greater as I watched the casket close for the last time.

As I left the cemetary and headed home I was reminded of several things. My friend and I did not agree on many issues, but we were friends. My friend, like me, wasn’t perfect, but we were friends. Both of us understood that friendship doesn’t depend on seeing eye-to-eye on every issue. Our common bond was a personal relationship with Christ. That compelled us to love one another. We made a choice to be friends, in spite of our differences, and we were the happier for it.

O how I wish that everyone understood the importance of friendship. Life is tough and we all need all the help we can get. Friends have a way of making life easier. We need to stop fussing about the imperfections of others and learn to love those that God brings into our life. God loves us unconditionally and that’s the way we should love others. Because of Christ, God accepted you, faults and all, how then can you refuse to welcome others into your circle of friends? Learn to love others and someday, if you live long enough, you will have more friends in heaven than you do on earth. Think about it!