As you all know, the SBL annual meeting was this week and in conjunction was the biblioblogger dinner. I had originally planned to go to the entire thing, but with the baby being born, we decided that the weekend of family, friends, and the dinner would suffice. So, on Friday about noon, my son and I picked up a buddy of mine (who I would drop off in McComb, MS) and headed south. We arrived in McComb at 2, camped out on his sofa for a few hours, then headed into Baton Rouge where my son and I visited with several of my great aunts for a few hours. Then we headed to my old hometown of Central to visit with my former (Baptist) pastor before heading back to our hotel room to get ourselves ready for Mike Anderson’s seafood.
Nov 20 2009
On the Road
My mother died when I was seventeen, a Junior in High School, so when I turned eighteen, I had an inheritance (free money?), a car, and I was on my on. I traveled a lot. On Fridays, after classes, I would head off somewhere, Texas usually.
Nov 20 2009
Things I’m Looking Forward to in Louisiana
I miss the food down yonder, I really do, so this weekend, I will be spending time and money on real honest to goodness Louisiana cuisine.
Continue reading “Things I’m Looking Forward to in Louisiana”
Dec 10 2008
On my recent trip to Louisiana
I have not been to Louisiana for nearly four years, nor to the family reunion for twice plus half that, at least, so we decided to go. We have not great loss of love for Louisiana – except for the food, of course, and some select people. So, to say that we missed it would be wholly untrue. Yet, we did miss some of the people.
We left on Thursday at about 6 eastern time and traveled all night and arrived at McComb, MS at 9 the next morning. It was a long trip, to say the least, but it was safe, and I give thanks to God for that. There was no big deal, no scares, nothing – it was a rather boring trip.
As we were nearing Jackson, and the landscape became more familiar (and seen, as the light dawned), my wife and I were both impressed with our unimpressed stance on heading back to Louisiana. The land is unimpressive, unless you like the flat land of the South – I moved to the mountains for many reasons, one of which is the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.
We quickly showered and shaved at the hotel and hit the road again, heading to Baton Rouge. My met my brother in law and my great aunt, one of 3 that remains, for just a few minutes – but that turned out to be lunch. Now, I had intended to stop by and say hello, as we were going to see them on Saturday anyway, but they insisted that we go to Piccadilly which is a cafeteria style restaurant. I had wanted nothing but Popeye’s Fried Chicken while I was down south, but I was thwarted on my first attempt. We left my aunt’s and my brother in law in Baton Rouge and went to my old hometown of Central (it was not a town when I left, mind you, but has since been incorporated) to visit a former pastor and friend of my Grandfather’s. About 14 years ago, during a rather bad time in my ‘home’ life in which my mother started her down hill slide which would end rather horribly, he took me in to allow me to finish my high school year at Central High School before I moved to Summit, Ms.
He also married us when my childhood church demanded that we join and pay tithes for 6 months. Remember – at this time, we were still living in sin with a child 3 months old. So, I have kept in contact with him over these years. He is Baptist, but I try to look past that.
We visited him and his wife for a little bit, with his wife loading my children up with toys and goodies. And, believe it or not, she had my daughter singing at the piano! I cannot get her to sing in car! Now, she has declared that she has a song that she wants to sing in church! Amazing, but then again, children just need to be reached.
So, we left there to visit my in-laws – I have never been able to get along with my m-i-l. I will not go into it here. Anyway, we were there for an hour and then back to McComb.
We then got a call from that former pastor who said that he would like to meet us at Mr. Whiskers, a catfish place near McComb. Again, thwarted from my attempt to eat Popeye’s. So, we met him, his wife, and his son in law, there. We had a good time. My grandfather and I ate there a great deal while I lived with him, and enjoyed hosting friends there. If you are ever in town, go there. Eat. Enjoy.
So, we went to the hotel and finally, I slept. We woke the next morning to go and visit my old home place. I wished that I had not, really. The memories of it when I left would have sufficed me for a long time, but now, I see it littered with garbage, cobwebs on the rafters, and the yard overgrown. My uncle owns it now, but rarely visits. On the way home, I dreamed of some way buying it and restoring it to it’s original condition, but what would I do with it? Would I move from West Virginia to Mississippi? No – I feel that God has placed me here in this spot and this time.
I understand now why nostalgia was considered a mental illness a generation or three back. I also understand Paul’s statement about forgetting those things behind and looking forward. We can eat ourselves up with wondering ‘what if’s’ or the ‘used to be’s’. That house is no longer my grandfathers, or mine, and I could or would do very little to change it.
We made our way to Kentwood for the family reunion and it was good to see everyone. We left there at about 3 and visited a small spring in Chattawa, Ms where again I had spent some quality time with my grandfathers to travel to Dyersburg, Tn. Finally, I had my Popeye’s in Dyersburg.
Sunday, we went to church and spent some time with the pastor and his family before taking a nap and heading back to church that evening. And after church – Popeye’s. Then Sleep. On Monday, we left for home and again, no scares, no close calls, nothing, just the safety that we had prayed for.
While in Dyersburg, I met a young man with a powerful testimony that really touched my heart. He was a young boy when he first came to Dyersburg and attended Sis. Johnson’s Sunday School class. He was soon gone, but years later, as a young man, happened to be in Dyersburg (he had since moved to Memphis) mudding (for those with the less red variety of neck, that means taking an ATV and getting really dirty) and ran into Sis. Johnson at the Taco Bell. She invited him to church, and he has never left, traveling on Sunday from Memphis to attend services. It gave me hope that perhaps, if my children were to turn away from God when they are older, that they might find a way back. And I believe that is the hope of all parents.
All in all, not a bad trip. It would good to be down yonder way for a while, but I am glad to be back.
I had mentioned earlier in the week that I had began to see the sovereignty of God as something that is real. I feel some great assurance that my life has been led to the point where I am to remain in West Virginia. My roots have been planted, you see, and I feel at home. But, in looking how I got here, how I met my wife, how I came to be in a place where I needed God more than He needed me, I see an Unseen Hand about me. I realize that I can only say so much without sounding egotistical, but in each major life event, I can see myself being led here. I do not mean for any great purpose, but I am in Church, serving God, with a family – a loving wife and two wonderful children. (What greater purpose?) Because of this Unseen Hand, I am here – but I can look back and see the ‘what-if’s’.
A pivotal point in my life was the death of my grandfather. Had he lived, I would have stayed in Mississippi, gone to college on his dime, and who knows what else, but I would say that I most likely would not have met my wife, had the children that I have, or been in the Church that I am in now.
I had a lot of time to think on the highways that I traveled, and each thought led me to God. It is because of Him alone that I am where I am – where I have wanted to be for many, many years. I am satisfied with my life, and could think of no better alternative.
Dec 04 2008
Going to Louisiana
If you have read this blog for a period of time, you will note that the times that I have allowed my personal life to be made into a blog post of some sort. I was born in Louisiana, and moved to West Virginia when I was 24, where I promptly grew up. (Well, maybe not so promptly). I, like Abraham, left everything save my wife and my lot. (No one, however, turned to salt this time.) Not even in my darkest days here in West Virginia did I ever seek to return. God has planted me here for a reason, and I will endeavor to endure to the end.
I did not have much of a family in Louisiana, with my mother passing and my father should have. (I know, it’s harsh, but we don’t judge on this blog). My mother’s co-producer’s family is, well, an enabler of all things bad, and a believer in the crab syndrome. (Put crabs in a large washtub. When one gets to the top, they all reach to bring him back down.) My wife’s family is the same way.
My mother, however, had a wonderful family and I have kept in contact with them, not so much as I should have. My great aunts, one in particular, has often been a great and soft inspiration to me, giving me encouragement, and plenty of sermons, throughout the years. He has a pretty debilitating disease, is nearly blind, and lives in a nursing home – yet I have not yet once heard her complain. And I whine like a baby if I get the sniffles. (No, I am not exaggerating, ask my patient wife.) Anyway, this side of the family is a traditional Southern family, Baptists and all. I am unsure of the younger generations, but the generation of my grandparents survive on compassion, truth, and togetherness.
And they have a family reunion every year – the first Saturday in December. I have not been to Louisiana for 4 years – I just could care less about going, yet this year, I feel a burden and a relief in going. So, about 7 or 8 tonight, after a few winks and some baked spaghetti, my family and I will hit the road. I plan on getting to McComb, MS about, oh, 9 tomorrow morning, further, we plan to spend all day tomorrow in Baton Rouge, introducing our children to some of our old stomping grounds. Now, that might sound fun to you, but remember, I am and have always been a general bore – we are going to the state capital and to the museum of the U.S.S. Kidd. We will visit, I believe, my old pastor (the baptist one) and then head to see my in-laws, which promises to provide the sparks of the day. Finally, we will either eat at Mr. Whiskers near Liberty, MS, or at the local Popeye’s in McComb. Saturday will see us visiting my old homestead near Summit, MS and some local memories in that neck of the woods. Then to Kentwood for the reunion, back on the road again to Dyersburg, TN for church the next morning, and perhaps that evening if we decide to stay there for the night.
I like the congregation at Dyersburg, and will often drive seemingly out of my way to be in service if I am closer to them than I would be to my home congregation. I will only be 6 hours away, so not too bad. I was stuck in Illinois (but it was Illinois, so everyone is really stuck there) for a few months last year, in Marion. Every Wednesday, I would make the 2.5 hour trek down to service and back. Not for some great need to be in service, but for some great need to be in service with such a warm and welcoming congregation. The pastor and his family are truly wonderful people and I look forward to seeing the congregation there this weekend. As a matter of fact, it might actually serve as a highlight of the trip.
Tired yet? I am as well.
In other words, the blogging might be a little slow for the next few days. I plan on posting a few posts from those on my blogroll, some news, and an update every now and then.
I hope you all have a great weekend and I shall return.
Sep 12 2008
Hurricane Ike
I sit here watching MSNBC’s coverage of Hurricane Ike and I pray that those that were foolish enough to stay behind by choosing to stay behind will make it safely through this storm. I left Louisiana a few years before Katrina, but I lived through Andrew, and I remember the fear that can grip you when the you have nothing by the radio to listen to, and you hear of storm surges, and deaths, and homes destroyed.
So, I will sit up a few more hours to watching the storm coverage and remembering the many days that I spent in Galveston, Clear Lake, and those other small towns that are makes the international news. I know of people that lived there, and I am praying that they had the good sense and the ability to get out while they could!
**Update – 1:04am**
I noticed that Ike is starting to take a more north-easterly approach, meaning that it will impact Port Arther and Beaumont as well as southwestern Louisiana (Bro. Lanis, you still down that way?). How do you react when it moves away from you? Are you jubilant?
If this storm had hit Mexico, imagine the lives lost. But it went to Texas. Texas as a whole is better prepared for something like this, physically and fiscally. Galveston was not looking forward to having the storm surge, with some predictions having the Gulf cover 2/3’s or more of the island. Now, it looks like the storm might be heading east, meaning that Galveston Island will be spared somewhat. But, when you see the storm approaching, and you hear that it is going to miss you, are you happy?
These people still need our prayers throughout the night and will need our support afterwards.
1:15 (east coast) – The weather guy just said that the latest wobble might have just saved a few billion dollars worth of property. I remember vacationing in Galveston and noticing the high water marks. They are saying that those records, some going back to the 1950’s, have just been broken.
These reporters, standing right there in the path. Just saw a gust nearly knock a reporter down. (Still watching MSNBC) Reporter saying that the eye wall is just now hitting land. But you know what, people are still out here doing what people will do.
That poor reporter in Clear Lake, barely standing, somewhere near the Johnson Space Center. The wind, no kidding, just blew the reporter down and almost away (Mike Bettes). I would have already left! He is talking about the debris that is flying. I have seen giant tree limbs just fly through the air. These things can get dangerous.
1:28 – The storm seems to be heading back to the north west. Not good. Seems the eye is heading on shore, so there will be calm for a bit. I don’t know really what to feel about it. I have lived through a few hurricanes in my short life, so I still have a bit of apprehension when I see the surge and the wind and the horizontal rain, but I am removed from the storm, safe on the Mountain. Still praying. The Weather Channel is reporting that no deaths have been reported, but that 40% of Galveston Island choose to remain behind. I wonder how the hurricane parties are going right about now.
Yes, people choose these situations to party.
1:37 – The wind is up to 85 miles an hour in Beaumont/Port Arthur. Clear Lake is experiencing a storm surge of about 8 feet. I wonder how Louisiana is doing? Lake Charles and those areas hit by Rita. They said that the fire department in Port Arthur evacuated the city this afternoon.
Earthquakes last for a few minutes, hurricanes are events.
Most of Galveston is underwater now, and they are expecting more water. The Texas National Guard has pulled back to Houston with a hopeful return tomorrow morning when the storm as passed over. They have established a command center and will begin their search and rescue missions tomorrow. (Hopefully it will stay that way and not move to a search and recover mission). It seems that nature’s invasion has been somewhat successful.
1:44 – I will turn the coverage off now, and continue my prayers, and then sleep. I pray that my family and friends and your family and friends – if you have then down there – are safe and will remain safe. And may God grant safe passage to all facing this storm. And may God bless those that would risk thier lives for the safety of others, even if those others would choose to tempt God.
Aug 30 2008
From Congregation to Cult
Ex-Hosanna pastor: Confession forced.
I realize that this might get some more dirty comments thrown my way, but I feel that it is important to note just how this cult started. I am not going to post the entire article, that is for you to read if you want.
Lois Mowbray, the so-called prophet, took control of the church and began to control his wife and the remaining handful of congregants by 2003, Lamonica testified.
For a while, Lamonica said, he had to wear a dress and two rubber snakes representing his mother and aunt because they were “pharaohs,” Lamonica testified. Church members once shaved his head and called him “pharaoh” as well, he said.
“She convinced herself she was like Moses and Tangipahoa was coming out of Egypt,” Lamonica said, referring to the biblical story of Moses leading the Jews people out of slavery in Egypt. “Pharaoh was blocking the way.”
“People would go up, start kneeling at the front praying,” Bushey, 24, of Tickfaw, testified. “The worship team would crowd around them and pray over them. This would make them start to throw up.”Toward the end of the church’s existence, strangers seeking to drop in on services were turned away at the doors, the women said. In fact, they, too, had no contact with others outside the church.
The elder son also said on the witness stand that he was taught at church that sinful thoughts are the same as doing the acts. Therefore, he was told that if he thought it, he should write it down because it probably happened.
“At my church, I was taught that if you thought about it, it carried on into the physical (world),” the elder son said.
“If I thought about killing someone, then there would be a dead body?” Wall asked.
“It can, but it doesn’t always happen like that,” the young man replied.
Lamonica’s attorney, Michael Thiel, has maintained that his client falsely confessed to child rape because he was being controlled by a woman claiming to have prophetic visions. The state’s case, presented by Assistant District Attorney Don Wall, includes accusations that children were molested as part of satanic cult rituals.
Once Lois Mowbray became Hosanna’s associate pastor, sermons ended and Sunday worship services varied from praising God for many hours to altar calls where Mowbray claimed God had told her of a sin that a congregant had to confess publicly, Bushey and Louque said.
This pastor essentially moved in, brought this person with ‘prophetic visions’ and allowed no one to challanged him. No one could ‘judge’ him. His threw out the Bible and began nothing but ‘praise and worship’.
