Six Cars Back November 23, 2007
It’s the day after Thanksgiving 2007 and I have never been more grateful. I’ve never had so much to be grateful for in my life. In May of this year we were blessed with our first grandchild. If you read the Stonebridge, you have already “met” wee Kyle. I hope the little lad is the first of many. In just a few short days I will begin my ministry at Evangel Baptist Church in Taylor, Michigan. I am an author. This morning I drove my Jeep to the post office in the lovely village of Hinsdale, Illinois and mailed the first two copies of my book to buyers. It would be hard to be happier. (more…)
Boxes for Moving November 20, 2007
This afternoon we are packing for our move to Michigan. We are in blissful chaos–climbing around boxes, looking for packing tape, listening to Christmas music, trying to “lighten our pack,” saying our good-byes, and looking forward to our new life and our new friends. Last night I packed a part of my library, shown here. (You will notice that “lightening my pack” does not include getting rid of any books).
I packed the other half of my library this evening. Dan and Wes have been a huge help. Everyone has been working together to get all of our humble belongings packed and ready to load for Michigan.
Getting an early start on Thanksgiving, here are some things that we are grateful for:
-Today is our daughter-in-law, Elizabeth’s birthday. We are very thankful for her.
-Charles has been asked to candidate at a church in Sister Bay in Door County, Wisconsin.
-Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Eve. I love Thanksgiving Eve. (Ask me about that some day)
-Dear, loyal, kind, patient, forgiving old friends, and cherished memories like yellow snapshots in the album of our hearts.
-New friends, new places, new challenges, and new adventures.
-Sunday morning a young man came to talk to me after church to tell me that he had become a follower of Christ that morning!
-I am a published author! Last night by book Sunset on Summer arrived from the binder!
-I am especially thankful that I can now devote all my time and energy to being a pastor once again.
-As far as we know, we are all healthy.
EVANGEL BAPTIST CHURCH November 12, 2007
There is great rejoicing in my heart this morning. November 11th I accepted the call to Evangel Baptist Church in Taylor, Michigan to join their pastoral team as Senior Pastor. You can count on pictures soon. We are grateful to God for the ministries that the Lord has allowed us to have at IBLP and at First Baptist Church of Momence, and filled with eagerness to begin our new life and ministry in the Downriver Communities back in our beloved Mitten State.
Almost two years ago the Lord began to put Evangel on my heart. I prayed and wrote my thoughts in my journal. Once I was in the area and drove to the church and prayed on the parking lot that God would let me pastor the church if it would be something that He would bless. That dream and desire has become a reality today.
I will Join Pastor Jerry Discerns, Pastor Ken Pyne, and Pastor Brian Hess to form the pastoral team. I follow Pastor Ron Graef, who was their Senior Pastor for almost thirty-six years.
Lingering Autumn November 10, 2007
Autumn is mercifully lingering into November in the Midwest this year. I don’t mind at all. The season is like a favorite guest that you try to talk into staying just a little longer. We drove across the bottom of the “mitten” yesterday from Detroit to Chicago. Heidi met us in Northern Indiana with my Jeep and I drove down through Indiana for the Dad’s Conference in Indianapolis. It was a pretty drive. The trees are clinging to their leaves, like they are bracing for winter. The sun came out to brighten my drive through the countryside. (more…)
You Made My Day
This morning when I woke up and looked at my alarm clock I remembered something that happened about twenty three years ago today. An associate pastor in Niles, Michigan at the time, I was out calling and dropped by the house of one of the members of my church. I was busy and had projects on my mind and the pressures of a young family, but it was her birthday, and besides, she was my grandmother Shipley. (more…)
Ken's new book - Sunset On Summer, now available for order, $13.95 each.