Safari - in the front yard

One afternoon this week continued the "post-hurricane Dolly" saga around the house.  I was attempting to remove some of the brush around my fence (that was finally being replaced), so the men working on it could get to it easier.  I was trimming some of the large limbs that had broken during the high winds and I was cutting back the bushes that had grown tall, since I had not cut them early in the year due to my heart attack.  All was going well . . .

I had finished with the shorter limbs and had moved on to the final large limbs and high limbs.  So, I took my long pole gas powered chain saw and went to work.  As I began to cut the largest limb, that I had just been shaking very hard to loosen with my bare hands, and which was only about three feet right above my head, I noticed a large brown snake going up the tree (from the spot that I had just been holding).  Needless to say, I was spooked pretty good, so I began to do what any red (let's say blooded) man from the south would do; I chased the snake with my pole chain saw.  Yes, he got away, but not for a short effort on my part, just look at the tree when you drive by and you can tell.

Following my failed attempt to chase down the snake that has been spooking all my neighbors by leaving his skin right outside each of our backdoors, I began to look over my new fence to see if he was in my neighbors yard.  As I was leaning over the fence, a spider decided to bite me on the neck.  Yes, a spider bite right at the base of my skull.

As my head was pounding and the pain was growing, a good friend who is a doctor, gave me great advice - which I followed passionately.  The next morning when I awoke I was just fine.

However, I still believe that snake and that spider were in cahoots with each other.  One to distract while the other struck.  I am just thankful I got the bite from the spider and not the snake.  Anyway, I have already had my snake bite for the year - children's camp - remember.

Life is fun each and every day, be sure to enjoy every step.

Bro. Wade

Midnight Run

I had the privilege of spending most of the night cruising town with the lead officer of the "gang unit" of the Harlingen Police Department.  These men risk their lives every day for the safety of the people in Harlingen.  Their job is difficult, filled with long hours, and one that most would rather avoid thinking about.  They are diligent in their efforts to make Harlingen a safe place for all.

One of the tasks that we have as believers in this city is to pray for the safety and protection of our many servants on the fire and police departments.  The policemen who are on the front lines of the battles for the city need prayer warriors joining them; for we know that the battles we face in our cities is not against flesh and blood, but it is truly a spiritual war.  

The young men and women caught up in these gangs need our prayer - - - they are not our enemy; rather, they have been captured by the enemy and we are to seek their rescue and release.  Once again, these chains cannot be broken simply by warfare in the flesh, they must be broken through spiritual warfare.  As believers, we need to passionately pray for these young people, for those that are being recruited, and for the many families affected.  

Let us take back the city of Harlingen - by getting on our knees.  Let us then seek out these young people who are at risk and who are being recruited by the gangs, and let us rescue them from the traps set before them. 

Let us love and let us pray,

Bro. Wade

Praying in the Rain

With the start of school comes our opportunity to prayer walk our school campuses.  What a blessing to walk around the campuses of the schools in our communities; praying for the many needs during the school year.  Each year our family prays together, but this is the first year that our children all seemed mature enough to prayer walk with Jennifer and I (at least for them to pray and walk at the same time).

Listening to our children pray for their teachers, their principal, the custodial staff, the kitchen workers, their fellow students, and the attitude of the parents was such a blessing to me and Jennifer.  We pray that the prayers of our children will change their hearts and ultimately their actions as they have the opportunity to serve the people they have now prayed for today.

We are so excited to think of how our children will be lights in a dark world this year.  We praise the Lord for the testimony of the many children in our church that love the Lord so much.  We are also thankful for the testimony of the teachers and administrators in our schools that live for Christ each day.  We pray that each one will be used by the Holy Spirit to touch many hearts and lives this year, thus impacting our community with the power of God.

Today may have been a rainy day, but it was a glorious day watching the people of God passionately pray for their community and to do so in a public way by prayer walking (some driving) around the schools.  May God richly bless those who were servants through prayer.

Tomorrow (Monday - the first day of school) I plan to spend a lot of time at the schools greeting parents, praying quietly for many, encouraging the many servants, and loving the children with the love of God.  I cannot think of a better way to spend the day, than to allow God to pour his life out through me in the context of our community.

Joining you in passionate prayer,

Bro. Wade

The silver lining

While a storm can bring many terrible results, God is able to take that which was meant for bad and turn it for good.  When life is turned up side down, the important things come to the top.  It is during this time that many people begin to turn toward God or at least pray to, or open up to God.  When the church recognizes such an opportunity, the community can be served and many lives can be changed for eternity.  It is in such times that the community can clearly see the incarnate love of God expressed toward them.  The church then becomes the embodiment of God's presence and love to the world.

These past few weeks have seen the body of Christ in First Baptist Harlingen be such an example to our community.  We have not only housed mission and disaster relief teams in our buildings, served them meals, and cared for their needs; but we have served our community with our own hands.  Our youth group (and others) filled sand bags alongside city employees before the storm hit.  We worked in yards and homes around the city, having the privilege of leading some into a personal relationship with Christ.  We have given out water, house supplies, and financial assistance to families in desperate need.  

Thank you church family for being the body of Christ - the presence of God in this community.  Thank God for being faithful to us in the midst of a storm, allowing us the privileges we still see in our community to serve others.

Thankful for every opportunity to love and serve,

Bro. Wade

Good-Bye Dolly

What a horrible experience.  No, I was out of town for the hurricane; the horrible part was being out town while my family was in Harlingen during the hurricane.  Not being with those I love as they endured a frightening few days and then to live without electricity for several days following, was so difficult for me.  I wanted to come home, and started to do so on many occasions, but my wife insisted that I stay and finish what I started in Dallas (doctoral seminar only offered once per year).  

God taught me so much in my seclusion in Dallas.  I learned so much about the priority and privilege of prayer.  I re-learned that the most important thing I could do for anyone is to pray.  Not the last thing to be done, but the first - and the most important.  God allowed me to spend quality time throughout the days praying for my family, my church family, my friends, and for the lost in our communities.

I am so thankful to be in a church family that truly loves my family.  They expressed their love so clearly as they took care of my family in my absence.  The storm brought an opportunity for us to see God's love in such a visible way.  The many visits, phone calls, meals, times of help on the house, and the constant encouragement offered to my family helped me in my absence.  I learned to trust the body of Christ, even with my family.  What a great lesson, not easily learned, but life-changing all the same.

Humbly thankful to be a member of the body of Christ.

Bro. Wade

Snake Bit and Bent Backwards

We had a great Preteen Camp at Zephyr this week.  The sponsors were great and the campers (kids) were exceptional this week.  God blessed us with a lot of rain, at just the right time so as not to dampen our spirits by limiting our activities.  We enjoyed fun and friendships every day.

The worship leaders and camp pastor passionately love Jesus and it was contagious.  They led us closer to the Lord and we were all so thankful for them and the way they praised God and proclaimed His word every time we were together.  They were available to the campers all during the week at meals and around the campus.  What a joy to watch our young people spend time with adults who are in love with God.

There were many in the group who made decisions, some for salvation, some for rededication, and some just taking a giant step closer to God.  As sponsors we were blessed to know that God was using every act of service on our part as a way of blessing so many young people.

The parents thanked us as a church and as sponsors for the blessing of camp for their children.  But we need to thank the parents for sending their wonderful children with us to camp, for it was our blessing to spend that time with them.  

By the way the title of the blog  - - - during camp I was bit by a snake and hyper-extended my back in the inflatables.  What a week to remember.

Church in the Park

What a great fellowship in the Park!!!

It was so great to see so many come to Victor Park for our "Church in the Park."  The games, sports, and swimming were fun for all.  The food was great; we cannot go wrong with Fried Chicken.  The worship was wonderful.  We truly appreciate the praise team from New Wine Church leading us in worship with such great music and talent.  We look forward to joining with them again.  

Praise the Lord for the sweet fellowship we experience at FBC Harlingen.

Enjoying my church family,

Bro. Wade