Anniversary 30 years

Today I celebrate a truly blessed life. My wonderful wife Jackie and I have been married for thirty years today. God has competed me with one that fills in all my gaps and weaknesses as a father and pastor. With Jackie's love and support we continue in the labors of life and ministry. Without her consistent encouragement and loving compassion it would be impossible to press on day after day and year after year. This past Father's Day marked fifteen years as Senior Pastor of Joy Baptist Church. We have seen much change and weathered many storms together. Together being the operative word. Because of our love one to another all these years, side by side, step by step, hand in hand we are able and blessed to serve the King of Kings as shepherd without loosing our heart, our love and our zeal for people.
I thank God daily for the blessing of a faithful, loving helpmeet that has never given up on me in spite of difficulties and opposition.
Thank you Jackie
With all my love,
Jay

FATHER?

(Ephesians 6:4) “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Many of today’s movies, television shows and social commentaries attack and work to undermine the role and respect for fathers. We find that too many people have bought into the lie that godly fathers and respect for them is unimportant to the stability of society. Men have children they neither support nor nurture; women and children are treating even faithful fathers with disrespect. Vast numbers of children are raised without the God ordained leadership of a godly father and a godly mother working together in ways that uniquely provide children the opportunity to experience in some measure the completeness and nurturing nature of the true and living God. A natural security exists in homes where godliness abounds.

Sadly, it is true that many men have lost the respect of their families. God will hold them accountable. If your father encourages you in righteousness, consider yourself blessed and honor him. If you are a father that has fallen prey to the modern philosophies of pleasure and carefree living first, you should beg God and your children for forgiveness. Make an effort today to build or restore a godly relationship with your children. This may take a great deal of time and in some cases never see fulfillment. However, you have a God given obligation to commit to this task. Praise God, He is a loving, nurturing Father.