Pastor's Post 11/10/2023

Dear Shiloh Family,

    A pastor doesn’t easily surrender pulpit time, and certainly not without much prayer, vetting, and deepest consideration.  Likewise, a writer seldom gives up the page to the thoughts of another.  However, I recently received a letter from Lilah Patterson, Lori Clemons’ sister, that trumped anything I could have laid on the table.  

     I contemplated just relating the highlights of the situation, and paraphrasing the entire scenario, but it so embodies the ideology and mission of our church, I must share the letter in its entirety.  So, without further ado, I gracefully bow out and relinquish the pen.

   “Good morning, Pastor Darrell, this is Lilah, Lori’s sister.  I must take a minute to brag on your church and let you know how some folks in your church stepped up and rose to the occasion as I’m pretty sure it’s refreshing to hear good news about your “flock.”

A few weeks ago, we were helping our parents move out of their house and into their new house this week.  They had to be completely out of their house by midnight.  They did hire movers, but this is where everything fell apart.  Long story short, the new house has a steep driveway, and the moving truck was not able to make it up the drive and unload the first load.  The movers were told by their boss to put everything out on the street and that we were responsible for carrying everything up to the new house and that no more trips were to be made by the movers.  We were left with 30 years’ worth of furniture and boxes at the old house.  We had no idea what we were going to do.  We started texting and asking for any help we could get.  Lori said she would send a text out to folks at her church and to her small group classes.  Before we knew it, folks were texting back left and right saying they would be there as soon as they were off work.  They didn’t ask questions or give reason why they couldn’t, only “what’s the address?”  We were just in awe as guys started showing up with their trucks and trailers……. specifically, Jon Carson, Jeff Clemmons, Austin Starr, Chase Davis, Chase Armour, Jared Morehead, Eli Everett.   Seriously, it was like a movie where special forces show up and you can only say “thank you, Lord!”   And these men did not leave until we had every piece of furniture/box loaded up AND unloaded at the new house.  We finished at approx. 10:00 pm that night.  Several of them came straight from work and had not even had dinner… but not once did anyone complain or say they needed to leave.  And most had to get up early the next day to go to work but they stayed until the job was done.  This almost leaves me in tears.  Bottom line, the was Love in Action.

I know these men don’t expect to be recognized but you have my permission to read this or use them as an example of serving others if you so wish.  

I would also like to say thank you to you and the other pastors/leaders as this reflects on you/them as well…..thank you for truly teaching how to follow Christ, specifically when it comes to serving others. 

We love you Shiloh Baptish Church!  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for my family and thank you for the help and love you showed us on this day, we are forever grateful!  

In Christ,

Lilah”

  Isn’t that great!  Please, don’t get your feelings hurt if I didn’t publish a letter you sent me or if I fail to acknowledge words submitted after this.  The Holy Spirit spoke to me through this submission from someone outside our church family and prompted me to brag on some helping hands inside our family. 

     By the way, if you are interested in being a part of future projects like this, please get in touch with Eddie and Polly White, or call Melissa at the church.  We would love to have the ability to actively seek out those in need.  

     From the bottom of my heart, thanks to all who helped this precious family.  May God richly bless each one of you.  I give you the words of our Lord:

Luke 6:38: 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you."  NKJV

A friend with a trailer is often better than owning a truck.

God bless you all, 

Pastor Derrell