Pastor's Post 6/16/2023

Dear Shiloh Family,

     We were shoulder to shoulder in the funeral parlor as I waited to lay to rest the body of a sweet saint, when I felt a familiar tug on my pants leg.  The innocent, mischievous, gaze of my 6-yr-old grandson jolted my memory banks to a time of yester-year, when in the same, yet antiquated parlor, I stood with my Dad in much the same situation.  

     As I stepped to the podium, on my left sat a man whom I had followed afield and through the woods on many occasions.  On the other side of the auditorium, sat my Dad, who led me down the path of ministry.  One taught me about nature, hunting, and animal behavior.  The other educated me on spiritual, preaching, and people behavior.  Both were men of integrity and Godliness, but the presence of my Grandson reminded me of a much more intimate relationship with my father.

Proverbs 23:24 The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

     I watched Dad love when others didn’t, preach when there was no sermon, visit when he needed visiting, give when the cupboard was empty, and pray when prayer was a foreign language.  Through all adversity, I never witnessed unfaithfulness to God, the church, Mom, my siblings, or me. 

     Later, as my other grandbabies visited Anita and I, my emotions came full circle as home, church, life and death merged and continued to revolve in sync.  Of course, the hub of the wheel was God, but the patriarchal compass was always Dad.  

     My brother, sister, and I are blessed to have a Godly example for parenthood, and our church has been blessed with a loving Biblical Pastor for over 43 years.  In fact, our church family has been graced with several fatherly figures over the years. My prayer is that I can follow those examples.  

     Men, may the Heavenly Father lead you all in paths of righteousness.  Like Brady, look daily into his loving eyes and hold to Him tightly.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

John 15:10

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

A special thanks to all who helped make this year’s VBS a wonderful success.  

 No situation prohibits the love of a true father.            

God bless you all,

Pastor Derrell