Papa George

If there was such a label as step grandfather, then I guess that would be the label I have to give to Papa George. He was the only grandfather I ever knew growing up. His name was George Bradham, but we called him Papa George. He was married to my Mom's mother, Rhetta, and they lived in Sumter, SC.

We took many trips to Sumter to visit them during holidays, family reunions in other parts of the lower state, and just in general. He loved my brother Tim and I so much and would often times take us to do various things including some fishing as well as some trips to Dunkin Donuts. He always invested time with us when we were there in Sumter as well as when He would visit in Abbeville.

I remember he was also responsible for stirring the love for pro wrestling between us and him during the 80s. Back then on Saturday evenings, World Championship Wrestling (which used to be Georgia Championship Wrestling) was THE thing to watch. It would come on from 6:05 until 8:05. Anytime we were together we would watch it and of course our favorite was Ric Flair. As a matter of fact the two people he liked onTV the most were Ric Flair and Fonzy from Happy Days. We all loved watching wrestling together and those were some good times.

I also remember a very special time in my life when Papa George would stamp his imprint on my young life. In 1986, I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior during VBS at my home church Southside Baptist in Abbeville. I remember my Mama calling Mama Rhetta and Papa George to let me tell them over the phone. They were very excited and proud of me.

A few weeks later we went down to Sumter for a visit. During that visit Papa George told me he was going to take me to Dunkin Donuts and it was just going to be me and him. I remember when we got there, he was telling the waitress there about the fact that I had been saved and he was just glowing. He would then go on to tell a few others around the table we were at. By that time he started talking to me and just telling me how proud he was of the decision I made. He asked me a few questions and then began to tell me that he and Mama Rhetta had been praying for me and the time that would come for me to make this decision. I saw him glow so much and that was one trip to the donut shop I would never forget because his love for me just overflowed.

In 1988 he had developed lung cancer and then began to really suffer in 1989. I remember one of the last times we saw him feeling somewhat ok that he had lost alot of weight and really did not look good but he was in good spirits. Well one day during my Literature class in 7th grade, I was called to the front. Mama had called and said that he was not good and they were calling the family in. So we immediately went down to Sumter and had a chance to spend some final moments with Papa George. He looked so frail and was really struggling to stay alive. It was very emotional and also difficult to witness. Then later that night I was in his room when he finally passed away. I couldn't bear to see him lifeless so I ran out of the house crying and just really upset. My Dad came and consoled me and we began the mourning process. I had just lost my Papa George and the pain was very tough to handle.

I remember being at the funeral and just watching how tough it was for Mama Rhetta to say goodbye. It was a big loss in my family's life, especially Tim and myself. He was the only grandpa we knew and had. And even with all the good memories it was just difficult to handle. I did see and hear during that time from all the many people he did impact. I understood how bold a witness of his faith that he was. It really made that time in the donut shop just stand out more. And people would tell us that he would always brag on his "boys" and all we had accomplished. He didn't get to see Tim get married later that year but I know that he loved Tim's wife Terri so much and it was a tough loss for her as well. It definitely took some time to get over his loss in my family.

So I know one day I will see my two blood grandfathers and yes I do have many stories that were shared to me about them. But I will always cherish the Grandpa I had on this earth in Papa George. He was one of a kind and I also look forward to seeing him one day again. I know he would be proud of what God has done in my life and where He has taken me.

Matter Of Service.

Hope everyone has had a great start to April. That means hopefully not sneezing too much and enjoying the trees and flowers beginning the blooming process. For me well it has been a busy last few weeks but some great stuff to be a part of. Looking forward to what's ahead.

Today I just felt like I needed to share a little bit of how awesome it is to serve Christ as youth minister but first as a disciple of His. I think that it's easy to get burned out from time to time and you definitely have to stay fueled by His word and by your walk with Him. As much as I pour out sometimes I forget to get refilled so I'm thankful that the Holy Spirit is there to fill me when needed. If you read this and say well so far you lost me cause I don't do ministry, let me just say that as you look at life in general we all get burned out which is why vacation time is so amazing and well deserved. But as someone who is called to serve Christ I take full responsibility for that as the choice I made to answer His call.

Throughout my life especially since being in a paid ministry position I have seen many who have abused the great honor of being in ministry positions by poor choices, self serving motives, and overall discord created by egotistical pride. To be blunt. I have seen many drop the ball. The great thing is that God has grace and mercy along with forgiveness to restore those back to a place of service. Many feel like they have to have a position in order to serve when actually they can serve where they are planted with great success and growth. Too many times people don't want to stay planted and the first signs of hardship they pick up their tent and go elsewhere usually putting the blame on others or particular situations. And when they do this as in a consistent repetition they seem to be wandering in a self made desert not realizing that God is speaking to them all the while to stop, be silent, and listen. As Christians and true disciples we are called to follow Christ and serve others. Whether you get paid or not doesn't undersell the responsibility. Sometimes being a leader is being a better follower. Sometimes it doesn't have to be about us. It needs to be about Him. We are in a culture of denial and so many teens that I work with as well as adults I see fail to accept the responsibility and look to justify the means of excuses and self created mistakes. Instead of trying so hard to justify why you can't or won't do anymore what if we put that same energy towards the will to do better. In other words just because you get tired and start to sweat doesn't mean you abandon the race. As Rick Warren said the mark of spiritual maturity occurs when a believer "takes off the bib and puts on an apron." Immature children wear bibs and expect others to meet their needs. Those who don aprons have learned the joy of serving others. Which attire are you wearing?

Let's look at what the apostle Paul said about true service for Christ. In Romans 12: 3-16 it says this,

"3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c]Do not be conceited."

This sums up everything really specific and direct to where we need to be when we think about what it means to serve God. We should remain humble in our words and actions, understand we can serve the whole body of Christ as it is made of many parts, we have different gifts that should be used not shelved, and lift others up instead of tearing down those who we have a falling out with.

Here's the deal. We all should be doing something for the Lord. If that involves serving in missions, at school, in the hospital, in advertising, in entertainment, etc. We should serve and serve gladly. And if you are wanting to serve yet seem to think your reward is simply a paycheck then think about how satisfying it could be to serve God in a local church with a church body and be content with the fact that you are answering a call. Maybe the call you seek is not ready for this season. We shouldn't dismiss what being called to serve is all about. I am blessed to be a youth minister and serve at a church that supports me with prayers and also financially. But if I wasn't a staff person, I would make sure I'm doing something to support my family while also being planted and awaiting the blooming process to grow at a church. I'm thankful for all that serve the Lord. Our voices and hearts should stay unified to make Him known to this world.