October 16 – “Appreciation”

We had a substitute preacher at Seaside yesterday.  Some kid named Kel.  The regular guy wasn’t there.  More about that in a second.  From the online and over-the-phone feedback available, it sounds like the substitute did a pretty good job.  Something about the book of Job and knowing God is good and God is all-powerful.  And our resident emcee Bob got good reviews as well, not to mention the music selections put together by Bryan.  Thanks to those guys things seemed to have gone pretty well.  I know the regular guy appreciates knowing that.

Speaking of that regular guy, where was he?  Well, he was at First Baptist Church, Port Bolivar.  He was invited to be the guest speaker at a surprise “October Pastor Appreciation plus Tenth Anniversary Celebration” for long-time Seasider, now pastor there, Dennis Allen.  Interesting morning.  When we arrived we were ushered clandestinely into a back room to wait for our cue.  When they had Dennis firmly sequestered in a different room (he had tried to cut his own hair the day before, so someone offered to “fix it” for him), we were released to go into the church.  Chris sat on the front row … in someone else’s seat.  Yep, she was asked to move over a few seats.  Oops.  I had to sit on the podium in Dennis’ seat.  See, the idea was that he wouldn’t have to do anything in the service but sit there and enjoy worship.  I wasn’t sure how he would take that, since I’m sure he spent plenty of time preparing a sermon for the day.  Oh, and I was also told the night before that I would also be leading their communion part of the service.  Seems Dennis had set that all up as part of his plan for worship for the day. 

I’m pretty sure he was surprised to see us.  He walked into the worship center and saw Chris first.  After racing over to give her a hug, he turned and saw me sitting in his seat.  Another hug.  I ushered him to a seat on the front row next to Chris and I sat on the other side of her.  Never have liked sitting in those Bishop’s chairs on the stage.  The service went pretty well.  A guy who had been their music leader for a long time had also returned for the day, so he led in three songs.  Their current worship leader and three other ladies sang some songs as a quartet.  Another lady read a touching tribute to Dennis.  They helped me through “their way” of doing communion.  It took a while but they even started answering my questions after I gave them permission to speak out in church (one little boy in particular did especially well).  My favorite moment came when I asked, “What delights you?”  The first really loud answer I could hear?  “When Altuve came sliding into home last night.”  That’s what I like to hear.  Another baseball fan. 

After the service we adjourned into their fellowship hall for a baked potato lunch.  Except for Dennis.  He is on a diabetic diet, so he doesn’t eat potatoes.  Instead they placed a huge steak in front of him.  With a side of boiled shrimp.  And some kind of pea salad that is apparently his favorite.  Some individuals gave him thoughtful gifts, and the church presented him with a card and a check.  Then they went around the room and gave everyone a chance to say some words of thanks and encouragement to Dennis for his ministry there.  He responded in kind, and even said he appreciated me for being his father in the ministry.  All in all it was a very nice experience for him. 

And then we got in the ferry line to come back home.  And we waited.  And we waited.  It took us two hours to get back, and the line in Galveston waiting to go that way was even worse.  So much for being in the off season. 

1 John 3:24 says, “Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”

Father, thank you for Dennis and for his ministry and the lives he has touched.  Make him happy.  Amen.