Greetings friends, it’s my Sunday Night Check-in! Welcome to five new subscribers, happy to have you joining us at Hope Remains. There have been several rainy days this past week in North Louisiana, and the bayous that once seemed irrevocably dry are now at excellent levels. Wildlife is evident at Black Bayou and other places and that brings us all a lot of joy. Spring is in the air everywhere, although Jake Lambright and others on the KNOE weather team are suggesting we will be near freezing Tuesday morning. That old adage about there being another freeze just before Easter? Maybe true.
At Forsythe Church of Christ we continue our study of Mark’s Gospel. Today we looked at the Lord’s Supper, brought about by our look at Mark 14. I’m hearing the video was terrible this morning. We depend on wifi and that doesn’t always work out for us. I do have an audio recording but you can also read the notes to the message if you are a free subscriber to Sermons and Studies from Forsythe. Next Sunday we will be in Mark 15, focused on the crucifixion of Jesus. Wednesday I will, Lord willing, conclude my study of the Lord’s Supper.
This weekend I enjoyed speaking at the Men’s Retreat sponsored by the Naff Avenue Church of Christ in Bastrop, Louisiana. The retreat took place at Chemin-A-Haut State Park (although several have tried to teach me, I cannot pronounce it!). I appreciate Travis Arrant asking me to speak at this event. About 60 men gathered in a beautiful place and had great interest in the theme of Wisdom. What a blessing to be on the program with such dependable and notable and longtime ministers as Ken Stegall and Don DeLukie. They are both second-generation preachers and both elder statesmen who demonstrate a lifetime of faith. In addition, to see my fellow Magnolia Bible College alumnus Willie Nettle and hear him preach the word was a privilege. Willie is the minister for the Bypass Church of Christ in Vicksburg, Mississippi. As I shared with the men, I wouldn’t have made it through my first semester of college if it hadn’t been for Willie. As a testimony to the success of this event, it can’t get any bigger without moving venues - it was a packed house. Travis Arrant brings a positive and faithful presence to this area and I love that brother and his enthusiasm and strength. I was especially thankful for my friend Jim McConnell to ride up with me.
Just outside my office at Forsythe Church is a tree planted in memory of our son, John Robert Dobbs. I remember day that this was planted, a complete surprise to Maggy and me. I honestly can’t tell you what kind of tree it is, but I know what it means to us. I love this time of year when the blossoms appear first before the leaves. I’m so grateful to those who sought to bring some healing to our pain in the most difficult year of our lives. It has served as a beautiful memorial to us, especially since we are three hours away from Lehrton Cemetery, where John Robert’s grave is located.
READING. I’m reading The Word Is Murder: A Hawthorne and Horowitz Mystery, Book 1. I’m a good way into it and it has high marks on Amazon, but it is very quirky. Not sure where I’m going to land on that, but it is oddly interesting. Other books I’ve mentioned lately, I’m still reading. I’m near the end of the Screwtape Letters. In our Bible reading program I just finished Galatians and am about to enter Deuteronomy, which will conclude our reading of the Pentateuch. Are you reading anything great?
I haven’t mentioned my daughter’s short but beautiful book called Dragonfly In Water. I’m prejudiced but I thought it was a wonderful story and if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited, it’s free. But if you have to pay a few bucks, it is worth it!
WATCHING. Over this past week we watched the seven episodes of Apples Never Fall. I enjoyed this series for the mysterious story. I liked the way that it unfolded, giving each character an episode to explore their perspective of the story. Plus there is a great cast including Annette Bening and Sam Neill. I won’t give anything away, but I did think the ending was a little bit of a dud - but we didn’t leave the story without knowing how it all happened. Do I have to mention that the language was atrocious at times? Anyway, overall we did enjoy that series. If you’ve watched something great, please let me know in the comments!
LISTENING. I’m still listening to A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny. I’m about halfway through. While composing this check-in I’m listening to this calming instrumental on YouTube.
Thanks for hanging out with me for a few minutes. Thanks also to those who are interacting daily with The Holy Lens, a brief photograph, passage and prayer. As of today we have posted for 80 days. My goal is to post every day this year. It’s brief, but hopefully encouraging. Check it out. I hope you have an excellent week ahead of you. Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.
It’s a magnolias tree planted in honor of your son and the blossoms are beautiful “
John what a GREAT writer you are, keep up the good work. Have A GREAT WEEK and BLESSED WEEK.