Darrel Cordrey

I was recently called and informed that Darrel Cordrey had died suddenly while cutting grass. Darrel was the first real preacher I ever heard and thus he will always have a special place in my life. I didn't grow up in a Christian home and never "went to church." Finally, as a senior in highschool I went with a friend to the Northside church (then in Newport News). I was apprehensive to say the least. My two main recollections about those days were that people treated me nicely and I liked listening to the preacher. I had made fun of many TV preachers (& still do), but this guy seemed genuine and passionate. Darrel baptized me in January of 1983 and left Northside just months later. I only spoke with Darrel one time after that, yet he always remained an important influence in my life. I remember his newsletter articles always closing with the admonition to "keep on keeping on for Jesus." He did. I look forward to becoming reacquainted with my brother on the other side.

I feel dumb

I read a lot (by my standards anyway) hoping to educate and improve myself, but such is not always the result. Sometimes I just feel plain dumb when I'm reading. I read guys like Jack Cottrell & John MacArthur and boy do I feel like an intellectual midget. I guess IQ has something to with it. Yes, I do think IQ is a real measure of one's intellectual firepower. (Nature? Nurture? Both!) Also, these guys are very diligent in their studies. Maybe I'm dumber and lazier than I'd like to admit. Well, I know I'm not as smart as I think - that's for sure! I used to think I'd write a book one day. Now I realize that is pretty much not going to happen. So I'll settle for blogging for now.

Just Finished "The Truth War"

I just finished John MacArthur's latest, "The Truth War." I wish he wasn't such a big time Calvinist. I do admire his conviction and courage but much of this book was John's reaffirming his Calvinism in one way or another. Maybe, as an "anti-calvinst", I'm just a little too sensitive. Why do the Calvinists write all the good books? Anyway, the best part of the book was the appendix. Now that was powerful and compelling. I'm starting a new sermon series called "Unfinished Business" based on the epistle to Titus. My first sermon is "Truth Matters." I remember when I interviewed for my current position. I was asked one of those "preacher interview" questions: What is your philosphy of ministry? I hadn't formulated one of those well crafted and skillfully alliterated statements so I paused and said something like "I'm all about truth." I then rambled on for a few minutes. In retrospect that really is what I'm about - TRUTH. Hopefully, I'll shake off my doldrums and let it rip this Sunday!

Worth a thousand words...

1991 to 1995

Finally my car search is over. I have upgraded from my 1991 Honda Civic DX Hatchback to a 1995 Honda Civic EX Coupe! Yeah I'm styling! Compared to my faded red 91 I am. I'm keeping the gas mileage strong and adding just a little more pep. It reminds a little of one of my favorite rides - a 1980 Toyota Celica I bought of off D.J. Maxey.

Gone

So Sanjaya finally is gone from American Idol and I'm sure Simon is releived. I have to admit I kind of liked the guy. He grew on me I guess. He's a kid with what appears to be a pretty good disposition and personality. I know it's supposed to be a "singing competition" but I will miss Sanjaya. The hair..the judges remarks...the screaming fans. I don't think "he was in it to win it, dog", but I thought he'd surely go top 5 at least. For the record I'm a Blake guy, but I think Melinda is predestined to be the next A. I.

The Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has come through with an enormous "pro-life" decision. They've upheld legislation that was enacted against the ghastly procedure know as partial birth abortion. Thank God for this victory! I've been highly disappointed in the performance of President Bush in a multiitude of ways but I have to give him credit here because his appointees assuredly made the difference. Hopefully the court wll continue in the right direction.

Rush next?

Check out this audio clip. The transcript is also on the page. Rush Limbaugh dropped the "h" word. Oh no! I'm thinking Santa Claus better think of a new catch phrase or else.

Innocent

Way back in April of last year I predicted it. The Duke Lacrosse players are innocent! How much money and time were wasted? Maybe Al & Jesse will investigate! Yeah, right!

The Truth War

I just broke open a new book: The Truth War, Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception by John MacArthur. I think it's going to be good. Johnny Mac sure knows how to take compromisers out to the proverbial wood shed. Right out of the blocks he goes after Rob Bell & Brian Maclaren! It looks like MacArthur is going to be do some serious pounding on postmodernism and the "emerging church" crowd. This may not equal his Charismatic Choas (a classic), but it's looking good thus far.

More on cars...

I can't stand car shopping! Maybe I'll find that cheap car in great condition, but I haven't yet! I've driven four cars & none have worked for me. The Tercel was just too small. The other three didn't have functioning air conditioners. It's back to the 1991 Civic for now.

Car Update...

The search continues. Next stop: A 1995 Toyota Tercel with only 97,000 miles! Hey, if it has a/c I might just do the deal! Gas is approaching $3 per gallon so I'm especailly excited about getting good gas mileage. This is a picture of the actual car. Maybe my plates could be WTBW or I might go back to 7ones. All suggestions will be considered.

Easter Weirdness

Preaching on Easter should be the highlight of the year in many ways. However, I usually stress out, lose sleep and lay an egg of a sermon. It's weird. It's kind of like being a guest speaker because so many "regulars" are gone and so many new faces are their. Don't get me wrong... I'm happpy to see the new faces but I've already prepared for the drop back to "normal" attendance next Sunday. It's frustrating because I want folks to really get what it means to believe in Jesus. I guess I've been a Christian so long that I don't understand how folks can "go to church" on Easter and simply return to their every day lives unchanged.

Sermons are on the web..finally!

After years of consideration and conversation my sermons have finally made it onto our website at Olivet. I know this will not sweep the internet and generata a tremendous bandwith demand at our site. Neverthleess I'm glad we finally got it done. We use an inexpensive olympus voice recorder. The first try wasn't great (actually it was bad). Last week we used a mic directly connected to the recorder and the sound definitely improved. It doesn't pick up the congregation as well, but I sound better, so we will go with it as it is for now. I should tell all of the regular readers of WTBW (Mike & Keith) that my best sermons over the last few years, of course, were never recorded!

Car Shopping

I've been car shopping recently. What a nightmare! I would try to keep going in my 1991 Honda Civic DX but after 4 summers with no air conditioner I'm ready to cool off this year. It's in the eighties here today so I'm already feeling the heat literally. It is really hard to shop for cheap, reliable, used cars that are in great shape for $2-3k! I'm sure something will work out eventually.