I realize it’s been exactly a year since my last post on our “family blog.” What a year it’s been! Since my dad passed away–

The Lord led us into the pastorate at First Free Will Baptist Church in Johnston City, IL (the church we grew up in); we bought and moved into a house in Johnston City and sold our home of 14 years in the Nashville, TN area; we started an Angel Food Ministry in our church, our youngest (Hannah) graduated in May from Cedarville University and moved in with us here in Southern Illinois; our second son (Jesse) got engaged to Faith Rader and set a date in 2012 for their wedding; I accepted the position of dean for the Illinois Training Center of the Institute for Christian Education (I.C.E.), we attended the National Association of Free Will Baptists meeting in Oklahoma City and for the first time the FWB Media Commission offered streaming Internet video of the services; Sarah became an independent contractor for WNAC, giving her more freedom but less benefits as she edits and designs TWG magazine; we took the trip of a lifetime (1o days in China) to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary and the sale of our home in Nashville; Hannah moved back to Nashville (where her brothers still live) a few weeks ago to continue working at Applebee’s while seeking theatre experience in order to build up her resume for admission into graduate school; I hiked 44 miles on the Appalachian Trail as part of the annual Chuck Wilson Memorial Backpack for BENCHMARK; and I was elected as assistant moderator of the Illinois State Association of Free Will Baptists.

Through it all we’ve seen God’s faithfulness and bountiful provision. We continue to experience His grace and pray for His direction in our future ministry.

I miss my dad in the afternoons. Between 3 and 4, if it was a nice day, he’d take the dog outside and sit in his lawn chair beside my shed for an hour or so until the mail came. After the mail came, he’d slowly make his way with his walker down our driveway to the mailbox. He’d gather the mail in a plastic grocery bag or tuck it into his shirt or jacket if he’d forgotten the bag. Sometimes he didn’t make it back up the driveway before Sarah or I would arrive home from work and turn into the driveway. Almost blind and with hearing failing, he’d putter along in front of the van or truck, often not realizing we were behind him until he reached the corner of the house and caught a glimpse of our vehicle. Other days, when the mail came a little earlier, he’d make it all the way back. He’d let the dog in the house and make sure the gate was open so we could drive right in without stopping.

That was his routine. He did it as often as he could and seemed to enjoy it. Getting out of the house, even if just in a hundred feet radius, did him good. He felt he was doing us a service by taking the dog out, getting the mail, and opening the gate prior to our arrival. He wanted to be useful, to do his part to make our lives easier.

Yesterday and the day before, I found myself going outside about 3:00. These beautiful fall days should have warmed my heart, but I felt cold and lonely. The empty lawn chair beside the shed beckoned me to sit in my dad’s former place for a while. And I did while Peanut sniffed around the yard and played in the leaves. I sat there and grieved the loss of my dad and his little routines. Those little routines were demonstrations of love. They weren’t big jobs; anyone could do them. But now, he’s not here to do them. Someone else will have to or they won’t get done.

I remember on several occasions that I thanked him for bringing in the mail, but now that he’s gone, I really appreciate his little routine. And I thank you for reading this blog and grieving with me.

They will rebuild the ancient ruins,
repairing cities destroyed long ago.
They will revive them,
though they have been deserted for many generations….

You will be called priests of the Lord,
ministers of our God…. Instead of shame and dishonor,
you will enjoy a double share of honor.
You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land,
and everlasting joy will be yours.
—Isaiah 61:4, 6, 7

I don’t feel led to comment. I’m sure God can speak for Himself. This is the comfort and assurance I need today.

JOHNSTON CITY – Gilbert E. Fletcher, 97, formerly of Johnston City, passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday, November 4, 2009, in Antioch, Tennessee. Services will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 7, in Murman and Wilson Funeral Home in Johnston City, with the Reverends Matt Crain, Norman Richards, and Dean Guye officiating. Burial will be in Dillingham Cemetery, east of Johnston City. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Gilbert was born February 20, 1912, in rural Williamson County near Droit City, the youngest child of Oscar and Elizabeth (Tucker) Fletcher. He was a  hard-working farmer until his late 80s and a faithful husband and caregiver to Eunice his wife of over 49 years. He married Eunice (Beers) Milligan, Dec. 24, 1957 in Johnston City, and she preceded him in death, June 28, 2007.

His surviving family includes his son Keith Fletcher and wife Sarah of Antioch, Tennessee, Larry Milligan and wife Pat of Johnston City, Amonda Miller of Rialto, California, and Linda Riggs of Marion. His 10 grandchildren include Hannah, Jesse and Aaron Fletcher, Cami (Milligan) Hovda, Jason Milligan, Lisa (Milligan) Nicholson, Jim Miller Jr., Susan, Clarence and Kathleen Baker. He also leaves 14 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, who loved him dearly.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers (John, Delos, Homer, and Jesse Fletcher); two sisters (Eunial Guye and Mabel Heflin); half-brother Ray McConnell and stepson Gary Milligan.

In his youth, Gilbert was pitcher and catcher on community baseball teams and an amateur barber for those in his neighborhood. In later years, he loved to travel and spend time with his family. He was a member of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Johnston City, where he once served as usher.

To sign the guest register or for more information, visit www.murmanandwilson.com.

A fourteenth century saint wrote,

God has no hands but our hands to do his work today;
God has no feet but our feet to lead others in his way;
God has no voice but our voice to tell others how he died;
and, God has no help but our help to lead them to his side.

After reading Mark 8, I believe the same could be said about Satan. Many times, even devout believers do Satan’s work and speak his lines. Consider the example of Peter. Soon after he confessed that Jesus was the Christ (Mark 8:39), Peter attempted to reprimand Jesus for teaching that “the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and… would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.”

Jesus’ reaction to Peter’s rebuke is shocking. He “turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. ‘Get away from me, Satan!‘ he said. ‘You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.’ (Mark 8:33, emphasis mine)

Wow, what a rebuke! Why would Jesus condemn Peter so sternly and even attribute his actions to Satan himself? Consider what Peter’s actions contradicted. He tried to stop Jesus from teaching about the Cross and Resurrection–literally the crux of His Mission and the heart of the Gospel. It was God’s will that Christ suffer and die in our stead, pay the penalty for our sins. Satan’s goal was to derail that plan any way he could, even if it meant prompting the most outspoken disciple to speak out against it.

Satan’s methods and message weren’t anything new. Beside the forbidden tree, he tempted Eve, first calling God’s word into question, “Did God really say…?” and then suggesting the penalty of sin didn’t really have to be paid, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:1,4). Unlike Adam and Eve, Jesus didn’t fall for that line. Not to be deterred, He would do the will of His Father, no matter the cost, no matter who spoke a discouraging word.

Beware of folk speaking from merely a human point of view, no matter how sincere they may seem. They may be speaking on behalf of the devil. And be careful whose lines you are speaking. Let Satan speak for himself.