Holidays with Nana

We enjoyed the weekend. We got to spend the 25th with Nana (my mother-in-law). She is still up and around, but not functioning too well memory-wise. The crowd was small, as more and more have their own family obligations, or have moved off, and it is hard to get them together.

We have learned that our 7th grandchild (Leah's) is to be a girl, which makes us very happy - not that we would not have been equally happy with a boy.

Primitive Baptist ordinations December 2006

I was blessed to be in two ordinations at Ft. Smith church Saturday : Bro. Steve Woods as elder and Bro. David Owens as deacon. There was a large crowd Saturday morning, and the services were impressive. Elder James Isaacs did the questioning of Bro. Steve, and it was THOROUGH, but he answered the questions ably. We now have seven elders within the Salem Association - all sound and content to be plain, unadorned Primitive Baptists.

OK, so is anyone reading this any more?

Primitive Baptist Churches in central Alabama

This past weekend I was with Beulah, Ebenezer, Coosa River and Vestavia churches in central Alabama. I enjoyed the visit very much, and stayed with my dear friend Elder Louis Culver. He is a fine, hospitable gentleman, and his wife, Sister Betty, treats her guests in a wonderful way. The services were spiritual, and I felt to be at home.

Thanksgiving

We had a good, but crowded, Thanksgiving. Most of my parents' clan were in at one time or another. All of my own crew were there. Makes for lots of "togetherness." Happy times, that will be remembered fondly.

Eric Blore

I got my wife a complete set of the Lone Wolf movies as a present. He is a reformed jewel thief who is now on the side of the law (although not above cutting corners). In some of them, his butler is played by Eric Blore, whom some of you may remember as the mush-mouthed Sir Wimbley on Fancy Pants. He has some great parts as Jamison, the butler, opposite both Warren William and Gerald Mohr (Philip Marlowe of radio fame). He was a wonderful character actor.

More HERE about Eric Blore.

Pilgrims Rest Church, Arkoma, Oklahoma

I attended the annual meeting of Pilgrims' Rest church at Arkoma this past Saturday. Elder James preached very ably. His text Saturday night was, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" It was powerful and encouraging preaching. We had a very warm communion service Saturday afternoon. Elder Cal Kennedy moderated with his usual endearing, folksy manner. That is a fine group of saints there.

Singing Cowboy Movies

So, do you like singing cowboy movies? I must admit that I do. While I would not want a steady diet of them, they bring back a lot of good memories to me of a time that was simpler and less cluttered. Good times.

The Road to Rio and Monsieur Beaucaire

My two favorite all-time Bob Hope movies are Road to Rio and Monsieur Beaucaire. No matter how many times I have seen the last scene in Rio where Hope and Crosby dance and Hope is in that Carmen Miranda get-up, I still laugh. And in Beaucaire, where Hope comes dashing across the rocks in the stream, trying to imitate the Duc de Chandre, only to fall in, that is a side-splitter. And then when the Duke finally shows up and their caretaker, played by Cecil Kellaway, starts to carry on about how the Duke could do this to him, Hope rolls his eyes at de Chandre, and quips, "He's been such a trial."

Arguments over which old movies to watch

By "old" I mean older than I am, i.e., 1953 or before. Interestingly, it was about the time I was born that Hollywood really starting putting objectional language and situations in movies as common practice. We have a stand-off at home. Pam and I like old detectives - Sarah does not. Sarah and I like swashbucklers - Pam does not. Pam and Sarah like some chick flicks that I don't - although I do watch quite a few with them. There are some I can't stomach (e.g., anything with Gene "Singing in the Rain"). I have no one in my household that likes old cowboy movies. However, help is on the way: Jason is a fan. Also, Kathryn does watch Roy Rogers with me when she is in.

I guess I had better post something here if I want folks to keep coming back to talk to me, huh?

Pulaski Association (Primitive Baptist)

I attended the Pulaski Association in Georgia this past weekend, and Bro. Taylor Pippin and I stayed with Elder Raybon Lord and Sister Ginger. They are a wonderful couple. He has lost one wife previously, and she has lost two husbands, and their affection for each other is touching. Bro. Raybon is one of the true pillars in the church, an able and heart-touching preacher.. His father, Elder Ben Lord, was known and respected all over the country.

Rachel Claire Sacran

I have a new granddaughter, Rachel Claire Sacran, born to Rebekah and Jason the 22nd. Needless to say, we are very happy and very thankful.

Rashad Jones-Jennings

Rashad Jones-Jennings is a senior forward for the UALR Trojan basketball team. He will be the leading returning rebounder in the nation next year. I got to see him get 30 rebounds in one game last year (a conference record). UALR opens their second season in their new arena in Little Rock this next year. It is really a beautiful facility. I was the second person to go through the doors in their first game in the new arena last year, behind the #1 fan, The Man From Plaid, who does a dance at the breaks in each half and really gets the crowd into it.

Elders of the Salem Association

These are the elders in the Salem Association of Primitive Baptists of western Arkansas: (L-R) Adam Green, Charles Holmes, Dennis Horn, Calvin Kennedy, Steve Jackson, and Mark Green. One of the greatest privileges of my unworthy life has been to labor among this humble and dedicated group of men. Lord willing, before the year we will have another elder in our association: Bro. Steve Woods is to be ordained at the request of Fort Smith Church.
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The reason for practicing good order

Order is that which prevents confusion. It is that which allows precision in the operating room under great tension, or efficient operations on the bridge of a submarine under enemy fire. We have need to practice order - remember fire drills. We do not practice good order for ordinary circumstances, but for unusual ones. The person who decries order is the one who is likely to be trampled underfoot when someone yells, "Fire," in a crowded sports stadium. A small force in good order can easily defeat a much larger one in a state of confusion.

Hi. I am Michaelspappy because my oldest grandson is named Michael, and my grandchildren call me "Pappy" (as well as other people).