May began with the first of the month. I know. It’s hard to believe.

On that Tuesday we had an office outing with the staff in belated observance of Administrative Professional’s Day. None of us do what we do all by ourselves. There’s a team of other dedicated support personnel that assists us.

As we headed into Thursday of that first week, we observed the National Day of Prayer. It was such a joy for me to plan and host this gathering. Pastors, ministers, and other church leaders joined us as we heartily prayed for our nation. As well, we were able to live stream the service.

On Friday, May 4, we headed over to Millbrook, Alabama where we spent the night. Early that next morning, Doug Whaley (South Alabama District Superintendent) and Mark Pate (South Alabama District Secretary). We drove over to Laurel, Mississippi for the day. Our trek was for a meeting with an independent congregation that wanted to have a question and answers session with us. Afterward, they blessed us with a fine lunch.

Getting back into the Montgomery area that evening, Lisa and I enjoyed spending time with the Pate family. And on that Sunday morning, May 6, I was the guest speaker for the six-year anniversary service of Jubilee Christian Fellowship. It had been a long weekend, and we drove back to Griffin after a feast of a luncheon.

Wednesday, May 9, our family was glad to be with Living Waters CH Church, in midweek discipleship classes.

The following Sunday was Mother’s Day, and I was not scheduled to preach. We decided to make a visit to Cedar Bluff, Alabama and worship with Lakeview CH Church. Pastor Glenn Studdard led a fine worship service. But the blessing of the day was to be in service with my mother-in-law, Betty Justice. Since it was Mother’s Day and I hadn’t preached that morning, I drove Lisa back home to Griffin.

Wednesday, May 16, we were glad to be with West Sunny Side CH Church, in the BLAST Class. BLAST is an acrostic for believers learning and serving together.

On Friday, May 18, we headed east to Columbia, South Carolina where we spent the night. Early the next morning, I was the Saturday guest speaker at a Home Missions Rally in Elgin. This was for our East Carolina District. I taught on “Evangelism & the Local Church” for about an hour and a half. After this event concluded, we stayed with this group for a delicious barbecue luncheon.

We left Elgin, South Carolina on that Saturday and drove back as far as Athens, Georgia for lodging. On Sunday morning, we were blessed to be in attendance with the River of Life CH Church in Nicholson, Georgia. Pastor Jonathan English had graciously invited me to come and share a little about Mission USA. And the church kindly blessed the department with an offering. We were able to spend that Sunday lunch catching up with the English family. These dear friends are doing a great job with their new Kingdom assignment. We drove back to Griffin that evening.

On Friday, May 25, I left out again for Mississippi. It was a tough day for traveling with so much rain. I lodged in Hattiesburg for the night. Saturday morning found me in Laurel again with members of the South Alabama District Presbytery. We held an official induction service and afterward, the relationship was settled. Strengthford Congregational Holiness Church is now a member congregation of our South Alabama District, and they are our first officially chartered CHC in the state of Mississippi.

It was a long trek home that Saturday, but thankfully I had a great ministry partner with me that took care of most of the driving. Ricky Hambrick was a blessing, and he made that 850-mile road trip a lot easier than it would have been by myself.

Fatigued from the travels, I decided to not venture out too far for Sunday morning, May 27. We worshipped with Living Waters CH Church, which is the closest CH congregation to us by distance. And then took the evening off.

The Memorial Day holiday was enjoyable. I was able to spend extra time with devotional Bible readings. And for the evening, we were glad to be guests at the Poole Home for some Mission Circle grilling and chilling.

And the last few days of May have been spent in preparation mode for our June Continuing Education Seminar. It takes place on the first two days of June and requires many details set in place.

Aside from the weekend ministry trips, many office-hours and several other meetings with pastors and other church leaders filled our May. With such busy-ness for the Lord, we certainly don’t have the time to get bored.

Do you remember when the prayer of Jabez was really hot on the Christian market? Surely you remember the books and that every other pastor preached a sermon series on this. I’m beginning to wonder if I prayed the prayer of Jabez one too many times ; ) ~ just kidding.