Month: June 2015

A Guilty Pleasure

Recently, Sweet Wife prepared another of her wonderfully delicious meatloaves, a recipe from her late mother that is a Bar-B-Que Meatloaf.

She asked me later if I wanted a meatloaf sandwich.  Now, I have heard of this before, but always refused, thinking how could anyone like a sandwich that is sure to drip all over the consumer, making a sure mess in the process, and besides, how could you possibly keep all of the meatloaf in the sandwich.  I have always refused this offer in the past.

For some reason, I decided to try one…just one…this one time.  Oh my goodness!  How have I not tried this before now?  A warm meatloaf sandwich made with Chiabatta bread has become my new guilty pleasure.

Surprisingly, the meatloaf stayed in the sandwich and there was very little dripping out and making a mess.

Later, she also offered a “cold meatloaf sandwich.”  Hey, one step at a time!  I don’t think I am ready for that.  After all, I don’t eat cold pizza or cold fried chicken.  Let’s just stick with a nice warm meatloaf sandwich.

An Awesome Anthem in Church Today

Our Praise Team Leader at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Paris, Texas, Danny White, led the Praise Team in a wonderful anthem this morning during the offertory: “Days of Elijah.” Thank you, Danny, for a great interpretation of this anthem.

The song was written by Robin Mark in 1994. As Robin explains it, the song is primarily about hope. It sings of Righteousness, Restoration, and the Days of Harvest. You can read Robin’s entire explanation behind his song here:

The Story Behind the “Days Of Elijah”

There are many versions of “Days of Elijah” on the Internet, including a beautiful one by Twila Paris, but I found one (posted below) by the US Marines especially touching. I hope you will, too.

As long as America has young men like this who not only love our Nation, but also love the Lord, all is not lost. All is gained.

Why Don’t They Sing On Sunday Anymore?

The following essay was written by Thom Schultz and originally published on his blog, Holy Soup.  You may email Thom at: TSchultz@group.com .

My wife and I have had many of these experiences as we searched for a new church home after relocating. Look around you this Sunday during church.  Do you see only a few congregants singing?  Maybe these are some of the reasons.

Why Don’t They Sing On Sunday Anymore?

Are You Praying Hard or Hardly Praying?

A little more than one year ago, Jannie and I moved from Longview, Texas, to Paris, Texas. It was hard leaving our little church there, Fellowship Baptist Church.  We had a difficult time finding a church where we fit in, but we finally felt God leading us to Mt. Olive Baptist Church here in Paris.

What an amazing choice that was for us!  We truly feel God was leading us to Mt. Olive Baptist Church. The pastor, the music Praise Team, the Sunday School Class, and the true church–the people–are really what we needed in our lives.

Take today’s service, for instance.

What an awesome church service this morning at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Paris, Texas. Pastor Tim Reger started the service with the baptism of Jacob McNeal, the 10-year old son of one of my favorite couples there: Marc and Wendy McNeal.

Danny White and the Praise Team’s music was awesome…most of the songs were upbeat, old-time, blue-grass gospel songs with a country and western flavor.

Then the Praise Team sang one of my all-time favorites, “Praying Hard,” for the Offertory.

The service was topped off with a wonderful sermon from Pastor Tim about “Who do you say I am?” from Mark 8:22.

The day ended with what we used to call “dinner on the grounds,” a potluck lunch prepared by some of the women in the church. Taco salads, enchiladas, and desserts…..um, um good.

What a wonderful church we have at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Paris, Texas. Come visit us some Sunday morning. The church is located at 3509 County Rd 42600, Paris, Texas. Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m. and church starts at 10:45 a.m.