LIFE GOES ON!

LIFE - There it is, do you see it? Right in the middle of life is a big "IF". I am not a philosopher and I don't profess to have all the answers. I know that I'm not the only one who has ever faced heartache and disappointment. I notice things differently now and as I look over my shoulder I see a lot of "ifs" in life. I suppose that everyone goes through life wondering about the "ifs". But it's like the old saying, "If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we would all have a Merry Christmas" The what ifs of life can't change a thing. We live our lives learning from mistakes and learning to appreciate all things we took for granted.

I am 53 years old and on this date, thirty six years ago, I felt the call on my life to preach the gospel. I preached my very first sermon the next night on August 8, 1971 at the young age of seventeen. I remember it like it was yesterday and I even remember the text and the sermon title. I also remember that my brother Bob, who recently passed away, along with his wife Joyce went with me to the church and heard me preach my first sermon.

I find it incredible how quickly life on this earth is passing by and how before you know it the biggest part of it is over. Like a race horse out of the gate we take off with a blast and it seems the finish line is so far down the road. Yet we suddenly find ourselves going down the stretch the last leg of the mile.

One thing it does for you is to make you slow down and smell the roses. You learn not to take anything for granted. You learn who your friends truly are. You learn that a lot of things are not worth the time or effort to worry about or to lose sleep over.

Someone recently sent me an email that I thought summed things up so well.


"As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.

You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You’ll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.

You’ll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.

So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin."

DEVASTATED!

Today is April 19, 2007 and we just buried my oldest brother. I cannot describe the emotional roller coaster our family has been on this past week. This has been the most heart wrenching and devastating experience that I have ever had in my life. The hurt is beyond description and the emptiness cannot be explained.

Bishop Bobby Stephen Brackett age 61 went home to be with the Lord this past Monday morning. It was just last Tuesday (10th) that my dad passed away and to have Bob die in less than a week's time is like a nightmare. My heart is like wax after being broken and crushed. Just when I think I'm getting a handle on everything it hits me again and I cannot hold back the tears. It's unexplainable and unimaginable.

I was with Bob when he died and it will be forever embedded in my mind. I wanted so much to help him but there was nothing that I, my brother David, my sister Darlene or the paramedics could do; he was gone. I cried out to God and I said, "God I don't understand, how can this be happening? We just lost dad, please don't take Bob" I don't have any answers or any explanation for why this has happened. But I do know that God is God and He always will be God! I went back to the church and got on my face before God and I prayed. I said, "God you don't owe me an explanation and you don't have to answer to me. I know that you are sovereign and your ways are above my ways. I will praise you in the midst of my grief and my sorrow" I've never felt God anymore powerful than during this time when I have been crushed and broken.

I will miss Bob because we labored together in the ministry. I'll miss calling him on Monday morning and asking him how he is doing and hearing him say, "I'm a clicking!" He was my golfing partner and I will miss playing golf with him and talking shop.

My heart goes out to his wife Joyce, daughters Karen & Madessa. I cannot imagine how it will be when they realize that he is never coming home again. The East Belmont Church of God has lost a great pastor and they will be hard pressed to find a better man than Bob Brackett. My dear 81 year old mother has lost a husband and a son in less than a week's time.

So, what do you do? How do you respond and react to such devastating events in life? What do you do; you keep holding on to the faith! You keep trusting God to see you through. You keep looking up because you know that they cannot come home but we will soon be going home.

HEARTBROKEN!

Today is April 13, 2007 and we just buried my dad;it hurts so bad! I have been in the ministry for almost 36 years and I've preached many funerals but today more than ever I felt death as never before. It hurts so bad to feel the loss and finality of death. I keep saying over and over to myself, "My dad is gone", and each time tears well up in my eyes. It's amazing at how many memories come rushing back to me, even little things. I remember "moments" and in my mind there are these little vignettes playing over and over again.

Kermit Cleveland Brackett, known as "Babe", was a great man! I've never heard anyone ever say an unkind word about my dad. He worked hard all of his life; with great ingenuity he could tape, glue, strap, fix or repair just about anything. We never had much but he always found a way to stretch things or to make them work. He was a quiet man and "gentle man". He loved God and the church and would do just about anything that was asked of him.

Dad had such a great sense of humor and loved to tease. He enjoyed life and God blessed him with 82 years. It came as a great shock this past Tuesday when I received the call that things didn't look good for him. When we arrived at the hospital and we went back to the room to where they had taken his body it didn't seem real. He looked like he was sleeping and at anytime he would wake up and say, "how's it going?" I'm going to miss calling home on Sunday afternoon and hearing mom say, "Babe, Rick's on the phone" and hearing him say, "how's it going?" or "did you have a good one today?", because he always wanted to know about the church.

Dad and Mom have been married for 64 years and I know it's going to be tough on all of us but especially her. Yet we all know that this is temporary and we will have a glad reunion day.

It's spring time and we just celebrated Easter. Easter means "RESURRECTION" and I know that dad will be getting up real soon and we will be together again. I am so thankful for all he taught me but especially about the Lord.

Dad had grown tired but now he is resting in peace; he is with the Lord! I am heartbroken yet I rejoice in knowing that he is now in the presence of the Lord.

FEELING SO MUCH BETTER!

Well, I just had my first ever experience with kidney stones, ouch! It is not an experience that I will soon forget. I got up Thursday morning and my back was hurting and I thought that maybe I had pulled a muscle or something - wrong! It wasn't long before I was very uncomfortable. When you have a kidney stone (s) it doesn't matter what position you get into it doesn't help. I tried standing, sitting and lying down but the pain continued to get worse. I don't like to go to the doctor and it was something that I put off as long as I could and only after the insistence of my precious wife did I agree to go to Urgent Care. The doctor gave me a shot to ease the pain and told me that I had blood in my urine that was plus 3. He sent me to the hospital for a sonogram and there I was told that I had one kidney stone in my left ureter that was 6 mm and that I had two in my right kidney that were 1 to 2 mm. They also discovered some gallstones - WOW! I was prescribed some medication and sent home. It was a rough couple of nights but I survived.

Now the good news! I went to the urologist on Monday and told him there was no more pain. He couldn't understand how I had passed a 6 mm stone and sent me back to the hospital for an additional ex-ray. Yesterday he called and said there was no sign of kidney stones! HALLELUJAH!

Thank God for touching me and for a praying church!

"I'm feeling so much better talking about this good old way. Feeling so much better talking about the Lord!"

CHANGING TIMES

We are living in changing times, in fact things are changing so fast until it seems surreal. I think there is a longing in each of us for things to be solid, lasting and sure. Years ago it seemed like everything lasted forever but not anymore. The seasons, the fashions, the times and even people seem to be changing more rapidly than ever. You can't get used to anything because it doesn't stay around long enough to get used to.

Maybe that explains the loneliness we feel today! It used to be that you could count on your friends but even your friends change into enemies before your very eyes. What's happening to us? Why is there so much turmoil and unrest? Why do we feel like there's nothing that we can trust in or depend upon anymore? Marriages that seemed solid yesterday are falling apart today. Churches that used to be solid and growing yesterday are dividing and falling apart today. Families that used to be solid and loving yesterday are scattered today.

The silver lining behind it all is that we learn that we can trust in Lord, who changes not!

Psalm 118:8 "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

Jeremiah 17:5 "Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD."

People will let you down but the Lord will lift you up! People will change and disappoint you but Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever!

SLOW AS CHRISTMAS?

"You're slow as Christmas", that's one expression that we seldom if ever hear anymore. It seems like Christmas gets here faster and faster each year. I love Christmas with all the decorations, sights, sounds, smells and fellowship. This is one of the most unusual times of the year as the pace picks up everywhere; people are busy shopping, decorating and planning parties. It's so easy to get caught up in all the activities that we don't take the time to enjoy what it's all about.

The song says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year" and I couldn't agree more. Many of the sights, sounds and smells bring back fond memories of Christmas past that seem like only yesterday. It's time to sing and celebrate the fact that God so loved the World that He gave His only Son for us.

It's wonderful and we should offer "Thanksgiving" to God from whom all blessings flow. It's wonderful because "Christmas" is about Christ and His willingness to become flesh and dwell among us. It's wonderful because we can look forward to the "New Year" with hope and joy.

We might not hear "Slow as Christmas" because now we need to "Slow down in order to enjoy Christmas".

SWEET SORROW!

Well, it's finally over! Our baby got married Saturday leaving us with an empty nest. It's so easy to reminiscence and wonder where the years have gone. It seems like your kids will be kids forever under your constant care until one day you see them walking down the aisle. It's tough being not only the father but also the preacher! It's not easy having to walk your daughter down the aisle to give her away and then turn around and perform the ceremony. The range of emotions is incredible and right now I'm still reeling; yes there have been tears and lumps in my throat. It's been thirty years since we've had an empty nest and it's going to take some time to get used to. Our lives are forever changed and there's no going back to the way we were.

We take so much for granted and don't realize how precious every day and every moment is. There are way too many people living their lives with anger, bitterness and resentment. We must never forget that everyday is a gift and we must treat it so. Love everybody, be kind, be forgiving, and be longsuffering because life on this earth is a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

It has been said, "No one is so powerful that they can stop the march of time". It's incredible, whoever said that time flies knew what they were talking about. When I go to visit my parents it's like visiting my grandparents and when I look in the mirror it's like seeing my dad; talk about "The Twilight Zone". You never know, maybe soon I will hear a little voice calling me "Grandpa".

Well, life goes on and that's the way its supposed to be; In the words of William Shakespeare: "Parting is such sweet sorrow!"

DIFFICULT DAYS!

Sometimes you can be traveling down the road of life and all of a sudden something will come at you from out of nowhere and leave you stranded by the road.This has been one of those weeks in which I have been on an emotional rollercoaster. It started last Friday afternoon when I visited Carolina Medical Center to visit an infant that was in intensive care and dying. A precious little boy named Samuel that started life with way too many problems to survive. I was asked to officiate at a grave side funeral this past Saturday. The family and friends were so precious and I was touched by their love for God as they sang songs in the Swahili language. The little boy was dressed in a suit and tie and looked like a little doll.

Then on Saturday morning I received a call from the wife of one the men in our church. The wind was knocked out of my sail when she informed me that her husband had died from a massive heart attack. I couldn't believe my ears; it was incredible that a man in good health, who worked out in the gym and who was only 54 years old had died so soon. He had served for one year on our board of elders, taught Sunday school, sung in the choir and was head of our world missions board. He will be greatly missed. There was well over two hundred people that attended his funeral and it was obvious that he had touched many lives.

Then on Tuesday evening I was called upon to officiate at the funeral for the mother of one our men who serves on our board of elders. She had lived to be 86 years old and was well known in the area. She had worked at a hot dog cafe and was loved and respected throughout the city. She rode in parades and was known as the "hot dog queen". I felt honored to officiate at her funeral.

Three funerals in one week along with church services, a district meeting, a women's ministries fund raiser and "Senior Adult Day" with special guests to be entertained and cared for. This is not to mention getting ready for my daughter's wedding in less than two weeks, counseling with those who are troubled and dealing with the county office in securing a permit for work to begin toward our sanctuary.

When you add all of this to the burden and care of the church it makes for difficult days. So when someone complains about their pastor or the church not meeting their expectations maybe you should challenge them to pray more and complain less; it might just help him through another difficult day!

A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH!

This month our church was given an opportunity to be a New Testament Church. I can't express how overjoyed I am and how proud I am of our congregation. There are many churches today that fall short of the New Testament example for expressing love and forgiveness but the Matthews Church of God has come through with flying colors. Our congregation was given the opportunity to forgive and restore someone who had fallen into sin. Everyone that was in that particular service said they had never seen anything like it. The tears and expressions of love, tenderness and concern filled the sanctuary. The church was at its best as it sought to restore rather than condemn.

Then once again there was an opportunity to practice what we preach when a couple in the church were faced with a heavy financial burden. The congregation responded with more than double the amount that was asked for.

I believe that God is about to bless the Matthews Church of God in ways it has never dreamed. When the church operates like the New Testament Church operated then it will experience signs and wonders once again.

Today I am a very proud pastor!

NO PLACE LIKE HOME!

Well, we just got back from the Church of God General Assembly in Indianapolis, Indiana. We had a wonderful trip and a great time. It is such a blessing to be able to be a part of the decision making processes of our denomination. It is so enlightening to sit in on the discussions concerning the business of the church and to hear the various viewpoints. I really enjoy being able to see brothers and sisters in Christ from all around the world coming together in one place. It is so nice to go to restaurants, the mall, and to walk down the street and see church people everywhere. It's going to be wonderful when we all get to heaven and have fellowship forever more. I am forever grateful to our wonderful congregation for allowing my wife and I to attend these meetings.

It was relatively cool in Indiana but boy we came home to some heat!!! It feels like an oven outside with the heat index soaring over a hundred. But inspite of the heat its good to be back home and to see our wonderful congregation. I never cease to be amazed at how blessed I am to serve at such a great church. I love the Matthews Church of God dearly! We have laughed together and we have cried together. We have seen miracles and we have experienced difficulties but through it all we are closer together as a congregation than we have ever been before.

I am expecting God to bless our church even greater than He already has. The enemy never lets up and he continues to fight us from within in and from without. The longer I pastor the more I'm learning to love people with the love of God, to be longsuffering and compassionate.

Then again why shouldn't I since God has been all of that to me.

I LOVE OUR CHURCH!

We have been so busy with Vacation Bible School (Son Treasure Island). My wife, Gayle, goes all out in writing scripts, decorations, planning, practicing, etc. WHEW!!! We have had great fun and I couldn't be more pleased with the unity and fellowship of our church. There are men that have pastored their entire lives and have never had the opportunity to pastor such a great group of people as I do. If I were to describe the Matthews Church of God in one word it would be: 'LOVE'. The love and unity in our church is greater right now than I've ever seen it. The people genuinely love one another and look forward to fellowship. I preach to our people all the time that its not like this everywhere you go and that's why we have to work so hard to protect it. It doesn't take much to bring division and dissension into a church. There are churches that are hindered and bogged down because as few as eight people, (according to John Maxwell), have caused strife and have brought destruction. I have come to realize that if people aren't happy in a church the best thing they can do for themselves and that church is to either pray through or go somewhere else. The church is precious and I agree whole-heartedly with someone who recently signed our guestbook, "I love our church"!

We had our first softball team this year and it blessed me to see how the guys came together with a winning attitude and had such fun even though they had a losing season. We continue to see new people come into the church and the Lord has blessed us with people that have such great attitudes and talent.

The church is doing better now in every category than it ever has in its history and we give God all the praise, honor and glory!

CHANGE !!!

Erwin M. Soukup has compiled what he terms
"The Seven Steps to Stagnation":


1. We've never done it that way before.
2. We're not ready for that.
3. We are doing all right without trying that.
4. We tried it once before.
5. We don't have money for that.
6. That's not our job.
7. Something like that can't work.

Soukup admits that "there's probably an eighth step, but we've never looked it up before." (Martin E. Marty, "Context," April 15, 1985)

I've often found that resistance to change is mostly because of laziness. Change requires work, sacrifice and expense so we use one of these seven excuses to resist change.
The Bible has a lot to say about laziness:

Proverbs 18:9 (King James Version)
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.

Proverbs 19:24 (King James Version)
A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

We are admonished to look at the ant and see how industrious. We are warned by our Lord to be occupied when He returns.

We need to find motivation to fulfill our dreams and to accomplish God's will in our lives. It seems that no matter how much I do, I always feel like I can do more. It is my desire to keep striving to accomplish more and never to become satisfied with the status quo. I believe that we become miserable when we lose our vision and stop dreaming.