The Reggie Dabbs Story

In my neck of the woods it is common to hear folks say, "The Lord brought me a mighty long way." In today's post I want to introduce you to a young man that I met some 30 years ago.

We met while attending Camp Ambassador (TN Assemblies of God church camp now called Jackson Conference Center). While we were from different parts of the state, and being different in gender and ethnicity, we found common ground in worshipping our Savior. Little did I know that he would mature into a mighty warrior in/for the Kingdom. I hope you will take the opportunity to visit his website and perhaps invite him to speak in your area. I know that he will be a blessing to you and your community.

The following is an excerpt of Reggie's story taken directly from the press kit posted on his site.

Born to an unwed teenager who at one time considered abortion as a viable option for solving her "problem," Reggie Dabbs considers himself fortunate to be alive. With no place to go, the pregnant teenager ended up living in a chicken coop in Louisiana. It was there she remembered a former school teacher, Mrs. Dabbs, who had said to her students, "If you ever need anything, call me," and gave the students her home phone number. The girl called.

Mrs. Dabbs went to Louisiana, picked up the girl, and took her back to Tennessee where she and her husband, whose six children were adults by this time, took the girl into their home and cared for her until after the baby was born. They continued to care for little Reggie as foster parents until he was in the fourth grade, and then they officially adopted him and gave him the Dabbs name.

As the Dabbs' reared Reggie, they instilled in him strong moral values, for which he is genuinely grateful. They also ingrained in him the fact that in every situation he faced, he had a choice. What he did with those choices was entirely up to him.

When addressing a school assembly, Reggie talks to the kids in a humorous style about choices each of them has when faced with drugs, alcohol, suicide, etc. Reggie gets in kids faces and tells them that he never smoked a cigarette, never did drugs, never drank alcohol, because he chose not to. He assures them that they can make the same kinds of choices.

Reggie talks to kids about family and how thankful they should be that they have families. He talks to them about dating relationships and emphasizes that virginity is the most honorable choice. Most of all, Reggie drives home the fact that "You can never change your past, but you can change your future.

From being a "Problem" to an unwed teenager, Reggie is fast becoming one of the most in-demand speakers who helps teenagers meet their problems head-on and overcome them.

Treasures for the Taking

My how the time flies......I'm not sure when I will get back to regular posting, but I know that I will. Eventually. In the meantime, I have found a great resource site that I am sure you will enjoy.

Initially, I viewed the YouTube videos posted by Pastor Loran. Then I followed the links from his YouTube channel and found a wealth of valuable downloads; mp3 sermons, written semon notes,worship songs w/lyrics, and links to several other great sites. So, I just wanted to pass the info along. Visit Abundant Grace Assembly of God and find some treasures.

Another Soldier Made it Home

Last November I introduced you to this Soldier of the Cross. He no longer has to battle physically or spiritually. Some would say that he is now at rest. Peace, yes. Rest...... I doubt it. He was rarely idle in this life. He spent it working in God's vineyard. Now I am sure he is rejoicing evermore.

On September 9, 2008 Reverend Vilbert Vernon McCoy quietly slipped from his earthly existence into his eternal life with Jesus Christ. I'm sure that he wasn't so quiet once he made it to the other side. He was a stalwart in the Christian faith; a church planter, pastor, evangelist, prophet, and one crying in the streets, "Jesus is coming soon".

He was 93 years old. He leaves behind his wife of 70 something years. He preached for 60 years. What a testiimony to the power of the Cross. Until recent years, he averaged preaching 5 times per week. He traveled from one corner of Tennessee to the other many many times. He preached in every jail, juvenile detention center,hospital, and nursing home along the way. He preached anywhere the door was opened to the Gospel. He distributed over 100,000 tracts. All of which he wrote and published himself.

If ever a man was passionate about souls, Uncle V.V. was.Known all over the state as Brother V.V., he was never without a scripture on his lips. Only God knows how many souls have been won into the Kingdom because he took time to preach and pray. He will be sorely missed by many.

PC Parable

Last night I spent a considerable amount of time updating my computer. It had been quite a while since I had done a complete scan and clean up procedure. When I checked the virus vault, I found 3 trojans. Good thing they were the type that could be auto healed. There were 68 warning messages related to tracking cookies. Are they harmful? I'm not sure. I just deleted them all. Actually, I was wondering why they were there. I run the CCleaner after every use and it is supposed to catch all such stuff. At any rate, my computer is clean again.

What about my human hard drive? Often it is cluttered with tracking cookies, viruses, worms, and extensions left over from situations that I thought I had un-installed. The brain is really a complex organ, not to mention the "mind" part of it. And the soul? Who can know it except my Maker? Yet He has given me some tools to keep it all clean and running right.

The conscience is a built in helper. He put it in right from the start. I have downloaded portions of the Bible, "basic instructions before leaving Earth" over the years. Actually, I have an automatic update scheduled for that every day. That is if I have left the power on. I mean, if/when I open the pages and begin to read. The Holy Spirit is another great installation that keeps me on the right track. He is all the anti-virus protection that I will ever need.

Really, there's no need for me to continue with this analogy. I got the message loud and clear. I have to keep my brain working, my mind clean, and my soul pure. Thank God, He has made it all possible.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV

So Sad: So Relevant

Church Laughs from ChristianityToday.com

Memory Enhancements

A Mayo Clinic report states: "Ginkgo biloba has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Today, it is one of the top selling herbs in the United States. Although not definitive, there is promising early evidence favoring the use of ginkgo for memory enhancement in healthy subjects, altitude (mountain) sickness, symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and reduction of chemotherapy-induced end-organ vascular damage."

While Ginkgo biloba may be known as one of the oldest memory enhancers, it can not be compared to the One that was present when the worlds were framed.

But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you. John 14:26

The Holy Spirit was sent not only to remind the disciples of the teachings of Christ, but to empower them to witness to those both near and far. Peter experienced and demonstrated this power on the Day of Pentecost when he justified the behavior of the 120 who had been filled with the Holy Ghost.

This same promise has been extended to us today. Acts 2:39 states it this way; "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call."

I had a great ending for this post, but...... I can't seem to remember how it goes. Guess I should grab some Ginko on the way to my prayer closet. (smile)

Gone Fishing

Bright and early this morning I was awakened by the creaking of my bedroom door. Peeping in ever so quietly, was my Golden Boy. He wanted to know when I was going to get up and when we were going fishing. Oh how I wish I had the energy of an eight year old boy. Long story short, we got up and went fishing. Sad to say, we didn't catch anything. Maybe next time we should do our casting from the other side of the pond.

3Simon Peter saith unto them, I go a fishing. They say unto him, We also go with thee. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing.4But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.5Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.6And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. John 21:3-6

Hungry and exhausted the disciples could have easily blown off the advice of the man on the shore. They had no idea that the man was the One that controlled the sea and all that it contained. It was only after he revealed his identity to Peter, that they understood why they hauled in more fish than their boats could hold.

Oftentimes our circumstances are less than ideal. Sometimes there is little or nothing to show for our labors. The feeling of failure fosters the idea of throwing in the towel or in Peter's case, the net.

But rest assured, Jesus will show up in our times of difficulty. It is up to us to be looking for him. We may not recognize his hand at work, but his voice will reveal his identity to us. So, we must ever be listening for his guidance and be willing to follow his directions.