New Youth Building

Our new youth building (multi purpose building) is almost finished! It brings Sandy and me great joy to be involved in building stuff that will help Christway Church add to the body of Christ. It’s a very large building, and I have total confidence in Larry and Kacy and their God given abilities as youth pastors  to reach the young people of DeRidder. Christway Church, our future is so bright that we gotta wear shades!

Duck Commander-Big Hairy Men’s Event

I can not tell you how many calls and comments I have received about our recent men’s event. It was a great night in Christ, and all who attended were well pleased. So many Christway men worked very hard to make the night an astounding success! The food was excellent. Bro. Vic and his cooking crew made the beast feast as good, if not better, than you can get anywhere. Our Presentation Team headed up by Chris Hayner made sure everything flowed with the seating and clean up. Ricky B(Rick’s  Guns Plus) brought out an awesome display of weapons that Big Hairy Men could look at and wish for. Sound guys, music teams, decorations, and the great variety of mounts made Christway Church here in DeRidder look GREAT!  Just wanted to say thanks again Christway men for being such a blessing. I am honored to be called your pastor. To all of you who helped and I didn’t mention your name, I will catch you next time. Last, but not least, a big thanks to Jase Robertson and the Duck Commander team for a great word from God.  Lookin’ forward to next year.

Cake

I don’t know if you have ever seen any of the cakes that Mary Cross makes. They often depict a certain nature scene or really, anything you want it to look like. She made a cake for the Big Hairy Men’s Event that was very cool. It looked like a duck blind complete with a hunter. The problem was that it was such a work of art that nobody wanted to cut it! I finally talked Jase (aka Duck Commander) into trying a piece of it. He said it tasted great, but he didn’t want anyone to know he did it. Well, you know me, not only am I gonna tell, but I got some pictures to prove it.  Thanks, Mary, for a great tasting cake that looked better than all of the duck blinds I have ever hunted in!

Harley Shop

My Bride and Emily took me on a trip to the Harley Davidson shop in Lake Charles the other day. I can’t ride my Harley yet, but I sure do like to hear it rumble. We had a great time looking at all the bikes. Of course, my girls didn’t mind taking a look at all the cool clothes either. Sandy is trying to talk me into buying a trike, but I’m gonna wait awhile before I do that. But she is wanting to get back on the road. She loves to ride as much as I do. My little Emily is already talking about the kind of bike she is gonna ride when she gets older.
I’m am blessed to have my girls!

Big Hairy Men’s Event

What an awesome night we had here at Christway Church. Over 300 men attended our Big Hairy Men’s event! We were blessed to have Jase Robertson as our main speaker. He gave a great word about being a Real Man of God. Jase is a well known member of the Duck Commander crew. The Duck Commander TV show can be seen on the Outdoor Channel, and they have many videos on the market that, of course, showcases their skill at  duck hunting.  If you missed it, you missed a great time in the Lord. There is much more to tell so I’ll write some more about it tomorrow. It’s been a long day!

Kids

Today after church, most of our folks who will be working at kids camp all this week moved into Ingallwood Park. We had our camp leaders’ meetings and prepared for the rush of CWC children in the morning! We had a great supper and fellowship.

We did find one snake in the kitchen, but I introduced his head to my walking stick and he agreed to move out. Ha, remember a good snake is a dead snake!

Salvation

It was awesome to see another person give their life to Jesus today! We were blessed to baptize two last week also. There is no way to put a price on something that is eternal. All the hard work is so worth one soul. But the good Lord continues to work at Christway Church here in DeRidder. Sandy and I are so honored to be a part!

2010

CWC  recently had  graduation services for our seniors. Christway Academy here in DeRidder continues to send young men and young women out into the world fully equipped to be world changers. I am very pleased with all of these guys and gals and am very optimistic about the future.
My son, Noah, was one of these grads!  I’m so proud of you Noah, I know how hard you had to work to reach this milestone in your life. Thank you, Jesus, for this next generation of leaders.

Check out this picture from practice.

Ridin’ The Wave

The Lord spoke to my heart a few weeks ago that things were going to speed up. God has sent us a wave of momentum, and we need to ride the wave.  Things that once took CWC three years will now  gonna take three months. Things that once  took CWC three months will now  take three weeks. Things that once took CWC  three weeks will now  take  three days. Things that once took CWC three days will now take three hours. Things that once took CWC three hours will now take three minutes.
Today was a great example of God’s ability to prove His promises come to pass.  A truck load of trusses rolled into the parking lot of Christway Church here in DeRidder. They were  not on schedule but right on time! They came in way way ahead of time. God is so good!  Brother Larry and Sister Kacy are gonna be havin’ some awesome encounters with God in their new building before long. This is our season Christway! Let’s ride the wave.

Workin’

Man, I love to see our dreams and visions come to pass!  We started erecting walls on the new Youth Building today.  Lots of guys stood up walls, and the nail guns and hammers were singing with a wonderful voice that only a carpenter would love. Hey, wasn’t Jesus a carpenter? Of course He was, maybe that’s why we at Christway here in DeRidder love to build so much!

Bones

Sandy and I was in a Doctors office a few days ago. He had a skeleton arm in there. It was pretty cool. I decided to have a little fun with it. I was using it to grab Sandy and takin some pictures. When the Doc came in he didn’t find it very amusing but I thought it was pretty funny! I guess I’m still just a kid at heart. If you don’t learn to laugh you will never last.

Paw Paw

I would like to introduce the newest member of my clan! Elizabeth Rain is my new and first grand baby. When I saw her, it was love at first sight. She is strong and healthy, and of course, she looks just like me!
How incredible it is that even in a hard world such as this we have babies to remind us of God’s tender mercies.

Long Rows

You just gotta love planting time. We enjoy this time of year as a family. We get out in the dirt and sow our seeds and then see what comes up. When I was a kid I loved playing in the dirt, and I guess I never outgrew it. Noah and Em really had to step up this year and do most of the work. They are great kids. Sandy and I are truly blessed. We planted sweet corn, squash, peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelons and field corn. I can hardly wait!

Planting and harvest are principles that the Almighty implemented on this earth. Just as we plant natural gardens we also plant supernatural gardens. Do you have a harvest on the way?

Coal Miners

As I watch the news this morning my heart breaks for the families of the West Virginia coal miners who lost their lives last night. We have all lost loved ones before and know how hard it is. I pray that Jesus will comfort these folks in only the way He can.

Lord, we ask that You will touch and heal these families in their time of loss and grief. I pray that some way, some how, you will take this thing the enemy meant for evil and turn it around for the good. Amen

Easter Sunday

This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it! Today was a great day.

I love the way CWC is a church alive. God has truly blessed us with each other. Thanks to all of you who work so hard to make Christway Church all that it is. I am blessed to be a part of something so special.

God bless. Pk

Eggs Of Every Color

Today was a blast! I don’t know how many folks attended our annual egg hunt this year, but it was bunches. We had thousands of eggs just waiting for the children to grab ‘em up. And that’s just what they did.
It’s our job at Christway Church to show the love of Christ in practical ways in our community of DeRidder. We had food, fun and lots of fellowship. At one point, we had between seventy and eighty visiting families who had never attended Christway!
Thanks to all you folks who work so hard to make our church an awesome place to call home.

He’s Alive!

Can you imagine how the disciples felt?

After they had seen Jesus die such a horrible death, then to hear that He was alive. Knowing in their minds that this was an impossibility but knowing in their hearts it was true. They had seen Jesus do the impossible time and time again, but this was different,  they saw Him die with their own eyes.

How could it be true?

But to their amazement and wonder He came and stood among them. Holes in His hands, feet and side. There He was! How wonderful and exciting it must have been. My friends, He still walks among us today alive and well. Working in our hearts the greatest miracle that has ever been or ever will be. The Resurrection!  Praise be to God in the highest, He’s Alive.

Time

I’m on my way to a funeral this morning. Second one this week. I didn’t know the person who passed away but I know some of her folks, and they asked if I would do the service. I never turn down an invitation to do a funeral service. No, it’s not that I enjoy them, that would be a little twisted. Funerals are one of the things in ministry that I have never been able to get “comfortable with”. They are all hard and take a toll on my emotions. I just reckon that means I still have a heart.
I was told by an old preacher a long time ago that has always stuck with me. He said that the funeral service is the last thing that the family can do for their loved one. It should be considered an honor that they have chosen you to be a part of this last act of love.

Plus you get an opportunity to show the love of Christ in a practical way. Being lead by the Holy Spirit, I may say that one thing that grabs some one’s heart and that one thing may turn them on to Jesus.  Thank you, Jesus, for our resurrection hope!

Sod Buster

It is the time of year again when we break out the plows. Yep, it’s planting time again. I love to watch a garden grow. When I was a kid, my Grandpa Slick always had great big gardens. He would grow lots of corn to feed his cows. He also grew watermelons and peas to sale. Many a day I would work with him in the fields. Planting stuff, then we would hoe it. and then it was harvest time. I sure wish I would have paid closer attention to his skills as a farmer, because he was one of the best. I can never remember him having a bad year. I sure do miss him. Anyhow, we have gotten a late start getting our seed in the ground. But if I sow it, I know my God will bring the increase.

Aaron & Brooke

You just gotta love weddings. I was blessed to be a part of tying the knot for a cool young couple who have a great future together. I first meet Brooke and Aaron up in Leesville. We were doing our CWC Late Night outreach. It’s very cool that they have been coming to Christway here in DeRidder ever since. As our church grows and we have multiple services, it can get hard to put faces with names. So for those of you who can’t place them, Aaron is the son of Bobby Williamson. Bobby the sound guy, as most of us know him. LOL!  Congrats guys, God has blessed you with a great chance to enjoy each other for a lifetime.

Pretty Girls

Our family was blessed with a new edition this week. My nephew and his lovely bride had a beautiful little girl. This makes # 4 for them. When the Lord said to be fruitful and multiply they took Him serious. Lol.

I am always amazed at the  birth of a child. It’s the perfect picture of God’s love. We have to see to every need of a baby. They have nothing to offer, they can’t talk or feed themselves. They are lots of work, but we love them so much we would lay down our own lives for them with no hesitation.

Kinda sounds familiar, doesn’t it?  We have nothing of value to offer our Lord but He without hesitation laid down His life for us all!
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WWM

The  World Wide Ministries annual convention kicked off this week here in DeRidder. Pastor Bob Rutherford and Abundant Life Church host this event every year. Folks from all over the United States and even from other countries gather here in DeRidder to praise Jesus and encourage one another. It’s  great to see old friends and make new ones. Tonight ChristWay Church moved our regular Wednesday service to join Abundant Life. It was an awesome time. We appreciate the fellowship we have with our sister church. Thanks, CWC, for your commitment to unity in the body of Christ.
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CD’s

I have some exciting news! CWC Power And Light Company just got in our first shipment of new CD’s. Yep, this is the one we have been waiting for.

Kenny, Greg, Jessica, Noah, Brandon, and Luke have worked very hard. Not just on Sunday morning praise and worship. But they went into the studio here  at Christway Church and cut this ten song album. All original songs and it sounds great!  The album is called “Bloodline”. It will officially go on sale this Sunday.
Praise God for where He has brought us from and praise Him for where He is taking us to.
Our future is so bright here at Christway church we gotta wear shades!
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Evan

The weather was great for jumping on the bikes for a ride this past Sunday afternoon. A bunch of us ganged up at Christway Church after third service and went for a spin. Evan put on his chaps and got on the back of Billy’s Shadow and rode with us. We left DeRidder and rode up Highway 10 along Fort Polk. We stopped at the Blue Hole and stretched our legs for a while. Then we headed on up through Kasatchie forest. Thanks, Jesus, for good friends to hang with!
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Prayer Group

Jesus said that a house that is built on sand will not stand when the storms of life come against it. He also said that a house built on the rock will not be moved. Of course, Jesus was talking about our foundations. Without a solid foundation nothing that is built can last.

I am excited about the direction of our Monday night prayer group at Christway Church here in Deridder. I believe that when God’s people pray, He moves on our behalf.

The future success of Christway church will be determined by the prayer foundation that we build.
So, thanks to all you prayer warriors who give of your time to build a foundation that will last for eternity!
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More On Men’s Conference

After our main service Friday night concluded, we had a service for the young men who attended the conference. The music was awesome, and Bro Vic brought the word. He talked about kitty litter? You know Bro Vic, he’s always got something crazy going on!

Saturday morning of the Christway Church men’s conference kicked off with a great breakfast. We had biscuits, sausage and eggs. It’s hard to have a bad day after a breakfast like that. Pastor Jerry and I were blessed with a knock on the door. Billy brought us our food to our cabin. That will spoil a feller real quick.
At our 8 AM service, our music group rocked out, it got us awake and ready for the Word. I’m pretty sure they probably woke up the neighbors also! Brother Larry Reeves gave a great word to the guys on being the men God has called us to be.

I’m fixing to hit the hay so I will finish this up tomorrow. I pray we all rest in Jesus.
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Gideons

I was given a really awesome opportunity this week. The Gideons asked me to speak at their meeting here in DeRidder. The Gideons do great work all over the world. Most of us at some point in our lives have read a Bible placed there by the Gideons in a motel room or office waiting room. So, to say it was an honor for me to speak at this meeting would be an understatement. God bless the Gideons, and all they do to put the Word of God into the hands of so many.
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Men

What a time we had this past weekend. We had our annual CWC men’s conference at Ingallwood Park here in DeRidder. Friday night was cold, but the food was good and hot. We were blessed to have the praise team from the Leeville Family Worship Center come and lead us in a time of worship that was great. Then Pastor Jerry shared an awesome word from God. I will share more about the conference later. I’ve got some stuff to do so I will catch u later.
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On My Feet

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy, when I fall for I shall arise. This has always been one of my favorite passages of scripture, but for the last couple of months it has taken on new meaning for me. This scripture has become a promise from the Lord for me. I’m getting my stride back! I’m on the road again. Kinda sounds like a Willie Nelson song, doesn’t it? It’s good to be able to visit folks in the hospital again and hang around the office at church to keep things stirred up. God is always faithful and His promises are forever. Thanks, CWC, for all the prayers and help.

CWC Men’s Conference

Its getting close to our annual Christway Church Men’s Conference. I look forward to this event all year and for good reason. We have a blast and grow together in the Word. Last year could not have been better, and I believe this year God is going to do even greater things. We have heard from several different churches who plan to attend, and I am excited to be able to hang out with my brothers from other mothers!
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