NEW HOME PAGE
As the summer season approaches, it seems appropriate that we have a new scene for this page. I considered a picture of my backyard as typifying summer, but decided that a fence lined with head-high weeds wasn’t too attractive, and used a weed-eater instead of a camera, saving you from the torture of such an unattractive sight. This was quite a feat for one with a partially paralyzed leg!

Since the start of this site, my wife Edie, our daughter Brenda, (who does all the real work) and I have been thrilled, gratified and humbled by its reception. We are so very thankful for all of you who have taken the time to post your replies and messages on the guest book pages.

We especially want to hear from you service men who were in contact with us in the past. Are you still seeing these pages? Did you make it home safely? Also those who have been touched by this site in other ways: Are you following up on your service to the Lord? I may not be your pastor but I do have a pastoral care for each of you.

Since I am physically unable to stand before a congregation, it seems wonderful beyond words that God has opened up such an opportunity and continues to bless. Of course I shouldn’t be surprised. After all, It is His Word and He has promised to bless it. Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Concerning the material found on this site: It belongs to God. The poems and drawings are all my own works, but they too are here for the glory of God, and you may freely use them in any way in His service, except for profit. All I ask is that you attribute them to me when you do.
As you get away for your summer vacation, just remember that you don’t need a vacation FROM God.

TRUE REST

I thought I'd labored faithfully
And done my very best;
And so I turned aside awhile,
For just a little rest.

Then it seemed, on Sunday morning,
As I tarried there in bed;
A sad voice said, "The Son of Man,
Hath not where to lay His head".

Then I said, "I've given all I can;
Don't expect me to do more".
But the Word just seemed to shout at me,
"For your sake, He was poor."

"But oh, how much I've suffered,
In this weary, pilgrim land;
Then it seemed I saw Him silently
Hold forth a nail-scarred hand!

"But think of all the ridicule;
Why some folks even sneer!
And if anyone should ever laugh - - -
Oh, I live in daily fear!"

Then I heard, it seemed, a laughing mob;
"Crucify Him" they all cried!
I seemed to hear their cursing jeers,
While the loving Saviour died!

"But at least," I thought, "I've done as much
As some who seem asleep".
"What is that to thee?" He said
"If you love me, feed my sheep".

Then after searching heart and soul,
I knew, instead of rest
Away from service to my Lord,
I ought to give my best.

True rest is found in service,
Where the burden's truly light,
And the yoke is much more easy
When we share it with His might!

fcc

WHEN DADDY WAS SAVED!

From my earliest memories, Dad had been my hero. In the mind of a small boy and in the vernacular of the West, he threw a ten- foot shadow at high noon. He walked tall among the men of the community and his cussin’ was a thing of wonder. His anger was such that I remember seeing teams of horses stand trembling before his rage. As a small boy along the Arizona, Mexico border I never experienced any fear of wandering anywhere, night or day because everyone knew I was Mr. Creels son.

My wife, who only knew him in his later years, could not imagine him as anything but a genuinely gentle man.

While mom tried to instill some knowledge of God in me, Dad was concerned that I should learn manliness.

I was around nine years old when it happened. Mom had been getting a ride with neighbors to a Revival Meeting being held in Somerton and taking my sisters and me. She finally talked Dad into going a couple of nights. One night he refused to go so mom took the kids and went without him.

The next evening, mom issued the call, "Wash up for supper"! In my usual manner, I slapped some water on my face and wiped the grime on the towel and ran to the table. The rest of the family was already seated. I remember that I grabbed for the fried potatoes to get my share before my sisters could take them all. Mom quietly stopped all activity by saying, "Just a minute son, Daddy has something to say." I waited and Dad bowed his head and asked the blessing on the food! I sat there in stunned silence. Finally Mom explained, "Your father was saved last night."
In later years I asked Dad about it and he told how the sermons at the revival meeting had convicted him of sin and in self -defense he had stayed home that night. The silence of the house seemed to accentuate the pleading of the Holy Spirit and he decided to take a walk.
Down to the corrals he went. The Holy Spirit was dogging his steps and he couldn’t seem to escape the weight of sin. Finally, on the far side of the hay -stack, he couldn’t take another step and fell to his knees. It was there that he found peace by surrendering to God and accepting Christ. Not only was he changed but so was the entire family. We often said jokingly that even the horses noticed the difference!

If his faith ever faltered, I never knew it. I continued to learn many things from him and in one of our last conversations, as we sat under the grape-arbor in his back yard, we talked about these things and about his impending death. Since he had a bad heart we knew it could come at any time. Though concerned about Mom, he approached death like a child looking forward to the circus. He actually seemed to look forward to it in anticipation and wonder.
For all the things you taught me and especially for that First Prayer I heard you pray, THANKS DAD!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU FATHERS.