Photos and the Stories They Tell

I have several photos in my office at the church. I keep several group shots of camps, retreats, and mission projects in different areas of the office in addition to pictures of my wonderful family. I also have a few that I found in boxes when I came to FBC 5 years ago this summer that found a spot on one of my bookshelves. It's very nice to have the old church library as your office...plenty of shelf space!

The photos are special to me for various reasons, but aren't most photos that way. Pictures tell a story that words sometimes can't convey. One of these pictures is my friend Matt and I at an RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) Fall Retreat. If I remember correctly this was taken the morning we were getting ready to head home. Matt and I grew up together, were roommates in college, in each others' weddings in some capacity and continue to stay in touch, mostly through our wives who are best friends. I keep the picture in my office because it reminds me of the true value of friendship. There are friends that each of us has that we can call on in a moment's notice for help, encouragement, and support no matter where life takes you. I believe that Matt and I have that kind of friendship. There are others that we have those kind of relationships with as well. It's a reminder to me that relationships are important for us as human beings, as Christians to have because they give us strength and encouragement when we most need it.

Matt and Tony

Another picture is of a group of guys from high school at youth camp the summer after we graduated from high school. Included in the photo are our youth minister at the time, David Maginnis and one of the worship leaders for the week, Jimbo Bass. Both of those men had a tremendous impact on my life as well as the lives of those in the picture and countless others because of their faithfulness to the gospel. My life is truly better for knowing both of them.

Jimbo, Jason, Me, David, Jay, Matt, Robbie

The last picture is the the first group I took to a FUGE camp when I served as the Youth and College Minister at Liberty Hill Baptist Church in Clanton, AL. It was a small group, as many adults as youth but it was a great experience for all of us. For most in the picture it was their first experience of having a summer youth camp experience. Many of the students are now in college or almost finished with college. Each of them has had their share of trials and difficulties but God has always been at work in their lives in some really incredible ways. I think I keep that picture in the office because it is a reminder to me of why I do what God has called me to do. It's not about paychecks, offices (my first one at LHBC was basically a closet), books on the shelf or sermons preached...it's about real lives changed by the power of the only real gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ!

LHBC Centrifuge 2004?