My brother George and I are blessed to have had the best father in the world. You might disagree with that unbiased evaluation, but he and I feel that way.

Dad worked with the Highway Department of Florida in the 1930’s when he and my Mom married. They lived in Pensacola, Florida. He helped build the road from Fort Walton Beach to Destin. He told about going by boat over to the desolate island of Destin. There was nothing there but a fish camp. They tried to sell him and his friends some of that great beachfront property for a $1 an acre. He said it wasn’t worth a $1 at that time!

He felt God’s call to preach in the mid – 1930’s. He accepted that call and served some very small churches in the Pensacola area. He moved to Notasulga in 1940, to Wetumpka in 1945, to Opelika in 1950, became a District Superintendent in Pensacola in 1962, and in 1966 became pastor of First UMC in Panama City, Florida. He reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 1980, then served part time the Gulfview UMC on Panama City Beach for 15 years!

Dad went to two small colleges in the panhandle of Florida, and both of them closed while he was a student! When he moved to Notasulga he attended Auburn. He said that Auburn was stable enough that he didn’t close it. He moved to Wetumpka in 1945 and enrolled at Huntingdon. I remember going to his college graduation when I was a fifth grader.

His name was Marion Clyde, but his nickname was Si. My son and grandson are named Si.

Recently someone shared with me an article that appeared in 1947 in The Dadeville Record. Dad must have been a visiting Preacher in Dadeville. It captures a secular paper’s view of his ministry.

Why Si Mathison Is A Successful Preacher 

Most preachers make a success of their work, but some achieve distinction in it. That means that they are a little bit different, or a great deal different from other preachers.

In our opinion Mr. Mathison is not very different from others but he is different enough to be distinct and to have a place all his own. What is the difference?

In the first place he has about the least amount of egotism of any preacher you will meet. He is thoroughly humble. Then, he is sincere, he is just plain Si Mathison, he is not even Marion Clyde Mathison, but Si Mathison.

He has what is sometimes called “genuine religion,” if our impression of him is correct. There are no frills. He possesses simply the old time God-fearing, mankind-loving kind of religion, the kind that is catching in a degree. He radiates it, in his simple, kindly way, and love begets love. People like him.

Some things he doesn’t do. He doesn’t shout, he doesn’t argue, he doesn’t berate or demean even the sinner, he makes no harsh criticisms, he makes no undue claims for religion, he tells no unbelievable stories or incidents about it.

If you don’t know him yourself, our description of him won’t help you much, for there are no words that can perfectly describe a sure enough man, and that is what we believe Si Mathison is, a simple, sincere, humble, good and religious man who is trying, in the fear of the God he serves, to make the most of his life while he lives.

Thanks Dad for being a successful Preacher and Father!

The Flora-Bama. Most people within 300 miles of Pensacola, Florida have heard that name. It is a famous bar located on the Gulf of Mexico and sits right on the Alabama Florida line. I think the actual state line runs through the middle of the bar.

I doubt that any Methodists have ever been there, but there are a lot of people who have visited it. I have heard of its reputation for years and years. A lot of people who have been there might not remember much about the experience.

A couple of young men had a great vision for bringing ministry to one of the most recognizable drinking holes along the Gulf coast. Jeremy Mount and Darren McClellan were in seminary together and dreamed of taking the gospel of Christ to places that really need it.

Darren met with Pat McClellan and Joe Gilchrist who were owners of the Flora-Bama, and they fully supported the idea. Shortly after Jeremy transitioned out of the active duty Army he received full support from the majority owner John McInnis. It started out as an outreach service of Perdido Bay UMC and has grown into a missional community/church. Jeremy is the lead pastor for this Church.

This ministry will be celebrating two years this 4th of July. Some people had questioned whether or not you ought to have a church service in a bar. But that is actually where there are a lot of people who need to hear the good news. Jeremy focused his attention on the fact that Jesus said He didn’t come to call the healthy but the sick to repentance. He came to save sinners.

While a lot of traditional churches don’t look with great favor on such a ministry, we Methodists ought to remember our heritage. John Wesley was a preacher in the Church of England. He saw that the greatest need for the gospel was outside the walls of the church. He started going to the open fields, coal mines, and taverns presenting the Christian witness. The Methodist Church came out of a mindset that we ought to take the gospel of Christ to the places that really need it.

I was recently preaching in Memphis, Birmingham, and Atlanta and had people ask me about the Flora-Bama. It is hard to describe the look on peoples’ faces when you put the Flora-Bama and ministry in the same sentence! I’m a big cheerleader for Jeremy and this ministry.

The ministry is growing. They have had to expand outside of the bar to the porch, to a tent, and to the beach. They had 2,400 people on Easter Sunday morning! The worship service is at 11:00, but you better get there by 10:00 if you expect to get fairly close to the band and the preacher.

The band – it is excellent. It is composed of some of the best musicians along the coast whose lives are being transformed. They have put together their own songbook composed of great old hymns and contemporary music. They call it “The Honky-tonk Hymnal.” A lot of people like the idea that they don’t take an offering – they just have some big tackle boxes at all of the exits and people place an offering in the tackle boxes.

When people say the Gulf coast is recovering, they generally think about tourism and the economy. I would like to think about the ministry at Flora-Bama. It is recovery in the best sense of the word. It is revival, redemption, rejoicing, realignment of priorities, renewal, etc.

I am going to preach there soon. I am really looking forward to it. I hope I don’t retard the growth in one Sunday! One of the attendees there said that what God is doing is so great that I couldn’t mess it up! When the Pharisees brought Peter and John before the Council for their new way of doing ministry, a respected Pharisee, Gamaliel, told them that if it was of man, it would be overthrown, but if it was of God, nothing could stop it. (Acts 5:33-39)

When you go to the Gulf coast, go to the Flora-Bama – on Sunday morning at 11:00. It will probably be the highlight of your trip!

Where is God calling you and me to take the Good News?

I was in Nashville to speak at a Pastors’ Conference held at the Cornerstone Church. This is a huge Assembly of God church located just off I-65 on Old Hickory Blvd. The pastor is Maury Davis.

When I first met Maury at the church he was all dressed up in a stylish suit, tie, etc. He had short cropped hair. He had a very winsome smile on his face. He looked more like a bank executive than he did a pastor.

I immediately wondered how accessible he would be to all of the pastors of different denominations attending. Then I noticed that he was speaking to all of these young pastors. When something needed to be done, like moving a table or rearranging some chairs, he was the first one helping.

At lunch we spent some time together. He was very appreciative of the presentation that I had made that morning. He said that he wished he had had the opportunities for training that I had.

He then explained that he was converted in a city jail in Dallas, Texas when he was 18 years old. He served 9 years in prison. It was in prison that he did his personal study. He said he asked a mentor in the prison ministry how was the best way to study the Bible. The mentor replied, “Read the Bible and do what it says.” He said that was the way he studies the Bible.

In prison the evaluations indicated that he would not be able to make it on the outside. He was a “bad man.” He would be back in prison soon.

Maury really fooled them. God changed his life completely. He gave him an uncanny gift of learning and application.

Maury said that when he got out of prison he wanted to go to college to pursue the ministry. One college wouldn’t accept him because he had served so many years in prison. He smiled when he said the same college last year had asked him to serve as a trustee! He became a trustee of a college that wouldn’t admit him because of his past.

His sanctuary seats over 3,000. He has multiple worship services. But the building isn’t nearly as powerful as its pastor!

Maury is an extremely articulate, winsome, passionate preacher and he doesn’t even have a college education! He has been at Cornerstone Church for about twenty years. The church is a strong witness as it reaches out to one of the rapidly developing areas of Nashville.

I met a new laborer in the vineyards. I am glad to be on the same team with him. He is a miracle demonstrating what God can do in the life of a person who is totally yielded to Him.

Here is a real question for us, “Are we letting God fully utilize all of our gifts?” Some of us have the advantage of receiving more schooling and training. I believe that God will hold all of us accountable for the use of our gifts and talents He has given to us.

Where is God’s next miracle?

Opportunity is a big word these days. During these tough times everybody seems to be looking for an “opportunity.”

The English word opportunity is derived from an interesting concept. Years ago, before modern harbors, a ship had to wait for the flood tide before it could make it to port. There is a Latin term called ob portu, which was used for this situation. It referred to a ship standing over against a port, waiting for the moment when it would ride the turn of the tide to the harbor.

This is a beautiful word picture. The captain and crew had to be ready and wait for that one moment. They knew that if they missed it they would have to wait for another tide to come in. It was important to seize the opportunity.

To seize the opportunity requires readiness. Many of us would like to have a great opportunity, but we are not prepared to ride the tide in when the opportunity occurs. Some people are always sitting out in the ocean, still waiting for the opportunity.

Somebody said that the reason many people don’t get anywhere in life is because when opportunity knocks, they are out in the backyard looking for four leaf clovers! We rely on luck rather than being ready to seize the opportunity.

Paul contrasts being wise or unwise when he writes to the people of Ephesus, “Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.” (Ephesians 5:15, 16 NIV) A lack of making the most of every opportunity is described as being foolish. He reminds the people in Galatia that “while we have opportunity let us do good to all people.” (Galatians 6:10 NIV)

James raises an interesting concept about opportunity. He contends that opportunity can come out of difficult situations. In fact he says that we ought to be joyful when we encounter a lot of trials, because that opens the door for opportunities. (James 1:2-4)

A young man named Clarence one day carried his young lady friend on a summer outing and picnic lunch at a nearby lake. Despite the hot sun, Clarence was infatuated by her beauty and her smile. He had to row the boat and finally drag it over to the shore and helped her out of the boat. He prepared for the picnic. The young lady smiled and said, “Honey, you forgot the ice cream.”

Clarence was a bit muffed, but he got back in the boat and rowed across the lake. He found a grocery store, bought the ice cream and made his way back across the lake. He was hot and tired and was looking for some cool shade. The young lady looked at the ice cream and again flashed that beautiful smile and said, “Clarence you forgot the chocolate syrup.”

Clarence got back in the boat and rowed halfway across the lake and suddenly stopped. He began to think that there must be a better way. By the end of that afternoon he had put together the concept of an outboard motor! His name was Clarence Evinrude! He later married the girl.

Out of difficult situations, opportunity arises. Where is your life today? Are you sitting waiting for the opportunity? If you miss it, you will continue to sit.

Seize the opportunity!

A month ago I preached three morning worship services at the Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. I also had an opportunity to do some television recordings with the Pastor Emeritus Dr. Maxie Dunnam and the current Pastor Dr. Shane Stanford.

Christ Church is one of the flagship churches of the United Methodist Church. It is the largest Methodist Church in that Annual Conference, having over 6,000 members. It has also been instrumental in supporting the Confessing Movement, a renewal movement within the United Methodist Church.

Another friend and former minister, Dr. Bill Bouknight, recently wrote about how that church was founded by Dr. Charles Grant. At the funeral for Dr. Grant, his brother Ed, also a pastor, spoke about their mother.

Mrs. Grant had three sons whom she raised. Her husband had an alcohol problem which caused him to lose two grocery stores that he owned. He died early because of alcoholism. Mrs. Grant had to raise those boys in near poverty.

The boys recalled coming in at night and trying to get to bed without turning on any lights. They often tripped over their mother’s feet as she knelt in prayer. She loved Jesus and the church. In Mt. Vernon, Illinois, it didn’t matter how deep the snow was on Sunday, you better hold church because Mrs. Grant and her three boys would be there!

Mrs. Grant had severe physical challenges. She lost two other children as infants. She suffered circulation problems in her legs, and all of her life her legs were swollen and painful.

She was a praying mother and God answered her prayers. All three of her boys were Godly Christian leaders. The oldest, Lawrence, was a missionary to China. Charles was the founding pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis.

Never underestimate the power of a praying mother. The greatest gift a mother can give to her children is not only child birth, but rebirth into God’s kingdom and praying passionately that they might discover and live in God’s purpose. My brother George and I were blessed to have a praying mother!

A powerful picture of a praying mother is recorded in I Samuel. Hannah was in deep anguish crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. (v. 10) She prayed with a vow that if God would answer her prayer and give her a son, she would give him back to God. (v.11) The end of that chapter shows how God gave her a son, and she gave him back to God. (vs. 24-28)

Notice the ingredients of a praying mother. Hannah prayed a prayer that seemed impossible to answer. Nothing is impossible with God, so He answered and gave her a son, Samuel. God was faithful in answering her prayer, then she was faithful in her promise to give Samuel back to God.

Christ United Methodist Church Memphis stands today as a strong beacon for God’s truth and witness in Memphis. While it is a huge church today, it can be traced back to a praying mother!

Who coached the first game that the Alabama State Hornets won in the new Hornet Stadium?

As you remember the stadium was opened for the Turkey Day Classic last November and Alabama State lost. The next game was the Black and Gold game played Saturday, April 26, 2013. I was invited to be an honorary coach of the Gold team. My assistant was Roger Schultz the former Alabama great and sports radio host. He didn’t like the designation of assistant so I let him coach the first quarter and we were down 7 – 0. I took over and we won 24-14! Trent Mitchell was one of the opposing celebrity coaches.

I have coached one game in my career, and we won. I am retiring with a perfect record and the first win for Alabama State in the new Hornet Stadium! The Gatorade shower on the sidelines was unexpected, and was not something I really enjoyed. As I had to leave for another major formal event, getting the Gatorade off didn’t come easy!

I learned some things worth sharing.

1.) You don’t see as much of the ballgame down on the sidelines as you do when you are up in the press box. A lot of those big guys and big coaches get in your way. It is also a different perspective on the game.

I think that is the reason we have trouble here on earth getting our directions. God has a lot better view up high and He sees the “whole field.” Our responsibility is not to call the plays down here but to listen to Him and follow His guidance. He has the best view of life!

2.) When there is a play that comes to your side of the field, you better get way out of the way. Those big 250 – 300 pound bodies come flying through the air to the sidelines. A lot of coaches wind up with broken legs. It wasn’t any problem for me – I was almost in the stands whenever they came that close!

But you do have to be prepared. If you are not paying attention, you can get caught in a dangerous place. The Bible talks a lot about being ready. One thing that often happens is that Satan catches us when we are least expecting. The Bible describes him as a roaring lion who is prowling around waiting to pounce on somebody. (I Peter 5:8)

3.) I was impressed that I did not hear a single word of profanity by any of the coaches or players on the sidelines. The other guys serving as honorary coaches said the same thing.

I have had an opportunity to speak at some national coaches’ conferences with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and to lead the worship service at the American College Football Coaches Association meeting where 7,000 of them gathered. Not all coaches practice zero tolerance with profanity, but it seems to be a growing trend. I would love to fan the flame of that trend.

4.) Coaches have a tremendous influence on young men and women. Some of the players on the field were guys that had been given a second chance by Coach Reggie Barlow and his staff. We all need to be in the business of giving second chances. I’m glad I’ve had second chances!

I am retiring with an undefeated record. My coaching philosophy is simple – score 1 more point than the opponent, unless its golf.

I have a greater appreciation for coaches. Pray for them. If an adult gets a foot in the door with today’s youth, it will probably have a cleat on it!

Hey Coach – I loved hearing that!

“Be sure your sins will find you out.”  I have heard that growing up.  It is true.  Richard Eggers discovered it recently.

Richard is 68-years-old and was fired by Wells Fargo bank in Des Moines, Iowa.  It was a result of a routine background check that found he had been arrested in 1963 for putting a fake dime into a laundromat washing machine.  Eggers said, “It was a stupid stunt, but I don’t think it warrants a termination almost a half a century later.”

I really agree with Richard, but the whole situation points to the fact that “your sins will find you out.”

Someone has said that many people spend the first six days of the week sowing wild oats – then go to church on Sunday and pray for a crop failure!  The problem with that practice is that consequences never have a crop failure!

Trying to cover up and avoid having your sins find you out recently caused a scandal in Moscow.  A photograph surfaced of a church leader wearing an enormously expensive watch, a Breguet timepiece worth at least $30,000.

The church leader was Patriarch Kirill I.  The church decided to work a little miracle to make the offending timepiece disappear.  Editors doctored a photograph of the leader on the church’s website.  It simply extended the black sleeve on his arm where there once appeared to be the expensive timepiece.

The church thought it had solved the problem, until it discovered that the Patriarch had his arm on a highly glossed table that revealed a reflection of the watch on his arm.  They had simply extended the black sleeve of his robe to cover where the watch once appeared.  They failed to erase the picture of the watch on the table!

Coincidently the Patriarch had addressed the watch issue three days before the photo doctoring scandal hit the blogosphere.  Kirill was doing an interview with a Kremlin-friendly television journalist, Vladimir Solovyov.  Kirill told him that he began researching as to whether or not he ever owned a Breguet.  He sorted through a lot of the gifts he had received over the years and discovered that he did indeed receive the Breguet.  (The Russian Orthodox Church gives more expensive gifts than Methodists.)  But Kirill insisted that he had never worn it and he contended that any photo of him wearing it had been altered with Photoshop.

Kirill was caught.  Your sins will find you out.  The psalmist David wrote, “God, You know every sin I’ve committed; my life is a wide-open book before You.” (Psalm 69:5 MSG)

Sins do carry consequences.  There is no avoiding that.  There is a good news.  We cannot eliminate the consequences, but we can receive forgiveness by confessing our sins.  The Bible says clearly that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from everything we’ve done wrong.  (I John 1:9 CEB)

Richard Eggers discovered that not even 50 years eliminated the consequences.  Patriarch Kirill wasn’t successful using Photocopying.  Neither time nor technology will eliminate consequences! 

Confession is the only constructive way to deal with consequences!

When you look for guidance be sure you get good instructions.

Sabine Moreau is 67-years-old. She was going on what she thought would be a short trip, so she followed her navigation system. It sent her on a 1,800-mile detour through six countries! Sabine only intended to drive 93 miles to Brussels, but ended up in Croatia. She said, “Suddenly I appeared in Zagreb and I realized I wasn’t in Belgium anymore.”

We rely a lot on Lowrance, TomTom, Garmin, Smart phones, and other GPS navigational devices. Most of the time they are correct, but they can be faulty. I read about one elderly man who was following his navigation system and drove off of a pier into the lake!

The Bible teaches us that God wants to guide us through life. In Psalm 23 David says that God is like a shepherd who wants to guide us to the green pastures, the still waters, and the paths of righteousness. (Psalm 23:1, 2)

We can trust God’s guidance. He never sends us on a wild goose chase. He never makes mistakes when He guides. What we need to do is follow.

There was small boy who had an unusual fear of the dark. Late one evening his father asked him to go out to the barn to get some tools. The boy broke down and confessed that he was afraid of the dark.

The father gave the boy a lantern and said, “How far can you see son?” The boy said, “Well I can see to the mulberry tree.” The father said, “Good. Then go to the mulberry tree.” When the boy reached the tree the father said, “How far can you see now?” The boy replied that he could see the currant bushes. The father said, “Go to the bushes.”

As the boy reached the bushes the father asked again, “How far can you see now?” This time the boy said he could see the hen house and then finally to the barn. The father told him to proceed and the boy went step by step and made it to the barn.

When God guides us he doesn’t always show us the destination. What He expects is for us to follow Him to the next point, then continue and trust Him. It is all about trust. He knows where we need to be and He knows how to guide us there. He does it step by step.

Sometimes I get impatient and want to see the full map. God is always reminding me that it is His responsibility to guide – it is my responsibility to follow.

Technology is good. I will continue to use my GPS device, but want to remember that sometimes it can be wrong. More importantly, I am going to ask for God’s navigation system. He has never been wrong in thousands of years. He has never carried a person to where they do not need to be. He has never made a mistake.

He guides! I follow!