“Wander”-Ment!

Some days are like this: when I awake, I wonder what I will do today so I wonder a bit. Then, a couple hours later, I remember what I told someone I would do today and re-decide whether I will or not. Does that sound like an old mind to you? Or is it just the obstinance of knowing I don’t have to! These days I don’t have very many “have to”s. Many days I have things I really want to do, yet will allow almost any interference. Then there are  “must do”s and I readily attack them and get them finished. But, those days are further and further apart, it seems….time flies when you’re having fun!

Today is a “get-ready-and-go” day; it is the start of the Grace bible Church, Chattanooga annual bible conference. We love going there. Not only do we hear good preachers and bible teachers (10 total) between Friday evening and Sunday noon, but we’ll see friends from 6 to 9 states, some of which we’ve known for 40+ years, some from earlier this year, and the rest from in-between years—but ALL very precious to us. Getting ready and going today will be eagerly anticipated!

Last weekend we went to Indiana (with our son, Steve) to attend the Lockhart Family Reunion. We all 3 really enjoyed our time with the family who showed up for it. Not nearly enough came—you who read this knowing you were not there—yes, this is meant to shame you! I know, some always have valid excuses, but it is nice to drive 435 miles and see as many of you as possible. Hopefully, next year will be better attended. I’ll start now by personal invitation, plan a Saturday in September, 2026 to be at the Elvin & Lenora Lockhart annual family re-union!. Date to be set soon. (If you are not a family member, but you’ve known us for many years, you come, we would love to see you!)

Back to a slightly more current event and a little closer to home: Still looking for a location to hold a Sunday bible class in the vicinity of Gadsden, AL.  I need a location at as low a cost as possible, a location which would be a room large enough to hold up to about 25-30 chairs and a front area to stand and have a tripod, white board and lectern on which to lay my bible. It needs to be public, or visible to the public for ease of finding it, and with some parking areas not far away.  So, if ideas and thoughts lean your way, first pray for us, then tell me your suggestions and I’ll check them out.

This is a revival of the class held for many years in Alexandria, AL, having had its origin in Anniston, AL, in January, 1974, in the home of John and Martha Sue Sanford, taught by Bro. E.C. Moore, who was a teacher to many of us. That first class was moved to Birmingham after about a year, but left a residue of people still wanting a Bible class. A group of faithful men taught for varying amounts of years, with me being the last one when we lost our location several months back in Alexandria. 

It has taken us a while to decide to do this, but perhaps the Lord will guide us to the right spot in either Gadsden, Rainbow City, Southside, Attalla, or Glencoe; or even Hokes Bluff or Jacksonville — one of those 7 cities must have a place which fits our needs, we pray.

Concerning a Bible class, we believe the following must set the perimeters for conducting a worthwhile class: 

Declare to all the King James bible is the word of God for today in English; 

Teach the word on the basis of believing what the bible says, not what men say about it; 

The process taught by Paul the Apostle which is to practice “rightly dividing the word of truth”;

Having an open floor for questions which can and will have bible answers, not arguable.

We don’t have any trouble doing the above in Bible classes—been doing this now for about 48 years and that is what works. Every time. We love discussions and questions, but we cannot remove the final authority—the word of God. It will always be in place. Come on and join us. [NOTE:: we have nothing for you to “join” except to join in fellowship with like believers.]

The format is this: first comes the gospel of our salvation; “…how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures and was buried, and was raised again the third day, according to the scriptures.”-1 for.15:3,4.

Then comes the defining of the church, which is called the Body of Christ, found in the 13 epistles of Paul who is called the Apostle of & to the Gentiles a total of 18 times.

We hold these truths of the Scriptures to be tantamount to the rest of Scripture, but being specifically to the Body of Christ church.2 Tim.3:16.

Now, come on and join us for bible study. Just look at what “wander”-ment I stumbled upon to write about today.

thanks for reading, the Elder