When I went to Birmingham last week, Pop mentioned an excellent article he had read in USA Today.  I had time to read it for myself as he met with his doctors.  I present it to you here, simply, as an opinion.  I happen to agree wholeheartedly with what this writer  is saying.  I realize your opinion may be different and I have no intention of getting into a debate with anyone.  You have as much right to your opinion as I do to mine.  I am not intolerate of others beliefs and feelings, but marriage is marriage.  The definitions of such can not be changed just because a segment of the population thinks it should.  It may be a legal union of some sort…but it isn’t marrage. Perhaps a new word should be created for a new type of union. This article falls in line with my beliefs as a Christian, and I thought it worthwhile to share it with you.

REPRINTED FROM USA TODAY….THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2012 EDITION

YOU CAN’T REDEFINE MARRIAGE

by Brian Babione

The union between one man and one woman — marriage — is timeless, universal and special. It is the only relationship absolutely essential to the future of humanity. False characterizations of marriage as something else confuses the discussion about it.

As diverse cultures have long understood — before cultural elites intentionally began their attempt to change the conversation — marriage is the fundamental building block for all of human civilization, not merely an arrangement between any two or more people who say they love each other. Marriage between a man and a woman naturally builds family — mom, dad and children — and gives hope that the next generations will carry on into the future.

Men and women bring distinct, irreplaceable gifts to family life, and the lifelong, faithful union of a man and a woman benefits society, especially children, in ways that no other relationship can

Marriage is, therefore, society’s time-tested way to bless as many children as possible with both a mom and a dad. Why? Because moms and dads are both necessary. Neither is replaceable by a generic adult. Many men make good dads, but no man can ever be a mom. Many women make good moms, but no woman can ever be a dad.

We as a society should not be comfortable with fostering circumstances where children are intentionally deprived of either a mother or a father. This is not a matter of whom to include in marriage; it is a matter of what marriage actually is. Redefining marriage is nothing short of creating a square circle.

Understanding this, some suggest that we create “civil unions” instead. But people who advocate for that do so with the mistaken belief that everyone will be satisfied with this apparent compromise. In practice, neither side is happy.

In every U.S. jurisdiction where civil unions have been enacted, those who advocated for them subsequently rejected them as inadequate and demanded that marriage be redefined. Opposing same-sex “marriage” while supporting civil unions is akin to the Trojans dragging a wooden horse into the middle of Troy.

Both the direct and indirect attacks on marriage should be recognized for what they are so that society can continue to protect marriage and thereby protect children.

Byron Babione is senior counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund

Last Sunday,  5/6/13, was a special Sunday at our church.  It is the Sunday that Senior Adults are celebrated at Southside.  There were special speakers and singers…all of the senior variety.  And then there was a presentation of the Senior Adult of the Year.  And, guess who it was for this year?  It was Pop!

Joy and I learned of this honor a month or so ago and had made plans for the day.  Both of her girls and their families were there.  Ian drove in from Birmingham, Adam and Suzanne came, and Alex made a heroic effort and was able to go, as well.  Pop came into church and was surprised to see all of Joy’s family.  While Lori and Ben attend Southside, Tara, Will and Little John Thomas attend church in their little town of Abbeville.  He did not seem to think it odd at all that they were all there.  Then, he walked over to where we sit.  There sat Ian, And Alex.  He was very surprised to see them both.  And, while he was standing there…here comes Adam and Suzanne!  Still, he thought it just happenstance.  We sent him back to sit with the ‘girls’….that way he would be closer to where the presentation would take place.

The service started. And soon came time for the presentation.  Following is what our Director to Sr. Adults and close family friend, Rhonda Grandstaff read………

In May of each year, we recognize and celebrate Senior Adults in our church. We make an attempt to show them just how much they are loved and appreciated.  We do this by recognizing them in the Sunday morning service and providing a luncheon for them on their special day – Sr. Adult Day.

Also, each year the members of the Sr. Adult Committee nominate a Sr. Adult to be the recipient of Southside’s Sr. Adult of the year. This is done by secret ballot.

The recipient of the award this year joined Southside in 1963  and has been a faithful member for a total of 49 years.  He has held many positions in our dear church – some of which include:  adult counselor to Southside’s Youth Council, deacon, member of the budget committee, committee on committees,  insurance and safety committee, church training director,  missions committee, nominating committee, brotherhood director, trustee for the church,  and department director.  As a department director, he continues to be an advocate for the Senior Adults by encouraging them to avail themselves of all the opportunities that Southside offers.  He also takes great pride in being a friend to the young people of our church.

 He is a strong supporter for missions.  This has been evident in his giving and serving.  He has been on 8 trips to over 31 countries and has demonstrated a genuine love for the Southern Baptist missionaries and their work (by building churches, doing home repairs, funding radio stations, and befriending missionary kids in many ways.)

 He has always been a strong and faithful family man.  He was married to the love of his life for 58 years.  His wife was extremely involved in missions for much of their married life – leading the Southside ladies in annual mission trips. He has 2 daughters who are active members of Southside Baptist Church.  God has blessed him with 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

It was a unanamous decision by the Sr. Adult Council to recommend Mr. Clyde Townsend as Southside’s Sr. Adult of the Year.

Join me in expressing our appreciation for his hard work and dedication to our church but more importantly to our Lord.

We all know that Mrs. Ella would have been so proud of this deserving honor bestowed on him.

And about halfway through, he realized they were talking about him.  So surprised, he said he didn’t realize there had been a standing ovation until looking at the pictures and talking to us.  He walked up and received his plaque from our Pastor, Brother Stacy, and a beautiful rose for his lapel.  The children of the church had made him a snuggly blanket to keep in his reading chair.   But, he still didn’t put it together why all his grandchildren were there.  The church provided a wonderful luncheon for all the Seniors in the church, and they had a head table set up for our family…15 places with high chairs on either end!  And that’s when he said…”That’s why you all came today!”  We had a delicious lunch, and enjoyed visiting with each other as well as with many of our friends.  So many people came over and said such nice things to Pop.   He is so dear to us, but he is special to others as well.

Southside has had its share of hard times through the years…I think most churches go through some of this.  Pop has seen things firsthand since he joined Southside in 1963.  We have dealt with situations that required finesse, we have had to perform unpleasant tasks, we have  had to take away, and build back up.  We have had years full of blessings and years when the going was more difficult.  We have grown and failed to grow.  We have been been stolen from in more ways than one.  But, this great church has stood.  It has taken its blows and it has become stronger from its wounds.  It has produced preachers, teachers, ministers of music and education, and missionaries…and business men and women and mothers and fathers and on and on and on.   It has produced strong men and women from its boys and girls.  They have gone and continue to go out into various communities all over our country and others.

Southside is strong and has been strong, and will continue to be strong because of the great men and women who have stood firm through good times and bad. This is the legacy those of my generation have been given.  This is the legacy we stand on as we strive to follow in the paths that the seniors  still among us, as well as those who have gone to Glory, have left to us.   This is the the legacy we will, in turn, leave to our children.

I write all these deep thoughts to say to all those seniors in our church, “Thank you for showing us the way to build a church…not just telling us.  Thank you for showing us how to live when we had differences and disagreements with one another…not just telling us.  Thank you for showing us how to revere and appreciate our church…not just telling us.  Thank you for being examples that we are blessed to follow.  Thank you for showing a Christ-like attitude and loving forgiveness to those who seemed intent on harming the spirit of our fellowship.

So, though my Pop was the recipitent this year of this honor…and I am so proud of him…I wish to honor all the seniors of our great church.

It was a good day.  Pop is still talking about his honor!  He’s so happy!  To the Sr. Adult Committee we say ‘Thank-you, from our hearts.”

And, I add..”Thank you to all the seniors for your stedfastness, wisdom and guidance.”

“The glory of young men is their strength, gray hair the splendor of the old.”     Proverbs 20:29

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor;  It is attained by a righteous life.”    Proverbs 16:31

“…the older women should then teach the younger…”     Titus 2:4

“To the older men; be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers-not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.”  1 Peter 5:1-4

I tried to teach my children all the ‘life lessons’ I thought they would ever need.  And, then some.  Of course, some things have to be learned first hand and no amount of teaching will be enough.  Sometimes those can be the hardest kind of lesson.

Yesterday, Adam, went out to clean up his yards.  He has been so busy lately with school and other work that the yards have been neglected.  ( This isn’t just a busy body Mother talking here.  I’m just trying to set this story up for you.  However, his Dad had mentioned it to him a time or two)  Since Adam is on a few weeks break, he tackled the yards yesterday.  One area had gotten particularly out of control.  Adam, dressed in thick sox, heavy work boots and long jeans tackled the foliage.  At some point in his ‘war on weeds’ he got a ‘mosquito bite’ on his leg.  At the time he didn’t stop to think how difficult it would have been for a mosquito to get up his pants leg…but said he did think, “That must have been a whopper of a mosquito!”  Later, when undressing, he noticed it was red and really itching.  It bothered him through the night…itching and swelling and throbbing.  Looking at his leg this morning…he noticed two marks,,,right in the middle…two marks that looked amazingly like puncture wounds …the kind snakes make!

He went to his doctor.  The doctor sent him to Prime Care.  Prime Care sent him to the ER.  They said that it was indeed a snake bite, and did bloodwork to determine the type of snake. But all they know for sure is that it was an adult snake and it was poisonous, most likely a rattler or a copperhead.  Fortunately, it wasn’t a mocassin, whose bite is the most venomous.  The venom of these three snakes is a hemo-toxin.  That means it causes all the blood vessels that come in contact with the venom to rupture.  So, by observation they could tell that this snake did not inject a tremendous amount of venom.  Also, the venom contains an enzyme which causes the muscles to cramp.  The doctor told him that the snake did not see him as prey, but rather it was just defending it’s territory.  Otherwise there would have been a greater amount of venom involved.

They started him on anti-venom and antibiotic, and sent him home to watch.  Are these folks in the ER crazy or what!!!  He should have had his leg put in traction and been attended by round the clock doctors and nurses until all signs of injury were past!!!!!  Well, OK, maybe I’m over reacting just a tad, but this is my boy we’re talking about here!

And so, another adventure in the lives of the Owens’ family!  This was our first snake bite and hopefully the last.  Adam and his Dad and his Father in law are going to put out some sulphur to keep snakes away.  I don’t know about all that…but they sure can’t let that sweet baby Levi out in the yard with out an armed bodyguard!  This grandmother says so!

Oh, isn’t God good?  He goes before his children and takes care of our needs, and we may never know it.  There ‘so happened’ to be a doctor on duty in the ER who is a snakebite and venom expert.  This ‘so happened’ to be a ‘laid back’ sorta snake whose motto was….“No Trespassing”  instead of “Kill All Intruders!”.  And, this ‘so happened’ to occur just when Adam has a break from school and has time to recuperate.

Oh, and that lesson I was talking about learning the hard way…….”always keep your yard cut and groomed…you never know who’s looking for a home!”  I think he’s got it now!

“The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life.”     Psalm 127:7 NEV

When last we talked (Friday evening), I was on my way to begin setting up for a very special wedding that was to take place on Saturday afternoon.

As it turned out…there was an early change of plans.  We were not able to do any decorating on Friday evening…it all had to be done on Saturday morning…wedding, reception inside, reception outside…before pictures which were slated to start at noon.  I arrived at the venue before 7:00 am Saturday.  There was no one else there.  Oh what a beautiful, quiet and peaceful few moments I had to take in the beauty of the grounds here at M’s Vineyard.  I’m sure in this great and wonderful world there are thousands of gardens grander than this…but in our little town, this is grand.  It makes me wonder how our Lord decides where to take a morning stroll with such beauty to choose from…for I’m sure He was walking with me Saturday morning.  What an unexpected blessing to have a few private moments to praise Him for His goodness.  Following are some of those early morning pics…

Don’t you agree?  It is just so lovely!  And, the jasmine and the honeysuckle and the roses were in full bloom and smelling divine!

Here was my other view when I arrived…

…much to be done!  (Notice the vineyards in the background?)

We bagan by moving all of our ‘stuff’ to the tent from our cars and from the house and from around the grounds.  We had one of the groomsmen who kindly came to help us.  Tina and I have all this stuff at our houses…stuffed into garages and storerooms and used in our decor from time to time.  To do this type of decorating you really need to be a collector.  You could never find all these things at one time…they are just not available.  It has taken years of collecting to gather most of these.  And, we have lots more we didn’t bring.

So we got everything unloaded and spread out and then went back in to get the tablecloths.  Coming back across the lawn, we heard something we had not heard previously…sort of a whirring.  And, then, all of a sudden, the SPRINKLER SYSTEM CAME ON IN FULL FORCE!!!  And, guess where 2 of the sprinkler heads were?  UNDER THE TENT!!  Yes, 2…right in the middle of our tent…wetting supplies, tables, EVERYTHING!      Quick thinking Tina threw 2 of the large tree sections on top of the heads, forcing them into the ground.  This kept the water off the tables…but it caused 2 large puddles on the ground instead!  It took about 20 minutes for us to get the water turned off.  This gave the puddles plenty of time to turn into lakes.  Which is also why my shoes are sitting out in the sun!

Barefooted, I continued to work…I would do what I could on one table and Tina would follow behind me retouching and putting all the extras into place…she is such a wonderful detail person.  It is a delight to work with someone who can catch the same vision you have for a project.  It takes so much of the stress out of a job…unless the BLASTED SPRINKLER SYSTEM COMES ON AND MESSES UP EVERYTHING!!!!.  Hey, we are nothing if not flexible!

(Those empty Mason jars would hold the floating candles that are sitting on the tables)

Working as quickly as we could, we managed to finish under the tent by 11:00.  We went inside and decorated the food table, the 3 drink tables, the gift table, the groom’s table and the mantle.  Whew!  Here are a few of those pics…

Finally, we finished…But, there was still much to do.  The pew (row) markers had to be placed.  Adam needed help with the pics until Suzanne could get Levi situated and get there,  and 101 things that popped up at the last minute.  The bride and groom arrived…an hour later than their scheduled time,  but what bride is ever on time?  Pics inside of her and her mother dressing.  Then out they come.  And, they looked so sweet and beautiful and handsome…and so in love.  They braved the elements…baking sun, no breeze, and a horde of gnats like unto biblical proportions!  And, I’m not exaggerating!

Note the cute cowboy boots!

Danielle and sweet Lucy Jane!  Lucy Jane (Addison) is the daughter of Danielle’s brother, Justin.

Cowboy boots for the bridesmaids, too!

The men in the wedding party…

And, finally, all is ready…Let’s have a weddiing!  Is this sweet Lucy Jane not the cutest thing you have ever seen?  She followed all instructions and did a wonderful job.

Danielle and her Father…

And, it’s over!  Now, let’s party!

Danielle and her stepfather, Patty’s husband, Mike.

My Pop and Danielle have had a long relationship.  She calls to check on him several times a week and they even go out to dinner occasionally.  She honored him so kindly by including him as an honorary grandfather in the ceremony.

What an honor for me to be asked to coordinate and plan this sweet day.  I loved every minute of it.  Well, except the gnats…and the SPRINKLERS!  Otherwise, it was a beautiful day with so many friends that I love.  It was a new beginning for Danielle and Zach.  And, it was a bigger celebration of the goodness of our Heavenly Father who binds us together in Christian love, and causes our hearts to turn to one another in marital love.  For through it all…’we love others because He first loved us!’

Patty is such a dear friend to me.  I loved being a part of this special day in her daughter’s life.  Thanks, Patty for including me!

Beautiful Danielle!  She was such a lovely bride!  And, she is now enjoying a cruise in the Caribbean with her new husband.  Blessing to them both!

These are pictures that I made and some that Patty made.  So, they are not professional, by any means!  I’ll share some of Adam’s when he gets them together and ready to show!