Getting away with my neighbors’ help

By DR. KNOX HERNDON
Pastor

It is good from time to time to plan to just get away from the routines of life and regroup. We have the account in God’s Word where Jesus got away from the pressing crowds and got onto a boat and went off to be alone.

Each week my wife and I get away and just sit and watch a movie. It is usually at the $1 theater and the $7 popcorn, but it is “getting away” of sorts.

Each year my son, Robbie, and I try and take a father-son trip somewhere. This year I asked Robbie where he would like to go and he looked at me and said, “Italy!” And, me being the adventurous type, I thought for a moment and said, “Sounds like a plan.” I then regrouped and started planning the trip. Naturally, we will have to travel by buddy passes and the generosity of our neighbors like Keli French and Tony McWaters. After securing two of those, I started gathering information. (P.S. If you have any spare buddy passes, I could sure use them.)

Each week I attend our South Metro pastors’ breakfast and have a good friend who I love dearly by the name of Pastor Jim Willis. Jim started North Fayette Baptist Church on the Kenwood Road and had visited me many years ago when we lived there in his neighborhood. Jim Willis had just been to Italy not long ago and still had copious notes with books and pictures on Italy.

To further show how the Hand of God puts things together, Jim went to the bookstore in Fayetteville and reserved the latest edition tour book for us. I say “us” because another dear friend, Hugh Kirby from New Hope Baptist Church, also attends our breakfast. Hugh, it just so happens, is also getting away and going to Italy with is wife later on this month. Again, the Hand of God works, and now three of us are all sharing our travel information at the breakfast table. Pastor Jim Willis has such a loving pastor’s heart that when he went to the bookstore, he reserved both Hugh Kirby and me copies of the travel books. Isn’t God good?

I had done a lot of flying, having been with the military for many years, and we traveled like gypsies most of my childhood because Dad was also in the service. I have noticed something about getting away that is very interesting. No matter what situation you are currently in and no matter how dark the skies are, they are certainly different at 30,000 feet. I say this because during the darkest days at those altitudes and higher, the sun is always brilliantly shining. You can be flying through the darkest storm with rain and fog, sleet, hail and even snow, and then climb higher and higher. It is as if God had turned on a switch. His beauty just blows you away with total sunshine and radiance. The contrast is breath taking. Thank you, God!

Message here? Look up to your creator; He has great plans for you above 30,000 feet.

Thank you Jim Willis for your Christian spirit. Hugh Kirby, thank you for your friendship and all your outstanding ministry for the wonderful people at New Hope. Arrivederchi! Ciao! (At least I know two words.)

(Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor of His House Community Church (SBC.) Rev. Greg Mausz is Sr. Assoc. Dr. Lydia Herndon is the Sunday School superintendent, Bible study coordinator and teacher. The church is on Ga. Highway 85 South near Senoia, a mile south of Ga. Highway 16, on the right just past the fire station. Visitors welcome. Church office and prayer line 770-719-2365. E-mail address is KHERN23654@aol.com.)