Greetings, friends. I have just returned from nearly a week in very rural southern Kentucky (Christian county), visiting family and doing ministry and mission-related activities. It was a good time, and I wanted to share a few highlights:

1. I preached at one of the “gazillion” Baptist churches that seem to be on nearly every corner. I don’t think the congregation was used to either expository preaching or sermons that go for 45 minutes, but they were tracking closely with me the whole time, and at the conclusion, I was warmly appreciated by many in the congregation.

   

2. Things went well enough on Sunday that I was invited to lead the only small group Bible study the church offers, which happened the following day, Monday night. Again, I was warmly received as we worked through the first four verses of Ephesians 1 and I offered them a pattern they can follow in upcoming weeks of “careful Bible study.” After the Bible study ended, all the members promptly went onto Amazon and ordered our “Pathways Bible Study Method” booklet that goes through 1 Thessalonians and teaches the Pathways steps of careful Bible study.

   

3. Since my father passed away about 2.5 years ago, my mom has moved into a vacant house on my sister’s property where she and her husband have 100 acres with cows and other animals. It is a great situation, and I’m thankful my sister Lisa is up for caring for my mom. They have a wonderful relationship, and Mom seems very happy, which brings me much peace. We had many great, Christ-centered conversations and prayer times while I was there, and since I don’t get out there very often, I was thankful for the sweet fellowship we enjoyed that will carry us for another few years.
   
   At the dinner table with my mom, sister, her husband, and son
4. Southern hospitality was in full force the entire time. My sister worked hard to make fabulous dinners and desserts. When I went running, anyone I passed would wave a greeting, and others I met at church, Bible study, or other places went out of their way to make me feel welcome. In this farming community, tractors and farming equipment are frequently seen driving down the road, Amish homesteads riddle the landscape, deer are preparing for the beginning of another hunting season, and I was reminded that while cultures all around the world (including rural Kentucky) can have many differences, people share the most important things in common: all are created in God’s image with a need to be in relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.