Last Post (I lied!)

2/24/19 I stated that I had made my last post related to our trip.  I realized today that it was not quite wrapped up.  While we were at the World of Concrete in Las Vegas a month ago, our Mar-Mac crew was having our somewhat traditional wrap-up dinner at Benihana at the WestGate (formerly Elvis’ Las Vegas Hilton).  DL Russell happened to fill out our table.  We first realized we were all from South Carolina.  He and I then realized we both lived in Beaufort.  It turns out DL is a SLED agent and minister at New Life Deliverance Temple on St. Helena Island.  He invited us to attend their services.  Mary Jane and I decided to do so before we jumped back in at our own church.  To say it was a worshipful experience would be an understatement.  We spent the first part of the service praising God.  We then spent time celebrating and training the young people in the church.  We then heard a message about being thankful, understanding our legacy, taking responsibility for our actions, and loving each other.  Like I reported about the United Methodist Church we visited in Willis, Texas, the experience gave me hope for the future.  I have concluded that to be viable, a church should be (1) praising God, (2) teaching their children, (3) reaching out to their communities, (4) exhorting their members to take responsibility for themselves and their communities, and (5) loving each other.   There is no question in my mind that if there is a positive change of direction in our country, it will come from the church.  It will not come from government or the schools.  It is possible business may contribute positively, but there is no question in my mind it will be driven by God’s church.