Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; for we walk by faith, not by sight; we are confident and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:6-8
Is there fried chicken in heaven? By now our good friend, volunteer, and board member, Denny Cook would know. We lost Denny earlier last month. Actually we didn’t lose him since we all know exactly where he is. He’s just not here with us. Denny is most certainly in heaven with his beloved wife, Vickie. And I’ve no doubt that they have joined their musical talents with all those who’ve gone before in praise and worship of our Lord in a way we can’t begin to imagine.
And if in fact chicken is being served there, fried or otherwise, I am positive Denny has refused to touch it. A short stint working in a chicken processing plant turned Denny against chicken. Denny hated chicken, fried, baked, roasted, chicken fingers, chicken nuggets, it didn’t matter, Denny wanted no part of it.
I can just picture the scene:
Heavenly Host, “Denny, would you like some chicken dipped in grace sauce?”
Denny: “No, thank you.”
“How about some baked chicken and Kingdom dressing?”
“No, I’ll pass. Any steaks?”
“Well, how about some grilled chicken on a Salvation salad?”
“No. Any hamburgers?”
“Come on Denny, how about some Cruci-fried chicken and some hallelujah biscuits?”
“No. Really, no chicken. Any beef or pork corn dogs?”
“You can have whatever you’d like, but who doesn’t like chicken?”
“Me. Got any pork chops?”
We first met Denny and Vickie at church. Kendra and Vickie hit it off right away. Denny took his time. He liked to play the role of a dumb hick, which he was not. Before Denny gave his heart to Christ he made his living playing Honky-Tonks. He wasn’t some wanna-be, he actually supported his family, his first wife and daughter, using his musical talents. That world gave him unique insights. A rough divorce caused Denny to look deep into himself and the Lord. Perhaps it was this common experience that drew Denny and I so close. Eventually Denny put his gift of music to work for the Lord in various ways; among them as part of the Catlett Community Church Praise Team and the leader of a gospel trio consisting of Vickie, Kendra, and himself.
Marrying Vickie set Denny on a spiritual path of growth I don’t think he could have ever dreamed of. The two were in love with one another and the Lord. Both had servant’s hearts so it was a natural fit when they began volunteering at the Care Mission sometime late 2006. They both joined our Board of Directors in 2008. Vickie served as Kendra’s confidant and board secretary until her passing in February 2013. Denny was equally important to me while serving as our truck driver and over-all go to guy until his health began to fail in mid/late 2017.
But, to me the most impressive thing about Denny was how he reacted when life threw him a curveball. Ya see when Denny married Vickie they planned to grow old together. With only Vickie’s youngest son still at home it seemed only a matter of a few years until they could have the good life of going and coming as they pleased. Kids all grown, financially comfortable, just enjoy life. Enjoy one another.
However, not long after they married, Vickie had to take guardianship of her granddaughter. Denny didn’t blink. He could have bailed, after all this wasn’t what he’d signed up for. But, he didn’t. Instead he became the male role model that was needed in that young child’s life.
Then Denny’s world was really turned upside down. Vickie passed away leaving her granddaughter with Denny. Again he could have walked away. He could have given her to the state. But, he didn’t. Instead he adopted her, making her legally his own. In a time where so many men in our society refuse to man up for their own children, let alone a child that was not his blood relation, Denny stepped up and did the right thing. His love for the Lord could in no way be better displayed than through this expression of love. After all aren’t we told that others will know we are the Lord’s by the way we love one another?
After Vickie’s passing Denny leaned heavily on his daughter, Abby, her husband, and their daughters, Denny’s granddaughters who were a great source of joy for him. With Denny’s passing Abby has accepted the responsibility of raising Vickie and Denny’s granddaughter, who is now 14. Please keep them all in your prayers. The road will not be easy.
Denny’s family has a Memorial Service planned for Sunday, July 1, 2018, 4:00 PM, at Catlett Community Church, located at 122 Round Pond Road, Lafayette, Georgia. All who knew and loved Denny are invited.
As we’ve often pointed out our busiest time of year is while school is closed for summer break. That has proven to be true this summer as well. Parents and grandparents turn to us for help in feeding their kids while they’re home from school. Even though there are summer lunch and/or breakfast programs available those programs can’t begin to meet the need. So the demand for food assistance from our food pantry increases. Unfortunately our monetary and voluntary support decreases during this same period. Family vacations, the added expense of kids being at home, or parents having to work shorter hours to care for their kids often means that those who’d normally give of their time or finances simply cannot. This time of year then is a great time to sow into the Care Mission.
Please pray about giving as God leads.
In April we did complete the Chronological Old Testament Bible Study we began in March 2016. We had many who attended on and off during those two years, but we’d like to salute those who were consistent in their studies. Thomas and Melissa Milligan, and Denny Cook completed the majority of the lessons. Winona DeYoung and Kendra completed the course in its entirety. It was my honor and joy to teach this study, I gained more than anyone. We will take a summer break then begin a Chronological New Testament Bible Study on Monday, September 10th, 6:00 PM at the Care Mission.
All are welcomed.
We will celebrate the Care Mission’s 13th Anniversary with our Annual Day of Praise on Saturday, July 21st! Please join us 11:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Care Mission for food and fellowship. The Spears Five will lead us in Praise and Worship as we thank God for all He has done and all He is doing through the Care Mission.
We are so thankful to the Fort Oglethorpe, Mission Ridge, and Lafayette Food City customers who donated $13,811.00 to the Care Mission Food Pantry during the 2017 Thanksgiving/Christmas season. And we are equally grateful to the Food City managers and staff of these stores for choosing to collect these donations on our behalf. These funds were given to us in the form of Food City Gift Cards. We have used these cards to purchase items we cannot readily obtain from the Chattanooga or Atlanta food banks. Such items as deodorant, shampoo, soap, tooth paste, tooth brushes, and the like. Also to purchase foods to fill in between our regular food bank orders.
We always need Bibles. We used some of the Food City Gift Cards to buy $500.00 worth of Bibles to give away. Those lasted less than two months. We take for granted that here in America, especially in the South, anyone who wants a Bible has one. Every day we see that’s just not the case. Often we have clients more excited to receive a Bible than the food. Would you prayerfully consider collecting and donating to us good, gently used Bibles? Or new Bibles? Or collecting funds so we can purchase Bibles?
Please pray about this unmet need.
The USPS located in Lafayette collected and donated to our food pantry 4,650 lbs. of food from folks living in the 30728 zip code during the 2018 Stamp-Out Hunger Food Drive. Praise God for this blessing. We greatly appreciate all who donated as well as the mail carriers and staff for their efforts.
Would it surprise you to know this food only lasted three days?
We welcome to our Board of Directors Whitney Maldonado. Our 2018 Board of Directors include Chairman and CEO Kendra Phillips, Treasurer and CFO Deon Phillips, Secretary Theresa Dorsey, Founding Member Ken Hooper, Pastor Chris Spears, Thomas Milligan, and our newest addition Whitney Maldonado. Whitney (41) and her husband Jose are originally from Ohio and have one child, Lily (9). They currently live in Ringgold. Whitney works at Northern Georgia Logistics, Rock Springs and Lafayette, and became involved with the Care Mission in 2014 when she and the NGL Team donated storage space to the Care Mission. She began volunteering in our food pantry and a friendship grew between her, Kendra and Deon. Whitney also volunteers at the Ringgold campus of her church, RockBridge Community Church, working in the RB Kids ministry.
Please be in prayer for our Board Members, our volunteer servants, those who support the Care Mission in any way, and for those we serve. Pray that God will use the Care Mission to win souls for Christ. Pray for monetary and physical support. Pray for protection and wisdom.
Food for Thought
Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God
1 Corinthians 10:31
This past March Kendra and I celebrated our 32nd Wedding Anniversary and June 25th will mark our 13th year serving God through the work of the Care Mission. If you added together all the mission work and ministry we’ve done together, that would be approx. 25 years.
How quickly time goes by.
We’ve always felt the eyes of those who judge our every move as we’ve strived to serve the Lord. But, when we quit our secular jobs to work in ministry full time by leading the Care Mission, it seemed the spot light got even hotter. Any mistake or perceived mistake was quickly pointed out to us. Even worse we could be our harshest critics. We still can be overly critical of ourselves, but we’ve learned that we actually serve only an audience of One. If we win the praises of many and bring glory to ourselves, what have we accomplished? Nothing.
It is that Heavenly Audience of One that matters. To God be the glory. Amen.
Thanks and Be Blessed.
Deon and Kendra Phillips