First Baptist Blog

In early spring of 2020, Covid spread across the world scene, changing everything familiar.

You have probably heard the saying, “The only thing better than having a house at the beach is having friends with a house at the beach.”

ENan and I spent the weekend celebrating a friend’s 70th birthday.  Our friend is active and healthy and doesn’t look at all like 70 year-olds looked when I was a kid.

Often, when ENan and I are traveling from Wallace to Topsail Beach for dancing, beach walking or surf fishing, we take the “road less traveled.” 

There have been a couple of high-profile prison breaks in the US recently.  In one instance, ten inmates escaped from a jail in New Orleans, using electric hair-trimmers to cut through a wall.

This past Sunday our church sponsored a line-dancing class.  I know it may seem unusual for a Baptist church to encourage dancing.

As much as I love progress and change, I am still old-school about some things.  For example, I still pay most of my bills by writing checks from a checkbook and putting them in the mailbox.

A couple of weeks ago, our church held a “beach baptism” at Wrightsville Beach.  Because we are a Baptist church, we practice baptism by immersion.

We have a pretty large yard at our house in beautiful Wallace, NC.  There are dozens of trees and bushes and several “natural areas” where we gave up on trying to grow grass. 

This past Sunday our church kept an Easter tradition of many years by celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus with a sunrise service at Airlie Gardens. 

I have officiated two funerals in the last ten days.  In both cases, the deceased were older people who had lived long and wonderful lives.

This past weekend, ENan and I were in Lake Lure for a family wedding.  Our niece was getting married in this beautiful mountain location and we were invited. 

Last week ENan and I went on a late afternoon walk in our neighborhood.  We walk nearly every day, talking about family, friends, current ev

This past Sunday our pastor was preaching on the parables of lost things.  In one story Jesus told of a shepherd who left 99 sheep to go...

Part of the prayer Jesus taught his disciples says, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”  (Matthew 5:13) 

Last week our granddaughter’s school had an Arts Celebration. 

Our church has a mid-week worship service we call Tuesday Noon Church.

This past weekend Wilmington sponsored a marathon and a half-marathon race.  ENan and I wanted to participate, so we got up early...

Last weekend the Spring Home Show was going on at the Wilmington Convention Center.

ENan and I were traveling to meet some friends for lunch when we spotted a church sign reading, “We love others best when we love God most."