These are busy times, but they are exceptionally blessed! We have had special guests come by and minister. We have things coming up in the near future. Our kids have experienced great opportunities. Allow me to tell you about them.

Former Superintendent and close friend, the Reverend Joe Granberry, brought his wife and two of his grandchildren to watch the fireworks this year. I thought the fireworks were better than ever and those I have spoken with agree – Good Work Committee! On July 7, Rev. Granberry preached in the morning service and talked about the tornado that took out his hay barn and almost snuffed out his life. It was very interesting and inspiring when we realize that the devil cannot take out a child of God’s who is doing His Divine will! We will look forward to the Granberry’s soon return.

Sunday evening of July 7, W.K. and Barbara’s son, Jason Delgado, ministered at the Chapel. The Reverend Delgado is pastoring in Mississippi and had come to Port O’Connor for a family reunion. His message and style of preaching was truly a blessing to all.

On Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., Rev. Joane is presenting a series concerning find and operating in our individual gifts. These sessions truly have made us stop and think about God’s gifts to us personally and how we should be using them in His Church. These messages will be continuing for the next several weeks and everyone is invited to come and learn what God has blessed you with.

On July 12, we had 16 kids and four workers head to Kerrville for Kid’s Camp. It was a very special time of refreshing for the kids and the parents also enjoyed a few days of serenity! They will be presenting their report to the congregation at 6:00 p.m. this Sunday, July 21. You will want to hear what the Lord has done in our kid’s lives.

We honored the memory of Captain Ed (Altman) on Sunday evening, July 14. The memorial service was attended by local friends and members of his family from California. Several spoke of special times with this truly remarkable man. Captain Ed will be missed by this community and especially by the Chapel.

Poco Bueno is another exciting time for us here at the Chapel. We are often asked why we clean the fish for this tournament. It is simply because we are able to give the fish away and feed people who would otherwise go hungry. This year we partnered with Pastor Don Nordin and Christian Temple, who have a large feeding program on Houston’s Southeast side. Ministering for Christian Temple is the Reverend Leo Martinez, who will not only spotlight their mission, but also preach the Word in our July 21 morning service. We will say more about our great workers in the next issue of Dolphin Talk.

We will be helping Mr. Randy Bright with the Houston Big Game Tournament beginning on July 25. We feel a special bond with Mr. Bright as we bought our present location from his dad Joe several years ago. We are honored to assist with these tournaments that help us provide food for needy folks.

On Friday, July 26, we are hosting a special activity for Ladies and Girls at the Front Beach. Under the direction of Reverend Susan Roberts, we are expecting about 100 ladies and teen girls for a time of fun, food, and ministry. All area ladies and girls are invited to gather with us at King Fisher Beach at 5:00 p.m. for this special event.

On Sunday, July 28, in the morning service, we will be hosting a special time with the Reverend Roger Bailey. Reverend Bailey is the Men’s Director for the South Texas District and will be talking about an upcoming Mens Retreat. Every man is invited to this special time of inspiration and information.

The next Sea Academy class will begin at the Chapel on August 2. All those who wish to receive their Captain’s Licenses should call Captain Robert, the instructor, at 361-816-3010 or the Sea Academy at 361-758-6184 to gain the information and make reservations for this special class.

AND, can you believe, Christmas in August? On August 11, the Chapel will host Singer and Songwriter Ric Gorden for a morning of Christmas in August. Reverend Gorden wrote a Christmas song slanted toward those who believe December 25 has been too commercialized. He believes, in this song, that we would all be much happier if we celebrated Christmas in August – so we are willing to give it a try! Come, enjoy this special activity!

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation who, as you can see, has many special activities that attempt to minister to the whole family. We are an active participant in this community and are working hard at making a difference in individual lives. You will always find a warm welcome at the Chapel and are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

The Children’s Camp at Palacios Baptist Encampment has been completed for the children in the 4th through 6th grades. Everyone had a wonderful time at the concerts, Bible study, games, swimming, eating, and just “hanging out”. Everyone returned home on Thursday, June 20.

The young people, grades 7 through 12, departed Port O’Connor on Monday, June 8 for “One Camp” at Camp Palicios. The group enjoyed five days of great enlightenment with nightly concerts, many Bible studies, swimming and boating, games, rest times and good food. Bro. Raymond Grant and Judy Wilson were the chaperones for this year’s group of young people.

This past Sunday, the Church celebrated the Church Ordinance of the “Lord’s Supper”. This solemn occasion was experienced by all the congregation. Everyone was reminded on I Corinthians 11: 23-29, which asks all to examine themselves before taking the bread and cup and recognizes they represent the body of the Lord. After the “Lord’s Supper” everyone joined in singing “Blest Be the Tie”, which reads, “Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.”

The Church is experiencing many new visitors as this Summer gets into full swing. Poco Bueno will be here this week and everyone enjoys the crowds and the excitement.

The annual “Fireworks” on the front beach was outstanding! Seems like each year they get better and better. Thanks to all those who donated money and worked in some way to produce this Great Show!

If anyone missed the great Bar-B-Q at the Fire Station…you should be ashamed, and you really missed some delicious food. We appreciate our Port O’Connor Volunteer Fire Department, and every dollar donated went to these great volunteers for their equipment and trucks.

Everyone is looking forward to other exciting summer events in Port O’Connor.

See you in church Sunday!

James, the apostle, had a number of provocative things to say about that relatively small appendage between our teeth, called the tongue. Quoting from The Amplified Bible, I want to point out what God has to say concerning how dangerous and destructive an uncontrolled tongue can be. James says this:

James 3:2 For we all often stumble and fail and offend in many things. And if any one does not offend in speech—never says the wrong things—he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.

James 3:7-8 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature). But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is (an undisciplined, irreconcilable) restless evil [“unruly evil”—KJV], full of death-bringing poison.” 1

James, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, doesn’t paint a pretty picture of the sinful use of man’s tongue. Nevertheless, as disturbing and dreadful as that picture may appear, it is undeniably accurate. Physically speaking, the human tongue is rooted in the mouth. However, practically and spiritually speaking, the tongue is rooted in man’s heart, for Jesus said, “…Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34b—KJV). The idea here is simply that what’s in our heart ends up on our tongue, sooner or later, often with horrendous consequences.

For instance, one of the most common transgressions perpetrated by an unruly, undisciplined tongue is that of gossip. Someone has rightly noted that, “Gossip is like soap—mostly lie (lye). A gossip is just a fool with a keen sense of rumor (humor).”2 Another man has charged that, “Gossip is the most deadly microbe. It has neither legs nor wings. It is composed entirely of tales, and most of them have stings.” 3 This guy is exactly right; and the Bible agrees with him. In Proverbs, we find these words: “The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly” (Prov. 18:8).

Some folks seem to thrive on spreading the latest juicy rumor going around the community. It’s no wonder then that they become labeled for what they really are: a gossip. Let me illustrate my point as follows:

The Gossip

Many years ago the Moody Church News carried a humorous story about a woman in a small town who was known for being a gossip. One day on vacation she visited the offices of The Chicago Daily News. She was wearing a white dress and inadvertently leaned against a wall where a freshly printed copy of the front page was hanging. It was a hot, humid day, and some of the print came off on the back of her white dress.

Later, as she walked down the street to meet her husband, she noticed that people walking behind her were snickering. When she reached the place where her husband was waiting, she asked him if there was anything on her back that shouldn’t be there. As she turned around, he read the large black reversed letters: sweN ylaiD. Realizing the appropriateness of the words, he said, “No, dear, nothing’s on your back that doesn’t belong there.” 4

There is an old adage that says, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.”5 We all have some idea of the meaning of those words. However, they aren’t entirely true. While hateful words, or repeating gossip about someone, might not hurt their body, they most assuredly wound the heart and the emotions of the one on the receiving end of them.

So how does one guard against hurting others with their tendency to speak words of criticism, and spread unfounded rumors and gossip? (1) Victory in this area begins by confronting one’s behavior as sin, and confessing it as such. God specifically forbade the practice of gossip in Leviticus 19:16a, which commands, “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people…” (2) Ask God’s help in breaking this habit. One might pray the words of Psalm 141:3, which says, “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” It would also be advisable to make the thoughts of Psalm 19:14 a daily prayer. That verse says, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (3) Don’t let Satan convince you that victory over this sinful habit of gossip is impossible, for God’s Word promises, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13—KJV).

Getting victory over an unruly, troublesome tongue shouldn’t be the last thing you ever do. Success in this area is possible, although it won’t come over night. It will require persistence. Don’t give up, or you might wind up like this unfortunate lady:

On a windswept hill in an English country churchyard stands a drab, gray slate tombstone. The quaint stone bears an epitaph not easily seen unless you stoop over and look closely. The faint etchings read:

“Beneath this stone, a lump of clay,
Lies Arabella Young,
Who on the twenty-fourth of May,
Began to hold her tongue.” 6

1 The Amplified Bible: Containing the Amplified Old Testament and the Amplified New Testament, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Bible Publishers, 1986), p. 361.
2 Our Daily Bread.
3 Morris Mandel in Bits and Pieces, June, 1990, p. 22.
4 Our Daily Bread, June 23, 1994.
5 Traditional
6 Author unknown. Acquired from bible.org.

The Port O’Connor Improvement District met in its monthly meeting July 11, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. with President Teddy Hawes presiding. The Certified Public Accounting Firm of Goldman, Hunt & Notz presented the Board’s Financial Statement for 2012. The presentation was made by Donald Goldman and the Report was approved by the Board.

The Board approved the proposal of Awesome Net to install a transmitting antenna on the District’s water tower.

TCEQ has approved the new water well for interim use and the well has been used beginning July 4.

Water system improvements on Carrie and Easy Streets have been completed.

Brown & Gray Engineers presented Phase 1 Draft Report on the District’s Mater Plan of the Water System.

The next meeting of the Board will be on Wednesday evening, August 14, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. in the District’s Board Room Everyone is invited to attend.

-Doyle Adams

Fannie Flagg’s WHISTLE STOP CAFE & FRIED GREEN TOMATOES. The book is written in a series of chapters, somewhat long and others extremely short, all concerning events in Whistle Top, Alabama, a very small area that several trains stop prior to continuing to Birmingham. And if you’ve never read Fannie Flagg but have bypassed her books, thinking they were extremely soapy as I did earlier, pick up one of them and enjoy it.

The Whistle Stop Cafe is run by two very unusual women, Idgie and Ruth; two women who are totally involved with each other though not in the sense one finds today. The book takes place from the 30’s and slightly later following the closure of the railroad lines till the 80’s as recounted by a former resident who now lives in a nursing home in Birmingham.

Reading the book and remembering bits and pieces of growing up in the West, it is slightly shocking to me concerning the emergence of the KKK in this small town. But I did giggle when Idgie recognizes one of those sheeted wonders by his shoes; then tells him that he shouldn’t be involved in that type of an organization. The book is extraordinarily well written; one laughs and cries while reading it. I will be looking for more books by Ms. Flagg … should be interesting.

Another book whom I heartily recommend is PAYBACK by Carl Deuker. Set in a small town adjacent to Seattle WN, the book is written in the eyes and mind of an incredibly unusual young man who is now a senior in his high school. Feeling fully credible with the talent to become the next editor of his school paper, he loses the position to a classmate who seems to have nothing in common with either journalism or running a paper. But he becomes more than a little involved when he becomes the Sports Editor and with the aid of a totally turned on photographer, they start to unveil an interesting (though possibly illegal) situation on their football team that is yearning to win the Statewide Championship.

Stunningly written from the eyes and mind of a 17+ year old high school student, who is more than a little overweight and a “non-fit” in with others, the book details the efforts that he puts forth to lose the weight and the personal benefits he earns while doing so. I heartily recommend this author and certainly hope that he has other books in line.

Again, if you’re traveling or just here for a short time, we have a number of books at the Library for sale at a very reasonable price. Do come and check us out!