Being the Shepherd of a Flock for our Lord has man exciting and blesssed times, but it also comes with times of great sorrow. This past month, we experienced both. On June 18, we buried our dear friend and fellow minister, the Reverend Debbie Ruddick. Debbie was a daughter of Jim Overton, who was a fishing guide in Port O’Connor for many years – he was often called “Sarge”. Sister Debbie, as we called her, was one of the best Bible Teachers I have studied with and an excellent preacher of the Word. Her husband, Everett, and their children are greatly missing her, but so are we Chapel members. Her memorial service was very inspirational, as directed by Pastor Joane, and the entire congregation lead by Ryan, provided a special family meal.

Then on Saturday, July 3, we were honored to share in the Celebration of Life in honor of Gene Hunter. Gene and his wife Julie lived in Port O’Connor for about 18 years before Julie’s passing a couple of years ago. At that time, Gene moved to port Lavaca until he joined his wife in Heaven. Both Gene and Julie were extremely talented folks and are not only missed by their family, but by our community.

The Sea Academy had classes scheduled here for July 11 through 18. They had ten students. Everything was going excellently until we needed our building for Sister Debbie’s funeral. Captain Robert, in his usual self-giving spirit, finished his work and put in some extra long days to be completed in time for us to have the Memorial Service on Friday. We have had Captain Robert here at the Chapel since 2000, and we have always found him to be the man who will bend with our needs, and we trust he knows that we sincerely appreciate it. The next class will begin on August 20 here at the Chapel and all interested students need to contact the Sea Academy and Captain Robert as soon as possible at 361/785-6184.

Fathers’ Day was extra special this year. Pastor Joane ministered to our men and they truly enjoyed it. Each Dad present received a special gift, courtesy of Captain Marty of Marty’s Landing. Each year for at least the past 25, Marty has provided our dads with fishing lures and each year, we have our ladies who want to be “honorary men” in order to qualify for the gifts! Thanks, Captain Marty!

We were honored to have the Reverend Don Nordin as our special guest speaker on July 11. Pastor Nordin and his wife Susan direct the C.T. Church in Southeastern Houston, but with campuses all over Houston and in several other states as well. They sponsor the Men’s Rehab place called Project Hope and the Ladies’ Rehab Home called Amazing Grace. They have come several times to this area to fund raise and many have met them. One of our own, Jessica Gonzales, successfully completed the Amazing Grace program and is now assisting in a home in Florida. C.T. Church directs conferences of all types. July 16 and 17 they will host a Women’s Conference called “Shine” , and in September they will put forward an Empowerment Conference for pastors around America. We are honored to have the Nordins come to the Chapel.

We are hosting the youth from Arkansas, who will be helping with the Vacation Bible School at First Baptist. We encourage all parents and any grandparents who have children with them in Port O’Connor to make sure the kids have an opportunity to experience VBS. The whole family will be blessed by their attendance.

Fisherman’s Chapel is an interdenominational congregation whose goal is plainly to help people from this
community find a personal relationship with our Creator through Jesus Christ. We meet on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. for Bible Study; 11:00 a.m. Morning Service; and 6:00 p.m. for Evening Service. We also gather each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. Everyone will find a warm welcome at the Chapel and all are urged to, “Come, grow with us!”

God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalms 46:1.

This past week our church has called on that promise again and again as we prayed for Pastor Phillip. He was suffering chest pains and after a trip by ambulance to DeTar and several tests, he had 3 stents put into arteries that were up to 95% blocked! All this took place over several days, but now he is home and recovering. Please continue to keep him and Katrina in your prayers.

Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say. Rejoice! Philippians 4:4

Storms of a different sort have been continuously pounding us with rain, wind, flooding, tornado warnings and power outages. They seem never ending. Even hurricanes leave after 2-3 days. This storm looks like it may be with us for several more days! Sunday starts FBC Vacation Bible School (July 11-14). I am confident that the sun will be shining on that day and continue for the rest of the week. Last year, during COVID, VBS was held outside in the HOT July sunshine, but we had a large group of children. This year, thankfully, we will be mainly inside. We are counting on collecting a large donation for the South Texas Children’s Home in Goliad and we will also again be welcoming the teens from Arkansas, as well as our own FBC teens, to help with VBS.

We were able to have our semi-annual Birthday Bash on June 27. Hamburgers, cooked by Bro. Phillip, and all the trimmings were enjoyed by the large crowd. It is such a blessing to be able to gather together again after so many months. A good time was had by all.

Remember that FBC is waiting to welcome you at 410 W. Jefferson to any or all of our gatherings. Sunday morning we have Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 and church services at 11:00 and 6:00. Tuesdays we have Bible study for women (4:00) and men (7:00). Wednesday evenings are for prayer meeting and youth activities at 6:00. No reservations necessary! Come as you are! Call 361-983-2727 for more information

Seadrift Market Days
Last Saturday of the Month
at old Ewalds Building
8:00 a.m. til Noon
Spots are $20 & $10 for Chamber members
Saturday, July 31

Somehow the topic of politics nowadays isn’t about policy as so much it is about the person.

One could debate President Trump’s words but when it comes down to the matter, do you vote person or policy? I’m a Christian. In James 2:17 it says “Thus also faith by itself, if it is does not have works, is dead”. I believe that to be true of politics. One can talk the talk but do they walk the walk? President Trump walked the walk. By the media coverage he was given one would not know what he accomplished yet do your own digging and one will find many of his accomplishments for the people. He put America first. He stood for all and never apologized for being American.

In a documentary by Justine Malone called “Uncle Tom” Chad O. Jackson, an African American small businessman, talks about when he became a Christian in 2009. As he was speaking to a Christian friend he told his friend he was a Democrat. He said it was because of all the government programs that assist the ones in need and doesn’t the Bible say Christians are to look out for the poor people. His Christian friend asked him is the Bible talking about the government or about you? This friend then asked for Mr. Jackson to read the Republican platform and then read the Democratic platform and to ask himself where he saw his values and views. Mr. Jackson realized he related more to the Republican platform.

How many of us have actually studied the parties’ platforms? How many of us vote based on what or who is popular? One can easily be deceived if one relies on social media or mainstream news. Remember the Garden of Eden. Be sure you know who’s trying to feed you the apple. Be informed. Study each political platform and ask yourself this, does your political party represent your way of life? Do they uphold your values?

If you sense you are a Republican and are interested in learning more, Calhoun has local clubs. Meetings will be at the VFW Hall. The Calhoun County Republican Club meets the first Monday of the month and the Intracoastal Republican Women of Texas has been newly formed. (Contact chunt36@yahoo.com for more information.) Russell Cain is our county Republican chair and can help answer any questions you may have. Educate yourself and vote your values.

When I was a lad, occasionally Mother would make breakfast food for supper. One evening, after a long and hard day of work at the local cotton mill, she placed a plate of eggs and sausage and a pan of “quite” burned biscuits on the table. We waited to see if Dad would notice.

After Dad said the blessing, he reached for a biscuit, gave Mother a grin and asked me how my day was at school. I have no memory of my response to his question, but do remember watching as he divided a biscuit, and spread homemade mustang grape jelly on both sides of that burned biscuit. He ate every bite and never changed his expression nor uttered a word.

After supper I heard Mother apologize for burning the biscuits and heard Dad say, “Sweetie, I like burned biscuits now and then.”

Later. I asked him if he really liked burned biscuits. He gave me a little hug and said, “Your mother put in a hard day today and she’s really tired. Besides, a biscuit burned a little never hurt anyone.”

Decades later, in our home, we have an alternative interpretation for the word “burned”, we say it is “Chocolate”. To break the bonds of “routine” I like change. Upon infrequent occasions I find myself admitting that, “I like Chocolate chicken, Chocolate toast, Chocolate Meatloaf” and whatever else, that of it’s own accord, and through no fault of the “chef”, just happened to remain over the heat a bit long and became Chocolate.

After 56 years of marriage to the same “chef”, I have learned that “discussing Chocolate biscuits does not Un-Chocolate them” and remember how many starving people-of-the-world would like to have a “Chocolate biscuit”.

“Consideration and kindness” are traits of Christ. He was mocked, falsely accused, physically abused, blasphemed and crucified, yet He never failed the “Consideration and Kindness Test”. Kindness and consideration are not measurable commodities; therefore, their supplies cannot be depleted. The more you give, (in most cases) the more is returned.

Paul wrote to the Corinthian church (1st Corinthians 13:4), “Charity (love) suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not, charity vaunteth not itself (does not brag), is not puffed up (arrogant).” After careful deliberation, I conclude that “Consideration and kindness” are synonymous with “Chocolate biscuits”.