This Is My Life (Part 4)

When I started preaching on weekends back in 1971 men like John Gilbert, Lynn Baker, Newby Thompson, E. F. Munn, Bill Waters, Jimmy Patterson, Bobby Johnson, and Richard Porterfield plus many others allowed me to minister from behind their pulpits either in revivals or on Sundays. What a joy it was to glean from these men what it was to be a pastor. Along with my father, Rev. Alton L. Stone, Sr., they had a tremendous impact on my life. Other men like Cecil Grant, J. B. Fortner, Max Atkins, Horace Mauldin also had a tremendous impact on me. I thank the Lord daily for the heritage of the Church of God that my Mom and Dad passed along to me, but also for the men and women of God in ministry that influenced, encouraged, and prayed for me along the way.

Our denomination is far from perfect. I have watched the politics from the inside as well as the outside of the ministry and still wonder about some situations and will probably do so until the Lord calls me home. I don't think any denomination or fellowship has not be affected by politics in their history. I always dreamed as I got older it would get better, but to be honest it never has changed. Just the faces, and maybe the places, but often the good old boy system still plays a role in our operations. I'm just thankful that I never learned to play the system. I tried once or twice and found it just wasn't me. Those who trained me may have done so, but they never revealed that side of the ministry to me.

Three men who had a very positive impact on my life were my dad, Bishop Bobby Johnson, and Bishop I. C. Morris, Jr. My dad was my grounding rod. He showed me how to fact adversity through prayer. He taught me the tenants of the faith, and he was my encourager when I didn't want to be encouraged. I don't know how I have made it these past 28 years without him. His memory will never fade. Bishop Bobby Johnson is still pastoring today. He taught me a sense of professionalism and sincerity in the ministry. He allowed me to be on the radio and television and explore that avenue of ministry for a producer's side. I contribute a lot that I learned in the early days to him. Bishop I. C. Morris, Jr. has been in heaven for a decade now, but he was the promoter. He knew what to do to get people's attention and how to minister to people in a very personal way. He and I had the Number 1 Christian music program on a Country music station for almost 4 years running. We also produced television specials, records, and started a tape ministry before that became a thing in the church of God. He knew how to intertwine praise and worship music with a large choir setting as well to set the tone for worship and allowed me to experiment with reel to reel soundtracks before they moved to cassettes.

As you can see these men had an influence on my life that was profound. I wouldn't trade it for the world. All I ask the Lord everyday is that somewhere along the way someone will say about me that I influenced them as much as these men influenced me.

(Tomorrow I will share about my associates who assisted me in ministry.)

This Is My Life (Part 3)

Family is very important to me and has played a large role in my life as a pastor. That is why I count it an honor to have such a wonderful daughter-in-law and soon to be 5 grandchildren.

I first met my daughter-in-law as a teen at camp while I served on our State Youth Board. Little did I know then that she would captivate the heart of my son and become his bride. She is one of the most talented singers that I have ever heard and one the most beautiful ladies I have ever met. She has always treated me with respect and love and has been a wonderful wife for my son and a great mom to my grandchildren. I count it a joy to have Candace (Candy) as a part of my family and appreciate so much her willingness to share in the heritage of our family. She loves her husband and her children with all her heart and I love her for that.

My grandchildren are just that-grand. I have dedicated all of them to the Lord and shared in some of their greatest
moments like giving Hannah her first ice cream, having Gracie sing for me in church, holding Hayden in both Disneyland and Disney World, and singing "It's A Small World After All" with Gannon. I am so looking forward to having Hattie Rose coming into the family in January 2016 and believing that I can share in some great moments with her and that she and all the rest will be healthy and loving in the years to come.

When I was lying in the hospital last February after my stroke I wondered if I would be able to play with my babies again. God has been good to me and allowed me to see Hannah get her license, Gracie create and perform a special Christmas worship dance, Hayden's first piano recital, and Gannon helping me drive a golf cart since that time. I am very blessed to have these memories from this year and many more from their past. The best thing is I'm looking forward to many more in the years to come if the Lord allows with all of my family.

This Is My Life (part 2)

In 1979 a bundle of joy came into our home by the name of Shane Blake Stone. I still remember having to wait 9 days to hold him because of jaundice. I remember my dad dedicating him. I remember his first day at kindergarten, school, and his graduation. I remember moving him into the dorm at Lee and the empty house syndrome his mom and I went through. I remember his marriage to my beautiful daughter-in-law Candace. I remember the birth of my first granddaughter, then the second, then the birth of my first grandson, and then my last. Now I wait with anticipation for our newest granddaughter soon to be born into our family.

I say all of this because God has blessed me with the finest son a man could ever have. He has been my best friend for a long time and I hope he will always be. I've been there for him in times past and he has been there for me. He's laughed with me, cried with me, prayed for me, and loved me when I was going through some very tough times. In some ways he's just like me or his Uncle David, and in other ways he's just like his mom. He has a gruff exterior many times, but he also has a heart of gold. He is a part of my life I will always be thankful for. The Bible says for us to be thankful for our children, and I thank God every day for a son like Shane.

He is still one of the best parts about living.

This Is My Life (Part 1)

Because of my past health issues I have had to step down from the pastorate. I wanted to share about some folks who had a tremendous impact on my ministry in the past 44 years. Naturally my wife is the first one that comes to my mind. I would have never have been able to make it as long as I have in the ministry if it had not been for her.

When the Lord allowed Becky Brigman to come into my life in 1972 it was His blessing on me. For the first 10 years of our marriage I had to take care of her. We've joked about it from time to time after her open heart surgery and pacemaker insertion. Those were rough days on Shane and I when we were worried if she would ever get back to normal. Praise God she did and man is she ever still kicking today! You can't keep a good woman down!

Little did we know that in the last twelve years she would see me through 8 knee surgeries, 5 heart attacks, and one ischemic stroke. If anybody has had a load dumped on them it was her. Yet through all of it she has stood beside me with an unfailing love and spirit. Never giving up on me, but trusting that God would bring me through. I could never have made it without her. She is my rock, my hiding place, and my true love.

Now as we enter a new phase in life, I worry that she will feel out of place. She's been a pastor's wife for so long it's going to be just as different for her as me. But I believe that she can make that transition and continue to thrive. We've made it together this far, and I believe we can make it the rest of the way.

Thanks Baby for being my all in all! I will always love you!

Total Love

The fear of rejection may be one of the most basic fears of the human experience. I read the heart-warming story of a man who finally decided to ask his boss for a raise in salary. It was Friday. He told his wife that morning what he was about to do, All day the man felt nervous and apprehensive. Late in the afternoon he summoned the courage to approach his employer. To his delight, the boss agreed to a raise.

The man arrived home to a beautiful table set with their best china. Candles were lighted. His wife had prepared a festive meal. Immediately he figured that someone from the office had tipped her off! Finding his wife in the kitchen, he told her the good news. They embraced and kissed, then sat down to a wonderful meal. Next to his plate the man found a beautiful lettered note. It read: "Congratulations, darling! I knew you'd get the raise! These things will tell you how much I love you."

While on his way to the kitchen to get dessert he noticed that a second card had fallen from her pocket. Picking it off the floor, he read: "Don't worry about not getting the raise! You deserve it anyway! These things will tell you how much I love you."

Total acceptance! Total love. Her love for him was not contingent upon his success at work. In fact, just the opposite. If he were to fail there, if he were to be rejected by his boss he'd be all the more accepted at home. She stood behind him no matter what; softening the blows, healing the wounds, believing in him, loving him. We can be rejected by almost anyone if we're loved by one.

That's the way families can be with each other. And I like to think that's the way God is with us, too! "We love because He first loved us."

A Crabby After Christmas Day

It's one day after Christmas , I'm crabby and I'm broke.
I'm so full of ham and tater salad, I think I'm going to croak.
It's nice to see the relatives I wonder when they'll leave.
They've been camping in my bathroom since early Christmas Eve.

They're eating everything in sight and sleeping in my bed.
I been sacked out in the basement with my beagle, Fred.

The relatives have all gone out and left their screaming brats.
The toilet bowl is all plugged up and I can't find the cat.

I love the decorations, and the sleigh bells in the snow
But I wish those pesky relatives would take their kids and go.

Those cookie crunchers fed the dog a twenty pound rib roast.
His feet are sticking in the air like skinny old fence posts.
Now they're in a free-for-all, the girls against the boys.
They're fighting over boxes 'cause they're bored with all their toys

My mother-in-law is snoring in my favorite TV chair.
Those kids are stringing lights on her and tinseling her hair

I ought to wake her up before the fireworks begin.
But I want to see those blue sparks fly when they plug her in.

Merry Christmas!

Every day is Christmas when you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness and the sweetness it can find.
When you don't need an occasion, to spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving, of yourself throughout the year.

Every day is Christmas, with a gaily wrapped surprise,
When you've learned to see the friendship, in someone else's eyes. When you try a little harder, and complain a little less,
Holding fast to all the fervor of the faith that you possess.

Every day is Christmas, when you've found that you can be
More concerned with words like "you" and less with "I" and "me." When it's fun to do a favor, and to lend a helping hand,
When being understood means less, than when you understand.

Every day is Christmas, with a beauty deeply cast, When you find it doesn't matter, if you're first or if you're last. When you can face your conscience, and be glad of what you are, Then every day is Christmas, with a stable and a star.