News Cafe

 If you ever find yourself near Owen County, it is worth the drive to the small Kentucky River town of Gratz and grab a bite to eat in News Cafe. Owners and operators Earl and Linda New offer breakfast and lunch each day with the exception of Wednesdays and Sundays. Attached is an antique shop and a small general store. Take a gander at the old photographs blown up in frames that line the walls. Also, take a look at some artwork of an area painter.

What is most intriguing is the homely, small town atmosphere. Area residents come in and enjoy a good meal, and are not too shy to say hello and strike up a conversation with out-of-towners. A big hit, according to Earl New, is the oyster soup. I passed, taking up some eggs and sausage with a good ole cup of coffee. The Cafe is located at the Gratz entrance of the historic steel truss Gratz Bridge, which is set for demolition as the new Gratz bridge is set to open. "This is kind of a mission for us," expressed Linda New. A mission that involves preserving area history, but most importantly sharing their genuine faith in Christ Jesus with patrons. So go on in, take a seat, and tell them STNL sent ya'.

The Duggar Family

My wife and I attended an event called Momentum held at Southeast Christian Church that featured the Duggar Family from 19 Kids and Counting, a popular television show on TLC. Most of the children joined their parents, Jim Bob and Michelle, in a few hymns, even playing violins, prior to the main event of the evening. The children are quite talented, and a few exhibit a personality that most certainly enjoys the spotlight.

The main segment of the evening was Jim Bob and Michelle giving a testimony on how God has richly blessed their family and marriage, and how Christ truly is Savior and Lord. What was so striking to observe was a soft spoken woman's deep love and respect for her husband, and a man with strong leadership utterly dependent upon the grace of God. Michelle assured the crowd that they do not have perfect kids, and the struggles of life in their household all depend on Christ and His Word. Jim Bob explained how his obedience to God's calling into politics, which led him to the Arkansas House of Representatives for two terms and an unsuccessful run to the U.S. Senate, was richly blessed by God in what led their family down the road on television.

In an interview with Southeast Senior Pastor Dave Stone, Jim Bob explained how his wife Michelle chooses to be soft spoken, and how he wrestles with anger. This is the result of their life together in Christ, Jim Bob explained, and an openness to one another about their personal struggles with sin. Michelle shared that Jim Bob has taught her how a man thinks and the sins that men in general struggle with. Jim Bob explained that one Satan's power is in secrecy, where we want to keep our sins in private. The power of God is in confessing, furthered Jim Bob.

What a joy of an evening to see such a strong faith, which is a faith totally dependent on the grace of God and living for His glory.

Grub Ridge Church

Nestled comfortably in the woodlands of Kentucky's Bluegrass region near the Kentucky River stands a unique church. Surrounded by a stone-stacked wall and a cemetery with markers from the late 19th Century, Grub Ridge Church houses the community faithful on the first and third Sundays of each month at 2:30PM. This community church was once abandoned after the congregation died out years ago. Not long ago, this building, which was erected in 1898 after the original building burned in a fire, again was nearly rubble with the walls leaning and the roof partially collapsed. A local man named Charles Bramblett who has since passed, said to not even be a Christian, took it upon himself to initiate refurbishing a piece of local history. Galvanized by Charles project, many others in the community joined in the efforts.
Now, Grub Ridge Church is a beautifully restored building which houses Christians from area churches in an ecumenical spirit joining Baptists, Methodists, and other Christian denominations together for an evangelical event. The joyful spiritual songs is dense in the air and just as awe inspiring as the story of the building itself.

Sitting on donated and refurbished pews extracted from an abandoned Methodist church in nearby Gest, KY, the attendees frequently listen to the preaching of Brother Dan Taylor, Associate Pastor of North Frankfort Baptist Church.
What a joy it is to see such an abandoned building restored and utilized. If you find yourself in the area of Gest, KY, stop by and check out Grub Ridge Church.

STNL At the Kentucky State Fair

It is concerning how spiritual warfare has chosen such a battlefield as the State Fair. Welcoming the Fair's many visitors is a billboard comforting atheists: "Don't Believe in God? You are not alone." Do those rejecting the idea of God in favor of self truly need a self-esteem boost from a billboard?

The Christian is inundated with with information and attacks to their world-view and belief system from all directions of their daily life in this very secularized culture. It is intriguing to know that within this secular culture a secular billboard needs to be erected to bring comfort to a secular person.

After passing by booths promoting homosexuality and a secular view on reproductive choice, visitors might be interested in this booth. Notice "Pro-Choice" is considerably larger than the previous values this organization is a proponent of. Notice the sign on the right: "I'm pro-choice and I pray." May this be a lesson that the practice of religious ceremonies does not exempt one from morality, nor does being religious give one the license to write their own moral codes. Speaking to the lady at this booth, you will sure to hear non-sequitur fallacies and arguments based on emotions rather than reason.

The Kentucky Right to Life booth is filled with petitions and information. It was quite appropriate this father and baby was here. Another grateful child.

Come to the Fair, where there is challenge to your faith. May Christians present challenges in return.

Perry Park Church

Traveling through Owen County, KY, I came across this abandoned church in Perry Park. I am sure this was once a stunning and charming church building; however, years of exposure and lack of maintenance has taken its toll. I am curious to why a congregation abandoned this building. So many thoughts and emotions come into taking this shot. Notice that the landscaping has been done. Also, the dead tree branch has a nice silhouette on the side of the building. More on abandoned churches to come. Until then, enjoy!

KFC's Chicken Littles

On a spontaneous day trip, I stopped at the KFC in Carrollton, KY, known for a long time to continue serving Chicken Littles well past the discontinuation date of August 2008. I stepped up to the counter ready to exchange money for a delicious chicken patty on a bun with mayonnaise. I kindly asked, "do you still serve chicken littles." The lady behind the counter told me that they no longer serve chicken littles. Oh, the disappointment! I believe there is no other reason to even visit a KFC. I call upon congress, or perhaps a petition for an amendment to the Constitution, to press upon Yum! to serve Chicken Littles.
So, if you were planning a trip to Carrollton for some Chicken Littles, I have saved you the time and gas.

The 127

The 127 Yard Sale is reported to be the longest yard sale in the world, extending from Michigan through Alabama. My wife and I spent our 8th anniversary traveling a large portion of the Kentucky side. We love yard sales. I particularly love finding bargains on items thought to be junk but could be painted, cleaned, refurbished, or used as decorative or functional items. This was my first time on the 127, and I must say this yard sale does not disappoint. So much history is found in items for sale along the corridor. Some people were executors of recently passed loved ones selling a house that was once filled with life. Other sellers simply had too much stuff in their home and wanted to get rid of some of it for space. Many sellers were vendors, of which I did not enjoy. All in all, a wonderful day. We plan on attending once again next year, perhaps travel through other charming small towns and meet good folks along the way. Maybe, we'll bring the truck.

Henry County Schools Prayer Gathering

As schools begin to open this week, it is important to reflect on the need for prayer for students, teachers and parents. On August 1, I attended a prayer gathering organized by Pastor Shawn Golden of Campbellsburg Baptist Church. Several dozen Christians gathered at the steps of the Henry County High School and divided into teams to pray at individual schools throughout the county. Pastors, teachers, students and concerned people alike prayed for everything from God's wisdom for teachers to deliverance from the temptations that face children in public schools.

Children need our prayers. Not simply prayer for help in school or protection. Children need our prayers of encouragement and a bold faith in Christ. We need not ship our children to school expecting them to keep clean and perform well in class. Faith is to be bold, a love for God with all our being at the expense of ourselves. When loving Christ is unpopular, will your child love Christ?

Temptations surround children in our culture today in ways that years ago were avoidable. From advertisements to clothing trends to lyrics of popular music, children face a continuous barrage of images and words to replace a joy in Christ with a temporal happiness (and oftentimes depression) in our own pleasures. Such a life breeds corruption in the lives of these children (Galatians 6:8).

We need to pray, but our children need more than prayer. Make certain you live a life glorifying to God. Teach your children what faith looks like. Preach sound doctrine in your home. Confront issues relating to culture and in school with the Scripture. Christ must be more than a Sunday tradition to us and our children. He must not be dwindled to witty t-shirts or a happy feeling. Christ must be everything to us at the cost of ourselves (Galatians 2:20).

So, let us pray! For the incoming students, for faithful teachers, and for parents who fear the Lord. Let us not cease in praying for them. May the God of wisdom bless them this upcoming school year.