This past weekend, Richard Russell and I had the pleasure of attending the 141^st business session of the West Virginia Conference of Advent Christian Churches. The meetings began with a Friday evening service where Rev. Terry Wells, pastor of the First Advent Christian Church of Charleston, W.Va., shared a message emphasizing discipleship. Special music was provided by Shannon Wells, who is also an author and song writer. The Saturday business meeting began at 9:00 a.m. as Vice President Fred Mixer led the delegates in an opening hymn and prayer. President Randy Scott presided over the meetings, which included a powerful message proclaiming Christ’s second coming preached by Rev. Terry Johnson. Special music also featured Mrs. Beth Duff and Fred Mixer.

There are some songs — more than others — that move me in a powerful way. My heart and mind are stirred when I hear or sing these songs. One such song was powerfully portrayed for me as I spent a couple of days at a retreat center in northern Georgia recently.

On the campus of Berry College, located in Rome, Georgia, while attending a conference with some of our Advent Christian businessmen and women, I watched daily as hundreds of deer paraded across the beautiful 28,000-acre campus. They did not seem to be in a hurry, perhaps because they are safe in this environment.