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September 2002 Table of Contents
A View From The Front Lines
By Kirk Lyons
 I send greetings to all of you from the frozen tundra of Chickasaw. Yeeeesssss, there's nothing more refreshing than living with your pregnant wife through an Alabama summer. The kids and I have actually adjusted well to the sub-zero culture of our home, although the neighbors still stare at us in our fleece jackets and ski hats when emerging from the igloo each morning. Six weeks from the day I am writing this article we will be preparing for our third gift from heaven. Jena Faith will complete our quiver at the Lyons Den and Luke and his Daddy will officially be out numbered. After three of these little treasures, I can say without a doubt, that next to salvation, children are truly God's greatest gift to us. I now understand more clearly the reason why they are so dear to our heavenly Fathers heart and how truly unconditional His love is for me. Please pray for Shanda and little Jena Faith, that all will go smoothly, without complication. I'll be sure to have pictures in our next issue.
OK, where was I…oh yes, my Communicator article. Well, we are more than half way through another year and have successfully completed our summer Conference season. What incredible events we had this year. Gatlinburg left us in "premier overload" with one incredible musical after another. I would not even know where to start ordering music for my Church if I was in one. I was especially touched by the premier of "Lift Up Your Eyes" and the Thursday Morning devotion time with Nancy Guthrie. I would also like to congratulate Dean Wilaughby and the Alan Publishing Group for their incredible work "With A Name Like His". It was our #1 seller in Gatlinburg this year for an adult collection. To stand behind Dean throughout their premier and watch the tears flow freely down his face, exemplified to me the passion we all should have in everything God has called us to do. It also explains the incredible success this company has achieved in just over a year of existence. God is truly rewarding their humble hearts and endless service to His Kingdom through the ministry of music.
After two days of rest we were off to New York, which is always a highlight for everyone from J&J. Although a logistical nightmare to implement, it is the one conference we have time to be ministered to as a team. This year was highlighted by our time with the Brooklyn Tabernacle in their new sanctuary. What an incredible building God has blessed this humble group of servants with. I don't know that there was one person who entered this special place without a tear in their eye and bottom jaw resting on their chests! Thank you Pastor Jim and Mrs. Carol, you bless our lives more than you will ever know.
There are no words that can accurately describe any of these wonderful events. God is always so faithful to touch down uniquely at each. I said this before and I'll continue to do so, "If you've never been, you're missing a blessing!" I would encourage you today, to clear your calendars and be sure to join us at one of these incredible events during 2003. Remember, they will be extra special in 2003 as we kick off our 25th year of Serving the Servants. You'll also notice we have changed our conference name to "Worship America". Now more than ever these events will be a time of praising our Savior and Lord. Come be refreshed and renewed.
Before I close I'd like to share a little about our experience at Ground Zero. Shanda had been after me for months concerning a trip to this special place, yet nothing could prepare us for what we would see and feel once we stood in the middle of it. Even though the rubble and debris are gone, the magnitude of this tragedy is no less real. Having been around, through, and past those incredible towers for years, it was hard to believe they were gone. As we stood an looked down into the six story pit that once represented shops, parking and subway stations, I was overwhelmed by thoughts of that days' events. I thought a lot about all those rescue personnel that gave their lives so unselfishly. I thought about the folks that were above the two impact areas of those planes and the ones that saw no other option but to jump. I thought even more about the families and children without fathers, who have been left to carry on alone. My thoughts then turned to our Heavenly Father and all the angelic hosts that gathered to keep those towers standing, so thousands would live to see another day. I also thought about how His heart must have broken as they finally let go and He watched children He created in His own image perish into eternity without Him. That's what affected me most about Ground Zero. Folks who worked in buildings that stretched to the Heavens, witnessed sunrises and sunsets that sang of His glory, yet never made it closer than the 110th floor. How gracious God was to keep those buildings standing until the last person's destiny was determined.
I hope as a nation we never forget September 11th. I hope as individuals we never take for granted the preciousness of the life God gives us. I hope we never forget to hug our wives and children every chance we get, and tell them how much we love them. I hope I never forget, that He is God, and serving him is all that matters in this vapor we call life.
Until He shouts!
Kirk
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