DTR

SO MANY TIMES...I have avoided the DTR talk throughout my life. Join us this Sunday morning at 10:45am at Mission Abilene as we engage into the  DTR Conversation once again.

Live to Love.
C

BREAKING NEWS:

I am so honored to announce KTAB, KRBC, BIGCOUNTRYHOMEPAGE. has joined efforts with The Stop The Violence Movement as an Event Sponsor. In upcoming days you will SEE AND HEAR STOP THE VIOLENCE flood the news airwaves. I cant thank you enough KTAB, KRBC, BIGCOUNTRYHOMEPAGE for your partnership.

I'm BACK...need your help

Alright, I'm back, focused, and absolutely need your help. Please help us spread the word about our vendors for Stop the Violence. If you know someone that has a business and think they might be interested in having a booth at Stop the violence please put them in contact with us.

Make some NOISE!
c

I got to take him home...

Today I had one of the greatest honors of my entire life, not only did I have the opportunity  to brag on my Unkie publicly, more importantly I got to take him home. I'm sure you're sitting there going take him home, what does that mean? I got to help lay my Unkie to rest in his hometown, just a quarter of the mile from his farm, where he was born and raised.  It was such a joy to be able to remember the  countless memories that were created  on that farm.  As I close this time of grieving and rejoicing, and began to move on I thought I would post what I shared today at his service...

Glen H. Smyth, my Unkie,  For the last several days I have really struggled with the fact of how do you sum up 84 ½ years of life in such a short time period. As I shuffled through scripture this week I came across

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume, 
and the day of death better than the day of birth.

I want you to know that when I hear the name Glen Smyth, Smyth spelled with a y, or the name Unkie. It brings a big smile to my face, because that is a good name.

The scripture goes on to say the day of death better than the day of birth, king Soloman catched  the essence of what our attitude  as believers should be, that death is better than birth because in death we get to depart to our destination of paradise, birth we have to continue to go through the dress heresal of what’s to come for eternity.

What I learned from my Unkie

If you want to get somewhere in life, you have to work for it. Unkie, self made, he wasn’t scared to work, in fact up until his death he ran Celex, a company he has owned and operated for the past 51 years.

I learned how to prepare my plate of food before I eat it, if you have ever shared a meal with my Unkie, there is no doubt you quickly came to the realization that he enjoyed food.  Each and every time Unkie ate, his plate would have to be in order

After Unkie had his heart attack some 25 years ago, Auntie would really get on him about watching what he ate. Well to keep Auntie from griping at him, he created what My Dad, Jeff, Brian Scalf, and I always called Celex Deli. Unkie has a refrigerator full of all his favorite food, still till this day. He even took it a step further he had a gas little stove put in at Celex. It wasn’t uncommon to show up at Celex and see Unkie cooking up some kind of food.

He loved to scan the local grocery stores, to find the best deals on his favorite foods

I learned from Unkie to always keep a little money hidden in my wallet, because you never want to be caught off guard without any cash.

I learned to fight.  Unkie was in the hospital for more than 15 days, I watched him day and night, get stuck with needles, I watch him struggle for every breath he took, in attempt in his words “to buy a little more time.”

In Unkie’s last days, I learned from him to enjoy ever second the good Lord gives you, Never in my life have I seen someone that wanted to live so badly

Some of my greatest times with Unkie

I’ll never forget Unkie, the adventure seeker that he was haul me around the farm on his motorcycle, more like a mo ped. Auntie would always get on to him for driving too fast

I’ll never forget, Unkie being the supportive Unkie he was would always dress up with me and we would put on entertaining shows for Auntie that would go on forever.

I’ll never forget After following the Eagles for more than 20 years Unkie was able to watch Abilene High Win a state championship

I’ll never forget that Unkie got to see his TCU HORNED FROGS win the Rose Bowl

I’ll never forget that Unkie got to see the Texas Rangers get to the World Series, a funny story about Unkie and The Texas Rangers is just a matter of weeks ago, Unkie wrote a letter to the Texas Ranger giving his opinion that the previous Televison Commentator did a better job than the current one. Well Unkie, just a few weeks ago called me and told me that he had something to show me. Unkie felt like the most important person in the world when he handed me a signed response from Nolan Ryan thanking him for his concern for the Texas Rangers.

I am grateful that just 5 days ago I was able to watch an entire Texas Ranger game with Unkie for the last time.

I am grateful for almost the past year, he got to see my daughter almost ever week. When she was first born, he was so afraid to hold her, he would keep saying well she is almost big enough for me to hold, just recently if you around Unkie at my house, it was not uncommon to find Unkie with Sadie sitting in his lap

What I am going to miss about Unkie.

His Thursday afternoon phone calls to check and see how the boys, Abilene High were feeling before their big Friday night game.

I am going to miss him bringing Sadie suckers weekly he had got from the bank teller at his bank

I am going to miss Unkie’s Saturday morning call to talk over what happened the night before at the Abilene High Game

I am going to miss our times we got together for lunch. Our conversation always started out the same, with Unkie telling me who had the best Lunch specials, then eventually we would end up at the usual, Sharon Allens.

If you were close to my Unkie, you knew he was a great story teller. I am going to miss hearing him tell stories about his childhood days, his time in the military, and his memories that were created on the Farm.

When I use to stay with Auntie and Unkie, Unkie would tell me these amazing stories, I would eventually fall asleep. But Unkie was such a great storyteller, Auntie would want to hear the rest of his story. But Unkie would say, I don’t know what happens, I was just making it up.

I am going to miss seeing the sparkle in his eye as he sang to my daughter.

Ill be honest with you, Unkie called me more this past year than ever before, It was not unusual for Unkie to call me at least 3 times a week,  Unkie, would always be cordigal and ask how I was doing, but it never took him long to get to the root of why he called, “ Chad-man how’s my girl  doing, How’s Sadie doing?

When I hear the name Glen Smyth, Smyth spelled with a y, or the name Unkie. It brings a big smile to my face, because that is a good name.

And Lastly How do you some up 84 and a half years in such a short amount of time, “Happy trails Unkie till we meet again. Happy trails to you, I am going to keep smilin’ until then.”

So Long

As many of you know I said so long to my great uncle, "Unkie," yesterday. Unkie, was more like my grandpa than a great uncle. In fact he fulfilled that role in my life since the moment I came on the scene 32 years ago. 


Rest In Peace Unkie, Thank you for the memories and the influence you had upon my life.


I can't thank you enough for your encouraging words and prayers. 


C

another enlightenment

As my mind begins to consider the preparations that are In the near future concerning my "Unkie," I have really pondered what the difference between a funeral and a celebration of life service truly is... I have come to the conclusion that at a funeral there isn't hope, and the service basically informs the audience how someone died. A celebration of life service provides the hope found in Christ, and tells the world how someone lived.

I'm looking forward to being able to tell the world how my Unkie lived as we celebrate his life when Jesus calls him home.

Please pray for my entire family, we desperately need God's supernatural strength to help us endure as we deal with the reality that there are no longer weeks that will number the rest of his life, only a few short days.

make some noise...
C

LOVER NOT A FIGHTER

The last few days, well to be honest the last 11 days have been quite enlightening and painful.

All my life I have heard the old saying "I'm a lover not a fighter,"the sad reality is most of my life I have lived just the opposite I have spent more of my days fighting people instead of actually loving them. For the last 11 days I have watched my "Unkie," fight for every breath. My Unkie has been through so much, he has been stuck with a needle to check his levels every hour, countless xrays, medicines, and the intense oxygen mask that is absolutely horrible. Today I sat in and listened as one of his doctors gave him the news that his final chapter was nearing a close. As tears rolled from his eyes, I witnessed an 84 year old man want nothing more to live, he wanted nothing more than to fight. This week, or weeks have been so tough, in fact to be completely honest some of the most difficult days of my life. BUT I have learned a life lesson in these last 11 days. I have learned that we are called not only to be a lover but also a fighter. As people of the faith we are called to love humanity but we are called to fight injustice, fight for freedom, fight against poverty, and so much more.

This week I learned that I want to be a lover and a fighter...May God grant us all strength to endure...

Make some noise.
C

WANT A FREE STV T-SHIRT? JOIN OUR STV STREET TEAM

SHARE...

How will we RESPOND?

As I continue to comb over the Scriptures for more than a decade, the reality that some of the shocking statements that Jesus spoke made being a follower of Jesus challenging. This coming Sunday we are going to look at a statement that those gathered to hear Jesus simply didn't understand. The question remains, how will we respond to His statement?

Make some noise...

C

RIP

I just caught the news, and once again I find my heart in pieces. 


Check this story out from bigcountryhomepage.com 


An Abilene mother admitted on the stand Thursday that her 4-month-old got in the way of her life so she got rid of him.

That is what Ashley Hatfield said on the stand when she was asked by prosecuting attorneys in her sentencing hearing.

Hatfield killed her 4-month-old baby boy in may of 2009 by placing him face down on a over sized pillow then going to get on a computer to visit multiple social websites.

She admitted that she did do it on purpose. It was her husband, a Dyess airman, who found the baby in the crib not breathing.

Hatfield will spend 15 years in prison.


There are very few things that make me absolutely furious. Catching someone keying a car, violent husbands, judgemental people, and most of all precious children being violated and even murdered are just a few occurrences that push me to a platform of being overcome with anger. After reading this article, to be honest I got so angry I teared up. 


I beg you to brainstorm with me on how we can help reach people such as this lady before they commit senseless acts. We have got to do more. 


Though I don't know your name 4 month old baby boy, I promise you I will not be silent, you did not die in vain. Rest in peace angel. 


MAKE SOME NOISE.


C

WHEN?

In the last 24 hours we have seen pure chaos take place due to people acting out in violence. Snyder Cops, who put their lives on the line each everyday on behalf of communities, are attacked and shot, a man beaten to death by a girl with a baseball bat, WHEN WILL THESE SENSELESS  ACTS STOP?

Reported by: Shannon McConathy

Tuesday, July 12 2011

Tuesday 10:50 a.m. Update:Hendrick Medical Center reports that Patrick Hay is now deceased.

Hay was hospitalized after being hit in the head with a bat by his ex-girlfriend.

Original Story:
Jacqueline Valentine was arrested Saturday night for aggravated assault and released on bond. She admitted to hitting her ex-boyfriend Patrick Hay in the head at least once with a baseball bat.

Hay was flown to Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene where he is listed in critical condition. His family says there is no detection of brain activity and he could be removed from life support at any time.

If Hay dies from the injuries, the charges could be upgraded. His family wants murder charges.

Hay was living with Melissa Newsome who says, "My brother is dead, so it's not just assault anymore. It's murder."

Cisco police detained Valentine, but were unwilling to comment.

Texas Rangers are conducting the investigation and have not been reached at this time.

Reported by: Bigcountryhomepage.com Staff Reports

Tuesday, July 12 2011

Senior Trooper Sparky Dean of the Texas Department of Public Safety issued the following release regarding the shooting of an officer last night in Snyder:

On July 12th, 2011 at about 12:25 AM officers with the Snyder Police Department were dispatched to the 700 block of 26th Street in reference to a call of shots fired in the area.

Cpl. Darrell Campbell and Officer Lee Ortiz responded to the area where they made contact with several individuals in a front yard of 700 26th Street.

While speaking with the subjects, a male who was at the residence who has not been identified produced a weapon and shot Cpl. Campbell, then confronted Officer Ortiz.

Officer Ortiz and the male were involved in a shooting and the male was killed at the scene. Cpl. Campbell was flown to UMC in Lubbock where he underwent surgery for a gunshot wound to the head.

As of this morning Cpl. Campbell is in the UMC ICU unit in critical condition.

Cpl. Darrell Campbell is 41-years-old and has been with the Snyder Police Department since September 1st, 2009.

Officer Lee Ortiz is 37-years-old and has been with the Snyder Police Department since October 23rd, 2003.

The case is currently being investigated by the Texas Rangers and the Snyder Police Department.

Cpl. Campbell was with the Sweetwater Police Department for six years before joining the Snyder Police Department.

Stick with bigcountryhomepage.com for more information as it becomes available.

I plead with you to join the STOP THE VIOLENCE MOVEMENT, TELL OTHERS...THIS ISN'T AN ABILENE THING, THIS DESPERATELY NEEDS TO BE COUNTRY WIDE MOVEMENT.




MAKE SOME NOISE!
C

GAPS

How was your childhood? Was it EXCELLENT? Was your family NORMAL? Were your friends the BEST EVER? No matter how PERFECT or DISHEARTENING our PAST HAS BEEN, we are all left with INSECURITIES. Joseph's childhood left him with some obvious GAPS, INSECURITIES, AND SUFFERING. What Joseph learned may be EXACTLY what we need to LEARN: that God can fill in our GAPS. Join us this Sunday as we dive into this thought deeper.Make some noise.C

"I FIND FUEL..."

In recent days there has been so much static, confusion, and anger that has run rampant as a result of the Casey Anthony trial. I must admit, I have followed the case since  the first day it broke the new's airwaves some three years ago. When the verdict hit, like thousands I was completely shocked. Even in the midst of the announcement of the verdict that caused a sea of feelings to flow throughout my body, I find fuel to continue on with our mission to silence the silence. Many could say, "how in the world would you find fuel in the midst of that verdict?" Here is how, I find fuel as a result of people beginning to stand up and make noise opposing injustice. Regardless of what outcomes take place, regardless if justice is served, we must never allow our momentum to cease. We must continue to do all we can to MAKE SOME NOISE.

C

CAN YOU TAKE THE HEAT?

I am so thankful for businesses such as CHIK-FIL-A that make a positive impact in our city. I am truly excited about STV partnership with Chik-FIL-A this year. This event is going to be a blast!

Make some noise!

C

VIP ACCESS TO WHAT?

What does VIP ACCESS include?

vip access includes for this promotion

entry into the vip hospitality suite at STV

1 free meal at the concession stand

25% off coupon to use at the STV Merchandise Booth

PROMOTION ENDS JULY 8TH

VIP ALL ACCESS

Post a picture in your stv new tee on our facebook page or email it to hope.missionabilene@gmail.com and we will send you a VIP all access pass to the 2011 Stop The Violence Movement on August 27, 2011.


Make some noise.
C

1%

“I would rather have one percent of 100 people’s efforts than 100 percent of my own.” — Andrew Carnegie
This quote sums up my philosophy on leadership. I wholeheartedly believe that if each ONE of us would just extend just a little effort, the entire world would change. Although each one of us can make an impact, our impact magnifies the more people we see standing next to us. 


Make some noise.


C

Rearview Mirror

The day after my 16th birthday, which meant I had been driving approximately one day, I broke the only rule my parents gave me why operating my vehicle. While trying to impress one of the cheerleaders at my high school, I remained silent and didn't tell her to get out of the bed of my truck. For the sake of attempting to be cool, I popped my truck into reverse and pressed the gas without looking in my rearview mirror. In a split second I was quickly aware that there was something in my rearview mirror, a nice big extended cab truck. With one day of driving experience under my belt I somehow did the unthinkable, I had a wreck.

Time and time again I have shared with communities across the country that we have to move pass our past. I still stand  by my statement, yet I do think it is healthy to look back in the rearview mirror of our life to remind us how far God has brought us, and to remind us past mistakes to remind us to not make them again..

Today I was able to look in the rearview mirror a little bit, it was convicting, inspiring, and a time of hope.

Make some noise.

C

Shirts arrive

The Shirts arrived yesterday afternoon, they are sweet. Make sure you bring your cash to be one of the first to purchase one this Sunday.

Make some Noise.

C

STV Leadership Meeting Announced

July 12th 6pm leadership STV meeting at Mission Abilene. We will provide dinner, please make it a point to be there if you have been asked to lead a specific area. 


Make some NOISE.


C