Day Two
I got another late start. My former pastor, Dan McDowell pastored in a town outside of Dayton, Ohio called Fairfield. My eye was still swollen, and for some reason I was having problems with allergies. Allergies have not been a problem ever since I lied about having hayfever so I could fly helicopters in the Army. While I was on the road, Dan called and told me breakfast was probably going to have to be lunch. I went to his church and sat through their staff meeting. We went to lunch and got caught up. It was a great time.
I asked Dan what for three prayer requests. Here they are”
1. Community and Church — idolatry. Eugene Peterson wrote some great stuff about this in his book, “Living the Resurrection.” Dan’s concerns here are with all the things we sacrifice our time and resources to that distract each of us from announcing the kingdom of God here on earth.
2. Family — He and Lois want to be in the right place of ministry. His wife, Lois, would be happy to retire in Fairfield, he is unsettled about where he should be. He asks for guidance that if Fairfield is the place that he would have peace about it. Also, he asks that you pray for Nick and Emily, his kids. He prays that they would find godly partners for their lives. And over all this, that God’s will would be done.
Since I was behind a bit, I decided to go one more day for a long ride. Long rides are easier, in my mind, when I think about having a hotel room at the end of the day. I just didn’t want to think about having to find a camp site and set up in the dark. With that in mind, I just kept riding. My mom, Manya, didn’t like (I don’t think) the idea that I was going to keep going for a lot longer than I had planned. I ended up in Newport, TN. There was a sign on the highway for the Motel 6 with 21 newly redecorated rooms. When I got there, I checked into one fo the nicest Motel 6s I have ever seen.
It was clean, and the service was friendly. Honestly, for the price it was well worth it. At check in, I noticed the general manager’s name was Reverend Tim Grooms. At check out, I asked if it was okay if I took his picture and asked for a prayer request for the blog. He is a supply preacher and runs a really great hotel.
He is a great guy and here is his web site: www.gracethroughfaith.net. His prayer request is simply for God’s Will for his life.
Tim, thanks for a great stay! If you are ever in Newport, TN stay at the Motel 6. You won’t regret it.
Dan McDowell, friend and former pastor. We had a great time.
Reverend Tim Grooms the awesome manager of the nicest Motel 6.