Blackmer/Spradlin Paraguay Presentation

Josh and I are currently traveling around to various congregations in the Texas area presenting the work in Paraguay to the brethren. We have been a part of the Shenandoah Lectureship in San Antonio, presented at University Hills and Dripping Springs, and will be at Buda/Kyle on Wed. Sunday we will travel to Marshall, TX.

This is a video presentation regarding the work in Paraguay:
PART ONE

PART TWO


This is the PowerPoint that goes along with the presentation:

Spradlin Summary Newsletter for Feb 09

Below is a link to download our latest newsletter:

San Antonio Sightseeing

Andrea and I went to San Antonio for her birthday to check out the sights. One thing we absolutely love to do together is explore new places ... so, San Antonio it was. It's only an hour or so down the road, but we finally made it down there. The Riverwalk is really beautiful, the Alamo is inspiring, and the market place is very cultural. It was a great day!

Mission Sunday 2009

Here is a personal message to all our friends and family at Palm Beach Lakes church of Christ for the upcoming Mission Sunday. God Bless!

(Look at that face I'm making. Video always captures the silliest screen shots.......)

A Girl's Gotta' Shop!

Have you ever known a girl that DIDN'T like to shop? .... didn't think so.

Well now, let me tell you, Andrea is a power shopper, make that an international power shopper. Here she is in Paraguay, South America.

Pictures tell a 1000 words ... so, just look at the smile on the girl's face and then let me translate the sign: "Jewelry Center."
Need I say more?

Threads of the Messiah

The Bible is bound together by threads of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He can be found on every page. There are different perspectives of our Savior which can be identified throughout the Scriptures. This is a sermon on the different messages, or threads, of the Messiah.

Delivered at Buda/Kyle church of Christ, November 30, 2008.

Click on "Play" button to stream MP3 audio:

Who Is MY Neighbor?

Sermon on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25-37
Delivered at Buda/Kyle church of Christ, November 30, 2008
(Preceded by Scripture reading of Matt. 22:37-39)

Click on "Play" button below to stream MP3 audio:

Still keeping on keeping on

It has been a while since I have updated this blog. I apologize for the delay, but I am happy to report that we have been so busy that there hasn't been time because of many great things that have been happening.

Obviously, the biggest thing has been the work load at school, (which has been much heavier this quarter). But, we have also been traveling a bunch, working on Paraguay plans and making further preparations. I have had many opportunities to preach lately and Andrea has been very involved with projects at WVBS and Dripping Springs. We are continuing to work with the youth at "Drippin' " and have several plans in the works.

This picture was taken while we were in Paraguay.

We appreciate all the prayers and well wishes! We hope you all have a great holiday season!

SWSBS 2008-2009

Here is our latest picture of the students and faculty at SWSBS

What is Truth?

Pilate said to Him, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) Have you ever asked this same question?
Below is a short devotional I presented on the subject at Southwest church of Christ on Sept. 10, 2008.

Discipleship University was a success!

What a GREAT weekend! Many young people descended on Dripping Springs church of Christ this past weekend for "Discipleship University."
It was a weekend of spiritual strengthening for our youth before they went back to school.
There were many great classes taught and Brother Montgomery (pictured) brought several outstanding lessons about what it means to be a true disciple of Christ.
We had over 50 students attending all the classes with many of them coming from several miles away.
God was glorified, His Son exalted, and young lives were spiritually edified. Does it get any better than that?

Stepping back in time

My grandfather used to tell me stories about how he would ride his horse to church and to work everyday when he was younger. I was always fascinated by his stories and wondered what that world must have been like. Well, I saw a place recently where one can get a taste of that era in time. As you can see in this picture, horses are still a common mode of transportation in places like Panama. There is no air-conditioning in the church building, food is cooked over an open fire, and people work from sun up to sun down. I am sure my grand father would have been able to identify with the people in Panama very easily.

The church in the Darien Jungle of Panama

I find it simply amazing that the Lord's church can be found anywhere. When I say anywhere I really mean anywhere. Take the church that is deep in the heart of the Darien Jungle of Panama. There is only one road (partially paved) that dead ends about 50 miles from Colombia. Along this route, one can find several congregations meeting in the various towns along the way.
This picture is of the congregation (and some missionaries) meeting in Sanson.
It is really heart warming to worship with brethren that believe the same thing as you, even though they speak a different language. I can't help but think about how excited Paul must have felt when he would meet various brethren throughout the regions that he traveled.

Youth Group Road Trip

This past weekend we had the privilege of taking the Dripping Springs Youth Group on a road trip to Glen Rose, TX where we checked out dinosaur tracks and fossils. We all had such a great time getting to know each other and many new friendships were made. We worshiped at the Poolville church of Christ and developed more friendships there. The weekend came to a close with one of the young ladies being baptized. God was glorified this past weekend and the spiritual lives of many young (and older) people were lifted. We are truly blessed.............

"That Old Time Religion"

I love old church buildings. I have been in and around church buildings my whole life. But, the really old ones fascinate me. I often imagine all the families pulling up in a horse and buggy or even in Model T's. All the ladies would have on their big hats and the men in their three piece suits (or their best farmin' clothes). I picture the preacher shouting and wiping his brow from sweating while the church goers fan themselves with the bulletin pages.
Sometimes I wonder what excitement there might have been when a couple of the old time preachers would debate each other some late summer night.
Religion was more important to Americans back in those days. I would like to have seen some of that history with my own eyes. But, at least for now, I can look at the old church buildings.