Rita and I are a little numb these days as our baby Anna Grace graduates from High School in less than a month. One tradition we have done with her three older sisters is write them a letter of congratulations, encouragement and challenge. I recently finished Anna’s graduation letter and thought you would enjoy…

April 20, 2008

Dear Anna,

Mom and I are so very, very proud of you. We are impressed with your love for Jesus and your desire to obey Him regardless of the cost. You take very seriously His words, “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15). Obedience to the Lord is the wisest route you can take in life, because He will only lead you into His very best. Indeed, we are thankful to the Lord for giving us the gift of you on May 3, 1990. As your loving parents we remind you as you transition from high school graduation: remember who’s you are, be who you are and love who you are…

Remember Who’s You Are
Simply put you are God’s. When you placed your faith in Christ you surrendered all control of your life to your Lord Jesus, “…your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3b). Your security is in your Savior, so you can rest assured that He is with you always and will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5 KJV). Be confident of this that even on your bad days you are still much better off than a good day of someone without God in their life. Moreover, you can be bold and adventurous knowing God’s will is not always predictable and safe, so do dare to take advantage of your position of heaven’s royalty by placing faith in your heavenly Father. We pray often for God to “…give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better” (Ephesians 1:17b). So, be humbled and extremely grateful Anna that you are a child of God and that He loves you unconditionally now and forevermore. You are a cherished child.

Be Who You Are
You already excel well at being your unique self, keep this up and do not allow anyone or anything to stifle your creativity and/or your refreshing humor. Laugh a lot with others and laugh out loud at yourself, because this is how God made you. You are a young lady that knows how to enjoy life. Furthermore, sports will probably be a significant part of your life, because you have always enjoyed staying active and competitive. Use your high energy to serve and encourage others. Your health is a gift from the Lord, so continue to take care of your body as the residence of God’s worship (1 Corinthians 6:19). Lastly you are a giver, because God as given you much, you have the opportunity to invest much in others. Always look for ways to out serve you parents, sisters and friends. Greatness comes in giving to and serving others, Jesus said “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant…” (Mark 10:43b). You are a lovely servant.

Love Who You Are
Jesus said the greatest command is to love God and to love others like the love you have for yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). It is imperative that you love yourself well, so you can love others well. Because God accepts you, you can totally accept yourself. You are a gorgeous young lady with as beautiful heart as you have hair. Your smile is infectious and communicates love and compassion. Your personality is fun loving and frank, so use your gift of wisdom and discernment to help others keep from making dumb mistakes. Be courageous and bold to speak the truth in love at the right time and in the right tone for “faithful are the wounds of a friend”. Be yourself and you will continue to attract quality friends who love you for who you are: joyful, wise and disciplined. Anna, above all keep your eyes on Jesus for He will never let you down!

Love Always,

Dad and Mom

I have known John and Debbie Woodall since he came on staff at North Point Community Church as the Married Adult Director in 2001. I deeply admire both he and Deb’s walk with Christ and their commitment to their children. The questions they have crafted are an excellent tool for an ‘annual life audit’. Rita and I go through a similar discipline each January in anticipation of the upcoming year. Use some or all of these questions to integrate your life more fully with Christ’s and His plan for you. Enjoy!

Reflection and Preparation

by John & Debbie Woodall

The habit or practice of reflection has increased and become very important to me over time. I have noticed people are running so fast and not taking the time to sit, think, review, remember and readjust their lifestyles and schedules. With some regular times of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reflection, it can lead to peace, stability and very purposeful living.

The following questions are to get us thinking about this past year and prepare us for “The Best Year Ever.” How am I doing in the major areas of my LIFE, MARRIAGE, FAMILY, WORK and CHURCH?

1. LIFE

A. Spirit

1) Do I love God, my Father with all my heart, soul, mind and strength?
2) Am I growing in my intimate relationship with Jesus Christ?
3) Am I living and walking by the Holy Spirit?
4) How is my time in the Scriptures? Am I delighting in and meditating on God’s Word day and night?
5) Do I find myself praying more or less about all things?
6) What 3 spiritual practices generated the greatest benefit?

B. Soul (Mind, Will and Emotions)

1) What am I doing to daily renew my mind?
2) Are my thoughts pure, lovely, noble, truthful and full of praise?
3) What are the best three books I read last year?
4) What kind of choices did I make last year?
5) Did I choose the way of life versus death? Did I choose the way of the Spirit versus the way of the flesh? Did I choose to walk by faith versus walk by sight?
6) Was I full of love, joy, peace, patience and self-control?
7) Was there any anger, guilt, greed or jealousy that needs to be resolved?

C. Body (Did I live in B.A.L.A.N.C.E?)

1) BREATHING – Am I getting enough oxygen in my blood?
2) AWARENESS – Am I paying attention to what is going on in my body?
3) LIQUIDS – Am I drinking enough water?
4) ANTIOXIDANTS – Am I taking the right of Multi, C and E?
5) CONDITIONING – Am I exercising 3-5 times a week?
6) EFFECTIVE REST – Am I getting 7-8 hours of sleep?
7) What three ways will I take better care of myself this next year?

2. MARRIAGE

A. Intimacy

1) Does my wife know she is the #1 priority relationship on the planet?
2) Am I loving my wife as Christ loves the church?
3) Are we praying together on a regular basis?
4) Are we regularly sharing what we are learning from our own relationship with Jesus Christ?
5) Am I washing and cleansing her with the Word of God?
6) Am I carefully listening to her thoughts, feelings and desires?
7) Are we enjoying many sexual and non-sexual touches?
Are we enjoying romance and physical intimacy on a regular basis?
9) Did we have an awesome anniversary celebration?
10) Have we enjoyed quarterly getaways?
11) Did we have our monthly MSM, Marriage Staff Meetings?
12) How was our “Weekly Focus” time?
13) Did I provide her the structure or spontaneity she needs and desires?
14) Did I give her the full and focused attention she deserves?
15) On a scale of 1-10, how would my wife rate our marriage?
16) What needs to be done to get it to a 10?

B. Finances

1) Did we honor the Lord with the first fruit of all our increase?
2) Did we give generously and cheerfully?
3) Did we save appropriately?
4) Did we invest for the future proportionately?
5) Did we spend moderately?
6) What financial adjustments must we make for this next year?

3. FAMILY

A. Father

B. Son

1) How am I doing as a son?
2) How did I honor my Father and Mother this past year?

C. Brother

1) How am I doing as a brother?
2) How did I love and care for my brothers and sisters?

4. WORK

A. Did I see my work as a gift from God?
B. Did I do my work as unto the Lord?
C. Am I living as a man under authority showing respect, gratefulness, a servant and quiet spirit?
D. Am I showing excellence and diligence in my work?
E. Am I taking the low place and trusting God for His invitations, appointments and exaltation in His time?
F. Am I “choosing to cheat”?
G. What three work relationships need more time?

5. CHURCH/MINISTRY

A. Am I living in community with other believers?
B. Am I investing, influencing and inviting other outsiders?
C. Where did I strategically serve in my local church?

Some additional questions:

6. In reviewing last year, what areas reveal the most progress? The least progress?

➢ Most –

➢ Least –

7. What is the wildest, most unconventional thing I could do this next year to live with more passion? What out of the box thinking could we do?

8. Who will hold me accountable to be my best self this next year?

9. The most significant way I will influence others is…

10. List 3-5 of your best achievements this past year.

11. Strengths and Successes – Identify what has worked well this past year.

12. Struggles and Stresses – What has not been working so well?

13. Habits – What are the most purposeful daily habits you could develop/upgrade over the next 12 months? Develop 1 habit at a time, not 2, not 5.

14. Clutter – Identify 3 messes or clutter projects you’d like to clean up in the next 12 months? Clutter can be anything that is taking up room in my mind…for example we have 1000 AU’s (Attention Units) and anything from a sick relative, to wayward child, to troublesome marriage, to bitterness can all take up mental and emotional capacity. We must un-clutter our minds so that we can reach full potential.

15. Character – Proverbs 22:1 says, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Identify 3 qualities you’d like to see associated with your name as well as how you’d define each quality. I wrote the following for me.

1. Loving – That I fully received the love of God into my life and loved Him and people in return

Matthew 22:37-39 – Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and greatest commandment. [39] And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

2. Humility – Taking the low place before God and others

Luke 14:7 When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

3. Servant – That I was more interested in the needs of others than myself.

Mark 10:43-44 – Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, [44] and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.

Health Decline

As time passed, I went to work in churches and Dad and Pat did their thing. At best dad maintained his health, however in 1989 he had open-heart surgery. I flew into Cedar Rapids, Iowa to be with him and Pat. I prayed for him before he went in and wept for him when he came out of surgery. I hurt for him as he lay there. The surgery was inevitable, however his heart was never to be the same .

The dysfunctional heartbeat needed correction. Doctors attempted to help with a new, still-being-tested defibrillator, which malfunctioned and caused dad more problems. Eventually his heart became stable when the defibrillator was replaced with a working one and a pacemaker was added. Along the way, medication helped his heart, but caused kidney failure so for the last 3 ½ years of dad’s life. He experienced kidney dialysis five times a day in one-hour intervals.

Pat

I want to publicly thank and appreciate Pat, my step mom, for loving my dad through thick and thin. These thirty-two roses represent their thirty-two years of marriage. She has been an unsung hero loving dad, caring for dad, laughing at his jokes, and being the helpmate and loving wife during very difficult circumstances. I told her she has earned her PHD in health care with her experience with doctors, hospitals and caring for dad. Pat, I love you very, very much and I thank God for your heart and life. Your service and life has not gone unnoticed. Great will be your reward in heaven. Jesus said it like this, “When you give one of these a cup of water, it is like you gave me a cup of water.”

A Friend

I give you this background because I want you to understand somewhat of who was George Bailey. Similar to the character of Jimmy Stewart played, Dad has friends like you who loved him very much. You are his resume. You invested in each other, and because of that you are better people. Friendships are life-long, they compound over time. Dad was rich because of the friendships he had with you. Dad was also a giver.

A Giver

Dad was a Shriner, he gave to support the local effort to help sick children. Children had a soft spot in Dad’s heart. He loved his grandchildren, Rebekah, Rachel, Bethany and Anna Grace. His mind was sharp, always capturing those details that only a caring grandfather would remember. How is their school? Tell me about their basketball. Any boys hanging around? One Christmas Dad and Pat came to stay with us. During their stay he hired three men to build the girls a playhouse you would have thought was the Ritz Carlton. The girls still affectionately call it granddaddy’s playhouse.

A Fighter

Dad was also a fighter. The reason he survived a heart attack at age 33 was his ability to persevere, move forward, and never give up. Life to Dad was a daily adventure. He knew he was living on borrowed time, as early as age 40. He was extremely conscious that everyday was a gift from God. Maybe that’s why he was so mature, focused and sometimes demanding. I love dad because he wanted to live life to its fullest, not waste a minute. That’s one reason why I think his last 3 ½ years were extra hard on him, being confined to home.

A Christian

The last point I want to mention is dad’s faith. Many have prayed for dad’s spiritual and physical health over the years. Many of those prayers have been answered and I want to personally thank you. One of those prayer requests was for dad to know God in a personal way through Jesus Christ. It came after one of his near death experiences. From his hospital bed, on the phone, he expressed to me, that God had a purpose for him. That had allowed him to live for a reason. He believed in Christ and wanted to do His will.

Soon after this Dad and Pat came to our home during Thanksgiving. The girls, Rita and I gave him a Bible, which he cherished and was very grateful. He started attending a Bible study at a local church lead by the pastor.

Conclusion

I love my dad. Thank you for being a part of his life. I am grateful God gives us the hope of seeing him again. Events like these are a good time for all of us to take a personal inventory. The Bible teaches to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Will the minister be able to stand at your funeral one day and say with confidence you are present with the Lord? If not, this is a very good time to settle that issue by trusting Christ as savior and Lord.

George Carson Bailey/Eulogy
December 13, 2000

Introduction

Dad was born November 29, 1935 in Salyersville, Kentucky. Delivered by Dr. Conley, relative to Dad’s mom who was a Conley. Not only did we have a doctor in the family, but a preacher. Wallace Bailey was the pastor of the Baptist church in Salyersville around 1800. The Baileys and Conleys were well-known families in the community. In fact, they celebrated the Baileys on Founder’s Day 1986 in the small community of Salyersville. Dad told me once he was just a hillbilly from Kentucky. Those of you who knew him knew he was much more than a hillbilly.

Personality

You could describe dad as a loner, gypsy, stubborn, headstrong, spoke his mind, independent, unconventional and a strange mixture of a liberal conservative. I love my dad for many reasons one of which he was himself. You never wonder what dad meant, sometimes you wished he were a little more tactful in his delivery and tone. Yes, somewhat rough on the outside but warm on the inside.

Military

Dad wanted badly to leave his small, rural roots, of Rensealer, IN. He struck out on his own early in life by joining the army. He served his country well for two years during the Korean conflict. He stayed stateside and even received a medal of conduct when Uncle Sam discharged him.

Marriage/Divorce

Part of his military travels brought him towards Huntsville, Alabama, where my mom-to-be had moved to the big city from Rockledge, Al. Dad did rob the cradle with a 17-year-old bride. I was soon born in 1960 and my brother Mitch three years later in 1963. Sadly, dad and mom’s marriage came to an abrupt end by divorce in 1965. Even as a five year old I was angry, hurt and disillusioned. However, looking back, the challenges our family experienced brought us closer to each other and to God

My Character Building

I learned forgiveness, hard work, discipline, teamwork and business savvy. Mostly, through this process; I found God through Jesus Christ. He is the greatest thing that ever happened to me. God is my motivation for being here today and for trying to be a good son to my dad.

Growing up, Mitch and I would travel a couple a weeks a year to visit dad and Pat. It was exciting going to places like Panama City, fishing with the Ford children, and catching our limit since the “blues” were “running.” The early days of travel to Dallas, Winston Salem, and Newark, NJ, whet my appetite to see places and experience people outside my world. This was another blessing under difficult circumstances.

It was hard for dad to share his inner feelings (as it is with most men), however he was compelled that Mitch and I learn from his mistakes from over the years. At age 40 I appreciate much more now his sermon about eating healthy, exercise and avoiding cigarettes. At age five knowing I was a curious and bold young man he lit me one up and had me smoke it. Of course, I turned first green, then pale, and proceeded to toss my cookies. Emotionally and physically I was converted. To this day I have not smoked a cigarette.

My Conversion

When I became a Christian in the spring of 1979, I wanted to express my newfound faith to those who I loved and respected. Some were elated, others unsure and a few thought I was off my rocker. Dad was in the third group. His response was, “son those church people have brainwashed you.” He said, “I have my own way of thinking. Preachers used to come over to our house and preach to me, so don’t preach to me” I learned real quickly, the best thing I could do was live my Christianity before dad by being a good son.

Two years after becoming a Christian, I excitedly told dad I had been called to a vocation of Christian ministry. He deflated my bubble and said, “son there is no money in that career choice, and whatever you do don’t go to Africa as a missionary.” However I could tell, Dad respected and loved me because he believed I would do what I thought was right and do it with a 110% effort.

Relationship Building

As providence would have it, I attended Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth from 1982-85, the same time dad worked for General Dynamics. Rita and I and Rebekah (8 months old and only grandchild) would go by for regular visits to see dad and Pat. Our church was a mile from their apartment. I felt Dad and I grow much closer during this time. It was eerie how much I saw myself in him and how much he saw himself in me. Though we didn’t always agree, we respected and loved each other.

To be continued…