Short Trip to Biloxi, MS – Submarine Reunion and Area Scenes

Hi. Hoping you all are well and being blessed of the Lord.

On Monday, August 8, 2022, we drove to Biloxi, MS to meet with 13 of my shipmates for a short, informal “reunion”.
We returned home Wednesday morning, August 10, 2022.

Submarine Crew Reunion, USS Haddo
We served on the nuclear attack submarine USS Haddo (SSN 604).
This group served together in the 1971-1977 timeframe.
I was onboard from early May, 1972 until June, 1976.

This was taken in early May, 1973 in Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
We were on our way back to Groton, CT (home port) after 2 weeks of maneuvers with a destroyer squadron in the Caribbean.

The gathering was held at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, which is located on the shore in Biloxi, Mississippi.

Front Row, L-R: Jim Lane, Don Payne, Bill Allen, Terry Elkins, Billy Frantz, Me
Second Row, L-R: Geoff Warnock, Dempsey Rouse, John Vaassen, Jocko Adams, Ladd Tomlin, Leon Hallman, Darrell Brown

I am very thankful to have served with these men, Good Guys All!
This picture was taken at the home of Billy and Waynette Frantz, who live nearby in Ocean Springs, MS.
We will ALWAYS be thankful for their wonderful hospitality in hosting the Monday night supper and gathering.

Hard Rock Hotel

The Hard Rock Hotel has two areas: Main building (which includes a tower with rooms, and a casino), and a “Platinum” room tower.
Here are some views of the hotel.

This guitar is the iconic symbol for the hotel and casino

The main building is on the right, Platinum tower on the left.

The hotel has a nice pool area with views of the ocean

Our room was on the 7th floor of the main building, and faced the pool and ocean.
Here are a view views from our room (note: the tinted windows created somewhat of a “blue” color to the pictures.)

I *think* the pilings in the water are remnants of a building that was destroyed by hurricane Katrina in August, 2005.

The tall building beyond the parking lot is the Beau Rivage Hotel and Casino

Here’s Sandra in the lobby area. Note the changing colors of the background “mural”.

Ocean Views

Here are some views of the ocean from the pool area and nearby shoreline.

Taken the second day with much nicer weather…

Evening-Night Views
On Tuesday evening, we went to a seafood restuarant, located next door to the hotel parking garage.

The food and service at McElroy’s Harbor House were very good.

After supper, walked around the area for some nice evening views.

Note the moon rising in the upper left of the picture.

A closer view from the previous photo. Note the two sea gulls in the middle-right.

Thankful for the fun time with my shipmates, and getting to see this part of Biloxi.

God Bless!!

August, 2022 Meeting at Antioch Church – Oxford, MS

Hi! Hope this finds you and your family doing well, and enjoying the peaceful and comforting grace of our Lord.

On the first weekend of August (5, 6), Antioch Primitive Baptist Church – Elder Jeremy Wise, Pastor, hosted the annual August meeting.
(The meeting started Friday night and ended on Saturday afternoon.)
Elder Mark Quarles, pastor of Providence Primitive Baptist Church in Stringer, Mississippi, was the invited minister.

Each service was preceded by a song service, led by song leaders, and sung by the congregation “a Capella” (without musical instruments).

Thankful for all the dear Brothers that led singing!
Bro. John Mark Quarles (center), is the son of Eld. Mark and Sis. Emily Quarles

Friday Night, 08-05-2022

Eld Mark Quarles preached from Genesis 24 on “A Wife for Isaac”.
References included:
– Galatians 3:16
From this message:
– Pray to God that He will guide you to a spouse that follows the Lord
– Abraham was rich in wealth, God is rich in His mercy and love
– God answers His Children’s prayers, as He answered the servant’s prayer
– Abraham’s servant led the bride to Isaac, as God’s Word and called ministers lead His people to Him

Saturday Morning, 08-06-2022

Eld. Mark Quarles preached from John 11 on “Raising Lazarus”.
From this message:
– Jesus was never late, always on time
– Our eternal home is based on Jesus
– Jesus is the only one with life-giving resurrection power to raise the dead
– Jesus’ voice is life-giving!
– The Gospel looses God’s Children from the grave clothes of untruth

Morning services were followed by a fellowship lunch in the dining room.

Saturday Afternoon
Eld. Mark Quarles preached on “Faith”
References included:
– Matthew 15
– Mark 9
– Psalm 27:14
– Psalm 40
From this message:
– Regardless of our circumstances, wait on the Lord
– How is Faith exercised?
* Never give up in seeking the Lord
* Get closer to Jesus and His Kimgdom

L-R: Eld. Jeremy Wise, Eld. Mark Quarles

Personal Note
We were very thankful for our first opportunity to visit Antioch Church.
We appreciate the kind hospitality of the church, and Bro.Mark’s preaching.

Thankful for the blessed preaching and loving fellowship at this meeting!

Church Information
For more information on Antioch Primitive Baptist Church, search for the church on Facebook.

For more information on Providence Primitive Baptist Church, see this page:
https://www.providencepb.church/

God Bless!!

July, 2022 “Three Days Meeting” at Union Church

Hi! Hope this finds you and your family doing well, and enjoying the peaceful and comforting grace of our Lord.

On the fourth weekend of July (22, 23, 24), Union Primitive Baptist Church – Elder James Conley, Pastor, hosted its annual Three Days Meeting.
(The meeting started Friday morning and ended on Sunday. We attended the services on Saturday.)
Elder Mark Quarles, pastor of Providence Primitive Baptist Church in Stringer, Mississippi, was the invited minister.

Each service was preceded by a song service, led by song leaders, and sung by the congregation “a Capella” (without musical instruments).

L-R: Bro Joe Young, Eld. James Conley, Eld. Joe Myers
ALL good singers!

Note the beautiful interior of the church building

Saturday Morning, 07-23-2022

Eld. Mark Quarles preached from Genesis 6 on “Noah and the Ark”.
References included:
– Genesis 7
– Hebrews 3:5
From this message:
– Noah = Rest and Comfort
– God made the world good, but man made the world evil
– Only God can give us rest on the “inside”
– Walk with God via Prayer and His Word
– As God shut Noah and his family into the Ark, so are God’s people in His grace and eternal salvation
– Let us stay in God’s ways!

Morning services were followed by a fellowship lunch in the dining room.
Later many went to the home of Joe and Romona Young for a wonderful time of music, singing, and fellowship.
A fellowship supper was served in the church dining room prior to the evening service

Saturday Evening
Eld. Mark Quarles preached from Genesis 7 on “The Flood”
References included:
– Psalm 69:14-15
– Psalm 40:13
– Genesis 8
From this message:
– The Flood was God’s “waters of judgement”
– God has given us the victory
– The ark was lifted up by the waters, like Jesus was on the cross
– The ark settled on land, like Jesus rose from the grave
– We will never find rest in this world

L-R: Eld. James Conley, Eld. Mark Quarles

Union Church is a wonderful place to worship and fellowship with God’s people.

Personal Note
We were very thankful to attend this meeting, and experience the loving fellowship of the members and visitors.
We appreciate the kind hospitality of the church (including being in the home of Joe and Ramona Young), and the wonderful preaching of our dear pastor, Eld. Mark Quarles.

Church Information
For more information on Union Primitive Baptist Church, see this page:
https://unionpbc.net/

For more information on Providence Primitive Baptist Church, see this page:
https://www.providencepb.church/

God Bless!!

July, 2022 Meeting at Antioch Church – Brookhaven, MS

Hi! Hope this finds you and your family doing well, and enjoying the peaceful and comforting grace of our Lord.

On the third weekend of July (15, 16, 17), Antioch Primitive Baptist Church – Elder Ricky Myers and Elder Mickey Myers, Co-Pastors, hosted the annual July meeting.
(The meeting started Friday night and ended on Sunday. We attended the services on Saturday.)
Elder Hugh Sanders, pastor of Ideal Primitive Baptist Church in Petal, Mississippi, was the invited minister.

Each service was preceded by a song service, led by song leaders, and sung by the congregation “a Capella” (without musical instruments).

Saturday Morning, 07-16-2022

Eld. Hugh Sanders preached from 2 Timothy 2:19-20 on “Vessels”.
References included:
– Acts 9:15
– Acts 13:2
– 2 Timothy 2:22
– Psalm 1
From this message:
– Strive to be an Honorable vs. Dishonorable vessel
– Avoid being too involved in earthly things
– Be active in the Kingdom of God
– Flee from sin to keep our “vessel” clean and honorable
– Display the good things of the Spirit

Morning services were followed by a fellowship lunch in the dining room.

Saturday Afternoon
Eld. Hugh Sanders preached on “Prayer”
References included:
– Luke 11:2-4
– Matthew 6
– James 4:3
– Psalm 5
From this message:
– God hears and answers our prayers
– Jesus gave us a pattern example for prayer (Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4)
– Do good without regard to the world’s recognition and compliments
– God knows what we need before we ask

L-R: Eld. Hugh Sanders, Eld. Ricky Myers, Eld. Mickey Myers

Personal Note
We were very thankful for our first opportunity to visit Antioch Church.
We appreciate the kind hospitality of the church, and Bro. Hugh’s preaching.

God Bless!!

New Years Eve (day) in Church!

Hi! Hope this finds you and your family doing well, and enjoying the peaceful and comforting grace of our Lord.

On Friday, 12-31-2021, Ideal Primitive Baptist Church – Elder Hugh Sanders Pastor, hosted the annual New Years Eve meeting.
Elder Lonnie Mozingo was the invited minister.

Each service was preceded by a song service, led by song leaders, and sung by the congregation “a Capella” (without musical instruments).

It’s a blessing to see young people in the church take part in the services!

Elder Hugh Sanders is the pastor of Ideal Church
Bro. Hugh has wonderful gifts of preaching and love of God’s People

Friday Morning,12-31-2021

Eld. Lonnie Mozingo preached from 1 Corinthians 2:2 on “Look Only unto Jesus, and Him Crucified”.
From this message:
– Look to Jesus, regardless of what is happening
– This is the standard of our belief
– We worship a RISEN Savior!
– Jesus is our mediator with God
– Jesus completed His Work!

Following morning services, a fellowship lunch was served in the dining room.

Friday Afternoon

Eld. Lonnie Mozingo preached from 2 Timothy 2:15 on “Study God’s Word”
From this message:
– Study to rightly divide the word of truth

Eld. Lonnie Mozingo is pastor of Salem Primitive Baptist Church in Natchez, Mississippi

Bro. Lonnie was our pastor for several years while we lived in the Atlanta area.
He is a VERY able preacher, and a loving, kind pastor.
It was great to be with him again and hear his fine preaching gift!

Eld. Lonnie Mozingo and Eld. Hugh Sanders

Church Information
For more information on Ideal Primitive Baptist Church, see this page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Church/Ideal-Primitive-Baptist-Church-111049633858293/

For more information on Salem Primitive Baptist Church, see this page:
https://www.salempbcnatchez.org/

God Bless!!!

Walking and Living

My site’s theme, Walking and Living in the Lord’s Creation, isn’t just about my passion for hiking in the “natural” Creation. It’s more about how we “Walk” in this life the Lord has given us.

When I hike a trail (example: Appalachian Trail), it is normally “blazed” with some sort of unique marking (white paint marks on trees and posts). Besides the path below, these markings guide me as to the direction to be taken. It helps me from becoming lost, or wandering into a dangerous area.

God’s Word is our guide when “walking” through this life. He tells what to do and not to do. The longer I live, the more I see His Word as that of a loving, fatherly instruction for His Children – to guide us how to live properly and honoring to Him. However, it is also guidance that helps us avoid the pitfalls that can beset a Child of God in this life.

As a parent and grandparent, I often share thoughts as to how one of the family members should act and behave in certain situations. I tell them this so they can benefit from the result of proper actions, and avoid problems that occur when conducting improper actions.

It is clear to me that we should obey God’s Word because we should HONOR Him for what he has done for us, AND because His Wisdom exceeds all earthly knowledge. These instructions can help us live righteously and safely as we “Walk” through this life He has given us.