Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

Friday morning my son Jacob and I left Charlotte at about 8 AM headed to my beautiful home state of Alabama.  We were headed to Decatur, AL to pick up a Honda Scooter from my good friend Dr. Rob Jackson who is the pastor of Central Baptist.  

Our adventure got started as we got mooned by the giant peach in Gaffney, SC.

Then we made one of our many stops at Starbucks to keep my mind fueled.

Then we stopped at the Georgia welcome center on I-85 S and they were giving away freebies.  We got free lunch, gift certificates, coffee, computer bags, etc…  I do miss Georgia.

We made our way through Atlanta seeing old places we used to go like the Mall of Georgia, Downtown, Philips arena, Turner Field, Georgia Dome, Varsity, Guitar Center and Six Flags.

We drove by Talladega Motor Speedway which was funny because the big race is in Charlotte today.  I love Birmingham and north Alabama.  The scenery is beautiful. Birmingham holds a special place since it is where I met Cassandra.  

When we arrived in Decatur, Rob took us by Central Baptist’s new building.  God is doing amazing things through Rob’s leadership.  They are relocating to a Central place between Decatur and Hartselle, AL.  They bought and existing Savings and Loan office that is huge.  It sits on 29 acres and the amount they paid for this was what the land would have cost alone.  God gave them the building.  It will allow them to grow to 3000 in SS and worship.  WOW!  Rob is a great friend and I’m forever indebted to him and Tonya for making sure Cass and I got together.

Jacob and I loaded up the scooter and left Decatur about 4 PM EST.  We arrived in Birmingham and drove around were I used to work near the former Eastwood Mall (that was torn down and has a new shopping center).  My old employment, Longs Electronics is long gone.  We got back on the road and stopped once again at Starbucks in Oxford, AL.  They gave me free coffee!  

Then we drove around I-285 N and saw our old stomping grounds.  We miss Atlanta.  We stopped again in Commerce, GA so I could get more Starbucks so I wouldn’t fall asleep.  We gassed up in SC.  Their gas is .20 cheaper than Alabama, Georgia and NC.    At midnight we drove back by the peach and I was mooned again.

We arrived home safely about 1:10 AM and I slept late.  We got up and tried out the new scooter.  It has more power than you would think.  Later we met three couples from our church in Mobile for supper at Smokey Bones. They are here for the Coca-Cola 600.  It was great to see them.  Man am I tired!

By the time you read this my son Jacob and I are en route to Decatur, AL to pick up a scooter from my friend Dr. Rob Jackson, pastor of Central Baptist, Decatur, AL.  Rob has been one of my very best friends since our Samford Days.  He used to haze me in our frat (he is a year older than me) but then became one of the closest friends. I owe him and his wife Tonya a ton since they were instrumental in me asking Cassandra out for a date.  Cassandra has been friends from high school.  Cassandra and Tonya had no idea they were marrying ministers since neither Rob or me were in the ministry when we got married.  Maybe that is “bait-and-switch.” 

Anyway, I guess I will be losing my man card today.  But I’ll be saving hundreds of dollars on gas!  Thanks Rob!

It takes a real man to take charge of your finances. Go ahead and rip, I’m man enough!

We can hardly believe it has been six months since our life changed radically.  There has been a lot joy, pain, struggle and fun.  There have been victories and defeats.  If there is one word that describes our change it has been “GRACE.”  

However, we have felt more spiritual warfare the last 3 months than we ever have in a long time. We have experienced some semi-major health issues.  We have some more significant changes/decisions to make and we are dealing with rising costs just like the rest of you.  We did refinance our home to save some money.  In fact our house payment is our only debt that we have.  Praise God.  I’m leaving tomorrow to pick up a gas scooter from a friend to try to save even more money.

Our ministry has changed significantly.  I am doing about 5 different jobs at the church.  All of them are fulfilling but it is hard to juggle so many responsibilities.  We are seeing lives changed and it is exciting.  We are offering so much for a new church.  Of course, the economy is affecting the church too.  Our rent at the school goes up 70% beginning in July.  This will be a strain on our new fellowship.

We are grateful for those of you who have been praying for our ministry.  Most of you know we are raising much of our salary for this year.  We are humbled by those of you who have given sacrificially.  In fact, there are people I’ve never met supporting us financially and that is amazing and a testimony to God.  Here is where we need additional help.  With the rising costs of the church it is putting a strain on the church to make up the slack to pay us.  We have not quite gotten to the $3000 a month we need but the pastor has made sure we are being taken care of.  However, it may become difficult with the rising expenses of the church.  

I don’t feel comfortable asking but I will anyway because I know we are doing what God has asked us to do. If some of you would feel led to help us until December we know that God is going to take care of our needs. We stepped out in faith and we trust God will lay on the hearts those who can help.  All donations are tax deductible.  We would be grateful for any help you can give.  You can send your gift to: (write for the Busseys on your check.)

North Point Community Church

P.O. Box 680877

Charlotte, NC 28216

Again, we are grateful for your prayers and support.  Thanks for being a part of our lives.

My wife and I haven’t slept very well all weekend.  When we heard the news that a former boss, friend and mentor had been involved in something horrible in another state, we couldn’t believe it.  He was always good to us.  We love him and his family.  If you asked me who of all of the people I’ve ever worked with would I think would do something so horrible, he would be the last.

We feel like someone has died!  I can’t explain the way we feel.  What he did was terrible, and if convicted he deserves to be punished according to the law.  But, he is still our friend.  God still loves him and especially his family.  He deserves love and grace because we’ve all sinned. We have tried to get in touch with his family but have been unsuccessful.  We want to talk with his wife and make sure they are being ministered to. 

We have watched the public response from the pastor of this church to his congregation, and frankly we don’t get it.  I realize he feels hurt.  I realize this is embarrassing.  I understand that it gives the church, the pastor and Christianity a black eye.  Yes, the minister needs to be removed from the staff.  But what about ministering to him and his family in a time of need.  When I watched the message from the pastor, it seemed to be all about how he was hurt, his reputation, the church’s reputation and the damage to the church.  What about the wife and son of this disgraced minister?  What about the disgraced minister himself?

Maybe they are ministering to the family.  I sure hope so!  But why not make that public.  The speech reminded me of the spin doctors in Washington DC.  It seemed like they were trying to save face instead of falling on their faces.  

I pray that we as a church will become more forgiving and show  grace, not only to those who come to faith but to those who mess up within the church as well!  

What do you think?