Here is the official obituary as it appeared in The Dallas Morning News. "Pruett, Bro. M. V. Born on June. 15, 1925 Departed on, August 23, 2011 Resided in Mesquite, TX. Bro. M. V. Pruett, of Mesquite, Texas, passed away peacefully at Beacon Hospice in Longview, Texas on August 23, 2011. Following a public burial at The Mesquite Cemetery at 12:00 noon on Saturday, August 27, 2011, a service of worship and celebration will be held at 2:00 pm at Wildwood Baptist Church. Family will receive friends at the Wildwood Baptist Church Friday evening from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. "
I first met Bro. Pruett, when I was taking piano lessons from Beth Bassett and working for Mr. Bassett. I met two of his daughters (Kelley & Paula) as they were taking piano lessons there also. If I was mowing when they would arrive for piano lessons, I would try to find a way to get close enough to say hi to them. Bro. Pruett would come over and just spend time talking to me ( as a Pastor and friend and not as a parent), if he was the one who brought the girls. He just loved people.
After I started driving, I started attending Wildwood Baptist Church where he was Pastor. His compassion for people was maybe his biggest quality. He had a presence about him that just seemed to calm those around him. I know that when my 1st son was born, my wife was in labor all night. It reach a point the next morning when the Doctor saw the need to perform a c section. My mother and mother in law had both been there all night also and were fit to be tied by early in the morning. So about 5 am I called Bro. Pruett and he came down to the hospital and as soon as he walked in everyone started calming down. After Jarrod was born and everyone else went home, Bro. Pruett took me to have breakfast with him and to talk. He told me that he appreciated getting to sleep that night, but he would have been down there with me from the start if I had called him.
That was the way he was with everyone. He is the only preacher that I have ever known that would call his Deacons a hour or two before the service was scheduled to start to tell them that they needed to fill in for him because he needed to be with a family at their time of crises.
He was the Pastor that baptized me after my salvation experience that had occurred years earlier. He also performed Virginia's and mine wedding ceremony and over saw me being ordained as a Deacon when I was 25.
While I will not put him on a pedestal and worship him, nor will even describe him as a great man of God, I will say that the man that we knew and loved and that meant so much to us was Christ in M. V. Pruett and that was true about him always-even on his worst day.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
The way that the definition of pastor has changed in my life.
Have you ever saw someone who held the office of Pastor and commented on how they were different because they were a real pastor, or have you ever thought that someone was a good preacher and or teacher and not a pastor? Those types of thoughts show that there is a difference between someone holding the office of Pastor and being a pastor. In other words these are 2 separate things. Growing up I use to hear a cliche' that went; "Preachers come a dime a dozen, but a pastor is hard to come by". This too shows that the office of Pastor and the gifting to be a pastor is two different things.
So, what is the difference? Can a person be both: gifted as a pastor and hold the office of Pastor? I believe that someone can be both, but the office can get in the way of using the gift of pastor. I see the differences this way. To hold the office of Pastor is to be the CEO of a corporation. A Pastor overs sees the business of church. He must be involved in the financial bottom line of the corporation (even with a finesse committee). He oversees the programs of the corporation. He is also the salesman of the corporation.
I believe that a person who has been gifted to be a pastor is really just a bell cow or in this case a bell sheep. A bell sheep would be a sheep that knows the Shepherd and is experienced at following Him. The Shepherd buts the bell on that sheep, so that as that sheep is moving as the Shepherd wants, the newer sheep will hear the bell and move with him. In this way, they too will learn the ways of the Shepherd and someday will be bell sheep themselves. To put this in human terms, a true pastor is someone who walks and loves like God. Someone that you can go to for advice. Someone you can go to in times of trouble. Someone who you know will love you even when they do not agree with you. They will be honest with you while loving you. Someone who really does not need to tell you about God, because to be with that person is to be with and see God and to know the love of God. A true pastor is intimately involved in other peoples lives and not hiding behind Secretaries in an office down the hall.
I have come to a funny point in my life. I still enjoy listening to good expository preaching, but I no longer acknowledge the office of Pastor in regards to my life. I have many friends and family to do see the need for a Pastor and I have friends to hold the office of pastor and I do not mean to condemn any of them or anyone else with my beliefs. Even though our beliefs may be different on this I respect and honor you for your beliefs. These are just that, my beliefs. They are between me and God and everyone else needs to approach God the Father about this for themselves.
It is my wish that everyone will know the Love of God for themselves and dwell in that Love to the point that when others see you, they are really seeing God's love through you.
Dennis
So, what is the difference? Can a person be both: gifted as a pastor and hold the office of Pastor? I believe that someone can be both, but the office can get in the way of using the gift of pastor. I see the differences this way. To hold the office of Pastor is to be the CEO of a corporation. A Pastor overs sees the business of church. He must be involved in the financial bottom line of the corporation (even with a finesse committee). He oversees the programs of the corporation. He is also the salesman of the corporation.
I believe that a person who has been gifted to be a pastor is really just a bell cow or in this case a bell sheep. A bell sheep would be a sheep that knows the Shepherd and is experienced at following Him. The Shepherd buts the bell on that sheep, so that as that sheep is moving as the Shepherd wants, the newer sheep will hear the bell and move with him. In this way, they too will learn the ways of the Shepherd and someday will be bell sheep themselves. To put this in human terms, a true pastor is someone who walks and loves like God. Someone that you can go to for advice. Someone you can go to in times of trouble. Someone who you know will love you even when they do not agree with you. They will be honest with you while loving you. Someone who really does not need to tell you about God, because to be with that person is to be with and see God and to know the love of God. A true pastor is intimately involved in other peoples lives and not hiding behind Secretaries in an office down the hall.
Jesus once said to not call people Father, Teacher, or Rabbi because they were not God, I believe that Jesus was telling us to not put people between us and God. To elevate someone in this matter can really usurp the role of The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is to be our guide, teacher, the one who convicts us, our comforter. In short He is God in us.
I have come to a funny point in my life. I still enjoy listening to good expository preaching, but I no longer acknowledge the office of Pastor in regards to my life. I have many friends and family to do see the need for a Pastor and I have friends to hold the office of pastor and I do not mean to condemn any of them or anyone else with my beliefs. Even though our beliefs may be different on this I respect and honor you for your beliefs. These are just that, my beliefs. They are between me and God and everyone else needs to approach God the Father about this for themselves.
It is my wish that everyone will know the Love of God for themselves and dwell in that Love to the point that when others see you, they are really seeing God's love through you.
Dennis
Saturday, August 13, 2011
change in definitions in church.
Have you ever thought of the different meanings that we give to the word church? When we ask someone where they go to church, what do we mean? We use church to refer to buildings and property or to refer to an incorporation, or a set of services, or even church staff. I am not trying to criticize anyone for their beliefs. I am only trying to explain mine.
I see the word church to really be just the plural of the word believer. I mean anytime believers are together they are called church. These get togethers can be planned or just meetings of "chance". When I read the New Testament, I see examples of these get togethers but no command saying this is the way that it must be done.
As someone who not only had grown up attending traditional church meetings, but was a leader with in them, I began to realize that something was missing in these meetings. I believe that even though we talked about God being there, we really did not experience Him as Friend or a close loved one. I have been drawn by the Spirit to look at christianity 101 and to see people as the early christians did.
I think that as we get together with our friends, we are to" spur one another on to love and good works", & to "encourage each other" For me this is better done in intimate settings, instead of corporate meetings where everyone who gathers is told what to do, what to sing, what to give, and what to think. For me this best done by sharing with each other from the heart, friend to friend. to be there for each other, to bear with each other. We realize that any changes in us can only be made by God through us. That is grace. That is living inside out. God cleans the inside of our hearts and so our attitudes and actions change. Any changes that we attempt to make by coercion, will only change the actions. An alcoholic can stop drinking but in their soul they are still an alcoholic unless they are changed on the inside. The same is true with each of us and all of our short comings. It is only when God changes our insides that true changes occur.
I see the word church to really be just the plural of the word believer. I mean anytime believers are together they are called church. These get togethers can be planned or just meetings of "chance". When I read the New Testament, I see examples of these get togethers but no command saying this is the way that it must be done.
As someone who not only had grown up attending traditional church meetings, but was a leader with in them, I began to realize that something was missing in these meetings. I believe that even though we talked about God being there, we really did not experience Him as Friend or a close loved one. I have been drawn by the Spirit to look at christianity 101 and to see people as the early christians did.
I think that as we get together with our friends, we are to" spur one another on to love and good works", & to "encourage each other" For me this is better done in intimate settings, instead of corporate meetings where everyone who gathers is told what to do, what to sing, what to give, and what to think. For me this best done by sharing with each other from the heart, friend to friend. to be there for each other, to bear with each other. We realize that any changes in us can only be made by God through us. That is grace. That is living inside out. God cleans the inside of our hearts and so our attitudes and actions change. Any changes that we attempt to make by coercion, will only change the actions. An alcoholic can stop drinking but in their soul they are still an alcoholic unless they are changed on the inside. The same is true with each of us and all of our short comings. It is only when God changes our insides that true changes occur.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Dance
Some of the Alumni are planning a dance in Sept. a week after the Alumni Lunch. I am always glad to get together with my friends and I am supporting both events. I am also hoping that a bunch of people show up at each one.
However, dancing does have concerns for me. First there is the fact that I do not know how to dance. I have never got up on a dance floor and danced. I have never done so publicly. Never do so with a partner.
The second thing is how will that affect my marriage. I am not talking about affecting my wife because I am not having secret rendezvous with anyone or going out of town to spend time in a motel with anyone. I am talking about how will dancing affect my attitude towards my marriage. Is stepping out on a dance floor with someone no different from twirling around the living room with my granddaughter or something more?
I don't have the answers to this one and since I have not experienced this, then I cannot draw upon my past either. As far as getting the answer from the Bible, that can go either way. I believe David either danced with other women or danced in a matter that exposed himself to other women while The Ark Of The Covenant was returning to Jerusalem and God was pleased even if Michal wasn't.
Dennis
However, dancing does have concerns for me. First there is the fact that I do not know how to dance. I have never got up on a dance floor and danced. I have never done so publicly. Never do so with a partner.
The second thing is how will that affect my marriage. I am not talking about affecting my wife because I am not having secret rendezvous with anyone or going out of town to spend time in a motel with anyone. I am talking about how will dancing affect my attitude towards my marriage. Is stepping out on a dance floor with someone no different from twirling around the living room with my granddaughter or something more?
I don't have the answers to this one and since I have not experienced this, then I cannot draw upon my past either. As far as getting the answer from the Bible, that can go either way. I believe David either danced with other women or danced in a matter that exposed himself to other women while The Ark Of The Covenant was returning to Jerusalem and God was pleased even if Michal wasn't.
Dennis
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Scattershooting.
Back in 1979, my wife and I went to Missouri with some close friends (Mike and Sharon Paris) who were from there. We spent a couple of days in Fredricktown with Sharon's family and while we were there, her Dad was talking about our Summers here in Texas and said that we were "next door to Hell" with all the heat that we have. This past week reminded me of him telling me that.
Lometa's husband, Bobby Rorie had an Aunt Rosie who past away this past week and my heart goes out to them. I knew his Aunt Rosie and her family when I was a kid and told my Mom about her passing away. My Mom told me that she had known her since the 1st grade ( at Tripp which is now known as Sunnyvale) and had gone to school with her though High School (Mesquite High School) as well as church. I knew that my Mom's mom ( whom I called Dodo) grew up on land that is now covered by Lake Ray Hubbard, but my Mom also told me that Dodo's mother's family had lived there for a while and that our relationships with the Duckworths go back several generations. I had always thought that I was the first one in my family to be friends and to grow up with the Duckworths ( however I did know that Mom grew up with Bubba's mom), so I guess that tells you how much I know.
I went to the circus today, and I liked it. While watching the performances, I noticed a couple of mistakes by the performers. One of the acrobats missed her jump and the rope that she was wearing caught her and kept her from falling. There were men holding the other end of ropes that they were wearing and these people not only made sure that the ropes kept the performers safe but also that the ropes did not prohibit them from performing. I really thought that was a nice picture of what love is like, whether it is God's love for us or our love for each other.
Dennis
Lometa's husband, Bobby Rorie had an Aunt Rosie who past away this past week and my heart goes out to them. I knew his Aunt Rosie and her family when I was a kid and told my Mom about her passing away. My Mom told me that she had known her since the 1st grade ( at Tripp which is now known as Sunnyvale) and had gone to school with her though High School (Mesquite High School) as well as church. I knew that my Mom's mom ( whom I called Dodo) grew up on land that is now covered by Lake Ray Hubbard, but my Mom also told me that Dodo's mother's family had lived there for a while and that our relationships with the Duckworths go back several generations. I had always thought that I was the first one in my family to be friends and to grow up with the Duckworths ( however I did know that Mom grew up with Bubba's mom), so I guess that tells you how much I know.
I went to the circus today, and I liked it. While watching the performances, I noticed a couple of mistakes by the performers. One of the acrobats missed her jump and the rope that she was wearing caught her and kept her from falling. There were men holding the other end of ropes that they were wearing and these people not only made sure that the ropes kept the performers safe but also that the ropes did not prohibit them from performing. I really thought that was a nice picture of what love is like, whether it is God's love for us or our love for each other.
Dennis
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