A Tribute to Bill Sherrill

Bill and Beth Sherrill

My friend and mentor, Bill Sherrill, finished his journey on this earth and went to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, this week.

Bill and Me in 2015

I first met Bill back in 2007 when I first arrived back to the US after serving with the IMB for a decade.

2013 KBA Staff Pic

A lot of what I have to say about Bill, I wrote in a tribute to him when he retired two years ago because of the effects of a brain tumor and its treatment.

Here is that tribute:

For the past 9 ½ years, you have been my pastoral mentor. You have invested in my life to help me be a better pastor; a better man.

You have walked with me through some very difficult times in ministry and in my personal life and celebrated with me when all seemed to be right in the world.

Bill, you are an example of a godly man. You are generous and loving. I know you to be righteous and zealous for the Lord. In the face of difficult circumstances, your motto has been, “I’m just trusting the Lord; He knows best.”

When Sally and I first returned from the mission field, you spent hours with me helping to determine what God had next for us. You spent an entire day driving me around to all the pastorless churches in our Association and prayed with me at each church for God’s direction.

Over countless meals, we’ve discussed theology, missiology, eschatology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and every other kind of ology you can think of.  And sometimes, just talked about the weather, because that’s what friends do.

We have laughed together; cried together; traveled together; worked together; and even schemed together.

Through all of this I have come to know several things that are patently obvious:

You love the Lord with all your heart.

You love Beth and married WAY above your station.

You love your family: your kids and grandkids.

You love this Association.

You love people and want to see lost people saved and God’s kingdom increased.

I also know that you care about me.

[And if you know Bill at all, you know he cares about you, too.]

As you write this next chapter of your life, I want to remember that God isn’t finished with you yet. You don’t get to fully retire from ministry until you hear “well done, good and faithful servant.” I want to encourage you to find a place of service. As long as you are breathing, you are important in God’s Kingdom.

I want to thank you, Bill, because you’ve made a difference in my life.

Addressing the pastors of the Muskogee Baptist Association in 2010

We are going to bury Bill's earthly tabernacle today. But, as fellow believers in Jesus Christ, we will see him again. I'm going to miss my friend.

Racism? Hate Speech? Seriously?

When I was critical of Obama, I was accused of hate speech. When I express approval for Trump, I am accused of hate speech. Yet, actual threats and hate speech towards POTUS45 are not just ignored, but encouraged.

 

I found out today, that anyone who rooted for the Rams in the Superbowl was against Trump and anyone who rooted for the Patriots was racists and pro-Trump. That's news to me. And, that is just about the silliest thing I've ever heard.

 

I really thought things were improving after the disaster called the Obama Administration. He single-handedly set back race-relations 100 years and placed incredible moral stumbling blocks for the easily influenced in the form of gender/sexuality/marriage ambiguities.

Is it all Obama's fault? Of course not. But he certainly wasn't America's savior.

Is Trump America's savior? Of course not. But at least he doesn't hate America.

 

A few days ago, I was accused of being a racist because I suggested someone check their facts. CHECK THEIR FACTS. Wow.

Let's give this racism/hate speech card a rest for a little while. Maybe we just all need a break from Facebook and Twitter....