Meet the Pauleys

Words cannot express how truly grateful I am for the prayers of God’s people. I am humbled and honored by the many who pray for us each day. Your labor is not in vain. One half of 2018 is almost gone! Next week we will email our quarterly newsletter and I would love to send it with you. Our family has some news we are excited to share. If you have not already subscribed to our newsletter you may do so by giving us your email address here. I am looking forward to the month of July and the opportunities that lie ahead. Please pray with us for the following meetings: Sunday, July 1 – Morning Services, Pleasant Beach Baptist…

Society is full of people who speak as though they made themselves what they are. Churches are too. It is so easy to think that it was our own effort or ability that brought us to where we are. It was not. Any good thing in our lives is because of God’s goodness to us. He alone is the Source and He uses many channels. The only thing I can make is a mess! Every blot on my life was made by me. Every beauty in my life was made by Him who does all things well. The hymn writer said it beautifully: Naught have I gotten, but what I’ve received. Grace hath bestowed it, since I have believed. Boasting excluded;…

The European’s have long taken their “holiday,” but it is America that has institutionalized the family vacation. American’s spend an inordinate amount of money every year on elaborate trips and extravagant adventures. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, the great thing about vacation is not the place or the activity – it is the people we share it with. We very intentionally set aside a few days each summer just for family. Sometimes it is on the road and sometimes at home. The goal is simple: to make memories together and to give undivided attention to those we love most. Every family is different and everyone wants something different for their vacation. Here are a few principles that…

Dr. Johnny Pope is the pastor of Christchurch Baptist Fellowship in Houston, Texas. His Spirit-filled preaching has always been a tremendous help to me. It is full of Scriptural substance that makes you think and stirs your heart. Brother Johnny has been a friend and encourager. I believe you will be helped by his writing. I respect the gifting of the Holy Spirit to the Body of Christ and I took an informal survey of some of the musicians and singers of our church. I asked, “What would make better singers and worshippers in our song service?” I did not ask the tech guys who were not musicians, or Sunday School teachers, the ushers, or deacons, I asked the musicians.…

Permit me to share with you something personal that God has been doing in my own heart. Week after week I am introduced to speak in some public meeting as an “evangelist.” Am I? Are you? In our world the term has become synonymous with one who travels extensively and preaches publicly. The evangelist is one whose great passion in the salvation of lost souls. This passion is not bound by geography or confined to a certain setting. It is the passion of his life. I am currently helping to teach an online class for the Crown Graduate School and Seminary on “Teaching and Preaching the Bible.” The students were required recently to read one of D.L. Moody’s gospel messages.…

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). We all want to be faithful…but what does that mean? Faithfulness is not a schedule; it is a spirit. There are many people who are present but not present. Fathers who are at home but not really with their family. Church members who are in the meetings but not truly engaged. Preacher’s who are going through the motions but have lost heart. There is a difference between faithfulness and mere routine. Vance Havner once observed, “A rut is just a grave with both ends knocked out of it!” Routines can become ruts. Ruts are death. Here is the real issue: faithful to what? Many a…

Dr. Johnny Pope is the pastor of Christchurch Baptist Fellowship in Houston, Texas. His Spirit-filled preaching has always been a tremendous help to me. It is full of Scriptural substance that makes you think and stirs your heart. Brother Johnny has been a friend and encourager. I believe you will be helped by his writing. Music is important. Far more important than we realize. All music takes us somewhere. When I hear orchestras play, my mind goes to The Chicago Symphony led by the late Sir George Solti. This is where my wife and I spent delightful evenings in our courtship and early marriage. I would also say, my mind also goes to the days when our kids played in…

Many of you faithfully read our Enjoying The Journey blog. Thank you for taking time to read, comment, and share the resources. This year we have had a guest author to post each month and the feedback has been very positive. I am excited to continue sharing the helpful thoughts and resources of others. A dear friend, Dr. Johnny Pope, has recently written some thought-provoking observations on the subject of music in local churches today. I look forward to passing them along with the prayer that God will use them to help us all take a biblical look at the music chosen for our church meetings. I have decided to post Dr. Pope’s thoughts in two parts. The articles are more lengthy…

Hello, praying friends! Thank you for standing with us on your knees. We need your prayers more than ever and are conscious every day that someone is praying. God bless you. The summer is a busy one. We are taking a few days off the road in the middle of this month for some much needed time away with family. Thank you for your love and support. May God give you and your family the greatest summer ever! We would love to see you at one of these meetings in the coming month… Sunday, June 3, Morning Services – New Hope Baptist Church, Madison, WV, Pastor Ray Barker Monday-Friday, June 4-8, Teen Camp – Indian Creek Baptist Camp, Mauckport, IN,…

Just a few days ago we hosted a county-wide baccalaureate service for the graduating seniors of our home county. God blessed in a marvelous way. Hundreds of seniors, parents, grandparents, and friends gathered at a local high school auditorium. The Lord used a great team of volunteers, local churches, business sponsors, donors, and prayer partners. It was truly an exciting thing to be a small part. Seniors from area schools testified, led the music, and sang. Stirring challenges were shared by the State Highway Police Chaplain and a member of the State Board of Education. (Read the local newspaper article here.) It was my privilege to give a simple message about life and eternity. When the gospel was shared 38…