Pastor’s Corner – June 2023

Bill & Beth Horton

Forsyth Park Caller

June 2023

Pastor’s Corner

Father’s Day has always meant different things for me. I had several father figures in my life, and have been one for others. My folks divorced when I was in the second grade, and we moved from North Dakota to North Carolina, where I had been born to be with my maternal grandparents. My grandfather was extremely special to me, sharing sports games; learning how to play baseball; helping me learn to drive, etc.

I had a step-father while in junior high, but let’s not go there. A few years later, my dad came back into my life. When I was at wake Forest, I played intramural basketball. I remember one day in the winter, my dad came in with his boots on and found a chair to watch me play. And he hates basketball! It has been a blessing to have him in my life since.

In 1983, Beth and I were about to be married. Her dad John sat in a room with me while we were waiting. He was a bit intimidating-a big, proud Italian man who I had only met a couple of times. But over the years, I came to respect him and even love him for raising my wife and her siblings.
As Beth and I raised our son and daughter, I not only taught a lot of lessons, but learned many myself. Then as a grandfather of three, it has been a real blessing to be around them and taking them to church.

Our Father in Heaven has shown us how to be a father and has blessed many of us with families. May we rededicate ourselves to being the fathers and grandfathers the Lord would have us be.

More posts from: June 2023 | Pastor's Corner

Pastor’s Corner – March 2025

Pastor’s Corner - March 2025 I am currently listening to the song “Sweet Land of Rest”. It says there’s a land where joy is waiting, far beyond all space and time. It continues “there will be no separation; no more pain; no sad good-byes. One day all is matchless...

Pastor’s Corner – February 2025

Pastor’s Corner - February 2025 There was a song in the 70s I think, called “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love”. It was during the tumultuous times of the 60s and 70s: Vietnam; Civil Rights Movement; Watergate. But it could be argued that we need love even...

Pastor’s Corner – January 2025

Pastor’s Corner - January 2025 When I was in school, I always liked the first day. Not to meet new teachers, or have to learn after a summer of baseball and friends. No, it was the day when you gathered all your new school supplies and headed to school. And in my...