Pastor Bruce Bilkey here.  Sorry for not writing; haven't felt like it lately; too much going on ...  hope you understand ...

The church I've pastored for the last ten/fifteen years is no more:  the church building was heavily damaged by the recent floods that struck Nashville; I knew when I saw the damage that it was irreparable; nothing could be done to save it.  It broke my heart!  So now we will be holding church services in an empty warehouse up the road a piece until a.) our old building can be repaired, or b.) God finds us a new building to where we can start up a church again -- whatever He decides.

Happily, despite the heavy losses to my church, I and my family all escaped in time; we went to a shelter until the waters receded.  Our house had several inches of water, but it was otherwise unscathed; it could have been so much worse.  We are just thankful it wasn't.  We are now back home, and the damaged items have been fixed or thrown out; it is back to business as usual for the Bilkey Bunch.

Now if I could only say that about our church home ...

Tomorrow is our first service "away from home"; as I mentioned, forthcoming services will be held at an empty warehouse.  Since our church family is so large (2,000 + members, and steadily growing!), we needed the extra room; the warehouse should be able to hold everyone with relatively few problems.  Tomorrow I will be preaching about "The Calm After The Storm", about how God brings us through even the worst of times and makes us stronger as a result.  I want these people to know that no matter what happens, God is always there and that He will never leave them.  I want to give them a sense of hope.

Lord knows, we all can use that now here in Tennessee!

I know that tomorrow there'll be a good turnout; I am looking forward to it!  It may not be church in the traditional sense, but as long as we gather together to worship, hear the Word of God, and support one another during this time of renewal and uncertainty, it's still church, even if it's not in a church building!  As long as you have the Word in you and bring the Message to the masses, then you can have church anywhere, even if it is in your own backyard, in a store, in an empty warehouse, or even at a prison or hospital!

I am sure the congregants will forget that they're in an empty warehouse once we get the praise music crankin' and the Word into their hearts, minds, and souls!  They will know that they are in church!  :)

I am grateful for all that opened their doors to us and those who lost so much.  I have seen more compassion, more aid, more love during these past few weeks than I have in a long time, and it warms my spirit.  I pray the people of Nashville remember that people truly do care, and those who lost everything (including several country stars) find the peace/comfort that passes all understanding and know that God is with them, even in their time of loss and sadness.

I pray that Nashville rises again, bigger and better than ever before! 

I know she is because the Grand Ole Opry continues, even though the house is now basically stripped down to the floorboards; the show is being held at the War Memorial Auditorium.  And the sounds of music are being heard up and along Music Row and other parts of the city.  She is starting to come back; it may be a while before she is up to her former glory, but the recovery pariod has begun, and that includes myself and my church family.

Well, I am going to go to bed:  too early for me to be up; Saturday is my "sleeping-in" day.  LOL  I also have to go over my sermon notes, to make sure it is the way I want it.  Just pray our first service in the warehouse goes without a hitch; pray for the sound crew, the church staff, and the congregants, particularly those who were hit especially hard from the flooding!  I would greatly appreciate it!  God bless and know that He is still on the throne, even in times of despair!  He is always with us!

~In His Service,  Pastor Bruce Bilkey, Nashville, TN.  :)