Finishing the School Year
The second semester at Heritage Baptist College was anything but regular. We had a good year, and we were looking forward to a wonderful Graduation Week…but as Job said…yet trouble came (3:26). No one could have envisioned a shutdown of the nation, but we knew that postponing classes was the correct response to our governor’s mandate. We were within six weeks of completion of classes, so when the governor relaxed the restrictions, we safely began classes again in the middle of May. With creative scheduling, our last class should finish during the 2nd week of June.
We thank the Lord for the opportunity to complete the semester, and we appreciate our teachers and students that have been so patient.
Praise the Lord!
Closing Event – June 26, 2020 - Picnic
We always look forward to an ending banquet as we close the school year out. Food, music, and seeing old friends is always a part of the event. At the completion of the banquet, an offering is also taken to aid the college in the summer needs and projects.
Acting on a good suggestion, we are instead going to hold a picnic at the college for our final gathering of the semester. We want to invite everyone to enjoy a meal of Fried Chicken, Fried Crappie Fillets, and Pulled Pork, including all the fixings, and ending with a slice of pie from Gray Brothers Cafeteria.
All are invited to the evening event that begins at 7:00 p.m. It is important that you make reservations by contacting us at: 317-738-3791 or 317-246-8915. The cost of a ticket is $10.
Celebrating 9 Years!
On May 17, 2011, Lilliana Joy Dennis was born into the family of President & Mrs. Russell Dennis, Jr. By medical averages, Trisomy 18 babies are not expected to be born (only 1 out of 100 survive birth), let alone live out their first week (1/2 of those born die within the first few weeks). Only 10% of the Trisomy 18 babies that are born achieve 1 year old.
Last month, Lilliana Joy Dennis turned nine years old. Daily prayers and aggressive health measures have seen this little girl survive open heart surgery and then begin to thrive.
During the last year, Lilliana became a “one in a million girl” when she was diagnosed with cancer covering ½ of her liver. God answered prayers, and Lilliana has been “cancer free” for the past six months.
The theme of this year’s birthday was “Trust His Heart.” Using that title, a five-minute video was released for her special day. You can view that video at: https://youtu.be/mSTusl2l3xQ
It Seems So Simple
Approximately five miles from Heritage Baptist College, on the north side entering Franklin, there sits a very interesting car dealership called Evolution Autos.
As my son and I have driven past, we have noticed that the cars at the dealership change. We have decided that this car dealership works on natural selection, and that it lives up to its name. Where once a Volkswagen was parked, the next week it may be a Mustang, and a month later a Cadillac. What a novel way to grow a dealership’s inventory. Given time, any car can evolve into a more expensive model.
You would say: “Preacher that is ridiculous. These cars were merely moved from one parking place to another. There was no evolution in the car industry.”
I would counter with: “Were you there?” “How do you know?”
Then with a smile I would agree, and point to a larger lesson. In the history of the Earth, we can all view the same facts, yet none of us were there at the beginning. It is how you interpret the actual facts that will bring you to the Truth - Whether from the eternal Bible perspective, or by using man’s ever changing, finite knowledge.
Ending Notes
June is the month that we remember our fathers. Hardly a day goes by that I do not recall a saying, an anecdote, or some wisdom that was imparted by my father, Dr. Russell Dennis, Sr.
Directly after he passed away on June 6, 1998, I received his two preaching Bibles. I used each of these Bibles as I read through the Word of God the next two times, copying various sayings that he had written in the margins of his Bible.
I have shared in past June Updates a few of the many nuggets in my Dad’s Bible. Here are some gleanings from the book of Colossians:
Don’t be afraid to walk where you have never walked before (1:10)
Love knits together (2:2)
How they capture your mind – Philosophy & Vain Deceit “1984” (2:8).
Live in the New Nature, and Die to the Old (2:13ff)
Faith has to “Stepout”
The Place to Serve - Everywhere (3:17-24)
A Sweet Husband (3:19)
God will do the impossible if you will do the possible
Fulfill your Ministry (4:17)
It is not what they do to you that counts, it is how you react. – Russell Dennis, Sr., Ph.D.