Thabiti gave this good advice in a recent comment about my upcoming move:
Brother,
I just discovered this post. What an exciting and kind providence the Lord has performed! I am praying that you and the family would find His grace sufficient in every way and that He would be pleased to make your life and ministry fruitful in Wilson.
Now, as for Wilson.... A few things to keep in mind. Actually, the Mudcats are closer than the Durham Bulls. So you might check out a little minor league action there.
You're not from the Triangle area so I gotta stress what one other writer noted. You're heading deep into college hoops territory. You're a little far east of the epicenter, but close enough that you gotta know the ropes. Okay... you get two teams of the big three (Carolina, Duke and NC State). You get your favorite of the three (that's NC State for me, class of '92), and you get one of the other two, usually the one you don't hate. Now, you will be immediately suspect in the eyes of locals if you pretend no interest or you pull the "I'm okay with them all" routine. Save your minsitry! Pick a team! By the way, UNC fans are not to be trusted :-)
Last big point. I'm from Lexington, NC-- the barbecue capitol of the world baby! But there is a huge difference between eastern NC and Lexington-styled barbecue. They're both good and beat the pants off the stuff in SC and VA. But be aware that the barbecue loyalties run deep, too. My wife is from a little town called Chocowinity, about an hour east of Wilson. Next time we pass through, we should get together and have some bbq.
Every grace and blessing,Thabiti
7 comments:
Hey! Justin,
You can trust UNC fans and as a matter of fact most of us for Christ Baptist Church of Wilson are UNC Fans and some for States.
But I am telling you that you don't ever trust Duke the Blue devil. That is a Methodist school. So far no one in our group is part of Duke the Blue Devil.
(Sorry! Thabiti but then again I do pull for State when they are playing against Duke the Blue Devil. Why don't you come to visit us in Wilson to taste and see what our new church is like. Then you will like us UNC Fans too.)
We all are excited about your coming to NC.
Your sheep,
Bold as a Lion
about the BBQ comment... i think that you might need to stop in memphis TN for some REAL BBQ on the way to your new home in NC. but seriously- tonight at church we were asked to say something to you and jeanna- but i couldn't say anything up there... Not only have you been such an encouragement as a brother in Christ- but you and Jeanna have truly become part of the Warford family. we love you both-
Brother,
As someone who has recently said goodbye to a congregation to head for another, I'm keeping you in my prayers. What a sweet and sorrowful time! I trust the Lord uses it in His ministers' hearts to stir a longing for heaven when such partings will be no more! Rejoicing with you in His goodness to you in both the body in Texas and the body in Wilson. Praise God we're one body!
And I see you've taken up residence with UNC fans. Hmmmm.... Praise God the gospel goes to those in Carolina Blue, too! I guess your basketball loyalties are already decided, since one CAN NOT be a UNC and Duke fan simultaneously. And indeed, one has to be skeptical about a Methodist school that chooses a devil for its mascot (even a blue one)! I'm not sure which is worse, a Baptist school with a "Demon Deacon" as a mascot or a Methodist school with a "Blue Devil." But having met some really unruly deacons, I can sympathize with Wake Forest ;-)
Us State fans will enjoy the "runner up" support you give us--we need it!
Grace and peace,
Thabiti
Not withstanding the poor thinking of several theology professors, the DUke Blue Devils just happen to have quite the hoops team and a rather sharp coach. You've had run ins already with too many demon deacons to like Wake Forest....Yes I kind of did mean that....just kind of- NC Barbecue probably is the best- compared to everywhere but TEXAS- enjoy!
Thabiti,
Thank you for your tremendously wise and timely counsel to our new pastor at Christ Baptist Church. As the only NC State graduate (class of 1994) at the church, I am very pleased Justin esteems another NCSU'er and BBQ fan. Aside from those important elements of life, I am also greatful for your spiritual wisdom and love of Christ as exemplified through your Pure Church blog. You challenge me to love the Gospel and speak it with clarity and passion. I know without a doubt Justin will also bring that same love and Wilson will be impacted beyond compare. So, be sure to visit us all when you come to Wilson and share with us an astonishment of God's providence and favor!
Lisa Bailes
Go Pack!
Not sure how I got here -- probably a link through Justin Taylor's blog -- but I wanted to welcome you to North Carolina and pray God's blessing on you, your family and your new church home in Wilson. A few words of advice along the lines of others...
On Basketball -- it is true that there are a number of teams in NC ("The Big Four" who until the late 1950's were all within about 30-miles of each other in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Wake Forest) -- but the one simple rule is that you absolutely cannot be a fan of both UNC and DUKE at the same time. These are mutually exclusive allegences. I'll confess as an NCSU graduate (1984)I'd have to pick the Wolfpack and any one of the remaining schools except UNC (but Duke is working hard to get onto the exception list -- their only redeeming merit seems to be that they usually are good for issuing one good UNC spanking per season).
On BBQ - Wilson is in eastern NC. You had better develop a preference for that style with its vingar based sauce over the western (i.e., Lexington) style which has a tomato base. Bill's as good BBQ -- but if you want to take a little road trip Bee's in Greenville (about 30-miles further east) is good also.
Welcome to North Carolina
Michael (in Garner)
Hey! Justin,
It's good to have you here now.
As for UNC Fans, our mascot is a Ram (Rammes ? spelling). As I always think about Abraham that almost sacrifice Issac, his only beloved son. The Lord provided him the ram in place of Issac. I thought that is perfect. As for NCSU, I am aware that there are some sheep that had gone into the wolfpack. OUCH! I know that the Lord will take them back to be with Him again. They are found. I do have a lot of wonderful friends from NCSU. As for Wake Forest University, a Baptist school to get the mascot as Deacon Demons. I just don't like that at all either. Oh, well! It's interesting to think about this any way.
There are a lot of other good places to eat other than NC BBQ. I do love them but I can't eat them.
Your sheep,
Bold as a Lion
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