After writing about praying for a son-in-law for my mother, Larisa commented "You may have posted about it before, but how did it come about for Les to come to California? That's a huge move!" I searched through nearly three years of posts and can't believe I haven't written about this before!
In 1987, Les was finishing his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Tech in Cookeville. He started sending out resumes, not knowing where his degree would take him. He sent out about 80 resumes and went on three interviews and received three offers - one in Nashville with Bridgestone Tire Company, one in East Hartford, CT with Pratt and Whitney, and one in Canoga Park, CA with Rocketdyne.
He began praying about his decision. His parents would have loved for him to stay in Nashville, but his dad said he could move and if it didn't work out, he could always come back. Weeks of praying led to no firm direction. He finally decided to take the job in California.
As he was making the decision, he traveled to National Youth Congress in Cincinnati. He made the phone calls from his hotel room - one "I accept" and two "thanks, but no thanks." Even then, he didn't feel perfect peace in his decision.
At service that night, the speaker was being introduced. He was the Youth President from the Western District. He pastored in Burbank, California. He was none other than Pastor Philip White! As soon as Pastor White was introduced, Les felt the most amazing peace flood him. He felt the Lord tell him, "That's your pastor." And that's exactly what he became!
Before he moved to California, he talked to Bro. Becton about his move. Bro. Becton gave him great words of wisdom. He said, "Be careful when you move out there. We've lost people who get wrapped up in all the distractions that California has to offer." Les has never forgotten that warning, but he got plugged in to a great church and has remained victorious, even living in this crazy state!
Thank you, Lord, for sending Mom such a wonderful son-in-law!
Showing posts with label Becton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Becton. Show all posts
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
In Memory of Sister Margie Becton
It was with sadness that we learned of the passing of Sis. Margie Becton.
March 2, 2011When I think of Sis. Becton, one word comes to mind: Joyful! I heard her testify on a few occasions and she was always so upbeat. The first time I met her was at Camp Meeting in 1990. She testified and said, "No new convert is going to out praise me!" and proceeded to dance her way off the platform! What a treasure.
Emmanuel Pentecostal Church mourns the loss of our dear Sis. Margie Becton, wife of the late Rev. C.M. Becton. Sis. Becton passed from this life on Wednesday evening, March 2, 2011. Our hearts are broken at the loss of this good, gracious, gifted, and godly woman, but we find comfort and solace in knowing that she has been reunited with Bro. Becton in eternity.
I asked Les what he thought of when he thought of Sis. Becton. His first response was "water gun!" If you who were in Les' youth group, at Youth Congress in Memphis, you know what that means. He also said that Sis. Becton was not one to be upfront all the time, but when she did speak you knew you were in for a treat. She usually said something that would have everyone laughing.
Bro. and Sis. Becton knew each other their entire lives. I believe she said "we winked at each other in the nursery!" They received the Holy Ghost on the same night when they were both 11 and were married in 1947.
Please remember the Becton, Dyson and Flowers families in prayer as they say goodbye to this dear one.
Monday, November 22, 2010
30 Days of Thanks - Day #22
I am thankful that His TRUTH is Marching On!
On Friday night of West Coast Conference, Elder Morton preached from Ecclesiastes 1:4 "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh." Elder Morton is now 70 years old, he talked about being part of the generation that is passing away. I am not ready for that AT ALL. I want to see him around and hear him preach for many, many more years. But I don't want what he has preached - the message of Acts 2:38, holiness, separation from the world, and reaching the lost - to end with his generation. I want to be a part of the continuation.
The Sunday morning following WCC, Les taught our Sunday school class "Generation to Generation." Yep, right along the same lines! He talked about generational cycles, how the first generation has the relationship with God, the second has a responsibility to their father's God, and the third generation only has a form of religion. A great Biblical of example of this is King David, his son Solomon, his grandson Rehoboam. But hope came in the life of David's great grandson, Abijah, who returned to the ways of the Lord.
On the heels of that lesson, Bro. Tommy Johnson made an incredible statement. He said he has been told, "No one can fill your shoes." His response, "Follow in my footsteps, but walk in your own shoes." There can never be another Elder Morton or Elder Paul Price or Elder C.M. Becton, but we can follow the path they have set before us, wearing our own shoes.
Finally, the passing of Bro. Becton has brought many conversations between Les and I, reminiscing of those years that Bro. Becton was his pastor. The ways that God used this great man in the lives of many. His funeral, attended by hundreds, carried a theme - this was a man who was a friend of God.
With the passing of one generation, the Truth lies in the hands of my generation and the generations to follow. Elder Becton was 82, Elder Morton is 70, Pastor White is 55, Les and I are in our 40s, and there were four young men in their 30s who preached at WCC. The Truth WILL March On! It didn't stop with the Apostles and it's not going to stop with me!
On Friday night of West Coast Conference, Elder Morton preached from Ecclesiastes 1:4 "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh." Elder Morton is now 70 years old, he talked about being part of the generation that is passing away. I am not ready for that AT ALL. I want to see him around and hear him preach for many, many more years. But I don't want what he has preached - the message of Acts 2:38, holiness, separation from the world, and reaching the lost - to end with his generation. I want to be a part of the continuation.
The Sunday morning following WCC, Les taught our Sunday school class "Generation to Generation." Yep, right along the same lines! He talked about generational cycles, how the first generation has the relationship with God, the second has a responsibility to their father's God, and the third generation only has a form of religion. A great Biblical of example of this is King David, his son Solomon, his grandson Rehoboam. But hope came in the life of David's great grandson, Abijah, who returned to the ways of the Lord.
On the heels of that lesson, Bro. Tommy Johnson made an incredible statement. He said he has been told, "No one can fill your shoes." His response, "Follow in my footsteps, but walk in your own shoes." There can never be another Elder Morton or Elder Paul Price or Elder C.M. Becton, but we can follow the path they have set before us, wearing our own shoes.
Finally, the passing of Bro. Becton has brought many conversations between Les and I, reminiscing of those years that Bro. Becton was his pastor. The ways that God used this great man in the lives of many. His funeral, attended by hundreds, carried a theme - this was a man who was a friend of God.
With the passing of one generation, the Truth lies in the hands of my generation and the generations to follow. Elder Becton was 82, Elder Morton is 70, Pastor White is 55, Les and I are in our 40s, and there were four young men in their 30s who preached at WCC. The Truth WILL March On! It didn't stop with the Apostles and it's not going to stop with me!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
30 Days of Thanks - Day #20
Can you believe it's already November 20th?? Thanksgiving is just a few days away and I haven't run out of thanks yet!
Today I am thankful for modern technology.
We learned, via email, on Tuesday that Elder Becton was in the hospital and not doing well. Wednesday morning we learned of his passing. Wednesday night Les got online and made plans to fly to Dallas. Friday morning Les flew to Dallas to honor his former pastor and will fly home later today. Thursday morning Les received an email from his parents stating that they would be flying from Atlanta to Dallas to attend the funeral. With just a phone call, plans were made to meet at the airport and attend together. I was able to track his flight as it departed and arrived, knowing he got there safely. We've stayed in touch via telephone and email (on our iPhones) while Les has been gone.
None of those things could have taken place 100 years ago. IF somehow we received word of Bro. Becton's passing, via telegram or maybe the neighbor's telephone, the chances of owning a vehicle that could travel the nearly 1500 miles in a couple days time would have been slim to none!
I know technology can be a headache at times, but I'm thankful for it today!
Today I am thankful for modern technology.
We learned, via email, on Tuesday that Elder Becton was in the hospital and not doing well. Wednesday morning we learned of his passing. Wednesday night Les got online and made plans to fly to Dallas. Friday morning Les flew to Dallas to honor his former pastor and will fly home later today. Thursday morning Les received an email from his parents stating that they would be flying from Atlanta to Dallas to attend the funeral. With just a phone call, plans were made to meet at the airport and attend together. I was able to track his flight as it departed and arrived, knowing he got there safely. We've stayed in touch via telephone and email (on our iPhones) while Les has been gone.
None of those things could have taken place 100 years ago. IF somehow we received word of Bro. Becton's passing, via telegram or maybe the neighbor's telephone, the chances of owning a vehicle that could travel the nearly 1500 miles in a couple days time would have been slim to none!
I know technology can be a headache at times, but I'm thankful for it today!
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
In Memory of Elder C.M. Becton
It is with a mix of sadness (for us) and joy (for him) that we learned of the passing of Elder C.M. Becton. We received word yesterday that he was failing quickly. I said to Les, "How sad." Les responded with "For everyone but him."
As I have written before, Bro. Becton was Les' pastor from 1976 to 1982. These were Les' CRITICAL teenage years. His influence during those years is still felt today.
Bro. Becton was a gentleman. He was always so kind. I first met him at the Western District Camp Meeting in 1990. Les and I were dating. Bro. Becton was the speaker. It was obvious that he loved Les - one of his "boys." We saw him through the years and he was always the same, always kind, always loving. He was a prince among men.
Just this past Sunday, Elder Tommy Johnson preached at our church. He told two stories of Bro. Becton and what an impact he had made on Bro. Johnson's life.
Our last meeting was in March, 2009. We were in Nashville for his granddaughter, Alicia's, wedding. Bro. Becton preached and played the piano the following morning. It was a treat! We will never forget that time.
Elder Becton finished the course, he kept the faith, and now there is a crown of life waiting. Please remember the Becton family in your prayers, especially his beloved wife of more than 60 years, Sis. Margie Becton.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Elder Cleveland and Sis. Margie Becton
As I mentioned yesterday, we were privileged to hear Elder Becton preach on Sunday morning while we were in Nashville. Elder Becton was Les' pastor during his critical teenage years. Les was at the age where he was old enough to understand what was being preached and the decisions he made during that time would determine his life's path. I'm so thankful for a man of God who preached the truth!
Prior to the preaching, Pastor Becton told about Elder Becton wanting to get rid of many of his old books. Elder Becton was going to donate them to a Bible College, but Pastor Becton convinced his dad to give the books to him! They now have the "C.M. Becton Conference Room and Library" which holds all those books.
Pastor Becton also had his mother testify. Sis. Margie Becton is such an upbeat lady! The choir had just finished singing "Battlefield" and she said she was excited to still be on the battlefield, fighting for the Lord! She told about people in their home church in Mesquite, Texas receiving the Holy Ghost. After nearly 70 years of having the Holy Ghost herself, she is still excited about others being filled with God's great gift.
Elder Becton blessed us by playing the piano. That was an incredible treat! He played "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" and it was beautiful. As he was making his way from the piano back to the pulpit, Les said, "that was worth the price of our plane tickets!"
We had not seen Elder Becton in more than 10 years, so when he spoke at the wedding on Saturday, I thought he seemed so frail. But there was nothing frail about his preaching! He preached with passion and annointing! He preached from Acts 16:9 and talked about "Unconscious Need." He first spoke of the Macedonians, or unbelievers, not realizing their need for God. But then he spoke to the church and talked about the church of Laodicea having "need of nothing."
Bro. and Sis. Becton are both 80 years old and during his preaching he told that they both received the Holy Ghost on the same night when they were 11 years old! What a treasure to see people that have certainly been through just about everything life can throw at you, but they're still keeping on. And they're not just "barely making it" - they are overcomers with joy and victory! I wanna be just like them when I grow up!
My only regret is that the pictures I took during service were too far away and too dark to post.
Prior to the preaching, Pastor Becton told about Elder Becton wanting to get rid of many of his old books. Elder Becton was going to donate them to a Bible College, but Pastor Becton convinced his dad to give the books to him! They now have the "C.M. Becton Conference Room and Library" which holds all those books.
Pastor Becton also had his mother testify. Sis. Margie Becton is such an upbeat lady! The choir had just finished singing "Battlefield" and she said she was excited to still be on the battlefield, fighting for the Lord! She told about people in their home church in Mesquite, Texas receiving the Holy Ghost. After nearly 70 years of having the Holy Ghost herself, she is still excited about others being filled with God's great gift.
Elder Becton blessed us by playing the piano. That was an incredible treat! He played "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" and it was beautiful. As he was making his way from the piano back to the pulpit, Les said, "that was worth the price of our plane tickets!"
We had not seen Elder Becton in more than 10 years, so when he spoke at the wedding on Saturday, I thought he seemed so frail. But there was nothing frail about his preaching! He preached with passion and annointing! He preached from Acts 16:9 and talked about "Unconscious Need." He first spoke of the Macedonians, or unbelievers, not realizing their need for God. But then he spoke to the church and talked about the church of Laodicea having "need of nothing."
Bro. and Sis. Becton are both 80 years old and during his preaching he told that they both received the Holy Ghost on the same night when they were 11 years old! What a treasure to see people that have certainly been through just about everything life can throw at you, but they're still keeping on. And they're not just "barely making it" - they are overcomers with joy and victory! I wanna be just like them when I grow up!
My only regret is that the pictures I took during service were too far away and too dark to post.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Good Times in Tennessee
Les and I took a quick trip to Tennessee this weekend for the wedding of Alicia Becton and Brent Tidwell. Les has known Alicia since he lived in Nashville and the Becton family is special to us, so when we found out Alicia was getting married, we decided to make the trip. Of course, our first stop was:
Doug and Lori Long met us there, and after satisfying our hunger, we headed to their house. Doug and Lori are on a committee for a "Holiness Hill Reunion." This is a reunion of Tennessee Youth Camp campers and workers from 1975 to 1985. They are gathering pictures and it was great fun looking back. It was fun to me, even though I don't know everyone, the clothes and styles were the same in Tennessee as they were in California during that era. If you weren't part of that time, you missed some great styles - double knit polyester, "wing" hair styles and BIG glasses!!!
Saturday morning, Doug fixed a good ol' Southern breakfast of bacon, eggs, biscuits and chocolate gravy!! Mmm, mmm.
We made our way to the church at about 1:30 and were surprised to see that all of Les' family was in attendance! We knew his sister and her family were going to be there, but his parents and his brother and his family were also in attendance. Lance, Monica, Claire and Hannah were on their way from Indiana to Charleston, SC, and decided to detour through Nashville. Les had sent an email that we were coming, but his parents somehow didn't get it, so they were very surprised to see us! Les' cousin, Jonathan McElhaney pastors in Franklin, TN, so he and his wife Mitzi, along with their children, Morgan and Mason, were also in attendance. It was a mini, unplanned, family reunion!
Of course, it was a beautiful wedding! Alicia looked so pretty and Brent so handsome. I love to see a smiling bride walking down the aisle!
Officiating the wedding were Elder C.M. Becton and Pastor Ron Becton - the bride's grandfather and uncle. Another uncle, Pastor Rick Flowers, sang two songs. These men all played a part in influencing Les' life. Elder Becton was Les' pastor from 1976 to 1982. Pastor Ron Becton was the youth leader during that same time. Pastor Flowers was Les' first trumpet teacher in 1973. Also in attendance was Elder Charles Grisham, he was Les' pastor for a short time when the Grishams started a home missions church in Fargo, North Dakota and the McElhaney family was still living in Wahpeton, ND. I owe a debt to these godly men.
There were so many people in attendance, friends from long ago. I'm sure I missed many, especially since Les and I weren't together for much of the reception - I went with Monica and her girls, while Les stayed with Lance while they made their way through the crowd. I chatted with fellow bloggers - Allison, who I have known since she married Jerry in 1996, and Tammy, who I had never met, but who's blog I've stalked for a while!! There was also a mini Bible Quiz reunion with coach, Trudy Bledsoe, Alicia, Les, Lance, Lisa, and Larry Haskins.
Sunday morning was an awesome time. First Church Nashville had a single service, which included the choir singing, a testimony from Sis. Margie Becton, and preaching and piano playing by Elder C.M. Becton! What a treat. There is so much to say about Elder and Sis. Becton, I'll work on a separate post just about them!
Pictured below is Bro. Mike Rickenbaker, Assistant Pastor in Nashville. He is another "influencer" in Les' life and an awesome bass player!
We finished our trip with lunch with great friends - Doug and Lori, and Jerry, Allison, Jaden and Sophie! What would life be without friends!
Doug and Lori Long met us there, and after satisfying our hunger, we headed to their house. Doug and Lori are on a committee for a "Holiness Hill Reunion." This is a reunion of Tennessee Youth Camp campers and workers from 1975 to 1985. They are gathering pictures and it was great fun looking back. It was fun to me, even though I don't know everyone, the clothes and styles were the same in Tennessee as they were in California during that era. If you weren't part of that time, you missed some great styles - double knit polyester, "wing" hair styles and BIG glasses!!!
Saturday morning, Doug fixed a good ol' Southern breakfast of bacon, eggs, biscuits and chocolate gravy!! Mmm, mmm.
We made our way to the church at about 1:30 and were surprised to see that all of Les' family was in attendance! We knew his sister and her family were going to be there, but his parents and his brother and his family were also in attendance. Lance, Monica, Claire and Hannah were on their way from Indiana to Charleston, SC, and decided to detour through Nashville. Les had sent an email that we were coming, but his parents somehow didn't get it, so they were very surprised to see us! Les' cousin, Jonathan McElhaney pastors in Franklin, TN, so he and his wife Mitzi, along with their children, Morgan and Mason, were also in attendance. It was a mini, unplanned, family reunion!
Of course, it was a beautiful wedding! Alicia looked so pretty and Brent so handsome. I love to see a smiling bride walking down the aisle!
Officiating the wedding were Elder C.M. Becton and Pastor Ron Becton - the bride's grandfather and uncle. Another uncle, Pastor Rick Flowers, sang two songs. These men all played a part in influencing Les' life. Elder Becton was Les' pastor from 1976 to 1982. Pastor Ron Becton was the youth leader during that same time. Pastor Flowers was Les' first trumpet teacher in 1973. Also in attendance was Elder Charles Grisham, he was Les' pastor for a short time when the Grishams started a home missions church in Fargo, North Dakota and the McElhaney family was still living in Wahpeton, ND. I owe a debt to these godly men.
There were so many people in attendance, friends from long ago. I'm sure I missed many, especially since Les and I weren't together for much of the reception - I went with Monica and her girls, while Les stayed with Lance while they made their way through the crowd. I chatted with fellow bloggers - Allison, who I have known since she married Jerry in 1996, and Tammy, who I had never met, but who's blog I've stalked for a while!! There was also a mini Bible Quiz reunion with coach, Trudy Bledsoe, Alicia, Les, Lance, Lisa, and Larry Haskins.
Sunday morning was an awesome time. First Church Nashville had a single service, which included the choir singing, a testimony from Sis. Margie Becton, and preaching and piano playing by Elder C.M. Becton! What a treat. There is so much to say about Elder and Sis. Becton, I'll work on a separate post just about them!
Pictured below is Bro. Mike Rickenbaker, Assistant Pastor in Nashville. He is another "influencer" in Les' life and an awesome bass player!
We finished our trip with lunch with great friends - Doug and Lori, and Jerry, Allison, Jaden and Sophie! What would life be without friends!
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