“Draft”
Article for November, 2010 newsletter
SENIOR MOMENTS by Grandpa Dick
Larry Dotson-Layman to Pastor
Part Three: Life in Northern California
Larry Dotson was born on Christmas Day, 1945. In November of 1980, he surrendered to the call to the ministry. He left a comfortable job at PG&E, sold his home, and moved to Riverside to attend California Baptist University in January, 1981, He finished his degree there in 1982, and enrolled at Golden Gate Seminary. This is Part Three of the story.
Larry and his family were maturing as they grew in God’s work and studies. But Northern California living was very different from Riverside and even Bakersfield. The kids were growing (now 11 and 14). Housing costs were high, and the cost of living was soaring. Larry found meager housing and began his studies at Golden Gate. His savings from the sale of the Pico house were almost gone. Prayers and gifts from friends at First Southern (now Columbus Street) and others helped to sustain them.
But God is good, Barbara secured work at Security Pacific Bank and also for Marin Florist when they lived on campus in Mill Valley. Larry preached at the First Southern Baptist Church of Folsom that was looking for a Pastor, and he was called there in May, 1983. The commute was tough, but God helped Larry to do what needed to be done to persevere. They moved to Folsum a short time later, and Barbara found work at Bank of America, a local florist, and for a short time she was the church secretary..
We had the joy of visiting Larry while they lived in Folsom. We experienced the love his congregation had for him during a Sunday church service, and to our delight, he was becoming a dynamic speaker and a true man of God, growing in the word as he put into practice what he was learning in school, and sharing what God had put on his heart..
In May of 1986 Larry graduated from Golden Gate with a Masters in Divinity/Theology. After graduation, Larry and Barbara continued to serve at Folsom full time until April of 1987. God answered many prayers by guiding Panama Baptist Church in Bakersfield to ask Larry to come and preach in view of a call as Pastor. In May of 1987, God led him to accept, and the family was on there way home to Bakersfield.
Next: Part Four: Homecoming to Panama Baptist Church in Bakersfield. (now Daybreak Baptist Church)
Grandpa Dick
“Draft”
Article for October, 2010 newsletter
SENIOR MOMENTS by Grandpa Dick
Larry Dotson-Layman to Pastor
Part Two: Life at California Baptist University
Larry Dotson was born on Christmas Day, 1945. In November of 1980, at First Southern Baptist church, he surrendered to the call to the ministry. He left a comfortable job at PG&E, sold his home, and moved to Riverside, California in January, 1981, to begin ministerial studies there. This is Part Two of the story.
The Deacons at First Southern Baptist were busy assisting Larry, Barbara and the kids; Brian, and LeAnn in packing for the trip to Riverside. Many arrangements were made. Larry’s application to CBU was accepted, and he used some of the proceeds from the sale of his home to pay tuition. An apartment on campus became available, and although designed for a married couple with no children, we felt God’s hand guiding Larry’s family to live there. We knew it would somehow be adequate. Deacon’s offered pickup trucks and trailers, and Larry’s old station wagon was loaded to the roof, and like Okies coming to California, we set out for Riverside.
When we got there, I remember walking into the campus apartment. It was much, much smaller than we had imagined. I looked around and thought- my my, what a sacrifice they are making. LeAnn was eight years old at the time. There was an empty hall closet. It seemed to be larger than the normal closet, so we took the doors off, and Wallah, we had a bedroom for LeAnn. The cooperative spirit was overwhelming. I remember how we felt God’s presence as Larry started out on his CBU courses.
Larry wanted to preach, and did not want to wait until all this school stuff was finished. A small Church in Adelanto needed a student Pastor, and Larry jumped at the chance. They liked what they heard and Larry ministered to that congregation, driving back and forth from Adelanto to Riverside, from June, 1981, until he graduated from CBU in May 1982, with a Bachelors Degree in Religion.
But schooling was not complete. Larry still needed a higher degree, so he applied to Golden Gate Seminary in San Francisco, was accepted, and moved there in September, 1982. Times were tough. Housing was expensive, as was the cost of living in Northern California. The savings from the Pico house sale were dwindling, but Larry was still trusting God to get him through.
Next: Part Three: Life in Northern California
Grandpa Dick
SENIOR MOMENTS by Grandpa Dick
Larry Dotson-Layman to Pastor
Part One: The “First Southern” Years
Larry Dotson was born on Christmas Day, 1945. We did not know then that that beginning date would be significant to his future achievements. In fact we did not meet Larry until my family came to Bakersfield in 1980 and joined First Southern Baptist Church, now called Columbus Street Baptist Church. By then, he was married to Barbara and had two little kids; Brian, born December 19, 1968, and LeAnne, born April 26, 1973. They have been married 44 years. But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here is what happened before that.
Barbara Comer, Larry’s future wife, had been a member at First Southern since the early 50’s. When they married in 1966, Larry was not a Christian, but began attending social events held by Barbara’s Sunday School class. The teacher was Ada Mae Hill, and Larry began to spend a lot of time at the Hill home, talking to Ada Mae’s husband, P. D., and becoming close to the family, especially the youngest two boys, Kurt and Kyle. Larry told me that other than Pastor Clyde Skidmore, the then Pastor at First Southern, P. D. was very influential in bringing him to know the Lord. Clyde led Larry to accept Christ during a Wednesday night visitation. That was in 1975.
Larry grew in the Lord, and became a leader in the Church youth department. I have heard wild stories from some of the youngsters at the church about how Larry and Barbara would take them on mission trips and Church camp outings to northern California and Utah, and somehow they would all return in one piece.
Larry had worked in Administration at PG&E since May, 1969, and continued to be very active at the church. Larry was devoted to the Christian life but was seeking more. He was ordained as a Deacon of First Southern in 1980.
Larry and Barbara lived in a nice home on Pico St., near the East Hills Mall. When the Lord convinced Larry that he should go back to school to become a Pastor, the ownership of the home was a stumbling block. I remember many Deacon meetings where we prayed with Larry asking God to provide a way for Larry and his family to answer that call. Larry said: “If the house sells, that will be a sign.” Time went by, and our prayers were not answered. We knew, however, that it was God’s will for Larry to take this next important step to California Baptist College (now California Baptist University). The Deacon’s continued to pray, the congregation prayed, and word circulated across Bakersfield’s Christian Community. God was beginning to move among the people.
One of the First Southern Deacons was Charles W. (Chuck) Doremus, a top notch Real Estate salesman. With the help of the Deacons at First Southern, money became available, and Chuck put together a sale of the Pico St. house. Escrow closed in January, 1981. It seemed like a long time, but God made that sale happen in only a few months. Larry, Barbara, Brian, and LeAnn were on their way to Riverside.
Next: Part Two: Life at California Baptist College (now California Baptist University)
Grandpa Dick
Patio painting- In progress
Article for 8-1-10 newsletter, Columbus Street Baptist Church, Bakersfield, CA
SENIOR MOMENTS by Grandpa Dick
Camp Keep-Not For Wimps
Our Grandson, Caleb, is in his third year at California Baptist College. As a youth in our church, he went to camp each year. This is a story about his first camping trip away from home.
When kids reach 6th grade in the school districts here in Kern County, they are sent to a week long school at camp. When it was Caleb’s turn, he had never been anywhere without his parents. I volunteered to go as a counselor, and ended up in Caleb’s cabin with about eight other boys. The cabin had bunk beds, and he chose the upper bunk over mine. He did ok, during the day, and was pretty good at night, until the third night, when one of the other boys cried himself to sleep. I’m sure it made the other boys even more homesick, and to Caleb’s credit, he coped by reaching down in the night to hold my hand, which was reaching up to him. Neither of us has mentioned this little happening since, but someday we will discuss it as a fond remembrance.
We each have our own ways of coping with new and stressful situations. I like to think of this story as an illustration of how God reaches out to us in times of need. The important thing to remember is that as He reaches out, we also have to reach out to Him, in order to receive his comfort, blessings and courage.
A group of our kids just recently attended Church camp. A few of the younger ones were away from home for the first time. God helped them through the uncertainties of the week of activities.
We recently had several kids make decisions in Bible School. God was reaching out to them offering salvation, but to be saved, they had to reach up and receive the blessings. God is reaching out to each of us every day. Are you ready to receive his blessings? We need to have our heart in the right place to receive God’s touch every minute of every day.
Grandpa Dick
SENIOR MOMENTS BY Grandpa Dick
HEADLINE: “Grandpa Dick Decides Not To Run For Governor”
The primary election last month narrowed the field of candidates for governor of California to two. Former governor Jerry Brown and new comber Meg Whitman are the successful candidates that move on to the final election.. You will be interested to know that although more qualified than either of them, I have chosen to withdraw my name from consideration. It also may surprise you that most of my qualifications come from my Christian work here at our church. Let me explain:
“Acting- Bev and I had the lead role in a church musical a few years back. If you remember, it was nothing to write home about, but it puts me right up there with Arnold.
“Senior Citizens- ‘To be one is to know one”. Denny’s Restaurant says I was a Senior at age 55. That gives me over fifteen years experience. The other candidates are youngsters. What could they know about our problems? Caring for Bev’s Mom in our home would win a lot of votes, and being a Grandparent gives you experiences that will last a lifetime.
“Family- You won’t find a better support team than the Laughman/Hill/Medlen clan. Of course I hand picked all these fine people to be my relatives. Anyway, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
“Gay Marriage- Quit making it so difficult and open your Bibles. God expects marriage to be between man and women. Although lacking experience in this area, no one will shake me from my Christian beliefs. (I also have a relative named Gay (Gay Don Gibson), if that helps any.
“Budget- This State budget problem could be easily solved. I would propose a “Sin Tax”. The new California budget has a $12 Billion deficit. California has a $300 Billion pornography Industry running rampant in magazines, on the internet, in movies, and getting into TV. A mere 5% “Sin Tax” on pornography would raise $15 Billion. Bingo- problem solved.
Too bad I’m not going to run. We could really straighten out this State, couldn’t we? So until next time, “Hasta La Vista, Baby”
Grandpa Dick
Editor’s note: This is a revised version of an article Grandpa Dick wrote back in 2003. Still applies today.
SENIOR MOMENTS by Grandpa Dick
Some Fish Don’t Lay Eggs
Pastor Frank is enjoying being a new Grandpa. His sermon the other day was all about how God guides the formation of a little embryo through the process of development. Every tiny organ, limb and hair starts to grow into a team of parts that becomes a perfect human being. His detailed description reminded me of something that happened while I was fishing in the surf at Carpinteria Beach.
I was fishing one day, and had caught a couple of small (8 to 10”) surf perch, sometimes called sand ‘red tails’. (Small is a fisherman’s relative term, that usually grows with time). I put them in my bucket as I was busily trying to catch more for a fish fry that night. I looked in the bucket and to my surprise, there were a few little minnows also in the bucket. I first thought I had discovered a natural bait; that the fish were feeding on the minnows. But then I noticed another wonder from GOD- one momma perch was giving birth to a school of little fishes as I watched. WOW.!!
Up to that moment, I had thought that fish laid eggs, usually in sheltered bottom waters, the eggs hatched, the fishes swam off, and lived happily ever after. I knew that some fish, such as grunion, wait until they sense high tide, (some people think they watch for a full moon), then swim as far up on the beach as they can, and dig a hole in the sand, and lay their eggs in the hole. The hatchlings emerge during the next high tide. Sea turtles do the same thing. Other fish species lay their eggs in rock crevasses, and protect them by fighting off predators until the babies hatch. But fish giving live birth was a new one on me.
Then I thought-why am I surprised? GOD created all living things, including the fishes of the sea. (“Let the waters teem with swarms of living creature.. …. Genesis 1:20.) Why wouldn’t HE provide a special way for these fish to reproduce, when the surf in which they live is constantly in turmoil? Of course HE would. We all know that he is in complete control of things that happen, including the birth of human babies as well as little fishes in the sea.
Grandpa Dick
ps. You probably guessed that I let the little momma fishes go back to the sea that day.
