September 4, 2026, 4:00 PM
Hello again and I am praying you have had a wonderful week as Labor Day weekend comes upon us.
Kelly and I have enjoyed some vacation time this week in Branson, MO. We had a nice time and are now heading back to Lexington today (Friday, September 4th).
We had not been in Branson in many years. The last time (and only previous time) we were there, we were coming back from a missionary conference held in Oklahoma. We were able to see Andy Williams and his famous Christmas show in his beautiful "Moon River Theater."
On this visit, we were blessed to see a few shows and see some pretty fascinating things.
One of the cool things we were able to do while in Branson was attend a theatrical production of "David" at the Sight and Sound Theatre. It was awesome. The state-of-the-art stage production featured original music inspired by the Psalms, spectacular special effects, massive sets, and even several live animals!
Yes, there are no shortage of things to do in Branson. I cannot count how many shows they have each day. Many of them were "tribute" shows. A "tribute" show is a live concert/performance that honors a specific famous artist or band by recreating the music, style, and stage presence of the particular artist/band. I wanted to attend the "Elvis" tribute show but got voted down!
As I think about ALL I saw and experienced during the past week, one thing that was, hands down, the most impressive.
It was watching a sunset on the "Top of the Rock" Ozarks Heritage Preserve overlooking Table Rock Lake just south of Branson, in Ridgedale, Missouri. The beautiful area has been developed by the founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, Johnny Morris. It contains a lodge, chapel, museum, and 9-hole golf course.
The have a "sunset ceremony" every night with bagpipes playing and the firing of a Civil War era cannon.
The star of the entire thing, however, is the amazing sunset! The view is breathtaking.
It's funny: With all the STUFF in a tourist area like Branson, nothing can compare to the handiwork of the Creator of the Universe!
God asks us to make a choice. We can worship the CREATION or the CREATOR.
Let's make the choice that the Lord will be what we worship as the clear number one!
King Solomon clearly decided who was number one. Listen to him in 2 Chronicles 2:5 as he was building the Temple unto the Lord: "The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods."
The Psalmist echoes this sentiment in Psalms 97:6-9: "The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory. All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols -- worship him, all you gods Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, Lord. For you, Lord, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods."
I pray we will see you at FCC this coming Sunday (09.06.26). If not, then, Lord willing, we'll see you again soon. Have a great Labor Day weekend and may God richly bless!
In Him,
Greg Herriford
