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Grateful for 40 Years of a Blessed Life

February 11, 2013 in Birthdays, HBC2, Special days with 6 Comments

Today, the Lord has blessed me to see my 40th birthday.

I am in shock that I am now 40. Where in the world did the time go? Let me think about it…

  • I have been following Jesus for 34 years.
  • I have been preaching the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ for 29 years.
  • I have been pastoring God’s people for 23 years.
  • I have been married for more than 14 years.
  • I have been a father for 13 years.

Yep. I guess 40 years makes sense, after all.

The Lord has been good to me. I am saved forever by God’s amazing grace. I have a loving wife and children. I have a great family and wonderful friends. I am privileged to be a herald for the Lord Jesus Christ. I serve a precious congregation of saints. And I enjoyed many open doors to serve others for Christ’s sake. Can a man be more blessed?

I do not know what the future holds. But I have absolutely confidence in the sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness of God.

May the Lord help me to number my days and live wisely, faithfully, and obediently, and fruitfully.

I heard somewhere recently that when a man gets into his forties, he should strive to use his influence to build up others. I am not sure about that statement. I would say that we should use our build up others in whatever season of life we are in. But to whatever degree that point is especially true for this season of life, I want it to be my experience.

Lord, you have blessed my life in so many ways. Please make me a blessing to others for your glory.

 Thanks for your kind birthday expressions. I greatly appreciate it.

Help, I Am Now The Parent Of A Teenager!!!

October 8, 2012 in Birthdays, H.B. Charles III, HBC3 with 5 Comments

Today my son – H.B. Charles, III –  turns 13-years-old.

I remember the night he was born, as if it were yesterday.

Crystal had not been feeling well for several days. The doctor put her on bed rest.

That Friday, I was scheduled to preach in Atlanta. I didn’t want to go. But Crystal and her mom urged me to go.

I was only to be gone for 24 hours. Crystal’s mom was going to stay with her. And Crystal was not due for another 6-7 weeks. What’s the worst that could happen?

Of course, H.B. was born that night, while I was away. By the time I made it home, early that next morning, he had slipped under four pounds. But the Lord is faithful!

I praise God for how I have watched my son grow and develop over the years.

The night Shiloh voted to extend a call for me to be its new pastor, H.B. cried all night. He knew that I had not made a decision. And he begged me to tell them to find someone else for several days.

I was concerned that coming here would have a negative impact on my children. But as it turns out, the children have adjusted better than their parents!

And I am so excited about the front-row seat I have had to watch my son grow up.

Well, maybe.

We are now at the point where he has started to steal my clothes; specifically, my socks, for some reason

. He is getting closer to beating me in basketball. And he constantly thinks he is actually H.B. Charles Jr.

But I praise God for what I see the Lord doing in his life.

His personality has blossomed.

He has made new friends.

He has fallen in love with our new church home.

He enjoys serving.

He cares for his mom and sisters when I am away.

And, most importantly, he trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior last year. I also had the wonderful privilege of baptizing my son and daughter last summer.

I cannot believe it has been 13 years. But I am so proud of my son. I love him. And I expect great things from him in the future.

May the Lord grant him to continue to grow as Jesus grew (Luke 2:52).

Love you, Doc!

Happy birthday!

Happy Birthday to my Big Brother!

June 25, 2012 in Birthdays, Family, Special days with 1 Comment

Today is my big brother’s 50th birthday.

I thank God for Kevin B. Willis Sr. and the blessing his life is to me.

I preached my first sermon when I was 11-years-old. What I remember best about that service is my brother being there and extending the invitation afterward.

I wanted to go to Bishop College, because Kevin went to Bishop. (Unfortunately, when I finished high school, there was no more Bishop College. But that’s another conversation.)

I remember the first time Kevin heard me preach after our father passed. Afterwards, he told me two things: (1) You are a good young preacher, and (2) you need to forget it. I didn’t want to hear that. But that just proved that I needed to hear what he said. It was great advice that has stayed with me. It reminds me that humility is my greatest friend and pride is my worst enemy.

Kevin is the preacher of the family. And just to show you how unfair life is, he can really sing, too.

During the years I served our father’s church in Los Angeles, Kevin was the church’s favorite preacher. One sister would ask me each week when Kevin was coming again. When my answers didn’t satisfy her, she told me I should start saying, “Don’t you leave me by myself” in my sermons, like Kevin.

Kevin has quickly become one of Shiloh’s favorite preachers. One of the brothers here regularly asks me when Kevin is coming again.

About the time I moved to Jacksonville, the Lord led Kevin and his wife Linda to start a new congregation. It was a huge step of faith. But the Lord has honored their faith, obedience, and labors. I am encouraged to hear the praise reports of how God is at work in and through the New Life in Christ Fellowship Church.

For all the years I have been in ministry, I still live in the shadows of my father and my brother. And it’s a great place to be. It is an honor to be called Dr. Charles’ son and Kevin’s little brother.

I am proud of my brother. He is a godly man, a powerful preacher, and faithful shepherd. Even though we rarely get time together, his example – even from a distance – both anchors and uplifts me.

Happy Birthday, Kevin!

May the Lord bless you with many more years of fruitful life and ministry.

I love you.

Happy Birthday Hailey!!!

March 24, 2012 in Birthdays, Hailey Breanne with 1 Comment

Today is my baby daughter’s – Hailey Breanne Charles – fourth birthday.

I use the word “baby” for my own sake. She is not a baby anymore. Ask her, and she will quickly tell you that she is a big girl.

But, of course, she will always be daddy’s baby.

I begged for Hailey. Literally, begged.

More specifically, I wanted another son. But I could not be more happy to have this been given a precious little girl.

Hailey is Crystal. So is Natalie. But while Natalie has more of my personality, Hailey is Crystal. On steroids! But this is just another reason for me to love her so deeply.

I look forward to getting a front row seat to see what the Lord will do in Hailey’s life. And I count it a great privilege to be used of God for her nurture and development.

I pray daily for her salvation and that she would grow as Jesus grew – in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

Happy birthday Hailey!

Who loves you?

Happy First Birthday!!! Hailey Breanne Charles

March 24, 2009 in Birthdays, Hailey Breanne, personal stuff with 7 Comments

A year ago today, Crystal, H.B., Natalie, and I headed to an important family appointment at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

It was the day after Easter. But that Monday was the day we had been anticipating – our new baby was to be born.

Crystal craved pancakes from The Griddle, Rosco’s Chicken and waffles, and KFC hot wings the whole pregnancy. Being the devoted hustband that I am, I joined her. “We” (H.B., in the Greek) are still working off the baby weight.

Unlike our first two children, we did not determine a name until days before she was born. Our niece suggested, “Why don’t you just name her H.B.”? We laughed. But the more we thought about it, it grew on us. We decided we liked the name, “Hailey.” And over the weekend, we finally landed on “Breanne.”

For some reason, my niece who helped name Hailey, insists on calling her, “Hamburger.”

H.B. and Natalie could not understand why they could not be in the room with us for the surgery.

As much as I keep warning her about those two “meddlesome kids” in the house, Hailey refuses to listen and insists on loving her big brother and sister. She thinks she is one of them. They love her back.

Her first words were, “Da Da.” Don’t hate. Unfortunately, everything is now “Ma Ma.” She has been brainwashed like the other two.

Crystal had a sleep schedule down before we left Los Angeles. Hailey has not really gotten into a sleep rhythm since we moved to Jacksonville. I have suffered the most.

H.B. broke at least five pair of my glasses as a baby. Natalie took my pens and highlighters and wrote in my books. Hailey, the new generation baby, is determined to get to my MacBook and Blackberry.

Unlike her big sister, who has only befriended our dog Lido over the past year, Hailey has no fear of the “doggy person.” Their stare downs are classic. I think Lido is more scared of her than she is of him.

Haily is a little people’s person, much like her big sister – so unlike her big brother.

Hailey gets confused in church. When I am preaching, she thinks I am either talking or playing with her. So she tries to talk back.  Hailey TKO’d her mother during the 8 AM service again this past Sunday. I had to work hard to keep my concentration as Crystal angrily marched down the aisle with Hailey in tow.

When I look at Hailey, I see Crystal.

On this, her first birthday, Hailey has four teeth that have emerged. And she almost has this walking thing figured out.

May the Lord grant that Hailey will grow as Jesus grew: “And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.” – Luke 2:52 (ESV)

Happy Birthday Natalie!!!

March 4, 2009 in Birthdays, Natalie Marie, personal stuff with 10 Comments

Today is my daughter’s – Natalie Marie Charles – 7th birthday.

I woke up this morning thinking about the moment Natalie was born. And the first time I got to hold her, seeing for the first time the baby I had been singing to for the past six months. If I only knew what I was starting. Now, she is daddy’s living “Juke Box” that makes up a song for everything.

I am grateful for the privilege of watching Natalie growing up. She is very bright, full of personality, very talented, and extremely beautiful. Crystal and I are very proud of her and thankful for the gift she is to us and our family.

May the Lord bless her to grow as Jesus grew: “”And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52, ESV).

Happy birthday, Lee! Daddy loves you.

Happy Birthday Crystal!!!

December 18, 2008 in Birthdays, Crystal, personal stuff with 13 Comments

Today is my wife Crystal’s 34th birthday. In the gracious and sovereign providence of God, I have had the privilege of knowing Crystal more than half of her, at this point. And I have had a front-row seat to see her development as a woman, Christian, wife, mother, sister, and friend. Yet she is just as… No. She is even more beautiful now than she was on that first day we met at Los Angeles High School almost twenty years ago.

H.B., Natalie, Hailey, and I love you very much.

Happy birthday Sunshine!

Happy Birthday, Doc! (HBC3 – 10/08/99)

October 8, 2008 in Birthdays, HBC3, personal stuff with 23 Comments

Crystal and I finally told Trey and Natalie that Shiloh Church would be voting on a new pastor. We also told them that we needed to pray hard for Shiloh, because I was one of two names that would be submitted to the church for consideration. They were both speechless. So I encouraged them to say something. H.B. spoke up, asking, “Daddy, you said we have to pray. But can we pray what we want to pray?” “Sure,” I replied, not really knowing where this was going. He leaped into the air cheering and instructing his little sister to vote for “the other guy.”

We were on our way to dinner. And Crystal and I were both on the phone, discussing the fact that Shiloh had just elected me to be its new pastor. When I finished my call, H.B. asked me about the vote. I answered him. He ordered me to tell them no. Then he cried for several hours. Literally. And for the next several weeks, whenever he heard the words “Jacksonville” or “Shiloh” he would cry.

I was truly worried about him and how this potential transition would impact him. I wasn’t really worried about Natalie. She only only wanted to know how many people we would be able to take with us and whether Pastor Letson would still be here when we arrived. In contrast, H.B. is very shy and nervous around people. And he just began to start opening up. We didn’t want a possible move to be too hard on him.

Once it was settled that we were moving, Trey began to slowly adjust. We first noticed it when he started going to be every night wearing the “All-Male Round-Up” t-shirt Deacon Bobby gave him. Later, we started noticing that he would begin his questions or statements with the words, “When we move to Jacksonville…”

Today, my family has been here for two weeks. And today is Trey’s ninth birthday. He is at school, where he tells me that the whole class is his new friends. And this evening we will all attend Midweek Worship Service. But our plan is to make a weekend of it. He wants to go bowling, because we went bowling last year on his  birthday and he beat me the last game (I blame it on the bumpers he had). He has invited two new friends he has made at the church. And he even invited one of the associate pastors to come. I praise God for how my little boy is adjusting to our new reality. And I hope that he will remember his first birthday in Jacksonville as a special one.

I praise God to see over these days how my little boy is growing up. I love him and am so very proud of him. He knows that I pray that God would call him to preach the word. He’s not sure about that, but he doesn’t want to hurt my feelings. You see, he wants to be a profession wrestler. Don’t ask. And he keeps telling me he can do both, promising that he will only wrestle on Saturdays so that he can preach on Sundays. I don’t argue with him. I just continue to pray that he would grow as Jesus grew – in wisdom, and stature, and favor with God and men (Luke 2:52). And I pray that God would be glorified in his life.

Happy Birthday, Doc! Daddy loves you.

Go Natalie, It’s Your Birthday!!!

March 4, 2008 in Birthdays, Natalie Marie, personal stuff with 0 Comments


Today is my daughter’s – Natalie Marie Charles -sixth birthday. Soon, Crystal will give birth to our second daughter. And my household will then official be overrun by women. But I suspect that Natalie will have no “middle child” issues to deal with. She will always be my first daughter… and first diva! Our new baby will have to establish her own identify, because Natalie is in a class by herself and is an impossible act to follow.

It is with great joy that I have the privilege, along with my wife, of shaping this little “image bearer.” And I also have a front row seat to watch her ongoing and rapid development. I am very proud of Natalie. And I pray that she will continue to grow as Jesus grew – in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Happy Birthday, Natalie.

Your daddy loves you little girl!