BBQ And A Prayer

11/10/2026

Who are you taking advice from? You shouldn’t take advice and be swayed by every opinion. If you have wrong voices, you’re going to make wrong choices. Pay attention to who is in your ear. God will not speak to other people about your life without speaking to you. The more you ask God, the less you have to depend on people.

www.bbqandaprayer.com

11/09/2026

🚨 I’ve been working on something BIG, and I’m getting close to sharing it.

I already have key pieces in hand. I’m waiting on a few more, which I expect very shortly. Before I put it out publicly, I want everything together so you can see it for yourselves.

What I’ve uncovered may surprise a whole lot of people.

👀 Stay tuned. There’s a reason I’ve been paying attention.

11/09/2026

These past few weeks have been extremely difficult, and I’m still trying to find the words.

Sometimes we say, “I’ll be fine,” because we don’t know what else to say. We appreciate your kindness, but sometimes we need the conversation to end so we can grieve privately, remember our people, and feel things we can’t explain yet. If I just nod or shake my head, please understand that my heart may have more in it than my words can carry.

I don’t know that we ever truly “get past” losing someone. I think we learn to carry the love and the hurt together.

It makes you look at your own life. How much time do we have left? Have we told our families our wishes? Have we said what matters? None of us is promised tomorrow, but loss makes that truth feel much closer.

There’s so much I’d like to say that I can’t put into words.

I’ve always been someone who watches, listens, and takes things in. That’s the survivor in me—the child who learned to pay attention and somehow made it this far. I love people. I care deeply about my community. But lately, I’ve asked myself: Does what I do matter? Is it helping? Is anything changing?

I’m sharing that because I think we all need to ask ourselves those questions sometimes.

I’m still praying through mine. I know I want my family to feel loved. I want people to know someone cared enough to show up. I want to stand for what’s right and help make things better while I’m here.

I can’t decide how much time I have left. But with God’s help, I can decide what I do with it.

And right now, I’m asking Him to help me live the rest of my life with purpose—even while my heart is hurting. 🙏

11/09/2026

Good morning, everyone! ☀️🙏

Don’t measure your worth by how much you get done today. Sometimes the greatest progress is finding the courage to try again, choosing kindness when you’re frustrated, or asking for help when the load gets heavy.

Whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to figure everything out this morning. Pray, take the next step, and give yourself room to grow.

Encourage somebody today. A few kind words may give them the strength to keep going.

May God give you peace for today, strength for the challenges, and eyes to see the blessings along the way. ❤️🙏
www.bbqandaprayer.com

11/09/2026

Some moments deserve more than just a place to gather. ❤️ They deserve a beautiful setting, incredible food, and memories that stay with you long after the last guest goes home. ✨

That's what makes this partnership so special!.Hidden Gem Villa brings the beautiful setting. BBQ & A Prayer brings the food worth remembering. 🤤🔥

From weddings and milestone celebrations to private parties, corporate gatherings, and everything in between…

We're bringing two passions together to help make YOUR moments unforgettable.

📍 Hidden Gem Villa | Tyler, Texas

📩 Planning something special? Message us and let's talk!

🙏 **Food is our ministry. Serving you is our privilege.**

11/08/2026

Are you feeding the grasshopper or are you feeding the mighty hero? They’re both in you. You determine which one is going to show up by what you’re feeding, what you’re dwelling on, what’s playing in your mind. Is it faith, knowing that you are well able, that God being for you is more than what’s against you? Or are you feeding the fear? "I can’t beat this disease; the doctor said it was permanent. I can’t get out of debt, everyone in my family struggles.” Do yourself a favor: change your diet. Quit feeding the grasshopper, the doubt, the worry, the fear, and start feeding your faith.

www.bbqandaprayer.com

11/07/2026

🔥 FRANKSTON—HERE’S SATURDAY’S TODAY’S MENU! 🔥

🥩 Brisket
🐖 Pulled pork
🍖 Beef ribs
🐖 Pork ribs
🌭 Sausage
🦃 Turkey legs
🥔 Potato salad
🫘 Beans
🥔 Loaded Potatoes
🍌 Banana pudding

📍 Midway Package & Feed
11487 State Hwy 155, Frankston, TX 75763
Saturday, November 7th
11 AM–7 PM

Come early or call ahead to reserve your favorites! Many of you know your advance order has secured the last portion of a particular meat. We may still have plenty of other food, but your favorite could be sold out by the time you arrive!

🙏 BBQ And A Prayer—come hungry and bring a friend!

11/07/2026

Every time doubt comes saying, “Nothing good is in your future. This sickness is going to be the end; your child will never get back on course.” That’s the roaring lion trying to deceive, manipulate, and limit you. Now you get to make the choice. Am I going to feed this lion? When you dwell on it, it’s like you’re giving him food. You're making the doubt stronger, the fear, the discouragement. Do yourself a favor and start starving those things. They lose all their power when you quit feeding them. Instead of feeding your fears, take that same energy and feed your faith, feed hope, feed confidence, feed courage, feed value.

www.bbqandaprayer.com

11/07/2026

My heart is broken tonight. This evening, I learned that my dear friend Elliot passed away last night in a tragic accident involving an 18-wheeler. With everything our family has already faced this week, this news has been incredibly hard to take.

Elliot was more than a friend. At one of the lowest points in my life, he was a mentor who showed up when I really needed someone. You never forget the people who stand beside you when you’re struggling.

About a month ago, I ran into him at Walmart. He asked how I was doing, gave me a hug, and told me, “You’re doing some amazing things. Keep your head up. Always put God first.”

I never imagined that would be our last conversation. What I wouldn’t give for another hug and a little more time.

Elliot, you touched so many lives. You were deeply loved, and you will be deeply missed. I will carry your encouragement with me and always be thankful that God put you in my life.

Please keep his family and everyone who loved him in your prayers. Rest in peace, my friend. 💔🙏

11/07/2026

Life doesn't stop just because you've got a business to run.

There are hard days. Unexpected challenges. Plans that change. And moments when it would be a whole lot easier to just sit down and stay there. 😂

But Big John has two things he's not walking away from…

🔥 Building BBQ & A Prayer and continuing to serve people through good food.

📋 Pursuing transparency and accountability in local government by continuing to ask questions and seek public records.

Two very different missions. One very determined man. Because life is going to keep happening…AND SO IS BIG JOHN. 😂🔥

BBQ & A Prayer ❤️🙏
Food is our ministry. Serving you is our privilege.

11/06/2026

Funeral arrangements have been set for my father-in-law, Lee Hickey. You can view the service details and, if you wish, plant a tree in his memory through the website below. 🌳🙏

Thank you for keeping our family in your prayers.

Celebrate the life of Lee Hickey and join others in sharing memories, stories, and condolences.

11/06/2026

Sometimes we have unrealistic expectations. We think we’ll have a good day as long as we don’t encounter any rude people, as long as our family says nice things, as long as our coworkers perform perfectly, then we’ll stay in peace. But that’s not reality. Difficult people are all around. There will be someone who can steal your joy, get you offended, leave you out, say something that’s not true. The key is not trying to avoid it. It’s to handle it the right way. Don’t take the bait. Don’t let the offense stay. Don’t dwell on the negative comments. This is how you live happy, not by avoiding difficult people, but by being an eagle, by rising higher than the offense, the hurt, the jealousy. When God can trust you to do the right thing when it’s hard, there’s no limit to how high He will take you.

www.bbqandaprayer.com

11/05/2026

SEVEN COMPLAINTS. ONE DEMAND: TRANSPARENCY.

Today, I mailed seven public information complaints to the Texas Attorney General’s Open Records Division concerning Tony Acosta’s handling of my requests as attorney for Van Zandt County Commissioners Court.

In my view, the repeated dismissive responses and unresolved requests deserve independent review. I’m asking the Attorney General’s office to examine the correspondence and determine whether the County followed the law.

I’m documenting every response and building a record. The public deserves access to public information—and I intend to keep pursuing accountability.

I’m not backing down.

11/05/2026

After you reach this goal, there will be another goal. There will be another challenge. If we’re not careful, we’ll rush through the day trying to get to the destination. Slow down and enjoy the journey. Yes, there will be bumps in the road, disappointments, things you don’t understand. That’s when you have to say, “I’m not looking back. I’m not going to get bitter and let that sour my life. I’m not going to live worried, wondering how it’s going to work out. I’m going to stay in the present. I’m going to enjoy where God has me right now, knowing that He will get me to where I’m supposed to be.” It takes maturity to enjoy where you are, even though you have challenges, even though there are things you don’t understand.

www.bbqandaprayer.com

11/05/2026

With heavy hearts, my wife’s dad, my father-in-law, passed away about an hour ago.

Please keep my wife and our entire family in your prayers as we face this heartbreaking loss. Pray for God’s peace, comfort, and strength in the days ahead.

Thank you for loving us and lifting our family up in prayer. 🙏❤️

11/04/2026

🔥 FRANKSTON—HERE’S SATURDAY’S MENU! 🔥

🥩 Brisket
🐖 Pulled pork
🍖 Beef ribs & pork ribs
🌭 Sausage
🦃 Turkey legs
🥔 Potato salad
🫘 Beans
🍌 Banana pudding

📍 Midway Package & Feed
11487 State Hwy 155, Frankston, TX 75763
Saturday, November 7th
11 AM–7 PM

Come early or call ahead to reserve your favorites! Many of you know your advance order has secured the last portion of a particular meat. We may still have plenty of other food, but your favorite could be sold out by the time you arrive!

🙏 BBQ And A Prayer—come hungry and bring a friend!

11/04/2026

The Scripture says, “A good man falls seven times, but he gets back up again.” The question is not, "Are you going to get knocked down?" Life happens to us all. The question is, "Are you going to get back up?" When it says Israel journeyed on, it means he rose up with a new attitude, a new courage, a new determination that said, “This bad break is not going to defeat me. This loss is not going to define me. I’m not going to take it on as my identity. I know I am stronger than what’s trying to stop me. I am more powerful than what’s trying to keep me down.” You have bounce-back in your spirit, resurrection power. Don’t settle in the disappointment. Journey on to the new things God has for you.

www.bbqandaprayer.com

11/04/2026

🎉 VAN ZANDT COUNTY—ALL EIGHT TAX PROPOSITIONS WERE REJECTED!

Seven districts voted over 80% AGAINST, and District 4 voted 78.41% AGAINST. That is a powerful message from our community!

Thank you to everyone who voted, followed our page, and shared the information with family and friends. This is a victory for us, and I’m so excited for you and your families! Enjoy this moment—you showed up and made your voices heard. ❤️

But keep that same energy. I understand a $30 million special bond election may be coming in May. As details become available, we need to review them, share the information, and be ready to show up again.

I know it gets exhausting. Don’t let that exhaustion silence your voice. Stay informed, stand strong, and keep voting.

God bless you, your families, and Van Zandt County! 🙏🇺🇸

11/03/2026