Courtney Hall

Karen and I are planning to attend our oldest granddaughter's school on Saturday where she is a cheerleader. We love you Courtney. . .Mamaw and Papaw

Sister Peggy Wynn

I called and spoke to Sister Ruth King yesterday. She informed me that Sister Peggy Wynn, Brother Ray Wynn's wife died. Sister King is the sister of Brother Wynn. Sister King requested prayer for the family and for safety as she and Rita travel to Cleveland.


The following is borrowed from Bishop McKinley's State Web Site. . .

I JUST RECEIVED THIS EMAIL NOTICE, AND I AM PASSING IT ON...

We have lost a wonderful sister in the Lord. She loved the Lord and loved people. Peggy Wynn passed away last night somewhere around 8:30. They had taken her home as that was what she and the family wanted. They had removed the ventilator at the hospital at 9:30 a.m., taking her home at 10:15 a.m. Hospice and the family was there for Brother Wynn—the two sons, John & Jim and Sister Wynn’s sister, Virginia, made it in before she died. The lady from Hospice that was there when Peggy passed away made it much easier for the family. Brother Wynn said she was a God-send. Eva was her name and could she every sing! She sang Beulah Land—Mahalia Jackson had nothing on Eva—what a voice!Someone will be giving funeral arrangements later. Brother Wynn is to meet with the directors at 11:00 today.They appreciate your prayers.

Jenna Allen

Global Outreach/Harvest Partners

Prayer Request

One of our members, Sister Ruth King, is the sister of Brother Ray Wynn and sister-in-law of Sister Peggy Wynn. Sister Wynn is in the hospital and is in need of prayer. I attended Bible Training Institute when brother Wynn was President. The following was taken from Pastor Don Brock's blog.

Sister Peggy Wynn is currently hospitalized and in need of our prayers. Her husband, Ray was the President of the Bible Training Institute in Cleveland for many years. Please join me in prayer for both of them.

Rev. C. H. SPURGEON - Preaching Christ

The following is the beginning of a sermon delivered on Monday afternoon, March 25th, 1861

I do not know whether there are any persons here present who can contrive to put themselves into my present position, and to feel my present feelings. If they can effect that, they will give me credit for meaning what I say, when I declare that I feel totally unable to preach. And, indeed, I think I shall scarcely attempt a sermon, but rather give a sort of declaration of the truths from which future sermons shall be made. I will give you bullion rather than coin; the block from the quarry, and not the statue from the chisel. It appears that the one subject upon which men preached in the apostolic age was Jesus Christ. The tendency of man, if left alone, is continually to go further and further from God, and the Church of God itself is no exception to the general rule. For the first few years, during and after the apostolic era, Christ Jesus was preached, but gradually the Church departed from the central point, and began rather to preach ceremonials and church offices than the person of their Lord. So has it been in these modern times: we also have fallen into the same error, at least to a degree, and have gone from preaching Christ to preaching doctrines about Christ, inferences which may be drawn from his life, or definitions which may be gathered from his discourses. We are not content to stand like angels in the sun; our fancies disturb our rest and must needs fly on the sunbeams, further and further from the glorious source of light. In the days of Paul it was not difficult at once, in one word, to give the sum and substance of the current theology. It was Christ Jesus. Had you asked anyone of those disciples what he believed, he would have replied, "I believe Christ." If you had requested him to show you his Body of Divinity, he would have pointed upward, reminding you that divinity never had but one body, the suffering and crucified human frame of Jesus Christ, who ascended up on high. To them, Christ was not a notion refined, but unsubstantial; not an historical personage who had left only the savour of his character behind, but whose person was dead; to them he was not a set of ideas, not a creed, nor an incarnation of an abstract theory; but he was a person, one whom some of them had seen, whose hands they had handled, nay, one of whose flesh they had all been made to eat, and of whose blood they had spiritually been made to drink. Christ was substance to them, I fear he is too often but shadow to us. He was a reality to their minds; to us—though, perhaps, we would scarcely allow it in so many words—rather a myth than a man; rather a person who was, than he who was, and is, and is to come—the Almighty.

Read more here

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Great! Awesome! Glorious! These are words to describe the worship today. Every part of the worship, singing, message, altar service and Holy Ghost visitation and message were great! Thank God for His presence throughout the meeting today! We believe the Lord wants to do great things among us here at Huntingdon to reach out with the message of Jesus Christ.

UPDATE, VISITS & PRAYER REQUESTS

Since the last post Karen and I have visted the funeral setting of Sister Marie Moore's brother Earl Lowe, at Calvary Bible Church, near Joelton, TN on Tuesday evening and I attended the funeral on Wednesday - 10:30 - 12:00 noon. Remember Sister Moore in prayer. This is her second sibling that has died in six weeks and both are younger than her. Sister Moore desires prayer for comfort and sustaining grace her health needs.

This week I have continued in doing crisis intervention and follow-up. Your prayers are desired for grace and strength.

Continued prayer for revival and the homecoming celebration in October.


Continued prayer for the development of the property.

Jason requests prayer as he begins a new job search.

Karen requests prayer as she begins a new school year.

Prayer for local leaders and local church outreach.

Visits

Yesteday evening, I enjoyed visits with Jeremy and Delilah Mummel. They made me feel very welcome. The fellowship was refreshing. Jeremy tells me he is hoping to get started in church attendance. We also had a season of prayer.

Then I visited with Donna and Alton Crossno. I always feel welcome in thier home. Sister Donna served some banana pudding and it was delicious. I appreciate the openness and friendliness of these faithful ones.

Stuck In The Middle

Being a teen in the 60's it was difficult to avoid the hippy culture. While I was not a "true hippy," I did have the long hair and for several years listened to the rock music of that day. Sometime in that era (late 60's or 70's) I remember a song entitled Stuck In The Middle With You by the group Steelers Wheel. More recently Kieth Urban has recorded the song. Part of the lyrics say, Well, I'm stuck in the middle with you, And I'm wondering what is I should do, It's so hard to wipe this smile from my face, Lose control and I'm all over the place, Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, Here I am, stuck in the middle with you. Here I am, here I am, Stuck in the middle with you. Of course the song is dealing with a more relative subject to the song than I am going to speak of here. Nevertheless the thought of the song has truth in it.

Have you ever felt like you were or are stuck in the middle? Well don't despair, it happens to the best and the worst. As a younger minister several years ago one pastor gave me this maxim, "if you walk in the middle of the road, you get hit on both sides." I've learned this is very true. To be involved sometimes means "being stuck in the middle." One could just draw up in a shell and not get involved and say, "I don't know anything about anything." However, a caring person, especially a caring Christian, may find themselves "stuck in middle." That feeling of being "stuck in the middle" can cause a person to feel dejected, rejected and very much alone. Paranoia has no friends but rejection, dejection and being alone are very real.

Take courage and don't be too ashamed when you remember the ONE who was "stuck in the middle," some 2000 years ago with no reason to be stuck there except to give HIS life for all those who are "seriously stuck in the middle" between God's impending wrath and judgment and the gift that He provided for all who will come and trust in HIM. As HE hung there "stuck in the middle" between heaven and earth, HIS prayer was "father forgive them for they know not what they do." When HE cried, "I thirst," he was offered the wine vinegar that had some pain reliever in it and HE refused it. When one of the dying thieves came to realize it was the SAVIOR hanging next to him, the thief said these simple words, "remember me when you come into your kingdom." To this beleaguered, repentant thief who realized he needed a SAVIOR more than being freed from the cross he was stuck to, JESUS replied, "this day you will be with me in paradise."

There HE was "stuck in the middle" of dozens on that day and millions more and billions to come. As HE hung there HIS heart breaking, HE looked out to view HIS mother standing next to the disciple whom he loved and said to his mother "behold thy son," and to that disciple, "behold thy mother." When HE cried, "I thirst" again he was given raw vinegar on a sponge and he accepted the sponge for a little moisture. HE looked up to HIS Father, who could not view the sin that was nailed to him, and with a longing for HIS Father, HE cried "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" As HE hung there in deep agony, indescribable suffering and sorrow, HE proclaimed the words that all who are "stuck in the middle," rejoice over time and time again. HE proclaimed, "It is finished." No longer are those who trust HIM "stuck in the middle." Now HE is no longer "stuck in the middle" between heaven and earth. HE is risen and is now sitting at the right hand of the Father making intercession for us.

Milton Gordon

Cartoon

THAT'S MY STORYAND I'M STICKIN' TO IT !

Weekend & Prayer requests

Thank God for a great weekend. The Lord blessed greatly in our times of worship this weekend. We thank the Lord for his many blessings and for his presence. We are in a time of seeking the Lord for outreach and for leadership.

Sister Marie Moore requests prayer for her brother and family. Her brother, Earl, is very sick with cancer and not expected live as each day passes.

Casey Duncan and family requests prayer. He was involved in an auto accident yesterday. No one was seriously hurt but three cars were involved - two totaled and the other damaged. Casey was hurt some but after examining in the ER was released.

Prayer for revival and outreach. Prayer for leadership in the local church.

Update

It has been a few days since I last posted. My week has been very active. I had a Dr's appointment on Wednesday and also had my oxygen level checked since I have been having some pressure in my chest and shortness of breath. Oxygen level checked out okay. It is likely stress related. Karen is back teaching school and is very involved there.

In between continuing studying on the DMin. and church planning, I have also been doing some crisis intervention counseling and, of course, no details can be given here. I have been in prayer concerning the appointment of local leaders, training and equipping local leaders/members and seeking the Lord for the continued development of the PAID OFF 7.5 acres plus property. We are also seeking the Lord for revival and outreach.

God is blessing with new visitors and with faithful leaders and members who continue in their work day in and day out.

Yesterday

Yesterday, I was the first to sing happy birthday to Karen.

I also enjoyed several visits.

I enjoyed visiting with Stanley Reynolds in his Communications/Computer reproducing shop. He really has a great time doing videos and reproducing them for so many folks. Great work Stanley. We enjoyed a great time of fellowship and prayer.

Brother J. E. and Sister Marie Moore always make me welcome in their home. We enjoyed a great time of visiting and prayer.

Brother Leon Reynolds also welcomes us in their home. We had a good time of visiting.

It was also good to visit with Brother Jimmie Davis. He and his family are one of our newer church attendees and he has really been doing some great work here with us.

WATER BAPTISM SUNDAY & GREAT SUNDAY EVENING SINGING

Today was the second Sunday for water baptism. Mariah Hernandez was saved in youth camp this year and was baptized there but she wanted to be baptized in her local church while her family attended. We enjoyed a great time of gospel singing with the Grace Abound Quartet and Sisters in Grace tonight at church.



Mariah anticiapates being baptized as prayer is offered.
Mariah is baptized in water. . . .praise the Lord.

Mariah's Family, L to R., Mariah holding her little brother Dalton, Mr. Hernandez, Mariah's Father and Mariah's little sister in center and stepmom. Sister Cathy Coleman is Mariah's grandmother with purse.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Water Baptism and Membership Sunday: Sunday, August 12th. NOTE: There will be two Sundays for water baptism since some want to be baptized on both Sundays. Last Sunday Hayden Arnold and Jonah Davis were baptized.

Second Sunday Evening Singing: August 12, 6 pm with the Grace Abound Quartet of Gleason, TN. and Sisters in Grace.

REVIVAL: Dates, times and guest minister TBA.

West Tennessee Ladies Training Event: October 6, further info TBA

Huntingdon Church of God of Prophecy SIXTIETH (60th) Homecoming Celebration: Sunday, October 28, 2007. Guest Speaker, Bishop Eugene Weakley, Guest Singers, Sisters in Grace. More specifics TBA.

Tennessee Youth Retreat: November 16-17, Camp Hickory Hills, Dickson, TN.

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

This prayer request was received just a little while ago. Pastor Vernon Caruthers, Campaign Church, sent this for posting. Please pray for this man and the family. . .

Hello Milton

I would like to ask prayer for one of my members, Brother Wayne Surles, who had a bad motorcycle accident on Friday afternnon. He was air lifted by helicopter to Earlanger hospital in Chattanooga. I went there and stayed with the family until about 2 this morning. Wayne has 5 broken ribs, a bad cut on the back of his head, a punctured and collapsed lung with blood in it, a possible broken hip. His hip is so swollen right now they could not determine just by a normal xray. He may have some neck injuries also. He was and still is conscious and he is asking for prayer from all. If you could please post this on your blog. His wife, Angie, is also a member here at Campaign and she has M S and right now she is going through a bad episode. She is to begin 3 treatments per week in Nashville for that. They really need your prayers. The young lady, Sarah Creasy, that had a bad auto accident a few weeks ago and was also air lifted to Earlanger hospital was in a coma for about a week but she came home this past Thursday and is doing good. She still has a brace on her neck to help heal a vertebrea that was broken and she has some short term memory loss. They will be going to Chattannoga during the week for out patient therapy. The same God that delivered Sarah can also deliver Wayne.

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Prayer

It seems there is so much work to do and time moves swiftly. Lord, help me to slow down and rest in you. Give me your strength and stability. Calls come in from different places with problems and situations. I ask for grace for these needs and troubles that come from different causes and places. Only YOU, O LORD, know all things and have all authority and power. Give me strength to walk in YOU today and cover me with the protection and providence of your Son. I ask for blessing and guidance for the leaders of our nation, state, communities and for the leaders in our churches. Give wisdom and guidance to every leader and help them in their deliberations and decisions. In HIS NAME I pray. AMEN!

WATER BAPTISM SUNDAY

Preparations for the water baptismal service started yesterday around 4 pm when the baptistry was cleaned and filled with water. Today was a great day to start my fourth year as Pastor in Huntingdon. Two of the children in our church were baptized. Jonah Davis and Hayden Arnold were baptized. Several new folks came today from Hayden's family. Pictures to follow later.

Water Baptism Pictures

Some who were present today for water baptism Sunday.
More who came for Water Baptism Sunday.

Jonah Davis anticipates being baptized in water.

Praise the Lord! Jonah Davis is baptized in water.

Hayden Arnold anticipates being baptized in water.

Praise the Lord and thank the Lord! Hayden is baptized in water.

Praise and Worship Team, L-R, Jason Gordon, Casey Duncan, Delilah Mummel.

Wedding and Reception of Crystal Davidson and Matthew Spelling

Karen and I enjoyed being at Crystal Davidson's and Matt Spelling's wedding tonight. The wedding went very well with a large attendance at the First United Methodist church of Huntingdon. Crystal is the daugher of James and Sharon Davidson both members of the church here at Huntingdon. She is also the Granddaughter of J. E. and Marie Moore who are members as well. We enjoyed the reception and meeting several new folks. The refreshments and snacks were very good. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Matt Spelling.

Reynolds Family Reunion

Karen and I visited the Reynolds family reunion today. It was good to see Brother Leon's family. We enjoyed the brief visit before we left for the critical care unity of the Jackson Memorial Hospital.

PRAISE REPORT

Today, Karen and I visited with Sister Jennie Sanders and prayed with her for her oldest son, William, who had surgery on Wednesday for a blocked artery. The surgery went well but he suffered a stroke after the surgery. After visiting with Sister Jennie, I went to the critical care unit in Jackson Memorial Hospital. I was allowed 5 minutes with William. Prayers have gone up for his physical needs and spiritual needs. God opened the door while I was visiting and Mr. William Sanders prayed and ask the Lord to be his Savior and Lord today. A simple question of, "are you ready to meet the Lord should you die?" He responded, "No." I then aked if he would pray for Christ to be His Savior. He readily said, "Yes." We prayed together and I led him in the sinner's prayer. Thank God for a newborn in the family of God. We visited with Sister Jennie after we returned home and she was overjoyed. Thank God!

Karen enjoyed doing some tax free shopping at the Jackson Old Hickory Mall before we left to go back home.

PRAISE REPORTS & PRAYER REQUESTS

Karen had minor surgery for a cyst that had lodged and grown near the joint in her left thumb (she had what is commonly called "Trigger Finger"). Her thumb would lock bent and it would be painful for her to straighten it and when it was straight it would be painful for her to bend it. The surgery went well with no malignancy. The stitches were taken out today and she will be doing her own rehab by working and using the thumb. One does not understand how important a thumb is until it is gone or unusable. Thank the Lord she is on the mend.

Sister Jenny Sanders called requesting prayer for her oldest son who is having heart surgery today. She requests that he will be saved most of all.

A anonomous request came in for a spouse who is having to be fed with a stomach tube.

Let us pray for these requests.