More Youth Revival Pictures

Several were in the altar during the youth revival. We thank the Lord for his presence and for each one who came.

My sister's daughter and my niece Stacey.

The Evangelist, Tony and wife Pascha Cathey.
Tony and Pascha's twins, from left, Anna, center, Kelsie my great niece, and right, Carrie.
Pick it Pastor.
My family, from left, my sister Joyce, Mom (Beatrice Cathey) y brother, Tony and me.
Here are members of my family who attended the revival. We sure enjoyed being with them.

REVIVAL - WHITE WING MESSENGER

Our church periodical/magazine is the White Wing Messenger. The month of May is entitled REVIVAL. There are some pertinent and powerful messages pertaining to revival in this issue as one might expect. O how we need revival. One message that particularly challenged me was by Daniel Chatham entitled "Do We Want Revival Enough?"

I encourage anyone to subscribe to the White Wing Messenger. Our church subscribes by ordering bundles of 5 sent to the local church to be distributed. Each person pays ten (10) dollars a year for twelve issues. That is less than one dollar each for four color process printing on a glossy paper and saves eight dollars for each individual subscription. The articles are well-prepared, edited and written by a variety of ministers/ministries who are involved in the ministry of the kingdom and the church.

You can subscribe by going to the general church web site at http://www.cogop.org/ and click on the Service Department link and go down to the White Wing link.

YOUTH REVIVAL

Thank the Lord for a great time of revival meeting last night. The presence of the Lord was overpowering. The Youth Praise and Worship Team were dedicated and committed to lifting up the King of Kings. Special songs came forth with great emphasis on praising the Lord. Thank you to Casey and Cindy Duncan, Sarah Gordon, Jason Gordon, Vickie Lawrence, Cathy Coleman, Aviana Gordon and my mother Beatrice Cathey for the great worship in song. Also to Tony, Pascha and their twins, Carrie and Anna for great worship songs. The youth even asked me to sing. We did our best to bring Him more than a song - "he looks deep in our hearts."

Brother Tony preached a great message on "Keeping Watch Over Our Oil." The message challenged us that one of the greatest tasks we have as youth or anyone is to keep our lamps trimmed and burning and to keep the oil fresh and full. We were so involved in the worship, praise and the message that it seemed that we were in church for just a few minutes until it was 9:30. He used the example of the person that was given charge of the oil that was used for lighting the tabernacle and temple. The job may seem out of sight and out of mind but is is very vital for us to keep our oil fresh, clean and full for the service of the Lord. That is done in our daily devotional lives, away from the hustle and bustle of daily routine. "You are the temple of the Holy Ghost." (paraphrase)

We also watched the movie "Facing The Giants" in the parsonage den after the revival meeting ending at 9:30. There were some powerful challenges and victories portrayed in this movie.

We continue to seek God for revival.

WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!

Pavilion Completed

The above is a picture of the pavilion before the gable ends are finished.
The West side of the pavilion with gable end covered.
Another view of the West side.
A view of the East side of the pavilion.

Jesse Dixon Sings - "Moses Take Your Shoes Off"

Work On New Property Continues

Today, I was at the property on Northwood Drive from 10 am to 3 pm. Brother J. E. Moore, his nephew Anthony and brother-in-law, Mike were there also doing the finishing on the pavilion. The gable ends have now been covered with the same rustic red color roofing material and the corners are covered as well. The pavilion is now better closed in to keep the roof from blowing off.

One piece from each side had blown off from strong winds but now with corner pieces fastened securely, the roofing should sustain strong winds without damage.

We thank Brother J. E., Anthony and Mike.

We look forward to continuing with the work on the property, with plans to do more landscaping and getting estimates to start a multi-purpose building.

Youth Service Tonight

WOW, is the word I use for the Youth Service tonight. Paul Rivera and Casey Duncan did a great job. The worship and praise were outstanding and Casey did a great job with the devotion.

Cindy Duncan and Sarah Gordon joined in to make a great group of youth singing praises to the King. Aviana (our granddaughter) sang a couple songs. She is doing great for her age. She will be five years old on May 2.

We love our youth here and pray that God will continue to bless us with more youth and children.

GREAT DAY IN THE LORD & Prayer Requests

We are thankful for another great Sunday. God's presence continues to visit us in great ways. We are also thankful for God's love and care for His people

These are requesting prayer:

Donna Crossno's father is back in Jackson Regional Hospital. Join me in prayer for this request.

Sister Marie Moore continues to need prayer for her physical needs. Join me in prayer for this request.

Several of our members are homebound. Sister Jennie Sanders, Sister Lillie Grooms, Sister Lenne Mae Crossno, and Sister Mildred Stacey. Join me in prayer for these.

Sister Joyce Grace called this morning and reported that Macey had to be rushed to the emergency room with a 104 temp. Join me in prayer for this request.

Sister Joyce Grace is requesting prayer for her son Lee. Join me in prayer for this request.

Sister Joyce Grace is requesting prayer for her husband Michael who has been sick today. Join me in prayer for this request.

Youth Revival begins this coming Friday night. Join me in prayer for this request.

SPEECHLESS

The cutting edge videos that deal with the attempts to silence Christians is available at this website. Examples, people, places and real events that show the subtle attempt to silence Christians in many venues and to deceitfully bring in other religions to the students of our nation.

Go here to watch these videos. You can sign up to watch all of the videos.

Taking Time To Nourish Ourselves

The following is an excerpt from an article "Finding Joy" in Leadership Wired by John Maxwell.

"We nourish ourselves whenever we enter into activities that build our energy reserves. Consider this list of common nourishment sources:

Music - What songs lift me?
Thoughts - What thoughts speak to me?

. . .To find joy, we must clean up our vocabulary.
We pursue happiness when we banish the shoulda, coulda, wouldas in life and decide that everything is fine the way it is. To reconstruct our vocabulary, it's important to understand the difference between facts of life and problems."


To read the more click here

National Day of Prayer

May 1, 2008 is the National Day of Prayer. Go here to find out more.

Update

A few days have passed since I last posted.

The services this past Sunday were great. God's presence was very close in our worship. The Praise and Worship Team continues to do a great job. We sing a combination of hymns, contemporary, choruses and have some great special singing in worship. God has blessed this church with people who love to use their skills to worship the Lord. Special thanks to those on the the team - Delilah Mummel, Jason Gordon, Casey Duncan, Vickie Lawrence, and Cathy Coleman.

The youth will be in charge of the devotion, worship, music and speaker for the second and third Sunday nights. Paul Rivera, Casey Duncan and Delilah Mummel are our Youth Directors Team.

Profundities From the Apostle Paul - Prayer

One of the most powerful prayers in the Bible is found in the book of Ephesians chapter three. The Apostle Paul prayed this prayer. I have read this prayer several times over the years and prayed this prayer as well. It is one of the richest, deepest most profound prayers, I believe, in the Bible. Read it. Pray it. Let it minister to you today.

Ephesians 3:14 ¶ . . .I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ladies Weekly Bible Studies

The ladies here at Huntingdon continue the weekly Bible Studies. They meet in the recreation room at the R. B. Wilson apartment complex. Sister Jennie Sanders and Sister Peggy Heath, who are members of the church, both live there. The other ladies attend other churches and/or are not able to attend anywhere.

Sister Suzanna Reynolds, in the picture below far left holding the folder, says, "This has blessed me greatly to be able to do this." There have been as many as 15 ladies at times. Sister Josie Rivera is the assistant, third from the left facing forward.




I enjoyed the opportunity to go by and speak briefly to the ladies, to encourage them to continue with the good work.

General Overseer's Father Dies

Deacon Frank Howard

Father of General Overseer, R. A. Howard and International Children's Ministries Director, Kathy Creasy, passed this morning around 9:15 am. His wife, Elva Howard, served as General Women's Missionary Director for many years. Arrangements will be posted on the Tennessee State site or the International site. Go to the state or International site to get further information. The links are to the right of this post. Click on the State Overseer link - Dr. E. C. McKinley or International site - R. A. Howard.

Revival Tarries

The past four services have been charged with the presence of the Holy Ghost as we have lifted up the King of Kings. People have been healed, encouraged, enlightened and admonished as we worshipped and heard the Word of the Lord go forth with great anointing. The fellowship was sweet and the flow of the Spirit was awesome.
Last night we enjoyed the singing of Bishop David Prince's youngest son David. What a great job he did and how we worshipped the Lord as he sang. The singing was awesome.
What a great time as the Lord blessed Brother Prince with some great messages from the Lord.
There were testimonies of being encouraged. There were testimonies of anticipating great things as we continue to pray and seek the Lord.

This revival was a great impetus for the local church here in Huntingdon. We are believing God for great things as we continue to seek Him.

Our next revival weekend will be the third weekend of April. We continue to pray for the salvation of the lost and for the will of God on our work here at Huntingdon.

Revival Fires Burn

Thank the Lord for His mighty presence on the first night of revival. There is a great spirit of anticipation and expectation as we continue to "call upon the Lord." We worshipped the Lord with fervency last night. Bishop David Prince preached a timely message. He encouraged us to trust the Name that is above every Name - Jesus Christ. We enjoyed visitors from the Solid Rock church in Huntingdon, Faith Is the Victory Church in Huntingdon and a family from a church in Camden (forgive me for not remembering the name of this church).

Prayers went up for one brother who is scheduled to see a cancer doctor at Vanderbilt next week. We are believing God for healing of this brother.

Near the end of the service we gathered in a circle of prayer. As prayer went up the Holy Ghost spoke and the message came, "You are my children. I love you. I want to send revival. Call upon me. Call upon me. Call upon me."

We believe that God will send revival as we "call upon Him."

We continue to anticipate and expect as we "call upon Him."

On Prayer

"Tell God all that is in your heart, as one unloads one’s heart, its pleasures and its pains, to a dear friend. Tell Him your troubles, that He may comfort you; tell Him your joys, that He may sober them; tell Him your longings, that He may purify them; tell Him your dislikes, that He may help you to conquer them; talk to Him of your temptations, that He may shield you from them; show Him the wounds of your heart, that He may heal them; lay bare your indifference to good, your depraved tastes for evil, your instability. Tell Him how self-love makes you unjust to others, how vanity tempts you to be insincere, how pride disguises you to yourself and others.

If you thus pour out all your weakness, needs, troubles, there will be no lack of what to say. You will never exhaust the subject. It is continually being renewed. People who have no secrets from each other never want for subject of conversation. They do not weigh their words, for there is nothing to be held back; neither do they seek for something to say. They talk out of the abundance of the heart, without consideration they say just what they think.

Blessed are they who attain to such familiar, unreserved intercourse with God."

Francios Fenolon


"God has of His own motion placed Himself under the law of prayer, and has obligated Himself to answer the prayers of men. He has ordained prayer as a means whereby He will do things through men as they pray, which He would not otherwise do. . . . If prayer puts God to work on earth, then, by the same token, prayerlessness rules God out of the world’s affairs, and prevents Him from working."

E. M. Bounds

Prayer For Revival

Tomorrow evening at 7 pm will begin revival services with guest minister, David Prince. We have been praying and seeking the Lord.

Our expectation and anticipation of the Lord's presence and manifestation is high. We are believing that He will come as we lift up our Savior - Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

I ask for an awesome move of the Holy Ghost in our revival services. Whatever revival may mean, let it be that souls will come into relationship with Jesus Christ, born again, created in Him as a new creation. May souls be sanctified wholly and made holy by His precious shed blood and sacrifice. May souls be baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire. O how we need the fire of God! Burn us up Lord!

Burn out the sin, the weights that would pull us down from knowing you more fully! Burn out the complacency! Burn out the lack of passion for you! Burn out the self-sufficiency! Burn out "me-ism!" Burn out spirits that would quench and grieve your Spirit! Burn out lack of care for souls that are dying without Jesus! Burn out formalism without power! Burn out gossip! Burn out division! Burn out pride! Burn out spiritual immaturity! Burn out fleshly, selfish sensitivity!

Burn in humility! Burn in power! Burn in joy! Burn in spiritual sensitivity to the Holy Spirit! Burn in compasssion! Burn in passion to do your will. Burn in passion to reach souls for Christ! Burn in unity! Burn in unity in Jesus Christ! Burn in righteousness in Jesus Christ! Burn in dynamic spiritual growth in Jesus Christ!

Burn in revival - whatever that means to you O mighty God! In the wonderful, powerful glorious name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth - the name above every name. I ask through the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost! AMEN!

Jesus Saves by the Hoppers

Cartoon

Easter 2008 Huntingdon, TN Church of God of Prophecy

Aviana shows her basket of Easter eggs. Dalton has more important things to do than hunt eggs. He checks Aviana's bike out on the parsonage porch.

Easter 2008 Huntingdon, TN Church of God of Prophecy

Enjoying the children as they hunt Easter eggs.


Casey, Cindy and Ethan - the Duncan family.
Chuck, Ragene and their granddaughters, Haley and Ashlyn.
More, enjoying the children as they hunt Easter Eggs.

Profundities From the Apostle Paul

Sinless, No Guile. . .But Was Made to be Sin for Us

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

What! Disgusted, depraved, predisposed to sin and debauchery - man and woman "made to be righteous?" YES!

Since the creation of Adam and Eve men and women down through the years have been vile and have done some of the most vile things that can be imagined. Names such as Jeffrey Dahmer, Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jim Jones of People's Temple, Dean Corll, Ted Bundy, David Berkowitz, Gary Leon Ridgway (Green River Killer, murdered 48 people serving 48 life sentences) and others bring thoughts of disgust to our minds. Yet, we understand that, though crime has its temporal consequences, Christ died for all men - even these that we deem most vile. Could these men be forgiven and be made righteous?

Theodore Cowell (Alias Ted Bundy) had an interview with Dr. James Dobson shortly before his execution. Bundy talked about the effects that soft core pornography and hard core pornography had on his subsequent outbreaks of rape, murder and brutality. He also talked about how God's love helped him come to remorse over what he had done and, remorse over how it continues to affect the family members who are left. He agreed with his punishment of being executed. Whether he accepted Christ or not, only he and God knows for sure but there have been those who turned to Christ - even from a life of scandal, murder, brutality and debauchery. The thief on the cross next to Jesus was granted repentance and was given eternal life just a short time before he died. There hanging next to the the sinless, perfect lamb of God - God's only son - he was forgiven.

God made his only Son sin though there was never "guile found in his mouth. . ." (1Peter 2:22) He never committed sin and never even spoke deceitfully. After God made his only Son to be sin, while he was on the cross Jesus cried "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) Christ felt that His Father had forsaken Him. There he hung on the cross completely degraded, mocked, ridiculed, scorned, rejected, despised and sentenced to die by his own race and beaten, cruelly crowned and nailed to a cross by the Romans - on a day when no crucifixions were allowed by Jewish law. There on that cross the sin of all mankind was nailed.

Where would we be today without the blessed, holy, righteous Son of God coming to this earth, giving his life a ransom for men and women of all ages? It has been said rightly, the nails did not hold him on the cross our sins did. He would not come down. He would not give in to the feelings of horror, extreme pain and the shamefulness of being made sin for you and I. He did it because of the "joy that was set before him." (Hebrews 12:2) He cried the final declaration, "It is finished." He did not say, "I am finished." He cried, "It is finished." (John 19:30)

James 1:15 tells us that "when [sin] is finished, [sin] bringeth forth death." The finality of sin is death - physical and spiritual. The finality of sin separates from God and all that is good and life eternal. Jesus cried "It is finished." He fulfilled his mission. He accomplished the plan of salvation. "It (the will of His Father for man's salvation) is finished (lacking nothing) ." He completed His Father's will. Now, what will you do with Christ? Yes, your sins were nailed to that cross some 2000 years ago but you and I must accept His sacrifice. We must accept his final work!

Will you choose salvation? What will you choose Christ or sin? What will you choose - the will of the Father or the will of sinful self? Will you choose Christ? It is that simple. Come to Him, repent, accept Him, trust Him, follow Him, love Him, serve Him, obey Him - He is the way, the truth and the life. God will impute to you and imbue in you "His righteousness" because, "It is finished!"

WORLD MISSION MONTH

MARCH IS WORLD MISSION MONTH

Remember to pray for and give to missions throughout the month of March. There is great need throughout the world for mission support. Go to the following web site to see how people eat throughout the world. Be sure to go all the way down to see how people eat in the more needy countries.

Go here

Truth and Love by John Piper

Education and Relation: Truth and Love, John Piper

Think with me for a moment about education and relationships. Some of you care deeply that education not ignore or marginalize relationships of love. They are essential in real, lasting, life-changing education. Amen.

So I turn to the Bible. I find in place of the words, "education" and "relationship," the words, "truth" and "love." So what does the Bible say about how truth and love relate to each other? There are at least four ways of talking about this relationship.

1. Truth aims at love.

"The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5). Note: instruction is not the goal, love is. Instruction is the means. It is subordinate. Truth serves love. Education serves relationships - mainly the relationship between us and God, but also between Christian and Christian, and between us and unbelievers. The "goal" of all our education is love.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider one another how to stir up to love and good deeds, . . . encouraging one another" (Hebrews 10:23-25, literal translation). The aim of our "considering one another" and "encouraging one another" is that we stir up love. We mingle insight into "the confession of our hope" with insight into "each other," and the effect is stirring each other to love. The truth of doctrine and truth of people-watching unite to aim at love.

2. Love aims at truth.

"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth" (1 Corinthians 13:6). Love is glad when truth is spoken. Therefore love aims at truth. It supports truth.
"Out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you" (2 Corinthians 2:4). Here is an example of how love aims at truth. Paul is filled with love and it compels him to write a letter that was hard, and caused sorrow in him and in the Corinthians. But it needed to be said. So love said it. Love speaks the truth personally and doctrinally.

3. Love shapes how to speak the truth.

"Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). There is an unloving way to speak the truth. That kind of truth-speaking we should repudiate. But there is a way to speak the truth in love, and that we should seek. It is not always a soft way to speak, or Jesus would have to be accused of lack of love in dealing with some folks in the Gospels.But it does ask about what is the most helpful thing to say when everything is considered. Sometimes what would have been a hard word to one group is a needed act of love to another group, and not a wrong to the group addressed. But in general, love shapes truth into words and ways that are patient and gentle (2 Timothy 2:24-25).

4. Truth shapes how to show love.

"By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:2). It is not always obvious which acts are loving. So John tells us some truth will help us know if our acts are loving.One truth test for our love is whether we are keeping the commandments of God toward people. In other words, love cannot be cut loose from the truth of God's will. Truth shapes how to show love.

Let us pray that God will cause his love and truth to abound and mingle in us in all these ways for the glory of his truth-filled love and love-filled truth.

Pastor John

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: http://www.desiringgod.org/.

PRAISE REPORT

This came in from Myrna Moore this past Tuesday. Sorry it took so long to post but being out of town and not having my local internet kept my posting to a minimum.

We PRAISE THE LORD for his mercy and keeping,,,,
Janna is scheduled to be discharged from the hosp Tuesday evening............woohoo! She is doing great, platelets up to 91,000 Mon am, and blood pressure coming down,,,,,,,,,,we are so happy.

AND,,,,,,,,,,,Landry Neel (named for my dad Neely Hill) and Brady James (named for Windell's dad, James Carlton,,,,,,,now they would be so proud) are doing great! Sean and Janna get to see them for extended visits in NICU, even holding them and today, got to feed them........Windell and I got to go in and see them and feel their toes in the incubators.......oh, yes, the tears were rolling,,,,,,,
but oh so precious.........they are on tiny feeding tubes and the light for jaudice for a few days, but doing very well the dr and staff reports......they will be able to come home in a few days, the dr said 7-10 days from birth.

Bless you one and all...........

Great Time

Karen and I are headed back to Huntingdon, TN later today. We found this to be a great place to come rest and be refreshed. The people are very friendly. The atmosphere is laid back and it is easy to get around - at least it was this time of the year.

We have enjoyed the last three days in Hot Springs, AR. There are many sites to visit and, to me, the spring water and water falls are great. There is a National Park inside Hot Springs. The Federal Government owns the rights to the water. We enjoyed going up in the Mountain Tower on top of East Mountain yesterday. The view was great from the top open air floor. There was a historical timeline one level below the top with closed in plexi-glass around it. Karen and I also enjoyed the natural hot springs bath. The water comes out of the hot springs at 130-143 degrees. The baths are set around 100-105 degrees. It takes about an hour to go through the bath, steam room, sitz bath, hot wraps and shower. The baths are gender separated and each whirlpool bath is enclosed on the long sides. It was very relaxing and invigorating. (note: there is a charge for the baths)

If you would like to learn more about Hot Springs go the following links.

National Park Official Site

Hot Springs Information Site

City of Hot Springs Site

Voice of The Martyrs & Voice of The Martyrs Prison Alert

Voice of The Martyrs

The following is an excerpt from the Voice of The Martyrs. If you want to read more or subscribe to their e-newsletter click here

"Damare, a young slave boy, had his knees and feet nailed to a board and was left to die - just for attending a church service. Miraculously he survived and told The Voice of the Martyrs that he forgave his cruel tormenter, because Jesus was nailed and forgave him."

Voice of The Martyrs Prison Alert

The follow is an excerpt from a Christian who has been persecuted for faith in Christ. You can read more here

"In July 2007, 42-year-old Li Mei and nine house church leaders were arrested, when they were discovered having a Sunday worship service. They were charged with singing Christian hymns to villagers, showing the JESUS film in a nursing home and praying for healing for a disabled elderly man."

Prayer Request

Brother Manuel Crossno sent the following email. Join me in prayer for his request. We pray for Tammy's complete recovery and will post more when info comes in.


To my e-mail friends, I have a prayer request. My daughter Tammy had to go to the emergency room this morning (3/18/08). I got a call from her husband around 2:00 am. she has a kidney stone too large to pass and will have to make an appointment to have the procedure to blow it up so it will pass. As you have helped me pray before I ask for your help again.

Many thanks

Manuel

Enjoying Rest and Refreshing in Hot Springs, Arkansas

Karen in front of a Hot Springs, Arkansas fountain. It is actually hot water.
Karen out on the island across the bridge from Lake Hamilton Resort

Karen on West Mountain with Hot Springs in the background.
Hot Springs from West Mountain.
Mwah with Hot Springs down below. . .
Karen in front of the gazebo across the bridge from Lake Hamilton Resort.
Me and she out on the island with one of the mountains in the background.

Spring Break

Karen's school is on Spring break. We have taken a few days away to get rested and refreshed. We left yesterday and will be back by Friday or Saturday. We are enjoying our few days in Hot Springs, Arkansas. More later.

Sunday March 16, 2008

Sunday morning's Sunday School and Worship time were great. Thank God for His presence. The worship and altar service were great as the Spirit of Lord moved among the congregation with several coming to pray. We also thank the Lord for the children. They played their instruments to worship the Lord. We desire to see our children's ministry flourish. Thank the Lord for the children's ministers here - Sister Joyce Grace (Sunday School Teacher) Sister Vickie Lawrence (Children's Church).

Picture left to right, Hayden, Macy, Aviana, Riley, Haley and Ashlyn (some of the children not in the picture were, Ethan, Tristen, and Celinas)

NOTE: Special thanks to Stanley Reynolds for this picture.

Are You Skinny Rabbit Chasing?

Go here to check it out.

Praise Report & Prayer Requests

Sister Donna Crossno called to report that testing completed on her father showed that a spot on her father's lung was not cancerous. Continued prayer is requested for his complete recovery after having pneumonia and a 75% collapsed lung.

Brother Leon Reynolds continues to request prayer. He recently had tests and will get results this next Monday.

Prayer Request

I am posting a prayer request for Sister Myrna Moore, wife of Pastor Windell Moore of Gallatin Church. Her daughter, Janna, had twin boys and they are doing okay but have to be in the hospital for a couple weeks with intravenous feeding.

Hello Again,

Just wanted to touch base one more time before bedtime, Just talked with Sean and is requesting prayer for Janna, when she checked into the hosp this morning, her blood platelets were 100,000, and tonight at 6pm, they were down to 65,000, anything 50,000 or below will require a blood transfusion, they will check it again at 10pm, so could you whisper a prayer for her as you close your day, their faith is great and they are trusting God for complete healing and recovery for her and their new sons,

Love you,
Myrna

Forgive. . .What Do You Think?

Excerpts From the book Forgive and Forget by Lewis B. Smedes

Hurts too shallow for being offended:

Annoyances: If we turn every nuisance into a crisis of forgiveness, our conversations would become revolving reconciliations.

Slights: Slights are for shrugging off, not for forgiving.

Disappointments: Though deeply disappointed, you don’t need to forgive. [Get on with your life for the Lord.]

Coming in Second: We do not quit our friendship because our friends got something we wanted, nor do we have to forgive them.

Hurts deep enough to need forgiveness:

Disloyalty: A person who breaks a promise of loyalty violates a relationship based on promise and trust. . .Disloyalty is not acceptable; it is offensive. We must either separate and carry the hurt alone or forgive the person who was disloyal.

Betrayal: We betray people we belong to whenever we sell them out for a price. . .We do not have to parlay for huge sums to be betrayers. Most betrayers are minor Iscariots, playing for petty stakes.

Brutality: We are brutal when we reduce another person to less than human excellence. It may be a violent rape. It may be a degrading insult.

Profundities From the Apostle Paul

Forward!

Galatians 2:10b "I also was forward. . ."

Are your forward or backward? Are you an introvert or extrovert? Some would say ambivert a balance of both traits. In relationships being forward can present a person as being pushy and controlling. Being backward can be read as being unfriendly and cold. There are, however, other ways to use the word forward. Forward is a word to encourage someone or a group to move out, move on or get with it.

God told Moses to tell the children of Israel to "go forward." (Exodus 14:15) God then told Moses to stretch his rod out towards the Red Sea and Israel went forward. Ezra 3:8 says, the Levites "from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the Lord."

Forward is a word that army officers use to send troops into battle. Forward signals the calvary to charge. Shouldn't Christians be forward about the business of the Lord. Our Captain spoke on several occasions concerning one area of ministry we are to be forward in.

He says, "But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. . ." Luke 14:13 He says of himself, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. . ." Luke 4:18

This area of ministry to the poor was passed on from Jesus to his first disciples and on to others they ministered to and then to the Apostle Paul. We have his example in the scripture, ". . .they (James, Cephas and John) would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do." Galatians 2:10

In our day of prosperity preaching, creature comforts, and material "much ism," am I forward in ministry to the poor in my area? Are you forward?

Visit

Today I visited with Sister Lois Thomas in The Care Center in Jackson. She is requesting prayer to get another car and get back into church. Please join in prayer for this request.

Urgent Prayer Request

Mr. Robert Powell is a school monitor where Karen teaches. He has been in intensive care for the past couple weeks with a serious brain sickness. He is now unable to speak. Dr. Dorothy Gunn, Principal at Creswell Middle School in Bordeaux (Nashville, TN), and family are requesting prayer. Join me in prayer for this request.

Praise Reports and Prayer Requests

Brother Manuel Crossno emailed that his son Kevin went through knee surgery a while back and his knee is doing well. Thank the Lord. He is thankful for the prayers. He is now requesting prayer for his back. Join me in prayer for this request.

Brother Leon Reynolds test results have come back and cancer is not in his blood or other parts of his body. He is praising the Lord for this. He will have ultra-sound tests on his kidneys this Wednesday and then will go for treatment for the localized cancer next week. Join me in prayer for this request.

Visit

This evening, I enjoyed visiting with the Jimmie and Virginia Davis family. They always make me welcome. It was good to see their daughter, Carla, who was there as well. Sister Virginia stated that she is better now from the bloodclot in her leg. Praise the Lord!

Bishop James Manus Praise Report

Prayer request was made for Bishop James Manus a week or so ago. Initially a doctor had reported that he had an aneurysm in his side. Today he went to a specialist in Nashville who examined him and could find no aneurysim anywhere and told him all his tests look okay. Thank God!

Cartoon

One Place

Oneplace.com offers several links to various broadcast ministries.

Break Point With Chuck Colson and Mark Earley

Go here to hear broadcasts of informative stories for illustrations.

Memorable Quotes for Marriage

"Chains do not hold a marriage together, it is threads, hundreds of tiny threads that sew people together through the years." Simone Signoret

"A good marriage is not one where perfection reigns: it is a relationship where a healthy perspective overlooks a multitude of 'unresolvables'." James Dobson

"A healthy marriage is the union of two good forgivers." Robert Quillen

"The day I finally realized Ididn't need to control my wife. . .and that if I did, I would destroy our marriage - was the day our marriage began." Gerry Spense

Profundities From The Apostle Paul

2 Corinthians 3:12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech: . . .KJV

2 Corinthians 3:12 Since we have confidence in the new promise, we speak very boldly. . .GWV

Did you ever have someone try to get a message to you in some round about way? They didn't clearly tell you what they were trying to say but either hinted, suggested, intimated or used some insinuating method to get their point across. Being clear about the message we teach and preach is paramount. There is plenty of suggestive material to read and plenty of fluff to get tangled up in. The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ should not be presented in a "wishy washy" manner. While the "mystery of godliness" can be difficult to articulate at times, the clear truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ needs to be proclaimed. The Apostle Paul had already written to this church previously with these words in 1 Corinthians 1:20 "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."

The message we preach and teach is not a veiled message. It is a message of truth and power. There is no ambiguity or circumlocution in the message of Jesus Christ. JESUS SAVES! Hallelujah! Thank God! The message of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ goes forth without hidden meaning, hidden agendas, in great confidence, boldness and assurance. I won't pretend to be able to explain the intricacy of the "mystery of godliness." Paul wrote these words to Timothy, ". . .without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. " 1 Timothy 3:16

Did you ever try to get a clear, open, message over to someone but, knew that their mind was closed? Thank God, Isaiah prophesied clearly of the "brightness of His coming." Isaiah 60:1 declares, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee." It is clear after reading chapters 59, 60 and 61 that this verse speaks of the Messiah - Jesus Christ - the Redeemer (59:20). Isaiah 60:9 says, "Surely the isles shall wait for me, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.Thank God!

Isaiah 61:1-3, "The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified." Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:17-21

"Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

JESUS SAVES! JESUS SAVES! HALLELUJAH! JESUS SAVES!

Bishop James Manus Prayer Request

Retired minister and pastor in the Church of God of Prophecy in Tennessee, Bishop James Manus, has been sick with pneumonia and also may need surgery for an aneurysm in his side. He may be having surgery at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville. More information will be posted as it comes in. Join me in prayer for this request.

The Joys of Being a Father and Grandfather

My youngest daughter and her child, Aviana, have been with us for the past few weeks. It is a joy to be a father and grandfather.

Now I know why the title is "grand" father.
Sarah, my youngest child, and Aviana, my third grandchild and second granddaughter, enjoying the weather which was warmer than usual this past Monday.
"Wanta race Papaw?" What a joy to have a special little girl as a granddaughter. She already reads simple words and does arithmetic at the age of four. She gets Mamaw to tell her a Bible story most every night before she goes to sleep. She especially likes to hear about Jonah and the Whale and the Three Hebrew Children.

Funeral Arrangements for Mr. Oren Ray Gurley

The following obituary is taken from the Chase Funeral Home web site. For more information click here . Mr. Gurley is the brother-in-law of Sister Marie Moore.

Mr. Oren Ray Gurley, 65 of Huntingdon , Tennessee passed away Monday, March 03, 2008 at the Jackson Madison County General Hospital.

Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Chase Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the Sellers Hill Cemetery . Bro. Wray Forrest will officiate the service.

The family will receive friends in the Cherrywood Room of Chase Funeral Home on Tuesday after 5:00 PM and on Wednesday from 8:00 AM until time of services.

Bishop J. C. Palmer Funeral

Bishop Palmer's funeral went well today. Dr. E. C. McKinley, State Overseer of Tennesseee, shared a timely message. Bishop C. C. Winchester officiated. Bishop Harold Batson read a scripture and offered prayer, Bishop Clayton Mahan, Nothwest Tennessee Presbyter, presented a church flag to Bishop Palmer's son, Tony.

It was my joy to know Bishop Palmer and be his pastor from 2004-2006 here at Huntingdon. I came to know Bishop Palmer several years ago when he pastored in the middle Tennessee area while I was a young lad. I would see him at State Conventions each year. I never greeted him when he was upset, angry or talking down about something. He was an encourager par excellent. He encouraged me when I first came to Huntingdon and desired to help any way that he could. He still had the fire burning to preach and filled the pulpit several times during my first two years here when I was away or not feeling well. I remember when he would come in to the sanctuary with a smile and always a kind word. He would also be jolly, cheerful and would make those around him feel cheerful. He felt led to return to the Paris, Tennessee church (a church he organized early in his ministry) in late 2006 to encourage the folks there.

One of the highlights of the funeral, for me, was when Bishop Winchester spoke about brother Palmer being his grandparent's pastor and dedicating him as a small baby back in the early 1940's. Bishop Winchester noted, "It has been my joy to be Bishop Palmer's pastor for the past couple years and to realize he pastored my grandparents and to find out, just today, that Bishop Palmer performed my baby dedication."

Bishop Palmer served as Pastor for 52 years in several states including, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. His son, Tony, is a special friend of mine and the folks at Huntingdon (where he served as worship leader for some time before I came to pastor) and we continue to pray for him during this time of loss.

Bishop Palmer is waiting for us to come join him in that heavenly place.

Bishop J. C. Palmer Funeral Arrangements

Visitation: 6-9 pm, Monday, March 3, Oakdale Funeral Home, Highway 641, Camden, TN across from the Old Wal-Mart.

Funeral: 1 pm, Tuesday, March 4, Oakdale Funeral Home, Highway 641, Camden, TN.

Officiating: Pastor C. C. Winchester of Paris Church of God of Prophecy

Condolences can be sent to the following address.

Tony Palmer
95 Bakers Chapel Church Road
Big Sandy, TN 38221

Quotes From Books I Am Reading

Outrageous Mercy: Rediscover the Radical Nature of Christianity by Wm. P. Farley

Seven Symptoms of apathy towards the cross.

1. Lack of thought and meditation upon the cross.

2. Legalism.

3. Lack of heartfelt, fervent prayer.

4. Leaders who do not preach the cross of Christ with power.

5. Little mourning for sin in the midst of the church.

6. Lack of a growing spiritual capacity to embrace the love of God.

7. Lyrical content lacking focus on Christ and the cross in our worship.

by Wm. P. Farley


The Control Freak: Coping With Those Around You. Taming the One Within. by Les Parrott III Ph. D.

Top ten qualities of a control freak.

1. Obnoxious: from the Latin noxious meaning hurtful.

2. Tenacious: stubborn or rebellious

3. Invasive: into the privacy of others

4. Obsessive: loose perspective and neglect the big picture

5. Perfectionistic: berating themselves for not having everything go exactly the way they wanted it to.

6. Critical: they think their criticism will somehow make things better.

7. Irritable: little things tick them off.

8. Demanding: try to order people around.

9. Rigid: one [and only one] way of doing things - their way.

10. Closeminded: no discussion, they know all truth and those who disagree don't know anything.

Funeral Arrangements for Bishop J. C. Palmer

Visitation: 6-9 pm, Monday, March 3, Oakdale Funeral Home, Camden, TN - across from the old Wal-mart on Highway 641,

Funeral: 1 pm, Tuesday, March 4, Oakdale Funeral Home, Camden, TN

No information on the officiating minister is available at this time.

Death Announcement

Bishop J. C. Palmer went to be with the Lord early this morning around 1 am. He is survived by his Son Tony. At this point we do not have funeral details but will post them when they come in. Also, prayer is requested for Tony and other family members. Brother Palmer's remains are at Oakdale Funeral Home in Camden, TN and the arrangements are incomplete per information received at 10:40 pm tonight from funeral home officials.

Quote

Self-pity and pride, which are closely related, have nothing to do with the cross. Both of them are concerned only with me, me, me. J. H. Arnold

Quote

Discipleship is not a question of our own doing; it is a matter of making room for God so that he can live in us. J.H. Arnold

Wednesday Evening Prayer Emphasis

This Wednesday Evening will be the first of five prayer services for revival and evangelization here at the Huntingdon church. We will have a time of fellowship in the basement at 6:30 and then go up to the sanctuary for prayer emphasis. We continue to fast and pray for God's presence in our midst and for the salvation of the lost. We are seeking God for our efforts to "go ye" into our world with the message of Jesus Christ.

Featured Sermon by Daniel Meyer At PreachingToday.com

Exerpt: "Here's the blunt truth: if our goal is to be like Jesus, we must do what few people naturally do: we must choose the Cross Road. We must go the way of foolishness in the eyes of the world. We must deny the very self that we are constantly being told to coddle, preserve, and expand. "

Read more here

Pictures From An Islamic Demonstration In London, England

No doubt, this is the radical, extremist Islamic faction seen in the pictures below. I wonder how some of the Muslims in the United States feel about this? Is there a hidden agenda in all Muslims (even those who profess to be peaceful) to take over the world with their religion.

95th INTERNATIONAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY

General Assembly theme, date, and place.

Update

Karen and I visited with Sister Ruth King Saturday evening and enjoyed a time of fellowship and prayer together. Sister King continues to request prayer for her daughter Rita who continues to have some health problems but is doing better.

We then went by to visit with Jimmie and Virginia Davis to have prayer for her. She continues to have health problems with a deep blod clot in her leg. No one was at home.

We then visited with Willodene Davis, Brother Jimmie's mother. We enjoyed a good time of visitation and prayer with her. She testified that she is feeling much better.

Karen and I attended the the revival at Solid Rock Church Ministries which continued on Saturday evening with another great time in the Lord. Pastor Bobby Jordan ministered and the presence of the Lord was tremendous. We continue to seek the Lord for lost souls to come to the Lord in our community and area.

Yesterday was a great time in the Lord. The Sunday School classes and lesson that I attended was great. I also appreciate the work that is being done with our children by Sister Vickie Lawrence. Last night was family night and our people were encouraged to enjoy some time being with their families.

Revival Continues & Prayer Requests

Revival continues at the Solid Rock Ministries church. Last night's service was filled with the presence of the Lord as we worshipped the King of Kings. The emphasis of the message last night was on reaching out to the lost and bringing them to Christ. This seems to be a burden of many local churches - that their altars have been barren from seeing the lost coming to the Savior. God is moving and bringing us to the focal point of the reason His Son came into this world. Pastor Bobby Jordan invites everyone to participate in this revival.

Sister Donna Crossno called requesting prayer for her father. The doctor discovered a 70% collapsed lung yesterday and then inflated it. He is now having some pressure pain similar to pleurisy. Sister Donna requests continued prayer for him and her mother. She also requests prayer to have the words to speak to him today about his soul and relationship to God.

Profundities From The Apostle Paul

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. . .

Several years ago a conversation came up dealing with the humility of Christ. Another minister and I were doing some work on the church building with some of the men of the church. We were all casually conversing about Christ's humility when I mentioned the above verse. The other minister looked at me and quoted another part of a verse in the Bible. The verse is found in 1Corinthians 2:16b, “. . .but we have the mind of Christ.” I did not reply at the time but I thought about his sudden response then and was reminded of his response when I started writing today.

Oftentimes, verses or parts of verses are taken out of context. Most everyone has taken a verse out of context, whether purposely (to make a point which should be explained) or ignorantly unintentional (usually the case). Philippians 2:5 is written in the context of encouraging obedient maturing believers to continue to have the mind of the humility of Christ. The Apostle Paul says to the Philippians in chapter, 2 verses 12 & 13, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” 1Corinthians 2:16 is written in the context of those who continue to remain as babes in Christ. The Apostle Paul says to the Corinthians in chapter 3 verse 1-4 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?” Sound like humility? Think not!

The Corinthians were busy with envy, strife and division over who was the greatest minister or who was their favorite. Some even had a haughty spirit by saying, “I [am] of Christ,” (1:12) perhaps suggesting they did not need any other minister "to tell them what its all about" - only Christ. Carnality reigned among many of the believers in the Corinth church. Fleshly selfishness was prevalent and Paul wanted them to come back to the crucified Christ (2:1-5). He encouraged them to allow the Spirit to teach them the things of Christ and says to them in chapter 2 verse 16, “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Their haughtiness was confronted by the Apostle. Please forbear my interpretation of verse 16, “No one can know the mind of the God to be able to instruct Him, but we should and need to have the humble, servant mind of Christ” (my interpretation). Many of the Corinthians obviously did not have the mind of Christ when Paul wrote to them. Apparently, servanthood and humility were strangers to many of them.

Servanthood and humility are partners. Seeing the things of others and promoting their spiritual well-being is a sign of spiritual maturation. Esteeming others better than oneself is not a natural attribute of the fallen selfish attitude – it is an attitude of Christlike humility. Certainly one should not walk around with some type of voluntary pseudo humility that glorifies man. "Oh Lord its hard to be humble when your perfect in every way." So goes one song.

Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to the death of the cross. Was he ever disobedient? NO! He emptied himself of the glory he had in heaven and came down to the lowly birth of being in the fleshly body. He did no sin and there was no guile of any form in His mouth. Yet, he humbled himself and went to the cross for you and I – taking our sins upon Him. He obeyed His Father’s will by submitting to the crucifixion of the cross.

Am I submissive to the Father’s will today? Are you submissive to the Father’s will today? Do we esteem others better than ourselves? “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

Visit & Revival Continues

I visited yesterday at Paris, TN hospital with Sister Rita Moore. She reported that she is improving after surgery on this past Tuesay with the possibility of going home today. Please continue to remember her in prayer.

The presence of the Lord was mighty again last night at the Solid Rock Ministries church. It was enjoyable to meet some of the local ministers and be with them in this joint effort. The revival continues tonight. Pastor Bobby Jordan extends an invitation for all to attend.

Update and Prayer Requests

Karen's mother had a heart pacemaker implant last Friday morning while we were at the Marriage and Family Retreat. We did not know about the surgery until we had gotten to Pigeon Forge. Karen stayed in touch with her brother throughout the surgery until we found out that she was doing good. Over the weekend she continued to have shortness of breath and the pacemaker worked more than it should have. She went back to the hospital yesterday for an arteriorgram and one of her larger veins was blocked 75% and another small vein was blocked as well. Karen and I were there with her and Karen's sister until after a surgical procedure was completed to place a stint in the larger vein. The small vein was too risky for bursting to implant a stint. The procedure went well and she stated that she was feeling much better and breathing better within a few hours of the procedure. She is now in the hospital and continues in recovery. Now she is having problems with out of control high blood pressure. Prayers for her are greatly appreciated.

Yesterday evening after getting home from Clarksville, I finished studying for the message at Solid Rock Ministries. The presence of the Lord was awesome last night in the revival. Several were in the altar seeking the Lord. Testimonies of healings both emotional and physical came forth. The worship time was infused with the presence of the Lord. Pastor Bobby Jordan asked me to announce that revival continues there tonight and tomorrow night with a different guest minister each evening. Everyone is invited.

The Following Request Prayer:

Myrna Moore (pastor's wife at Gallatin Church of God of Prophecy and my cousin) requests prayer for her daughter Janna who is expecting twins. The doctor admitted her around noon this past Tuesday trying to delay early labor. Please pray for this request.

Donna Crossno requests prayer for her father who has been having breathing problems. He also has a weak heart. Please pray for this request.

Sister Rita Moore had surgery this week. She is in recovery now and requests prayer. Please pray for this request.

Revival is scheduled here the last weekend in March 28-30 with Brother David Prince. Please pray for the salvation of the lost.

MARRIAGE & FAMILY RETREAT UPDATE - REVIVAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Karen and I are back from the Marriage and Family Retreat. The sessions were powerfully charged with the Spirit of the Lord. The preaching was challenging and anointed. It was more like a revival than a conference. People were healed, delivered and encouraged. Mike and Ann Willingham served under a heavy anointing. Thank God for the opportunity to attend this retreat. Thank you Sister McKinley for the diligent work in directing this retreat. Karen and I feel more refreshed in the Lord than we have in a long time.

Tomorrow night revival will begin at the Solid Rock church where Bobby Jordan is the Pastor. Our folks at Huntingdon are going to join in with us as I am scheduled to preach the first night of the revival. Pastor Jordan came and brought his folks a while back in one of our revivals and we have been asked to come and minister there tomorrow night. God's people are praying. . . .God is wanting to send revival. . . .May we focus on Him who bled and died on that old rugged cross. . .He is alive forever more. . .

Marriage and Family Retreat

Karen and I are enjoying the Marriage and Family Retreat in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (foot of Smokey Mountains). The Holy Spirit was very prevalent in last nights service. Special Guests, Mike and Ann Willingham, ministered with great fervancy and anointing. We were truly blessed and challenged. Hopefully, there will be pictures later.

Valentine's Banquet a Success

The Valentine's Banquet was a special time for couples and others to have fellowship, food and fun. The youth raised over $200.00 and there was a great time of sharing with each other.

A visiting Sister Made this beautiful Valentine cake which was red velvet inside.
We enjoyed visitors from the Bethel Springs church who came to visit with Casey and Cindy Duncan and son Ethan.
Several youth came out to enjoye the food and fellowship.
Be my Valentine - Mike and Cathy Coleman.

In line for the spaghetti, salad, drink and dessert.

Profundities From The Apostle Paul

Today’s focus:

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; . . .

The above passage is written by the Apostle Paul from the praetorium in Rome where he is likely chained to a Roman guard. He says, “that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection. . .” He looked ahead to the day when Jesus, “[will] change [his] vile body.” 3:21 His desire was to please Him who had “delivered [him] from the power of darkness, and had translated [him] into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Colossians 1:13. The former Saul of Tarsus’ translation was dynamically infused by the power of the Holy Spirit that was imparted to him when he was blinded on the road to Damascus (Acts 22). He was on his way to imprison more Christians to have them persecuted and killed. He was changed completely by the power of Jesus Christ. Even his name was changed to the Apostle Paul. God had another plan for this Jewish Zealot.

Saul of Tarsus was changed by the power of God! Now the Apostle Paul some 25-30 years later writes that he wants to “know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings.” What does this dynamic missionary Apostle mean? He has known Christ for 25-30 years. He has traveled for thousands of miles, saw thousands translated into the kingdom of God by the power of God as he was, been through many persecutions and saw many miracles. Yet, he writes he wants to “know him, and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings; . . .”

Could the Apostle Paul be anticipating his final confrontation with the Roman chop block? Is is worried for his temporal life? The answer is obvious. There is no mention of being fearful or worried for his temporal life. This giant Christian eagerly anticipates meeting his Savior and knows that putting off the flesh (dying) is the last step. His desire, however, is to please Him. Here is the Apostle Paul’s conclusion, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.” Philippians 1:21-24

Saul of Tarsus was changed to the Apostle Paul whose ultimate desire was to please his Savior and Lord. Being with Christ is being where He wants us, when He wants us and how He wants us. The Apostle Paul’s desire was to be where Christ wanted him to be? Where do I want to be today? Where do you want to be? Yes, there is that desire to be with Christ in that final place of peace, rest, joy and eternal bliss but to be with Christ now is joy beyond measure with all the trials and tests. May our prayer be, “to please Him - to be where He wants us to be both now and forever.”

Profundities From The Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul wrote thirteen books of the New Testament canon. He was called to be the Apostle to the Gentiles. His writings contain many examples of what it means to be a maturing Christian. Today I am beginning a series entitled the "Profundities From The Apostle Paul." Profundity is another word for insightfulness, depth or understanding. It comes from the word profound which means weighty or deep. What I say will not necessary be that deep but the Holy Spirit can lead us into the deep things of Christ. I trust this will be a help and food for thought to any readers that stop by.

Today's focus. . . .

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him. . . .

Throughout the writings of the Apostle Paul one can find the ultimate goal and desire of the Apostle Paul - to know Jesus Christ. One would think that this great Apostle has reached a pinnacle with Jesus Christ that few, if any, have attained. Yet, as he writes to the Philippians from the Roman prison, one feels the longing of his heart as he pens the words, "that I may know Him." He is not focused on being in prison and even tells the readers that many in the prison have come to know Jesus Christ personally since he has been there. This Apostle was so focused on knowing Jesus Christ that he counted what he knew and had in the past (Hebrew religion and prestiguous standing) as dung, manure, rubbish - trash. Paul had given it all up willingly. He found the greatest treasure ever to be found - a treasure imparted into his earthen vessel.

Where is my focus? Where is your focus? Is there a burning desire to know HIM? Does anything displace that focus - that affection? May God help me to know HIM - Jesus, Savior and Lord. . . .

Update - Winds are Blowing Here and The Rain Is Falling

The Ministerial Intensive was full of substance and spirit this past weekend. There were classes for several different ministries including, pastoral, Bishop, Deacon and Evangelism/Outreach. I believe this was one of the best I have attended, if not the best. The book, "What The Bible Says To The Minister" is an excellent study and reference.

This past Sunday was another great time of the presence of the Spirit and a great time of worship and praise. Thank God for His presence and for those who are continuing in fasting and prayer for outreach here. Sunday evening, Karen spoke to us on the expectation and anticipation of renewal and revival. The "wind of the Holy Ghost is blowing here."

As I write this, Huntingdon is under the second tornado warning for this evening. The first one expired at 8:30 pm. The second one expires at around 11:30 - 12:00 midnight. My sincere prayer is that the "wind of the Holy Ghost continues here". . . . until we are saturated with the spiritual rain that Michael W. Smith sings about. . . .Let It Rain. . . .