Memorial Day Tribute

Go here for a tribute to our service men and women.

Memorial Day Weekend

Today was a special day to remember military men and women who serve our nation. I shared with the congregation a little about my uncle J. D. Thompson who was a Marine in World War II.
His two brothers were drafted into the military and he had a furlough to farm but volunteered for military service anyway. He was sent to Guam where he fought bravely and was wounded severely and left for dead. He was found after searchers heard him groan. He came back to the states and was in medical treatment for six months. He lost one eye, several fingers, shrapnel all in his body and his heart was moved out of its normal place in his chest cavity.

Although he wrestled with suicidal feelings and wanted to die with the rest of those who had given their lives on Guam, he finally came back home where he rejoined his wife. They were not Christians at the time but in a revival a few years later his wife, Hilda, was saved and later J. D. was saved. J. D. later accepted the call to the ministry and served as a licensed evangelist for most of his adult life. He also pastored about 15 years at churches including, Rockwood, Mt. Crest, and Pikeville (there may have been others). He also served as Assistant Pastor at Crab Orchard for several years and adult Sunday School Teacher.

He has gone on to his reward (he died a couple years ago at the age of 80). I sent him a card several years on Memorial Day. We gave honor to our military today and to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who fought the greatest battle ever.

We observed communion today to honor the Captain of our Salvation. Thank God for His sacrifice.

Update - Plans & Announcements

A few days have passed since I last posted. Karen is finishing up her year teaching school today and will be off for the Summer with the exception of having to attend some training seminars. We have set our course here to evangelize and disciple - especially children and youth. We have not forgotten the older but we must focus on reaching and ministering to those who are in desperate need of being evangelized and discipled.

The following are some plans/annoucements.

WEDNESDAY EVENING SERVICES: Several of our people work long hours and/or work evening shifts and/or are away for the Spring/Summer months. This makes it difficult for church attendance on Wednesday evenings. Wednesday evenings will no longer be scheduled on a weekly basis in the sanctuary. There will be other services scheduled, either in the home or as a specific Bible study or spiritual discipline. Services will be announced weekly in the bulletin and on the BLOG. Plans are to have specific training for areas in evangelism and discipleship and to reach out for home Bible studies and prayer meetings.

CHILDREN'S AND YOUTH ACTIVITY: There will be a children's and youth activity at the Northwood property on Sunday evening, June 1, 2008. Bring food and refreshments. There will be games, music, activities, food and fun. Sister Vickie Lawrence, Casey Duncan and Paul Rivera will be in charge.

YOUTH CAMPS: June is Youth Camp month. We encourage our youth to attend Youth Camp at Camp Hickory Hills in Dickson, TN. There is also Enrichment Camp for those over the age of 17. This is a great time for anyone to go and have a great time of spiritual emphasis and input. Applications for alls camps can be gotten from the Pastor or his wife. You can also go online to get an application.

Lorene Cathey

This evening, Karen and I visited the Taylor Funeral Home in Dickson, TN, where Sister Lorene Cathey's body lies in state. She is the mother of Linda Clements, wife of North American Presbyter, Sam Clements and grandmother of Gary Clements, Pastor of the Colombia Church of God of Prophecy.

Moore 50th Wedding Celebration

From 2 pm til 4 pm Karen and I enjoyed being with the Deacon J. E. Moore and wife Marie. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary. I enjoyed visiting with their four children and their spouses and/or fiance' and their many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Many of their friends were there as well. It seemed to me that over 100 people came by and visited with them.

I also enjoyed operating the computer and projector which showed many pictures of their family. Cathy, their oldest daughter put together a video of their family pictures with a historical twist. Brother Stanley Reynolds did a great job of producing the video. It was a great day for Deacon Moore and Mrs. Moore.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Fifty Years and still loving each other.

Four Children, left to right Missy, Sharon, James and Cathy and their spouses and fiance'.

Grandchildren, great-grandchildren and some of their spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends.

Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary Celebration of Deacon J. E. and Marie Moore

May 18, 2 pm

First Bank Activity Center

Huntingdon, TN

Notice: No gifts please. Your presence will be their gift.

The Sights of Spring

This rose bush bloomed in just a day or so before Mother's Day.
My daughter, Sarah, has been putting the quotes on the church sign.

Blessed be the ROCK!

Update

It has been a few days since I last posted. Here are are some updates on recent events.

Mother's Day: Today is a special day for mother's. I called my mother this morning and wished her happy mother's day. She is doing good and we enjoyed a good time of conversation. She told me that she got my card and had a time of wiping the tears from her eyes. I hope each one who has a living mother will do something special for them and, if possible, spend some special time with them. To those whose mother has gone on, remember some special time you had with them and be thankful that you had a mother who brought you into this world.

Sunday Morning Service: This morning was a great time of being with family and enjoying the service. Mother's were presented a vase and rose this morning by Sister Cathy Coleman. I presented Karen, the mother of my children, with a card and plaque that says "Amazing Grace." That is what has sustained our relationship and her graciousness to help raise my two older daughters and our two younger children (son and daughter). We enjoyed songs by Casey Duncan, Shiloh Coleman and her son Brooks, my granddaughter Aviana, Delilah Mummel and all the children sang.

The message today was "Mother's Who Persevere." We visited the scriptures in Ruth, in Mark where the Syrophenician mother came to Jesus and where Paul wrote to Timothy commending Timothy's grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.

Prayer Requests

Deacon J. E. Moore had a tractor accident yesterday and was dragged several feet after the tire ran over him. He has two ligaments pulled in his knee and will be unable to move about for several days. He said, "It could have been worse but thank the Lord I was not killed or hurt severely." Join me in prayer for this request.

Deacon Moore's wife, Sister Marie, fell a few days ago and could not get up until help came about 30 minutes after she fell. She also says her doctor has told her she has about a year or so to live. She desires prayer. Join me in prayer for this request.

Sister Joyce Grace requests prayer for some personal needs in her family. Join me in prayer for this request.

My daughter Sarah is requesting prayer for some personal needs. Join me in prayer for this request.

My son Jason requests prayer for wisdom in making a lifetime decision. Join me in prayer for this request.

Praise Reports

Josh Lawton seems to have made a speedy recovery. He is back home, walking on his own and taking care of his own personal needs after having a golfball size tumor removed from the base of his brain stem. We praise God for this report.

Donna Crossno praises the Lord for opening the door for a new job. She has been praying and seeking work now for several months. We thank and praise the Lord for this report.

Mistakes New Pastors Are Susceptible To

1. Trying to please everyone. Jesus couldn't do it. Paul couldn't do it. Timothy couldn't do it and neither can the first time pastor nor the seasoned pastor. Your first responsibility is to God . Be sure to seek Him and focus on team ministry with your leadership. Continually reach out to new people and emphasize ministry to children and youth. Seek to equip new leaders. The Apostle Paul said, ". . .I am made all things to all men that, that I might by all means save some." He was speaking in the context of winning the lost, not pampering every petty, pet peeve that people have.

2. Taking things too personal. People are going to say and do things that will be offensive - keep your feelings at the foot of the cross. People are going complain and criticize - consider what they say, filter out and keep what is helpful and use it for bettering your pastoral ministry. Throw the rest into the invisible file thirteen. Maintain a caring spirit but know that you cannot go into a pastorate as an investigator, sheriff or savior of the church. There is only one Captain, Master, Savior and Lord. Preach and teach the truth in love and don't apologize for it. Some will accuse or insinuate that you use the pulpit for "brow-beating" the members. Feel confident in your heart that what you preach is from the Lord and anointed by the Holy Spirit.

3. Having a short-term success syndrome. It takes two to three years for a pastor to get acquainted with the community, the church and the people. Pastorates of two-three years are usually based on a pastor's lack of stick-to-it-ability and lack of vision casting and dissemination. Go into a pastorate with conviction and and seek God for a vision for staying a long time - 7, 10, 15, 20 years or more. (It is understood that some churches have serious problems and will not grow. The pastor who stays on is simply biding their time.) However, some churches will not grow until old patterns, habits, and problems leave and a new motivational impetus takes over. Churches vary in size and ministry. A local church should be vibrant and alive, no matter what size it is in number. Don't be pushy but be progressive and pro-active. Encourage fervent worship in Spirit and truth. Be an example in worship, evangelism and discipleship.


Most of the above I have learned from experience (good and not so good). If it can help some minister, I am thankful. Milton Gordon

Update

Karen, Sarah, Aviana and I enjoyed the afternoon and evening at Camp Hickory Hills this past Sunday evening. The message and worship was great. We enjoyed volley ball and sitting at the Oasis by the creek. We also enjoyed the fellowship - seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

We look forward to the camping ministry later this year.

International Children's Ministry

The International Children's Ministries leadership training event begins May 21. Go here to see more.

Josh Lawton Update

Today I was with the Josh Lawton family. Josh was operated on at 8:30 this morning to remove a golf ball size tumor just below his brain stem. The surgery went well and when I left at 2:20 he was back in his room. He was in quite a bit of pain. Join me in prayer for Josh, Carla and the rest of the family.

It was a special blessing for me to see the love that this family showed to each other today. Josh's father, mother and sister were there. Carla's father and mother (Jimmie and Virginia Davis) were there and Jimmie's mother (Willodene) was there. Carla's brother (Jeff) and his son (Jacob) were there. Carla's oldest child (Tyler) was there. We thank the Lord for this family and their love for each other. They made me feel a part of the family all throughout the day. We continue in prayer for Josh's speedy recovery and for strength for the family.

We thank the Lord for this family who has been attending church now for just over two years with us.

Urgent Prayer Request

Josh Lawton is scheduled for surgery at Vanderbilt at 8:30 am on Friday, May 2. X-rays show a tumor at the base of his brain stem the size of a golf ball. The family requests your prayers. Josh, Carla and the children are one of the newest families at our church. Join me in prayer for this request.

Camp Hickory Hills

There is a day of activity scheduled at Camp Hickory Hills on May 3 from 1 pm until. Each one is asked to bring food and drinks for a combining of those items to have a large picnic. There will be worship at 3 pm. For more info click on the Tennessee State Office link to the right of this post.

There is also a work day scheduled for those who will come and help. Call the campground caretaker, Brother David Allen, to get more information or see me for the date.

Ladies Day

Karen, Sarah and Heather returned yesteday from Ladies Day. They said it was one of the best they have ever attended. Karen stated that the presence of the Lord was very close and powerful. She also stated that the minister from South Carolina preached under a heavy anointing.

So far men's day has not been rescheduled. Wonder when or if it will be?

Ladies Day

Ladies Day begins today. Karen, and two of my daughters, Sarah and Heather, are attending. This is a great opportunity for all ladies to attend a Spirit filled time of worship, singing, preaching and teaching. Pray for traveling safety of all the ladies who will be on the road today.

Urgent Prayer Request

My son, Jason, was on his way to work going toward Paris on highway 77 when he was the first to come upon a car that had run off the road and into a tree. The car was on fire and there was a man inside. Jason ran over to the car but it was so hot that he could not get close enough to try to get the man out. All Jason could do is watch and pray as the man burned up. Jason told me that the man must have been unconscious because he was not screaming or saying anything.

Remember this man's family. We do not know who he is at this time. Also pray for Jason.

Outreach Desperately Needed

We are in desperate need of reaching out into the harvest. Jesus said, "Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:38) If Jesus said this and felt it so strongly, then why should there be any question about it?!! He not only said it, He lived it.

When some in the church come to a point of saying, "we've tried that before" or "that won't work", then there must be a greater intensified effort to reach out to the lost. There must be effort to go into the harvest of today with today's tools. Furthermore, some of the tools never change. Jesus commissioned, "Go." That will never change!!!! He did not say this to just the pastor or the the preacher. He said it to the disciples. Are you one of His disciples????!!!!

"We want revival," we say. When concerted effort is needed for revival. . .just about anything takes their time or they find an excuse to be out of prayer meeting and the scheduled revival meetings. We don't need to come to church and shout, we need a spanking from the Lord to get us on the right path. What if a pastor confronted each one who needs to be corrected or needs admonition? How many are mature enough to be rebuked or taught? Many would be at home pouting or tranferring to another church if a pastor confronted them - albeit, with the desire to help them - not destroy them. Some remain carnally immature and will not change. . . .

The cry from our International Office is to reach out to the most needy in society. That cry has focused on youth and children. There are dozens of youth who come to the shopping plaza next to Wendy's and the Dollar Store here on Friday and Saturday nights to "hang out." When are we going to reach these youth and how are we going to reach them?

Bishop Billy Murray, former General Overseer, said, "if we do what we've always done, we will get what we've always got." He may not have been the originator of this phrase but it has stuck with me ever since I heard him say it.

Maintaining the status-quo will not send laborers into the harvest. Some feel content to come to church a once or twice a week and sit and say, "feed me preacher, feed me." We are so pitiful!!! Not the kind of pitiful that we read in the King James version of the Bible! If we had more of that pity (which is kindness in action) we would be reaching out to those without Christ.

Do we want to move up to the needed outreach methods of our time or do we want to malinger in the muddy, mediocre muck of many moons past?!!!

Dear Lord, help us to move out into the harvest. . . . . .Let us pray fervently for laborers. . .