Inside Out

Heaven's Gain

2007-06-15T20:06:00.000-07:00

Yesterday June 14, 2007 Ruth Graham went home to heaven. It was certainly heaven's gain. She and Billy were married 65 years.RACHEL ZOLL (AP Religion Writer)wrote today "When she agreed to marry Billy Graham, Ruth Bell Graham said she knew her life would "be lost in Bill's." For her generation, the pastor's wife was expected to work solely in service to her husband and his flock. There was no job title, no pay and enormous pressure to be perfect." Someone once said behind every great man is a worn out woman.She was a great support, encourager, prayer partner, and love of her husband. She touched so many lives through her writing and great job of raising children that are making their own impact in the world for Christ. For that I am truly thankful. I am also thankful for a great wife myself. My wife has stood with me for 32 years this past June 7. She has been such a support and encourager. She has been a persisitent intercessor for me as well as for our children. I can not imagine life or minstry without her. God has truly blessed me. Below is an article by Dr. Graham concerning his wife from Larry Ross Communications. I hope you will be inspired and moved to thankfulness. Pray for the Graham family. God Bless.

BILLY GRAHAM TRIBUTE TO RUTH GRAHAM
ON THE OCCASION OF HER DEATH JUNE 14, 2007
RELEASED JUNE 15, 2007

“My wife Ruth was the most incredible woman I have ever known. Whenever I was asked to name the finest Christian I ever met, I always replied, “My wife, Ruth.” She was a spiritual giant, whose unparalleled knowledge of the Bible and commitment to prayer were a challenge and inspiration to everyone who knew her. My favorite photograph shows her sitting on our front porch at sunrise, quietly reading her Bible and sipping coffee – her daily routine for many years. A night never went by, when we were together, without us holding hands and praying before we went to sleep.

Ruth also was a wonderful mother. Her task wasn’t easy since I was away from home so much, but she handled our children with both great love and wise discipline. She felt it was her calling, and without her willingness to bear the major responsibility for raising our children, my work simply would not have been possible. She spent hours every week teaching them the Bible and praying with each of them. She also was full of fun, always ready to play a joke on someone. Our children all knew that life was never dull with Ruth around!

She was committed also to her church and her community. She was a devout churchwoman who loved her Presbyterian heritage, which came from her parents who were medical missionaries in China. She was friends with several presidents’ wives and had been received on occasion by Queen Elizabeth II, but whenever she heard of anyone in our community who had a need, she always was there to help with food or flowers or in other ways. Many people went to her for advice and counsel, or just to pray with her, and she was a close friend to the wives of many associates.

Ruth loved sports and was quite athletic, although she rarely played athletic games herself. Years ago she was fixing a swing for some of our grandchildren, and when she climbed the tree to test the swing, it broke and she fell about fifteen feet. She fractured several bones (including a crushed vertebra), and was never quite the same physically after that. For years she suffered severe back pain and was hospitalized here in Asheville and at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester because of this and other ailments. She was a gentle, smiling, and kind person whose primary goal was to live for Christ and reflect His love. In her last days she talked repeatedly of Heaven, and although I will miss her more than I can possibly say, I rejoice that some day soon we will be reunited in the presence of the Lord she loved and served so faithfully.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Melany Ethridge (214) 912-8934
Giles Hudson (469) 774-6377
A. Larry Ross (469) 774-6362

What A Blessing and Gift!

2006-10-03T16:34:00.000-07:00

Today at 1:18pm Anslee Hope Perkins entered the world. She weighed 8lbs 12 oz., two weeks early, and 20 inches long. She looks like Ashley more than Heather or Marty. Heather did really well as did Marty. Ashley was there the whole time too. Maddie was so happy to finally have a little sister. She has held her several times for 30 seconds each time and then she is happy. Maw Maw and Paw Paw are estatic and I have tried to kiss all the sugar off but there is just too much. I praise God for how He has blessed us as a family.Anslee is one sleepy little girl and only grunts when she is hungry! Must be like Paw Paw!
Thank you all for your prayers and support. Pictures will be coming soon.

Refreshed!

2006-09-22T20:12:00.000-07:00

Growing up my Mom and Dad worked 3rd shift in the mill. I spent every night but Saturday with my Grandma and Grandpa Owenby, occasionally with my Grandma Johns. I lived with my Grandparents in the summer.

As a child I was given coffee to drink at breakfast. Half a cup of coffee, sugar and real milk to fill the cup. As I got older less milk and sugar and more coffee. It is no wonder that I love coffee like I do.

In the Ukraine the thing I most looked forward to on getting up in the morning was a steaming cup of coffee. It was so good! All that to say I have been out of my coffee beans for a month and have had practically no time to stop and get a cup in the morning. I have missed it. The last two weeks my days have been longer and nights shorter and I have really wanted a cup of coffee. But no, it just has not happened.

Thursday morning after the prison revival I had an early morning meeting with a DSS lady about a lady our Church has been ministering too. My jeep has a clutch problem so I have been riding the Harley when it is not raining. I left the house and it was chilly. As I rode to my meeting I wished I had a cup of good hot coffee to knock the chill off and to enjoy before getting down to business but I was running a little behind and I knew I would not have time to stop and sit and drink a cup. I am not as skilled as some at riding the Harley and drinking a drink at the same time. My desire then was to finish the meeting with time to spare so as to stop in Mt. Holly at the Jordan’s for a good cup of coffee.

When I arrived, one person was already there and had brought the lady we are ministering to a cup of hot coffee and a biscuit. Is that temptation or what?! Several minutes later the DSS lady, a great lady, arrived. She came over with a cup of coffee in her hand saying she too had brought it for the lady. Since she already had one she said “Pastor, have a cup of coffee.” I took it!

Now when I took the first sip I was amazed. It was hot and fixed exactly like I drink it. It was like I had prepared it myself to my taste. I drank that cup as we talked and planned. It was truly good to the last drop. When we finished we gathered in a circle and prayed for God to help us help this sweet lady and to help her in all her needs. I got on my bike and started down the road realizing I had just enough time to make the next meeting. I began to pray. Thanking God for being so good to us. I thanked Him for helping bring this ladies needs to our attention and allowing us to share His love with others. I thanked Him for those in DSS who worked long hours in a too often thankless job and for giving this particular DSS lady a great heart. I then thought of that cup of coffee she had given me. It was like God said I know you wanted a cup and you were ministering in my name so I gave a you a cup through another of my servants. The verses came to me: Mark 9:41 (NIV) I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
Proverbs 11:25 (NLT) The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.

I think that goes for a cup of coffee too and my prayer is that the DSS lady who was kind enough to give me a cup of coffee will find herself in the days ahead refreshed. I also hope that, in Christ, I too will continue to let Christ use me to refresh others. Actually my prayer is that we all will be generous, with Christ’s love, the Good News of His salvation and with cups of cold water or coffee. The Kingdom would probably see major expanding. May it be so!

REVIVAL IN THE PRISON!

2006-09-21T12:34:00.000-07:00

The last four weeks have been hectic. I have not been able to find time to write here as I so much wanted to.

This week we have been at the Dallas prison in our annual revival there. It was fantastic. Monday night we ran out of chairs and had to ask the prison to supply more. the tent was packed. It was a little warm and humid. I felt like I was in a battle, a spiritual battle which I was. The devil is a thief, a liar and a murderer. He was trying to steal the moment and rob those God wanted to speak to of their chance for new life. He wanted to steal away the joy of praising God and seeing that newness of life that God was already bringing. The music had begun and I was praying with all my might for God's anointing and His presence to be experienced. I had been praying so hard I had not heard the first two songs. My longing was for God to be lifted up so that He might draw to Him those with ears to hear. I looked up above the tent and suddenly a dove appeared and flew down toward the center of the tent and then flew over it and off to my right. It was if God had said My Spirit is here and I am working.

When the invitation came, four men came and prayed to receive Christ and ten or eleven came seeking to turn from backsliding and renew their commitment to Christ. It was so wonderful to see and hear God working and pursuing in love.

Tuesday they said it would be raining and possible thunderstorms. Every yeaar it seemed that rain would come one or two nights. One guard said he had been drenched several times in the past at the revivals and it was worth it and he was ready to be drenched again. I prayed as did others that God would in His favor anad mercy move the rain away from us. When i arrived at the prison, dark clouds were hanging like saturated globs of cotton ready to be wrung out over us. But the blue sky kept coming through. The sun lit up other clouds like rainbows and it never rained though it deluged surrounding areas not a drop on us.. The men and their families came out again and worship began. As the music flowed from beneath that tent out into the night I knew God would have His way again. He did. Many came as couples, one after another, asking me and others to pray that they would put Christ in the center of their marriage and relationships. It was such a blessing to be in the midst of God working in difficult situations to bring order and peace and salvation.

Wednesday came. the last night of the revival. We went into the dorms where the men stay to speak to them and invite them again to the revival. One after another they came to me and thanked me and the church for great food and great services. Thanking us and God for our love shown to them. One dorm gave me a card of thanks for whatCHBC had done. Ernie was busting at the seams. He had led one young inmate to Lord in the lockdown unit. Several work release inmates saw me as they walked into their dorm from a hard dirty day at work and ran to me shook my hand and hugged me saying "I am dirty but I am coming just as I am, i don't won't to miss." I quickly made my way out overwhelmed by emotion. Why would God let me be a part of something so wonderful like this? Just as I am one said. that's what God wanted. i was so pumped I barely remember anything else until the invitation. The praise band, who had blessed everyone so much during the week, sang 30 verses it seemed of Just as I am as one after another came forward. I led one to faith and had 10 come for repentance from backsliding. One whole family came for prayer for their Father who had heart problems. I took out my oil and prayed for him as his family including two inmates clung to him in deep love. One came and asked that I pray for his mouth. He said he knew Chrsit but his mouth was backslidden and dishonored Christ. Wow! I prayed through tears for such desire and courage to confess that. Another said he knew Christ but lived like he didn't. He was ready to nail it down. Wow! I was so moved in my spirit for him. Two inmates came and wanted me to pray with them for another inmate in the hospital very sick. i had just preached on the four friends and their paralyzed friend they brought to Jesus. Wow! They were bringing their friend before the Lord. We prayed as brothers in faith. I believe we could have gone on all night but the end finally came. Tearful hugs came. Many came and asked if we had volunteers who were certified to bring inmates to Church. They wanted to come to CHBC. Mant came and said they were going to Celebrate Recovery in October at the prison led by CHBC. Many family members wanted to know where the church was so they could come. I was overwhelmed.12 people saved, 35 recommitments and many others for prayer. three days of God's love flooding every area of our lives.

As I rode the big hog home later, I prayed thanks to God the whole way. thanks for letting me Pastor such a great Church. Thanks for letting me preach the greatest news ever. Thanks for letting me and our church be a part of great life change. Thanks for giving us all a future and a hope. You know we have that-a future and a hope.

May we always keep our eyes on Jesus and be ever on His mission. It is about Him and not us!

Lord, thank you for giving us the privilege of being partners with you in ministry and for letting us be a part of life change for so many. Help us to be disciplers and help those You bring into Your Kingdom grow in grace and knowledge. To you be all glory. Amen.

Everybody Down!

2006-08-21T19:11:00.000-07:00

I was pastor of West Maple Street Baptist church for three years. It was my first church, a seminary church with some great people. The church had at one time been a First Baptist but the church as a whole moved to a new location and left behind a small group of people to keep the church going there. Shortly after First Baptist left, the city closed off the street and made it a dead end. Once a major thoroughfare now it was a dead end traveled only by those who were going to the Elementary School beside the Church and who lived on the street. The building was old and literally falling in. there was no air conditioning and in the summer we fanned ourselves with hand held fans compliments of Koonst Funeral homes.

On any given Sunday we would have to ask people to move for fear the ceiling over them would fall in-literally. Many times we would clean up some fallen ceiling before service.

One Sunday night I was preaching to a pretty good crowd. Among the congregation was Miss Cleo. Cleo was in her seventies, a delightful lady. She had what I would call a beehive hairdo, rising at least a foot atop her head. It was summer time and the windows were open and most wanted near one to catch as much of a breeze as they could.

I was really getting into my sermon when Miss Cleo jumped to her feet and hollered at the top of her lungs “Everybody down! There’s a bat flying in here and don’t let it get in your hair or you’ll go crazy!”

Everybody began to scramble and people were hitting the floor. I stood there a moment in total disbelief. Then I spotted it a small bat swooping and flying like it was crazy. I hit the deck behind the pulpit. There we were a room full of people all sprawled out on the floor with hands on our heads hoping the bat didn’t find its way into our hair (yes I had plenty then) and cause us to go crazy. I had heard my Grandma say that once when I was a kid throwing rocks up in the air watching bats dive toward them. But here I was, a husband, Father, and Pastor curled up on the floor fearful of my sanity with a hundred others.
Finally someone from underneath a pew yelled for one of the Deacons “Hiram, kill that bat before it bites one of us!”

Hiram got up and left. He came back with a broom. While we were all laid out, there was Hiram trying to swat a sonar directed bat. Finally he knocked it down and reached down with a gloved hand and picked it up. It couldn’t have been two inches long and six inches in wing span. He took it out and let it go.

Everybody began to get up and dust themselves off. There was such a sigh of relief. Needless to say service was pretty much over. We all laughed a nervous laugh had a prayer and dismissed. One little boy said to his Mom as they were leaving “Mom I didn’t know Church could be so much fun! Can we come back next week?” One man said as he left “Preacher there’s not been this much excitement in this church in twenty years. Maybe we need to turn a squirrel loose next week!”

What a night, what excitement, what fear, hearts beating fast and grown men and women lying on the floor hoping to keep their sanity. It was quite a night. Oh that we would today experience excitement, fear, hearts beating out of our chests, men and women grasping there heads in total wonder as we let the Holy Spirit have His way in our lives. Give me the Holy Spirit any day. Then again maybe a squirrel…. God bless you!
Father help us to get excited out of our heads over You and Your love for us. Let our lives be filled with fear, filled with awe in the light of who You are. Help us to experience You in a way that will cause us to say. “I didn’t know it could be this way! Can we come back?” To you be all glory and honor. In Christ’s Name. Amen

walking, marching, running...

2006-08-14T23:12:00.000-07:00

Roger Uren has been walking toward Zion for some time. On Monday he started marching to Zton. At 10:45 PM He ran into the arms of Jesus! Free at last! Thank God Almighty! Free at last!

Focus!

2006-08-07T08:21:00.000-07:00

Sunday was a great day! Six people prayed and asked Christ to be their Savior. Four or five expressed a desire to follow Christ in baptism. To Him be praise.

I showed a video at the beginning of my sermon at 10:45, unfortunately it was not available at 8:30. Hopefully you will be able to watch it here.

The video was about Dick and Rick Hoyt. Rick was one of three children born to Judy and Dick Hoyt. Due to complications, Rick was born with Cerebral Palsy. The Hoyt family made a decision to raise Rick as normally as possible. He went to regular school and graduated not only from High School but college. He communicates with a special computer. They did not try to protect Rick from life and taught him and worked with him to meet life head on. Wow that's inspiring.

At 15 he told his family he wanted to run a marathon. His Dad, not a runner, began training and he and Rick have been running ever since. Not just marathons but even an iron man event. These parents were determined to give their children the best-themselves.

In this world we can get so distracted that we relinguish our role as parents to media and to self determination. Children need their parents and love spelled T-I-M-E.

Our focus needs to be on Christ first, foremost.

In the up and coming weeks I am going to look at Biblical knowledge in parenting, intimacy in the midst of parental responsibility, Boundaries that must be set consistently, strategy and structure for successful parenting and team work necessary for the family to succeed in a world that wants desperately to redefine the family. That is quite an undertaking but a necessary start. I am dedicated to helping families become what God desires them to be.

Father, it is hard sometimes to stay focused in a world of voices. Each calling "Come this way" "do This" "Do that". Help us hrough Your Power and strength to re focus and stay focused on You and Your Way. In Christ. Amen

Good job faithful servant!

2006-08-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

Ted Stone dies during fourth walk across country
From staff and wire reports

Ted Stone, an anti-drug activist from Durham, died Sunday during his fourth "Walk across America" to spread awareness of the hope that substance abusers can find in Christ. He was 72.
Stone and his ministry partner, collegian Sean Reece, were driving to speak at a church just north of Nashville when Stone became unconscious. He was taken by ambulance to Skyline Medical Center, where he died around 3:30 p.m.

The Davidson County medical examiner determined he died from cardiovascular disease, Associated Press reported.

Stone became an evangelist after serving four years in prison in the 1970s as the result of drug addictions. He spent 29 years in ministry and was the founder of Ted Stone Ministries.
Stone walked across the country three times telling substance abusers of the hope they can find in Christ. His previous three walks across America included a 3,650-mile trek in 1996 from the Capitol steps in Washington southward to Jacksonville, Fla., and westward to Los Angeles; a 3,550-mile trek in 1998 from the mayor's office in San Francisco eastward to Virginia Beach, Va.; and a 1,700-mile, south to north trek in 2000 that began in Nueva Laredo, Mexico, and ended in Detroit at the Ambassador Bridge leading into Canada.

Though a battle with colon cancer in 2002 took a toll on his body, he so fervently believed in the cause that he pressed on to start a fourth walk across the nation, starting in Chicago June 19 with an expected end in Pensacola, Fla.

In 2005, Stone launched HIS Way, a treatment and recovery program designed for implementation in the local church to prevent recovering drug abusers from relapsing into old lifestyles after they express an interest in following Jesus.

Stone was a longtime member of the board of visitors at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest and was a trustee at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.
He is survived by his wife, Anne Fuller Stone, three daughters, Ellen Sichina of Shelby; Carole Doll and Lisa Hilliard, both of Apex; and five grandchildren.

Why this story?

In June I was attending the Southern baptist Convention in Greensboro NC. Pastor Keith Whitener of Idlewilde Baptist was with me. As we were leaving the Colesium I saw Ted. He was a Brother in the Lord and a good friend. I hollered out his name and he turned and saw me. "Why haven't you had me at your Church, Raymond Johns?" He hugged me and introduced his young protege traveling with him. I intoduced him to Keith and we talked for a while. He had such a passion to share the hope of Jesus Christ and the freedom He gives.

He also looked like he needed to be in a hospital. I asked him how his health was and he was very optimistic though his appearance said otherwise. He didn't want to talk about that, he wanted to talk about his up and coming walk across America for Christ. He gave me some info and said he would like to come to the church and speak. I told him I would live to have him. I told him about Celebrate Recovery and he said he loved that ministry and would love to talk to those who came. We agreed to keep in touch when he got close to NC. We shook hands and left. One month later he is with the Lord. What a way to go! Faithfully fulfilling the mission and commission of of our Lord and Savior. He would not stop. Sickness couldn't stop him no more than the devil tried to as a young man. Age couldn't stop him and it still hasn't stopped his mother.

Ted knew Jesus and he picked up his cross, died to his own ambitions and followed his Master wherever He led and in the end He led him right on down the road to glory! I know Jesus must have said " We are home son, lay that cross down. You have been faithful. Come and rest a while." May it be so with us.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV) Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Father thank you for the life and inspiration of Ted. Thank you that in a world of distractions he stayed focused on You and your mission. Help those of us reading this to be like minded and committed to following you. Help us to see the good in those we encounter and help us to share with everyone we meet the joy and freedom of salvation in Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord for Your love and grace. Amen

Preaching on the Parkway

2006-08-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

I am so very thankful for this past Sunday. Pastor Max preached all three services and did an as usual great job. I appreciate him sharing how great our God is even in the midst of death.

I went with Travelin’ Light to the Parkway Sunday. We had 52 people, 31 bikes. I didn’t know a lot of those who went but boy did I love getting to know them. It was a very good ride. We stopped for gas in Shelby Sunday morning. I met two men there who wanted to ride with us. They both were Believers. One man had a son who was in a ministry. We talked a few minutes and the two said they would like to come check out CHBC and the ministries we have.

We went on up to Crabtree Meadows on the Parkway to have a picnic and some real food from the Word. I enjoyed speaking to those present, realizing that several did not have a relationship with Christ and several who because of things happening in their life had not been in church for a long time. I could not help thinking the whole way up, how much God in Christ loved everyone of the individuals riding.

I shared three important lessons after the picnic and before anyone could dose off! 1. The journey is never over, that’s the beauty of it. I shared how for some their lifethey think, is a journey and when they come to know Christ it like “well its over, I have done what I needed to do, it’s done.” But I explained that the journey of life really doesn’t begin until you enter that personal love relationship with Christ. He is the real deal. Hebrews 5:11-6:3 (NLT) “There is so much more we would like to say about this. But you don't seem to listen, so it's hard to make you understand. [12] You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. [13] And a person who is living on milk isn't very far along in the Christian life and doesn't know much about doing what is right. [14] Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right. [6:1] So let us stop going over the basics of Christianity again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start all over again with the importance of turning away from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. [2] You don't need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. [3] And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.” (See 1 Corinthians 3:1ff).

2. There is Someone inside you, let Him out. I explained how when you repent of your sins and invite Christ into your life He comes in. All of Him. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts and abilities that we need to let Him express through us to build up others and His church and His kingdom. Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

3. When the passion comes, there’s no denying it. I explained again that it is about Jesus the real deal. That when you know Him and His forgiveness a passion to live for Him will drive us, lead us and consume us. Following Jesus takes us places we don’t always expect to go. I told the group “You didn’t know you would be in Church today but here you are.!” I went on to explain that Church is not a building but the people redeemed by Christ’s blood. I then explained how to know Christ and to make a new commitment and led in prayer.

While I was praying I heard a strange sound like the grinding of brakes. When I finished praying, I dismissed everyone to pack up and get ready to ride. Someone said, “Pastor Raymond, this man would like to speak to you.” I looked and it was the Park Ranger. I went over and he asked me “What is all this?” I told him who I was and what we were doing and he began to shed a couple of tears. He told me that he had listened as I prayed and that he was saved three years before. He had been to the Gulf Coast and worked in Disaster Relief and someone there had given him a motorcycle. He brought it back and started a ministry in his church with just six bikers. He shared some of testimony with tears and we rejoiced. He wants to bring some from his church here to learn about ministry and participate in the Bike Rally September 9. He liked the idea of riding with on some of our rides. We exchanged info and he praised God for our willingness to do such a ministry.

Later I learned of several decisions that some had made. I rejoice. I rejoice that CHBC is such a great Church that we will do ministry where people are. That we support ministry endeavors. I am thankful that God has blessed us with such great people that many decisions can be made both in the building and outside the building at the same time.

Everywhere we went people wanted to know about us and our church and we got to tell them about both but more importantly about Jesus who makes all things possible. God Bless you as you serve Him!

Father, I praise you for the decisions made at CHBC Sunday. Thank You for the message Pastor Max preached and for moving in such a way that many responded. Thank You for Travelin’ Light and using that ministry to touch many lives Sunday as well. Thank You for allowing us to be lights that can shine for You. For each one who reads this lead them to You and to Your Grace and Forgiveness and help them get involved using their gifts and abilities to build up others, Your Church and Your Kingdom. In Jesus Name Amen.

The Joy of the Lord!

2006-07-27T06:10:00.000-07:00

When I awoke this morning and began to pray the Lord impressed me with the words of Scripture that I share below. I hope you will read and allow them to speak to you, that you will open your heart and pray "Lord, I'm going to read this and I am asking You speak to me what You want meto know, understand, and put into practice. thank You!"

2 Chronicles 20:13-28 (NLT) 13 As all the men of Judah stood before the Lord with their little ones, wives, and children, 14 the Spirit of the Lord came upon one of the men standing there. His name was Jahaziel son of Zechariah, son of Benaiah, son of Jeiel, son of Mattaniah, a Levite who was a descendant of Asaph. 15 He said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

16 Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel. 17 But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!”

18 Then King Jehoshaphat bowed low with his face to the ground. And all the people of Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites from the clans of Kohath and Korah stood to praise the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud shout. 20 Early the next morning the army of Judah went out into the wilderness of Tekoa. On the way Jehoshaphat stopped and said, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

21 After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: “Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!” 22 At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves. 23 The armies of Moab and Ammon turned against their allies from Mount Seir and killed every one of them. After they had destroyed the army of Seir, they began attacking each other. 24 So when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see. Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.

25 King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables—more than they could carry. There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all! 26 On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the Lord there. It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.

27 Then all the men returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, overjoyed that the Lord had given them victory over their enemies. 28 They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord.

Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT) 10 …This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Psalms 150:1-6 (AMP) 1 PRAISE THE Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in the heavens of His power! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness! 3 Praise Him with trumpet sound; praise Him with lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with tambourine and [single or group] dance; praise Him with stringed and wind instruments or flutes! 5 Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with loud clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath and every breath of life praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)

Philippians 4:4-8 (NIV) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Let those with ears to hear, hear what God the Almighty, the Great Creator, Father of all Comfort and Love has said to us who say we are His children. Everyday He is worthy of our worship, our praise. Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV) 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Psalms 100:1-5 (MSG) 1 A thanksgiving psalm On your feet now—applaud God! 2 Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence. 3 Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we didn't make him. We're his people, his well-tended sheep. 4 Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. 5 For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.

Father God may Your Word be correcting, challenging, calling and encouraging to those who read them. You truly are awesome, great, magnificent, all loving, merciful, faithful, and full of grace and truth. Help us to use our mouths to lift up Your Holy Name and to encourage and build up others and Your Church. Forgive us for living lives of selfishness and idolatry and to give You Praise from hearts truly in love with You and let our Praise be not just words but in how we live day by day. You are great. Thank You for your many blessings You have already blessed us with. In Christ’s Name. Amen.

Don't Do It!

2006-07-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

This past week I was asked “If a person commits suicide, do they go to hell?” That is a frequent question believe it or not. I want to give a few biblical facts first off before answering. We are all created in the image of God. Genesis 1:26 (NIV) “Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.” God has a purpose, a design for each of us. None of us are an accident. Psalm 139:16 (NIV) “Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Acts 17:26-27 (NIV) “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.” Because this is so God issued His command. Exodus 20:13 (NIV) "You shall not murder.” That includes yourself.

Having said that-- it is true that life is hard. This life is filled with confusion, hurt, pain, grief, stress and trouble. So much so that from time to time people despair of life. It just seems that death would be a welcomed relief from what is happening in our lives. At times hopelessness hemorrhages into our lives. The great prophet Elijah knew this 1 Kings 19:4 (ASV)”But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper-tree: and he requested for himself that he might die, and said, It is enough; now, O Jehovah, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” Paul, the great Apostle, knew this as well: 2 Corinthians 1:8 (NIV) “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life.” In spite of their despair, these two held out in trust in the Lord and He rescued them and restored them restored them and kept them on track.
When a believer in Christ takes their own life, it is a great tragedy. I believe their act grieves the heart of God. However, I believe the Scripture teaches that do not lose their salvation and go to hell. Psalms 103:10 (NIV) “ he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.” John 10:29 (NIV) “ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.” Genesis 18:25 (NIV) “Far be it from you to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)’ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

30,000 people a year take their own lives in the US. Certain groups, including teenagers, white males, and the elderly, are at higher statistical risk for suicide. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control rates suicide as the third-leading cause of death in the age bracket of 15 to 24. People younger than 25 accounted for 15 percent of all suicides in 1997.
White males accounted for 72 percent. In fact, males are actually four times as likely to die from suicide than females--but females are more likely to attempt suicide. In both males and females, suicide rates increase with age and are highest among Americans age 65 and older.
Nevertheless, suicide affects people of all races, ages, and walks of life. The factors leading to suicide are varied--undiagnosed depression, feelings of inadequacy, hopelessness and loneliness, alcohol or substance abuse. Suicide - A Preventable Tragedy? By Peri Stone-Palmquist
If you are reading this and considering suicide---DON’T! There is hope. Whatever you are experiencing, you can get through. Tell someone your thoughts and seek help. You must understand and believe that “the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear’. Matthew 19:25-26 (MSG) “The disciples were staggered. "Then who has any chance at all?" 26 Jesus looked hard at them and said, "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." God can and will help you through. Trust Him.

On one occasion a Pastor from Georgia called me and said he was in a park and about to take his life. I talked to him for a while and convinced him not to do it but to meet me and talk it out. We met at a restaurant and he was a mess. He was cynical about everything I said. He told how he no longer believed and prayer didn’t work and called me a fool for believing that there is hope. I talked and prayed with all my heart and finally covenanted with him that he would not take his life but would go to the Dr. and see what was going on physically. Another Pastor arranged everything and got him in to see a Dr.. The Dr. found that this Pastor was worn out and severely depressed. He was also dealing with a lot of false guilt. His depression was treated, he got some rest and he and his wife received help toward spiritual renewal. Years later, he is still going, his daughter is in college and he is still serving the Lord. He held out and God came through. He will for you too. There is help.

To the Church, we need to become a community of love, acceptance and support. We need to tell our stories of our own struggles and how God has and is working inus through those struggles. We need to be an encouraging body. Not just talking about Jesus and His love but demonstrating that love in and through our individual and corporate lives.

Father, for those who are despairing of life I pray your comfort and peace. Help them to get to know you through Your only begotten Son Jesus. Encourage them in this life through Your hope. Bring people into their lives who are living that hope and love and are willing to share. Help them to know that suicide is not the answer but life-life in You. I thank you for answering this prayer. In Christ’s name. Amen

Somethings Worse than Death

2006-07-18T05:16:00.000-07:00

There are some things worse than death. Alzheimer's is one of them. As many of you know my mom has had Alzheimer's for over ten years.
"Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations."
The first time I realized something was wrong with Mom was when she cam up to Durham to spend the weekend with us. We went shopping that Friday and she bought a bunch of Christmas presents for Heather and Ashley. I was carrying several bags of presents out the door when she said: "Now don't forget we have to go shopping to buy Heather and Ashley something for Christmas." At first I thought she was joking because she already bought them so much. I laughed out loud and said "Right, we need to them more presents, right!" She made no comment. When we got in the car she suddenly said she had to go home. Home? Mom you just got here. But she persisted and insisted she had forgotten something she had to do at home. So she left.

After she left a chill came over me as the thought of Alzheimer's crossed my mind. From that time on the undiagnosed disease began to progress. Over the next year and a half I was blown away by what was happening to Mom.

We went to an Alzheimer's specialist at CMC and he tested Mom. Simple questions and tasks put a look of horro in my Mom's eyes and sense of horror in my heart. Please draw a clock face. I watched in disbelief as Mom could not draw the simple picture. What year is it? 1945. Who is the President of the United States? Eisenhower. When is your son's birthday? She looked at me. The Dr. said "Don't look at him look at me." She paused and and looked back at me with the greatest fear I have ever seen. She could not answer.

That day is carved into my brain. We went to the car and Mom got in the back seat and curled up like a child. I tried to comfort her. But how do you really do that when the reality of losing one's memory and cognitive ability is coming fast. i drove home with her sobs drilling into my soul. She went in the house and went to her bed and I followed. She lay there crying. I sat there and held hand for hours.

All these years later she can't walk, doesn't know anyone, can't speak, but she can smile. Oh that smile. Every time I go there it takes me hours to be able compose myself. i miss Momma.

i don't know why this has happened to Momma. or my family but I trust God. It is His comfort that keeps me going when I get down because I miss her so much. I pray everyday for medical discovery to prevent and or cure this worse than death disease. 4+ million American suffer from this disease, not counting their families. As we pray each day let's remember those sufferers and pray that God will give them His peace. Let's pray that a cure can be found. But most importantly pray that they will come to know Christ and His love before it is too late. I am thankful that Momma and I settled that issue of her salvation and faith before she couldn't talk about it. So while it is excruciating, the comfort is 2 Cor. 4:17-18 (NLT) " For our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever! [18] So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever."

father, help us this day to make the most of it, to not take our life and our families for granted. Help us say our I love yous and give our hugs to those special people in our lives. Help us look and to see the opportunities you give us to pray for and or encourage those you bring across our path. Lord, guide medical researchers to find your solution to Alzheimers. Thank You. In christ's name. Amen

2006-07-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

This past week was great, busy but great. Sunday night we began a week of Vacation Bible School. 53 Children prayed to receive Christ during the week. That is fantastic but now the real work begins to help those that attend Church to grow in their faith and to help their parents be the parents they need to be. i hope that we can reach the families of those who do not attend Church and help them come to faith in Christ. I am so thankful for all the volunteers who worked long hours to make VBS such a great success.

I taught the adult VBS each night through Thursday. We had about an hour and a half each night in our study of Philippians. I had hoped I could keep the study more like a survey of the book and cover all the book. But such are plans and intentions. We looked at chapter 1 and 2 and then ended with chapter 4. The theme was "Joy". I learned so much myself through my preparation for each session. I urged those who attended to read and study Philippians on their own and to get a copy of Chuck Swindoll's book on Philippians titled "Laugh Again". It is a very good exposition of Philippians.

During the week the Middle East erupted in war. Israel had a soldier captured by Hezbollah and in return bombed Lebanon. The war has escalated and may get even more intense. The psalmist says "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." I hope that is what all believers will do. There are believers in all the countries involved and they as well as the govt. leaders need our prayers.