Merry Christmas

Yesterday was a great day as our family celebrated Christmas together.   Every year we all get together on Christmas Eve at my parent’s home.  It is such a joy to watch all my nieces and nephews open their gifts.  They get so excited!

There are also many people who can’t be with family on the holidays, and I think it’s very important that we include them in our festivities.  Our family was very pleased to have our friend, Samuel, join us. 

I am very thankful for my New Beginnings family, too.  The kindness and generosity you have shown to me this year and this Christmas is appreciated more that my words can express.  Thank you so very much for all you do!

It is my sincere hope and prayer that you have all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends, too.  This has been a GREAT year, and I’m looking forward to greater things as we move Forward Together.

Guest Speaker

From time to time, we all experience difficult situations in life.  How we deal with them is very important.  It has been said, “difficult times can make you or break you.”  Learning to trust and lean on the Lord is the key to successfully navigating any difficult situation you may encounter.  God is faithful!

Tony Cathey and his family are scheduled to be with us on Sunday morning (December 19).  The Cathey’s have experienced a great many difficult and challenging situations this past year; yet, through it all they have come to a greater realization of God’s faithfulness.  Tony will be sharing some of his story with us and it is sure to be encouraging and uplifting. 

Come join us at the TAD Center (261 Yvonne Ave., in Crossville).  Coffee and donuts will be served at 9:30 a.m.  and our worship service will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Bread of Life

We are pleased to announce that Pastor Jimmie Turner will be ministering at Bread of Life Rescue Mission on Sunday night (Dec 12) at 5 p.m.   I have known Pastor Turner for many years and I’m confident that he will have a relevant word. 

We, at New Beginnings, are thrilled to have the opportunity to minister at Bread of Life on the second Sunday and third Saturday each month.  

New Beginnings is on the Move

by Paula Snow

When God says move, don't just sit there, MOVE! Following God's lead can be a frightening decision, but only because we do not know what He knows.

Just as we read in Joshua Chapter 3, the Israelites stepped out in faith, trusting in God despite their fear of the fast-flowing floodwaters. The pagans were stunned to see that Israel's God stopped the Jordan's water.

God will stop the waters for us too. If you are facing a change in your life, such as a career move, a medical decision, school or whatever, God will stop what is in your way if you will step out in faith.

New Beginnings has outgrown our meeting facility and we must move to a larger facility. This will be a little different, and will involve extra effort; however, we are stepping out in faith as a church and we are trusting God's lead because HE has a plan.

Join us this Sunday at the TAD Center, located just behind Garrison Park off of Fourth Street. We will begin Worship Service at 10:00am. We are so excited about God's plans for us as a Church and as individuals. If we listen closely and step out in faith, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. God Bless you as you learn to trust in Him.

Missionaries to Visit New Beginnings

We are pleased to announce that David and Vickie Byrd will be with us at New Beginnings on Wednesday, November 10.  The Byrd’s are missionaries in Guatemala and will be sharing some of the awesome things the Lord is doing there.  Come join us next Wednesday night at 7 p.m. (495 Fourth Street, Crossville).

The Time for Change Has Come

Our Wednesday night Bible study last night seemed more like a Sunday morning.  There were a number of early arrivals and the largest mid-week attendance we have ever had! 

New Beginnings has experienced substantial growth since it’s beginning in August 2007, and we have outgrown our current place of worship. 

I shared my plan to move our Sunday morning services to the TAD Center as a temporary measure to accommodate growth.  As I shared, you could sense excitement in the air. 

When I opened the floor for questions and discussion, it was evident that we were all in One Accord.  We all agreed that God is leading us to a place that we can’t see yet, but are assured that  He is leading. 

Therefore, effective December 5, 2010, New Beginnings will meet at the TAD Center located at  261 Yvonne Ave. 

“It seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us…”

Forward Together

New Beginnings is growing!  We have been pondering the limitations of our present worship facility and seeking direction from the Lord for some time now, and it seems as if a new door of opportunity has opened up before us.  This new opportunity will require some adjustment (as with anything new), but I believe it will be advantageous as we continue to pursue a more permanent home for New Beginnings.

We will have a brief meeting on Wednesday evening (tomorrow night) prior to our Bible Study to discuss this opportunity.  I encourage you to attend.  God has prepared great things for us and I am convinced that as we move forward—trusting Him, “[He will] do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV).

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night at 7 p.m.

Back to Standard Time

Just a reminder that on Sunday morning, November 7, the time reverts from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time at 2:00 a.m.  Clocks should be set back one hour.

A Tribute to Audra Spurlin

Here is a portion of the comments I made yesterday at the funeral service for Audra Spurlin.

Audra Genell Spurlin of Grandview, TN began her journey of life 64 years ago on November 10, 1945 in Fentress County, TN. She was the daughter of Theodore and Dovie Hite Hamby.

Although I can’t really tell you about her younger years, I can tell you that as her journey in life progressed, she married Johnny Spurlin at the age of 20 (July 2, 1966). To this marriage three beautiful girls were born: Pam, Janice, and Kim. Audra loved her husband and daughters with all her heart. She told me several times that they were her life.

As her life journey continued, and I’m not sure just when, but Audra accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. This point in her life marked the beginning of a new direction on her journey. She “turned right” and kept on going straight. I remember attending the Dorton Church of God of Prophecy with her and her family when I was just a little boy. She was, in fact, a long time member of the Church of God of Prophecy and attended the New Beginnings congregation.

As in any journey, there are times when we need to take a short break from the trip. We utilize “rest areas” when we become tired, overwhelmed, or just need to get our bearings.

Audra, like all of us, had times when she needed to find a “rest area.” I know that there were times when she felt overwhelmed by some of the things she encountered on her journey, and she just needed to take a break “in the Lord.” There were times when she just needed to get her bearings. She didn’t use these “rest areas” with the intent to just stay there. She knew she had to continue her journey.

On one particular occasion, I had been preaching about worry and that we should not worry, but trust the Lord. Audra pulled over at a “rest area” to understand this better. She told me plainly that she didn’t understand just what it was I was talking about. We had a good conversation in which I tried to explain to her just what I meant by my message. Some time later, Audra came back to me and said she understood what I was talking about and that the Lord was helping her to trust Him more. She was placing some things in His hands.

Of course, with this new understanding about her journey, she headed back out. Forward with her journey.

Another time, Audra came to me and said that she was afraid to die. She didn’t have the kind of peace that I preached about. We had another conversation, and I prayed with her. Again, some time later (about 8 months ago), Audra told me that she had peace. She said something to the effect, “I don’t want to go right now, but I’m not afraid to die anymore.”

In just the three years I have served as her pastor, I have seen God at work in her life. It was He Who was giving her direction. It was He who gave her clarity about the direction of this journey. And He has done an awesome job!

On October 7, 2010 at approximately 10:50 (earth time), Audra reached her destination. The last breath she drew marked the successful completion of her journey. She now rejoices with those of her family who arrived before her: Her parents, her daughter Pam, and her brother William David Hamby.

Those she leaves behind to continue their own journey include her husband of 44 years, Johnny Spurlin; Daughters Janice Woody and her husband Keith, and Kim Meadows and her husband Bill, all of Grandview. Brothers Daniel Hamby of Evensville, TN and Houston Hamby of Spring City, TN. Sisters Esther Durham of Cookville, TN, Julie Loden of Grandview, TN, and Mary Waldo of Crossville TN. Grandchildren, Morgan Pelfrey and her husband Chris, Madison Woody, Reese Meadows and Jurnee Meadows.

To you, her family, I would rephrase the words of the apostle Paul and say, “[She has] fought a good fight, [she has] finished [her] course, [she has] kept the faith…” She has undoubtedly received her crown, that prize for a job well done (cf. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV). And today, I believe that she has probably become part of that “great cloud of witnesses” spoken of by the writer of the Hebrew letter cheering us on.

Yes, I believe that she is right there in the cheering section along with other of our loved ones who died in Christ and they are cheering us on. And that, my friend, makes me want to break out in singing the last two verses of that old hymn

WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN

Let us then be true and faithful,
Trusting, serving every day;
Just one glimpse of Him in glory
Will the toils of life repay.

Refrain
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!

Onward to the prize before us,
Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open
We shall tread the streets of gold.

Refrain
When we all get to Heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We’ll sing and shout the victory!

The Man in the Mirror

We are in the process of going through the epistle of James on Wednesday nights. Last Wednesday we focused on James 1:19-27 and it continues to bear on my mind.

We Christians sometimes seem to get the idea that everyone else needs to change, but we do not. How easy it is to see everyone else’s faults while completely ignoring our own. We hear the Word of God and can easily see how “so-and-so” needs to apply it to their lives, but seem to be completely unwilling to even entertain the notion that we need to change, too.

James says that if we are going to be men and women of Christian integrity, we need to:

• Be “swift to hear” the Word of God. We need to concentrate our attention. Avoid distractions.
• Be “slow to speak”. The Word of God cannot speak to and change the heart of a person who thinks he/she already knows it all. Don’t argue or make excuses.
• Be “slow to anger”. We may not always like the Word we are hearing. That is because the Word of God is contrary to the flesh. The Word exposes our inappropriate thoughts and attitudes and that is not comfortable. But we need to control our anger and “receive [welcome] with meekness [mildness, humility] the…Word” (James 1:21).
• Be “doers of the Word”. Once we have prepared ourselves to hear and receive the Word of God, there must be action on our part. We must bring our thoughts and our attitude in subjection to the Word of God. It is not enough to look good on the outside. There must be an inward change. The Word of God must become the motivation, the driving force of our lives.

When we gaze into the mirror of God’s Word, God will help us to see ourselves as He sees us. The humble will receive His Word and make the necessary changes in their life. The proud, high minded person, on the other hand, will reject the Word and refuse to change, but insist that others do.

Which are you?

Arrangements for Audra Spurlin

Visitation will be on Monday from 6-9 p.m. at Hood Funeral Home in Crossville.  The service will be on Tuesday at 1 p.m., also at Hood Funeral Home.

Death Notices

Osie Lawson, Connie (Sherman) Wilson’s father, passed away on Thursday night at Life Care Center in Crossville.  The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 6-9 p.m. at Crossville Memorial Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be on Monday at 1 p.m.

Audra Spurlin, who has been with New Beginnings from the beginning, passed away on Friday night at Cookville Regional Medical Center.  Arrangements have not yet been decided.  I will post them as soon as I know.

We appreciate all the prayers that have gone up on behalf of Osie Lawson and Audra Spurlin and their families. 

God Leads Us Along

by George A. Young, 1903

In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet,
God leads His dear children along;
Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet,
God leads His dear children along.

Refrain:
Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.

Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along;
Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night,
God leads His dear children along.

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along;
Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes,
God leads His dear children along.

Away from the mire, and away from the clay,
God leads His dear children along;
Away up in glory, eternity’s day,
God leads His dear children along.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

Update on Audra Spurlin

I just spoke with my brother Bill Meadows. He tells me that Audra has had a couple seizures this morning. They did another CT scan, but the results have not been shared with the family yet. The doctors continue to give little hope of recovery. We know, however, that God is ultimately in control.

As I understand it, Audra has had a stroke and a heart attack and there is/has been some hemorrhaging on the brain.  Her husband found her laying in the yard on Wednesday afternoon and called for an ambulance.  The doctor at Cumberland Medical Center gave the diagnosis about the stroke and hemorrhaging and sent her to Cookville Regional Medical Center where she was admitted directly to ICU.

Please continue to join us in prayer for this precious sister.

Prayer Request

Please join me in prayer for Audra Spurlin.  She has had a stroke and is currently in the ICU at Cookville Hospital.  Audra has been with us at New Beginnings since we started a little over 3 years ago and is a valued member of our congregation. 

Cumberland County Fair

Excitement is in the air!  Plans have been made and preparations are being finalized.  New Beginnings will have a presence at the Cumberland County Fair!

Coca-Cola has donated a trailer for our use and many other business have participated by way of donations.  We will be selling hot dogs, chili-cheese tots, and soft drinks to help raise funds for a new building.  We have out-grown our present facility!

Special thanks to Sherry Parks, Lisa Shaw, and Tina Blaylock who have each been  extremely helpful in planning and preparing for this event. 

Stop by and see us August 30 – September 4.

Cambridge, OH Update

The revival in Cambridge, OH was a wonderful success.  Although there were only four services, God did exceedingly more than I could have hoped for.  There were several people saved, several healed, too. 

I believe something was started in those few days that will continue to grow and expand.  I thank the Lord for the opportunity to be part of what He is doing there!

Cambridge, OH

I left Crossville yesterday afternoon at about 2:20 enroute to Cambridge, OH where we will be in revival services with Pastor Jimmie Turner.

I had originally planned to break up the trip to make it easier, but ended up driving all the way through.  Quincy, my dachshund, did really well on the trip, but I think he is a little confused.  (I told Brother Turner that bringing Quincy was one of the conditions of accepting his invitation) :)

We arrived in Cambridge at about 12:50 (ET) and checked into a hotel.  Today we went to a park and just relaxed.

I am really going to miss being in service at New Beginnings in the morning, but I am confident Brother Roger Dixon will do a wonderful job.  I am blessed and thankful to have several people who are capable of filling in when I’m away.

Lord willing, I’ll be posting updates of the revival here in the next few days.

Death Notice

We were saddened to learn that Wayne Burgess passed away earlier today.  Wayne was the husband of Margaret Burgess and father of Pam Garrison, both of whom attend New Beginnings.   We pray the Lord will give comfort and peace to all the family in this difficult time.

Funeral arrangements will be posted here when we know them.

Ministry at Bread of Life

We have an expanded schedule for ministry at Bread of Life Rescue Mission.  In addition to preparing a meal and having a service on the 3rd Saturday each month, Pastor Chip will be ministering in the service on the 2nd and 4th Sunday nights at 5 pm. We are excited about these new opportunities for ministry and trust that the Lord is going to do GREAT things!!!

Keep the Faith!

Faith--real biblical faith--will usually bring criticism, and criticism is not always easy to bear. The apostle Paul experienced opposition of every kind, yet he continued to believe God and preach the gospel. Even knowing what trouble would befall him by going to Jerusalem, he said, "none of these things move me..." (Acts 20:24). The devil will do everything in his power to cause us to become discouraged and give up. Don't do it! KEEP THE FAITH and go forward with confidence in Christ.

Revival Update

We have made a change in our revival schedule.  We will continue the revival TONIGHT (Thursday) at New Beginnings (at 7 p.m.).  Tomorrow night (Friday) we will go to Four Corners Outreach Ministries Church (1125 Clarkrange Monterey Hwy).  There will be no Saturday evening service, but we will continue Sunday through Tuesday at New Beginnings.

What God is Doing

What a Mighty God we serve!  We have been in a New Testament kind of revival at New Beginnings since Sunday morning.  The evangelist has been preaching under the power of the Holy Ghost helping us to see that we are living beneath our privilege as Children of God.  He has been calling us to a renewed relationship with Jesus Christ and a walk of holiness.  After he preaches, he calls on the people to respond to the Word—ask God to search our hearts and repent. 

Thus far, we have seen people delivered and healed, and some of our youth and children are receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Today, I am beside myself with excitement and praise to God for what He is doing, and for the fact that He is allowing me to be part of His work.

I announced last night that in light of the mighty things He is doing, this revival will continue.  Tonight will be the last service this week, but we will continue  on Sunday morning and just see where the Lord will take us. 

I am not afraid of the working of the Holy Ghost.  When He is working everything is done properly, His POWER is manifested, and people are saved, healed and delivered. 

Don’t miss this powerful flow of the Spirit!  Get involved!  Help spread the Word.  REVIVAL HAS COME TO CROSSVILLE!!!

The Time Has Come…

“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, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord” (Luke 4:18-19 KJV).

Jesus read this passage from the book of Isaiah (61:1-2). It referred to the year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25), a time of restoration—debts forgiven, prisoners set free, Sabbath rest. Good news, indeed! After closing up the scroll, Jesus sat down and said something that was quite startling. He announced to them all, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).

It had not been very long since Jesus had been baptized by John in the river Jordan. There the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. Being filled with the Spirit, He returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Having triumphed by the Word of God, He returned to Galilee "in the power of the Spirit" and began His ministry.

Now He was back home in Nazareth, preaching in the synagogue, proclaiming the year of the favor of the Lord, and applying those prophetic words to Himself: "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." For the Spirit of the Lord was upon Him, as at His baptism. And He was anointed, not with oil, but with the Holy Spirit. Jesus, the Anointed One. Messiah in their midst.

Reading through the gospels, we find that Jesus’ ministry was powerful, indeed. Even before the end of Luke 4, we see Jesus preaching the good news of the Kingdom (vv. 31-32, 43 ), releasing people from demonic oppression (vv. 33-36, 41) and healing the sick (vv.38-40). His word went forth with authority, and no one who came to Him for deliverance or healing was turned away. No demon was too great to cast out, no sickness too difficult to cure. Everyone who came, received.

And so it continues—the year of the favor of the Lord—because “Jesus Christ [is] the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8 KJV).

Are you in need? There is good news for you! Are you brokenhearted? There is healing! Do you have a physical affliction? There is healing! Are you bound by addictions? There is deliverance! Are you a slave to lust or greed? Oppressed by fear, anger, or a spirit of unforgiveness? There is deliverance, restoration, healing, freedom, and forgiveness of sins!

Memorial Service

Audrey Justus went to be with the Lord on Sunday evening at about 6:30 following a lengthy illness.  It was my pleasure to visit with and minister to her over the past several months.

The family will receive friends at Hood Funeral Home on Thursday, June 3, from 6pm to 8pm.  A Memorial Service will begin at 8.

Please join me in prayer for Audrey’s family in their time of sorrow.

Revival--Now is the Time!

As we announced on Wednesday night, the revival is definitely scheduled for June 13-16 (Sunday night – Wednesday night) with Milton Martin as the Evangelist.  I am expecting this to be a powerful revival of deliverance, restoration, and healing.  Sometimes we become comfortable in our spiritual walk, and we begin to accept the things that come into our lives as “just a part of life.”  All the while, we become less and less excited about our relationship with Christ and more and more concerned with the things of this life. 

I believe that God wants to deliver, restore, and heal His people so that we can be what He has called us to be—individually and corporately.  I believe that if we pray and seek His face and make the necessary preparations (cf. 2 Chronicles 7:14) this revival will not be just a series of meetings, but will be a time of divine visitation! 

Please join me in prayer and make plans to attend (and invite others to attend with you).  Then, come expecting a miracle!

Revival

Experiencing God

For far too long people have gone to church to fulfill an obligation through some ritual and so are reduced to actions without meaning. Church attendance and worship is all about an encounter with God that changes who we are.

This is why at New Beginnings we believe it is time to stop just attending church, and to start experiencing God. We believe that when we come to church we have the right to expect that it will be a time of encountering and experiencing God in such a way that it forever impacts and changes our lives!

If you don't have a home church, come experience God with us at New Beginnings.

Steel to Magnets

Dr. David Jeremiah wrote the following in the April 2003 “Turning Points Magazine”

Jesus never had to worry about turn-out or attendance figures.  The crowds were never far away—sometimes eager to hear Him, sometimes wanting to stone Him.  He was like steel to magnets.  Some were drawn to Him, others repelled by Him.  But everyone knew He was there, and no one could ignore Him.

Baby Bentley

When he first arrived at UT Hospital five weeks ago, the prognosis for baby Bentley was not good.  The family was not given much hope from the doctors; however, several people began to pray and God has worked a miracle.  I am happy to announce here that Bentley came home yesterday and is doing very well. 

Updates

God is simply amazing!  On Wednesday, Audrey Justus was moved from Cookville Regional Medical Center to her home in Crossville via ambulance with an IV bag of dopamine.  The doctor said that once the dopamine ran out, her blood pressure would drop and she would die. 

I got to her house after the bag of dopamine had been depleted, and it certainly looked as if Audrey would pass on to her eternal reward.  We prayed for her and sang to her as she seemed so close to death; however, she began to perk up and talk and even laugh a little. 

At 10 pm I left to come home for the night.  When I returned on Thursday morning, Audrey was raised up in her bed, grinning from ear to ear.  Her color was back and she was quite cheerful.

As of last night, she is still doing well and enjoying being at home—without the dopamine.  Praise the Lord!

Also, I received an update about baby Bentley.  He is still at UT Hospital, but he is doing good.  He is expected to come home in a week or so.  

Please continue to pray for Audrey and baby Bentley.

Update on Audrey Justus

I went to visit with Audrey Justus again today at Cookville Regional Medical Center. Her daughter, Carol, wanted me to be there with them when the doctor came in to talk to them.

Audrey has been in and out of the hospital and nursing home since December ’09 when she had a growth removed from inside her heart. The Lord has touched her several times when it seemed she might not make it. Currently she is on dopamine to keep her blood pressure up. The doctor tried to lower the dosage this morning, but her blood pressure dropped drastically and quickly. He told her and her daughter and son today that without the dopamine, her blood pressure will bottom out and she will die. This, of course, keeps her from being able to go home, which she desperately wants to do.

Audrey assured me, both yesterday and today, that she is ready to go. In fact, she told her children today not to worry. “Everything will be okay,” she said.

In the next couple days a decision will be made about discontinuing the dopamine. We still believe that our God is able to perform a miracle for Audrey…and she believes it, too. In the face of such a grave discussion, Audrey was smiling, laughing, and speaking with confidence about her future. Please join me in prayer for her miracle!

National Day of Prayer

If ever this nation needed God, it is today! 

The National Day of Prayer is currently under attack.  A federal judge in Wisconsin ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional Thursday, saying the day amounts to a call for religious action.

For more information you can go to the National Day of Prayer website.

Update on Baby Bentley

Baby Bentley was born March 27, 2010 and was transported to UT Medical Center very shortly after birth. He has been in critical condition and the doctors have not been very optimistic regarding his condition.

Yesterday I visited with J.J. Fragiadakis and Brittany Lane (Bentley’s parents), and Auntie Connie. I am pleased to report that Bently is doing much better. He is off the ventilator, and as I understand it, they should be taking out the feeding tube soon. The EEG showed improved brain activity, and the doctors are now expressing optimism.

While he is doing much better, he is expected to be in the hospital for a couple more weeks. Please join me in prayer for Bentley and his family.

Things are not always as they appear to be

I recently read an article that contained the following story.  Although it’s several years old, I thought it was worth sharing here.

Two of the best commercials shown during Super Bowl XXXIX   were sponsored by Ameriquest Mortgage Company.  Both had the same message: “Don’t judge too quickly.”

In one ad, a convenience store shopper is standing at the counter and talking on his cell phone. He says to the person on the other end, “You’re getting robbed.” The two clerks hear those words and react by squirting the man with pepper spray, slugging him with a baseball bat, and then zapping him with an electric cattle prod.

In the second commercial, a man is preparing a romantic dinner. He chops vegetables with a large knife, while tomato sauce simmers on the stove. A white cat knocks the pan of sauce onto the floor and then falls into the mess. Just as the man picks up his tomato-splattered cat, his wife opens the door. She sees him holding a cat dripping with red sauce in one hand and a large knife in the other. The scene appears to be unmistakably horrific.

As these ads show, things aren't always as they first appear.

(This story was related by Richard Kauffman, McDonald,
Pennsylvania, as seen during Super Bowl XXXIX—2/6/05).

Back to Sunbright

Pastor Jack Lawson has invited me to minister at Sonbright Christian Center on Sunday evening, March 21.  I am excited to be able to return to the church I was privileged to pastor for over 7 years.  I have heard many good reports about the congregation, and I am thrilled to be able to go back and worship with them.

Several people from New Beginnings are planning to join me on this night, including our Worship Band.  I am blessed to work with such wonderful people in Crossville.  Their love and support mean so very much!

Gospel Singing

Jesus Loves YOU!

This is really cool!

First Time to Minister

I am greatly looking forward to our service tomorrow night!  Our very own, Roger Dixon, has accepted his call to preach and will be giving his very first sermon at New Beginnings tomorrow night.   I know he is a little nervous about his first sermon, so I ask you to join me in prayer that the Lord will calm his nerves and that he will feel perfect liberty as he shares the Word of Life!

Can you see it?

Some of us are not very observant. Something may be staring us in the face, but we cannot perceive it.

Not too long ago my mother replaced some of the art work on her walls in the living room. When my two year old nephew awoke from a nap, he quickly noticed that things were not as they were when he went to sleep.

On the other hand, when I walked into the living room (even knowing that mother had made the changes), never even noticed….that is, until Josiah started pointing around the room.

And so it is with God and God’s people. God is at work, doing a new thing, and many people don’t see it. God is at work, making things happen that have never happened before, and many of us don’t perceive it.

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).

These words were spoken by God—through the prophet Isaiah—to the exiled Children of Israel. He insists that they would just open their eyes and look, God is doing a new thing. He is already at work.

He cautions them in verse 18 not to allow their current situation or the things of the past hinder them from seeing what God is doing.

It is easy for us to become so engrossed in our own lives—the difficulties and challenges we face on a daily basis—that we miss out on all the wonderful things God is doing today. But He is doing a fresh, new thing today…can you see it?

The Joy of Difficult Times

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved." ~Helen Keller (1880-1968).

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing”  (James 1:2-4).

Weekend Update

We had a great time at Bread of Life last night.  In addition to the 20 or so adults, there are about 6 children there, and they are awesome!   In spite of the fact that they are at a rescue mission, they are so happy and fun-loving.  It is a joy, indeed, to be part of this ministry!

I am looking forward to a great time at New Beginnings today.   It is so good to come together with friends and family to worship the Lord together.   I see thee Lord doing such wonderful things, and we are growing in Him.  When we started New Beginnings, we had about 18 people.  We now have about 40 people attending, and I expect that we will double that very soon! 

Tonight I will be preaching at a joint service of the Oliver Springs and Petros Churches of God of Prophecy at Petros.  Pastor Slone (Petros), and Pastor Massengale (Oliver Springs) have involved me in these services several times, and I always look forward to being with them. 

Bread of Life

We are looking forward to our monthly dinner and service at Bread of Life Rescue Mission tomorrow night.   We always have ample help from New Beginnings—cooking, serving, and clean up.  I am very thankful to serve with people who are so willing to give of their time and resources to bless others!

Get a Life

From HeartLight Gallery

Tonight's Service Cancelled

While we do not like to cancel services, some of the roads across the county are still hazardous, and with the temperature in the mid to low 20’s, there is the possibility that other roads still wet may refreeze. Because we do not want to put anyone at risk, New Beginnings has cancelled services for tonight (2/17/10).

For future cancellation notices:

Listen to 102.5 WOW Country or check out their website at http://www.1025wowcountry.com/news/closings.php

Listen to Mix 99.3 or check out their website at http://www.mix993.net/news/closings.php

Of course, we will post the cancellation here, too, as well as sending e-mails and texts to those in our congregation.

Upcoming Events

Bread of Life—February 20

Open Gym for Youth/Kids—February 27

Daylight Saving Time—March 14

Five Star Jubilee in Concert at New Beginnings—March 14

Calling All Laborers

“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest”  (Matthew 9:36-38).

Happy Valentine’s Day!

1 Corinthians 13

Love

¹What if I could speak

   all languages

   of humans

   and of angels?

   If I did not love others,

   I would be nothing more

   than a noisy gong

   or a clanging cymbal.

²What if I could prophesy

   and understand all secrets

   and all knowledge?

   And what if I had faith

   that moved mountains?

   I would be nothing,

   unless I loved others.

³What if I gave away all

   that I owned

   and let myself

   be burned alive? ^[a] I would gain nothing,

   unless I loved others.

⁴Love is kind and patient,

   never jealous, boastful,

   proud, or ⁵rude.

   Love isn't selfish

   or quick tempered.

   It doesn't keep a record

   of wrongs that others do.

⁶Love rejoices in the truth,

   but not in evil.

⁷Love is always supportive,

   loyal, hopeful,

   and trusting.

⁸Love never fails!

   Everyone who prophesies

   will stop,

   and unknown languages

   will no longer

   be spoken.

   All that we know

   will be forgotten.

⁹We don't know everything,

   and our prophecies

   are not complete.

¹⁰But what is perfect

   will someday appear,

   and what isn't perfect

   will then disappear.

¹¹When we were children,

   we thought and reasoned

   as children do.

   But when we grew up,

   we quit our childish ways.

¹²Now all we can see of God

   is like a cloudy picture

   in a mirror.

   Later we will see him

   face to face.

   We don't know everything,

   but then we will,

   just as God completely

   understands us.

¹³For now there are faith,

   hope, and love.

   But of these three,

   the greatest is love.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2013&version=CEV

Another Beautiful Day

Here is a picture taken from my window at about 8 am.

Praise Report

We had an awesome worship service yesterday! I'm so excited about all the Lord is doing. We had 40 in attendance yesterday with a few people out sick. At the conclusion of the sermon, 2 people came forward to surrender their hearts to the Lord in repentance. How great is our God?

Forward Together

A New Year With The Lord

A new year is about to unfold
With new opportunities to explore
Doors will open for new experiences
New adventures with the Lord

Remember not the former things
The things of this past year
The Lord will do new things in us
Much more than we are aware

For He will make a way for us
As we put our trust in Him
And He will guide our every step
By His presence we have within

What God has placed within our hearts
We find we’ll be able to do
If we look for the opportunities
We’ll see the door to go through

We mustn’t let anything hold us back
But rise up and take our place
And be all that God wants us to be
With a fresh touch of His grace

© By M.S.Lowndes