God's call requires commitment

“One of our country’s most beloved Presidents was Abraham Lincoln. He had the great misfortune of being at the helm of our nation during one of it’s most troubled times. The once united States had split in two, and the armies of the North and South were waging an incessant war that claimed the lives of more men than have died in any war since.

“Lincoln felt the tragedy of this war more than anyone could have guessed. He mourned the deaths of soldiers and spent long periods visiting the sick and wounded in the Union hospitals. The constant shedding of blood was sometimes almost more than he could bear. Then, in the midst of the war, his own son died and the President was literally brought to his knees.

“In the middle of the week, Lincoln did what he often did during those days, he found refuge at a Presbyterian church in Washington, D.C. He went with an aide, sat with his stovepipe hat in his lap, and tried hard not to interrupt the meeting by sitting off to the side, near the preacher’s study.

“The minister opened the Scriptures and taught from God’s Word. And when he finished, the president stood quietly, straightened his coat, took his hat in hand and began to leave.

His aide stopped him and said, ‘What did you think of the sermon, Mr. President?’
He said, ‘I thought the sermon was carefully thought through, eloquently delivered.’
The aide said, ‘You thought it was a great sermon?’

“Lincoln replied, ‘No I thought he failed… he did not ask of us something great.’”

Even in the midst of such turmoil in his life, President Lincoln knew that when one listens to God he should expect that the Lord will call him to something great.

I believe that God is, indeed, calling us to something great. I believe God wants to use New Beginnings to help make a difference in the lives of people on the Cumberland Plateau. I also know, however, that such a call requires something on our part as well!

Someone said, “You must get involved to have an impact. No one is impressed with the won-lost record of the referee.”

Jesus said it this way, “…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

Announcements

THANKSGIVING--We will have a special Thanksgiving Service this Wednesday (11/21) at 7PM. Please come prepared to give thanks to the Lord and share at least one thing for which you are especially thankful this year.

CHRISTMAS--New Beginnings' first Christmas Banquet will be held on Sunday evening, December 16, at Cumberland Mountain State Park. More information will be forthcoming, but please mark your calendar for this event.

What do people see?

Of 18 to 30 year olds in this country who have quit church, a whopping 26% say their reason for leaving was that the church is simply too judgmental, this according to a LifeWay Research report printed in Leadership Journal (Fall 2007).

It would be very easy for churches to assume that this generation simply doesn’t want to hear the truth, but the fact is that they do want to hear the truth but they also need to see some realities of true Christianity!

In reading from the gospel according to John, something jumped out at me recently. Jesus had returned to Bethany six days before the Passover and He had dinner with Lazarus, Mary and Martha. His disciples were apparently there too, but then John records this:

“Much people of the Jews therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead” (John 12:9).

As I pondered this passage it occurred to me that these people of the Jews who came to see Lazarus were needing to verify that this Jesus was truly who He was declared to be. They needed to see that Lazarus was, in fact, risen from the dead. They needed to see that there was, in fact, a change! Indeed, it was because they saw Lazarus alive again that many of them believed on Jesus (John 12:11).

It is a theological truth that sin separates us from God. Our sin is an offense to Him and prohibits us from enjoying fellowship with Him. It was Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden that broke the perfect fellowship between him and God. That same sin, because it is so repulsive to Holy God, resulted in judgment.

“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).

This does not, however, diminish God’s love for us! The Scripture is very clear on this subject. Paul said, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8, emphasis mine). John attested to this when he wrote, “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

Could it be that one of the reasons so many people have decided that they don’t need church is because they see so few examples of true change in the lives of those who call themselves disciples of Christ? Could it be that we Christians are sometimes too judgmental and legalistic—harshly sharing truths of Scripture without the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ?

I am convinced that the key to evangelism today is not so much in the words we say, but in the authentic love we share!

Appreciation Day

A Minister of Music/Worship Leader is arguably one of the most important ministry positions in a local church. This minister helps to lead the congregation in preparing their hearts, through worship, to hear and receive the preached Word.

At New Beginnings, we are privileged to have Bill Meadows who is an anointed Minister of Music/Worship Leader. When we were much younger, Bill traveled some with me when I was ministering in Wisconsin, Colorado and Wyoming. He has always been sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. His style is more contemporary, but he does not dismiss the value of some of the time honored traditional Christian hymns. He is up-beat and lively as he leads the congregation into spirited and heart-felt worship.

Tomorrow at New Beginnings we will give special recognition to our Minister of Music and express our deep and heart-felt appreciation to him for his commitment to the ministry into which the Lord has called him.

Bill, you and your family are a tremendous blessing to us and we thank God for you!

Thank You

I would like to take this opportunity to say THANK YOU to everyone for your prayers for and expressions of kindness to the Human family this week. Sonbright Christian Center did such an awesome job of preparing food for the family after the graveside service, and it was wonderful--as usual! SCC has also opened up a portion of the property there for Brent to be buried.

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." ~From a headstone in Ireland

The photograph at the top is from the last time I saw Brent. It was on the day of his daughter's birth--September 20, 2007. This is me, Stephen Eli, and Brent.

What a Friend

I just returned home from Sunbright following the funeral services for Brent Human. I am absolutely amazed at the number of lives Brent touched in his short few years on this earth. By my estimation there were more than 1,000 people who filed through to pay their last respects to Brent and to share condolences with the family. At one point in time they were entering through the basement and filing up and down the room like a maze then going upstairs and wrapping around the outer wall of the building. This went on from about 6 PM to about 8:15. The church was also filled with floral arrangements. The platform, at each end of the coffin, and even into the foyer--more flowers than I think I have ever seen in one location.

When the funeral service began at approximately 8:45, the sanctuary was filled and people standing.

Brent had a tremendous love for life and for his family. All who knew him knew he had a heart for everyone he met, and he had a smile for everyone who crossed his path. The words of Soloman are surely true, "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother"(Proverbs 18:24).

Tomorrow Brent will be laid to rest at Sonbright Christian Center at 12 Noon. Please continue to remember this family in your prayers.

Funeral Arrangements for Brent Human

I have received word that the arrangements for Brent Human are as follows:

The family will receive friends tomorrow evening (November 7, 2007) from 5-8 PM Eastern Time at Sonbright Christian Center and the funeral will commence at 8. The church is located at 7211 Morgan County Highway in Sunbright, TN.

Since the family has asked that I preach the funeral, there will be no service at New Beginnings tomorrow night.

The Death of a Friend

My heart has been very sad today as I learned of the tragic death of my friend, Brent Human. I have known Brent since around 1999 when I went to Sunbright as youth pastor. Brent was quite the prankster back then.

When I heard the news, I drove to the Harriman hospital where I was told the family was gathering as they awaited the arrival of the body following the fatal accident. I visited with them for a couple hours until the funeral home picked up the body.

Brent was the son of R. B. & Velma Human from Sonbright Christian Center. He and his wife, Savannah, have two children, the second born a little over a month ago.

For the past hour or so I have been sitting here in my office remembering the many good times and conversations I have had with Brent. He was a good young man whom I am deeply thankful that I had the opportunity to know.

This is a very difficult time for Savannah as well as for R. B., Velma, Bryant (brother), and Victoria (sister). Please remember them in your prayers as well as the rest of the family.

I will post funeral arrangements here as soon as I know them.

Partnering with Guatemala

We were very pleased to have the Byrd family back with us yesterday. David and Vicki and their daughter, Melissa, are "Making a a Spiritual Difference by Meeting Physical Needs" of people in the Camotan, Chiquimula region.

Jesus gave clear instructions that we are to go into all the world (Matthew 28:19-20) sharing the gospel. While all of us cannot go into other nations of the world, I believe God will bless our efforts as we support those who have made such a commitment. I want to thank everyone at New Beginnings for the wonderful offering received yesterday for the Byrds.

More pics from Saturday

Fall Bash

About 45 people attended the Fall Bash yesterday and we want to thank Bill & Kim for opening up their home for this very enjoyable time. They organized a number of fun games that brought participation from children and adults alike. Everyone seemed to enjoy the fun and fellowship!

Autumn Acres

We had an awesome time Sunday evening at Autumn Acres. A total of 21 people came out to join us through the corn maze and pumpkin patch. It was fun watching the children (and a few adults) slide down the massive slide. It is always encouraging and uplifting to see people laughing and having a good time in the company of oneanother.

This Saturday Bill and Kim are hosting a Fall Blast at their home. Everyone is invited to attend. Also, Harvest Christian Fellowship has invited New Beginnings to join them for their annual Hay Ride and Weiner Roast this Sunday evening.

Update from the Juday's

Thank you all for your prayers. The hospital didn't think Dan's father would make it through that first night but, once again, he bounced back and is now back at home. ... He is kind of weak and tired, but otherwise seems fine.

We are staying here in Wisconsin for awhile to help Dan's sister and brother-in-law do the things they have to do to get ready for their yearly trek to Florida. Dad can't wait to go where it's warm (which means over 80 degrees at least). We're not sure if he'll make the trip all right but, one day at a time.

Thanks again to all who prayed and called. We are ever grateful for our friends and family for their care and compassion. We love you all.

We will let you know when we get back home and, if there are any changes in dad's condition.

Dan & Marcia

Let's Just Praise the Lord!

We were very pleased to have Bishop Jimmie Turner with us last night. He and Sister Turner are now in Cambridge, Ohio where he serves as Senior Pastor. They were here for a couple days to visit family, so I invited him to share a word from the Lord with us.

When I was just a young boy Brother Turner and my parents sang together as the Zion's Messengers. Last night they sang together again, and it was like old times. Brother Turner preached a very inspiring and uplifting message reminding us that praise works. He encouraged us to be diligent in counqueroring our discouragement by offering praise to God (Psalm 43:5).

We are very thankful for Brother and Sister Turner, and pray the Lord will bless them and the church at Cambridge, OH abundantly!

Announcement

New Beginnings is planning a trip to Autumn Acres Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch this Sunday afternoon (10/21). This will be an excellent time of family fun and fellowship with one another.

The admission is $4 for adults and children 5 & up; $2 for children 2-4; and FREE for children under 2. You can check out more details by going to Autumn Acres web-site.

Come join us for some autumn FUN!!!

Prayer Request

I learned yesterday that Dan's father was rushed to the hospital. He is 91 years old and is presently non-responsive. Dan and Marcia left yesterday for Wisconsin to be with him. They ask that we pray for Dan's father, and for them as they travel.

Helping in Guatemala

We were very pleased to have David and Vickie Byrd and their daughter Melissa in our service last night. The Byrd's serve as Missionaries in Guatemala. Their motto is "Making a a Spiritual Difference by Meeting Physical Needs." To this end, David travels into several of the mountain villages and offers support on various levels including agricultural assistance and his pet project, constructing water cysterns for the village people so they can have clean water to drink. Vickie and Melissa work in a health clinic.

Some specific prayer points David mentioned last night are:
1. Their safety as they minister
2. The safety of children in Guatemala
3. Their personal support (financially)
4. Support for Pastors

The Byrd family will be in the United States until November 28. They will return to New Beginnings on November 4 at which time I would like to have a generous support offering for them.

Death Announcement

I was very sad to learn that Faye Blaylock, my cousin, passed away on Friday, October 5. The family received friends at Bilbrey Funeral Home in Crossville tonight and the funeral will be tomorrow at 10 AM in the Chapel of Bilbrey Funeral Home. Please remember her husband, children, and grand children in your prayers.

A few more pics from yesterday

Special Guest

Today I hosted an open house to welcome people into my new home. About 20 people came. I was very pleased to welcome a guest from Nairobi, Kenya--Bishop Joseck Tsuma. It was a very good day, and Bishop Tsuma ministered before he left and prayed over several requests. Everyone was blessed as the Spirit of the Lord ministered in my living room!