Expecting Better Things

The story is told of a salesman who had a flat tire on a lonely road one dark rainy night and, to his dismay, he had no lug wrench. Seeing a nearby farmhouse, he set out on foot. Surely the farmer would have a lug wrench, he thought. But would he even come to the door? And if he did, he’d probably be furious at being bothered. He’d probably say, “What’s the big idea getting me out of bed in the middle of the night?” This thought made the salesman angry. Why, that farmer is a selfish old clod to refuse to help me.

Finally the man reached the farmhouse. Frustrated and drenched, he banged on the door. “Who’s there?” a voice called out from a window overhead.

“You know good and well who it is,” yelled the salesman, his face red with anger. “It’s me! And you can keep your old lug wrench! I wouldn’t borrow it if it was the last one in the county.”

It is amazing how our thoughts often determine our actions. We can work ourselves into a frenzy dwelling on negative things. But it is a contradiction to think that we can walk in faith, expecting all the good things of God, while dwelling on the negative and being suspicious of the motives of others. Perhaps that’s why Paul said, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV). The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language says it this way: “Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.” Don’t dwell on things as they are...or appear to be...expect better!

News From Thailand

I spoke with Boonyong Bureenok on the phone last night and he shared some of the happenings in Thailand with me. Later, he sent me several photos, some of which I will post here. Please continue to join me in prayer for Brother Boone and his family, the orphanage, and the work of ministry in Thailand.

Praise Report

A few days ago I requested prayer for Reese Samuel Davis, My cousin, Ginger Meadows Davis' new baby. Although he remains in Children's hospital in CA, I am informed that he is doing much better. We praise the Lord for touching and watching over this baby, and request your continued prayer.

Ralph Reagan

We were very honored to have Pastor Ralph Reagan of Bread of Life Rescue Mission to minister to us at New Beginnings this morning. I had only met Ralph once before, but I had heard a great deal about him and how the Lord is using him in Crossville.

Brother Ralph preached a very inspiring message on standing up for what we believe even in difficult times. He stated that the enemy will use all kinds of temptations to sway us, but it is critical that we remain absolutely committed to the cause of Christ. He shared some of his life story, especially after he surrendered his life to the Lord.

After the service, I announced that Ralph had brought a supply of his book (just recently published). I'm not sure how many he brought, but the were all sold and he was kind enough to sign several (if not all) of them. Once I got home, I started reading the book and have now finished it. The book, Fallen, Felon, and finally Faith, is a powerful testimony of Ralph's life and the grace of our loving God! To purchase books contact: April Press BOL, P.O. Box 1514, Crossville, TN 38558

Prayer Request

My cousin, Ginger Meadows Davis, had a baby on Friday. His name is Reese Samuel Davis. I just learned that the baby is in a children's hospital in California in critical care. I'm not sure of all the details, but Uncle Jim is requesting that we please be in prayer for Reese.

Bread of Life Rescue Mission

New Beginnings had the privilege of serving a meal at Bread of Life Rescue Mission tonight! This was our first time to serve a hot meal, but certainly not the last we will be doing to support this tremendous ministry. In fact, we are scheduled to be back there on May 31. We also have a box at New Beginnings for receiving food donations for the Bread of Life food pantry.

I am pleased to announce, too, that Pastor Ralph Reagan, co-founder of Bread of Life Rescue Mission, will be with us this Sunday morning to share from the Word, and about BOL. Ralph has written a book, Fallen, Felon, and Finally Faith which has just been published. He will have some with him on Sunday and will be on hand to sign copies. The book is $10 and the net proceeds go to the mission building fund.

Please add Pastor Ralph and his wife Connie as well as the ministry of Bread of Life to your prayer list.

Just a Reminder....

Sunday is Mother's Day! As I have been preparing and thinking about how to best honor our mothers, I ran across a few quotes I thought I'd share with you here.

“The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new.”
- Rajneesh

“All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother."
- Abraham Lincoln

“If I had a single flower for every time I think about you, I could walk forever in my garden.”
- Attributed to Claudia Ghandi

You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back.
-William D. Tammeus

Don't wait until Sunday to tell your mother you love her!

Praise Report

I went to Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt yesterday, along with Mother & Dad, Bill & Kim and family. I am pleased to report that Isaiah Samuel is doing much better. His bilyrubin has come down. He will probably be in the hospital for a day or so longer, but I know the Lord has touched him. We appreciate your prayers very much and request that you continue to pray for him and Jason and Jennifer.

Prayer Request

I just learned a little while ago that my new nephew, Isaiah Samuel Meadows, was admitted to Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt because his bilirubin is too high. They have started him on IV’s and placed him under the light, but the doctors have also already mentioned the possible need for a blood transfusion. Please join me in prayer for him.

National Day of Prayer

Just a reminder that tomorrow, May 1, is the National Day of Prayer. Please join us at the Cumberland County Courthouse tomorrow for a time of prayer for our nation. The theme this year is: Prayer! America's Shield & Strength.

A Brand New Meadows

I am happy to announce that I'm an uncle...again! The newest member of the Meadows family is...

Isaiah Samuel Meadows
Born at 6:10 AM on April 30th 2008
7 pounds 15 ounces
21 inches long

I would like to congratulate my brother Jason and his wife Jennifer on this new bundle of joy. I went to see him today, and he is adorable!!

Jason and Jennifer request that we pray for them as they transition into a 4 member family and as Josiah gets used to his new little brother.

Martin Luther

Someone recently shared this with me and I thought it good to post it here. This is by Martin Luther (1483-1546).

Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord,
With all your graces now outpoured
On each believer's mind and heart;
Your fervent love to them impart.
Lord, by the brightness of your Light
In holy faith your Church unite;
From ev'ry land and ev'ry tongue,
This to your praise, O Lord, Our God, be sung:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

Communion Sunday

Just a reminder that tomorrow is Communion Day at New Beginnings. We will be observing Holy Communion on the fourth Sunday of each month.

The Holy Communion (also referred to as the Lord's Supper and the Eucharist) is one of the ordinances given by Christ to the church. Because it is an ordinance (commanded by Christ, the Lord of the church) it is not optional. As surely as all believers are commanded to be baptized, likewise all believers are commanded to partake of the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is a symbolic act of obedience whereby Christian believers, through partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine, remember the death of the Redeemer with thanksgiving and anticipate His second coming.

Steve Weaver explains that 1 Corinthians 11:26-28 gives an overview of four important looks that one should take before, during and after taking the Lord's Supper:

* The first is a backward look to the cross. The Lord's Supper's primary message is about remembering the cross of Christ and what was accomplished there for our sins. Any celebration of the Lord's Supper with acknowledging the cause of its celebration causes one to become "guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (v. 27). The purpose of the Lord's Supper is, as v. 26 states, to "shew the Lord's death till he come."
* Secondly, one must also take an inward look to examine one's own heart and motives (v. 28). Are you considering what this Supper represents? Are you right with God and your brother? These matters must be dealt with properly before receiving the Lord's Supper.
* Thirdly, a forward look is needed. We must look forward to the Second Coming of Christ. Every celebration of the Lord's Supper is an occasion to look forward to the day when we consummate this great feast with Jesus Christ Himself at the head of the table. "“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord'’s death till he come"” (v. 26).
* Finally, a outward look to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ is needed. Although the Lord's Supper is intensely personal, there is an important corporate element to this ordinance as well. Failure to care for the needs of our brothers and sisters results in the same condemnation received by the Corinthians. To come to the Lord's table without the attitude and action of humble, serving love for one another is a failure to properly "discern the Lord's body." As we remember how the physical body of Christ was broken for us, it is also important that we remember that we are a part of the spiritual body of Christ. Therefore, it matters whether or not we are in fellowship with one another when partaking of the Lord's Supper.

Heartfelt Thanks

I wish to express my sincere and heart-felt appreciation for all the wonderful cards and expressions of love for my birthday. I received several phone calls on Monday and tonight I was very surprised with a birthday party at the church. I can usually sniff surprises out, but you guys got me on this one! You guys are just awesome, and I thank the Lord for you all. I am humbled by your kindness...even you, Chelsie! (Ha! Ha!).

Death Notice

Yesterday Jerry Houston passed away. Jerry was the father of my sister-in-law, Brenda Meadows. The arrangements are as follows:

Visitation from 11 AM to 1 PM tomorrow (Saturday, April 18) at Hood Funeral Home. The funeral will follow the visitation.

Please join me in prayer for Brenda, her brother and the rest of the family.

Hosea a Portrait of God's Love

I received the following from Pastor Terry Barnwell.

Recently White Wing Publishing House commissioned Pastor Terry Barnwell at Arrowhead Church, to write some curriculum for them in the Spirit Matters Lessons. These lessons are now available for purchase. They are designed for Sunday School, Small Group Studies, or Wednesday Evening classes. These lessons are undated meaning they can be taught anytime, without following a set teaching schedule as the traditional Sunday School lessons in the past. The study I have written in this series is called; "Hosea a Portrait of God's Love". These lessons are centered on the biblical character Hosea and his unconditional love for a promiscuous wife. Each lesson is designed to challenge the student concerning how they impact the world around them with Christ Love. I have attempted to make the material cutting edge, fresh, and applicable to real life for the student.

Each lesson includes an introduction titled "Introductory Matters", with the study body including sessions titled; "Principle Matters", "Questions Matters”, and "Resolving Matters". The "Questions Matters" section is designed to allow the teacher to initiate discussion either at the conclusion of the lesson or at times within the lesson.

This inviting booklet has ten lessons on "Hosea a Portrait of God's Love" which includes;

Lesson One: Bearing the Name of Jesus - Salvation
Lesson Two: A Wife Named Gomer - Completeness
Lesson Three: Hosea's Love for His Wayward Wife - Covenant
Lesson Four: Silent, Unnoticed Love - Serving
Lesson Five: Tough Love, Wounding to Heal - Great Physician
Lesson Six: In the Pits - Suffering
Lesson Seven: I Am Wrong - Repentance
Lesson Eight: A Redemptive Payment - Mercy & Grace
Lesson Nine: Putting His Name on the Line - Reputation
Lesson Ten: A Home Coming - Restoration

Each book also includes a CD. The CD contains a variety of resources for use by the teacher. All CDs include student pages to be printed out for each student. A Printed copy of the student pages is also included in the book.

Our prayer is that you will freely and creatively adapt these courses to your teaching style and setting as God leads.

This inviting study can be purchased today for $24.99 plus shipping and handling by calling White Wing Publishing House at 1-800-221-5027 and ask for Darlene, she is the account specialist. Soon it should be online at;
www.whitewingbooks.com

Funeral of Gertrude Turner

I failed to post this on Saturday, but I wanted to express how beautiful the service for Sister Turner was.

Brother Tacket, Pastor of Abundant Life Church, and Bishop Jimmie Turner officiated. They both shared about the life of this precious lady and what a beautiful example she set for others. Two granddaughters also shared about their grandmother--Lisa Shaw, and Mary Kimbro. It was very touching to hear them share some of their personal experiences. As Lisa concluded her remarks, she read a poem her husband wrote about Sister Turner.

While the loss of a loved one is a sad occasion, I know it must have been comforting to the family to know that this precious lady lived in Christ and she died in Christ. And her life was a testimony to that fact all the way to the end!

Upcoming Events

The state director of Women's Ministries has announced that the "Tennessee Ladies Day “Early Bird” registration is extended to Monday, April 7th to allow promotion one more Sunday." For more information or for an application please visit the Women's Ministry website here. You may also pick up an application at New Beginnings. Ladies Day is scheduled for April 25-26, 2008 at Camp Hickory Hills in Dickson, TN.

Also, the Crab Orchard Church of God of Prophecy will be having a Youth Revival April 28-May 3, 2008. There will be various speakers as well as drama and singing groups. I'm sure you will be blessed by attending.

Funeral Arrangements

The funeral arrangements for Gertrude Turner are as follows:

The family will receive friends at Hood Funeral Home on Friday, April 4 from 6 P.M. to 9 P.M. The funeral service will be on Saturday, April 5 at 1 P.M.

Please continue to pray for this family.

Gertrude Turner

I am saddened to share with you the death of Sister Gertrude Turner. Sister Turner served the Lord for many years. I am thankful that I had the privilege of knowing this precious lady. She lived an exemplary life demonstrating the love of God.

I will post funeral arrangements as soon as I know them. Please join me in praying for the family.

Also the Presiding Bishop of Tennessee announced today that Deacon Frank Howard (father of our General Overseer) passed away. You can find out more by clicking here.