FREE Concert

The Cumberland County Ministerial Association presents a free concert by gifted musician, composer and recording artist Tony Melendez who plays the guitar with his feet having been born without arms.

Pope John Paul II commissioned Tony to be a GIFT OF HOPE for the world after hearing and seeing him play. Tony has performed throughout the U.S. and over forty Countries. This free concert will be at Stone Memorial High School, 2800 Cook Road in Crossville, TN on Saturday September 20. Doors open at 5:30 P.M. Performance at 6:30 P.M.

Cumberland County Ministerial Association
President Beverly Talbott C.L.P. 456-8312
Sec. Treas. Dewey Peterson 484-7729

Spiritual Growth

For the past few weeks I have been preaching on Spiritual Growth. We have discussed the need for Spiritual Growth, the goal of Spiritual Growth, and the attitudes and habits necessary to achieve Spiritual Growth. Spiritual growth is discipleship in action!

Jesus Himself described what is required of those who would be His disciple: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

These words are the strongest and clearest from Jesus that teaches the requirements necessary in those who will follow him. Someone has described them as an outline of the Terms of Authentic Discipleship.

1. DESIRE—“if any man will come after me.” Desire drives people and it is at the heart of discipleship!

2. DENIAL—“let him deny himself.” SELF is the enemy of authentic discipleship. Consider the variety of words prefixed by SELF that illustrate how SELF can dominate us: Self righteousness; self centeredness; self interest; self confidence; self consciousness; self defense; self importance; self indulgence; self opinion; self reliance; self satisfaction; self seeking; self sufficient.

3. DEATH—“and take up his cross.” Authentic discipleship is a sacrificial lifestyle. It’s a life not lived solely for ones own interests or ends. The cross symbolized the ‘cause’ Jesus both lived for and died for. We are called to die ‘daily’ to that which gets in the way of us knowing him, loving him, serving him, following him.

4. DETERMINATION—“follow me.”
• Authentic discipleship is a lifelong commitment. Jesus asks for the greatest and most determined commitment of your life.

• Authentic discipleship will ask questions of you ‘daily’. You can measure how authentic your discipleship is by how your desire to follow him challenges your lifestyle and attitudes, guides your choices and determines your principles.

• Authentic discipleship requires genuine courage. “Jesus promised his disciples three things – that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy and in constant trouble”

Funeral Arrangements

We received the sad news yesterday that R. B. Daniels passed away on Saturday night at Cumberland Medical Center. R. B., better known as "Doc" to those who knew him, recently attended one of our services at New Beginnings. I visited both yesterday and today with some of his family and friends, and having heard some of their stories made me wish I had the opportunity to know him before.

The arrangements for "Doc" are as follows:

The family will receive friends Tuesday night at Bilbrey Funeral Home from 6-8 PM.

The funeral service will be on Wednesday at 3 PM at Bilbrey Funeral Home, with a graveside service and military honors.

Doc had 2 sons and 2 daughters. Please join me in prayer for them and all his friends who are mourning his death.

Arkansas Trip

What a trip! Mother and I returned home last night at about 9 PM from our trip to Little Rock, Arkansas. We left Crossville on Monday and met up with Jason, Jennifer, Josiah and Isaiah in Gallatin where we had dinner and spent the night. On Tuesday morning we all headed out to Little Rock, Arkansas where Jason, Jennifer and the boys will be working and living.

It was a very good trip until we got about 90 miles outside of Little Rock. Jason, Josiah and I were riding in the big Budget truck towing a car while mother, Jennifer and Isaiah were in the van. David and Kathy Williams were driving along, as well. The other two vehicles were a little bit ahead of us when the truck we were in lost all power. We were right in front of a rest area, but it was closed.

Long story short, Jason stayed with the budget truck until a tow truck arrived. David came back to get Josiah and me and I drove mother, Jennifer and the boys on to Little Rock. David and Kathy went back to Nashville. We arrived in Little Rock sometime after 5 PM, and Jason arrived an hour or so later. It was rough, but we made it safe and sound and we give the Lord praise!

Jason and Jennifer are going to be house parents in the Forence Crittenton Home, an emergency shelter for teens sponsored by the Freewill Missionary Baptist Family Ministries. I was very impressed with the ministries provided, and I am very proud of my brother and his family for their interest in this area of ministry.

Mother spent the night at Crittenton House with Jason, Jennifer and the boys, and I went to a hotel. On Wednesday I went back to Crittenton House where I had a devotion with them encouraging them in their decision, and we prayed over them.

Mother and I left Little Rock at about 2 PM (much later than we expected) for the long trip home. We arrived back last night at about 9 PM. Thank the Lord for His protection along the way!

Old Friends

I went to Nashville on Friday for the International Assembly. Of course, it was good to be there for the services and Brother Varlack's class, but it was especially good to see some friends I haven't seen in years: the Williams from California, the Lee's from Wyoming, Scott Creasey from Florida, Dennis Wilson from Texas, Donald Markham (I forget where he is now), and so many others.

Seeing so many people I got acquainted with so many years ago brings back a host of memories. I've been blessed through the years to have met so many wonderful people across this land and into other nations of the world. My life has been enriched as a result of knowing all of them, and I am thankful!

A Powerful Word

I was just listening to Kay Horner on the assembly webcast. She had a powerful word: "Victory begins with the name of Jesus on our lips, but will not be consumated until the nature of Jesus is in our hearts."

International Assembly

The International Assembly of the Church of God of Prophecy began yesterday at the Sommet Center in Nashville, TN. For those who may be interested, you can watch the International Assembly Webcast. Also, the DayStar network will air the Thursday and Friday evening sessions, beginning at 7:30 EST (subject to change). Thursday evening session will be the Global Outreach emphasis evening with a sermon from Bishop Sherman Allen, General Presbyter of Africa. Friday’s evening session will be a celebration of Pentecostal Awakening, featuring a sermon by Special Guest Dr. Jerry Macklin. Current plans are that the programming will begin with portions of the opening concert of the Bahamas Brass Band and will include the services in their entirety through the altar responses that will be given by the speakers.

One World One Dream

One World One Dream is the theme selected by China, the host nation of the XXIX Olympics. As I watched the opening ceremonies last night, I was awestruck by the sheer magnitude of the celebration. The Chinese spared no effort, and seemingly no cost, in welcoming the world to Beijing.

At one point, 2,008 drummers were pounding the fou, an ancient Chinese percussion instrument, and as they were doing so, they chanted, “Friends have come from afar, how happy we are,” a phrase from the works of Confucius (551BC-479BC). Shortly after this, hundreds of men in boxes bobbed up and down creating various designs and waves. Several times during this performance they also formed the Chinese character “he,” which means both harmony and peace.

As I watched the “parade of nations” I was thinking about the theme of the Summer Olympics. About two hundred-four nations were represented, none led by the “head of state” or other politicians, but rather by athletes from their respective countries.

We live in a world that is divided in so many ways. The cry for harmony and peace can be heard from so many areas of the world, yet, the very thing that divides—the very thing that hinders harmony and peace—is the only thing that can possibly bring harmony and peace. Jesus commanded that His church “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

So many people around the world are in need of the peace that comes only through Jesus Christ. Let’s join together in praying for the nations of the world and for those Christians who are working so hard to share the love of our Savior—the Prince of Peace!

Update from Thailand

I spoke with Brother Boonyong Bureenok (right in photo) on the phone last night. He is preparing to take a trip to Myanmar (Burma) in the next couple days, and at the end of this month Gary Glover and a group with Co-Mission will be visiting Thailand. They will continue on to Burma, Cambodia, and Viet Nam.

We thank the Lord for Brother Boon and his work in Thailand. Even though this is a difficult time, he continues to have a heart for the ministry to which God called him. Please join me in prayer for Brother Boon, his family, and the work in Thailand. Also, if you would like to make a donation to the ministry there, you may send it to the address on Co-Mission's website, or you may send a check to New Beginnings. We will forward all offerings we receive for Thailand to Brother Boon.

2 More Nights

We had 2 wonderful nights of revival services with Pastor Tony Cathey who shared a powerful Word from the Lord each night. We are looking forward to 2 more nights with Pastor Terry Barnwell beginning tonight.

If you haven't joined us yet, why not drop in and let's worship the Lord together. I know He has something special for us!

Ok, this is too funny

Youth Pastor gone wild???


http://view.break.com/545222 - Watch more free videos

Just a Reminder...

Our revival begins tomorrow night at 7 PM. We are excited about what the Lord has been doing at New Beginnings, but we are expecting greater things from Him in our upcoming revival! We have been in prayer and fasting for a fresh encounter with Him, and I believe He has heard our prayer.

Pastor Tony Cathey will be with us to minister tomorrow and Thursday, and Pastor Terry Barnwell will minister on Friday and Saturday nights. I have great confidence that these two men will share a word from the Lord that has the power to change the hearer (cf. Romans 1:16).

We look forward to seeing you!

A Wonderful Day

We had a wonderful time of worship and fellowship yesterday. Although we had a few people out, we still had 25 in attendance, for which we praise the Lord. I shared a message on the fact that Spiritual Growth is a choice that we must make. God has commanded that we grow, and it takes effort on our part. God has not left it all up to us, however. He has promised to help us and to bless us as we pursue Him. Following the message, we celebrated Holy Communion.

We were pleased to have the District Presbyter of the Church of God of Prophecy, Dr. Freddie Harding, in service with us.

Last night I had the honor of ministering to a joint service of the Petros and Oliver Springs (COGOP) Churches. We met at the Oliver Springs church and there seemed to be a pretty good representation from each church. Mother, Dad, and Josiah (my nephew) went with me. The Spirit of the Lord was definitely present to minister to the peoples needs. I am very thankful to Pastors Roy Massengale and Stewart Sloan for giving me the opportunity to minister in this joint service!

News From Guatemala

I received the following from David Byrd in Guatemala. Please join me in prayer for the people there.

We have a urgent request for you and for your people to pray. There has been a lot of rain here. In one village, there were 12 whole families lost due to landslides on their homes. People have been told to leave their houses. People are being put up everywhere (either with relatives or friends). We have been told that the rivers will crest tonight at 11:00 (1:00 your time) and will be the equilate to Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The levies in Honduras will break which will bring a mighty wall of water into Guatemala. Please pray that the Lord will keep the river from cresting and pray for God's protection for the people here.

We are hosting a single mom and her three children with us tonight.

Thanks for your prayers.

David

Pray for Revival!

What is revival? According to Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, revival is the act of reviving, or the state of being revived. Specifically: (a) Renewed attention to something... (b) Renewed performance of, or interest in, something... (c) Renewed interest in religion, after indifference and decline; a period of religious awakening.

How do we know when we need revival?
When it is easier to stay at home than to go to church.
When it is easier to work than worship.
When it is easier to be critical than kind.
When it is easier to read magazines than the Bible.
When it is easier to support the club than the church.
When it is easier to grumble than to praise.
When it is easier to hold grudges than to forgive.
When it is easier to condemn souls rather than pray for their salvation.
(from "When Do We Need Revival?")

What are the results of Revival? Revival brings transformation (Romans 12:2), encouragement (Psalm 51:10), strength (Isaiah 40:31), support (Psalm 103:1-5), and focus (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Let’s Have A Revival
Let’s have a revival
From the pulpit to the pew
Let’s have a revival
That starts in me and you..
Then it reaches out to a lost and dying world
Let’s bring them in
This is our joy—it’s our survival
Let’s pray for Holy Ghost revival
Let’s have a Revival

Arrangements for Jay Houston

I just learned the arrangements for Jay Houston. The family will receive friends at the Bilbrey Funeral Home tomorrow night (Friday) from 6p.m. to 7p.m. with a funeral service to follow.

Again, please join me in prayer for this family.

Death Announcement

I just returned from the hospital a little while ago, and I am very sad to announce that Jay Houston passed away as a result of the injuries he sustained in an accident earlier today.

I didn’t know Jay personally, but he was my sister-in-law, Brenda’s, uncle. My brothers, Chris and Bill, were both well acquainted with Jay, and they have talked about what a good man he was. Jay has children living in California and Nevada, I believe, and all of them were able to come and visit with him just a few weeks ago.

When death comes so suddenly it only reminds us of how short life really is. In the bible, James spoke of the brevity of life. “For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). How very important it is, then, that we prepare ourselves for that day that will come to all of us.

Please join me in prayer for Jay’s wife, children, and grandchildren, for his extended family, and for all those who knew and loved him.

Saturday and Sunday

The past couple days have been exciting. On Saturday, we served the evening meal and had a service with the people at Bread of Life Rescue Mission. At the end of the service we met a young man, Pete, (that’s not his real name) whom the Lord had delivered of many things. It was awesome to hear him share what the Lord has done for him. Please join me in prayer for “Pete” that the Lord will give him strength to press forward in the name of Jesus.

Yesterday we had a wonderful service at New Beginnings. Our new drummer sounded just awesome in the worship service. I preached, “It’s Time for Revival,” and we had a wonderful time of prayer after the message. Everyone seems so excited about our upcoming revival. Last night we met at Lawson Memorial Chapel to pray and seek the face of the Lord.

Volunteer Event

I received the following announcement from Linda Kawicki at Bread of Life Rescue Mission.

Dear Friends in Christ,

You are invited to take part in our volunteer event. Date is July 26th from 10 – 3 pm with lunch being provided. This will not only be a fun day, the meeting will provide understanding about what the mission’s needs are. Come and here about the future! If you would so kindly place this message in your bulletin or on your bulletin board, it would be appreciated. RSVP by July 23rd by calling 931-707-0503 and ask for Linda. Become a part of the team.

Hope to see you there,
Linda K. Secretary

Revival Announcement

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