Thursday, March 18, 2010

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).

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

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!

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Gospel Singing

Five Star Jubilee

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Jesus Loves YOU!

This is really cool!

Tuesday, March 02, 2010

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!

Friday, February 26, 2010

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?

Thursday, February 25, 2010

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).

Butterfly

“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).

Sunday, February 21, 2010

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. 

Friday, February 19, 2010

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!

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Get a Life

1john5_11-12

From HeartLight Gallery

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Tonight's Service Cancelled

1312528-L

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.

Monday, February 15, 2010

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

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Calling All Laborers

field

“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).

Saturday, February 13, 2010

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

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Another Beautiful Day

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

002

Monday, January 25, 2010

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?

Saturday, January 09, 2010

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

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Death Announcement

I just received a message that Evelyn Stringfield has passed away. Sister Evelyn was a long time member of the Church of God of Prophecy at Sunbright, TN. I had the happy privilege of serving as her pastor for 8 years. Sister Evelyn was a very kind and loving lady who loved the Lord. She will be missed!

Please join me in praying for her family as they deal with this loss. Our God is faithful to comfort those who mourn. May Sister Evelyn's children and grandchildren feel that comfort during this time of grief.

Announcement from Harvest Christian Fellowship

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Special Prayer Request

I just received word today that Evelyn Stringfield, from the Sunbright Church, is in special need of prayer. Apparently, she has been in intensive care at Oak Ridge for 2 weeks already. She had a pretty serious surgery yesterday and is expected to be in the hospital for a while. Please join me in praying for her!