This is our newest "baby" in the church. I actually got to see him being born! Nickolas Ray. He's the firstborn son of Derik and Sharon and grandson of Ray and Sandy.
He was dedicated last Sunday evening. I can't wait until he's up and running. :)
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Days to come...
My last post was on "Days Gone By..." the history of our lives.
At some point in our life the realization that our days are numbered and God is the one who knows that number really becomes a loudly proclaimed TRUTH.
I suppose the subject of mortality has been in the back of my mind ever since my "cancer" diagnosis a few years ago. Once "death" almost smacks you in the face I think one begins to "think" a little differently about "life and living". You begin to review your "living" of life and what may once have been so important suddenly becomes the "least" important on your list. One's outlook on life drastically changes. Your WINDOW's view of the WORLD is different today than it was yesterday when you thought your life was in your own hands. We never "expect" to die. We always think that's for older people and until it hits your own life or family it seems distant.
Yes, I believe God is totally in control of my life. Yes, I believe in His faithfulness, and love. No, I'm not doubting His mercy and goodness. He is GOD and He is GOOD all the time. Yes, I believe in His WORD. I love His Word. I love to feel His presence HUG me and I love to feel His Shekinah Glory sweep over the congregation during a church service. I love God with ALL my Heart, Mind, and Soul!!
I KNOW He's there through all of life's twists and turns, ups and downs. Yes, He's there! Even during a trying day full of trials and hardships... He's there and I know he's there! Some of my days are not perfect in this imperfect world I live in... but He's there! I'm not giddy with a school-girl infatuation, I've a deep rooted love and JOY in my Salvation!
When "those days" come... I can begin to "Praise Him" and praise right through the trial. I've had the Holy Ghost since just after my 8th Birthday... He has never disappointed me. I'm not one of His perfect children (are there any?)... I have my days when I have to get a grip on my attitude. I work with the public everyday and I cannot reflect inner feelings to my clients.
I'm one of those pilgrims who are on a journey through this world and I'm headed for the PROMISE Land. The path may be rough at times... but there's always the "refreshing time" of His presence when He's walking right beside us, leading and guiding us on that path.
As a pastor's wife of 40-years, I've seen those newly birthed struggle with the cares and concerns of life and sometimes the baggage of their past life seems to cling tightly. My concern is that we pray, teach, and be REAL people to these who struggle with trials and tribulations.
Time marches on... tomorrow will be here in about 4 minutes! I want to be REAL to 
Maybe some who are reading this think I'm being "un-joyful", I'm not! But I've seen the hurting, the helpless, and the hopeless. Our cities are full of them. My heart goes out to those who are "forgotten" or "overlooked" and I'm not just talking about the homeless.
And there go I, except by the grace and mercy of God...
I never want to forget that could be me. Yes, I'm thankful I was raised in a God-fearing Pentecostal-Apostolic home. Yes, I'm thankful for Sunday School teachers and ministers/pastors who taught the Word. I'm thankful for the fellowship of my Brothers and Sisters in the LORD. I'm thankful for a husband/pastor who preaches and teaches God's Word. I am blessed!
Well Tomorrow has arrived...and it's another Day I choose to purposely live for Jesus.
Let's be REAL for JESUS... I always think of the "Velveteen Rabbit" story... I want to have bare spots, torn spots, lose an ear or eye, come unstitched with the stuffing hanging out from being "used" everyday. I want to be vulnerable, open and willing to be used anyway He wants to use me. I don't want to be stuck on the shelf and never taken down.
Let Him choose me, that's my prayer!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
It's Here...2009!
I'll be quite honest, when I was young, I never thought I would see this year, let alone 2000. It seemed so far away, a distant realm never to be reached. Whew, it has sped toward me like lightening streaking from the heavenlies!
Bud and I celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary December 24th and while we didn't do anything special yet, as we were in Missouri with Fred's family, we will plan something. My boss always gives me a gift card to a local restaurant for Christmas to use for our anniversary and we enjoy that, especially since it's free! :)
This past year has in some ways been an unusual year. Bud was busy with trips to Illinois caring for his mother and then her death on Easter Sunday.
I'm "missing" my grandkids today! I would love to see all of them and our great granddaughter, Chloe. She's two now!!!!! They are all growing up so fast. Our oldest(Tim's son), Brian is 21 years old! And Jason's 
son, Brock will be 16 in April!
And Kailee our precious granddaughter 
Oh by the way, if any of my dear sons or daughters are reading this... I NEED some photos of these dear grandchildren... school pix... please!
We had our Watch Night service last night. Started at 8pm with a break around 10:15 for sandwiches and coffee & dessert. All our ministers spoke and then pastor spoke last with it ending right at midnight with prayer. All spoke from their hearts.
My thoughts for the New Year:
I've been thinking about resolutions and goals. Some people are very goal oriented almost to the point that if their goals aren't met within their allotted time they become depressed. I am a list maker. I do like to set goals. However, I am not "stuck" to those goals. Some might say... "I wouldn't even write down any goals if I had that attitude about them." I've found that "the best laid plans of mice and men..." :D We have to be open to change. God never changes, but we have to be open to change for Him. This can be really difficult for some; to make plans and then have them totally changed. As I mentioned, I am a list maker. I have lists for everything! I occasionally misplace these lists! :D I don't like going to the grocery store (Sam's club) without my list. I like to get the items on my list and then, "I'm outta there". Shopping is not one of my favorite things to do anymore!
Back to my thought... the LORD gave me this scripture in Philippians 3:13-16 for the New Year:
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (emphasis added)
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. (NKJ)
I love the way the Amplified reads:
13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.
15 So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also.
16 Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.
After all... whatever goals or aspirations I have for this coming year... they should revolve around "the main goal". "Keeping the main thing, the main thing" as Bro. Tenney's book title states. I can't undo last years mistakes or things not accomplished, I can only begin again. It's a new year and a new day in the LORD... I want to press/strain toward that higher calling! He is calling us.
The "unknown" of 2009 can be daunting! But when I was first diagnosed with cancer this came into my possession, I don't remember how or when, but I know it was during a dark, alone period of time:
"When you come to the edge of all the light you know, and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown,
Faith is knowing one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly."
I've never looked to see who the author was, but the words soothed my soul and they still do!
I'm looking forward to whatever 2009 holds... I do know it has put me closer to His blessed returning, maybe sooner than I realize!
Have a blessed NEW YEAR with Jesus!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday, November 6, 2008
This WORLD is NOT MY HOME...
This World is Not My Home...I'm just a passing through...
Remember that old song? I remember singing that song all through my childhood and young adult life. It’s been awhile since I’ve heard it. It was brought to mind recently.
Let me preface this post by saying, “I am proud to be an American”, and I enjoy living in the United States of America with all the privileges that includes. I was born here, grew up here, and I’m still here! I enjoy living here.
BUT... THIS WORLD (USA included) is NOT MY HOME!
This country was birthed on the HOPE of religious freedom. And while this freedom may have been interpreted beyond our forefathers intent – none the less, it is a freedom many other countries do not allow.
However, I do believe that the “Christians” freedoms will be slowly and subtly removed. While we are required to be tolerant of stated Biblical sins, we are not recipients of that same tolerance by “others”. I believe this is only going to escalate as time marches on.
The recently elected President is by the “people’s choice”. There is a generational change taking place. Our world as we have known it is soon passing. We don’t know what changes await us. I do not FEAR these changes. I personally know the one who is in ultimate control.
My concern is not in whom our country VOTED in as President, but my concern is if WE, the CHURCH, are ready and how WE the CHURCH will handle this change.
I am concerned for our YOUTH—Church and World. We must not let down our standards, give up teaching our doctrine, or compromise our beliefs in any way.
We must not lose our HOPE of a better place, greater than this world that’s being prepared for us (and I’m not talking about a mansion filled with “possessions”).
This change is going to precipitate the “sifting” of the Church like never before. We will be tried, tested, and persecuted. We will learn where our true priority lies. We will learn what is MOST important to us. I pray it’s not our homes, cars, clothes, and all the extra trappings this World throws at us as necessities.
I do believe there is coming soon, a time when we won’t give those “things” a second thought or glance. The TRUE BELIEVER will have risen above the materialist greed this World offers.
We will find that simply gathering together in small or large groups for prayer, praise, and worship of the MOST HIGH will provide our JOY and will be our greatest priority.
Oh yes, I know... We are in this world (but not of it). I have to go to work to pay bills and feed my face and buy gas for my car... but these are only for my earthly, fleshly existence.
As one grows older and sees the changes taking place and reviews the changes that have already taken place in their own life span... then you begin to realize, this is truly HISTORY in the MAKING and you begin to contemplate what the future has in store.
That’s when PRAYER becomes the only solace for the heart. We travail for our children, grandchildren, family, church family, and the lost of this world. Only true intercessory prayer is going to SAVE the LOST of this generation. The “pull” of this world is both subtle and strong at the same time. PRAY for OUR CHILDREN, they are and will face a World we’ve never known.
I leave you with these scriptures:
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 & 17-18
- 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
- 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
- John 15:19
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. - John 17:14
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. - John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. - 1 John 5:4
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. - 1 John 2:15
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. - John 9:5
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
(This was written in the wee hours of post-election morning. I was unable to post it online before leaving for work.)
Friday, September 26, 2008
Will our economy Collapse?
World Network of Prayer
September 26, 2008
Dear Friend and Prayer Partner.
I am sending you information I received in a letter from Pastor Ken Wilde, head of the National Center in Washington, DC. He is onsite with a prayer team as you receive this letter.
Yesterday he met with a Senator who is on the Senate Banking Committee. That senior Senator proceeded to inform him of the details of the crisis that we are now in and its ramifications. He informed us that last Thursday we were hours away from a total collapse in our economy!
Ken Wilde goes on to say:
It was barely averted by taking some steps to bolster the mutual fund accounts. This Senator has been in coordination with his committee and with the Treasury Secretary, the Federal Reserve President, and with the President in attempting to come up with a plan that will bring our economy back to solvency. This is a serious and major concern because it affects all of us.
I think that this is no less a threat than the attack by terrorists on September 11, 2001. Once again it is time for Christians and Americans to humble themselves and pray to the one true God that we would hear from heaven and He would heal our land. I felt the Lord speak to me that it is time to call for Sacred Assemblies to be held across the nation and that we in concerted effort cry out to God in humility and repentance to heal our land. We may not be a nation that is known for setting up idols of wood or stone, but perhaps, we as a nation have been guilty of worshipping the idol of materialism and greed. I do know this, if we repent, God will relent!
Perhaps we need to heed the words Benjamin Franklin spoken during Constitutional Convention he spoke these words: I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth-that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?"
We are now at a moment in time at which we, and our leaders, must devote ourselves to a time of prayer and repentance and acknowledgment that we surely cannot survive unless God himself intervenes.
With the multiple crises facing our nation it appears that a "Perfect Storm" of spiritual darkness is brewing in the atmosphere of our country.
If you take even a brief look at the various events in today's headlines you begin to see that we are on the brink of a "perfect storm" of darkness. The recent terrible hurricanes earlier this fall that ravaged the gulf coast give us a glimpse in the natural of the raw destructive power of storms. It was declared on many newscasts by reporters and governmental officials that our gulf coast infrastructure cannot take much more of this! We must gather our spiritual meteorologists, reporters, aid workers, appointed officials, and financial resources and prepare to push back, offer aid, and strengthen the spiritual infrastructure to withstand the chaos that threatens to swirl around us. One glance at today's headlines gives us a glimpse at our national stormy spiritual weather forecast. Probably foremost on our minds is the economic storm that threatens to engulf us!
This is not a Republican storm, nor a Democratic storm! This is an American storm!
Regardless of where you stand politically, I am certain of where you stand spiritually! America has been the largest mission sending, humanitarian providing nation that has ever existed! Do you think that the Kingdom of Darkness will sit idly by and not try to hinder? If evil can stop us from continuing to send missionaries, and stand for freedom and justice, then all the good that our nation has done spiritually and economically for the past 200 hundred years ceases! If Satan can deplete our resources, perhaps he feels he can diminish our destiny! When our president states that "Our entire economy is in danger" that brings a dark cloud over missions financing and evangelism.
THERE IS MORE AT STAKE THAN JUST THE ECONOMY!
What does it mean when the cumulative headlines scream at us and our enemies pronounce our end! The ardent Muslim president of Iran, Ahmadinejad, declared a few days ago at a United Nations speech right here in our nation that allows the "freedom of speech" (while Christians are persecuted for speaking up for Jesus in his nation!), that the 'American empire is reaching the end of the road'! I pray that his bitter words not be fulfilled! The European Union warns us that Iran is nearing the ability to arm a nuclear weapon. North Korea removed the seals from its nuclear plant and chased out the inspectors stating that it was restarting its atomic program. Russia arrived with its Navy in Venezuela for exercises today! I am not trying to be political! I am trying to be practical!
You have never heard me speak like this, but please don't tune me out! I am not trying to become an "Endtimes Fanatic"! These are all real headlines! This appears to be a Satanic "Perfect Storm" of events! It's not about whether America has always done everything right, we haven't. It's time to repent for our nation, and the spirit of greed and pride that seems to have brought us to the brink of calamity!
There is no doubt that we are in perilous times. There is more at stake than your mortgage or retirement!
There are eternal consequences to this moment in history!
During these difficult times I have been comforted with a scripture out of Psalms:
"I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the lovingkindness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord". (Psalm 27:13-14, NLV)
Today, I (Pastor Ken Wilde), with the National Prayer Center is meeting with more Senators and Congressmen. Not to politic, but to pray! Not to decide who was right and who was wrong, but to ask for God's mercy. Would you please pray that God will give them favor? And that the leaders that they meet with would have the courage to call for a time of prayer and repentance. That they would have the wisdom of Solomon and that many would join them in humility before God. He is the only one that can help in times like these.
These are critical times-the time to pray is now. Please join us in prayer and invite your friends and church to a season of prayer until we see breakthrough for our nation. This is about more than banks, and stock markets, this is about darkness against light. The only answer is to seek God and His wisdom.
Here are some Prayer Points:
1. Pray for a spirit of humility and repentance among our leaders.
2. Pray for an answer to this economic crisis.
3. Pray for favor for Pastor Ken Wilde and others when meeting with Congressional leaders.
4. Pray that Congressional leaders would heed the call for prayer at this moment.
5. Pray that Christians would understand the signs of the times activate prayer at a new level.
6. Pray for wisdom for our President, Congressional Leaders, and Financial Leaders.
7. Pray that God would hear our prayers and heal our land as we humble ourselves in repentance before Him.
Please feel free to forward this to anyone you feel would benefit from it and would be interested in praying.
Thank you for your concern and prayers.
Thetus Tenney
International Coordinator
World Network of Prayer
Friday, July 18, 2008
Out of the mouths of babes...
Where do I start? I wish I had been journaling all these amazing things I hear from my Sunday School students! I could write a book. Children are wonderful and amazing little people, if you REALLY listen to them. Hardly a Sunday goes by that I'm not either almost in tears (they can relate some heart-wrenching stories) or chuckling to myself listening to them.
Children are much more aware of what's going on around them than we realize! They can be as talking, doing some activity with their hands, and even scuffling with their best friend and STILL be aware of what you're saying and what's going on in their presence. Don't be fooled by that "blank" look they can give you! :)
I've been teaching on angels, heaven, salvation, etc. the last few Sundays and this past Sunday I was teaching on heaven, what it's like, how to get there, who'll be there, etc. And when I gave the illustration of "in the twinkling of an eye"... and we'll rise to meet Him in the air... and I said "kind of like a balloon when you let it 
go"... and one little guy said, very earnestly and seriously, " You mean we're going to BLAST off?" Yes, Robert... one of these days we are going to blast off this ole earth... and we've got to be ready.
Kids do make you think about things... sometimes we just rattle something off to satisfy their persistent curiosity... but they do hear what we say!
This same little guy, who is into all the ACTION heroes of this world... when I was telling about how Jesus could have called 100's, 1000's, and even 10,000 and more of angels to save him from dying on the cross... Robert's little eyes became very thoughtful and he repeated after me, "100's, 1,000's and tens of thousands of angels, WOW, a whole ARMY of Angels". He was totally in awe that Jesus didn't call his army of angels to save him from dying. That he chose to die on the cross for our salvation. It is awesome. It never ceases to saturate my soul with His love and compassion when I hear this preached or relate this to my students. It is not an "occurrence" way in the past! When we come to Jesus for salvation... he has died for each and every one of us.
The ANGELS rejoice when we find Jesus! How awesome can that be? My students thought that was neat and proceeded to "rejoice" like they thought the angels do! (I wish we could let loose and do what they were doing in our worship services, or at least do it more often than we do.)
He is JOY Unspeakable and FULL of GLORY...
(I will try to remember and write what I hear... it's awesome and amazing to listen to these little people.)
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Random thoughts and photos...
It has been a busy 2-months for me. Moving my parent's in with us has been an adjustment for all of us. But we are doing just that... adjusting. My mom has settled in quickly... my dad... it's hard for him. We are out of his "known" territory and "stomping grounds" and since his eyesight is almost totally gone... he can no longer drive or read. For a man who was constantly reading and studying... this is extremely difficult for him to accept. Listening to CD's or tapes is just NOT the same as READING the WORD. I suppose this could be a lesson for ALL of us... READ while we can! I simply cannot imagine not being able to read. Books are my lifeline! It seems I've always read!
My mother will "shoot me dead" if she sees this photo... but we were at DQ getting ready to eat/drink a blizzard and some startling news came on their BIG screen TV (this is something new in our DQ)...
I probably won't show her this picture :D
Here's a photo of them at the surprise "Welcome" party our church gave them after their first service with us.
This is my Dad with "Tina" their almost 16-year old Chihuahua before we left Missouri for Tennessee. She is their baby!
Back in April we had our first strawberries of the year and leaf lettuce from the produce store just down the hill from our house. They were delicious and I dried the lettuce in the salad dryer and kept it in an airtight bag for almost a week! I'm not big on "head lettuce" or Boston lettuce. It just doesn't have the flavor of REAL lettuce or a good Spring Mix.
My first Rhododendron bloom of the year! I've buds all over the plant this year.
This is my back yard... which slopes down hill and we have left "natural". It is exceptionally filled with "green" growth this year. I guess the combination of rain, sun, and temperature was just right this spring... because I don't ever remember it being this "lush" this soon in the year! Hubby keeps the area around our patio and dog run clear... but the rest is left for all the "creatures" including the deer. The kudzu has just now turned green. Fortunately, we do NOT have kudzu in our yard. The beautiful mystical shapes are delightful to look at as long as they are on someone else's property and not mine!!!!
I've many more photos of our plants around the house and will try to be more diligent in posting regularly.
One last photo... my GREAT Granddaughter, Chloe. My dear daughter-in-law sent me these recent photos they had taken of her.
I have more... but will not weary you with them ALL right now.
This is her "I'm so EXCITED" expression.
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