When God is Silent

Is God ever silent in your life?  Dr. R. T. Kendall wrote this devotion a few days ago and it is taken from his book The Sensitivity of the Spirit which is an awesome book.  Click here to read this devotion.

Sermon Notes April 26, 2009

Here are the sermon notes from the first Sunday in our new building:  "CrossRoads:  A Place Where Your Life Can Intersect With God in a Life-Changing Way"  Isaiah 6:1-13  Click here

Easter Sunday's Sermon

Here are the notes of my sermon Easter Sunday:  "Fully Equipped for the Journey" from Romans 8:9-11.  Click here

Well Glory

Well Glory! What a weekend that we have experienced in the presence of God in the opening weekend at our new property. Let me give you a recap:

Friday night we had a major youth concert that filled the new auditorium with youth and adults for a good night of worship. Darrin English preached between the two bands and did a fabulous job, as he always does.

Then Saturday morning, we met at 8:00 to "March" from the old facility to the new. It was a unique experience that few ever get to experience in changing locations. As we marched, we went by Word of Truth Church, so we stopped and prayed for them. It is rather unique, but today (Sunday) is also the day Word of Truth is installing a new pastor, Mitchell Reed, and I had the privilege of attending the installation service this afternoon.

As we gathered at the new place, we started praying and then began over 25 hours of uninterrupted reading of the Word of God. It was one of the most powerful experiences that I have been involved in personally and with the church.

What a joy to read aloud the Word of God for 15 minutes. The Holy Spirit would just come in freshness and power. Then to sit in the auditorium to listen to others read and it would happen again. Then to experience members of the church read and begin to weep as they read portions of Scripture. The old, the young, families, widows, children, - all taking part. I actually did not want to leave because I was afraid I would miss something.

We read straight to the beginning of worship this morning. Then with almost a full house for our first service, the presence of God was so evident.

One other observation - amazingly the building already feels like home. I did not expect that. I anticipated that it would take time to adjust and get that "home" feeling. But it just "felt" right. I believe that is largely due to a long time of sowing into that property. Over three years someone would come on that property and pray. Then we have had prayer meetings there and have shed much sweat and tears. And then may be it was the presence of God that made it feel so good.

One of new members said to me that the first time he went into building months ago, he felt the presence of the Lord. Oh, that is my cry - your presence Lord.

Well, it has been a great weekend. I could write much more as my journal is filled with over four pages of notes that God said to me or experiences with Him in the past two days; but that is enough here.

So I conclude by saying, "Well Glory!"

This Wednesday

Wednesday is our first official service in the new building and it will be a prayer service at 6:30.  The only words spoken will be to God as we cry out with praise and thanksgiving for His wonderful blessings on us and as we cry out for His manifested presence in our midst.

All the other activities this Wednesday night will be delayed as everyone will make their way into the Auditorium for this "individual" time of prayer and supplication.

Home from Honduras and the church family is moved into our new home!!

I am home from Honduras arriving Saturday night with no hitch.  Our team was absolutely awesome as we enjoyed a very productive week, had great times of worship and prayer and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company.

This trip to Honduras to serve alongside Bro. Bobby Gibson was the most productive of my four years of going.  The attendance at the churches was better than ever, seeing the sweet children in the Children's Home was awesome and seeing how well Bro. Bobby is doing was delightful.

Sunday was our last service in the old facility that we have rented as a church since our conception April 3, 2005.  It was a special day as we closed an era, but are continuing our journey.

Then Roxanne and I hit the road to Gadsden for our youngest son's first wedding shower.  This was a man-woman shower so I had the privilege of going.  Afterwards, we visited their newly purchased home and had a quick meal with all the family.

Monday was moving day.  That's right.  Due to the tremendous response, we were able to totally move everything from the rented facility into our new building.  There was a lot of tired puppies last night, but we are in.  Now to get it all straight and then remember where we put it (haha).

The parking lot is paved and the chairs are in.  The sound is installed and sounds great.

More good news.  We found out officially yesterday that "Heart's Cry" Ministries are moving into the facility where we have been.  David and Denise Melton are the leaders of this outreach and benevolent ministry and we have had the privilege of partnering with them over the past few years.  We are so excited that the ole Dollar store will continue to be used for the Kingdom.  They are moving in immediately.

I will post later about our schedule for the week and weekend.

Last Update from Honduras

I'm sorry that I didn't write yesterday, but it was a long day. We started out at 7 AM without breakfast to head east to an area called "The ole wild west." We stopped on the road for brunch around 10. When we arrived after traveling on dirt roads for at least 10 miles or so, you would have thought nobody is coming to this service today. It is 12 noon when we start and before it is over, there were at least 65-70 people there. Where did they come from in the middle of a Thursday?

Mrs. Juanita (Bro. Bobby's wife) shared and sang. She is a very annointed lady in both her worship leadership and preaching. Jason and Shae Walton shared the messages from us. I only wish our interpreter could have shared Shae's emotion as she talked about how much Jesus loves you.

Several responded but only God knows what is in their heart.

There was a lady there who had a very badly infected and swallon hand. She attended to it as best we could and then prayed for her hand. Later, we determined she needed to go to the doctor so she rode back with us to a city for medical attention.

While Bro. Bobby and Mrs. Juanita took her to the doctor, we went shopping to get Jason and Jessica some clothes. Right - the suit cases have still not shown up. The lady then came on back with us becuase they will take her back to the doctor Monday to re-examine the hand. This city is at least two hours away.

When we got home, we were all tired; thus no communiction from me last night.

This morning finds acouple of our guys not feeling well - Mrs. Shae and Josh. I didn't think Shae was going to make it on the trip today but she is gone. Josh said he won't miss it either.

We all went to a local school here where Caleb goes. Jacob, Josh, and Jacob all spoke briefly and then I shared a message.

I returned back to the ministry center and all the rest of the crew have gone into the mountains for the afternoon. This is a trip unlike anything else you take while in Honduras. Since you have to go in the four-wheel drive truck, I chose to give an extra spot on the back. Yes, there are already 11 going.

We will have our last time with the children in the Children's Home late this afternoon and possibly a service with them tonight in the church here at the ministry center. Then it packing time for our return trip home tomorrow. We fly out at 12:20 and arrive back in Huntsville at 8:08.

Wednesday update from Honduras

We made it last night about 6:30 (7:30 AL time) to Bro. Bobby's. We arrived safely at the airport about 1:20 but after customs, Pizza Hut, grocery shopping, Brazilian Air Team Air Show, and road construction, it was 6:30 getting here.

What a greeting to see 27 children running to welcome you and wanting hugs. We spent a good bit of time with them and Jacob was a horsey with as many as 4 kids on his back at one time, Jason did the helicopter with them and all the rest gave hugs and love.

Today, Jason and Jack have started wiring a new open air kitchen for the Children's Home. Josh, Jacob and I (plus 4 boys from the Children's Home) started burning piles of bush on the new 18 acres. Everything was going well until a small fire got away and that Jacob and I was working until we needed help from Josh. Then Josh's fire got away to the degree we had to pull Jason and Jack to help. Well, everything is under control.

The ladies have been working with some of the children. What a blessing to be with these kids.

We are headed to church tonight. Josh is scheduled to preach.

Oh, still no word that our four missing suitcases have made it. But Jason got to wash his clothes last night and they were dry this morning. Jessica is borrowing clothes from Shae.

upate on Costa Rica/Honduras Mission Trip

No, you read the title right. Costa Rica/Honduras mission trip. Didn't we tell you that Costa Rica was a part of this trip. Oh, it was becuase we didn't know it until yesterday. When our team left Elgin at 4oo am Monday morning, we were expecting to be in Honduras by noon. We boarded the plane in Huntsville and was told there were storms in Atlanta resulting in at least an hour hold. We later discovered two people were killed in those storms. We finally left Huntsville at 8 am arriving in Atlanta at the same time our flight to Honduras was to leave. We literally ran through three terminals to get to our international flight only to see it sitting there at the gate but the ramp pulled back. The gate agent would not let us on.

Normally no big deal - catch another flight later in the day except Deltas next flight out is Wednesday. After over an hour of looking at possibilities from Houston and Miami, our born again Delta agent found he could get our team on a flight to Costa Rica Monday night and then we'd take COPA to Honduras on Tuesday at noon. So, we arrived in San Jose, Costa Rica last night with four bags less than what we left Huntsville with and was transferred to our hotel at Best Western for the night. Denny's is just next door so we ate again and hit the sack for a bunch of tired travelers who been up for right at 21 hours now since leaving home.

We look forward to seeing Bro. Bobby today and hitting our mission even one day late. We are all fine. This team has been troopers yesterday with a great attitude and willingness to serve. Christ has been honored. And we got to meet Marvin - the Delta agent was born again seven years ago and he said all the anger, bitterness and drunkness is gone. He was a delight to share with about the glory of God.

Pray the other four bags arrive in Honduras today. We are about an hour away from the airport and it would only hinder our mission if someone had to return back to the airport Wednesday to retreive. Jessica Butler has no luggage and Jason Walton and I join her with us missing one piece each. God knows where they are, Delta don't.

Opening Weekend in our New Building

April 24-26 is the Opening Weekend in our new building at 10932 Highway 72. We are so excited. There will be a Youth Concert on Friday, April 24. On Saturday, it begins with a "March" from the old to the new beginning at 8:00 AM followed by 24 hours of Reading from the Word of God as we "Sanctify the Sanctuary." Then Sunday morning we have our first worship service centered around Communion - His body and blood - for its all about Him. Our dedication service will be at a later date.

Mission Trip to Honduras

A team of nine from our church leaves in the morning for Honduras. I am delighted to be a part of this team as we go to serve our Lord alongside of Bro. Bobby Gibson. We return late Saturday night. This is a short trip for a mission trip but we didn't want to be gone on Easter Sunday and next Sunday (April 19) is our last service in our current location. I'll write about that in another post. Pray for us as we are gone.

In Christ Alone

As we celebrate Good Friday and Easter, here is a powerful video using scenes from "The Passion of the Christ" and the song "In Christ Alone."

Sunday's Sermon, April 5, 2009 "What Pleases God?"

Here are the notes from last Sunday's sermon "What Pleases God?"  from Romans 8: 8-10.

Recounting The Asbury Revival

Here is a good article recounting The Asbury Revival.  

Engagement Pictures of Kevin and Tammy

Our youngest son, Kevin, and his fiancee, Tammy, are getting married May 9 at Crosspoint Community Church, Gadsden, AL at 3:00 in the afternoon. Their engagement pictures may be viewed via a slideshow here. If you don't want to look at all 99 pictures, then be sure to forward to pictures 92-99 and try to figure out where the pictures were taken. (Hint: It has something to do with what Kevin's love and vocation).

Answers in Genesis Video Conference coming to Florence April 18

Answers in Genesis is one of the best ministries available today to help Christians (and anyone) understand Creation from a Biblical perspective.  We had the privilege of having them for four days in 2005.  For those in the Florence area, there is going to be a Video Conference on Saturday, April 18.  Here is the link for more information.

How To Make Wise Decisions

An excellent article here on "How To Make Wise Decisions."