Christmas Banquet and Guest Speaker

This Sunday the members and friends of the Waverly CGP are invited to a Christmas service and banquet with guest speaker Jason Carney.  Jason Carney and his wife, Lindsey and their three children will be our special guests.  Jason recently served as Youth Pastor, of Friendship Freewill Baptist Church, Bear Wallow Road, Ashland City, TN.  He and Lindsey have one biological young daughter and two adopted young sons from Russia.  We look forward to their visit and Jason's ministry.

Pastors Karen and Milton Gordon will provide the banquet meal as a Christmas gift to the members and friends of the Waverly church.  Service is scheduled to begin at 10:30 and there will be no Sunday School.  The banquet meal will be served immediately after the service.  All are welcome.  The following is the menu furnished by pastors.  We ask those who will to bring a drink, coke, tea, juice.  Coffee will be furnished.

Turkey, Dressing, Cranberry Sauce

Baked, Smoked Ham

Mashed Potatoes, Gravy

Green Beans

Cream Corn Home Style

Slaw

Vegetable Tray and Dip

Fruit Tray

Coconut Cream Cake

German Chocolate Cake

Pumpkin Pie

Cheese Cake

UPDATE ON UGANDA MISSION TRIP

We continue to plan and prepare for our journey to be in and participate in the Uganda, Africa COGOP National Convention.*  Karen is also continuing to bake items for sale to help with our trip and for an offering for the ministry in Uganda.  She is also making crochet scarfs to keep warm for $10-12 each.  She is full right now on scarf orders but can take more after next week. This is a good time to order homemade coconut cakes for Christmas or scarfs for the cold days ahead.  You can order other baked items as well (send FB message).  We have received $900.00 (part for Karen and I and part for Sarah) in donations and have raised about $285.00 in profits from bake and scarf sales.

The date for departure is planned for January 18th.  The National Convention is scheduled for January 22-26.  We will be in flight 2.3 days total for the round trip.  We will arrive late night January 19th.  Overseer, Ntezimana James has advised that we arrive a day or two early to rest before the convention and to rest a day or two after the convention before we board on January 28th to return on January 29th. 

We are continuing to get the needed items together for the flight and stay in Uganda.  Here is a brief list of items we have completed or need to complete for the journey to Uganda....

1.  Shots for hepatitis A and B (Milton had first round, Karen took First round today 12/10/13)
2.  Shots for Yellow Fever (done for all three)
3.  Malaria medication (to be prescribed in the next few weeks)
4.  Application for Visas (mailed12/05/05 with yellow fever documentation and other items of identity)
5.  Flight plan, schedule and tickets (completed 12/09/13 on Delta airways), travel meals to and from, other misc. expense. 
6.  Luggage (purchased 12/10/13 at a great price), clothing and other items for trip and stay of 7-8 days
7.  Continuing prayer for the Uganda COGOP National Convention.

Those who wish to donate (any amount is appreciated) can send it to Church of God of Prophecy, P. O. Box 2319, Hendersonville, TN 37077 or 807 Powers Blvd, Waverly, TN 37185 or 1117 Jason Circle, Ashland City, TN 37015.  Earmark it for either the trip or the offering to Uganda, Africa COGOP.  We will have records of all donations and funds raised for the mission trip.  We plan to bring a good offering for the ministry in Uganda. 

Most of all, your prayer support and covering is needed above all else.

*You can read more detail about the trip in a previous post on this BLOG site.  Click here.

Update On Uganda, Africa Mission Trip

We continue to plan and prepare for our journey to be in and participate in the Uganda, Africa COGOP National Convention.*  Karen is also continuing to bake items for sale to help with our trip and for an offering for the ministry in Uganda.  She is also making crochet scarfs to keep warm for $10-12 each.  This is a good time to order homemade coconut cakes for Christmas or scarfs for the cold days ahead.  You can order other baked items as well (send FB message).  We have realized approximately $800.00 in donations and have raised about $225.00 in profits from bake and scarf sales.

The date for departure is planned for January 18th.  The National Convention is scheduled for January 22-26.  We will be in flight 2.5 days total for the round trip.  We will arrive late January 19th or early January 21st.  Overseer, Ntezimana James has advised that we arrive a day early to rest before the convention and to rest a day or two after the convention before we board on January 28th to return on January 29th.

We are continuing to get the needed items together for the flight and stay in Uganda.  Here is a brief list of items we have completed or need to complete for the journey to Uganda....

1.  Shots for hepatitis A and B (Milton had first round, Karen to take First round Next week)
2.  Shots for Yellow Fever (appointment scheduled for Wed., Dec. 4, 4 pm for consult and shots)
3.  Malaria medication (to be prescribed the week before we leave)
4.  Application for Visas (to be mailed with yellow fever documentation and other items of identity)
5.  Flight plan, schedule and tickets, travel meals to and from, other misc. expense
6.  Luggage, clothing and other items for trip and stay of 7-8 days
7.  Prayer for the Uganda COGOP National Convention.

Those who wish to donate (any amount is appreciated) can send it to Church of God of Prophecy, P. O. Box 2319, Hendersonville, TN 37077.  Earmark it for either the trip or the offering to Uganda, Africa COGOP.  We plan to bring a good offering for the ministry in Uganda.

Most of all, your prayer support and covering is needed above all else.

*You can read more detail about the trip in a previous post on this BLOG site.  Click here.

Weekly Update On Uganda, Africa Trip

We continue to plan and prepare for our journey to be in the Uganda, Africa COGOP National Convention.*  Karen is also continuing to bake items for sale to help with our trip and for an offering for the ministry in Uganda.  This is a good time to order homemade coconut cakes for Thanksgiving (today is the last day) and for Christmas.  You can order other baked items as well (send FB message).  Here is a brief list of items we have completed or need to complete for the journey to Uganda....

1.  Shots for hepatitis A & B (Milton had first round, Karen to take First round Monday 23rd)
2.  Shots for Yellow Fever (scheduling shot appt., taking shots and securing documentation for entry to Uganda)
3.  Malaria medication (to be prescribed the week before we leave)
4.  Application for Visas (to be mailed with yellow fever documentation and other items of identity)
5.  Flight plan, schedule and tickets, travel meals to and from, other misc. expense
6.  Luggage, clothing and other items for trip and stay of 7-8 days
7.  Prayer for the Uganda COGOP National Convention.

Those who wish to donate (any amount is appreciated) can send it to Church of God of Prophecy, P. O. Box 2319, Hendersonville, TN 37077.  Earmark it for either the trip or the offering to Uganda, Africa COGOP.

Most of all, your prayer support and covering is needed more than anything.

*You can read more detail about the trip in a previous post on this BLOG site.  Click here.

Update On Uganda, Africa Trip

The progress of our Uganda, Africa trip is moving along well.  Karen continues to bake homemade coconut cakes for $20.00 (I help her some).  If you want one for Thanksgiving we need to know no later than Friday of this week.  Anyone in the Nashville, Ashland City, Dickson and Waverly area can have one delivered this Sunday morning early or in the afternoon.  Also anyone in the Nashville and Ashland City area can have one delivered on Mon., Tues., Wed. of next week.  By Friday we will need your delivery address or where to meet to deliver the cake on Sunday.  Cakes will keep in the fridge for several days and/or can be fozen. We will bake some as well for Christmas.  Karen is baking other items as well (caramel pies and more) Leave message for what you may want on FB and we will let you know.  We are using the funds for the trip and for an offering for the Uganda ministries.

We thank those who are praying and have already given funds (some have given through the Waverly COGOP).  Karen and my daughter Sarah are planning to go on this trip.  Donations can be mailed to the state office earmarked for Uganda trip.  (Church of God of Prophecy, P.O. Box 2319, Hendersonville, TN 37077).

Most of all, we ask for prayer support and covering for this journey.  

Journey To Africa...

I am writing this post to offer information and to ask for prayer and support.  I have been invited to participate in the Church of God of Prophecy National Convention in Jinja, Uganda.

A few years ago we had a special guest in our parsonage home for about twelve days.  Bishop Ntezimana James, National Overseer of Uganda, Africa, visited with us after the General Assembly.  He shared much about his nation, the people there and how the Church of God of Prophecy is growing as people are being born again into the kingdom of God and being added to the church.  It was during this time that Bishop James and myself developed a good friendship.  He preached a few times at the Huntingdon, TN COGOP where I was pastor at the time.  I transported him around Tennessee to several churches where he ministered before I took him to Nashville to board his flight to Uganda.  We have seen each other a few times in General Assemblies since around 2006 (if I remember correctly) and communicated on Facebook at irregular times over the past few years as often as possible since he has to use an Internet cafe for messaging.  At various times over the past 6-7 years Bishop James has asked me to come visit and minister sometime there in Uganda and I have passed it off as his way of showing kindness to me.  He has asked several times and I have told him that it would be better to have someone else come.  A few weeks ago he asked me again to come and speak in the Uganda, COGOP National Convention.  At first, I thought, well, here we go again, I will kindly say thank you for the invitation and suggest that he contact someone else.  Then, I thought, I need to pray about this and told him I would pray and give him an answer.  After praying about this and briefly speaking to a couple trusted friends, I believe it is the Lord's will for me to go.  There is another twist to this that I will share here later.

Now, I am in the process of getting whatever is needed to make the journey.  This is totally new to me and I am open for advise, suggestions and pointers from those who have made these types of journeys.  I have a passport and need to get a visa.  The the best plane ticket, round trip, on Delta is about $1500.00 for one person.  I stress best, since it will get us there in about 30 hours with a couple layovers.  Other flights are two or three days with all night layovers.  I also plan to take an offering to the church in Uganda for furthering the work there.  If you would like to give, mail it to the Church of God of Prophecy, State Office, P.O. Box 2319, Hendersonville, TN 37077-2319.  The state office is best for the accounting of the funds since there is an independent audit each year.  Bishop McKinley has agreed to do this and we are thankful.  Also, if you wish to help us with our expenses on the trip, earmark it for trip expense.  Please don't leave it blank.  Put either for the trip expense or for the offering for Uganda.

LET ME BE CLEAR, Bishop James has never asked for any type of offering or funds in any of our conversations or messages.  The only thing he has ever asked me for is a text book that he needed in studying leadership development.  I tried to get it to him through Amazon but was unable to because of transport issues.  I am boosting an offering for the work there on my own volition and asking God to help us with this grace also.  Bishop James and the ministers there are working to reach new people and establish new churches.  Here is part of a message he sent me this past January...."Here God has started blessing us with New field work. I opened one new church in Kisoro on 1st Jan.2013 and on sunday 6th i opened the 2nd one in Dokolo Town. what a blessing."

Now for the twist to this trip that I mentioned earlier.  My wife spoke to her principal briefly about me going to minister in Africa and what possibilities it would be for her to go with me.  He was very positive about it and even encouraged her to go.  She has some professional development days and is going to speak with the Human Resources department about going with me.  In the next few days she will be working on this and we ask for prayer that it go according to God's will for her as well as for me.  We believe God has this in His hands and we go simply to lift up Jesus, share the gospel, and build His kingdom as members and ministers in the Church of God of Prophecy.

We ask for prayer from those who will pray and support from any who believe God would have you to be a part of this journey financially.  We have accepted the invitation with the understanding that we, personally, must count the cost and want to abound in this grace also.  It is not a vacation or sightseeing trip, although, we plan and hope to enjoy the trip and see some sights along the way.  It is a journey to minister for God, His glory and to minister to the people there.  I am insufficient and inadequate to minister there but God is all-sufficient and Jesus has promised that the Holy Spirit will guide, empower and anoint.  With continued prayer and preparation we will, by God's grace, make the journey, minister to the people, send and bring news back to share with others.  We seek the Lord's guidance and wisdom in all of this. 

POST-SCRIPT: Karen has been able to work out the time to be off through her principal and her main office.  At this point it is a go for her to be with me.  PTL!  

Faith and Forgiveness - Inseparable

Faith simply is trusting something or someone.  We often hear the word faith used casually.  Someone may say, "I have faith that he or she will do what they said."  Faith in the Scripture is more than a casual word.  Faith is vital for a healthy relationship with God.  "Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)  So without faith a person cannot please God.  Without believing that God is and that diligently seeking HIM is top priority, one cannot please HIM.

Jesus encouraged and instructed his disciples to have faith in God.  There are several occasions when He directly dealt with His disciples about their lack of faith.  He addressed them sternly when a father brought a son to them for healing from a controlling evil spirit and they did not have the faith to see the boy healed.  He addressed them in another Scripture about having faith to remove a mountain.  He used mountain to compare with something else that oftentimes seems insurmountable in a person's life.

First, lets look at his encounter with the disciples after they did not have faith for a lad to be delivered from an evil spirit.  They had seen many miracles previous to this encounter but when the father brought his son for prayer and deliverance they found themselves lacking in faith to see the boy healed.  The father brought the boy to Christ and told the plight of his son.  He clearly told Jesus that he brought the child to the disciples for deliverance and they could not help him.  Jesus then says, "O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me." (Mark 9:19)  Jesus gave the disciples a clear rebuke for their lack of faith.  The boy was then brought to Jesus but the evil spirit acted out throwing the boy on the ground foaming at the mouth.  Jesus then asked the father how long ago since the boy was first attacked by the evil spirit.  The father told him since he was a child and that the spirit sometimes threw him into the fire and sometime in the water.  He then asked for compassion to heal the boy.  Jesus then says, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." (Mark 9:23) The father then cried out with tears, "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."  The man humbly confesses and cries out for help for the unbelief in his life.  Jesus then rebuked the foul spirit when he saw the multitude running together towards them.  The evil spirit convulsed the boy and threw him to the ground foaming at the mouth. 

The one emphasis in the passage is clear - Jesus was emphatic to the disciples and the father about the need of believing or having faith in God.  When the boy was on the ground silent and still, like he was dead after the evil spirit was cast out, Jesus reached down and lifted the boy up delivered, healed and whole.  When Jesus went into the house his disciples asked why they could not cast the evil spirit out.  He told them, "Because of your unbelief, for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." (Matthew 17:20)  Here we see Jesus clearly and pointedly telling the disciples that they could not cast out the evil spirit because of their lack of faith.  It is not coincidental that He uses the analogy of faith to remove a mountain.  He is driving home the necessity of faith in God.  In the next verse he tells them that prayer and fasting brings about faith in God which brings God's healing and intervention.  The fasting and prayer deals with the fleshly me and I type of faith and focuses on faith in God.

There is another mountainous analogy that we find our Lord speaking to the disciples about in dealing with faith.  It is on the occasion of Christ driving money changers out of the temple and saying my house shall be called a house of prayer.  He also had passed by a fig tree and cursed it because there was no fruit on it to eat.  The next day when He and the disciples passed by the fig tree it was withered away.  Peter acknowledged the dried up fig tree and Jesus used the opportunity to teach about faith saying, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed and cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass, he shall have whatsoever he saith.  Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them, AND when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also in heaven may forgive your trespasses.  But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven for your trespasses." (Mark 11:22-26)  Notice here in the Scripture that the conjunction AND continues the thought Jesus is teaching His disciples on faith moving the mountain and casting it into the sea.  Is the mountain that Jesus is speaking of unforgiveness?  Isn't it clear that faith in God is contingent upon forgiveness?  Isn't it true that one cannot pray the prayer of faith and cannot receive the forgiveness of God when there is reluctant or rebellious unforgivenness in a person's life?  One cannot have faith in God when praying with unforgiveness his/her heart.  Jesus continues his statement with reference to forgiveness when we pray, "AND when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any.."  If  there is a reluctant or rebellious lack of forgiveness in the praying person would it not delay, diminish or even delete faith unless or until forgiveness is given?  Faith and forgiveness are inseparable.

Is it not amazing and that Jesus seizes this opportunity to teach the disciples a lesson on faith and forgiveness?  There are people in ministry that emphasize faith yet have rebellious unforgiveness in their lives and hearts.  There are ministers who preach a faith word ministry but hardly deal with issues of offenses and forgiveness.  When forgiveness is exercised in a person's life faith is increased.  When faith is exercised forgiveness becomes the focus.  Faith and forgiveness are inseparable and dynamically congruent.  When prayer to God and forgiveness to others and ourselves are offered and given faith is the fruit.  Forgiveness is the catalyst for faith in God when forgiveness is needed in the praying person.  The mountain of loss, hurt and anger are cast into the sea of healing by the prayer of forgiveness-faith.  Loss will come in life.  Hurt will come in life.  Anger will come at times but does not have to be acted out as sin when forgiveness is chosen.  The prayer of forgiveness-faith in the faithful God of faith and forgiveness will bring the victory through the Supreme Forgiver - Jesus Christ.  Those who pray to God with loss, hurt and anger simply ask the Holy Spirit to help them focus on the Supreme Forgiver and pray the prayer of forgiveness-faith.  The prayer can simply be, "Father of all forgiveness and faith, I come to you through your Son who hung on the cross and cried, 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do,' and now I forgive and pray in faith, believing that my prayer will be heard and answered.  I ask forgiveness for the anger that I have allowed myself to be captured in, I forgive that person who caused loss and hurt in my life and I thank you for the forgiving spirit that you have given me to forgive the loss and hurt that I have experienced.  Now, O Mighty God of faithfulness and forgiveness, this mountain is removed and cast into the sea of healing grace."  AMEN!  AMEN! and AMEN!