Give Thanks

This is a blessed season of the year when we consider how great our God is. Sometimes it seems so small to say thank you or to express enough thankfulness for such a great God and all He is and all he does for us. We are the "apple of His eye." Even though our thankfulness seems small in comparison to His greatness and love for us, He, nevertheless, simply asks for our thankfulness. He has asked us to have an attitude of thanksgiving in all conditions and situations.

In the early 90's Karen and I pastored a church in Northeastern Tennessee - Johnson City CGP. We were blessed to meet a lady there who was blind. We transported her to church several times while we were there. She was short in stature and enjoyed sharing her songs with us. We had a stool that she would stand at the pulpit where she could hold on and there she would bless us with her singing.

One Sunday as she was getting ready to sing, she shared something that has stayed with me ever since. She said, "You know I had someone tell me one time to be thankful for being blind." I told them, "Never would I be thankful to God for this blindness but I will be thankful in all conditions, sickness, blindness and any other thing that comes my way because my God is such an awesome God and is worthy of all thanksgiving." We took her back home that day and as she got out of the car we helped her to her door and she simply said, "Thank you," which was the most significant thank you that I will ever remember.

To say "thank you" recognizes someone for something they have contributed or blessed others with or to recognize their worth. That day I was greatly blessed by this small, blind lady, not by money or temporal goods but by something far greater - a grateful spirit that would not be denied her gift to minister and share her faith in God and I thanked God in my spirit for such an example of an attitude of gratitude.

Whatever your condition, whatever you may be going through, remember being thankful is an attitude of the heart not a matter of what you are going through in this world. May we remember to "be thankful."

Benevolence and Prayer Ministry

This coming Saturday, November 13 from 10 am to 1 pm the Benevolence Ministry will be giving away items at the church sanctuary located at 807 Powers Blvd. in Waverly, TN This will be based on a first come first served basis.

There are many items such as clothing, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, and many others too numerous to mention.

We will also be ministering to those who have prayer requests and will have a place in the Sanctuary to meet with those who desire prayer or have prayer requests. We will also share some literature with them and offer Bibles to those who do not have one.

We desire, not only to give people help for their physical needs, we desire to minister to their spiritual and emotional needs.

Update

TeamUP in Murfreesboro, TN was awesome the past four days.

Tomorrow we welcome Darlene Long and family to minister at Waverly, CGP. We expect a great time in the Lord. YOU ARE INVITED.

Update

GREAT SUNDAY: We thank the Lord for a great spirit of worship and fellowship this past Sunday.  We continue to seek the Lord for a burden for the lost and for laborers in the harvest.

COMMUNITY BENEVOLENCE:  Saturday, September 18th from 10 am to 1 pm the local church will be giving away items to needy families.  These items include clothes, hygiene packets, all type of kitchen cleaners, clothes washing cleaners and other miscellaneous items.  This will be on a first come, first receive basis.  Persons will have to be present to get the items.  No one will be allowed to take items for others.  Anyone needing transportation may call 931-622-9239.

Sanctuary Face Lift

The Sanctuary has been treated for mold damage this week and also being re-sprayed and re-painted.  We hope to be in the Sanctuary this coming Sunday (tomorrow).  However, the final coat of paint was to be added yesterday but the initial coat had not dried.  Painters were supposed to check on finishing today.

We will contact everyone in time for the place of tomorrow's service if the Sanctuary is not complete or if more time is needed for drying or airing out.

Three R's of Decision Making by John C. Maxwell

I have attended seminars and training sessions by Dr. Maxwell.  My life and ministry has been enriched by the principles that he has taught over the years.  Karen and I are now Grandparents.  We appreciate the fact that Dr. Maxwell puts his family first in his work and in his teaching.

Read and practice the Three R's of Decision Making.

INTERNATIONAL ASSEMBLY

The International Assembly for 2010 of the Church of God of Prophecy is now history.  Many have commented that it was the most spiritual and Holy Spirit led of all Assemblies ever.  That could be challenged, perhaps, by some who attended some Assemblies in the distant past but I would agree that it was the best one I have attended in many years.  Surely, we believe that God is moving his kingdom and church forward in these last days and we believe there will be dynamic growth throughout the CGP.

We continue to seek the Lord for God's presence and favor in the ministries of the Waverly CGP and pray that God will empower and anoint each one as we seek HIM.

We look forward to continuing with our work there and pursuing the Holy Spirit to lead us on in the word of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His harvest.  We desire to be more like Him every day of our lives.

MAY HE BE GLORIFIED!