Recently, I made a comment to Josh and Cyndi concerning Brody. I said they probably didn't notice it, but Brody seemed to be getting taller. The basis for my comment is the fact that often when we constantly observe someone or we are consistantly in someone's presence, we won't notice the slightest of changes in their features. Grandparents will notice changes more because normally they are not in the company of their grandchildren as much as the parents are. Sometimes changes occur without much notice. Those who endeavor to live spiritual lives must be keenly aware of the changes that are going on not only in the world around us, but also, in the spiritual realm. It becomes more and more necessary to keep our spiritual edges sharp and to make sure when changes come, that we aren't confused and spiritually disoriented by those changes. Jesus spoke of events that would come upon an end-time generation. He said that when those things would come about, that we should know that His coming was nigh at hand. So let's take notice of all the changes that are going on around us. When He does come back, the true church won't be surprised! We'll be ready! 

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Experiencing the move of the Spirit and new birth of water baptism once again last night reminded me of the scripture in Luke 15 where Jesus says there is rejoicing among the angels of heaven of one sinner that repenteth. Seeing someone baptized in Jesus' name causes the church to rejoice in that we see the fruit of labor and the new beginnings of a soul who comes to the foot of the cross to begin life anew. The old song says, Joy unspeakable and full of glory, full of glory, full of glory. That's what we experience when someone is born again. We are marching toward a 100 soul revival!

I think that I represent a major percentage of the American public when I say that I am always glad to see Christmas come, but I am also glad when the holiday itself is over. As I thought about it today, I realized that when I or we say that as Christians, I believe we really mean the commercial aspects of the Christmas holiday. It really has become a commercial event like no other. But for those who feel the deep sense of the reason why we truly celebrate Christmas, we are not vulnerable to the depression-like symptons that accompany so many during the "emotional let-down" immediately following the Christmas holiday. Rather, we continue to celebrate Christmas every day of the year. We celebrate how the Almighty God became a man, the man Christ Jesus, so that He might shed His precious, sinless, spotless blood for our redemption. When we consider that, there is no emotional let-down. But there is a continual celebration of the fact that he was born in Bethlehem. People...

 As we approach Christmas 2011, we are all thankful and grateful for God's saving and keeping power that He has manifested time and time again throughout this year. It is with great anticipation and expectancy to we go forward into 2012, knowing that this year will be a great spiritual challenge to all of us. Let me say, our great God, whose name is Jesus, is up to any challenge that you and I face. He is able to keep that which we commit unto Him against that day! And He is greater in us than he that is in the world! So we go forward with unconquerable faith and trust, sensing the great revival that awaits us in this coming year! Have a most wonderful Christmas and remember that Jesus really is the reason for the season!

 

I think we all have a personal revelation of who Jesus is. The Mighty God in Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Friend that sticker closer than a brother are just a few titles we are convinced of. And then there are revelations that we really need to have about our walk with God that will help us be what we should be in the Lord. In Phillippians 3:14, Paul declares, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of Christ Jesus." There are days we must simply press, or struggle, or fight spiritual warfare if we are going to achieve our heart's goals in the Lord. Some days are easy. Things fall into our laps spiritually. But then there are those days that are on the other end of the spectrum. Don't be discouraged by those days when they come and seemingly will never leave.He knoweth the way we take and when we are tried, we shall come forth as gold. Gold is the basic and the strongest standard for all of the world's monetary systems. And people who have come through their struggles are great examples of pure faith and committment. Their value is unmeasurable in the Kingdom's economy. So just keep pressing. We are not hemmed in! Our victory is within an arm's length! ...

 Looking at the pictures of Josh recently at his 30th birthday party brought back so many memories of the joys of raising our children. He has turned out to be an excellent young man who walks each day with integrity and character. Those pictures of him as an infant and a toddler awakened those memories and as I watch Brody grow, I am reminded of being a young father with those responsibilities of parenting. Our children will live in a world that is extremely different than just a few short years ago. A world of challenge that tests every aspect of character that we can employ. The traditional home of a father and mother training and teaching their children God's ways is becoming more and more archaic according to modern thinking, but it is still the very best way to raise our children. "Train up a child in the way it should go" is not outdated. Deut. 6:4-7 has been a proven success through centuries and if we will still walk in the old paths of teaching and training of our children in God's ways, no matter what...

 Our recent General Conference in Louisville, Ky. provided great blessing and encouragement for those who were able to attend. Each service yielded anointed preaching and worship that lifted us to heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Our Kentucky Mass Choir under the direction of Sis. Gayla Maroney did an excellent job as they led us to the Throne of God with their enthusiastic worhsip. The great preaching of Bro. David Bernard, our General Superintendant, gave us renewed vision of purpose and a deeper love for the truth that we hold so dear. Bro. Terry Black and Bro. Paul Mooney thrilled our spirits with their messages along with the many others who delivered their souls as God had spoken unto them. I feel very blessed to be a part of the United Pentecostal Church. The salvation message of Acts 2:38 along with the doctrine of the Onesness of God and holiness and purity still changes lives and brings hope into the troubled soul. Let's hold fast the sound profession of faith as we march forward to the coming of the...

  

            Our world has crossed into new frontiers. Knowledge, inventions and devices as never before explode onto the scene with breath taking momentum. What is now changing our world politically, culturally, and scientifically is no longer in our control. We must accept the fact that there is no going back to yesteryear. Living in the past or even romanticizing about it is not an option. We must live in the ‘’now’’.

            There is an obvious de-Christianization going on in government, in religion, in education. Attempts are being made in all arenas to undermine what initially made our nation great and blessed. We must understand this reality is the battle of the ages. Not a war, not a government, but a spirit that has come to reshape and revolutionize the thinking and concepts of the human mind to disregard God and anything that is associated with His Word.

            I feel justified in saying that they may take the Ten Commandments off the wall of some secular courthouse somewhere,...

 Just got back from a trip to the Walmart toy section with our grandson, Brody. What a great time I've had with him. Last night, he spend the night with Mimi and I. We jumped on pillows and played hard enough to wear me out. He probably could have gone most of the night before exhaustion would have taken over. He slept between us and that's an experience in itself. He chases rabbits all night long in his sleep! So today, all he wanted was a basketball. I tried to talk him into getting an Elmo doll. He loves Elmo, but when you got your heart set on a basketball, Elmo just doesn't quite fit the bill. No such things as toy trucks or anything else. Only a basketball would do. So I did what any respectable grandfather would do whose grandson has him wrapped around his little finger. I got him the basketball! A big, orange and bouncy basketball! Oh, did I mention cheap in all of those adjectives? 2 year olds really don't care how expensive their toys are. You know, I love being a grandpa. And I would do my best to give...

 This past Saturday, I enjoyed so much being with our church congregation at our annual church pic-nic. God gave us such a beautiful afternoon as summer slipped silently past us and autumn turned the corner. An abundance of good food, games and contests for all ages, and as always, to me the most special part, good fellowship. As I was able to get around to speak to those attending, I felt such a deep appreciation for God's people. Often, the only time we are around our brothers and sisters in the Lord is within the 4 walls of our church building itself. But for me that afternoon, to be able to laught and fellowship with people of like precious faith was priceless. Our world needs the church in so many ways. Not only does it need our doctrine, but it needs to be exposed to genuine Christianity, the kind that can not only pray and preach, but the Christianity that is not so caught up in itself that we can't sit down and enjoy the company of those who may be just a little different than we are. Paul said it this way,...