"You did that yesterday," she said.
"Well," I said, "I wasn't finished."
My wife said: "What are you doing today?" I said: "Nothing."
"You did that yesterday," she said. "Well," I said, "I wasn't finished."
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This past week we, as a nation, commemorated the tragic loss of seven crew members of The Challenger that exploded 73 seconds after it left the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center. That unforgettable day was on January 28, 1986. Ronald Reagan was our president and was preparing to give the State of the Union address that evening. The President of the United States of America is called upon to do many things as the leader of the greatness nation in the world. One of the many tasks the president has is to speak with confidence and with compassion to and for the families of those whose lives were lost, but also to the network of engineers and technical people at NASA in the midst of a tragic event. I am in the process of reading a new book written by Peggy Noonan, The Time of Our Lives, published by Hachette Book Group in New York, NY. In her amazing book, Peggy Noonan gives a detailed account of that happened that day, and the role of Speech Writers have in helping the president in his preparation to speak at critical moments like these. Every speech the president gives is cleared through a number of people. For Speech Writers it is a tough process they have to experience all the time. Everyone in the process is committed to the president and they want him to put his best foot forward. Ronald Reagan was a masterful speaker. His speech writers knew "what Ronald Reagan thought. They knew his views, his approach, and knew how he talked, his philosophy. They knew him," Peggy Noonan wrote: "Reagan was vivid, he was clear, he had a philosophy well known to us." In writing for Ronald Reagan you begin with the facts. "Something terrible has happened. We all witnessed it. This is what we know thus far. The president was busy talking with NASA, to the anchors, and was meeting with aides, he was handling a crisis, and trying to figure out what to do with the State of the Union address that night from the Oval Office. Peggy Noon was blessed to have Karna Small drop by her office. She was an aide to the Security Council and had been present in the president's office and took notes on everything he had said. She gave those notes to Peggy. As Peggy wrote, "Those notes of what Reagan said to the anchors became the spine of the speech." President Reagan "talked about the sacrifice of the families of the astronauts. He spoke of how this was a national tragedy with everyone in America saddened. He spoke of the last frontier. We've grown so used to dazzling success in space that this tragedy comes as a special shock. It was for him traumatic. And one of the anchors asked him about the schoolchildren watching. He said, 'Pioneers have always given their lives on the frontier . . . but we have to make it clear to the children that life goes on, it continues.' He said he couldn't put the teacher out of his mind, and her husband, and her children." Peggy Noonan said the president was not going to horn in on the grief of the families and nation, or dominate the moment, or make it about him. President Ronald Reagan said this to the schoolchildren: "And I want to say something to the children of America, who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it's hard to understand but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding our horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted--it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future--and we'll continue to follow them." Then, President Reagan spoke to the nation and the world, which was a statement of resolution: "We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here---out hopes and our journeys continue. And now for the end of the speech: Peggy Noonan as she watched the news over and over again remembered a poem she had memorized in the seventh grade at McKenna Junior High in Massapequa, Long Island. It was a poem entitled, "High Flight," by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. He was a pilot in the Canadian Air Force in 1939. In his poem on the joy of flying--an unusual joy back then, for not many flew back then. In his poem, Peggy Noonan wrote, "he spoke of breaking 'the surly bonds of earth,' going upward so high he felt almost he could touch the face of God." Noonan said, "there was something transcending about the poem, not transcendent but transcending. It was a real attempt to define a particular kind of joy and make you know it." That's the way Noonan ended the speech for the president. Noonan wrote: "Here's what I knew. Reagan was going to get the speech and change what he wanted, but if he said those words from the Magee poem, if I heard them on TV, it was going to be because Reagan knew that poem and it mattered to him. He wasn't going to say the words unless he knew the poem, And I had a feeling he did, but only a feeling." "Reagan gives the speech, gets to the end, and I hear him say of the Challenger crew. "We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them--this morning, as they prepared for their journey. and waved goodbye, and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'" [Foot note: Peggy Noonan later learned from President Ronald Reagan that he did know that poem and had seen it every day he had taken his daughter, Patty, to grade school. So, the hunch that Peggy had about the poem and Reagan using it was right on.] The Challenger lifts off on Jan. 28, 1986, from a launchpad at Kennedy Space Center, 73 seconds before an explosion killed its crew of seven. Colossians 3:1-11
If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ Who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him Who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. NKJV The sweet elderly couple had been married nearly 80 years when the wife passed away.
Her graveside service was concluding when suddenly, there was a massive clap of thunder, followed by a tremendous bolt of lightening, accompanied by more rumbling thunder in the distance. The sweet, elderly widower calmly looked over at the preacher and said: "Well, she's there." When Bishop Doug Beacham called the denomination to a period of fasting and prayer, it really was a call well received in our church. Pastor Hedgepeth called for a two-fold approach of 30 Days of Fire for January where we would fast and pray, and incorporate a 21 Day Daniel Fast. Each Sunday we gather for one hour for prayer--6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, and we are divided into eight prayer teams. Under a group lay leader we take turns praying for nine different prayer needs that range from those of the local church to our country. Being a church with a good number of military, there is a special focus on those men and women serving around the world and their families here at home. Each of the prayer topics also listed an appropriate Scripture(s) that assisted in prayer, and to close out each Sunday evening we all prayed in unison a number of Scriptures. Pastor John Hedgepeth planned a celebration service for last day of the fast--Sunday January 31st. Also our sanctuary is open every day from noon until 1 o'clock for prayer. Recently our pastor shared the following in the church's weekly newsletter dealing with the Sunday night prayer time: "On this past Sunday night at the beginning of the Fast and Prayer that we have entered into at Northwood Temple, along with the other churches of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, there was a spirit of fervency and passion. You could sense among many, many people who gathered that things, ideas, ideals, and other baggage that we carry are secondary to the move of God's Spirit. We believe that by the end of this month as we fast and pray the Lord will do great miracles. He will restore broken families. He will bring back the lost. He will heal sick bodies. Jesus said, 'This kind comes only by fasting and praying.'" We trust that other churches in our denomination are seeing the same unity and passion that the our pastor has called us to do. [Editor's comment: First, I want to thank Colonel Jack Kelley for this excellent report. What a tremendous story this is. I can tell you the same thing is happening at Christian Life Worship Center in Athens, GA, where Brad Cooper is our pastor. We started our prayer and fasting on the first day of January. He had not been informed of the request by our Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham that began later in the month. Second, I would love to get reports from your church about what the prayer and fasting is doing there. My hunch is that good things are happening in your local IPHC church, too. Let us thank God for the leadership He is giving in our church and churches.] Bishop Leon O. Stewart, former General Superintendent of the IPHC, played golf in a blind golfer’s tournament on Tuesday, January 26. The event took place at the Timber Creek Golf Resort (www.golftimbercreek.com) near Mobile, AL. Donna, his wife, was his coach and Dianne, their daughter, was part of a nice number of people watching the game. Leon said, "Once Dianne told me a fun way keep a score. If you don’t lose a ball, you have played par golf. If you lose one ball you are one over par, etc." They did not keep scores. They got acquainted, played golf and had lots of fun. Donna and Dianne said that Leon did fine. Leon reported, "I did not lose a ball." Hopefully, the tournament will be the beginning of a chapter in the National Blind Golfer’s Association. We can be proud that our former General Superintendent is not only alive, but active in sports. Apparently, he played par golf. After a delicious lunch in the club house they returned to their home in Atmore, AL. They had met some new friendly people and left with hope that they would play together sometime in the future. Bishop Stewart's sponsor was a close friend who is a deacon in a Baptist Church. Leon and Donna were interviewed by a reporter from Fox 10 News in Mobile. They appeared on the evening news. [Editor's Comment: Here's a part of my response to Bishop Leon Stewart: "Good report. Just wish I had a news clip from FOX News, or a photo of you playing golf. Such as it is, without a photo, we will publish this exciting story. It is a story of courage, determination, motivation, and perseverance. I am not sure I would have the ability to overcome such a handicap. You have done marvelously well in life even becoming the Presiding Bishop and General Superintendent of the IPHC. Not a small thing. As John Swails used to tell us when I was a student at Emmanuel College, "It's a great life, if you don't weaken; but, who wants to be strong?" I hope you can play golf again with the men on the Blind Golfer's Tournament. It's a good thing to have the Baptist's pay for it.] On Friday January 22, members of the IPHC met in Washington, DC for the annual March for Life. The first March for Life was held in 1974. The date is important because it was on January 22, 1973 that the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of abortion on demand in the now infamous Roe v Wade decision. The IPHC has consistently held a pro-life position; though it was not until 1997 that our position was officially recorded in the IPHC Manual. Since that time our movement has made efforts to communicate our position through such emphases at Sanctity of Human Life Sunday. In the past 20 years major efforts occurred through the Royal Home Ministries in Falcon, North Carolina, to provide women facing decisions about abortion a place where they can have their baby in an environment of care, compassion, and hope. For many years individuals, families, and local IPHC congregations have participated in the March for Life. In January, 2014, Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham participated in the March along with Rev. Gary Burd from Mission-25, Mr. Joey Leggett of the Falcon Children’s Home, and many others. I am thankful that the IPHC attendance has grown each year and we are counted among the thousands who gather on the Washington Mall and march to the US Supreme Court building. This year, 2016, we gathered as a major winter storm approached Washington from the south. Since many of our participants had come on motorcycles and on roads where the storm was already causing problems, we decided to meet as a group at the Best Western Pentagon for a service of prayer and encouragement. For safety reasons we encouraged many to return home. Thankfully they all arrived safely to their destinations. But several who live in the Washington area were present on the Mall and carried the IPHC banner (see photo). While I am sorry we were not able to fully participate on the Mall, we are not discouraged and will return next year to participate. Many states are now hosting March for Life rallies at state capitals. We encourage IPHC members to get involved by praying and standing with those who are on the side of life. We also encourage IPHC members to be involved in helping women and babies with a fresh start at life. [Editor's comment: Presiding Bishop wrote this excellent article about the 2016 March for Life at my request. We are grateful for the leadership of our general superintendent. It is the mission of Hugh's News to serve the IPHC Ministries as well as the body of Christ worldwide.] God is up to something big at Christian Life Worship Center. The foundation for what God is presently doing has been laid by those who have gone before us. That foundation is Jesus Christ and the Word of God, the Bible, and the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Lavon and Arlette Revells are leading our Sunday school class, called Celebration, in another series of lessons on Biblical prophecy. We are presently studying the Book of Daniel which is the most exciting book of prophecy in the Old Testament. This book allows us to observe how Daniel and his Hebrew friends lived out their faith and leadership in a foreign land. God not only blessed them, but rescued them out of dangerous and potentially deadly circumstances. We too, must stand up for God, what is right and righteous in the smallest of matters. The Bible declares that ". . . those who honor God He will honor, and those who despise Him shall be lightly esteemed" (1 Samuel 2:30, NKJV). We need Daniels today who will place faithfulness to God above all else. We can do that as we endeavor to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Lavon and Arlette Revells extend a personal invitation to you to attend the Celebration Class this Sunday morning at 9:50 a. m. This Sunday, Lavon will be leading us as our facilitator. He is retired chemist with the EPA. and makes any lesson come alive. The Celebration Class is a cross generational gathering of various ages of adults that meets on Sunday mornings to celebrate Jesus and study God's Holy Word, the Bible. Lavon and Arlette Revells are the teachers or facilitators. There is never a dull moment and they know how to get class members involved in the discussion of the subject material. Melvine and I are members of this Sunday school class, and we invite you to join with us and many others who enjoy this Bible study class. The class meets on the lower level of our educational wing of Christian Life Worship Center, in a classroom known as Stephanie's Place, named in loving memory of the life and legacy of Stephanie Ellen Morgan a dedicated educator during her adult life. You may enter the classroom from the parking lot to the right of the rose garden. We want you to stay for church after Sunday school. Our morning worship service begins at 10:50. We are thrilled with our new pastor and his family. Our pastor is the Rev. Mr. Brad Cooper. You will love his preaching. He is an excellent preacher and keeps the congregation hanging on to every word while sitting on the edge of the pew. Come and bring a friend, loved one, or business associate. The church is located at 125 Kathwood Drive, one mile north of the Athens Perimeter just off US Highway 129. One never knows what a day will bring forth. I am sure I am not the only person who receives tons of emails from those we don't know and have never subscribed to their email service. Well, that happened to me earlier this week. I received an email from a publicist from Krupp Kommunications in New York who is the agency of record for Success Magazine. She sent me information on the Joel Osteen February issue of Success Magazine. In her email she wrote about Joel Osteen, senior pastor of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. She quotes from an exclusive interview that reporter Michael J. Mooney had with Joel Osteen. It caught my attention and I wrote this publicist to ask permission to quote from her and promote the February 2016 issue of Success Magazine. The publicist wrote, that in addition to being the pastor of the Lakewood Church in Houston, "He's also the world's most watched televangelist and a New York Times best-selling author many times over." It is indeed amazing that a young man who had never preached or even wanted to be on a platform has turned out like Joel Osteen has. She says that Osteen "opens up about his unlikely journey in the February 2016 issue of SUCCESS magazine that is on the newsstands now." You will learn in this article "how Joel Osteen stays true to himself both in and out of the spotlight." You will learn how he shares his strategies for making the most of every single day as he prepares to the Night of Hope event at the AT&T Park in San Francisco." Thousands will attend this event and millions more will watch him speak in live streaming online. The publicist continues the story by sharing "Osteen pushed himself to step up and not only take over his father’s ministry, but grow it to unimaginable heights. For most of his career, Osteen felt more comfortable producing behind the scenes. But after listening to his intuition, he rewrote his own story to become the world’s most prominent on-camera personalities." The publicist concluded her email by writing, "I’d love for you to share this story and accompanying quotes with your readers." At the bottom of her email to me she added the following information as if it were a footnote: ___________________________________________________________________________________ • “The thing about the 50 is that there was only one person who needed to believe in me and that was myself.” • “To whoever is trying to accomplish that next big goal, I would say the biggest thing is to have over 100 percent conviction in what you’re doing.” • ‘‘I knew aside from being hit by a semi-truck on day 50, I was going to accomplish my goal. I exceeded mine, and everybody’s expectations. To have pulled it off and accomplished it, for myself and as a team, it was an incredible feeling of satisfaction.” • “[The secret is] patience and consistency. You have to do a lot of little things right over an extended period of time. You have to focus on the basics, and you have to be perfect at them. That’s ultimately why I succeeded, I was perfect with the basics and I had patience. I became an expert at a lot of little things, and that’s how I became successful. That’s one of the keys to success, if anyone wants to tackle something of this enormity.” • “One of my biggest driving forces is my kids. I told them what the goal was. The personal purpose was to find my physical and mental limits—but it was also to set the ultimate example for my kids.” Louis Beck of Goochland, VA, in an email this week wrote, "I thought I would pass on an interesting tidbit with the forth-coming 2016 Super Bowl 50 game." I was teaching a Senior Men’s Sunday school class some years ago.
I asked the men a question: "Do you read the Bible at home or just look at the Sunday school material when you get here?" Out of the class of 15, 3 read the Sunday school lessons at home, no more. The rest did not read the Bible at all but waited to discuss it on Sunday. This was disappointing, these men were between the ages of 55 to 85. Some had been going to church all their lives. How we miss out on God's glory. He has given us the Holy Spirit to teach us. We are blessed that we do not have to go to a high priest (earthly) to teach us. When I became a born again Christian in 1983, I could not get enough of God’s Word, It was like the best spring water you could find. All of a sudden, the Bible, a neighborhood man gave me in 1963 (he had a home Bible study for local children) was clear as a bell. The Lord said the Scriptures are spiritually discerned, revealed to the born again believer, hid from the rest. So, I decided to do an experiment. I turned the television on to a football game and turned the sound down. I opened my Bible and began reading at Romans. I did not rush and occasionally looked up to check the game. In the time it took to complete the football game, maybe an hour and half, I had read all the way to Revelation. Imagine that? [Editor's comment: This true story was emailed to me by Louis Beck, a former member of the Richmond First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Virginia, when I was senior pastor. He and his family were loyal and faithful members of our church. God has blessed Louis and his wife, Anne, with 3 sons and 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren (3 girls and 2 boys) and another on the way. Louis wrote, "God has richly blessed me with a wonderful wife of 29 years. I would be nothing without Him." It was Sir James McAllister who was a key leader in his family owned building supply company and a deacon of our church who invited Louis and his family to visit our church. They started with Bill Terry was the pastor, and then, I followed Bill Terry. They continued to attend our church during my pastorate. We had great fellowship, and we enjoyed their family and visited in their home. Louis Beck is a man of the Bible, of incredible faith in God to perform miracles, and to bless His people. We can all do a better job of reading the Bible. This story of Louis Beck in reading his Bible during a professional football game is a great inspiration to all of what a man can do who makes up his mind to read the Bible. Most of us have several Bibles in our homes. Let's determine in 2016 that we will open our Bibles at home and read them. What a difference it will make in our lives! Let us be men who read and study the Bible. Those who will read the Bible in secret, God will reward openly. Great wisdom, knowledge, and spiritual understanding will be the fruit of such an activity in any man's life. Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. NKJV A pastor’s wife was preparing pancakes for her young sons.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their Mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, "Let my brother have the first pancake. I can wait." The oldest boy turned to his younger brother and said, "You be Jesus." --Anonymous I want you, my dear readers of Hugh's News, to see and hear Dr. Mark Rutland teach on The Lord's Prayer and the 23rd Psalm. He is a masterful teacher, at least he is to me. I have known Mark Rutland for many years. If I recall correctly, Mark spoke to us at our General Conference in Greensboro several years ago. He always has a word from the Lord. He served as President of Oral Roberts University for several years following the administration of Richard Roberts, Oral Roberts youngest son.
You can go right to the website to watch and listen to Dr. Mark Rutland by Clicking Here on this hyperlink I have prepared for you. I want to thank the Rev. Mr. Wesley Russ, my best friend in the known world, for letting me know about this video of Dr. Mark Rutland. I have listened to it twice. It is important for us to memorize Scriptures and to meditate upon them. Mark demonstrates the power of using these two Scripture passages in our prayer life. I hope you will find this teaching meaningful to you. I desire to share only the best of the best teaching and preaching that I am aware of that has deeply affected my own spiritual life. An American Walk. This video is 2 minutes 51 seconds long. Please watch to the end. Click Here to watch this video.
When I was stationed at Quantico, VA, in the United States Marine Corps I have often visited Washington, DC, and played trombone in the Quantico Marine Band in parades and concerts in this historic city, the Capitol of our United States. In addition, I regularly attended Sunday school and worship at the National Pentecostal Holiness Church. I did not have an automobile in those days, but that did not stop me from worship. I hitch-hiked, and God always provided rides for with me from people willing to pick up a tall, trim, and trusted young Marine. You will thrill at what you will see and hear about our great country, and the great heritage we have as a nation founded on the Bible. Click Here to watch this video. I want to thank Retired Army Chaplain (Colonel) Lyndel Barnes of Greenville, NC, for sending this video website to me. Good Men and Women Doing "Something"--a report from Gary Burd, Director of Mission:M25 Ministries1/28/2016 "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing," wrote Edmund Burke. Oh the truth! Oh how many of us have seen the truth! The beginning of extreme stands, risk and cost "not to let evil triumph" has begun and is rapidly growing in strength, passion and sacrifice. Following the lead of an aggressive Presiding Bishop, a man who doesn't let the four walls imprison him, a man who makes it a priority to Stand for Life (an incredibly difficult schedule to make this trip happen), Dr. Doug Beacham, Mission:M25 has stood the last three years for Life! More than a stand "against," Royal Home Ministries, offers an alternative to young ladies who find themselves in a position where abortion appears to be the only choice. Thanks to the leadership of Joey Leggett, Jonathan Hill and John Wheeler, along with board members, Pastor Mark Richardson (who also serves on the M25 Board) and Pastor Philip Bland, we offer something more than a condemning voice, a voice of Hope and Love. Not only a voice but a physical place that does all within it's ability to provide housing, support and training to a young lady that is lost in a maze of confusion and hopelessness. January 2016, is a time to reflect on the cost of life since that dreadful law was passed to make abortion legal in this nation. As a nation, we not only offer the "right" to the mother but we "fund'" it as a nation. Therefore, those of us who believe in life are funding something that we passionately disagree with. There are pro-life rallies all around the country and where we had opportunity, Mission:M25 took the stand! Our first stand was in Richmond, VA on January 13, 2016. Sgt Rock aka Stephen Walker and I stood amongst some 150 people and listened to a lady who was raised in an evangelical Christian home but after attending the university, was slowly indoctrinated to accept abortion as an "option" and "right." She ran a Planned Parenthood clinic for eight years, until her eyes were opened during a sonogram abortion of a thirteen week old baby. It had to be one of the best speeches ever heard, full of facts, passion and deep love for all involved. It was at Richmond we ran into Dr. David Russell, a veterinarian from Santa Fe, NM who has written the book, Through My Father's Eyes. Another "eye opener" for me! As a M25 minister, the young ladies horrible memories has been a huge concern, as well as the life of the child, now we carry the pain of the Father. While all Fathers are not negatively effected, there are many who wake up 15-20 years later and drown in some addiction to deal with the pain of not providing or protecting their child, even when they had no choice. On January 17, a group of Pro-Life supporters climbed into two pickups on a snowy morning and headed to Dallas, TX,from Amarillo, TX. The team was led by Danny Stewart of Christian Heritage Church an M25 leader. This is our third year to stand in Dallas is the place of Roe v Wade took place. It was a 400 mile drive one way, upon the conclusion of the rally and lunch, it was back to Amarillo, TX. January 21, Mission:M25 left Falcon, NC, off for DC on motorcycles, after a moving sendoff by Falcon Christian Academy. Children appeared on the porch and held signs of life and a song was sung, prayer prayed and off we roared. There were to be 25-30 motorcycles but impending weather reduced our numbers to those that could be hauled back on the trailers we were taking. The riders were blessed by lunch at Redemption Ministries Conference Center and then off to Washington, DC. January 22, found us under extreme blizzard warnings, historic in size and damage. Our numbers dwindled to around 25, as Bishop Beacham spoke, "we are a tithe of our church standing for life," we were all honored to be that tithe and totally understood those that could not attend. We had a rally "inside" including worship led by the Bishop Abel Palomo family, addresses by Bishop Doug Beacham, Director Jonathan Hill, Superintendent of the home and Falcon Children's Home, Joey Leggett and M25 director Gary Burd, concluding with prayer led by John Wheeler. Then all out to display our banner and make a statement. January 23, found M25 standing in Amarillo, TX, led again by Danny Stewart. It was the first of such rally in Amarillo and we were blessed to be present. January 23, also found M25 standing in San Francisco, CA, M25 leader, Alan Atkins joined by his wife and M/M Jerry Plent from Chino, CA. They stood among a great crowd during the West Coast stand for life. Again, over 400 miles one way and though they normally have good weather, they have TRAFFIC! As M25 sees it, we have concluded our 50CC Diaper Run, a run from Jacksonville, FL to San Diego, CA in 44 hours and 51 minutes on motorcycles to collect diapers and resources, to bring awareness of the IPHC stand for life and to bring this terrible act against innocent lives to an end. Please stay posted, we are increasing the route and time frame of the 2016 version of 50 CC Diaper Run. We will not "do nothing" in the face of the evil that is increasing in the USA! M25 is committed to being the boots on the ground on the fields of adversity in our nation. Thanks for all who have supported and is supporting our efforts. [Editor's Comment: This is Gary Burd's report on the ministry God has given him to take a stand for life in America. I have known Gary for a number of years and he does ministry differently from most of us. His ministry is vitally important for he is reaching people that most of our churches will never reach. He is fulfilling the ministry that the Apostle Paul speaks about when he addressed the Elders of the Church of Ephesus at Miletus that is recorded in Acts 20. Let me quote this passage of Scripture for you: "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship" (Acts 20:32-38, NKJV). Gary Burd is willing to lose his own life to stand up for truth. I greatly admire him and his wife, Carolyn. I have had the privilege to visit them in their church and home in Amarillo, TX on two occasions when Dr. Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr. was the Executive Director of Evangelism USA and Chairman of Chaplain Ministries, IPHC Board, when I was the director/endorser of Chaplains Ministries, IPHC. Gary Burd is deserving of our financial and prayer support. Ken Phillips, Director of Men's Ministries, has invited our new pastor, the Rev. Mr. Brad Cooper, to speak to our men this Saturday morning, January 30, at 8:30 in our Fellowship Hall or Stephanie's Place. You may enter the building from the parking lot. Our church is located at 125 Kathwood Drive, Athens, GA, one mile north of the Athens Perimeter, Highway 10, just off US Highway 129. A Southern breakfast will be prepared and served by our Master Chef, Randy Jackson. It is always a great breakfast designed to fill and satisfy men with a big appetite. The fellowship is great. This is our first Men's Ministries Breakfast of the New Year. (We had to cancel last Saturday's breakfast due to inclement weather.) Pastor Brad Cooper will be sharing his vision for our men and their ministry to the church and in our community. He has plans for men to attend special events that are geared to develop Christian character, and moral and spiritual values of men who are husbands, fathers, and leaders in the church. He will be offering courses to help men be the spiritual leader in their homes. Our pastor is a great communicator. He is approachable, authentic, teachable, honest, and a man of integrity. He is the father of four children, a girl and three boys. He wants every man and boy in our church to be men of God and successful in their own personal lives. If you live in Athens, Clarke County, Jackson County, Madison County, Oglethorpe County, Oconee County, Franklin County, Gwinnett County, Cobb County, Banks County, Fulton County, Dekalb County, or within driving distance of Athens, Georgia we invite you to our breakfast. Invite a buddy to come with you. You will be blessed and you can be a blessing as well. The difference you will discover at our church is worth the distance. Welcome to Christian Life Worship Center. It gives me a great deal of pleasure to introduce you to the piano music of Laban West. I met him and his family when I was president of Southwestern College in 1975. We attended Muse Memorial Church when Bill Anderson was the pastor. Laban was one of several gifted and talented pianists who faithfully ministered to our congregation in music. He had a touch on the piano and a style that was uniquely his own--pleasant, inspiring and uplifting. I have enjoyed hearing him play the piano at River of Life Church, formerly Muse Memorial Church, where Richard Goad is the pastor, whenever I was visiting in Oklahoma City for Chaplains Ministries, IPHC. Laban is excellent with worship teams, and for a season he taught at Southwestern College and directed the Great Life Singers. I have received in the mail the CD Laban has graciously given to me. It is more than wonderful. It is great and easy listening. I hope you will consider purchasing one or more of his CD's--"The Covered Wagon Sessions." I am confident this CD will be a collector's item for years to come. And now, a word from Laban West: Dear friends, my piano instrumental album of traditional hymn tunes--"The Covered Wagon Sessions"--is finally here! These timeless melodies have been a blessing to me since I was a young child, and my hope is that God will use them to strengthen and encourage you throughout your daily journey. CDs are $15 each (two for $25) This includes postage via USPS. If you would like to purchase a copy, please email me at landswest@yahoo.com. You may also purchase a CD or a digital download at: CDBaby.com For a limited time CDBaby.com is offering $.01 cent postage/handling for online orders. Note: in addition to cdBaby.com my CD is now up on iTunes and Amazon.com (Digital Music). You can find the CD by going to the website/App and typing in Laban West or The Covered Wagon Sessions. Here is a list of the songs: 1. Every Time I feel the Spirit (2:29) 2. Blessed Assurance--Jesus, Joy of Man's Desiring (4:11) 3. Grace Greater Than Our Sin (3:41) 4. Leaning on the Everlasting Arms (4:27) 5. Redeemed (3:09) 6. The Comforter Has Come (Traditional) (1:22) 7. The Comforter Has Come (1:19) 8. There is a Fountain (4:23) 9. What a Friend We Have in Jesus (4:04) 10. When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (3:01) 11. 'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (3:43) The musical arrangements in the Covered Wagon Sessions vary from traditional four-part harmony to a light Gospel and jazz flavor. Whether you listen to these songs via mobile device, or as background music, I truly hope the timeless hymns and Gospel melodies will inspire you. It is also my sincere desire that as you are reminded of the words of each song, you will be blessed and encouraged in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. My webmaster, Mel Tinney, who resides in Pepin, WS, has come up with a solution to a problem that has been happening to some of our subscribers. When you forward Hugh's News using your email address, in some cases the recipient of your email with that forward which has our newsletter inadvertently has unsubscribed you from Hugh's News. It was not their intend to do that, but we have had enough of such unfortunate incidences that we want to bring a halt to that from happening to anyone now or in the future. You can now use this link at the top of each newsletter rather than forwarding your personal eMail which will prevent people from unintentionally unsubscribing you. If you know of anyone who tells you that they are no longer receiving Hugh's News, please tell them to go to Hugh Morgan's website: www.hughsnews.com, and subscribe once again. It is rather easy to do. We only ask two questions: Your Name and Your eMail Address. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you, and implore you to bear with us, and accept our apology in the spirit of humility in which we appeal to you. Losing any subscriber through glitches and technological accidents brings grief to the editor, Hugh Morgan. We really need your help. We want to thank you for helping us solve this problem of subscriptions. Acts 20:32
So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the Word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. NKJV Marriage Harmony
A husband and wife were at a party chatting with some friends when the subject of marriage counselling came up. "Oh, we'll never need that. My husband and I have a great relationship," the wife explained. "He was a communications major in college and I majored in theater arts." "He communicates real well and I just act like I'm listening." |