​After trying a new shampoo for the first time, a guy fired off an enthusiastic letter of approval to the manufacturer.

Several weeks later, he came home from work to a large carton in the middle of the floor. Inside were free samples of the many products the company produced: soaps, detergents, toothpaste, and paper items.

"Well, what do you think?" his wife asked, smiling.

"Next time," he replied, "I'm writing to General Motors!"

Nothing happens by accident for those who have entered the Kingdom of God through the New Birth. Every day is planned by God. God has ordered our steps, and He knows where we are at all times. He knows what is in our hearts. And if we desire to do the Will of God He will order our steps.

God desires that we have clean hands and a pure heart. We were saved by God's divine grace to walk before God in holiness of heart and lifestyle. A Spirit-filled and led life is attractive and appealing. God shows up and people are moved to receive our message--the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What better time to share the good news about the birth of the Christ Child than at this Advent season.

I took Melvine to the University Cancer Center in Athens on Friday, December 14. We had to be there that 9:45. We were early. I had rather be 30 minutes early than one minute late.

It was another cold and rainy day. Shortly after we got rolling in our car, the heater warmed the cabin of the automobile. That made Melvine happy. Bonnie Patch Bender, a dear friend who is a retired LPN, was there and had a wheel chair for Melvine to ride in.

I did not check Melvine in, and neither did Bonnie. We waited and waited, but Melvine's name wasn't called. So, Bonnie went to the registration desk and discovered the problem. Shortly after that, Melvine's name was called. In the meantime, we met a very interesting lady who was there for chemotherapy too. She was originally from Maine. I asked her if she had ever been to Kennebunkport, Maine, and she responded by saying, "Several times."

Her husband had been a police officer in Miami, FL. When he retired, she convinced him that they should move to Athens, GA.  She said, "We found everything we needed here."

I asked her about her church background. She said she had grown up in the Lutheran Church. However, when she moved here to Athens, she attended two different Lutheran churches. She said, "In both churches, not a soul spoke to me." She knew that those churches were not for her. 

Then she attended Chapelwood United Methodist Church. As soon as she got out of her car an elderly man met her and welcomed to the church. She felt loved and accepted, and found the same spirit in the church with the people. That is where she has landed.

First impressions are so important. God help us to be friendly in our churches.

Melvine had to weigh in and she had gained a pound or so. She had lost about 10 or 12 pounds. Her blood work was good. She needed another injection of Vitamin B12. 

We met with Anna McFather, the PA. We dearly love her. She is only 25 but she knows so much and has an excellent spirit. She is truly a professional, but sees her work as a calling. She relates well to Melvine and she receives her counseling.

Next Tuesday, Melvine will have a CAT Scan to see how the chemo is working. We believe it is. Melvine has less pain and has new energy and stamina. The lingering cough has gone. We praise God for every sign of victory. We thank you for your prayers for Melvine and me.

Melvine is so glad she had a port installed in the right side of her chest. It makes is so much easier to insert the needle for the chemotherapy, and it doesn't hurt Melvine. Melvine is beginning to lose hair, but she can handle that well. No matter what happens she is beautiful to me and most of all I love her. 

It is a joy and personal pleasure to serve Melvine. She is the love of my life. And I know that Melvine loves me.

Because the area where Melvine was having her chemotherapy was crowded, I visited other patients and their spouses, some who came alone. Bonnie stayed with Melvine. With each one in the treatment room, I shared the Billy Graham blessing or benediction. Everyone receives it with a heart and mind open to God. I look into their eyes and I can see the movement of the Holy Spirit making the blessing real to each person. It opens up conversation, and people are telling me about their lives and what God means to them.

One of the nurses came over to ask me what I said to people who need to be saved. She said, "I want to make sure I am saying the right thing." I briefly shared my approach and recited a few of the Scriptures I use in witnessing. It is the inspired Word that draws people to God and to help them place their faith in Jesus Christ.

After Melvine finished taking her Chemotherapy and checked out of the clinic, we got in our car and Melvine wanted to go to Burger King for a junior whopper w/cheese and onion rings, and I wanted a large whopper w/cheese and onion rings. We ate a few onion rings on the way home. They are so good when they are hot. We ate after we got home. After eating. I had to mail some cards for Melvine to our adopted children, now grown, and to have the air pressure checked in the tires of my car. The air pressure icon and message came up on the screen. I think it is the front left tire, and I may need to have the valve core checked to discover where the leak it. Of course, it could have a nail. Whatever the case, I need to let the tire people check it out. My shade tree mechanics are gone forever.

Melvine took a nap. We got a call from Greg and he had just left his school in Thomson, GA, and was on his way home. Melvine wanted chicken fingers for supper from Zaxby's in Winder. Greg graciously went to get our supper after he arrived home. He is ever ready to help us. We praise God for Greg.

Today is my 86th birthday. Melvine will be 84 on Sunday.

When we checked our mail box it was full of birthday and Christmas cards and some gift cards.

We are so blessed to have you as our friends. 

Melvine and I want to thank you for your prayers for us. God is answering your prayers.

​

THE MAGNIFICAT
By Frank G. Tunstall, D. Min.

When the angel Gabriel made the announcement to Mary that she would conceive a child with God as His Father, she sought more information, giving him a lesson in Biology 101: “How will this be since I am a virgin?” Gabriel responded with his own lesson in Theology 101: “Nothing is impossible with God!” (Luke 1:34-38). To her credit, Mary was the kind of young girl who saw opportunities, not merely problems. 

Ah! to lay our impossibilities before the Lord and release them.

An angel told Joseph, who was engaged to marry Mary, not to be afraid to take her as his wife, because her pregnancy was of God. 
 
We can only begin to imagine the awesome spiritual power required to conceive a child without a natural father. But God is the Creator of DNA; He could do it perfectly – and the Holy Spirit did. As you ponder the Magnificat, let yourself consider the sovereign dominion of the Spirit that was required to make the incarnation happen.   

Mary’s senior adult relative, Elizabeth, lived in the hill country of Judea, 80+ miles to the south. She and Zacharias “were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless” (Luke 1:6). The angel Gabriel visited Zacharias in the temple while he was offering incense and told him his wife would conceive Messiah’s forerunner. Gabriel said John would go to the people of Israel in the spirit and power of Elijah, “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17; Matthew 3:3). 

Gabriel also told Mary that Elizabeth was in her sixth month carrying Messiah’s forerunner. If Mary needed any confirmation of what Gabriel said to her, making a trip to visit Elizabeth was a fool-proof way to verify the angelic prophecy. Mary could have also wanted to share with Elizabeth what was happening in their wombs. In addition, she might have longed to get away from the wagging tongues of Nazareth who were so very sure her baby was illegitimate.  

Mary at perhaps sixteen-years-old was already full of the Old Testament Scriptures. She must have grown up with God-fearing parents who started teaching her to memorize the Bible from the time she first began to talk. Nazareth was on a trade route, and she surely had her chances to run after the young men on the caravans. The arrival of a caravan, in fact, was about the biggest event that took place in sleepy Nazareth. But Mary did not want that life. It is hard for us to imagine parents in today’s world permitting their three-month pregnant daughter to make an 80-mile walk and perhaps more – unless they thought it best to get Mary out of town.

Elizabeth was in her sixth month carrying her baby, who would be named John. Mary, a sixteen-year-old teenager, made the long trip south to visit Elizabeth. Luke did not record if anyone traveled with her; in fact, he gave no detail at all about this teenager’s journey. To make this trip, if she averaged twelve miles a day in a caravan, it was at least a full week on the road (Luke 1:39). We need no convincing that the Holy Spirit protected her. Ein Karem, the traditional birthplace of John the Baptist, was about four miles west of Jerusalem. 

When Mary walked into the home of her senior adult relative, Elizabeth immediately was filled with the Holy Spirit and began to prophesy. John (the Baptist), a six-month baby in Elizabeth’s womb, in that same moment leaped in Elizabeth’s womb for joy (Luke 1:36, 41). John was filled with the Holy Spirit from His mother’s womb (Luke 1:15).   

Mary’s command of Scripture is revealed best in the song she sang in Elizabeth’s home. It is identified by the name, The Magnificat; the term in Latin means to glorify or magnify. The name comes from the first line of the hymn. 

I have long believed the Holy Spirit does not drop verses into our hearts that we have never read or heard. If the Spirit did that, few people would ever read the Bible. The Magnificat demonstrates both Mary’s knowledge and the ability of the Holy Spirit to take that familiarity and inspire a hymn that has lived for 2,000 years. Luke is the Gospel writer who recorded it (Luke 1:46-55). Six Old Testament books and fourteen citations are blended together to give us the ten verses in the Magnificat! Wow. Without question Mary was a highly intelligent, Holy Spirit anointed young lady with a strong will that was prepared to tackle the impossible with the perseverance to win.

The verses are highlighted that are associated with the song that belongs to the ages – and it came from a 16-year-old.  

THE MAGNIFACAT
46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord  [Psalm 34:2-3]
   47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,  [Habakkuk 3:18]
48 for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant.  [Psalm 138:6)
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me — Holy is His name  [Psalm 71:19; 111:9] 
50 His mercy extends to those who fear Him, from generation to generation.   [Exodus 20:6;  
   Psalm 103:17]
51 He has performed mighty deeds with His arm;  [Psalm 98:1; Exodus 18:11]
He has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.  [Isaiah 40.10]
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones  [Daniel 4:17]  
   but has lifted up the humble.  (Psalm 147:6)
53 He has filled the hungry with good things  [Psalm 107:9]
   but has sent the rich away empty. [Psalm 49:16-17]
54 He has helped His servant Israel,  [Exodus 15:1-6)
   remembering to be merciful  [Psalm 98:3]
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
   even as He said to our fathers."  [Genesis 17:7]

Mary made the trip back home in the sixth month of her pregnancy. Then, in her ninth-month, she made a second trip south, this time to Bethlehem. Joseph was with her on this one, and she was “great with child” (Luke 2:5). The journey was about the same in miles; Bethlehem is about five miles south of Jerusalem. Mary delivered Baby Jesus on that trip in a Bethlehem cave that was a cattle stable. Angels danced on the clouds to celebrate the moment and humble shepherds left their sheep to go find the newly-born Infant.

Yes, Jesus has always had room for the humble in heart.
​
Mary’s love for Scripture should inspire us all to be avid students of the Bible, and to teach our children and grandchildren to love the Scriptures too.

Edith Ely, wife of the Rev. Dr. Bob Ely, former President of Southwestern Christian University in Bethany, Oklahoma, was the first person to respond to my appeal for help in transcribing the letter which President George H. W. Bush had written for the son of the CEO of IBM. 

Once again I want to thank Edith Ely for our excellent work and for coming to my rescue.

It is my sincere prayers that these principles of living which President George H. W. Bush, our 41st President of the United States, wrote will be read and copies of these principles of living will be given to children, youth, and adults alike during this Advent and Christmas season.

Here is Edith Ely's email to me:

Bro. Morgan, below is the letter of former President Bush’s advice to young people.

The letter says:

“I cannot single out the one greatest challenge in my life. I have had a lot of challenges and my advice to young people might be as follows

1.  Don’t get down when your life takes a bad turn. Out of adversity comes challenge and often success

2.  Don’t blame others for your setbacks

3.  When things go well, always give credit to others

4.  Don’t talk all the time. Listen to your friends and mentors and learn from them

5.  Don’t brag about yourself. Let others point out your virtues, your strong points.

6.  Give someone else a hand. When a friend is hurting show that friend you care

7.  Nobody likes an overbearing big shot

8.  As you succeed, be kind to people. Thank those who help you along the way

9.  Don’t be afraid to shed a tear when your heart is broken because a friend is hurting.

10.  Say your prayers!!

George Bush”

[Editor's comment: It takes a number of people to help me produce Hugh's News. I am grateful for all the help I get. Edith Ely was the first subscriber to respond to my request. Linda Thomas, from North Carolina, was the second person. I want to thank Edith Ely and Linda Thomas for their gracious response and excellent work. These two ladies have made it possible for me to share President George Herbert Walker Bush's advice with youth and to you my dear readers.

It is my sincere prayer that God will use these ten principles of living to bless thousands of people. We all need this Godly advice from a man who endeavored to be guided by them in his relationship with other people.]

“Ye who now bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.”

During this time of joyous festivities, we also take time to remember those who have suffered from violence, those who are poor, and those who are marginalized. The story of King Herod seeking to kill the “holy innocents” reminds us that Jesus came because of the reality of the dark side of life – sin. He came to bring life, joy, and hope. Let us be a Place of Hope and a People of Promise this Christmas season.

Each Wednesday during Advent, our beloved Bishop Doug Beacham, General Superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, gives us a special message to think and pray about. This is the third in a series he has done. 

This video is called Good King Wenceslas. We as Pentecostals do not come from a liturgical background and are not familiar with Good King Wenceslas. It is important to learn about him and the tradition around his life. Bishop Beacham will explain it.

May I encourage you to Click Here to see and hear this third Advent message by our Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham. You will be blessed.

[Editor's comment: I have listened several times to this third Advent message given to us by Bishop Doug Beacham. I looked up the lyrics to this song he referred to, and I would like to share those words with you:

Good King Wenceslas
John M. Neale, pub.1853

1. Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
   When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
   Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
   When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.
2. “Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,
   Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”
   “Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,
   Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
3. “Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,
   You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
   Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
   Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
4. “Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
   Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
   “Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,
   You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”
5. In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
   Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
   Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing,
   You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.]

In His Presence: "Lord, make me to know my end and what is the extent of my days; let me know how transient I am" (Psalms 39:4).

Basically, God has entrusted three things to our care. He has given us three spheres where we are to be His stewards. First, He has entrusted us with time. God is not limited by time. There is no time when He did not exist or when He will cease to be. He always has been and always will be. He is eternal. But time has a different meaning for us because we are limited by time. We have 24 hours in a day and 365 days in a year. We have a certain number of years to live, and we don’t know how long that will be.

Ephesians 5:15-17 says: “Be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.  So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” In this verse Paul told us to watch out for time. It is fleeting, and we are all running out of time.

Many people define time in terms of its linear course, from point A to point B. But that’s not the full definition of time. In God’s viewpoint, time is the boundary of opportunity. Time must be maximized, not trivialized. We should take advantage of it because we can never get it back.

To be a good steward of time, verse 17 tells us to understand what the will of the Lord is. To use your time to its utmost potential, you should use it to accomplish the will of God.

One Minute Please

If we are righteous stewards of God’s time, He will give us joy in His time.

Romans 1:24-25, Psalms 23

Recently I spoke to a heartbroken woman. Her father was dying, and he was cold toward his family and God. He desired no contact and refused to discuss any spiritual matter.

But God is able to reach anyone—even someone hostile to the faith. Consider the apostle Paul’s conversion! Yet Scripture also teaches that the Lord eventually gives people over to the hardness of their own hearts. There may come a point when He no longer draws them by revealing their need for a Savior.

The situation is different for believers, though. When we, in our humanness, continue to sin, the Holy Spirit convicts us so we’ll get back on track. At that point, we can humbly repent and follow Him or ignore His voice and continue to sin. If we persist in error, our Father will keep calling us back. But the danger is that our hearts may become desensitized and eventually we may cease hearing His warning.

Thankfully, we are children of God, and He loves us too much to let us remain in a sinful pattern. Though chastisement and conviction are never pleasant, He knows our travelling down the wrong road results in much greater heartache. The Lord is a shepherd, using His staff and rod to lovingly bring us to green pastures.

"He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd" (Mark 6:34, NIV).

Jesus looked out at the approaching crowds and saw people who were seeking God but instead had received hundreds of man-made legal burdens.

He saw people who wanted truth but had received political posturing and religious platitudes from the Pharisees.

He saw people as more important than His own plans and need for rest.

He saw people not as an interruption, but as an opportunity to reveal His loving care and His Father’s compassionate power to meet their deepest needs.

He saw people as sheep who needed a shepherd. He saw people as God saw them.

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

C​opyright © 2014 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org.

Luke 2:21-35

21 And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. 

Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord  23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"),  24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, "A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons." 

Simeon Sees God's Salvation

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 

29 "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word; 
30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 
31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 
32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel." 

33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." 
NKJV

[Editor's Comment: What a wonderful story. Jesus, the Christ Child was brought to the Temple by Joseph and Mary to be presented to the Lord. To reveal their poverty they presented a pair of turtle doves. This presentation of Jesus was prior to the visit of the Wise men who came a year or so later and they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Those gifts from the wise men, kings of the East, provided for the journey of this holy family to Egypt.

I would call this experience in the Temple the dedication of Jesus to God. It is proper and wise for parents to realize that their children are a gift from God and they are stewards to raise them in the fear of God and dedicate them to the Lord. My parents did that for me. In fact, I have been dedicated many times by men of God my parents respected and loved.

This story of Simeon is one of my favorites. To be able to hold in his arms the Christ Child, the Consolation of Israel, and blessed the Child is something to behold. He came by the Holy Spirit to worship in the Temple. I want that kind of life. With his own eyes he saw the salvation for all people, including us who are gentiles. 

I love his statement: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word." I remember once when the congregation of Holmes Memorial Church in Greenville. SC. was doing a "This is Your Life" for Dr. Paul F. Beacham, the pastor and president of Holmes Bible College, his only response to the tribute given to him was:

"Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace." He was a great man and demonstrated that greatness God had given him by his humility.

May God help us to keep in focus Jesus, the Christ Child, the Son of God, the Last Adam, our Savior and Lord during this Advent season and Christmas. He is indeed the reason for this season of the year. We come to worship Him Who is worthy of all praise and honor and glory.]

It was graduation day and the mother was trying to take a picture of her son in a cap and gown, posed with his father. 

"Let’s try to make this look natural" she said.

"Junior, put your arm around your dad’s shoulder."

The father answered, "If you want it to look natural, why not have him put his hand in my pocket?"​

We believe as Pentecostals that all healing comes from God. He uses many delivery systems to bring about that healing. Some are healed instantly, and we call that a miracle. However, most healing is gradual. Whatever the process we know that our help comes from God, and we believe that Jesus is the Great Physician.

Today, Melvine and I read from Charles R. Swindoll's devotion book, Good Morning, Lord ... Can We Talk? 

The topic was "Make a Difference at Christmas." The Scripture text is recorded in John 1:14.

Charles begins the devotional by saying, "Someone copied this piece from a well-worn carbon in billfold of a thirty-year veteran missionary. She and her husband were on their way to another tour of duty in Sudan. No one seems to know who authored it, but it captures the essence of the greatest essay ever written on love.

"If I have the language so perfectly and speak like a pundit and have not the love that grips the heart. I am nothing. If I have decorations and diplomas and am proficient in up-to-date methods and have not the touch of understanding love, I am nothing."

I wish I had the time to transcribe it from the book to this keyboard for you. 

Chuck Swindoll wrote that it reminded him of what John wrote:

"The Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and and faithfulness" (John 1:14).

That is a good translation of that verse. However, I like how Eugene H. Peterson rendered it too:

John 1:14
 The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish. 
(from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

Today, I asked Melvine to pray. She prayed a most meaningful prayer right out of her heart of love for God, for our family, our church, and our relatives and friends. It is in prayer that I can begin to know the heart of love Melvine has for me and our family, and all mankind.

I helped Melvine with Christmas cards she sends every year to our adopted grandchildren, children now grown and some are married. I wrote the checks and put on the stamps. This was a small project but one that joined us in unity of purpose and love for these children we dedicated to God as infants. My how they have grown up. What thrills us most is they are all Christians and are serving the Lord.

We had run out of loaf bread to make sandwiches. So, I drove one mile from our home to at convenience store that has just about all you will find in a grocery store. I was able to share the blessing of Billy Graham with the cashier. She cried and told me what a blessing it was to her. I gave one to another clerk and a lady who has purchased some groceries, too.

Jesus moved into the neighborhood. God wants me to do the same with the neighborhood where I live or reside in the Sweet Apple Subdivision.

Melvine's cough that lingered has completely gone. And we praise God for that.

I do believe that Melvine has new energy and stamina

I have taken over doing our laundry. I know how to wash the clothes with the right amount of liquid soap, set the dials appropriately, and put them in our dryer.  I remember when we used to hang our clothes on a clothes line. Thank God for modern appliances. Melvine does the folding. We work as a team.

I will take Melvine for another chemotherapy on Friday. Bonnie Patch Bender, a retired LPN, will meet us and help us. What a wonderful person she is. She is so knowledgeable about medical issues and procedures and is so helpful. She is always positive and helps me to see the brighter side of what is going one. 

Greg will be coming home for the weekend. On Saturday, we will celebrate my 86th birthday. I have asked Greg to drive us to the Texas Road House Steak Restaurant in Athens. We finally got one several months ago. It is wonderful.

Texas Roadhouse Steak Restaurant is an American chain restaurant that specializes in steaks and promotes a Western theme. Texas Roadhouse Corporation is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

I seldom eat a steak, but I still love a good rib eye steak.

“Ye who now bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.”

During this time of joyous festivities, we also take time to remember those who have suffered from violence, those who are poor, and those who are marginalized. The story of King Herod seeking to kill the “holy innocents” reminds us that Jesus came because of the reality of the dark side of life – sin. He came to bring life, joy, and hope. Let us be a Place of Hope and a People of Promise this Christmas season.

Each Wednesday during Advent, our beloved Bishop Doug Beacham, General Superintendent of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church, gives us a special message to think and pray about. This is the third in a series he has done. 

This video is called Good King Wenceslas. We as Pentecostals do not come from a liturgical background and are not familiar with Good King Wenceslas. It is important to learn about him and the tradition around his life. Bishop Beacham will explain it.

May I encourage you to Click Here to see and hear this third Advent message by our Presiding Bishop Doug Beacham. You will be blessed.

[Editor's comment: I have listened several times to this third Advent message given to us by Bishop Doug Beacham. I looked up the lyrics to this song he referred to, and I would like to share those words with you:

Good King Wenceslas
John M. Neale, pub.1853

1. Good King Wenceslas looked out on the Feast of Stephen,
   When the snow lay round about, deep and crisp and even.
   Brightly shone the moon that night, though the frost was cruel,
   When a poor man came in sight, gath’ring winter fuel.
2. “Hither, page, and stand by me, if you know it, telling,
   Yonder peasant, who is he? Where and what his dwelling?”
   “Sire, he lives a good league hence, underneath the mountain,
   Right against the forest fence, by Saint Agnes’ fountain.”
3. “Bring me food and bring me wine, bring me pine logs hither,
   You and I will see him dine, when we bear them thither.”
   Page and monarch, forth they went, forth they went together,
   Through the cold wind’s wild lament and the bitter weather.
4. “Sire, the night is darker now, and the wind blows stronger,
   Fails my heart, I know not how; I can go no longer.”
   “Mark my footsteps, my good page, tread now in them boldly,
   You shall find the winter’s rage freeze your blood less coldly.”
5. In his master’s steps he trod, where the snow lay dinted;
   Heat was in the very sod which the saint had printed.
   Therefore, Christian men, be sure, while God’s gifts possessing,
   You who now will bless the poor shall yourselves find blessing.]

Chaplain (Colonel) Matthew Pawlikowski, USA noted that every one of the players would lay down their life for another.

A military chaplain gave a powerful opening prayer before the Army-Navy football game over the weekend that has since been making the rounds on social media.

Chaplain (Colonel) Matthew Pawlikowski of the United States Military Academy at West Point started his invocation Saturday with his compelling reason for praying before a football game.

"God of Wonders, some wonder why we pray for a football game. So I tell them, in this game, every player on the field is willing to die for every person watching," Pawlikowski said. "And there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for what's truly good. And so, God, I do pray for these players, on this field, and all the good they represent."

His prayer was a reference to the New Testament verse John 15:13.

President Donald Trump, who was on hand for the game, handled the coin toss at the 119th annual rivalry match between the Army Black Knights and Navy Midshipmen.

Army beat Navy 17-10 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. It was Army's third win in a row.

What else did the chaplain say?

"Their fellow cadets and midshipmen, soldiers, sailors, Marines, firefighters, first responders, police, and countless others who lay down their lives daily in our defense," he continued. "Because in your eyes, Oh God, it is not the critic who counts, but those who actually step into the arena,"

"And so, Almighty God, we who are willing to die for others, we salute You. Let this game begin. Amen," Pawlikowski closed the invocation.

What was the crowd's reaction?

The crowd burst into cheers following Pawlikowski's petition to God for the safety of all the players, according to the Western Journal.

​DIVINE HEALING
By Dan Beller, D. Min.

When Marie and I were in India, we were amazed at the common goal of the
people involved in Pagan religions. They were continually doing religious acts and
making sacrifices to gain favor and appease the wrath of their gods. We then gained a new insight about us Christians – it is just as pagan for us to think that we can merit God’s grace through our own suffering. It is also pagan to think that we can expect God’s blessing of healing only when we are worthy.

The good news is that Jesus Christ suffered for us and satisfied the wrath of God.

We are thus saved and healed through what Jesus did and not because of any personal merit. We are healed “by the stripes of Jesus.” (1 Pet. 2:24).
​
To receive God’s gift of healing, we must believe it is God’s will. When the leper questioned the will of God, Jesus simply said, “I will…” (Matt. 8:3). He was saying, “My love is equal to my power.” Why shouldn’t Jesus heal this leper? He was lonely and desperate. He could not kiss his wife or hold his baby and no friend could even touch him. Jesus could have healed him without touching him, but the leper needed to be touched.

I often tell people that I believe in healing “anyway you can get it” because all good comes from God. 

I often tell people that I believe in healing “anyway you can get it” because all good comes from God. All healing is divine but all healing is not miraculous. We are healed through doctors, medicine, diet, exercise, climate and miracles.

Here are some practical reasons we can expect to be healed:

 If God were just a good friend, He would want us to be healed.
 Good health enhances the quality of life.
 Healing is an excellent opener to the Gospel..
 Jesus is the same today as he has always been.

John Wesley believed in healing so much that he even prayed for his horse to be healed. Should not we believers, who are more valuable than many sparrows (or Wesley’s horse), believe that our Father will heal us?

[​Dr. Dan Beller: Biographical Sketch

Dan Beller is from the State of Oklahoma in the U.S.A. He accepted Christ as Savior at 10 years of age and later joined the International Pentecostal Holiness Church. He was called to preach the Gospel at the age of 18.

As a member of his denomination, he has served the church as an evangelist, Christian Education Director and Assistant Superintendent of the New Horizons Ministries Conference, pastored in Dallas, Texas, South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, Pryor, Oklahoma and Evangelistic Temple in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He served for over 20 years on the General Christian Education Board and four years on the General Executive Board of the I.P.H.C.

He earned the Doctor of Ministry Degree from Fuller Theological Seminary of Pasadena, California, in June, 1983. He also received the Master of Divinity Degree from the Graduate School of Theology at Oral Roberts University, the Bachelor of Arts Degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, and the Bachelor of Theology Degree from Southwestern Christian University in Oklahoma City.

When he and his family came to Tulsa in 1967, Evangelistic Temple had 335 members with an average attendance of about 400. Under his leadership, the membership grew to 2,700 with attendance reaching 1,000 to 1,200. Eventually there were six services on Sunday, including the Spanish Congregation and the Iranian Congregation. The church in Tulsa had a weekly television program for more than 15 years. He is now Pastor Emeritus of Evangelistic Temple where he served as Sr. Pastor for over 34 years.

Dr. Beller served with Dr. David Yonggi Cho as a Board Member of Church Growth International and was privileged to speak at the Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Korea, where Dr. Cho is Sr. Pastor. He now serves as Honorary Board Member. The church there now has over 750,000 members. In 1979, he spoke at the Twelfth Pentecostal World Conference in Vancouver, B.C., with 15,000 in attendance.

In 1953 he married the former Marie Gosnell whose father, Rev. Lamar Gosnell, was a successful pastor for 49 years. Her grandfather and great grandfather were also ministers. They have one daughter, Dana, who has a Jr. College Degree from TCC & attended ORU & is married to Luis Acevedo. Luis and Dana have two daughters – Jessica, who is a graduate of Southwestern Christian University & is married to Ryan Parker, and Natalie, who has an Associate of Arts Degree from SCU and a B. A. Degree from UCO in Edmond, OK. Natalie is married to Roman Owen.  Jessica and Ryan have one daughter, Aubrey, and one son, Tristan. Natalie and Roman have a daughter named Olivia.]

The Light Still Shines 

December 5, 2018

Dear Friends,
​
I love the Christmas season! The lights, cards, music and crispness in the air, all reflect this special time of the year. This is my first Christmas as President of Southwestern Christian University, and the Advent season has arrived. As I write this letter it is 34 degrees. The new Christmas decorations are beautiful on campus, and the students are wrapping up a very successful semester. The annual Chrismon service and the REAL meaning of Christmas was shared during our chapel service today. I had the privilege of placing a star on the Chrismon tree. The star symbolizes Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the bright and morning Star. What an honor!

I am quite sure during this Christmas season, somewhere in your home or at your church or in your decorated neighborhood there will be a star, or a star ornament, or picture with a star central to the image. The light from stars has a simple, but unique beauty.

Christmas, more than anything else is about Light. Jesus was born the LIGHT of the world. The star over Bethlehem shone brightly and guided the magi, who left their country and their comfort zone, to go worship the newborn King. The star has illuminated the hearts and minds of men and women and children ever since. The star still shines today and it is ever lasting.

The Star symbolizes so much: heavenly favor, wisdom, guidance, and aspirations. The star stands for high hopes and ideals, a hope for a blessing and to reach above oneself. It is believed that a miracle had occurred at the time of His birth. It is the light that guides and shows us the right path to travel in life. The brightness of the star is the symbols of enlightenment and victory of good over evil. On the campus of Southwestern Christian University, young men and women, our students, guided by the light, search daily for God’s will and are allowing the light of Christ to shine forth in an effort to change the world.

Our students invest thousands of hours into our community; many others go on missions trips, while others commit themselves to serving in local churches each week. There is no question that SCU students and graduates are hearing and answering the call to take the message of the cross and let the light of Jesus Christ shine to a world that so desperately needs it. As the graduates leave SCU they are determined to take the light into the work place and into the communities where they live. They cannot accomplish this without your support. The Star Still Shines!

I believe that every student should have the opportunity for a world-class, Biblically centered, and academically rich education. I believe that every student is a gift to us from God. To provide this rich education, I must have your help. Please be assured that SCU will never cease in its mission to produce graduates that are competent in their field of study, knowledgeable in Biblical studies, and Christians equipped to serve the Christian community and make known the name of Jesus Christ.

It has been said that if you want to change the culture, you reshape the minds and hearts of the next generation. You give them a solid Christian world-view, you help reshape them intellectually, morally, and spiritually. You ground them in the Gospel and equip them to serve Jesus, wherever they go. That is what the faculty, staff, and I do at SCU. Without faithful supporters like you, we simply cannot do this. Please continue to pray for SCU and assist us during this season and the end of the year.

We love and appreciate you, and we are so thankful to have you as part of the SCU Family. Let me assure you that the star still shines on the campus of Southwestern Christian University. Please assist us with your Christmas and “end of the year” gift today. I desperately need your prayers and your financial help. There is a spirit of newness at SCU—Come be a part of this New Day Dawning!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Sincerely,


Tom L. Murray
​President

[Editor's Comment: You and I can be a Christmas blessing to Southwestern Christian University. Let us encourage our new President with an avalanche of gifts of money to this prominent university of the Pentecostal Holiness Church in the heartland of our country.

Here is the mailing address:

Southwestern Christian University
7210 NW 39th Expy 
Bethany, OK 73008
Phone: (405) 789-7661]

TIGERVILLE, SC -- The Emmanuel College men's basketball team defeated conference opponent North Greenville University 76-63 on Wednesday night.

The teams exchanged shots early in the first half to tie the game at 16-16. The Lions would then go on a run to lead the Crusaders 39-29 into halftime. Senior Kendrick Colvin led all players with 14 first half points.

The Crusaders opened up the second half with five of the first nine points, but Emmanuel would retaliate with an eight point run to give them a hefty lead. Emmanuel cruised to a 76-63 win, shooting 46% from the floor.

Sophomore Brandon Simpson led the Lions with a double-double 21 points and 10 rebounds. Colvin also grabbed a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Next up, the Lions will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii to compete in the Hoops in Hawaii DII Power Invitational. Emmanuel will square off against Western Oregon in their first match on Sunday, December 16th. 

For more news on Emmanuel College Athletics, visit goeclions.com.

Multitasking -- Some people can't walk and chew gum at the same time.  Enjoy an unbelievable show!

This has to be the strangest, funniest and most unique brass band you will ever see. Prepare to be amazed that they not only can perform this act, but the fact they even thought of it.     

Check the guy's expression.

Please Click Here to see this Little Brass Band.

Turn sound on.

This one is good enough to be included in Lighten Up With Laughter. What do you think?

Stewardship and Ownership

In His Presence: God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on earth" (Genesis 1:26).

The subject of stewardship causes both confusion and consternation among Christians. The issue of money is really only a very small part of the stewardship. When rightly understood, stewardship can bring true joy to the life of a Christian, and it can transform the way we live. The word stewardship refers to an administration or an economy, a way of operating. We can also call it management. 

Stewardship is not only misunderstood, it is also abused. In the name of stewardship, false doctrine has arisen and caused people to confine their perception of God to a box. A prosperity heresy has deceived people about what it means to be a good steward for the Lord.

The proper definition of stewardship is given by its author, God Himself. To understand stewardship, we must understand authorship. The Bible opens up with God creating, talking, and doing. He made the earth and mankind, and therefore He is the owner of all things. God created and then He gave responsibility to man to manage His creation. We don't own anything on earth; it's all God's property. The Bible is very clear about who owns the earth and who, we are serving. In Exodus 19:5, God says: "All the earth is Mine." In Psalm 89:11, the psalmist said to God: "The world and all it contains, You have founded them." We own nothing, and the ultimate proof for this is that when we leave the earth, we won't take anything with us. God is absolute owner because He is absolute sovereign and King of the universe.

One Minute Please

Everything you have can be traced back to God's absolute ownership.