​The Child is brilliant.  No one else would have thought of the answers he gave and by the way they were all correct.  Depends on your mind set.

STUDENT WHO OBTAINED 0% ON AN EXAM*

I would have given him 100%!  *

Each answer is absolutely grammatically correct, and funny too. *

The teacher had no sense of humor. :)*

Q1.. In which battle did Napoleon die?*

* his last battle*

Q2.. Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?*

* at the bottom of the page*

Q3.. River Ravi flows in which state?*

* liquid*

Q4.. What is the main reason for divorce?*

* marriage*

Q5.. What is the main reason for failure?*

* exams*

Q6.. What can you never eat for breakfast?*

* Lunch & dinner*

Q7.. What looks like half an apple?*

* The other half*

Q8.. If you throw a red stone into the blue sea what will it become?*

* Wet*

Q9.. How can a man go eight days without sleeping?*

* No problem, he sleeps at night.*

Q10. How can you lift an elephant with one hand?*

*   You will never find an elephant that has one hand.*

Q11. If you had three apples and four oranges in one hand and  four apples and three oranges in other hand, what would you have?*

* Very large hands*

Q12. If it took eight men ten hours to build a wall,  how long would it take four men to build it?*

*No time at all, the wall is already built.*

Q13. How can you drop a raw egg onto a concrete floor without cracking it?*

*Any way you want, concrete floors are very hard to crack.*

Spread some laughter, share the cheer.  Let's be happy, while we're here!

Pastor Ned Holland Russ, 96, of Hawkinsville, Ga. passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019 at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at New Visions Ministries Church with Pastor Jeff Thomas, Bishop Tim Lamb, Pastor Richard Russ and Bishop Wesley Russ officiating. Burial will be in Bowers Cemetery in Bleckley County with Military Honors.

Pastor Russ was a native of Georgetown, South Carolina and a member of New Visions Ministries Church. He retired as a Pastor at 85 years old. Pastor Ned was a Veteran of the U. S. Army and a member of the V. F. W. Post 6077. He was preceded in death by his parents, Furman and Pauline Russ and 9 siblings.

Survivors include sons, Wesley Holland Russ of Beltsville, Maryland, Richard S. Russ of Coco, Florida, Ned B. Russ of Hawkinsville, Ga.; daughters, Deanna Carol of Freeport, Florida and Angela Paulletta (Tilton) of Georgetown, South Carolina.

The family requests no floral gifts. Contributions may be made to New Visions Building Fund: P .O. Box 1393, Hawkinsville, Ga. 31036.
Clark Funeral Home of Hawkinsville, Ga. is in charge of the arrangements. 

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Pastor Ned Holland Russ please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events
Funeral Service
© Stadia Maps, © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap
Get Driving Directions
MAR 20. 2:00 PM

New Visions Ministries Church

P. O. Box 1393

Hawkinsville, GA, 31036

Dear Hugh,

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Rev. Ned Russ. He was pastor of the Good Hope PH Church in Barnesville for a number of years. My grandfather, Rev. D. Roy Chapman, was the founder and first pastor of Good Hope Church. I was a member there during Ned and Ms Evelyn’s tenure. My grandmother, Ruby Chapman, affectionately called
“ Memudder” was a faithful member until he​r death in 1995. Brother Russ, as we called him, was instrumental in the remodeling of the sanctuary and numerous improvements to the facility and beautification of the grounds. He was always a cheerful fellow and willing to help anyone.
Rev. Russ assisted in the funerals of both my dad, Lamar Chapman, and my beloved grandmother,
“ Memudder.” ( Ruby Culbreth Chapman)

Rev Ned Russ was also one of my pastors including : Rev. Keith Hearn, Rev Nerl Coleman, along with Dr. Vinson Synan who lay hands upon me at my ordination into ministry in the Georgia Conference in Franklin Springs Church in 1982.

Bishop Wesley Russ, along with his brothers and sisters were regulars at Good Hope when visiting their family.

On behalf of my family, I offer my sincere condolences to the family with appreciation of the ministry of Ned and Evelyn during those years. They were good folks! Now he has entered the Church Triumphant!

* Hugh if you could pass this on to Wesley and family, I would appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Dr. Sid Chapman​

​

As the editor of Hugh's News I am interested in learning how you were introduced to Hugh's News.  I would like to enlist your response. You may write me at: hugh@hughsnews.com

Every day, I receive a graph chart of how many people visit our website, in addition to the number of people who are subscribers. On Sunday, March 11, the chart revealed that 7,447 people read Hugh's News by accessing it via our website: www.hughsnews.com

It is obvious to me that God has called this evangelical/Pentecostal newsletter into existence, and He has and is sustaining it through the gifts or contributions of its readers. Hugh's News, Inc. is registered with the Georgia Secretary of State as a non-profit organization. God has enabled us to obtain a 501 (C) (3) IRS Tax Exempt Status that enables you to get a tax break when filing your Federal Income Return. 

This is my 22nd year of publishing Hugh's News. We began with only 13 original subscribers, and more were added as they learned about this newsletter that shares the news of the IPHC (International Pentecostal Holiness Church), the church where I am a member and an ordained minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, we endeavor to publish news and inspirational articles to bless other members the body of Christ worldwide.

For those who desire to contribute to Hugh's News, Inc. you are invited to give as the Holy Spirit directs you. You may Click Here to get instructions how you can give to express your gratitude for this ministry.

Hugh's News is dependent upon the generosity of its readers. No church or any other organization underwrites Hugh's News.

As the editor I have never taken a salary for my work and ministry. I do what I do as a calling from God to bless His people. 

The Scriptural Mission of Hugh's News is described in Daniel 12:3, "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" (NIV). Our prayer is that souls will be saved and brought into the Kingdom of God.

I need others like you to join with me in this mission God has given us to fulfill in the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, the Bible.

I invite you to be a partner with me to continue the publication of Hugh's News.

Bishop Samuel Fitzgerald conference superintendent of now River of Life Conference of IPHC. Sammy was my best friend at HBC. He told me of the Hugh's Newsletter and was excited about it. I sent you an email from his home in Sharon, Pa asking you to add us to your email News letter. 

We are nearing our 60th Wedding Anniversary in April. When your friend and mine, the late Pastor Larry English retired, Juanita and I became Senior Pastors in Ashtabula, Ohio.

Know that Juanita and I pray for you two daily.
                                                 
In Him,
                                                   
​Jim and Juanita Mullins

I have been a subscriber for approximately 20 years, I don’t even remember who first sent in my name but I think it was Mable Wood. She is my Aunt. I was raised P. H and attended Emmanuel for High School in 1956-57 and 57-58. Bro Swails and Bro Melton were some of the teachers at that time and the President was Bro. Drum These were some of the best years of my life but I was to young to appreciate that.

I have been married will be 60 years April 11. Live in Florida but do not attend a PH church but I enjoy keeping up with everything that goes on in the denomination. I am part of the Wood family. John and Gerry Talmage is my Aunt. She is the last living sibling, Roy Wood was her Brother (Mable’s husband). Walter, and Eddie and David Wood are all cousins of mine so when you talk about singing with Eddie Wood I enjoy reading that.

Lately I can hardly wait each morning to see what the day holds for you and your wife as she struggles with cancer and you as her caregiver. You are loved and appreciated and please know you have lots of prayers prayed each day for your family..😍💕💕
​
God Bless you, Melvine and Greg as you take each day on this phase of your life ..

I forget to mention I also ordered a Prayer Quilt for one of my BEST friends that is fighting renal cancer. It is beautiful and I appreciate so much hearing about it from “Hugh’s News.”

In His Presence: Acts 4:32-37  

Understanding who we are as the people of God is critical for success as stewards of His kingdom. We are God’s safety valve, the ones God has called to demonstrate what Kingdom solutions look like. Ministry occurs when God’s people serve others for eternal purposes. Ministry touches lives with eternity in mind.

Ministry takes place in God’s house. In Old Testament times, this was the temple. In fact, Malachi 3:10, which talks about tithing, also refers to God’s house: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house.” Ephesians 2:19, 21-22 tells us that Christians are now God’s temple: “You are . . . of God’s household . . . the whole building, being fitted together, is growing unto a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you are also being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” If our church is the dwelling place of God, we will know because the Word will be taught, the needs of the saints will be met, and the community will be impacted.

Ministry also comes at a price. All ministry should be done because God’s people are investing in the eternal perspective. To support the ministry of God, we must not neglect the house of God because it is the center of godly life. Haggai 1:4-6 is convicting: “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses while this house lies desolate?  Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘Consider your ways! You have sown much, but harvest little.’ ”

One Minute Please

Godly stewards cannot look after their own houses and ignore God’s house.

Watch Online Videos of Dr. Tony Evans and The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com
and
Listen to Dr. Tony Evans Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.


[Dr. Tony Evans is founder and senior pastor of the 10,000-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, founder and president of The Urban Alternative, former chaplain of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, and present chaplain of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. His radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 1000 US radio outlets daily and in more than 130 countries.
Contact The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans

There has always been one endgame for the radical left: the silencing of dissenting voices, in particular conservative Christian voices.

The radical left is not simply interested in winning in the marketplace of ideas. It is not simply interested in changing hearts and minds. It is ultimately interested in silencing the opposition, especially all opposition that is based on a Biblical worldview.

For years I have said that those who came out of the closet (meaning, radical gay activists) wanted to put us in the closet (meaning those of us who identify with conservative Biblical values). And for years I (and many others) have documented this, time and time again.

You might wonder how the radical left wants to silence us. How, exactly, does it want to put us in the closet?

By intimidation. By ridicule. By legal action. By expulsion. By exclusion.

Anything to avoid civil, respectful debate. Anything to avoid a genuine discussion of differences. Anything to avoid true dialogue.

Instead, those who differ with the radical left are to be demonized, stigmatized, marginalized and silenced.

Back in 2012, the gay activist organization GLAAD launched its Commentator Accountability Project. Its purpose was to discourage media outlets from having people like me on its broadcasts. (I was one of its initial list of 36 commentators. The list has greatly expanded now.)

Again, GLAAD's goal was not to provide useful information for the liberal media to refute our arguments. Instead, its goal was to discredit us and convince the media not to give us any platform.

In short, GLAAD's operating principles were simple. Exclude people, don't examine their ideas. Demonize them, don't dialogue with them.

That's why I said that GLAAD was not the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (its original acronym; now it's just GLAAD). Instead, I suggested, the organization should be known as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Disagreement.

In that same spirit, it is the radical left that seeks to block conservative speakers from college campuses, even with violent protests.

It is the radical left that seeks to shame people on their jobs and humiliate them in their schools.

As for freedom of speech and expression, that must be a one-way street.

Only the ideas of the left are worthy of dissemination. Dissenters are no better than the Taliban, than ISIS, than the Nazis, than the KKK.

That's the way the radical left seeks to win.
Related Articles

    A Reasoned Response to the Massacre of Muslims in New Zealand
    Beto O'Rourke, Climate Change and the End of the World

And that's why a high school student was recently suspended for posting Bible verses in her school in response to LGBTQ pride displays. The displays were perfectly welcome. The Bible verses were not.

As I said, freedom of expression only goes one way.

The student, Gabby Helsinger, explains that she was called into the principal's office and "was asked why she posted the Bible verses.

"'And I said, "Because I wanted to spread the Word of God," she said. "And [the principal] goes, 'Well did you have permission?' And I said, 'No.' I didn't know you had to have permission because people do it a lot—putting Post-It notes on people's lockers, so I just did it.'

"Gabby then asked the principal why any material that mentions God or Jesus, it gets removed 'straight away,' while 'gay pride stuff' can be put up all over school and openly discussed with no repercussions at all."

Enough said.

Or consider the unrelenting attack on Mike Pence, the vice president of the United States. He is a vile person. An ugly person. A person to be shamed by visiting dignitaries and ridiculed by outspoken celebrities. And his wife, Karen, is to be vilified as well.

Why? Because he has the audacity to believe what virtually all branches of Christianity have believed for the better part of two millennia (namely, that marriage is for a man and a woman) and because his wife has the audacity to teach at a Christian school.

Such views can no longer be tolerated.

Forget about tolerance and acceptance and diversity.

Those were just code words used to win over those in the middle. They were nothing more than Trojan horses through which intolerance and exclusivity could be smuggled in.

Once in place, the real agenda now comes to light. And make no mistake about it. It is an ugly, vile agenda. (Yes, I call things like drag queens reading to toddlers ugly and vile, all the more so when one of the drag queens is a registered sex offender.)

How then should we respond to this attempt to silence us? How should we respond to attempts to intimidate us and marginalize us?

Simple. We speak out more loudly and clearly. We take our stands more firmly and boldly. And the more we are hated and slandered, the more we respond with love and truth.

The darkness will never succeed in snuffing out the light.

Dr. Michael Brown (www.askdrbrown.org) is the host of the nationally syndicated Line of Fire radio program. His latest book is Donald Trump Is Not My Savior. Connect with him on Facebook or Twitter, or YouTube.

Joshua 24:15
Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." 
NIV  (New International Version)

++++++++++
​
Joshua 24:15
Choose today whom you are going to serve! Will it be the gods your ancestors served beyond the River? or the gods of the Emori, in whose land you are living? As for me and my household, we will serve Adonai!” 
CJB  (Complete Jewish Bible)

​A pastor parked his car in a no-parking zone in a large city because he was short of time and couldn't find a space with a meter.

Then he put a note under the windshield wiper that read: "I have circled the block 10 times. If I don't park here, I'll miss my appointment. Forgive us our trespasses."

When he returned, he found a citation from a police officer along with this note "I've circled this block for 10 years. If I don't give you a ticket I'll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation."

As the editor of Hugh's News I am interested in learning how you were introduced to Hugh's News.  I would like to enlist your response. You may write me at: hugh@hughsnews.com

Every day, I receive a graph chart of how many people visit our website, in addition to the number of people who are subscribers. On Sunday, March 11, the chart revealed that 7,447 people read Hugh's News by accessing it via our website: www.hughsnews.com

It is obvious to me that God has called this evangelical/Pentecostal newsletter into existence, and He has and is sustaining it through the gifts or contributions of its readers. Hugh's News, Inc. is registered with the Georgia Secretary of State as a non-profit organization. God has enabled us to obtain a 501 (C) (3) IRS Tax Exempt Status that enables you to get a tax break when filing your Federal Income Return. 

This is my 22nd year of publishing Hugh's News. We began with only 13 original subscribers, and more were added as they learned about this newsletter that shares the news of the IPHC (International Pentecostal Holiness Church), the church where I am a member and an ordained minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. In addition, we endeavor to publish news and inspirational articles to bless other members the body of Christ worldwide.

For those who desire to contribute to Hugh's News, Inc. you are invited to give as the Holy Spirit directs you. You may Click Here to get instructions how you can give to express your gratitude for this ministry.

Hugh's News is dependent upon the generosity of its readers. No church or any other organization underwrites Hugh's News.

As the editor I have never taken a salary for my work and ministry. I do what I do as a calling from God to bless His people. 

The Scriptural Mission of Hugh's News is described in Daniel 12:3, "Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever" (NIV). Our prayer is that souls will be saved and brought into the Kingdom of God.

I need others like you to join with me in this mission God has given us to fulfill it in the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, the Bible.

I invite you to be a partner with me to continue the publication of Hugh's News.

[Our first response is from Jim and Juanita Mullins:

Bishop Samuel Fitzgerald conference superintendent of now River of Life Conference of IPHC. Sammy was my best friend at HBC. He told me of the Hugh's Newsletter and was excited about it. I sent you an email from his home in Sharon, PA asking you to add us to your email News letter.  We are nearing our 60th Wedding Anniversary in April. When your friend and mine, the late Pastor Larry English retired, Juanita and I became Senior Pastors in Ashtabula, Ohio.

I think we must have been one of those in the first 100 subscribers.

Know that Juanita and I pray for you two daily.

In Him,
                                                   
​Jim and Juanita Mullins]

My best friend in the known world, Wesley Russ, was present when his father, Ned Russ, Sr., slipped through the veil of this life into the presence of Jesus in glory.  That happened around 4:30 p. m. on Sunday, March 17.

Wesley sent this in an email: "Dad is now at home with the Lord. Services for dad will be conducted Wednesday, March 20th at  New Vision Ministries IPHC in Hawkinsville, Georgia.  Service time will be 2:00 p.m.  Dad requested that no floral gifts be made. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the New Vision Ministries Building Fund @ PO Box 1393 Hawkinsville, GA 31036."
​
Wesley is to be commended for taking excellent care of his father. No son has ever been more faithful and loyal to his father than Wesley. 

I grieve with Wesley, but we rejoice that Ned Russ, Sr. is now in heaven with Jesus forever and forever. That is where I want to go when I die.

Just think of it. Wesley's wife, Janice died a year or two ago, and now his father. That is a lot to handle. He can do it with the comfort of the Holy Spirit.

My classmate, Dr. Ronald Q. Moore, at Holmes Bible College in the late 50s, is still my close friend after all the decades since we met. He sent me something in an attachment this past week that has helped me greatly. 

It goes like this:

Faith is not about
    Everything turning out okay; 
Faith is about being okay
    No matter how things turn out.

It is a touch and go everyday with Melvine. Since she was released from taking any more chemotherapy, the aftermath of the destruction that the chemo has done in Melvine's body is now taking its toll.

Pain . . . confusion . . . temporary memory loss . . . lack of orientation . . . fear . . . uncertainty . . . uneasy . . . are some of the emotions I have been able to get Melvine to tell me.

Then, there are physical effects from the chemotherapy. She has tremors in her arms and hands. Sometimes it is difficult for her to hold a cup of coffee, or her thermos with water. The left side of her body hurts. She sleeps a great deal during the day. 

She doesn't like to leave home. Although she has a deep desire to attend Sunday school and church she is far too sick to try to attempt it. 

I have sought answers from the medical profession. Medications have been changed several times to correct problems I have detected from taking Melvine's vital signs. 

I gave her her medications for the evening at 7 p. m. and took her vital signs. Two hours and fifteen minutes later she wanted to go to bed. I was allowed to give her a sleeping pill after two hours when I gave her a pain pill. She just woke up and came and asked me to give her her sleeping pill. I said, "Honey, I gave that to you when you were going to bed." She responded by saying, "I don't remember you giving me a sleeping pill."

It is my responsibility to reassure her over and over again that I am like a charge nurse and everything is under control. I am keeping the records, and I am doing my best to follow the instructions of your oncologist.

I don't like what I see happening to Melvine. She has lost much of her beautiful hair and wants our hairdresser to shave her hair. When Greg comes home for his Spring Break, I know he will be delighted to take her all the way to Arnoldsville to get that done for his mother. She hopes it will come back thicker and more of it. We will wait and see. Whatever the case, I still love her, hair or no hair. She has three wigs to wear. She bought a cute hat at Cracker Barrel to wear when she wants to do so.

I have an appointment with my ophthalmologist today, Monday, March 18 at 2:30 p. m. I have asked Jeanette Phillips to stay with Melvine while I am gone from home. Those appointment invariably take an hour, plus the drive to Athens and back home. I am eager to do all the tests they can give you. My eyesight is better than ever, and I believe I can see every little light even before it starts in the peripheral vision test. I am convinced that if I could still play golf, that I can count the number of ripples in the water when my ball lands in a pond. Wow, what an eyelid surgery can do for peripheral vision. However, we will wait and see. My major concern that the diabetes in my body has not effected my eyes. Thus far, it hasn't. For that, I am so grateful.

I am thankful that I can still take showers, put on my clothes and socks and shoes. I am very slow at the age of 86.

Well, enough about me.

Please continue to pray for Melvine, Greg, and me.

Our mailing address is:

Hugh & Melvine Morgan
17 Sweet Apple Lane
Winder, GA 30680

My email address is: hugh@hughsnews.com

​

No one can sing "How Great Thou Art" like George Beverly Shae. 

I was a student at Asbury College in 1957 when Billy Graham and his team came to speak and minister in Hughes Auditorium. The song electrified us, and I immediately began playing it on my trombone.

Click Here to see and hear George Beverely Shae sing this great hymn of the church.

May God bless this song to you on this Monday of March 18, 2019. I only desire the best of everything for all of you.

"Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?'" (Matthew 18:32-33, NLT).

Read Here

How ironic that we often fail to extend the same mercy to others that God has extended to us. God may have already forgiven us of every sin in the book - from pride to prejudice to petty jealousy. But if someone takes the last chocolate chip cookie, we're ready to prosecute the offender to the fullest extent of the law.

And we may even want God to hold it against them for a little while, just so they'll know what they did was wrong.

This attitude will not only put a strain on relationships, but it will create an environment in which revival is impossible. Your personal revival cannot occur without Christian love. Just as God's forgiveness comes from His love for us, the failure to forgive others stems from our failure to love them. And Jesus Christ will not continue with people in a revival if they are no longer exercising brotherly love.

If you've sinned against God, you can expect His immediate and complete forgiveness. But you must be willing to do the same for those who have offended you -- whether they ask for it or not.

Has someone hurt you so deeply that you are harboring unforgiveness? Make the decision right now to forgive. Revival cannot be present where forgiveness is absent. It begins with God's forgiveness of you, but it must include your forgiveness of others.

   Action Point   

Read Matthew 18 in its entirety. Is there someone you are holding a grudge against? Is there a broken relationship that needs mending? Don't wait another day! If someone has hurt you, forgive them now. And if you need to ask someone's forgiveness, do it now. Without forgiveness, there can be no revival.

   Prayer   
​
Lord, grant me the grace to forgive my debtors -- yes, even my enemies -- the same way You have forgiven me. Show me where I am harboring unforgiveness or where I have wronged someone, and give me the strength to make amends.

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46, JUNK).

Within moments of betraying Jesus, Judas hated himself for what he had done. Jesus’ third religious trial was interrupted briefly by a commotion at the doorway as Judas burst onto the scene. With a face that was surely contorted by the wretchedness of conviction, he flung thirty pieces of silver across the temple floor. As the room suddenly grew silent, the clattering coins must have reverberated in the stillness as they skidded and skipped across the marble surface. Thirty pieces of silver! The price that had been paid him by the chief priests for his betrayal! Thirty pieces of silver! The price of a wounded slave! (see Ex. 21:32) Judas sold his Lord for the price of something that, in his culture, was good for nothing!

You and I betray Jesus when we call ourselves Christians yet give our hearts to money, or material things, or selfish pursuits, or anyone or anything other than Him. We betray Him when we spend more time on the Internet than in prayer. We betray Him when we spend more time reading the morning newspaper than reading the Bible. Would you confess and repent of your sin of betrayal, ask God to cleanse you, and commit to living a life of love and loyalty to Jesus?

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

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

"When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.  But Jesus was saying, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:33-34a).

The weekend of March 14-16, 1986 will always be special to my wife and me.  It was on that weekend we were married.  Friday night was the wedding rehearsal, Saturday night was the main event, and Sunday kicked off our first day as husband and wife.  The course of our lives was changed as God brought us together to be one until death.      
 
That weekend in March is special to us … but there was a weekend in early April, over 2000 years ago, that is special to all of humanity.  

    It was the weekend of brutality and bloodshed as the righteous died for the unrighteous.
    It was the weekend that began with tremendous agony, but ended with tremendous victory.  
    It was the weekend when Jesus Christ gave Himself up for sinful man.
    It was the weekend when Jesus Christ conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave.
    It was the weekend that changed the world for all history and eternity. 

 PERSONALLY ENCOUNTERING THAT WEEKEND
 
From the time I was little, my parents taught me about that weekend when Jesus died and rose again.  I believed the report.  I believed He died on the cross and rose from the grave.  The only problem I had was that I believed it as facts on a printed page.  I believed in Jesus in the same way I believed in George Washington.  I had a mental assent to the truths of history.  But those truths didn’t make one bit of difference in my daily life.  In short, I was like the vast majority of those who call themselves Christians—I had head knowledge of Jesus, but no heart knowledge of Him.  I believed on paper, but not in practice.  I didn’t really know Him, I just simply knew about Him.            
 
I was 17 years-old when the good news of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection made a connection from my head to my heart.  The Lord revealed to me that I was a sinner, totally deserving of death and hell—with no way out, in and of myself.  It was at that moment that the cross and the empty tomb took on real meaning as I cried out to Jesus for salvation.  Alone in my bedroom on a Monday night in early 1980, I got down on my knees, and with all my heart prayed this simple prayer, “Save me, Jesus.” 
 
And you know what?  He did!
 
That night, I put my faith and trust in Jesus and Jesus alone for my salvation.  In that split second of time, I passed from death to life (John 5:24).  I went from being a child of wrath to a child of God (Ephesians 2:3, John 1:12).  I was spiritually transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the K3ingdom of His Son (Colossians 1:13).  I was born again and changed forever.  The Lord had come into my life to live in me and through me.  I certainly didn’t understand it all at the time, but I knew within a couple of weeks that my life could never be the same.        
 
IT MUST BE PERSONAL TO BE EFFECTUAL
 
Has the message of Jesus death, burial, and resurrection made it from your head to your heart?  Jesus didn’t die for a faceless humanity, He died for you (Galatians 2:20).  He rose again for you.  He wants you to know Him, not just know about Him.  You see, it must be personal in order for His death and resurrection to be effectual in your life.      
 
Let me encourage you this Easter weekend to make sure you don’t just simply go through the motions.  The worst thing that could ever happen to anyone is to know the plan of salvation and not the Man of salvation … to know the way to heaven and yet fail to go that way. 
 
Jesus is indeed the One and only Savior.  He will save anyone who will cry out to Him in repentance and faith.  His cross and empty tomb changed the world as they made it possible for sinful man to have a personal relationship with Holy God.  Receive Christ into your heart.  Don’t just tip your hat to Him, bow your knee.  The surrender of your heart makes it personal, and that makes all the difference in the world.

Love, 

Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries

[Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online.  Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.

SPECIAL OFFER

REVELATION: THE TRIUMPH OF THE LAMB

The Book of the Revelation can be intimidating, as it is full of prophecy, tribulation and woe. It is also full of hope and encouragement because the King is coming for His own and to rule and reign forever! In this series, Pastor Jeff Schreve takes an in depth look at Revelation, laying out a timeline, explaining the symbolism, encouraging believers, and sending a wake-up call to those who have yet to accept Jesus as their Savior. The King is coming soon, so be watchful and be prepared for his victorious return!. Click here to find out more!

Emmanuel Athletics
March 17, 2019

Indianapolis, Ind.---- Emmanuel College completed the 8th and final session of the 2019 NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving National Championships at the IU Natatorium on the campus of IUPUI.

First, Thiago Rosa competed in the consolation finals of the 100 free, finishing 10th with a personal best time of 43.80 to earn All-American Honorable Mention (for the second time) in the National Championships.

Finally, Joao Santos competed in the finals of the 100 free, finishing 7th with a time of 43.85 to earn All-American (for the second time) in the National Championships.

The Lions finished 16th overall in the team standings (with 92.5 points) earning their final NCAA Div. II national ranking of #16 in the country. GO LIONS!

For more info on EC athletics, go to www.goeclions.com

Quakers in Pennsylvania went on record as being the first to oppose slavery in America with their Germantown Petition of 1688, just 6 years after William Penn founded the colony.

Anthony Benezet, a Protestant Christian Huguenot, fled persecution in France to England, then migrated with his family to Philadelphia at age 17.

He joined the Quakers and worked as a teacher.
Beginning in 1750, after school hours, Anthony Benezet began bringing slave children into his home where he taught them to read.

He also advocated for Indian Natives and started the first school for girls in America in 1754.

In 1758, at the yearly Quaker Meeting in Philadelphia, Anthony Benezet and Quaker John Woolman, convinced Quakers to publicly go on record as being officially against slavery.

In 1766, Benezet wrote in "Warning to Great Britain ... of the Calamitous State of the Enslaved Negroes" that:

"Slavery ... contradicted the precepts and example of Christ? ...

Bondage ... imposed on the Africans, is absolutely repugnant to justice ... shocking to humanity, violative of every generous sentiment, abhorrent utterly from the Christian religion."

In 1770, Anthony Benezet led Quakers to found the Negro School at Philadelphia, being encouraged by both Methodist founder John Wesley and Benjamin Franklin.

In 1772, Benezet condemned slavery in his tract "Account of Guinea ... An Inquiry into the Rise & Progress of the Slave Trade, Its Nature & Lamentable Effects."

After reading it, Patrick Henry came under conviction, writing to Robert Pleasants in 1773:

"I take this opportunity to acknowledge ye receipt of Anthony Benezet's book against the slave trade. I thank you for it. Would any one believe that I am a master of slaves of my own purchase? I am drawn along by ye general inconvenience of living without them; I will not, I cannot justify it."

Patrick Henry became one of the most out-spoken Virginia founding fathers in actively condemning slavery, as being “inconsistent with the Bible, and destructive to morality.”

Jefferson wrote that Henry was “even more determined in his opposition to slavery then the rest of us.”
In 1775, Anthony Benezet helped found the Society for the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage, with 17 of the 24 founders being Quakers.

It was the first society in America dedicated to abolishing slavery.
In 1784, its name was changed to Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery & the Relief of Free Negroes Unlawfully Held in Bondage.

In 1787, Ben Franklin became its president.

Anthony Benezet's English anti-slavery associate was Thomas Clarkson, a student at Cambridge University who was honored with first prize for writing "An Essay on the Slavery and Commerce of the Human Species," 1785, in which he wrote:

"Slavery is ... a crime, which being both of individuals and the nation, must sometime draw down upon us the heaviest judgment of Almighty God, who made of one blood all the sons of men, and who gave to all equally a natural right to liberty."

In 1787, the Northwest Ordinance outlawed slavery in the territory which would become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

Quakers, who prohibited slavery among their members, formally petitioned the U.S. Congress on February 11, 1790, to abolish slavery.

Richard Bassett, a Signer of the Constitution from Delaware, converted to Methodism, freed all his slaves and paid them as hired labor.

DVD Miracles in American History

In 1807, Congress passed the Slave Importation Act, prohibiting further importation of slaves.

The U.S. Coast captured numerous slave trading ships.

Francis Scott Key fought a seven year legal battle to free the African slaves from the captured ship Antelope.
With the help of Francis Scott Key, Congressman and former President John Quincy Adams fought the legal battle to free African slaves from the ship Amistad.

Adams worked to end slavery by removing Congress' Gag Rule.

Prior to the Civil War, 19 of the 34 States outlawed slavery:

    Pennsylvania 1787,
    New Hampshire 1788,
    Connecticut 1788,
    Massachusetts 1788,
    Rhode Island 1790,
    Vermont 1791,
    New York 1799,
    Ohio 1803,
    New Jersey 1804,
    Indiana 1816,
    Illinois 1818,
    Maine 1820,
    Michigan 1837,
    Iowa 1846,
    Wisconsin 1848,
    California 1850,
    Minnesota 1858,
    Oregon 1859,
    Kansas 1861.

In 1850, the Democrat-controlled Congress passed the infamous Fugitive Slave Act.

A historical marker in Wisconsin reads:

"Joshua Glover was a runaway slave who sought freedom in Racine. In 1854, his Missouri owner used the Fugitive Slave Act to apprehend him. This 1850 law permitted slave catchers to cross state lines to capture escaped slaves. Glover was taken to Milwaukee and imprisoned.

Word spread about Glover's incarceration and a great crowd (5,000) gathered around the jail demanding his release. They beat down the jail door and released Joshua Glover. He was eventually escorted to Canada and safety.

The Glover incident helped galvanize abolitionist sentiment in Wisconsin. This case eventually led the state supreme court to defy the federal government by declaring the Fugitive Slave Act unconstitutional."
Shorty afterwards, in 1854, Wisconsin citizens met in a schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin, to form what would become the Republican Party.

The original 1856 Republican platform was:

"Resolved ... it is both the right and the imperative duty of Congress to prohibit in the Territories those twin relics of barbarism -- Polygamy and Slavery."

American Minute-Notable Events of American Significance Remembered on the Date They Occurred
The territories, after the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, were flooded with Democrat slaveholders who wanted to bring additional slave states into the Union. This led to years of violence, called "Bleeding Kansas."

One of the founders of the Republican Party was U.S. Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts.
Senator Sumner was vocal in his stand against slavery, accusing Democrats of having a "mistress ... the harlot, Slavery."
​
On May 22, 1856, Democrat Congressman Preston Brooks approached Charles Sumner as he sat at his desk in the Senate chamber and struck him with a thick gutta-percha cane with a gold head.
Brooks continued to beat Charles Sumner till his desk, which had been bolted to the floor, was knocked over.

Blinded by his own blood, Sumner attempted to get up and stagger away down the aisle, but Brooks kept striking him.

​When other Senators tried to rescue Sumner, Democrat Congressman Laurence Keitt brandished a pistol.

Finally, Brook's gutta-percha cane broke and Sumner lay motionless on the floor.

"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2).

When we get to heaven, I have no doubt that we will get to see the angel who was sent to be with us from the moment of our birth. Not just from the moment of our conversion, but from the moment of our birth. Because "are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Heb. 1:14, emphasis added). Could we not all testify to an awareness of God looking after us before we came to faith?

Would you like to entertain an angel? Three suggestions:

    Be open to anybody at any time. You never know if God will send someone who will give you a word that is life changing. I have had it happen to me more than once—by being open to just anybody. God spoke, and the person through whom He spoke may, for all I know, have been an angel.

    Look in the direction of those you think could not possibly help you. Listen to what Jesus said: "When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous" (Luke 14:13-14). If you want to know how you could possibly entertain an angel, look to people who could not possibly pay you back. God may speak through one of them.

    Remember that the angel, or agent that God uses, may be quite nondescript. He or she may not have wings; there may be no glistening brilliance. You may look at a particular person and think, Well, no angel here. Be careful. You never know!

Do you want God to appear? What if, by being gracious to someone you didn't think could help you, you got a word that was life changing in return? What an honor! It could happen to you even today.

Excerpted from When God Shows Up (Renew Books, 1998).