A police officer found a perfect hiding place for watching for speeding motorists.

One day, the officer was amazed when everyone was under the speed limit, so he investigated and found the problem.

A 10- year-old boy was standing on the side of the road with a huge hand painted sign which said “Radar Trap Ahead.”

A little more investigative work led the officer to the boy’s accomplice: another boy about 100 yards beyond the radar trap with a sign reading “TIPS” and a bucket at his feet full of change.

​

It was at 4:15 a. m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, I heard Melvine asking for help. I have been sleeping in my recliner chair since my total knee replacement surgery. I immediately got up, went to check on her, and told Melvine that everything will be okay, and I went to get Greg up in his bedroom, across the house.

Greg got up and came to the rescue. He gently, but firmly lifted Melvine up from the floor, and placed her in her chair. He allowed her to rest for a bit, and put her on her rollator and took her to the bathroom.

After she finished there, he took her back to our bedroom, and got the oxygen machine, and hooked it up, and gave Melvine oxygen. She has shortness of breath. He then placed her on her side of our bed, and I got in bed, to lie there beside her to comfort her and give her assurance that I was there.

The decision was made for me to call Ken Phillips to come to our home and take me to my appointment for physical therapy at St. Mary's Outpatient Physical Therapy. After the strenuous therapy, Ken drove us to Freddie's to get ice cream. I got a double vanilla ice cream cone, and Ken got a small milk shake. Oh, how good it tasted.

Melvine's tech, Crystal. came while I was gone and gave Melvine a bath. Melvine has a few bruises, and is all stove up, as my grandmother would say. We are trying to get protein in Melvine. So, we are giving her Atkins, with protein and vitamins. Her appetite is not good.

Then, we came on to our home.

Continue to pray for us.

We love you all.

Our mailing address is:

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

The latest edition of Encourage, the monthly digital magazine is now available for you to download from our church (IPHC) website: IPHC.org

This blessing or benediction was my mother's gift to me when I told her I felt God calling me to preach.

Daniel 12:3-4  God has called us to win souls to Christ and His Kingdom
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

So an older couple is discussing the inevitable matter of death. The wife asks her husband, "If I die before you do, will you remarry?" To which the husband replies, "Well, I don't want to be lonely for the rest of my life, so yes."

The wife then asks, "What about the house? Will you live in the same house?" And the husband says, "Well, I suppose, I mean, it's already paid for."

The wife, getting a little protective, asks, "And what about my car? Will she drive my car?" The husband says again, "Well, it's already paid for..."

​The wife, annoyed at this point, shoots, "What about my golf clubs?!?" And the husband says, "Oh, no. She's left handed."​

Many of you are wondering why is Hugh doing fewer newsletters these days.

May I remind you I have become a caregiver now for about 16 months. Greg has come home from his teaching career in music to help his mother and me. What a blessing he is to us.

Right now, I am having to deal with our federal and state income taxes, and renew Hugh's News registration with the State of Georgia as a non-profit corporation, and get together tax materials for our CPA to file with the IRS for Hugh's News. There is more to doing Hugh's News than one might think. Pray for me for patience and confidence that I can accomplish all I have to do.

If you will read today's benedictions, you will gain a bigger picture of what is happening in Melvine's life. She appeared to be improving, and I wanted to report every positive thing that was happening. However, in the last several weeks things have taken a turn for the worse. However, our trust is still in God, and He has given us a courageous faith, one that believes the promises of God and that He is able to perform everything He has promised.

We love you all and thank you for your prayer support and hundreds of cards and letters.

Words are inadequate to express our gratitude.

Continue to pray for us.

If you so desire, we would appreciate a card or a note from you.

Our mailing address is:

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

Or, your may write me at my email address:

hugh@hughsnews.com

​A Prayer for Bigger Worldview

Author Kristen Welch

"Religion that God our father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27).

Nothing shakes your world like returning from a third world country that is riddled with disease and poverty. Nothing makes you question yourself, your motives, and your own sanity more than trying to blend your old worldview with your new. Nothing makes you want to raise compassionate children like meeting people the world has forgotten.

I have amazing kids. They are sweet and well-behaved (most days), but they are typical American children. They have too much. They want things instantly and easily. They think about themselves first.

They look a lot like their parents.

After returning from my heartbreaking and hopeful trip to Africa, I knew I had to change the way we lived. I wasn’t motivated by guilt; I was moved by compassion. My kids love to play follow the leader. They follow their parents. We’ve just been showing them the American view: bigger houses, nicer cars, more toys, and fitting God into all that stuff.

On a Saturday, I explained to my kids that we would be giving up the occasional house cleaner who made our life easier. I taught them to clean toilets. “Why are we doing this again?” my daughter asked. I pointed to the faces of the four children we were sponsoring through Compassion International, smiling down from their pictures on our refrigerator.

She wiped a strand of hair from her eyes, nodded, and went back to scrubbing. She stopped and said thoughtfully, “Mom, I’d like to fill the front of our refrigerator with pictures of children from all over the world.”

It turns out my children were just waiting for their leaders to show them the world. They love praying for a new country at dinner every night. They can’t wait to write to the kids we sponsor. They understand the choice to buy secondhand clothes and less stuff so that we can make our money matter more.

I thought the changes we made in our home would be hard for my kids. I thought there might be resistance. But they love the view and the pictures on our refrigerator.

Prayer

Lord, I love you. I want to be like you. I want my children to love others. I want them to be compassionate people. I know that we are saved by grace through faith and not by our works, but I pray that my works are evidence to the world of what you are doing in me. My children are following me; please help me lead them to you. Amen.

[Editor’s Note: Content taken from Kristen Welch's book Don't Make Me Come Up There!(c) 2011 Abingdon Press. Used with permission.]

​God's Kingdom Rule 

Author: Tony Evans

"But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels . . ." (Hebrews 12:22).


This progression of blessing is laid out beautifully in Psalm 128. In verses 1–2 we see the blessing that comes from personal responsibility or self-government: “How blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways. When you shall eat of the fruit of your hands, you will be happy and it will be well with you.”

Then the blessing moves to the family: “Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive plants around your table” (v. 3). When you become responsible for yourself, your mate and your children flourish.

Next in line is the church. “The Lord bless you from Zion” (v. 5). Zion was the place of worship where the temple was located. The church—the people of God, the spiritual community—is blessed when God’s government operates the way it should, since it is the New Testament expression of Zion (see Hebrews 12:22–24).

Then what happens when the individual, the family, and the church get it right? The government of the nation experiences blessing: “May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Indeed, may you see your children’s children. Peace be upon Israel!” (Psalm 128:5–6).

When people govern themselves under God, you have peace and blessing. Are you governing your life according to God’s Word and His principles of government? If you are, you can expect God’s blessing. But if you aren’t, then don’t blame anybody else.

Are you governing your family under God’s kingdom rule? If you are, there’s blessing waiting for you again. But if you aren’t, don’t complain about the church or the government.

Reflection: Do you sense God’s blessing on your life and your family? In what ways is God opening the door for you to bless others outside your family? Pray that God will open opportunities for you to bless your family and others.

Lord, grant me the legacy of Psalm 128. Where I have failed, forgive me. Where I can change, show me. Let my life be a living testament of what this passage proclaims.


Listen to Dr. Tony Evans Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.

​Why Happiness Escapes Us

Author: Greg Laurie
 
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

Researchers have consistently ranked Scandinavians as the happiest people on Earth. But even if you aren’t Scandinavian, you can still find happiness.

According to the Bible, if you know God and discover His plan for your life, you will find the happiness you’re searching for. It doesn’t come from seeking to be happy in and of itself. It comes from knowing and seeking the God who created you and discovering His plan and purpose for your life.

C. S. Lewis said this about happiness: “God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food for our spirits were designed to feed on. . . . God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
The Bible says that if you hunger and thirst after righteousness, then you will be happy. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” The word blessed also can be translated “happy.”

This world will promise us happiness, but it simply won’t deliver. That’s because this fleeting happiness that we experience ebbs and flows. It comes and goes, depending on what our life is like.

If things are going reasonably well, then we are fairly happy. But the moment things get difficult, we are no longer happy. And that is not real happiness.

Writing in a Time magazine article, Gregg Easterbrook said, “Love, friendship, family, respect, a place in the community, the belief that your life has purpose—those are the essentials of human fulfillment, and they cannot be purchased with cash.”

Happiness is never something we should seek directly, according to the Scriptures. It is always the result of seeking something else. If you seek holiness, then you will find happiness as a result.

Share this today:
This world will promise us happiness, but it simply won’t deliver.

​​Peace: A promise or a delusion

A Response to Gary Burd's sermon:

By David Oxley (Oklahoma City, OK)
A good & glorious Word on Peace! Thank you Gary! Thank you for all what you do to bring & share Shalom! Shalom!

Franklin Graham asks for prayer

FROM THE DESK OF FRANKLIN GRAHAM
 
Dear Friend,

As I write, I am preparing to head to Florida for a six-city Decision America Tour focused on evangelism and prayer. Will you join me in praying for God to work powerfully during these events, January 11–19, to bring people to a relationship with Jesus Christ?

The prophet Malachi wrote, “To you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:2, NKJV).

The Sunshine State, like America as a whole, needs a spiritual transformation that only Jesus Christ can offer. I pray that in Florida God’s name will be praised—and as the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is proclaimed, many will find healing and new life in Him.

Read more about the Decision America Sunshine State Tour.

Give a gift to support the proclamation of the Gospel.

May God richly bless you,

Franklin Graham
President
 
A ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

​How This Fruit of the Spirit Can Transform Your Heart Permanently

Author: Joyce Meyer

For more than 40 years, I've been studying God's Word and growing in my faith in Christ. Throughout these years, God has changed me so much!


I've become peaceful and stable in my emotions most of the time, and I've learned how to behave the same way when things are going well and when they aren't so good.

The journey hasn't been easy, and it's taken time. But developing faith and patience in the process has been more than worth it!

As believers in Christ, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). This means we're not supposed to live according to how we feel or how our circumstances appear to be, but according to the truth of God's Word.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (AMP) says we "are Christ's representatives" to the world, showing others who God is through the way we live. We need to get out in the world and behave like Jesus, remaining peaceful and stable in good times and bad, patiently walking by faith.

Waiting Is Inevitable

The Bible tells us there are times we're going to have to wait on God. Being patient is not just waiting on God, but it's waiting in faith with a good attitude for God to do what only He can do in you. It's trusting that God will take care of you in His time and His way because He loves you and He always has your best interest at heart.

Now, patience is a fruit of the Spirit that grows under trial (James 1:2-3, NKJV). People who know this don't like to pray for patience because they know they're going to get trouble. But it's so much better to have faith and patiently wait on God with peace and joy than to be anxious, upset and confused when life doesn't make sense or you're not getting your way.

The Key to Inheriting God's Promises

Hebrews 6:12 (NIV) says, "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." This verse shows us that we do not inherit the promises of God just because we have faith—we also have to have patience.

Another word for patience is longsuffering. Longsuffering means you're going to have to go through difficult things to grow in your faith. I've discovered through my own journey that the sooner you embrace them and let God do the work in you that He wants to do through them, the sooner you'll get to the other side of them.

I really want to encourage you to do this. Don't fight the inevitable or you'll just be miserable.

Be Like the Farmer

James 5:7 (NIV) says, "Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains." It takes a lot of faith and patience to be a farmer. You have to give up your seed and then you wait...and wait...and wait. You wait for sun and rain, and for the right season to harvest your crop.

In the same way, we can plant our "seeds" of faith by choosing to trust God and His Word above anything else. We release our faith by believing He will do what He says He will do, waiting with confident expectation that it will happen at the right time and in the right way.

While we're waiting, we should stay busy being good to others, helping people in need as we have the opportunity to do so. Psalm 37:3 (NIV) says to "trust in the Lord and do good." Nothing proves our faith in God like waiting for His timing with a good attitude, so let's focus on letting Him bless others through us.

Complete in Christ

Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NIV) says, "The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride." This is basically saying that the patient man waits on God, but the proud man tries to make something happen himself.

When we try to make things happen in our own effort, we just end up frustrated. We don't have the wisdom in and of ourselves to do what's right in the right way and in the right timing. Instead of trying to make life go the way you want it to, entrust yourself to God and walk by faith, trusting Him to work things out.

James 1:4 (NKJV) says to "let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Imagine how it would be if you were completely patient and it didn't matter to you when God did what needs to be done in your life. Think about how it would free you from the stress of trying to control everything (which you can't do anyway). And how you can overcome desires that drive you crazy because you can't get what you want all the time.

Pray today for God to work in your heart, helping you to grow in faith and patience. Let Him transform your life so you live in peace with joy, and experience God's promises for you!

For more on this topic, order Joyce's three-teaching CD series "When, God, When?" You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, Enjoying Everyday Life, by calling (800) 727-9673 or visiting joycemeyer.org.


[Joyce Meyer is a New York Times' bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries Inc. She has authored more than 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Your Battles Belong to the Lord (FaithWords). She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit joycemeyer.org.

​We Are God’s Treasure!

Author: Anne Graham Lotz

"They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession" (Malachi 3:17, NIV).

As we totally yield our lives to the control of God’s Spirit within us, He uses:

the responsibilities and relationships and ridicule,

the opportunities and obstacles and obligations,

the pressures and pain and problems,

the success and sickness and solitude . . .

He uses all things to work for our ultimate good, which is increasing, progressive, glorious conformity to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:28).

We are God’s treasure! When God the Father looked throughout the universe for something to give His only Son in reward for what He had accomplished on earth, the Father handpicked you! You are the Father’s treasure – His priceless gift of love to the Son!

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

Copyright © 2020 AnGeL Ministries, All rights reserved.

​The Path to Joy

Author: R.T. Kendall

"Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground" (Psalm 143:10).

Nearly every person God uses a great deal has broken through the betrayal barrier before they were mightily used. It is not in the pulpit or on a stage or being seen by thousands when you break the betrayal barrier. It is what happens when you are alone. It happens when you have nobody to comfort you, when you are being misunderstood, when people are pointing the finger at you, when everything seems to go wrong, and yet you say, "Yes, Lord."

Here's how you can break through the betrayal barrier:

1. Affirm from your heart that what is happening is God's idea. What is designed to get your attention may be a turnoff, yes, but it is God's idea to do it this way.

2. Realize this is possibly the greatest opportunity you will ever have to know Him intimately.

3. Pray more than ever. Spend every minute you can in secret with Him without the television on or people interrupting you. I don't mean for you to become a recluse or retreat into a monastery, but seek Him with all your heart.

4. Walk in the light God gives you. Confess any sin God brings to your attention. Accept any form of new obedience He puts before you.

A person may be in the spotlight before thousands or behind the scenes as a quiet, self-effacing intercessor. In either case, such a vessel of the Holy Spirit will have had to discover God for himself or herself during the hardest of times. This is so that you will believe in God even if nobody else does. To discover God for yourself means that you believe the Bible and the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead even if your hero or mentor denies the faith. And what brings about this kind of maturity is breaking the betrayal barrier. This is the path to pure joy.

Excerpted from Pure Joy (Charisma House, 2006).

Knowing Your Value Makes a Difference

Author: Bob Shafer

Today’s Scripture
"Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word" 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17, AMP).

It is the Father’s love for you that gives you the power to overcome every mistake, failure, and sin in your life. The Bible puts it this way: “Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace” (Rom. 6:14 NLT). Isn’t that beautiful? Today you are living under the freedom of God’s amazing grace—His unmerited, undeserved, and unearned favor in your life. Grace gives you freedom. Freedom from lack, from fear, from addictions, from the torment of guilt, and from every curse and every sin! The more you experience the love and grace of your heavenly Father, the more you fall in love with Him and out of love with sin.

Did you know that the enemy has no hold over people who know their Father loves them? If Adam and Eve had believed in God’s love for them, the devil would not have been successful in tempting them. Unfortunately, they chose to believe the lie that the serpent had planted by portraying God as stingy and selfish, as if He was withholding something good from them.

That’s why I want you to be anchored in the Father’s love. You will be unshakable. You will have no desire to touch certain things, go to certain places, or be associated with certain people. You will keep away from negative influences because you trust your Father’s heart for you and believe that He only wants what’s best for you. You rest, knowing that He is watching out for you to protect you and insulate you from harm.

I’ve seen that children who are secure in their father’s love are able to say no to all kinds of temptations. This is because that vacuum in their lives is already filled. They don’t have to do things to win the approval of their friends when they can find absolute security, identity, and approval in their parents’ love for them and, most of all, in their heavenly Father’s love for them.

In the same way, when we trust in our Father’s love for us, we will have the power to say no to temptations. When you have an abiding revelation of just how valuable, precious, and righteous you are in Christ, it becomes increasingly easy to say no to sin. The more righteousness-conscious you are and the more conscious of how valuable and precious you are in Christ, the more you will know that your righteous identity in Christ and sin don’t go together—and the more you will experience the power to say no to temptation.

Today’s Thought
When I’m anchored in the Father’s love, I will be unshakable.

Today’s Prayer
Father, thank You that I can live under the freedom of Your amazing grace. Thank You for the power to overcome every mistake, failure, and sin in my life. I believe that I am anchored in Your love and empowered to say no to temptation because I receive and rest in Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[Editor's comment: Bob Shafer is a treasured and trusted friend of mine and our family. He has visited us in our home and ministered to all of us when Stephanie was alive. Stephanie was fond of Bob and he really ministered to her. Greg likes Bob too, and Bob continues to pour blessings into Greg's life. We all need people in our lives like Bob. He is a gifted pastor, preacher, and prophet. He is anchored in the Word of God and is a soul-winner.

He and his wife reside in Kingfisher, OK. I know of two great men who lived there: Sam Walton and Bob Shafer. I have asked Bob to be a contributing writer for Hugh's News.]

​Speaking Up for Jesus

Author: Anne Graham Lotz

"We cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20, NIV).
​
It seems like just yesterday that our youngest daughter, Rachel-Ruth, gave birth to our first grandchild – a little girl named Ruth Bell Wright. Since that very first day, my husband and I were totally enthralled with this little girl.  She filled my heart.  I couldn’t help talking about her to anyone who would listen. I wasn’t afraid to talk about her. I didn’t plan in advance how I would talk about her. I didn’t worry about offending someone with my talk about her. I didn’t go to classes to learn how to talk about her. I didn’t read books on how to talk about her. I would just hug that little girl, feel her snuggle up against me, touch her soft cheek, and melt! Little Ruth Bell filled my heart!  And still fills my heart now that she is a teen-ager.  And what fills my heart comes out on my lips!

Why do we seem to make speaking up for Jesus so complicated? If He fills our hearts, He is going to come out on our lips! Like Peter and John, we will not be able to help “speaking about what we have seen and heard” of Him!

Blessings,

Anne Graham Lotz

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

Romans 4:18-25  Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God

18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."  19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead — since he was about a hundred years old — and that Sarah's womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." 23 The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness — for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. 
NIV

[Editor's Comment: Abraham was strong in faith. I call his faith--a Courageous Faith, one that did not waver even as he faced the fact that his body was dead with regard to producing a son, and Sarah who was 90. His faith was in God and believed the promise God had given him, and was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God. He was fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He promised.

I call what Abraham had was courageous faith. While being aware of all the presenting facts that humanly he and Sarah could not have a son, but trusted God to do it. There is a moment we cast all our cares upon Jesus, and trust Him to do what is humanly impossible, but possible for God to accomplish.

This is where I am with Melvine and God healing her of cancer. Through the entire process of some 16 months since she was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer, we have been aware of God's presence and power to heal Melvine, and restore her to divine health and strength. When we exercise this kind of faith, courageous faith that comes to a point of no return, a faith that trusts God to do the impossible, there is righteousness imputed to us.

In recent days we have had to increase Melvine's pain pills in strength. We have moved to giving her two diuretic pills a day to get the fluid out of her feet, legs and in her lungs. I have argued with the nurse, but she would not listen. A new nurse with Hospice came to see Melvine while I regular nurse is on vacation, and she discovered water in Melvine's lungs when she listened through the Stethoscope. She recommended we increase the diuretic.

Melvine experiences shortness of breath when she walks from our bathroom to our family room and her recliner chair. We are having to give her oxygen to help her with breathing.

Her appetite has waned and we are having to give her protein from a bottle. Melvine like Atkins. 

She has lost a lot of weight. This morning as I lay beside her in bed I felt of her right hip and leg. I could feel the hip bone. I told Greg we need to weigh Melvine. The nurse from Hospice Home Care has never weighed her.

I may have to insist the the Hospice doctor visit Melvine. Their system is like most doctors. You work though nurses or PA's.  This is the fifth month Melvine has been on Hospice, and we have not seen a doctor.

A man walked in a men's clothing store and told the sales manager he wanted a job as a salesman.

"Sorry, we don't need any salesmen," the manager told him.

"But you've got to hire me," the man said. "I'm not just your ordinary salesman. I'm the world's greatest salesman!"

The sales manager again refused, but the man hung on and was so convincing that finally the manager said, "OK, I'll tell you what I'll do. See that suit over there hanging on the back wall. After you've dusted it off, you'll see that is has padded shoulders, pointed lapel, and a belt in the back. It's sort of a blue-orange-green-purple plaid. I don't even remember how I got stuck with it. Now, I'm going to lunch and I'm going to leave you in charge. If you can sell that suit before I  get back, you're hired."

About an hour later the sales manager returned to find the store was in a mess. The rugs were ripped, a showcase was turned over, and merchandise was all over the floor. But the suit was gone.

"Well, I see you've sold the suit."

"Yes, Sir."

"It looks like you had a little trouble with the customer, though."

"No, Sir. Not a bit of trouble with the customer, but oh that seeing-eye dog."​

Rev. Edward W. Wood passed away in the early morning of January 7, 2020. Having served the IPHC for many years, he and his wife Freda had retired to Dublin, Virginia. IPHC General Superintendent, Dr. Doug Beacham, commented on Rev. Wood’s life, “If I was going to put someone’s picture next to the Apostle Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22, 23, it would be that of Ed Wood. His godly character, patience, and wisdom impacted me personally and many of us in the Kingdom of God.”

Rev. Wood’s funeral will be Friday, January 10, at 12:00 pm in Dublin, Virginia at the campground, with the family visitation at 10:00 am. Burial will be at the Appalachian Conference Cemetery. Flowers can be sent to Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, VA.

Edward Winton Wood was born April 4, 1938, in Caldwell, West Virginia. His parents, Walter (a deacon) and Mildred Wood (a prayer warrior) reared their three children–Walter Lee, Jr., Edward, and Thelma–to love and serve God.

As the eldest son, Walter Lee received his call into the ministry ahead of Edward and was already married and pastoring when Edward met the young lady who would become his wife. Freda Webb was attending the church Walter pastored in Bluewell, West Virginia. Ed and Freda were wed on September 14, 1961.

Ed graduated from Holmes Bible College in Greenville, South Carolina, with a BSL degree. He continued his education by earning a BS in Religion from Emmanuel College, Franklin Springs, Georgia, a Master of Ministry from Southwestern Christian University, Bethany, Oklahoma, and completed additional studies at Eastern Mennonite Seminary, Harrisonburg, Virginia. In June 2004, Maranatha College of Christian Ministries, Dublin, Virginia, conferred on Edward W. Wood an honorary doctorate of theology and humanities.

Throughout his 50 years of official service (1959-2009), Ed Wood filled numerous ministry posts. He pastored four churches in the Virginia (Appalachian) Conference, including Tazewell (1959-1960), Staunton (1961-1968), Merrimac (1968-1972), and Radford (1986-1990). In 1966, he was elected Conference Lifeliners (youth) Director. He served in that position until 1972 when he was appointed as Conference Christian Education Director (1972-1986). Because of a change in policy passed at the General Level, the Statute of Limitations required that Ed leave that office, and for the next four years, he pastored the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Radford – which is one of five original churches in the conference.

Then, once again, Edward Wood was chosen to assume a broader leadership role when the Virginia Conference elected him as the Superintendent in 1990. He remained in that position for the next 11 years (1990-2001). During his leadership, the conference changed its name from Virginia to Appalachian to better describe the geographical area it serves. He also led in the organization of a new conference – Ephesians Four (abbreviated as E4).

He led not only his conference with integrity; he also served the IPHC General Church in several leadership capacities. During his terms as a conference superintendent, he was also a member of the General Board of Administration. He served as the Executive Director of Stewardship Ministries in Bethany, Oklahoma, from 2001-2009 and as a member of the General Executive Board.

Other leadership positions Ed filled included serving on the Emmanuel College Executive Board, as a board member, chairman of the Falcon Children’s Home Board of Directors, and as Chairman of the IPHC Planning and Budgetary Committee. Early in his ministry, he served on the General Lifeliners Board as a board member and assistant director and as national director of the Ambassadors for Christ Boys Club. He was the first IPHC National Royal Rangers Commander and served as chairman of Bible Quiz.

Ed and Freda have four children: Edwina (Tracy) Pence, Edward, Jr., (Kim Cleyrat) and his twin sister, Elaine, and Emily (Ryan) Jackson. (Elaine Wood served four years as the first National Children’s Director in the IPHC [2005-2009]). They also have ten grandchildren: Neal, Lindsay and Mackenzie Pence; Eddie III, Ethan, Eli, and Ella Wood and Liliann, Elianna and Annabella Jackson.

Ms. Ada Jo Carey Sisk, 84, of Franklin Springs, GA passed away on Monday, January 6, 2020, at her home.

Ms. Sisk was born in Anderson, SC, on March 18, 1935, daughter of the late Joseph Lee Carey and the late Bertha Mae Chastain Carey. She was a graduate of Royston High School and Emmanuel College. Ms. Sisk served in executive positions at a number of corporations, as well as being self-employed as a real estate broker in Atlanta. Ms. Sisk was a member of Peniel Pentecostal Holiness Church in the Sandy Cross Community.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Marion Lee Carey of Easley, SC.

Survivors include her daughters: Mandi Sisk of Franklin Springs and Melissa Hightower of Locust Grove, GA; sisters, Sue Carr of Franklin Springs and Berthene Lankford of Franklin Springs; grandchildren, Brandon Burnette and Lauren Burnette; and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Ms. Sisk will be held at Peniel Pentecostal Holiness Church located at 2975 Sandy Cross Road on Highway 51 at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2020, with the Rev. Dr. Phillip Genetti and Rev. Tommy Childress officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Pruitt Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday evening.

Pruitt Funeral Home in Royston, GA is in charge of arrangements.

[Editor's Comment: It has been my privilege to have known Ada Jo Carey Sisk since we were freshmen at Emmanuel College in 1952. She and her family were very kind and gracious to me. I enjoyed eating at the table of her mother, Bertha Carey, and the communion and fellowship of Ada Jo's family. I enjoyed attending basketball games with her at the Franklin County High School. She challenged me intellectually and was the Valedictorian of our class. 

It was not my privilege to graduate from Emmanuel College since I joined the United States Marine Corps and served our country for three years in the Quantico Marine Band where I played trombone and sousaphone. Following those days I saw Ada Jo from time to time when I was a student at Holmes Bible College. She served as the executive secretary to the Rev. Dr. Dallas Tarkenton when he was the CEO and Editor in Chief of Advocate Press, and the Advocate. She invited me to drive to Franklin Springs to hear Fran Tarkenton speak in Taylor Memorial Chapel about his career as a collegiate football player and quarterback at the University of Georgia. That was when I personally met Fran Tarkenton. Ada Jo introduced me to Fran. However, I got to know Fran's parents, Dallas and Frances Tarkenton, and his two brother, Dallas II and Wendell.

Ada Jo was a gifted pianist and musician. She gladly gave of her talents and ministry to various churches, regardless of denomination, size or distance. Wherever she was needed to play the piano for worship services she was willing to serve without pay or any remuneration. She played the piano with joy and service to the Glory of God. The Scriptures speak of her ministry: "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them" (Rev. 14:13, KJV).
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I pray that the Holy Spirit will bring comfort to Ada Jo's sisters, Sue Carey Carr, and Berthene Carey Langford, and their respective families. My life has been blessed and enriched from having known such a Godly family.]