The lady asked, "What does the chaplain do? Does he pray for the Senate or House?"
The guide answered, "No, he gets up, looks at both houses of Congress, then prays for the country!"
A couple was touring the capitol in Washington, DC, and the guide pointed out a tall, benevolent gentleman as the congressional chaplain.
The lady asked, "What does the chaplain do? Does he pray for the Senate or House?" The guide answered, "No, he gets up, looks at both houses of Congress, then prays for the country!"
0 Comments
The June/July 2020 Issue of The Call is Now Available! IPHC World Missions Ministries is glad to share with you our monthly publication, The Call. Here, you will be able to read about what is happening all over the world thanks to faithful prayer warriors and donors. This edition of The Call is only available digitally. Please Click Here to download The Call, June/July Issue. Dr. James Dobson: 'The Wrong Decision in This Election Could Be Catastrophic' Author: Dr. James Dobson Voters across this nation are only a few short months away from the next general election. What an ominous time this is for our 244-year-old republic. Its future hangs in the balance. The choices we make on Nov. 3 will send this nation down one of two dramatically different paths. The wrong decision will be catastrophic. I agree with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who said recently that the next election will be "the most important since 1860." He also warned that if we appease or ignore the violence and anarchy occurring in the streets, it might be the end of civilization as we have known it. Those are sobering words coming from a man who has stood at the pinnacle of national power. Gingrich referred to the significance of 1860 because that was the year Abraham Lincoln was elected president. I'm sure the speaker would agree that the following election of 1864 was also critical to the future of the nation. Lincoln and his opponent, Maj. George McClellan, were in a hotly contested campaign for the White House that could have gone either way. The "War Between the States," as it was called, had been raging for three ghastly years, and the entire nation was staggered by reports from the bloody battlefield. Lincoln was running for a second term, and he campaigned on the promise of finishing the war and preserving the Union. These were momentous times for the young nation. During the first week of January 1863, the president signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves. Democrats and their presidential candidate, Gen. McClellan, initially campaigned on a "peace platform," pledging to end the war and send soldiers home. As the election approached, McLellan talked more about negotiating to let the South establish a separate government whose cornerstone would be slavery. If McClellan had been elected, there would have been no foreseeable end to the inherent evil of buying and selling human beings and treating them like cattle. Thus, the Civil War was a struggle for the soul of America. The summer before the election, the war was going badly for the Union. Lincoln, in fact, was convinced he was going to lose the election. He wrote the following memorandum on Aug. 23, 1864, asking his Cabinet to accept the grim prospects for his reelection. These are his words: "This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will not be re-elected. Then it will be my duty to so cooperate with the President-elect as to save the Union between the election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such grounds that I cannot possibly save it afterwards." No wonder Lincoln dealt at times with depression. Clearly, the Union was a hair's breadth away from losing the war. But then, the tide began to turn. One historian wrote, "The political landscape shifted dramatically when Gen. William T. Sherman took Atlanta in early September. This major military shift, coupled with the severe internal strife within the Democratic Party, solidified Lincoln's chance at victory." As you know, Abraham Lincoln and the Republicans won the election of 1864 in a landslide. McClellan was defeated by more than 500,000 popular votes and 191 electoral votes. An estimated 78% of Union soldiers cast their ballots in favor of Lincoln. McClellan took just three states: Kentucky, Delaware and his home state of New Jersey. Less than two months after Lincoln's inauguration, he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. He is said to have been the "last casualty" of the Civil War. Why have I recounted our Civil War history and the election of 1864 at this time in our history? It is for two reasons. The first is to consider some striking similarities between then and now. Our nation is divided like no time since the Civil War. Lawlessness and anarchy stalk the cities as angry mobs riot, burn, loot, rob and kill innocent bystanders. Cultural monuments are being destroyed. Scores of people have been shot. Our courageous police officers are being brutally attacked by the same people they have vowed to protect. A man and his son stopped to ask for directions, and he was gunned down on the spot. A 1-year-old baby was shot in the stomach while he sat in his stroller. The child died at the hospital. What began as a justified and lawful protest in response to George Floyd's senseless murder by a rogue police officer has morphed into violence for the sake of violence. Hatred flows in the streets, including vitriol directed at the president of the United States or anyone who dares to support him or his policies. Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and religious liberty are being trampled. There is also widespread belief that violence and anarchy are being organized and funded by powerful forces that are maneuvering America toward a socialist dictatorship. There is always a kingmaker behind such lawlessness. Most disturbing is open talk of another civil war. It is troubling to even utter those words. The last time Americans faced off against each other, 600,000 soldiers died. May God forbid it from happening again. During the revolution of the 1960s, I recall a ubiquitous bumper sticker that read, "What if they gave a war and nobody came?" It was a catchy phrase that made sense to those who opposed the Vietnam War. But my reaction to it then and now is "What if they gave a war and only one side came?" That question keeps me awake at night. There are multiple millions of passive Americans out there today, many of them Christians, who are clueless about what is happening to their homeland. They are losing something precious and irreplaceable. Do they not understand that their children and those who are yet to be born will live in tyranny if we fail them on our watch? Countless young men and women have laid down their lives on battlefields around the world to protect liberty and our way of life. Now, what they purchased for us with their blood is slipping away. Disengaged people won't lift a finger to preserve this great land. They won't take even a few minutes to go to their polling places to vote. There are also thousands of pastors who won't allow voting registration tables in the lobbies of their churches. Don't they know or care that America is on the ropes? Hordes of angry anarchists are salivating over the next election, hoping to push America over a cliff. If they succeed, as Newt Gingrich said, Western civilization will never recover. Is there anyone left who believes some things are worth dying for? Aren't there patriots out there such as Patrick Henry who said in defiance of British tyranny, "Give me liberty or give me death?" That was the spirit during his day. The Declaration of Independence closed with these words endorsed by the signers, "We pledged to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." They knew they would be hanged if they lost the war. Why did they do it? Because they loved their country enough to die for it. How I pray for the emergence of silent, intimidated Americans who will come out of their hiding places to let their voices be heard on Election Day 2020. There must be tens of thousands of ministers in our midst who, like the Black Robe Regiment of the Revolutionary War, will strip off their clerical garb and fight valiantly for religious liberty. If these men and women of faith and conviction don't come to the rescue of their country, it is doomed. During the Civil War, untold soldiers gave their lives to preserve the integrity of the United States of America and to end the tragedy of slavery. Here is the question of the hour: Are you and our brothers and sisters willing to carry the bloodstained banner around which our predecessors rallied? We will know the answer on Nov. 3. That brings us to the second reason I have addressed the Civil War and the election of 1864. It is to remind us that voting matters. Each presidential campaign has been important, but some have had jaw-dropping and nation-shaping consequences. I believe we are at such a pivotal moment now. You can be certain that America will be forever changed by the political party that gets its supporters to the polls. They will win the day—and the future. Unfortunately, the majority of Christians have a record of not showing up on Election Day. It is unbelievably sad. As many as 75% of them sit on their hands, apparently assuming that their votes don't matter. They are wrong. Voting always matters. George W. Bush won the presidency in 2000 by 536 votes in a nation of 130 million registered voters. Many down-ballot contests have been won or lost by a single vote. I plead with you to register and vote in this presidential election. I won't try to tell you who to vote for because you can figure it out for yourselves. But I will suggest how you might evaluate the situation we face. I'll close with seven critical issues that have stunning significance for the nation. Please think hard about them, and then go to the polls. The next generation. There is a fierce battle being waged now in the nation's classrooms for the hearts and souls of our children and grandchildren. Those of us who are passionately committed to the Judeo-Christian system of beliefs are losing our kids right before our eyes. They are being force-fed a radical curriculum that is godless, anti-American and sexually perverse. Make no mistake, the Left and secular culture are manipulating the minds of your sons and daughters every day of the year. I urge you to be extremely careful about those whom you set in power over your children. Protect them with your very lives. The sanctity of human life. All life is sacred and is a gift from Almighty God. But as you know, America has the blood of innocents on its hands. Since 1973, more than 60 million babies have been murdered through abortion, and countless lives have ended by euthanasia. This is the most tragic holocaust in the history of the world! Some states have even passed laws allowing wounded and suffering infants to lie alone on porcelain trays after somehow surviving unsuccessful abortions. They will die without the comfort of their mothers' breasts. If that doesn't touch your heart, you are without compassion. I hope you will not cast a single vote for any politician who supports such wickedness. Marriage and family. The family is God's original building block for society. Marriage continues to serve as the foundation for every dimension of human life. Everything of value rests on it, including procreation and the care and training of children. If that ground floor is weakened or undermined, the entire superstructure of civil society will come crashing down. But listen carefully: powerful and highly funded forces, including LGBTQ and other leftist entities, are determined to destroy the family as an institution. It is already on its knees, and its future is grim. Before you vote, find out what position the candidates have taken on this issue. Then vote accordingly. Religious liberty. The first item listed in the Bill of Rights addresses the issue of religious liberty. All the other enumerated rights flow from that fundamental freedom. That is why it is alarming to recognize that this right to worship and honor God as we choose is under vicious attack today. The courts have done the greatest damage, but now an entire subculture is trying to bring down the Christian faith. Whether it has invaded your private world or not, it is at your front door. It was this primary concern that led to the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War in 1776. We can't compromise one jot or tittle within that fundamental right. Fight for it with every ounce of your strength and determination. Don't let the government close the doors of your church or tell you when you can sing praises to the Lord Almighty. Government has a devious agenda, and it is dangerous. Be ready to go to the mat in defense of what you believe. And let this passion influence how you cast your ballot in November. Here I stand. Will you join me? Capitalism v. socialism. It is difficult to believe that for the first time in American history, our nation appears to be thinking about trading our democratic way of life for the tyranny of socialism. I can hardly catch my breath. Could we really consider abandoning the beloved system of government that was designed to be of the people, by the people and for the people? Is it true that up to 40% of Millennials and others are prepared to surrender their liberties in exchange for the absolute authority of the state? Democracy and capitalism have made ours the most powerful and successful nation in the history of the world. Are we really considering scuttling the system that has served us for 244 years in exchange for what some people call "free stuff?" I pray not! But that option awaits you in the polling booth. The judicial system. Given recent rulings, we know that judicial overreach has almost ruined this great nation. Justices and judges are constitutionally charged to interpret the law, not make law. But again and again, they have overstepped their authority and brought us atrocities such as abortion on demand, same-sex marriage and the so-called "separation of church and state," which doesn't appear in the Constitution. Most recently, the Supreme Court handed down one of its most egregious rulings since Roe v. Wade. It is the case of Bostock v. Clayton County. This decision was not based on constitutional law but on the whims of six justices. It created a new legal definition of sex out of thin air. Lawyers tell us that this ruling will affect every dimension of culture and haunt the nation as long as it endures. Please don't vote for politicians who will expand, rather than limit, the power of judiciary. The nation of Israel. Scripture tells that those who bless Israel will be blessed (Gen. 12:3). Our prayer is that the next chief executive officer of the U.S. will continue to promote and cultivate a vibrant bond of friendship with the nation of Israel, which is our only ally in the Middle East. Anti-Semitism and all forms of racial discrimination are inherently evil, and we condemn them categorically. We are a nation that is dedicated to "freedom and justice for all" (The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance). I could list dozens of other issues that should be considered as we vote on Nov. 3. I will end with this final statement from Abraham Lincoln. He said: "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have." Let us come boldly before the throne of grace and ask God for His mercy on America. Sincerely, James C. Dobson, Ph.D Founder and President James Dobson Family Institute P.S. This just came to my attention. Would you like to see where America may be headed if it abandons the sanctity of human life? New Zealand recently passed legislation that allows abortion up to the moment of birth, for any reason. That means a baby can be killed for sex-selection purposes or for the presence of disabilities, such as a cleft palate, Down syndrome or yes, being born alive after a botched abortion. Do you shudder at those grotesque words? Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had promised, if elected, not to allow any kind of deadly discrimination, but she broke her word. We can anticipate something similar happening in America if anti-life factions prevail. 5. A review by Ron White, Ed.D. In this book Frank Tunstall (Emmanuel College class of ’63) presents a powerful, in-depth portrait of the broadly-based job description of the Holy Spirit. He wrote the book for that purpose – to show the many-faceted roles of the Spirit. In doing this, he captured the core, I think, of the Spirit’s ministry when he wrote the Spirit makes His “home in the human temple, with His primary mission being to teach people about Jesus.” Dr. Tunstall adds, “The singular curriculum of the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ, making Him known in the church. Everything else the spirit does in some way grows out of that role.” Then, he brings it home with this statement: “As we grow in our awareness of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will also grow in our confidence for spreading the Lord’s Great Commission around the world.” Yes! This book is a comprehensive and thoroughly Pentecostal must-read, but without academic language. You will come away with a fresh, new appreciation for the job description of the Spirit both in your life and in the church, as well as in the world to come. President of Emmanuel College, Franklin Springs, Georgia Now for an excerpt from the book: Peter was a strong leader who understood the principle of gospel confrontation that motivates people to make a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision about following Jesus. Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received from the land. Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:3-4). When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died! “Young men came forward, wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him” (Acts 5:5-6). Then, “about three hours later, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened.” Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” (Acts 5:8). Yes,” she said, “that is the price” (Acts 5:8). Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also” (Acts 5:9). In the moment of Peter’s speaking, she fell down and died too, and the young men buried her beside her husband. One can easily imagine the news of what happened spread rapidly in Jerusalem and “great fear” seized all who heard about it (Acts 5:11, KJV). The Greek words translated as “great fear” communicate the idea of exceeding alarm. The city was terrified… “You have lied to God”…. Who is this Holy Spirit? The Apostle Peter made clear the Spirit is God, and His job description includes holding divine power, life and death power. It is one of the strongest affirmations in the Bible of the Deity of the Holy Spirit in the Triune Godhead. What is the extent of the Holy Spirit’s power? Deeper than the mutual lies of Ananias and his wife was Satan’s direct involvement in the plot, and Peter discerned it. Satan had set this couple up to test the Holy Spirit. Satan had been this involved in a similar plot against God when he made his entrance into the Last Supper and possessed Judas, urging him to carry through with his betrayal of Jesus. In Judas’ story, Satan was testing Jesus, trying to goad Him into doing something prematurely, like sending Judas to his grave with a word. But that would have shut down the Father’s plan to save the world; hence, Jesus tolerated Judas. In the Ananias story, Satan was tempting the Holy Spirit. Peter spoke God’s answer to Ananias: “Satan has filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3). Yes, this scenario was more than lies being told by a couple in the infant church wanting to get praise and acclamation. It was also a Satanic test (Acts 5:9), and the couple were willing pawns eager to cooperate. They simply did not believe Peter, or the Holy Spirit, would know the difference. The story also shows how the Holy Spirit talks to people, shares information, and gives instructions. Peter obviously did not know the facts until he discerned them by the Holy Spirit; then Peter confronted Ananias first, followed by his wife. The Holy Spirit established in those moments His claim as all-knowing Deity; the Spirit is God and cannot be deceived. A new Spirit was in the earth, capable of reading minds and discerning spirits, and the Holy Spirit was leading the believers in the Early Church. Jesus Himself identified the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17). In the church, discerning of spirits is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10). The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira also put the fear of God in the religious establishment, so that the temple leaders handled Peter and the other apostles carefully, lest the same judgment should fall on them. Some might think this was a harsh penalty, but not so. The Holy Spirit cannot be lied to and is not to be trifled with. If Satan had won that round, the Holy Spirit would have been proven as limited and weak, and no match for Satan’s schemes. Peter too would have come through as a weak leader who did not know what was going on behind the scenes. Satan would have seen to it that the full story would have come out as public information, and to Peter’s embarrassment. Peter would have been greatly shamed for giving praise to God and honor to a couple for a gift that was wrapped in a lie. Failure here would have been a heavy blow to the Early Church. Instead, the news of the two deaths spread like wild fire, and the church kept growing. It also meant Holy Spirit protection for the apostles; the religious leaders did not want to face Peter and then fall dead at Peter’s feet! The Need to translate this book into Spanish: Our Hispanic brothers and sisters must be able to get this book in their language too. Any pastor who encourages his church to make a gift toward translating and printing The Job Description of the Holy Spirit into Spanish will receive a free copy of the book. (If only 80 churches across the church give $100 each, we will be able to retain a qualified translator and publish the book in Spanish, and the pastor will get the book.) You may click on the hyperlink below to order your book. The church check should be made out to Great Command Ministries, Inc. and designated as an offering for translating the book into Spanish and mailed directly to: Great Command Ministries, Inc. 10840 NW 32nd Terrace Yukon, OK 73099 You can order your book or books today by Clicking Here on this Hyperlink. Another Counselor Author: Anne Graham Lotz "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever - the Spirit of truth" (John 14:16-17, NIV). Jesus described the Holy Spirit as “Another.” The Greek word actually means “another who is exactly the same.” So although the Holy Spirit is a distinct person, He is exactly the same as Jesus, but without the physical body. He has been described as Jesus without skin. Or, like an FBI agent, He is Jesus undercover. We know that Jesus is in heaven. As the first martyr, Stephen, was being stoned to death, he looked up and saw heaven open and Jesus standing at God’s right hand, preparing to welcome him home! (Acts 7:56) But that doesn’t mean Jesus has left us to stumble through the darkness of the future on our own. He promised His disciples that when He went to heaven, He would ask His Father to send down to earth “Another.” One Who would have His same mind, will, emotions, and intellect. Jesus called Him the Counselor (John 14:16), because He is readily available to give us wisdom for our decisions, direction for our future, insight into our problems, and management for our responsibilities. Blessings, Anne Graham Lotz Copyright © 2014 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org. Lexiphila -- love for words, you will love this one for sure . . .
"Lexiphile" describes those that have a love for words, such as "you can tune a piano, but you can't tuna fish", "To write with a broken pencil is pointless." An annual competition is held by the New York Times to see who can create the best original lexiphile. THIS YEAR’S SUBMISSIONS: I changed my iPod's name to Titanic? It's syncing now. England has no kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool. Haunted French pancakes give me the crepes. This girl today said she recognized me from the Vegetarians Club, but I'd swear I've never met herbivore. I know a guy who's addicted to drinking brake fluid, but he says he can stop any time. A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months. When the smog lifts in Los Angeles U.C.L.A. I got some batteries that were given out free of charge. A dentist and a manicurist married. They fought tooth and nail. A will is a dead giveaway. With her marriage, she got a new name and a dress. Police were summoned to a daycare center where a three-year-old was resisting a rest. Did you hear about the fellow whose entire left side was cut off? He's all right now. A bicycle can't stand alone; it's just two tired. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine last week is now fully recovered. He had a photographic memory but it was never fully developed??? When she saw her first strands of gray hair she thought she'd dye. Acupuncture is a jab well done. That's the point of it. I didn't like my beard at first. Then it grew on me. Did you hear about the crossed-eyed teacher who lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils? When you get a bladder infection, urine trouble. When chemists die, they barium. I stayed up all night to see where the sun went, and then it dawned on me. I'm reading a book about anti-gravity. I just can't put it down. Those who get too big for their pants will be totally exposed in the end. Farther Along--Stamps-Baxter Choir with Allison Speer
Have you ever taken the time to go to YouTube and watch the singers at the Stamps-Baxter Singing School. My best friend in the known world, Bishop Wesley Russ gave me the link and I have been listening and blessed. I love good Gospel singing. I think you will enjoy it too. Please Click Here on this hyperlink to hear Allison Speer sing with the Stamps-Baxtor Choir, "Farther Along." The conductor and pianist are awesome. Prison Break Author: Bob Shafer Today’s Scripture Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces" (Psalm 107:13-14). Who do you think you are? Have you forgotten all the mistakes you’ve made? Things will never get better. You should just accept your lot. It’s not going to work—you are just going to fail again! Nobody loves you. You are all alone. Have you been at the receiving end of these words of discouragement, accusation, and dismissal? I’ve seen these tactics of deception, loaded with condemning judgment, used too many times by the adversary. I’ve seen too many people, who have tried to move out from under the shadow of their past or break free from their addictions, end up succumbing to these lies about themselves, their identity, and their future and their destiny. As a result, they are unable to break free, and day after day, they simply live to perpetuate the pain, fears, and addictions to which they’re bound. That’s the power of wrong believing. Wrong believing puts people in a prison—a prison where its inmates behave as though they are incarcerated in a maximum-security penitentiary. They march inexorably to their dank cells of self-doubt and addictions. They allow themselves to be led into dungeons of destructive behaviors. They have convinced themselves never to dream of a better place, believing that they have no choice but to live in despair, frustration, and defeat. If that describes you, it’s time for a prison break, my friend. It’s time to break free from the crippling grip of all that has held you back. How? Through right believing—the light that illuminates the path of freedom out of this prison. Know and believe that God does not want you to live imprisoned by fears, guilt, and addictions. Open your heart to believe His plan for you is to live with joy overflowing, peace that surpasses understanding, and an unshakable confidence in what He has done for you. Through the cross, Jesus has paid for you to have His abundant life—a life marked by His liberty, His power, and His blessings. It’s time to let go of the life of defeat and step into a life full of victory, security, and God’s abundant grace! Today’s Thought God does not want me to live imprisoned by fears, guilt, and addictions, but with joy, peace, and confidence in what He has done for me. Today’s Prayer Father, I thank You that You are breaking the chains of all wrong believing that have kept me bound and freeing me more and more to live an abundant life. I declare that as I learn more of Your grace and good plans for my life, You are transforming me from the inside out. I believe that as You begin to replace my wrong beliefs with right beliefs from Your Word, my life cannot but change for the better! Amen. Hello All,
It is with deep regret to announce, Piedmont Mini-Camp Meeting & Labor Day Picnic 2020 scheduled for Sept. 4th--Sept. 7th will be canceled due to COVID-19. With the recent increase in virus cases in Virginia and the State mandates regarding meals and large gatherings, the Board decided to cancel Camp Meeting & the Labor Day Picnic this year. The Board did not like making this decision, but felt that it was in everyone's best interest and safety to cancel. The scheduled Work Day on August 29th is also canceled. If you have made a deposit on your room reservation, Christa will be contacting you soon regarding your refund. We pray God's Peace over each of you & pray that you stay safe! We look forward to seeing you next year, Camp Meeting 2021! Blessings, Piedmont Camp Meeting Board [Editor's Comment: Billy Graham wrote this blessing a few years before he died and went to be with the Lord. I memorized it immediately. I had a vision for a ministry card, and I commissioned Arlette Revells of Great Creation Works, Inc. in Athens, Georgia to design and print the cards. I will soon give out 2,000 cards to individuals in person or in letters. What a blessing this card with Billy Graham's blessing has been to so many. I have led several people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and now they are members of the Kingdom of God. PTL!]
There once was a powerful Japanese emperor who needed a new chief samurai. So he sent out a declaration throughout the entire known world that he was searching for a chief.
A year passed, and only three people applied for the very demanding position: a Japanese samurai, a Chinese samurai, and a Jewish samurai. The emperor asked the Japanese samurai to come in and demonstrate why he should be the chief samurai. The Japanese samurai opened a matchbox, and out popped a bumblebee. Whoosh! went his sword. The bumblebee dropped dead, chopped in half. The emperor exclaimed, "That is very impressive!" The emperor then issued the same challenge to the Chinese samurai, to come in and demonstrate why he should be chosen. The Chinese samurai also opened a matchbox and out buzzed a fly. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! The fly dropped dead, chopped into four small pieces. The emperor exclaimed, "That is very impressive!" Now the emperor turned to the Jewish samurai, and asked him to demonstrate why he should be the chief samurai. The Jewish Samurai opened a matchbox, and out flew a gnat. His flashing sword went Whoosh! But the gnat was still alive and flying around. The emperor, obviously disappointed, said, "Very ambitious, but why is that gnat not dead?" The Jewish Samurai just smiled and said, "Circumcision is not meant to kill." Bishop Wesley Russ' appeal for financial support for Hugh's News during the month of July Author: Wesley Russ The General Conference in Nashville was over except for the unveiling of the publication – IPHC Experience -- that would replace the Advocate as the official organ of the IPHC. Dr. Morgan and I were standing close to the large “mock-up” that represented the twenty-six page, “slick copy” that would continue to connect the IPHC family. After Bishop Leggett finished the official presentation and unveiling of the front page of the IPHC Experience, he came over to where we were standing. Hugh immediately congratulated Bishop Leggett on the new publication and said, “Now that we have this full color very attractive magazine, I guess I no longer need to do Hugh’s News and Commentary.” Bishop Leggett quickly turned toward Dr. Morgan and said, “Hugh Holmes Morgan, you shall do no such thing. Without Hugh’s News I wouldn’t know what is going on in the IPHC.” The IPHC Experience publication lasted only a short while – Hugh’s News and Commentary continues. Over the years Dr. Morgan has expanded the scope of his News to include guest writers who speak to the issues of the day along with a running report of the “happenings” in the IPHC and beyond . . . How does one calculate the value of Hugh’s News? I’ve known Dr. Morgan since 1964 and he says I’m his best friend in the known world. Really, I think everyone is his best friend – he knows more people in the IPHC than I can count. It is easy to see that Dr. Morgan takes his responsibility as Editor of Hugh’s News as a sacred charge. I talk with him almost weekly (since Miss Melvine has moved into the Father’s House it’s several times a week) and his next issue of his “Hugh’s News” is always part of our conversation. Janice and I have been privileged to be supporters of this vital ministry since its inception. Now it’s my privilege to invite you to give to this important ministry. This month of July is quickly drawing to a close, and your contribution is needed now. Dr. Morgan takes no salary, but there are expenses – you need to know that. IF everyone reading this would give a special offering, the need would be met. I’ve already given my annual contribution, but I can’t ask you to give if I don’t. Dr. Morgan, the check is in the mail . . . [Here's how you can contribute to Hugh's News and Commentary: You may Click Here on this hyperlink to make a contribution by a credit card or send a check in the mail. It will be helpful if you would include your email address so Hugh Morgan can immediately respond to your gift to this ministry. Please make out your checks to Hugh's News, Inc., not to Hugh Morgan. Thank you kindly.] 5. A review by Ron White, Ed.D. In this book Frank Tunstall (Emmanuel College class of ’63) presents a powerful, in-depth portrait of the broadly-based job description of the Holy Spirit. He wrote the book for that purpose – to show the many-faceted roles of the Spirit. In doing this, he captured the core, I think, of the Spirit’s ministry when he wrote the Spirit makes His “home in the human temple, with His primary mission being to teach people about Jesus.” Dr. Tunstall adds, “The singular curriculum of the Holy Spirit is Jesus Christ, making Him known in the church. Everything else the Spirit does in some way grows out of that role.” Then, he brings it home with this statement: “As we grow in our awareness of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will also grow in our confidence for spreading the Lord’s Great Commission around the world.” Yes! This book is a comprehensive and thoroughly Pentecostal must-read, but without academic language. You will come away with a fresh, new appreciation for the job description of the Spirit both in your life and in the church, as well as in the world to come. President of Emmanuel College, Franklin Springs, Georgia Now for an excerpt from the book: Peter was a strong leader who understood the principle of Gospel confrontation that motivates people to make a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ decision about following Jesus. Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received from the land. Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:3-4). When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died! “Young men came forward, wrapped up his body, carried him out, and buried him” (Acts 5:5-6). Then, “about three hours later, Sapphira came in, not knowing what had happened.” Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” (Acts 5:8). Yes,” she said, “that is the price” (Acts 5:8). Peter said to her, “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also” (Acts 5:9). In the moment of Peter’s speaking, she fell down and died too, and the young men buried her beside her husband. One can easily imagine the news of what happened spread rapidly in Jerusalem and “great fear” seized all who heard about it (Acts 5:11, KJV). The Greek words translated as “great fear” communicate the idea of exceeding alarm. The city was terrified… “You have lied to God”…. Who is this Holy Spirit? The Apostle Peter made clear the Spirit is God, and His job description includes holding divine power, life and death power. It is one of the strongest affirmations in the Bible of the Deity of the Holy Spirit in the Triune Godhead. What is the extent of the Holy Spirit’s power? Deeper than the mutual lies of Ananias and his wife was Satan’s direct involvement in the plot, and Peter discerned it. Satan had set this couple up to test the Holy Spirit. Satan had been this involved in a similar plot against God when he made his entrance into the Last Supper and possessed Judas, urging him to carry through with his betrayal of Jesus. In Judas’ story, Satan was testing Jesus, trying to goad Him into doing something prematurely, like sending Judas to his grave with a word. But that would have shut down the Father’s plan to save the world; hence, Jesus tolerated Judas. In the Ananias story, Satan was tempting the Holy Spirit. Peter spoke God’s answer to Ananias: “Satan has filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3). Yes, this scenario was more than lies being told by a couple in the infant church wanting to get praise and acclamation. It was also a Satanic test (Acts 5:9), and the couple were willing pawns eager to cooperate. They simply did not believe Peter, or the Holy Spirit, would know the difference. The story also shows how the Holy Spirit talks to people, shares information, and gives instructions. Peter obviously did not know the facts until he discerned them by the Holy Spirit; then Peter confronted Ananias first, followed by his wife. The Holy Spirit established in those moments His claim as all-knowing Deity; the Spirit is God and cannot be deceived. A new Spirit was in the earth, capable of reading minds and discerning spirits, and the Holy Spirit was leading the believers in the Early Church. Jesus Himself identified the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17). In the church, discerning of spirits is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:10). The deaths of Ananias and Sapphira also put the fear of God in the religious establishment, so that the temple leaders handled Peter and the other apostles carefully, lest the same judgment should fall on them. Some might think this was a harsh penalty, but not so. The Holy Spirit cannot be lied to and is not to be trifled with. If Satan had won that round, the Holy Spirit would have been proven as limited and weak, and no match for Satan’s schemes. Peter too would have come through as a weak leader who did not know what was going on behind the scenes. Satan would have seen to it that the full story would have come out as public information, and to Peter’s embarrassment. Peter would have been greatly shamed for giving praise to God and honor to a couple for a gift that was wrapped in a lie. Failure here would have been a heavy blow to the Early Church. Instead, the news of the two deaths spread like wild fire, and the church kept growing. It also meant Holy Spirit protection for the apostles; the religious leaders did not want to face Peter and then fall dead at Peter’s feet! The Need to translate this book into Spanish: Our Hispanic brothers and sisters must be able to get this book in their language too. Any pastor who encourages his church to make a gift toward translating and printing The Job Description of the Holy Spirit into Spanish will receive a free copy of the book. (If only 80 churches across the church give $100 each, we will be able to retain a qualified translator and publish the book in Spanish, and the pastor will get the book.) You may click on the hyperlink below to order your book. The church check should be made out to Great Command Ministries, Inc. and designated as an offering for translating the book into Spanish and mailed directly to: Great Command Ministries, Inc. 10840 NW 32nd Terrace Yukon, OK 73099 You can order your book or books today by Clicking Here on this Hyperlink. Every Knee Will Bow Author: Anne Graham "God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow" (Philippians 2:9-10, NKJV). The Bible says that one day, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11, nasb). Whether we want to or not, one day we will all bow before God’s only Son. Who do you know who has set him- or herself against Christ? A school administrator? A business employer? A secular corporation? A religious institution? A political agenda? A government policy? An entire culture? Whoever, or whatever, sets themselves against Christ will find themselves sooner or later on their faces before Him! So . . . bow down now! Blessings, Anne Graham Lotz Copyright © 2014 Anne Graham Lotz (AnGeL Ministries) Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved www.annegrahamlotz.org. We Will Overwhelmingly Conquer Author: Tony Evans You exist for God. You are His special creation. He formed you, and He made you because He loves you. The reason you are to get up each and every morning is to fulfill the purpose that God has for your life. And it is a great purpose—a wonderful purpose. In fact, God tells you in Jeremiah 29:11, that He has a “good plan” for you when you seek Him and His will for your life. The God who created you for Himself has never made any mistakes. There have been no failures or flaws in His plan for you. Yes, there are trials that you may have to endure. But the negative realities that you may be facing, or have faced, will work together for good if you love God, draw near to God and experience God. He promises. God’s Word tells us that, “in all these things (trials, struggles, emptiness, pain) we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). Do you know something? The most important word in that verse is often overlooked. I must have preached on that verse a hundred times in the last 40 years, but I never saw it until recently. I was studying this passage in relation to my own life, and it was as if God took a yellow highlighter and made this word come alive. You might be thinking that I am going to say “conquer” or “overwhelmingly” is the most important word. Actually, no. The most important word is “in.” Because we are often tempted to believe that God has promised to keep us “from” the trials, tests and pains of life, and then, when He doesn’t, we feel let down, discouraged or defeated. But God never promised to deliver us from all things. He has promised that “in all these things” we will overwhelmingly conquer. We will experience Him. We will receive the benefits and blessings that come only through our deep and meaningful experience of Him. Friend, this powerful principle has warmed my heart, and I want it to warm yours, too. Life is too important and too short to miss out on all that God has for you. For His kingdom, Tony Evans Sig-2018 Dr. James Dobson: 'The Wrong Decision in This Election Could Be Catastrophic' Author: Dr. James Dobson Voters across this nation are only a few short months away from the next general election. What an ominous time this is for our 244-year-old republic. Its future hangs in the balance. The choices we make on Nov. 3 will send this nation down one of two dramatically different paths. The wrong decision will be catastrophic. I agree with former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, who said recently that the next election will be "the most important since 1860." He also warned that if we appease or ignore the violence and anarchy occurring in the streets, it might be the end of civilization as we have known it. Those are sobering words coming from a man who has stood at the pinnacle of national power. Gingrich referred to the significance of 1860 because that was the year Abraham Lincoln was elected president. I'm sure the speaker would agree that the following election of 1864 was also critical to the future of the nation. Lincoln and his opponent, Maj. George McClellan, were in a hotly contested campaign for the White House that could have gone either way. The "War Between the States," as it was called, had been raging for three ghastly years, and the entire nation was staggered by reports from the bloody battlefield. Lincoln was running for a second term, and he campaigned on the promise of finishing the war and preserving the Union. These were momentous times for the young nation. During the first week of January 1863, the president signed the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing the slaves. Democrats and their presidential candidate, Gen. McClellan, initially campaigned on a "peace platform," pledging to end the war and send soldiers home. As the election approached, McLellan talked more about negotiating to let the South establish a separate government whose cornerstone would be slavery. If McClellan had been elected, there would have been no foreseeable end to the inherent evil of buying and selling human beings and treating them like cattle. Thus, the Civil War was a struggle for the soul of America. The summer before the election, the war was going badly for the Union. Lincoln, in fact, was convinced he was going to lose the election. He wrote the following memorandum on Aug. 23, 1864, asking his Cabinet to accept the grim prospects for his reelection. These are his words: "This morning, as for some days past, it seems exceedingly probable that this Administration will not be re-elected. Then it will be my duty to so cooperate with the President-elect as to save the Union between the election and the inauguration; as he will have secured his election on such grounds that I cannot possibly save it afterwards." No wonder Lincoln dealt at times with depression. Clearly, the Union was a hair's breadth away from losing the war. But then, the tide began to turn. One historian wrote, "The political landscape shifted dramatically when Gen. William T. Sherman took Atlanta in early September. This major military shift, coupled with the severe internal strife within the Democratic Party, solidified Lincoln's chance at victory." As you know, Abraham Lincoln and the Republicans won the election of 1864 in a landslide. McClellan was defeated by more than 500,000 popular votes and 191 electoral votes. An estimated 78% of Union soldiers cast their ballots in favor of Lincoln. McClellan took just three states: Kentucky, Delaware and his home state of New Jersey. Less than two months after Lincoln's inauguration, he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. He is said to have been the "last casualty" of the Civil War. Why have I recounted our Civil War history and the election of 1864 at this time in our history? It is for two reasons. The first is to consider some striking similarities between then and now. Our nation is divided like no time since the Civil War. Lawlessness and anarchy stalk the cities as angry mobs riot, burn, loot, rob and kill innocent bystanders. Cultural monuments are being destroyed. Scores of people have been shot. Our courageous police officers are being brutally attacked by the same people they have vowed to protect. A man and his son stopped to ask for directions, and he was gunned down on the spot. A 1-year-old baby was shot in the stomach while he sat in his stroller. The child died at the hospital. What began as a justified and lawful protest in response to George Floyd's senseless murder by a rogue police officer has morphed into violence for the sake of violence. Hatred flows in the streets, including vitriol directed at the president of the United States or anyone who dares to support him or his policies. Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and religious liberty are being trampled. There is also widespread belief that violence and anarchy are being organized and funded by powerful forces that are maneuvering America toward a socialist dictatorship. There is always a kingmaker behind such lawlessness. Most disturbing is open talk of another civil war. It is troubling to even utter those words. The last time Americans faced off against each other, 600,000 soldiers died. May God forbid it from happening again. During the revolution of the 1960s, I recall a ubiquitous bumper sticker that read, "What if they gave a war and nobody came?" It was a catchy phrase that made sense to those who opposed the Vietnam War. But my reaction to it then and now is "What if they gave a war and only one side came?" That question keeps me awake at night. There are multiple millions of passive Americans out there today, many of them Christians, who are clueless about what is happening to their homeland. They are losing something precious and irreplaceable. Do they not understand that their children and those who are yet to be born will live in tyranny if we fail them on our watch? Countless young men and women have laid down their lives on battlefields around the world to protect liberty and our way of life. Now, what they purchased for us with their blood is slipping away. Disengaged people won't lift a finger to preserve this great land. They won't take even a few minutes to go to their polling places to vote. There are also thousands of pastors who won't allow voting registration tables in the lobbies of their churches. Don't they know or care that America is on the ropes? Hordes of angry anarchists are salivating over the next election, hoping to push America over a cliff. If they succeed, as Newt Gingrich said, Western civilization will never recover. Is there anyone left who believes some things are worth dying for? Aren't there patriots out there such as Patrick Henry who said in defiance of British tyranny, "Give me liberty or give me death?" That was the spirit during his day. The Declaration of Independence closed with these words endorsed by the signers, "We pledged to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor." They knew they would be hanged if they lost the war. Why did they do it? Because they loved their country enough to die for it. How I pray for the emergence of silent, intimidated Americans who will come out of their hiding places to let their voices be heard on Election Day 2020. There must be tens of thousands of ministers in our midst who, like the Black Robe Regiment of the Revolutionary War, will strip off their clerical garb and fight valiantly for religious liberty. If these men and women of faith and conviction don't come to the rescue of their country, it is doomed. During the Civil War, untold soldiers gave their lives to preserve the integrity of the United States of America and to end the tragedy of slavery. Here is the question of the hour: Are you and our brothers and sisters willing to carry the bloodstained banner around which our predecessors rallied? We will know the answer on Nov. 3. That brings us to the second reason I have addressed the Civil War and the election of 1864. It is to remind us that voting matters. Each presidential campaign has been important, but some have had jaw-dropping and nation-shaping consequences. I believe we are at such a pivotal moment now. You can be certain that America will be forever changed by the political party that gets its supporters to the polls. They will win the day—and the future. Unfortunately, the majority of Christians have a record of not showing up on Election Day. It is unbelievably sad. As many as 75% of them sit on their hands, apparently assuming that their votes don't matter. They are wrong. Voting always matters. George W. Bush won the presidency in 2000 by 536 votes in a nation of 130 million registered voters. Many down-ballot contests have been won or lost by a single vote. I plead with you to register and vote in this presidential election. I won't try to tell you who to vote for because you can figure it out for yourselves. But I will suggest how you might evaluate the situation we face. I'll close with seven critical issues that have stunning significance for the nation. Please think hard about them, and then go to the polls. The next generation. There is a fierce battle being waged now in the nation's classrooms for the hearts and souls of our children and grandchildren. Those of us who are passionately committed to the Judeo-Christian system of beliefs are losing our kids right before our eyes. They are being force-fed a radical curriculum that is godless, anti-American and sexually perverse. Make no mistake, the Left and secular culture are manipulating the minds of your sons and daughters every day of the year. I urge you to be extremely careful about those whom you set in power over your children. Protect them with your very lives. The sanctity of human life. All life is sacred and is a gift from Almighty God. But as you know, America has the blood of innocents on its hands. Since 1973, more than 60 million babies have been murdered through abortion, and countless lives have ended by euthanasia. This is the most tragic holocaust in the history of the world! Some states have even passed laws allowing wounded and suffering infants to lie alone on porcelain trays after somehow surviving unsuccessful abortions. They will die without the comfort of their mothers' breasts. If that doesn't touch your heart, you are without compassion. I hope you will not cast a single vote for any politician who supports such wickedness. Marriage and family. The family is God's original building block for society. Marriage continues to serve as the foundation for every dimension of human life. Everything of value rests on it, including procreation and the care and training of children. If that ground floor is weakened or undermined, the entire superstructure of civil society will come crashing down. But listen carefully: powerful and highly funded forces, including LGBTQ and other leftist entities, are determined to destroy the family as an institution. It is already on its knees, and its future is grim. Before you vote, find out what position the candidates have taken on this issue. Then vote accordingly. Religious liberty. The first item listed in the Bill of Rights addresses the issue of religious liberty. All the other enumerated rights flow from that fundamental freedom. That is why it is alarming to recognize that this right to worship and honor God as we choose is under vicious attack today. The courts have done the greatest damage, but now an entire subculture is trying to bring down the Christian faith. Whether it has invaded your private world or not, it is at your front door. It was this primary concern that led to the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War in 1776. We can't compromise one jot or tittle within that fundamental right. Fight for it with every ounce of your strength and determination. Don't let the government close the doors of your church or tell you when you can sing praises to the Lord Almighty. Government has a devious agenda, and it is dangerous. Be ready to go to the mat in defense of what you believe. And let this passion influence how you cast your ballot in November. Here I stand. Will you join me? Capitalism v. socialism. It is difficult to believe that for the first time in American history, our nation appears to be thinking about trading our democratic way of life for the tyranny of socialism. I can hardly catch my breath. Could we really consider abandoning the beloved system of government that was designed to be of the people, by the people and for the people? Is it true that up to 40% of Millennials and others are prepared to surrender their liberties in exchange for the absolute authority of the state? Democracy and capitalism have made ours the most powerful and successful nation in the history of the world. Are we really considering scuttling the system that has served us for 244 years in exchange for what some people call "free stuff?" I pray not! But that option awaits you in the polling booth. The judicial system. Given recent rulings, we know that judicial overreach has almost ruined this great nation. Justices and judges are constitutionally charged to interpret the law, not make law. But again and again, they have overstepped their authority and brought us atrocities such as abortion on demand, same-sex marriage and the so-called "separation of church and state," which doesn't appear in the Constitution. Most recently, the Supreme Court handed down one of its most egregious rulings since Roe v. Wade. It is the case of Bostock v. Clayton County. This decision was not based on constitutional law but on the whims of six justices. It created a new legal definition of sex out of thin air. Lawyers tell us that this ruling will affect every dimension of culture and haunt the nation as long as it endures. Please don't vote for politicians who will expand, rather than limit, the power of judiciary. The nation of Israel. Scripture tells that those who bless Israel will be blessed (Gen. 12:3). Our prayer is that the next chief executive officer of the U.S. will continue to promote and cultivate a vibrant bond of friendship with the nation of Israel, which is our only ally in the Middle East. Anti-Semitism and all forms of racial discrimination are inherently evil, and we condemn them categorically. We are a nation that is dedicated to "freedom and justice for all" (The U.S. Pledge of Allegiance). I could list dozens of other issues that should be considered as we vote on Nov. 3. I will end with this final statement from Abraham Lincoln. He said: "I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have." Let us come boldly before the throne of grace and ask God for His mercy on America. Sincerely, James C. Dobson, Ph.D Founder and President James Dobson Family Institute P.S. This just came to my attention. Would you like to see where America may be headed if it abandons the sanctity of human life? New Zealand recently passed legislation that allows abortion up to the moment of birth, for any reason. That means a baby can be killed for sex-selection purposes or for the presence of disabilities, such as a cleft palate, Down syndrome or yes, being born alive after a botched abortion. Do you shudder at those grotesque words? Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had promised, if elected, not to allow any kind of deadly discrimination, but she broke her word. We can anticipate something similar happening in America if anti-life factions prevail. There’s Never Been a Rainbow Author: Ronald Gadberry There’s never been a rainbow like the one around the throne There’s never been a sunrise like the one that calls us home There’s never been a melody that’s stirred the human soul Like the song we’ll sing in heavens choir, immortals He’s made whole There’s never been an ocean breeze like the cooling breath of God There’s never been a moment so refreshing as His nod There’s never been a trophy to compete with His “Well done!” Just to hear the Savior say, “Welcome home my son!” There’s never been a song so sweet that angel’s silent stay There’s never been a moment like the breaking of that day There’s never ever been a hope to match the promise made By God the Father and The Son or such a price be paid There’s never been a heartbreak so sever it shook the earth There’s never been a sacrifice so painful that it birthed An anguished sodden weeping in the hosts on heaven’s shore Like the one that burst the floodgates when they crucified our LORD There’s never been rejoicing like that day outside the tomb There’s never been such wondrous grace dispelling fear and gloom There’s never been such triumph, how the hallelujah’s swelled When angels shouted the refrain, “The Lord’s alive and well!” There’s never been a rainbow like the one that we shall see There’s never been a Son-rise like the one that set us free And dancing ‘round the throne of God we shall a chorus raise The song of our redemption in one long eternal praise! REG07272020 [Who is Ronald Gadberry? I am so glad you asked. Let me tell about this man of God: He is an ordained minister of the Gospel in the New Horizons Conference in Oklahoma. He was licensed by The California Conference when he was fifteen, ordained by the same Conference at eighteen and assigned his first church in Clinton, OK the following year. Ronald served on the Conference Board in New Horizons for eight years, on the Christian Education Board for eight, four of which as Director. Ronald and Jody have more than forty years as pastors and as CE Directors were privileged to preach youth camps from California to Florida. At present they are retired but pastoring in Konawa, OK. As for his writing, "Then Came Jesus" is just one poem of which he has written close to one thousand. He has published two books and loves to write short stories. Writing is his passion and he is privileged of share with the readers of Hugh's News readers. Although Ronald Gadberry and I have never met, we hope to see each other in the near future should the Lord permit that to happen.] Marsha McDuff Flurry, age 62, a niece of the editor has gone to heaven to be with Jesus Forever7/30/2020 Marsha McDuff Flurry, age 62, of Clay, Alabama passed away peacefully on Monday, July 27th, 2020 with her children by her side. She was a loving mother, daughter, sister and friend but her favorite title and role in life was “Shashe” to her grandchildren. Marsha was born in Birmingham, AL on July 13th, 1958 and grew up in the South Roebuck area. She graduated from Banks High School in 1976 and later received her associate’s degree from Jefferson State Community College. Many cherished relationships were built and most of her career was spent working at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute in the UAB Department of Immunology and later at Southern Company Services’ engineering offices in Inverness where she worked until her battle with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) began in 2012. Though the following 8 years proved difficult, she was most proud of and received the greatest joys from being able to watch her 5 grandchildren grow, play, compete, perform, goof off, create, craft and thoroughly entertain her through those years. Marsha is survived by her children Sara (Jay) McFarland and Justin (Ashley) Flurry; grandchildren Hadley, Audrey and Mallory McFarland and Carter and Caroline Flurry; sister Rebecca Leverett; and brothers Charles and David McDuff. Marsha is preceded in death by her parents R.H. McDuff and Mary Evelyn Morgan McDuff and brother Stephen McDuff. The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Keith Swetz, Sally Holmes and the entire staff at UAB Palliative & Supportive Care Clinic for their many years of care and support along with the staff at Compassus Hospice Care at St. Martin’s in the Pines, who lovingly cared for her and her family in her final days. Though we are missing the physical embrace of many friends and family right now, given the current pandemic challenges and unfortunate weather forecast this week, an outdoor memorial service will not take place as planned at this time. A private graveside service for immediate family is planned for Friday, July 31st at Sulfur Springs Cemetery in Trussville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Marsha’s memory to Red Mountain Grace, a local medical housing ministry in Birmingham, AL (www.redmountaingrace.com). The foundation for what would become Red Mountain Grace was laid by a longtime family friend in early 2013 very soon after Marsha’s extended cancer treatment in Seattle, WA during the fall of 2012. With she and her family understanding firsthand, the difficulties of long-term medical treatment away from home, they have been supporters of this local ministry since its beginning to show grace and Christ’s love to others walking through all-too-familiar struggles. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Marsha McDuff Flurry please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Sulphur Springs Cemetery 7500 Roper Road Trussville, AL, 35173 [Editor's Comment: I have loved Marsha since the day she was born. I was attending Furman University with Bible classes at Holmes Bible College in Greenville, SC. I was courting Melvine Stewart of Draper, NC with the intent to marry her. Marsha brought a lot of joy to her parents, grandparents, and to me her uncle. She became a Christian at an early age and lived a victorious Christian life. Her remarkable battle with cancer was a testimony to her faith in Jesus Christ. Whenever we would drive to Birmingham, we planned to rendezvous with Marsha by dining with her at a nice restaurant near her home. I love her adult children Justin and Sarah and their respective spouses and children. Greg and I send our condolences, love, and prayers in this time of grief and sorrow. Because of being quarantined by my family doctor, I am not able to be in attendance. I pray for favorable weather for the graveside service.] Amos 5:24 Beautiful language expressing what God desires--justice, righteousness and fairness for all.
24 But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. KJV +++++ Amos 5:24 24 Do you know what I want? I want justice — oceans of it. I want fairness — rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want. (from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.) +++++ Christian Football
Quarterback Sneak--Church members quietly leaving during the invitation. Draw Play--What many children do with the bulletin during worship. Half-time--The period between Sunday School and worship when many choose to leave. Benchwarmer--Those who do not sing, pray, work, or apparently do anything but sit. Backfield-in-Motion--Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the service. Staying in the Pocket--What happens to a lot of money that should be given to the Lord's work. Two-minute Warning--The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings. Instant Replay--The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's illustrations. Sudden Death-What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes "overtime." Trap--You're called on to pray and are asleep. End Run--Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or fellow member. Flex Defense--The ability to allow absolutely nothing said during the sermon to affect your life. Halfback Option--The decision of 50% of the congregation not to return for the evening service. Blitz--The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer. |