Monday, March 30, 2009
Leesburg March 29th
Sunday, was a great day for us at Leesburg. We were honored to have our General Presbyter Sam Clements and his wife Linda with us. The Lord was with us powerfully as the worship team led in worship. Then Brother Clements brought a very inspiring and powerful message about "Jesus". People came to the altar and God did not disappoint them. There were two adults and one teenager saved. Praise God for still rescuing souls from a devil's hell!
Grant Visit
On Sunday, March 15th we were honored to be with the people at Grant. They church were excited and overjoyed about the blessings that God has been pouring out on them the last few weeks. Below is the youth performing a drama before the message that morning. A great service with wonderful people known as the "sanctuary on the mountain".
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mastin Lake 5th Annual Golf Tournament
Saturday, April 18, 2009
7:30 AM
For more information click below:
http://app.razorplanet.com/acct/41743-0936/resources/Golf_Entry_Form_and_Flyer2009.PDF
7:30 AM
For more information click below:
http://app.razorplanet.com/acct/41743-0936/resources/Golf_Entry_Form_and_Flyer2009.PDF
Friday, March 20, 2009
Devotion from New Clergy Serving on Kairos #48 at Limestone Prison
A friend of mine who worked Kairos #48 at Limestone Correctional Facility this past weekend passed along this email devotion that one of the rookie clergy sent out to the team. I wasn't able to work this one,but I'm told it was POWERFUL! I have been asked and am planning on service for #49 in June and hopefully #50 in November. I understand that Randy (who wrote everything below) is a pastor of a Methodist church near Florence. Needless to say, this ministry has a tremendous impact on your perspective. It blessed my socks off this morning and thought I'd pass it along to you as well.
Blessings, Eddie
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve with you and the entire Teamof Kairos 48. God has used it in a powerful way in my life and will never be the same because of it. This is a copy of my weekly devotion for the New Covenant Community. I know some of the Team are not on NewCovenant's email list. I wanted to share this with you, and if you feel so led by the Spirit, feel free to share this with the rest of the team.I just wanted you to know how thankful I am for this God-Moment in my own journey.
Peace and grace to you.
Randy
OH LORD, IT'S MONDAY MORNING!
For my days are consumed like smoke,and my bones are burned like a hearth.My heart is stricken and withered like grass, So that I forget to eat mybread. Because of the sound of my groaningmy bones cling to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness;I am like an owl of the desert.I lie awake, and am like a sparrow alone on the housetop. Psalm 102:3-7 (New King James Version)
Sounds! Do you hear them? I mean, do you really hear the sounds? Are your ears in tune to the sounds? Do the sounds sink deep into your mind, your heart and your soul? Do the sounds reverberate and resonatein you? Do the sounds stir up something deep inside you? Do the sounds trouble you and make you restless? Have you lost any sleep from thesounds? Or have you simply blocked them out, blocked them out with the ear plugs of being busy, or insulated yourself in some sound proof sanctuary where you feel safe?
If you haven't guessed, today's thoughts are around the sounds. Allow me to explain where I am coming from. This morning I am trying to assimilate part of my experiences this past weekend. I am unable to deal with it all at once, so I'm carefully dissecting this awesome experience into blocks of data that this old, outdated computer canhandle. I have just spent my first night in my own bed since Wednesday night. I have been on a journey, a journey called Kairos 48 that happened this weekend at Limestone Correctional Facility. (A place that is right in most of our backyards.) Yes, your Community Spiritual Director has been to prison, and trust me when I say this: he is not the same person.
The eight team meetings could not have prepared me for what I heard. Heck, even 800 team meetings would not have been enough to fully prepare me. As I sit in front of this blessed computer screen, the first sound that stirs in my deepest parts and I cannot shake, was the sound of that heavy steel door that closed behind me as I left the secured visitors entrance and actually stepped into the prison. Even though I knew Iwould be able hear that sound again from the other side, something began to stir and even rumble in my heart. No, it wasn't fear.
And this morning I think I am beginning to understand that uneasy feeling a little better. I was hearing the sounds. I did not hear the sounds with my physical ears. I heard the sounds with my heart. It was the sounds of hopelessness. The sounds were echoing off the walls and filling the air. It hung heavy like a deep fog rolling in from the sea. It was like a smothering blanket that could take the breath away from you. Everywhere I turned, the sounds were present. And I knew why Bob and Phil and Tim and Dan and Jack and Megan and so many others hounded me about Kairos. (Guys and gals, Thank you, Thank You, Thank You for your persistence!)
But when I entered that chapel, I also heard another sound: it was TheWord! It was, is and always The Word of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy. Even though "The Sounds" tried to get louder and drown out THE SOUND, it could not. Over the next three days, I was humbled and privileged and blessed beyond words to see God at work. By Friday night's teammeeting, I had to confess and repent that I was surprised to see God's awesome work. I should not have been surprised! Limestone Correctional Facility had been covered by the prayers of the saints! We had been asking God to move and work. I should have had confidence in God. I do not know why I was amazed, because God's best work is always done in the dark places that most of us, my self included, would not rather think about.
But those dark places are always where God is at work. Jesus said things like: "I am the light of the world." "I have come to seek and save the lost!" "I am the bread of life." "I am willing to heal you!""I am with you always!" And as the weekend progressed, I heard, I mean I HEARD, the sound of praise and peace and joy and hope coming from HOLYGROUND! I heard it from the men (who happen to wear white clothes all the time) who felt like they were forgotten, or even worse, that they were condemned by the world to always be "convicts." But THE SOUND ofThe Word let us all know that we become brand new persons in and because of Jesus Christ. How about that? John was right when he wrote, "The light shined in the darkness but the darkness could not overcome it!"
And what about YOU? The Sounds are not limited to places like Limestone Correctional Facility. Truth is, they are all around us. The sounds of hopelessness are coming from the single parent, the recently divorced,the homeless, foster children, the homeless, those who have lost jobs,those who's lives are buried in a bottle, smothered by a pill, pipe or needle, those who are abused and neglected, and those who feel like they've wasted their lives and there is no way God loves them.
Open your ears and listen! Step out of your sound-proof sanctuarybecause The Sounds are out here. But also listen for THE SOUND, The Sound of THE WORD! Listen to where HE is calling you to bring The Sound of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace! And don't tell me, "Well, preacher, I'm just not comfortable with those kinds of people. I'll pray for them,but that's all I feel comfortable doing." If this is you, then I am telling you, "It's time to become uncomfortable."
Jesus has not saved us to feel comfortable. He has saved us to make us uncomfortable and restless. He calls us to go into the human condition with the ONLY Sound that changes human hearts and lives. And now community, I MUST make a confession and repent. I have told churches that they must get out among the least, the last and the lost. But I have not really been there myself, until this past weekend. So, I ask for your forgiveness, grace and mercy. The sound of that steel door has made me different, and I am so thankful for that door.
I leave you with these words and I pray with all that is in me, that you become restless until the sounds of hopelessness are silenced in EVERY human heart:
'I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, Iwas homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave meclothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked orignored, that was me, you did it to me.' (Matthew 25:35-40)
When we are uncomfortable with the sounds of hopelessness, and long to be an instrument for The Voice of hope, love, peace and joy, then every Monday morning we can say, "Good, Lord! It's Monday! What shall we do together this week?"
Let us pray: I forgive me for being deaf. Open my ears that I may hear the sounds of hopelessness that are all around me. Help me trust You to use me to bring the Sound of love, hope, peace and joy. Jesus, I really want to see you and do something for You, even if it means going to prison. Amen and Amen!
Randy (one who sees Jesus more clearly than ever before! Thanks, Jesus, for sending me to prison!
Blessings, Eddie
Thanks again for the opportunity to serve with you and the entire Teamof Kairos 48. God has used it in a powerful way in my life and will never be the same because of it. This is a copy of my weekly devotion for the New Covenant Community. I know some of the Team are not on NewCovenant's email list. I wanted to share this with you, and if you feel so led by the Spirit, feel free to share this with the rest of the team.I just wanted you to know how thankful I am for this God-Moment in my own journey.
Peace and grace to you.
Randy
OH LORD, IT'S MONDAY MORNING!
For my days are consumed like smoke,and my bones are burned like a hearth.My heart is stricken and withered like grass, So that I forget to eat mybread. Because of the sound of my groaningmy bones cling to my skin. I am like a pelican of the wilderness;I am like an owl of the desert.I lie awake, and am like a sparrow alone on the housetop. Psalm 102:3-7 (New King James Version)
Sounds! Do you hear them? I mean, do you really hear the sounds? Are your ears in tune to the sounds? Do the sounds sink deep into your mind, your heart and your soul? Do the sounds reverberate and resonatein you? Do the sounds stir up something deep inside you? Do the sounds trouble you and make you restless? Have you lost any sleep from thesounds? Or have you simply blocked them out, blocked them out with the ear plugs of being busy, or insulated yourself in some sound proof sanctuary where you feel safe?
If you haven't guessed, today's thoughts are around the sounds. Allow me to explain where I am coming from. This morning I am trying to assimilate part of my experiences this past weekend. I am unable to deal with it all at once, so I'm carefully dissecting this awesome experience into blocks of data that this old, outdated computer canhandle. I have just spent my first night in my own bed since Wednesday night. I have been on a journey, a journey called Kairos 48 that happened this weekend at Limestone Correctional Facility. (A place that is right in most of our backyards.) Yes, your Community Spiritual Director has been to prison, and trust me when I say this: he is not the same person.
The eight team meetings could not have prepared me for what I heard. Heck, even 800 team meetings would not have been enough to fully prepare me. As I sit in front of this blessed computer screen, the first sound that stirs in my deepest parts and I cannot shake, was the sound of that heavy steel door that closed behind me as I left the secured visitors entrance and actually stepped into the prison. Even though I knew Iwould be able hear that sound again from the other side, something began to stir and even rumble in my heart. No, it wasn't fear.
And this morning I think I am beginning to understand that uneasy feeling a little better. I was hearing the sounds. I did not hear the sounds with my physical ears. I heard the sounds with my heart. It was the sounds of hopelessness. The sounds were echoing off the walls and filling the air. It hung heavy like a deep fog rolling in from the sea. It was like a smothering blanket that could take the breath away from you. Everywhere I turned, the sounds were present. And I knew why Bob and Phil and Tim and Dan and Jack and Megan and so many others hounded me about Kairos. (Guys and gals, Thank you, Thank You, Thank You for your persistence!)
But when I entered that chapel, I also heard another sound: it was TheWord! It was, is and always The Word of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy. Even though "The Sounds" tried to get louder and drown out THE SOUND, it could not. Over the next three days, I was humbled and privileged and blessed beyond words to see God at work. By Friday night's teammeeting, I had to confess and repent that I was surprised to see God's awesome work. I should not have been surprised! Limestone Correctional Facility had been covered by the prayers of the saints! We had been asking God to move and work. I should have had confidence in God. I do not know why I was amazed, because God's best work is always done in the dark places that most of us, my self included, would not rather think about.
But those dark places are always where God is at work. Jesus said things like: "I am the light of the world." "I have come to seek and save the lost!" "I am the bread of life." "I am willing to heal you!""I am with you always!" And as the weekend progressed, I heard, I mean I HEARD, the sound of praise and peace and joy and hope coming from HOLYGROUND! I heard it from the men (who happen to wear white clothes all the time) who felt like they were forgotten, or even worse, that they were condemned by the world to always be "convicts." But THE SOUND ofThe Word let us all know that we become brand new persons in and because of Jesus Christ. How about that? John was right when he wrote, "The light shined in the darkness but the darkness could not overcome it!"
And what about YOU? The Sounds are not limited to places like Limestone Correctional Facility. Truth is, they are all around us. The sounds of hopelessness are coming from the single parent, the recently divorced,the homeless, foster children, the homeless, those who have lost jobs,those who's lives are buried in a bottle, smothered by a pill, pipe or needle, those who are abused and neglected, and those who feel like they've wasted their lives and there is no way God loves them.
Open your ears and listen! Step out of your sound-proof sanctuarybecause The Sounds are out here. But also listen for THE SOUND, The Sound of THE WORD! Listen to where HE is calling you to bring The Sound of Hope, Love, Joy and Peace! And don't tell me, "Well, preacher, I'm just not comfortable with those kinds of people. I'll pray for them,but that's all I feel comfortable doing." If this is you, then I am telling you, "It's time to become uncomfortable."
Jesus has not saved us to feel comfortable. He has saved us to make us uncomfortable and restless. He calls us to go into the human condition with the ONLY Sound that changes human hearts and lives. And now community, I MUST make a confession and repent. I have told churches that they must get out among the least, the last and the lost. But I have not really been there myself, until this past weekend. So, I ask for your forgiveness, grace and mercy. The sound of that steel door has made me different, and I am so thankful for that door.
I leave you with these words and I pray with all that is in me, that you become restless until the sounds of hopelessness are silenced in EVERY human heart:
'I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, Iwas homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave meclothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then those 'sheep' are going to say, 'Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?' Then the King will say, 'I'm telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked orignored, that was me, you did it to me.' (Matthew 25:35-40)
When we are uncomfortable with the sounds of hopelessness, and long to be an instrument for The Voice of hope, love, peace and joy, then every Monday morning we can say, "Good, Lord! It's Monday! What shall we do together this week?"
Let us pray: I forgive me for being deaf. Open my ears that I may hear the sounds of hopelessness that are all around me. Help me trust You to use me to bring the Sound of love, hope, peace and joy. Jesus, I really want to see you and do something for You, even if it means going to prison. Amen and Amen!
Randy (one who sees Jesus more clearly than ever before! Thanks, Jesus, for sending me to prison!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sons and Daughters
“But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, God declares, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:16-17
My name is Tanner Gann, I am a 14 year old minister from Hamilton, Alabama. I am a prisoner of Jesus Christ. In May of last year I found myself running from God. I was a two-faced Christian who was mad at God, because I wasn’t hearing from Him and I was so dry spiritually. So one day while watching TV, God finally spoke to me and told me to open up my Bible. I opened it up to Ephesians chapter three verse one. Paul said that he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ. God stopped me there and said, “What are you a prisoner of?” I finally realized at that point I was not completely sold out to God. During that encounter, I surrendered fully to the Lord and I’ve dedicated myself to do whatever it takes to win over my peers and school for God.
After the summer was over, God lit a fire in me that no one could put out. I was so on fire for God and I had to tell everyone. However, I knew I couldn’t win my school alone. I needed supernatural power from God. You see, the apathy at my school was so gross it seemed like a hopeless situation. A lot of the people at my school were two-faced Christians just like I had been. Yet, I knew my testimony could touch many and God had promised me that my school would be won over. I asked God to put me in a position to let me reach a lot of people at one time. So two weeks into the school year, I was asked to be the Student Director of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) at my school. God truly answered my prayer because half the school is in FCA. The first month and a half of the school year things were slow, as I kept praying for a breakthrough but nothing happened. God told me to give it time and be patient. As I faithfully walked into the first junior high football game, God opened an amazing door. I was asked to give a devotion before the game. In the devotion, I gave my testimony and invited everyone to become completely sold out to Jesus. Eighteen people accepted Christ that day! That was just the beginning of what God wanted to do and He told me there would be more breakthroughs.
After football season was over I was asked to give another devotion, but this time to the high school football team. God put it on my heart to share my testimony again, as I challenged everyone to live a surrendered life. This time twenty-seven students from the team gave their lives to the Lord. Ever since that moment the locker room has changed. Now we have devotions daily. God is all over the team and half the school is on fire for God. I thought God was done, but I was completely wrong. In February, I was asked to do another devotion for the 7th and 8th grade athletes, girls and boys. I preached on being different for Jesus and I gave my testimony. The Holy Ghost showed up, bringing conviction over everyone in the room. Every single person in there realized they were not prisoners of Christ. They all pledged to humble themselves, as they poured their hearts out to God, selling out completely. Now the middle school is on fire for God too.
What has happen here in Hamilton is an amazing thing but can only occur when you give God everything. I am a living example that when you completely sell out to Jesus, it affects everyone around you. I want to challenge the youth of this state to get crazy for Jesus and completely sell out to Christ! That means put Him over all material things and all the things this world offers you. This world will pass away but the Word won’t. I am a prisoner of Christ! What are you a prisoner of?
Tanner Gann
My name is Tanner Gann, I am a 14 year old minister from Hamilton, Alabama. I am a prisoner of Jesus Christ. In May of last year I found myself running from God. I was a two-faced Christian who was mad at God, because I wasn’t hearing from Him and I was so dry spiritually. So one day while watching TV, God finally spoke to me and told me to open up my Bible. I opened it up to Ephesians chapter three verse one. Paul said that he was a prisoner of Jesus Christ. God stopped me there and said, “What are you a prisoner of?” I finally realized at that point I was not completely sold out to God. During that encounter, I surrendered fully to the Lord and I’ve dedicated myself to do whatever it takes to win over my peers and school for God.
After the summer was over, God lit a fire in me that no one could put out. I was so on fire for God and I had to tell everyone. However, I knew I couldn’t win my school alone. I needed supernatural power from God. You see, the apathy at my school was so gross it seemed like a hopeless situation. A lot of the people at my school were two-faced Christians just like I had been. Yet, I knew my testimony could touch many and God had promised me that my school would be won over. I asked God to put me in a position to let me reach a lot of people at one time. So two weeks into the school year, I was asked to be the Student Director of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) at my school. God truly answered my prayer because half the school is in FCA. The first month and a half of the school year things were slow, as I kept praying for a breakthrough but nothing happened. God told me to give it time and be patient. As I faithfully walked into the first junior high football game, God opened an amazing door. I was asked to give a devotion before the game. In the devotion, I gave my testimony and invited everyone to become completely sold out to Jesus. Eighteen people accepted Christ that day! That was just the beginning of what God wanted to do and He told me there would be more breakthroughs.
After football season was over I was asked to give another devotion, but this time to the high school football team. God put it on my heart to share my testimony again, as I challenged everyone to live a surrendered life. This time twenty-seven students from the team gave their lives to the Lord. Ever since that moment the locker room has changed. Now we have devotions daily. God is all over the team and half the school is on fire for God. I thought God was done, but I was completely wrong. In February, I was asked to do another devotion for the 7th and 8th grade athletes, girls and boys. I preached on being different for Jesus and I gave my testimony. The Holy Ghost showed up, bringing conviction over everyone in the room. Every single person in there realized they were not prisoners of Christ. They all pledged to humble themselves, as they poured their hearts out to God, selling out completely. Now the middle school is on fire for God too.
What has happen here in Hamilton is an amazing thing but can only occur when you give God everything. I am a living example that when you completely sell out to Jesus, it affects everyone around you. I want to challenge the youth of this state to get crazy for Jesus and completely sell out to Christ! That means put Him over all material things and all the things this world offers you. This world will pass away but the Word won’t. I am a prisoner of Christ! What are you a prisoner of?
Tanner Gann
Monday, March 2, 2009
Youth Ministries to Host Heritage Day at the Park
It's Heritage Day at the Park! Heritage Ministries and Youth Ministries have teamed up to bring the entire family, friends, youth and church groups together on June 13, 2009 at Fields of the Wood in Murphy, NC in the great Smoky Mountains. Everyone from the east, west, north and south is welcome. For more information click here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
