Another one receives the Holy Ghost!

The downpour is continuing!  Thank the Lord for a new baby in Christ tonight!  She is a young lady who Bro. Hallford has been witnessing to.  She came down to the front and just began to praise the Lord and within a few minutes, she was speaking in that Heavenly language! We had two wonderful services today and have enjoyed the ministry of Evangelist Greg Henry very much.  We have claimed some new ground already and are expecting more miraculous things in our midst!

We used our Spanish listening devices today for those who only understand Spanish and it was a blessing.  Our Spanish service was also incredible on Saturday night.  We had 47 in service!  We mourn with our new baby, Vano, this weekend.  His mother, Mary, passed away Saturday morning.  He is an active part of Tabernaculo de Vida.  We baptized his mother just a few weeks ago in the pool at the rehab center.  I had visited her at home and talked about her need to be baptized in Jesus Name.  She was taken to the hospital during our San Francisco vacation and then saw her need a few weeks later to be baptized and requested it be done before her leaving rehab.  We trust her in the hands of God.  Our church will be blessing the family with a service and serving dinner in Tuesday.  Vano actually ran around the church tonight in service!  I had to take off after him, because if he could do that the day after his mother died, I couldn't let him do it alone!

I have missed my wife terribly this weekend, especially since she has been gone to Austin ALL week!  I just do not feel complete without her here!  I guess you understand what I am talking about?  She will be back tomorrow and I do get to boast of what she missed!  :)

I pray that each of you have a great week!

Favorite time of year...

I guess autumn is my favorite time of year.  Just the crisp night air and the feeling of warmth when you walk into the house makes things feel so "homey"!   I have no real point with this post except to celebrate the fact that summer is over and we are headed to cooler weather.  Take time to enjoy it this year!  Turn off the political talk all around us - go out on the patio,  listen to the quiet, subtle sounds of God's creation and look into the starry heavens.  There is something about getting back to the basics that clears the mind.

Down Pour!

Do YOU believe it?

Where's your "umbrella"?

"Rain, Lord!  Rain, Lord!

Oh let it rain, Lord!

Rain, Lord!

God almighty let Your Holy Spirit rain!"

Section One Revival Rally

Friday night we were able to attend the Revival Rally for our section.  It was held in Cisco at the beautiful church pastored by the Thompsons.  They have been doing some updating on their building, and it looked wonderful!!

Bro. Jerry Dean from Bossier City, LA, spoke.  It was a great message - "Redemptive Lift."  I'm so glad to know "I am blessed!!"  God has been good to me and to the United Pentecostal Church.

I had the opportunity to meet a man who knew my dad when they were kids!!!  He is the son of the preacher who came through Texas when my Grandma Layne received the Holy Ghost.  She was the only one in that particular revival to pray through.  Bro. Wilkins told me last night about him, my dad, Uncle Dean and Herman Lindley jumping off a "cliff" into a river - he said it was more like rapids.  It was just really neat to connect with someone from that far back in my family history.

This next part is for you - DON RYAN - we met your sister and brother-in-law last night.  They will be at our church in November.  Just thought you might like to see another picture of her with one of us since you got to see her on MY sister's blog a few weeks ago. 

I hope each of you have a wonderful Sunday!!  Can't wait to "hear" awesome reports from your church.  YOU ARE BLESSED!!!!

Growing up...but not quite yet!

Chad is now 14, but still hangs on to some of his childhood!  When he was very young, he came down with a mouth disease that caused him not to be able to continue the use of bottles.  So, we put milk in a sippy cup and added chocolate to entice him.  He called it - "choc-at mulk!"  For YEARS, he had to have "choc-at mulk" to go to sleep at night, so Grandma had a sippy cup at her house to use while he stayed at her house during Friday night youth activities or when we were out of town.  She still has it and over the years, he would still pull it out to carry his drink around the house.  Recently, when we went by to visit Grandma and Grandpa, in came Chad with that itty-bitty sippy cup filled with milk!  I had to get out my phone and take a picture of this big kid drinking from his sippy cup!  Some days they seem grown, others they remind you that they are not quite yet.

Coming down, down, down...

The wallpaper's coming down!  The saints began to pray and the workers found a way.

Just took a couple snapshots with my iPhone and thought you might want to see the latest happening!  The wallpaper was beautiful and a great change when we had it installed, but like all good things...they come to an end.  It is not the style anymore.  This is the first step to our complete foyer overhaul.

Who's Afraid?

This is a followup to my message last night!  I know it sounds crazy, but we had a great time in church!  Here's the video that shows how important it is to build our house (life) from the strong truths of the Word of God.  This life is not all about playing around.  Others may laugh and scoff at us because of how serious we take our preparations for eternity, but in the end it will pay off!  

Psalm 27

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

When we are upon the rock, Christ Jesus, we can lift up our head and sing—  

"Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Wolf?"!!! 

I have recieved word today of several families who went home and enjoyed laughing at these silly pigs.  After service last night, the little children were even gathered in the back corner of the sanctuary singing this song.  Doesn't it feel great to have someone as powerful as God on our side?  "...whom shall I fear?"

Mandatory Evacuation

With all the talk of Ike hitting the Texas coast, the words "mandatory evacuation" have been used often.  It got me thinking.  How I wish that we could issue a mandatory evacuation for souls.  It would be an order to all souls.  They would have to leave a world of sin and head to a better place, away from the evil storm!  

I often wish I could make people wake up and change their lives.  Unfortunately, many people have the idea that they know better than us preacher "eternity forecasters."  They can "ride out the storm."  Nothing happened to them last time.  It would be so much easier if we could issue mandatory orders, but that is not the way God made it.

Every soul has the choice to follow God or not— to leave the eye of evil and head for higher ground.  What is your choice?  Are you leaving this old world of sin or taking your chances?  It's time to really think about.  A great shaking is coming so we better get a good grip on the Master of the winds.  Just something to think about...

September 11

I've tried several times to begin a post for today.  There are no words to describe the feelings I have when listening to radio coverage today and looking at pictures and video from that awful morning - 7 years ago.  

I pray today that we never forget.  

I pray for the families so deeply affected by 9/11/01.  

I pray for God to lead our country during this election season.

Take some time today to reflect on the blessings God has given you. 

Then take a moment to pray for our country, our President, and our world.

Special Guests, Weddings, Family

Last week was one of those weeks that was crazy busy!  But it was a lot of fun.  

On Wednesday night, we were honored to have Mark & Diane Green with us in service.  Bro. Green came to introduce Junior Bible Quizzing to Life Tabernacle.  We are excited to get this ministry going and know that our kids are going to benefit tremendously from participating in this program.  Of course, Sis. Green came in support of her husband, but her brother also attends our church - James Cain.  We had a great time with them on Wednesday night then again on Thursday before they left town.

Friday brought us to the day of rehearsal for Zachary and Amber's wedding!!  These are two of our "kids" who have grown into beautiful adults.  The wedding was wonderful!  There was such a peaceful and happy atmosphere.  I really don't know how to describe it other than to say God was there.  We are so proud of them and can't wait to see what God is going to do in their life together.

Sunday morning we had special visitors who had stayed over from the wedding - Wendell & Linda, The Prince family & Ashley, Jeannie & Jeff.  It's always good to have church family come home.  We had awesome church!!  

Today I got to play "grandma".  LOL!!  Not exactly... here's the story... I received a phone call this morning from Mandy (my niece) asking if I could come to lunch at Alayna's school today (Alayna is my great-niece).  Today they were having a grandparents luncheon and since none of Alayna's grandparents live here she said, "Do you think Aunt Karla could come?!"  WELL.... what do you all think?!  LOL!  She was thrilled to see me there, and I was just as thrilled to be there.

 

We've kicked off another busy week.  Tonight Gene is at the church for the Junior Bible Quizzing parent meeting.  Tomorrow night is Ladies of Life "Happy Birthday to Me".  Wednesday night is church.  Thursday I will be heading to Arlington for the Minister's Wives Retreat and will return on Saturday.  Then it will be Sunday again and we will start it all over again.  

I hope you all have a great week!

Hmm....

I'm not trying to be political or influence anyone  - 

I just thought this was a neat "shirt."  

And... to give credit where credit is due, 

I stole this from the Tripletts blog!

Picture of the Week?!!

This is just to keep everyone occupied until we are able to post an update to the happenings in our lives.  

WHO IS THIS?

Labor Day weekend...

We have had a great Labor Day weekend! As mentioned in our earlier post, it was Chad's birthday and we also had the privilege of having special guests, Connie and Lindsey Bernard. They came in on Friday evening and attended service with us Sunday morning which was our Fifth Sunday Fellowship. We only had the morning service and then had dinner at the church! We had nearly 70 guests with us in service and one received the Holy Spirit for the very first time!! In fact, it is the daughter of the lady who I baptized yesterday. Several of our guests were praying and even refilled with the Spirit. We had a number of our church families out, but the crowd was still just about the same size.

The Bernard's and their church were such a blessing to us while we established the church in Pflugerville. They all opened the arms to us and welcomed us as a part of their church family. It was great getting to welcome them in our church today ! I know they came to hear me preach...or was it really to see that grinning guy above?! They left Sunday afternoon and the grin was gone. :(

Let me introduce you to our new and improved dog! As you can tell, Cookie enjoyed every moment of her new look. The glasses were one of Chad's gag gifts from the Bernard's, but Cookie just seemed to look fantastic in them. :-)

As you can tell, we are enjoying a relaxed Labor Day weekend and so excited about what God is doing in our midst. Have a great holiday.