Academic Excellence

We received an invitation to attend an award ceremony last night at Hendrickson High School. The students were nominated for academic excellence by a member of the faculty. Cameron had no idea what the award was because they keep them a surprise for the students. His award actually turned out to be in Social Studies. We are proud to call him our son! Not only is he doing very well in school with a 4.9 GPA, he is giving his talent to the Lord and being used in many ways. Congratulations, Cameron! And now to teach him to drive.....Lord, help us all.

Weekend in Review

Friday night was our first church youth trip! We used a van from the Bernard's church and went out on the town. A new area has opened in Austin called the Domain with upscale stores that looks like a downtown with apartments above the stores. It is really cool! We went and toured the stores and then ate at California Pizza Kitchen. We had a brand new young person with us and had a great time.

I got my first chance to visit an Apple store. It was really cool. Here is Chad and Phillip checking out the iPods.

We were blessed to have Pastor and Sis. Mark Green with us today. We have planned to have them come from the moment we moved here. They were our Sunday School Secretary when we were Director in Texas. They were in on all the deciding to make the move last June since Crusader Camp was happening at the same time. He has been a great encourager and we have enjoyed being with them so much. We definitely miss working with them on a regular basis. Since we moved last August, he was appointed as Sunday School Director and then left that position when he was elected as a Presbyter on the Texas District Board! They came in last night and we visited until really late and then he ministered in our service today. It was really good. The Lord did a tremendous work of encouragement and touched a visitor in a mighty way. We had 36 in service again! It was great.

We laughed a lot this weekend - and sometimes you just really need to lighten up and laugh!
We enjoyed a time of fellowship at the Salt Grass steakhouse.

P.S. Cameron is doing good. His lip is still a little swollen and he has FOUR stitches instead of the measly TWO which I reported earlier. He talks a little funny and smiles crooked! Chad's head is doing OK also!

What's HOT for Spring!!

I received the following writing from a friend and wanted to pass it along to all the beautiful ladies who read this blog. We have the promise of an eternal future with the King of kings - I want the "fashion" I wear to be a reflection of HIS glory!

"WHAT IS HOT FOR SPRING"

Many of us look around as a new season rolls in to see what the new trends will be. Color, styles, accessories, are just a few things we study to see how we measure up and what we need to add to our wardrobe to be considered in style. Okay, even fashionably challenged people like me take a little look here and there to get a taste of what the new look for the season will be. But as I look at the clothes in my closet, I think what is the point? These clothes that were in style are now out and they end up in a trash bag headed for the curb, so that means the next set of in style clothes will be out in a few months and I will be left to give yet another load of unwanted items to my trusty trash man. This cycle has got to stop. Jesus said give NO THOUGHT. There is a new season quickly approaching and I want to study the trends. That season is the coming of the Lord. We may not know the day, but we can know the season and I want to be ready. I want to know what to wear so I will be in style for an eternal fashion show. Maybe I should clothe myself in humility or adorn my lips with kindness. Perhaps I should invest in eternal things that will not wear out or go out of style. Could it be that I need to have my feet shod with the gospel of peace and a helmet of salvation instead of a new Easter ensemble? Its harder than it sounds. Our flesh is always in a state of desiring that we easily confuse with a dire need. So as this new Spring season approaches I want to simplify my life. I want to look for the trends that are in style for my meeting with the King of Kings.

The Lip vs. The Head

THE LIP

At 4:30pm this afternoon, Cameron came into the house from playing basketball and showed us that his lip was no match for Chad's head!

THE HEAD

Chad's head came up under the chin and caused Cameron's teeth to cut a gaping hole in his lip. Karla was weak and unable to move (unusual - I am usually the one) and I got him some ice and then determined that I needed to take him to the emergency room. He was hurting pretty bad and the cut was pretty deep, at least more than what we could bandage at home. This is WEDNESDAY— you know —CHURCH! At 6:18pm, after waiting all I could, I asked if they could get this finished by 7pm as I was a pastor and we had church to get to. The doctor came in and said, "Yeah, I hear that excuse all the time! " I looked at him with a question on my face and he started laughing. He said, "Nah, I'm just kidding. We'll get him out of here soon." We left at 7pm with 2 measly stitches, but necessary ones. We were 20 minutes from home....so I made it right at 7:30pm after changing from jeans! Cameron is doing good. He finally ate some soup through a straw. They said he should be able to get them out in about 5 days.

On the bright side, at this Austin hospital I met two workers who live in Pflugerville and one of them knew exactly where our church used to meet - that little-bitty place! Goes to show you that you never know who is noticing you.

Church turned out good even though my brain was little out of sync and a huge storm blew in during my lesson. And so goes life...one day at a time.

Holy Roller

Sis. Faye, one of our founding saints and still a new convert, told me that she got the highest compliment this past week when her grown son looked at her and said, "You're just a Holy Roller!" God is dealing with him and working through her. She said her mom used to say, "Yeah, I'm a Holy Roller and I'm gonna roll right on in to Heaven!" Here Sis. Faye is, just now coming to God in her elder years, but the relationship her mother had with God is still impacting her life...and she is now making a difference in her son's life...the Holy Rollers just keep on rollin'!

New Sign and Catch-up

Our new location calls for a different sign. The sign we had was too tall and would not fit in the area where the sign was to go. So we have been making do with our old banner stretched over a set of windows until we could get a new one.


Here's what our new one looks like. It came in today and when the rain stops, we will get it installed. I will post a picture for you. Our logo was also not the shape to fit, so we rearranged it to get our name as big as possible! Again, it is a temporary banner. Our other one was only used for 8 months, so until we get to a more permanent location, we will will stick with the lower cost option. We are also putting our service times and several logos on the windows in vinyl lettering.

We have been to Wichita Falls and back since Sunday night after the choir sang at the Bernard's. We had to wait until then to leave since it was their 15th Anniversary services and the choir was a part of the celebration. It was not a good occasion to go home, but the homegoing service for Sis. Shahan was beautiful. She was a beautiful lady and deserved the best. It was good to see everybody, even if it was just for a few minutes. We arrived back home this morning at around 1:30am and hit the ground running this morning.

My wife is now working a part-time job. She does data entry for the accounting department of Keller Williams Realty here in Austin. The Market Center she works at serves 400 realtors. She is only working from 9am-1pm, so it allows her to be at home when the boys leave for school and be here when they get home. The boys need many things at the age they are and this will help with some of them. Cameron is taking driver's ed and you know all the things that come with that... Insurance!!!!

We had 32 in service Sunday and we now have no one attending from the Bernard's church. We were blessed to have a family of 5 visiting this weekend with us AND not so blessed to have several people out! I will never understand.... whewwwwwwww.... just let it go. I have to be in church. I have never been able to miss. It is just something that is necessary! Can I get an amen? We had 32 GREAT, faithful people in service and the Spirit was moving so strong. We are blessed.

What a responsibility!

I just got back from the Saturday night check of our building to make sure it is ready for the fantastic people of God. I spent some time in prayer and preparation. Just as tonight, I have often stood where this picture is taken (behind the pulpit) with no one there and considered the people who would face me in the next service. I feel a heavy responsibility to proclaim what is true. Not what I think is right, but what I know to be true from the Word of God. I feel such a thankfulness for those who God has brought to this church and I want to lead them right. I don't think I have ever had the thought, "Well, this is just a small place - a few souls, so it won't really matter what I preach." I consider what I share with them without a thought of the number in attendance. Why? Every soul is so important to God.

I am thankful for every minister of God who has impacted my life. I now realize the weight that they carried when they shared the Truth in each service. My prayer is that I can be instrumental in the salvation of those who have been entrusted to me. None of us are totally saved yet. We are still this side of Glory. I pray for the souls who will sit in these seats tomorrow - eternity is in the balance for each one. What a responsibility!

Crazy Animals!

Our dog actually thinks she is human. She crawled up into my desk chair and then proceeded to find a comfortable spot to look out the upstairs window! It didn't matter that her back legs were hanging in midair - she was at ease.

I also found this great picture...makes me laugh! Have a good laugh today! Looks like how I feel after a service!

The Story Isn't Over

My friend, Don Ryan from Ohio, wrote a transparent post recently about his place in life right now called "I go a fishing." I felt to contact him and let him know that the story is not over. He kindly contacted me back and thought I might want to post this to encourage others who may be in the same position right now. Some of the comments are to him personally, but much of it could be applied to all children of God. Our Lord continues to write our story with twists, tragedies, mysteries, and surprises.

We can all be encouraged that all of our stories will end in a beautiful eternal life if we continue to trust Him.

I am writing to let you know that the story is not over - and life is not a short story. I am a fan of short stories because I do not like to take a long time in reading. I want to get to the point and do it fast. I really feel that right now you are in the midst of what is called the "exposition" or the beginning of the story- where the author "sets the stage." I oftentimes want to skip or skim that beginning part to get to the meat of the plot...but when I do, I miss some of the key elements and then cannot understand what is happening when I get closer to the end.

I know the pain of disappointment and the bruising of the ego. I don't write today to be a know-it-all, but as a friend. I believe in you and from the first time I met you, I knew that you had what it takes to be a great man of God. After reading your writings, I have often wished to think as quickly and sharp as you do. You have an insight that is superb and a charisma that God can use mightily. You do have a servant's heart and that is what this road requires. Although you are being reassigned, I believe that God has something that is fit just for you. The story isn't over, for you or the church you left.

Keep your head up and your eyes on the lookout for the "new thing" God is wanting to do through you and your family...

Isaiah 43
1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;
6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.
9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, It is truth.
10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.
11 I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.
12 I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God.
13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?
14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.
15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.
16 Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters;
17 Which bringeth forth the chariot and horse, the army and the power; they shall lie down together, they shall not rise: they are extinct, they are quenched as tow.
18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

This is a long reading, but I felt it on my heart and I didn't want to put it all in your blog comments! Keep on fishing, but keep your eyes looking up. He is coming with a miracle in His hands...more than you can believe.

No matter what any of you are going through right now, the story isn't over! He, along with us, is still working to complete the book of our life. I am trying to do my part to keep the ending right.

One receives the Holy Ghost!

We are SO EXCITED to have a 12-year-old girl receive the Holy Ghost today! I could tell through church that God was dealing with her and when the call to come was given, Sis. McClain asked her if she would like to come and pray. She said yes and she began to weep when I put my hands on her head. Within in a couple minutes, she was speaking in tongues! She came with her aunt. This young lady's two younger brothers came also and were a part of our new Sunday School class!

We had 36 today! That is one more than our normal Sunday record (excluding Easter). We also are minus the family of 5 from Bro. Bernard's church who have gone back to the mother church now! So, there is progress.

Our ensemble sang "Goin' Up Yonder"(the old song) and did awesome! The Spirit was really moving in our midst today. I believe that the Friday night prayer intensified the response of the church.

Speaking of that, our Section came on Friday night for a Prayer Service and on Saturday morning for outreach.

Sis. Esther Hunt, our section's prayer coordinator.

Sis. Flo Shaw, the South Texas District prayer coordinator.

Binding together in prayer.

It was great to have Trevon Norman (seen on the left here) and Cosme Ojeda (not pictured) with us this weekend from Wichita Falls. They joined in with us for prayer and outreach.

Pastor Dwayne Shaw, New Life Temple - East Austin

Bro. Shaw finished out the night with his comments. He felt a prophetic word that this church would be a mighty revival center and felt so impressed that things greater than we can even imagine are on the horizon. We are believing...and it is happening!

On Saturday, we were able to distribute around 700 doorhangers to houses in the neighborhoods near our new location. We are planning to send postcards to these same houses in a couple weeks using a mailing service here that is Apostolic-owned and then going back to these houses a few weeks after that and knocking on their doors to invite them. Maybe it will help "soften" the ground a little or give us some name recognition when they open their doors. It was great to have our presbyter, Pastor Charles Stephens, to help us put these doorhangers out!

Following the outreach on Saturday, we took Trevon and Cosme downtown to see the bats fly at dusk. Our boys enjoyed so much having the guys here in town. They laughed a lot!

As we were waiting, boats started coming to watch the bat flight. One of them in particular caught our eye and ear...they were playing live country music on a raft of sorts! It was pretty neat.

There's more to tell, but I will keep it for another post.....