Thanks for Being YOU!

For some reason I have been thinking about friends lately and the different places they fill in my life.  I have many friends and each of them are different. 

A few weeks ago I found out that one of my life long friends had to have emergency surgery and since she is older, I was concerned.  Even though it wasn’t what we would call major, I was still concerned.  I can’t really explain the feelings that I had during that time.  What if something happened?  What would I do without her?  And the funny thing is, we don’t talk everyday or even every week, but I just know she’s there.  If I ever needed her for ANYTHING she would be there.  I have a few friends like this.  Lifelong friendships are awesome.  You are totally you when with these kind of friends. 

Then, just a couple of weeks ago we attended the General Convention of our organization, the United Pentecostal Church International.  This is always a highlight to me.  To gather with so many people of like precious faith and worship together is simply great.  Also at this meeting we get together for fellowship with other longtime friends and our “conference friends”.  When we get with these people we just pick up where we left off at the last convention and have great times of conversation, laughter and enjoying each others company. 

After the convention I was privileged to spend a few extra days with my sisters.  These are my blood sisters and there is no one like them in my life.  What can you say about sisters?  They just are!  I love them both dearly. 

The new friends that God is bringing into my life are so precious to me.  We are getting to know each other and you are fulfilling yet another role in my life and I hope that I am doing the same for you.  With the family of God, it is so exciting. 

We got home on Friday Night and I was already looking forward to seeing and worshipping with my church family.  What precious people of God they are.  As I was kneeling toward the end of an awesome service today and thanking God for what He is doing in our midst, it just came to me again, the different roles different people play in our lives.  As much as I love and appreciate my lifelong friends,  my longtime friends, my conference friends and even my sisters, none of them can take the place of my church family/friends.  There is a special and different bond with each of these groups of people but each one plays a very significant role in my life. 

I can’t find the words to express my deep gratitude for them all.  For the friends that have been part of my life, all of my life,  I love you more than you even realize.  My longtime friends that have stuck with me through thick and thin.  You’ve been there when those closest to me passed from this life.  We have cried together and sometimes laughed so hard we couldn’t hardly catch our breath.  Thanks for just being there.  Sometimes you didn’t know what to say, but you was there and that makes all the difference in the world.  I like the saying, “You can’t make new, old friends”. 

To my sisters:  I love you and appreciate you more with each passing day.  Even in our relationships though, we each play different roles in each others lives.  Talk about ups and downs!  We have been through it all.  We have cried ’til we didn’t have any tears left to shed.  We have shared sorrow and grief together.  Our worlds have been shattered.  However, with each of our strengths and helping each other, we have made it through, together.  Then there are the times that we laugh so hard we hurt.  I’m thankful that this happens more often than not.  You two are the best!  I love you dearly.  “I’m smiling because you’re my sister.  And laughing because you can’t do anything about it”! 

My church family:  You are incredible.  I cannot even begin to tell you what you mean to me.  After being with all my friends at conference, when I walked into the church today, I was so warmed by your love.  Church families hold a very special place for the Pastor and his family.  I love singing and worshipping with you.  I love dancing before the Lord with you!  I love it when you pray for me and I love to pray for you.  I love how you love to hear your pastor preach and teach.   I love your outpourings of love that is given in the form of a gift or just a simple, “I love and appreciate you”.  You are simply the best and no one can fill that place in my life but YOU. 

This has been my thoughts for quite sometime now.  I love my life and all the people in it.  Thank you all for being YOU!  You are precious to me. 

The Day Our World Stopped

I was walking through my father’s house in Wichita Falls, TX when I heard from the kitchen, “Ronda,  Come here”.  I replied, “Daddy, I don’t have time.  We have got to get gone”.  We were trying to get on the road back to our home in Texarkana, a five hour drive.  We had stopped by Daddy’s on our way home from California where we had just left Nathaniel for college.  Daddy spoke back in a very stern voice, “Ronda, come in here NOW”.  He had not spoken to me in that tone for MANY years so I knew something was of extreme importance.  I didn’t know if this was something about Mother who had just passed away a mere month before or what was so urgent that he would use that tone with me.  I went to the kitchen where he was sitting at the kitchen table, kind of like, in shock.  He just pointed to the radio as if to say, “listen”.  That’s when my world stopped.  As I stood in shock and listened to them say that one of the World Trade Center towers in New York had just been hit by an airplane, I could not move.  However, all at once we mobilized with lightening speed. We all jumped in the car and headed to the nearest place with a Television (Daddy didn’t have one).    As we walked through the doors of Market Street (a grocery store in Wichita Falls) and looked at the big screen, that’s when we saw that the second tower was also hit .  I can’t even describe the emotions I felt that day.  I had just left my son in California, 2,000 miles away, and I was afraid for him.  Would I ever see him again? I didn’t know at that moment.  I didn’t know if this was truly the beginning of the end.  Was this the beginning of World War III?  Were these people, whoever they were, going to hit someplace else in our beautiful land?  All I knew to do at that point was to pray.  Sincerely pray.  Nathan, Danelle and I got in the car and began to make our way to Texarkana.  As we went through Dallas, we noticed that the skies were empty.  There were no airplanes flying. Of course that was really strange.  It’s funny how things like that are noticed when they are no longer there. We made it home and called a special prayer meeting as I know many people across our land did that day.  So, as I sit here this morning, eight years later, and think about 9/11/01, all those emotions come back.  I think of the families who lost loved ones that fateful day.  My heart nearly breaks for them.  Then, all of a sudden, coming ever so gently into my play of emotions is something else, thankfulness.  Thankful for how America responded on that day and the days that followed.  Thankful that we are still here, eight years later.  Thankful, that even though that day (9/11) changed America forever, we are still here and still the greatest nation on earth!  I pray for America! I will never forget where I was or what I was doing the day our world stopped. 

GOD BLESS AMERICA. LAND THAT I LOVE. 

If You Were Accused….?

If you were accused of being a Christian, would you be found guilty?

I was in a place of business today and mentioned a person’s name that attends our church. The owner of the business stopped and looked at me and said, “You must be a Christian if you are friends with ___________.” I said, “Well, as a matter of fact I am a Christian and my husband is the pastor of the church _________ attends”.   She looked at me and said, “I am glad to meet you”.  I walked out of that place with my head held high and proud.  I thought, what a great testimony of _________, that someone would think I was a Christian simply because I was friends with someone who is obviously a Christian.

How is your reputation around town?

As you can imagine I was proud (in the right sense of the word).  And, I am proud to say that many folks just like ______ attend The Pentecostal Church.  People recognize them as Christians.  Perfect?  Of course not!  Striving to be Christ-like?  Indeed!  If I am accused of being a Christian, I definitely want to be found guilty.

Blessings!

Lord, When Are You Coming?

Today I was taken back many years ago, to when I was just a little girl as Linda, Danelle and myself sang around the piano.  Linda began to play as I was preparing  potatoes to be put in the oven to bake.  Danelle came in and she immediately migrated to the piano with Aunt Linda.  She loves the old songs.  I soon made my way in there too and we sang and sang and sang.  Songs like,  “A Crown of Thorns”, “Inside Those Pearly Gates”, “Longing for Heaven”, “When I Inherit My Mansion”,  “The Next Step”, “Meet Me in Front of the Throne”, and my favorite of the day was “Lord, When Are you Coming”.  Linda and I actually got teary eyed as we remembered Mother and Daddy singing this song. Oh!  How they would sing…”Lord, when are you coming?  Lord, I’ve waited so long.  Come and get me Jesus.  Lord, I want to go home”.  I remember crying as a girl as they sang because it made me want to go to heaven so much.  Linda and I began to talk when we finished singing, about how our parents sang so many songs about Heaven.  It really seemed to make the things of this world grow dim.  I wonder sometimes if we would sing more songs and talk more about going to Heaven, if the troubles we seem to be facing in our day and age would not also dim in comparison to the promise of Heaven.  I think it would, because it did today.  I would have been very happy had the trumpet sounded as we sang around the piano today.  There was not a care in the world at that point. Because, my mind was imagining being there, in the presence of God, reunited with my family and friends, walking on streets of gold, seeing walls of jasper and gates of pearl, wading in the river of life and standing in front of throne, meeting with so many people that I’ve promised to meet there.  Ah! “Heaven!  Happy home above.  Heaven!  Land of peace and love.  Oh!  It makes me feel like traveling on.  Heaven!  Eternal.  Heaven! Supernal….”

Come on!  Lay down your burdens for just a few minutes and think about, sing about and talk about Heaven!  It will make things here not quite so consuming.  Lay aside the worry for awhile and think with me, “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus”.  Take a moment and forget about everything else, except the most important thing, and that is making Heaven our home.  Lay it all aside for a little while and sing with me, “Come and get me Jesus!  Lord,  I want to go Home”. 

Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!

Swine Flu Symptom Check

If you wake up and look like this…DO NOT go to work or school.  Please stay home until symptoms are gone.  Thank you!

 

God Always Has the Best Answers!

 

YOU SAY

GOD SAYS

 

You say: ‘It’s impossible’

God says: All things are possible   (Luke 18:27)

You say: ‘I’m too tired’

God says: I will give you rest   (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: ‘Nobody really loves me’

God says: I love you      (John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You say: ‘I can’t go on’

God says: My grace is sufficient     (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: ‘I can’t figure things out’

God says: I will direct your steps    (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: ‘I can’t do it’

God says: You can do all things   (Philippians 4:13)

You say: ‘I’m not able’

God says: I am able    (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: ‘It’s not worth it’

God says: It will be worth it    (Roman 8:28 )

You say: ‘I can’t forgive myself’

God says: I Forgive you     (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: ‘I can’t manage’

God says: I will supply all your needs    (Philippians 4:19)

You say: ‘I’m afraid’

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear    (II Timothy 1:7)

You say: ‘I’m always worried and frustrated’

God says: Cast all your cares on ME    (I Peter 5:7)

You say: ‘I’m not smart enough’

God says: I give you wisdom    (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: ‘I feel all alone’

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you    (Hebrews 13:5)

Thank You Note

I think that this makes it all worth it.  Delilah gave this to my husband after the “Back to School Bash” and “Kids Crusade”.  Too precious for words.

Back to School Bash/Kids Crusade

Saturday at 11:00 am.  they began to gather at the neighborhood park.  We never really know how many will show up, but we were once again surprised as between 350-400 people gathered.  The men and ladies of The Pentecostal Church were busy at work getting folks registered, grilling hot dogs, attending the jump house and handing out tickets for the drawings and backpacks to be given away.  Everything was free!  The food, the cold cokes and water, the chips,  the games and all the prizes.  Our guests were treated like royalty!  After a time of fun and games, Bro. Josh Combs from Maryland gathered everyone in and began to have more fun with telling the Gospel Message.  I could see the children began to be touched by the Spirit of God.  I looked around and not only the children but some of the parents were being touched as well.  When Josh asked everyone to pray there was a sweet presence of the Lord that came into the park.  One lady I prayed with was so moved that she was little frightened.  I watched her as tears began to form and she put her hands down quickly.  I asked, “Are you okay”?  She looked at me and said,  “I just feel like crying.  Why”?  I explained to her that it was the sweet presence of God she was feeling and that it was okay.  She began to pray again and this time wept openly before the Lord.  She did not receive the Holy Ghost but she will be taught a Bible Study.  I know she will come to know the Lord.  She will never forget what she felt.  Another lady that brought her family to the park told one of the ladies in our church, this story….”Two years ago when you all had the Back to School Bash, my children didn’t get a backpack.  I told you about it and you took my name and address down.  I didn’t really think anything about it, but then you showed up one day that next week with backpacks for all my kids, filled with school supplies”.  Then she said with tears, “I will never forget your act of kindness”.  One of her boys received the Holy Ghost and 4 of the 15 that was baptized was from her family.  You never know what a small act of kindness will produce.  By the end of the day at our Back To School Bash, 5 were filled with the Holy Ghost and 15 baptized in the precious name of Jesus.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, 2:00 PM  began our Kids Crusade!  From the moment the first praise went up to Heaven you could feel the excitement in the air.  The presence of the Lord was so strong in the Praise and Worship part of the service.  EVERYONE became kids today.  The Kids Praise sang and everyone was involved in,  “I’m Gonna Sing, sing, sing.  I’m gonna shout, shout, shout.  I’m gonna sing.  I’m gonna shout and praise the Lord.  When those gates swing open wide, I’m gonna sit down by His side.  I’m gonna sing.  I’m gonna shout and praise the Lord.  I’m gonna snap…I’m gonna clap…jump, bump…..zoom around the room…”.  You get my drift?  Ha!  It was great but it took a lot of energy.  Then they sang, “You are the one that I worship…”  and “Jesus! Everything I need is in that Name”.  How precious to see and hear these children sing praises to God.  Then Bro. Josh Combs again got us all going with songs like, “Jesus, You are my Super Hero”.  Great stuff.  Once again he told the gospel story in kids terms and did a superb job.  When he asked for us to come pray, the altars filled with children, hungry for God.  Even teenagers and adults were touched and reaching out to God for help.  To end all the festivities of the week-end there was a candy rain, with PLENTY of candy showering down to the kids. We had a great Kids Week-End.  Children are precious in the sight of God and I want to always remember that!

The Pentecostal Church put it on top shelf this week-end.  Or as they say now-a-days…”IT WAS OFF THE CHAIN”!

A Little Catch Up

Ok, so it’s been awhile.   Life has been crazy busy this summer.  I’m ready for the kids to go back to school.  I know, I don’t have any kids in school myself but somehow I think if yours will go back to school, my life will settle down too.

Since my last post we have flown to Houston for Jared and Jennifer’s wedding.  It was simply elegant.  Jennifer was a beautiful bride and Jared a handsome groom.  I nearly “lost it” when he and Nathaniel walked out onto the platform.  Then Nathan leaned over and said, “where did the little boys go”?  I made myself  stop crying because I knew I couldn’t stop if I got good and started.  Oh yes!  It was tears of joy and a few of good ol’ nostalgia.

We was able to spend a few hours with Wendell, Linda, Gene and Karla.  I’m so glad they came down for the wedding too.  It’s always good to be with my family.  Love them BUNCHES!!!

We flew home on Saturday, August 1st and then on Sunday, August 2nd, celebrated 5 years of being the pastor of The Pentecostal Church.  Wow!  Time really does fly!  Stephen and Susan Hill and Cherish was with us for this grand occasion.  Bro. Hill preached a great message.  We had a big church dinner and awesome fellowship with our friends and with our saints.

Then….Monday August 3rd, we packed up and went to Santa Maria for our Western District Camp Meeting!  WOW!  WOW! and WOW!  There will never be the right kind of words in the English language to describe the Camp Meeting.  The preaching of some of our district pastors was great.  The ministry of Dr. James Hughes and Rev. Brian Kinsey was highly anointed.  I wept before the Lord, worshipped, danced, praised, sang….until I couldn’t hardly move.   Heaven truly kissed earth last week in Santa Maria at the Western District Camp Meeting.

The fellowship at District meetings is always a blessing too.  It was good to laugh and talk and laugh and talk with so many of our friends. Oh!  And the strawberries were to die for!

Now we are home.  I’m washing loads of laundry and sending loads more to the dry cleaners.  My cupboards are bare so I will make a trek to the grocery store today so we don’t starve.   This coming week-end is our Back to School Bash and Kids Crusade.  I will go hand out my invitations tomorrow or Wednesday.  We are expecting about 500 kids at this event.  Giving away back-packs filled with school supplies and ipods and no telling what else.  I am expecting many to receive the Holy Ghost this week-end.

So….when I have another chance, I will set down and post another blog.  Until then…

I’m so thankful for the life of blessing that God has given to me.

Be Blessed!

Mind Your Own Business

We’ve all heard the old saying, “Curiosity killed the cat”.

Don’t be too nosy, you just might end up being hurt.

The mind of man is a busy thing; if it is not employed in doing good, it will be doing evil. It is an excellent, but rare union, to be active in our own business, yet quiet as to other people’s.

From “The Message”:

Leviticus 19:16 

  Don’t spread gossip and rumors.

          Don’t just stand by when your neighbor’s life is in danger.

I am God.

Proverbs 20:3

It’s a mark of good character to avert quarrels,
   but fools love to pick fights.

King James:

2 Thessalonians 3:11 &12

For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies

Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

1 Timothy 5:13

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Don’t be NOSY and have a blessed life!