Merry Christmas

The Christmas celebrations begin today. Our family schedule is:

Wednesday: go to my grandmothers (kids to the Crowders)
Thursday: Christmas breakfast at our house; go to the Millers at 2:00 pm
Friday: Visit a family in Dawson Springs
Saturday: Go to my mothers

It is busy but it is good. We get to share Christmas with our family and friends. So many people do not get to do that. I cannot complain. We are looking forward to it.

Sarah & Ross are coming home tonight. I don't know how many places they have to go.

Christmas

Christmas is just two days away. Cathy has much more of the responsibility than I do. I have come to the conclusion that the wife does most of the work on holidays. My job was basically help shop for the kids and I buy Cathy a gift. This year I think I got her a good one. She is hard to buy for. I am not allowed to buy her clothes (she picks her own out) or jewelry (she picks her own out). This narrows the field of possible gifts considerably but this year I think I got her. I think she is going to like it and not return it. Notice I have used the word think a lot.

Hope House Update

I have an update for the Hope House. After last Sunday we have raised $12,488.00! Is that incredible? First A/G is a generous church and I believe God is going to bless us for it. With one more offering we can reach the 15,000.00 mark!

Just a thought

There is one part of the wedding ceremony I think we ought to change. It is the "giving away the bride." I spent a whole lot of money on that wedding. We didn't give away anything.

Wedding Day

Today is finally here! I am taking it easy this morning. I have to be at the church dressed for pictures at noon. The wedding is at 2:00p.m. The rehearsal went well last night. The rehearsal dinner was great. Don Ploss out did himself. I think everything is ready. Time for a wedding.

Wedding Rehearsal

Tonight is the rehearsal. They are always a little chaotic but the wedding comes together. Today Cathy and Sarah are getting their nails done and getting in some girl time. I am going to spend the afternoon studying the ceremony and I still have to get ready for Sunday morning's service. I cannot let that slip by because I don't think I will have much time to study Sunday's sermon tomorrow.

In the midst of all the wedding preparations, I am looking forward to our Christmas service. We have a breakfast potluck during Sunday School and have communion in the morning service. It is a great way to celebrate Christmas. I am going to preach on peace. The angels said that the birth of Jesus brought peace to the earth. With all the wars the world has experienced since then, how is that so? We are going to learn that the Bible teaches we can experience two types of peace: peace with God and the peace of God. I hope on Sunday that we all experience both.

Wedding week, part 2

The wedding process has begun. We got candle stuff, communion stuff, etc. It is going to look nice. Cathy, Pam, and Sarah are buying more stuff. The check writing may never end! Just kidding.

The wedding is coming together and it is going to be a great day. Sarah will be a beautiful bride and things are coming together.

Charles & Tyler got home last night. They helped set stuff up at the church and we had lunch together. They are getting their tuxedos this afternoon.

75 Anniverary Service

I just got home for our second planning meeting for the 75th anniversary service. The opening night of district council is going to be a celebration service. I think it is going to be a great night. The theme is going to center around the concept of "past, present, and future." We are going to ask our pastors and congregations to invest into the children and young people of Kentucky. I am looking forward to it and it has been a privilege to participate in it.

Bad Weather

I have to be honest I am not a fan of cold weather. I am more of a sunny and warm guy. I am always amazed on how quick the schools close around here. You wake up in the morning and see the roads are clear but the schools are closed. I also wonder if the weathermen really know what is going to happen. You go to sleep thinking you will wake up to snow and ice and then again nothing.
I am suppose to drive to Louisville tomorrow for a meeting at the district office. I hope the roads are clear. Last January I went to a breakfast in Lexington and drove back in an ice storm. It was crazy. I should have stopped in Louisville but didn't. I am not doing that again.

Wedding Week

This officially "The wedding week." Sarah is getting married on Saturday. She is excited but there is a lot to do. I worked on the wedding ceremony today. That was a weird feeling. You are happy and sad at the same time. It is going to be a beautiful wedding. We hope the weather is good for those travelling from out of town. We have some driving in from far away (including Charles & Tyler.) Please keep us in prayer.

Flu

Last month I went to the doctor and got a flu shot. Yesterday I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with the flu. I spent three hours at the MOM clinic and waited another hour for the medicine. When you are sick the last thing you want to do is wait for four hours. And I am really tired of coughing.

Now I am finished feeling sorry for myself. I am going to work from the house today but I am going to prepare for tomorrow night's Bible study and on the 2009 budget.

I am really excited about what God is doing in our Sunday morning services. The presence of the Holy Spirit has been so strong and I believe that lives are being changed. I don't want to lose it.

Holiday Home Tour a Success

The Holiday Home Tour was a huge success and a lot of fun. Cathy and enjoyed going to all the homes and having everyone to our house. There is nothing like Christian fellowship. It also feels good to do good. All the proceeds from today will go to the Hope House in Sucua, Ecuador.

Tomorrow we will continue our series on "The Ministry of the Holy Spirit." The Bible teaches that joy comes from the Holy Spirit. The Christmas season is suppose to be a time of joy but research reveals that many people express loneliness, discouragement, and even depression during the Holiday season. Why is this? Come tomorrow and we will see what the Bible has to say about it.

The Gleaner

Did you see the newspaper today? That is the favor of God! What brought the favor about? It is missions. The idea that we were doing a home tour for a mission project caught the attention of our community. God blesses a church that blesses what is on His heart. I have always believed that if you take care of God's business, God will take care of your business. This is two weeks straight that our church has made the local paper and both times it was because of missions! You cannot put a price tag on that type of publicity.

Now that we have said we are going to support the Hope House we need to do it. Go on the home tour Saturday and come prepared to give on Sunday. We will take up a special offering every Sunday morning in December for the Hope House. I believe we can raise $10,000.00. Will you help?

2009

I have been doing some planning for 2009. I am getting really excited. There are two events that I am especially looking forward to.
1) Elaine Hollmer revival in January
2) Pentecost Today, a conference on the Holy Spirit in March. The guest speaker is Dr. Gary Denbow, president of Central Bible College

I believe these will get us off to a great start for 2009. I believe the ministry of the Holy Spirit is the key to a spiritual awakening in our church and spiritual transformation in our community. These are my hearts desire. We know Sister Hollmer is used in the spiritual gifts and then to have the president of our leading Bible college to come and teach us about the Holy Spirit is pretty awesome. Plan now to be a part of these great opportunities to draw closer to the Holy Spirit.

Church in The Gleaner

I am not feeling well today and would appreciate your prayers. In a few minutes The Gleaner is coming to our home to interview Cathy and I about the holiday home tour and Hope House. This is the favor of God. The church's Thanksgiving dinner was in the paper last week and now they are doing an article on our end of the year mission's project and fundraiser. God is good.

Leadership College at First A/G

I have a desire to start a leadership college at First Assembly. It would be 10 courses. They would come from Berean College which is a division of Global University. The Bible says we are to equip people for ministry. The courses would include:

Bible - Old Testament Survey, New Testament survey, How to study the Bible, The Gospels, and the Book of Acts.
Ministry- Leadership, Evangelism, and Counseling
Theology- Introduction to Pentecostal Doctrine and Introduction to Theology
I think it would increase the discipleship in our church. I need help. Anybody interested?

Christmas Party

Tonight is the first Christmas party of the year. We are having our staff/board Christmas party. It is for full time employees, deacons, and trustees. I really appreciate those who serve in leadership at First A/G. Being a leader in the church can be a tough job with little outward rewards. We have men and women who serve faithfully and give it their all. Tonight Cathy and I get a chance to thank them.

Being in leadership has few outward rewards but the one of the benefits is the fellowship between leaders. When you spend time on the front lines together, you draw close. The best thing that has happened to me is that the leadership has stuck together. We have refused to allow things to cause division among us. I think the most important characteristic of church leadership is unity. You cannot become divided or allow dissension to destroy the unity of the body. You may disagree with one another at times but you stay together. Walking that tight rope is the difficult at times but absolutely necessary for church health. The leadership of First A/G has been successful in this matter. That is a reason to celebrate.