I received this today from our General Superintendent.  Let’s pray for those in Connecticut and America. We need God.

Dear Fellow Minister:

Our hearts are heavy today as the details are still unfolding regarding the tragic shooting this morning at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT, where  some 600+ children in kindergarten through grade 4 attend. A recent report has indicated 26 fatalities, many of them children.

I attended a Christmas pageant today, in which my four-year old grandson participated as a shepherd.  I thought to myself how broken I would be if a gunman had come into that room and begun shooting those little children. 

We ask that you pray for those families who lost children and loved ones, as well as those injured—many in critical care—at this time. Please pray for the five Assemblies of God churches within a 10-mile radius of the school as they begin to minister to the hurting in their communities.

Here are some additional prayer points:

Pray for God’s sustaining grace and comfort upon families who have lost children and adults in this shooting.

Pray for the injured that they will recover.

Pray for the community of Newtown that has been traumatized by this occurrence.

Pray that the church will be able to respond with help and comfort in the hours and days ahead.

Pray for the emotional and mental well-being of children who attend Sandy Hook Elementary as they deal with this tragedy.

Pray that wise and sensitive counsel will quickly be available.

Pray for the well-being also of teachers, administrators, and staff.

Pray that families, friends, and the entire community will look to God for His strength, peace, and comfort.

Is your life like a whirlwind of time? Does your to do list never end?

Life is a precious commodity, a jewel to be guarded.

Psalm 89:47 says, “Remember how short my time is; for what futility have you created all the children of men?

While as Christians, we are not to be so wrapped up in this life that we do not care about eternal life; we should value our lives. Many people pass through life without savoring the beauty of what God has created around us. Some pass life through living in misery. I believe that our level of misery is determined by our attitude. Some choose to remain unhappy. If we value life, we will stop and find out how to enjoy it. Trials will still be there. You will still get sick at times, and someone might even hurt your feelings, but why let these ruin your life? Handle what life dishes out with joy and longsuffering.

Since we must value our life, there are three things that are highly important:

1. Our relationship with God. This is the most important. Life on its own is nothing without the Master. Seek to make the most of your time with Him. Be a student of His Word and take the time to spend at His feet. Those who value life will value the eternal.

2. Your Family. This is second in importance. God has entrusted you with your family. They have been loaned to you until Christ comes. Take the time to be with them. Someone once said, “A man on his deathbed will not look back at his life and say ‘I wish I would have spent more time at the office.'” Find out what is necessary to maintain your employment, but don’t sacrifice your family to make money. The legacy you leave to your children will live on when they raise kids. Let it be a good legacy.

3. Your ministry. Third, our life should be spent serving God and finding our place in Him. When rewards are passed out in Heaven, I look for Him to say, “Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant”. In valuing life, you should seek to make a difference in somebody else’s life. Do the most you can, the best you can for God!

Life is full of surprises and excitement. It is also full of trials and disappointments. Choose to love life, choose to cherish life, and choose to enjoy life! Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.”

God’s plan for America is not hindered or decided by an election. The heart of the leader is in the Lord’s hands. God’s in control. Let’s pray for our nation that God would send revival.

Its hard to express in words what my father in law meant to me.  He went home to be with the Lord Saturday night, November 3rd.  Sonya and I were fortunate to be able to get here to say goodbye before he passed.  Though his life was a short 61 years, 1 week shy of his 62nd birthday, Larry impacted me greatly.

You see, it was Larry who was instrumental in bringing me to Christ.  I was a punk kid wanting to date his daughter.  On the way to Sonya’s parents house, right before he passed, I told her how fortunate it was that he let her date me.  If Hannah brought a guy home like I “was”, I wouldn’t let her date him.  I had gotten my ear pierced a second time just for the occasion.  Long hair, baggy clothes, earrings (this was before even old men wore earrings) I looked like someone that wouldn’t be good for your daughter.

When I walked in he instantly accepted me.  Talked to me like he’d known me forever.  By virtue of his size, 6 foot 3, 300 plus pounds, I was intimidated but he was a gentle soul.  After I left, Sonya’s mom cried.  I don’t blame her (she loves me now).  In her fear of the worst, she cried and told Larry that she wanted Sonya to marry a preacher.  (SIDENOTE: Sonya didn’t want to marry a preacher. She was looking for the furthest thing from God.)  When my mother in law said that to Larry, he replied, “Leave the boy alone Sandy, who knows what God can do in his life.”

It was that compassion for me, every time I came over, that led me to Christ.  One day after Sonya and I had been dating for a year, Larry invited me to church.  He had always talked to me about the things of God, but never forced anything on me.  He would tell me about Christ’s return and about the need to be ready, but he was never over-bearing.  That Saturday when he invited me to church and offered to buy me Panchos buffet after service, I decided to give it a try.

I had never been to a church quite like this one.  This one was different.  Full of the Spirit.  I was raised in a denomination that didn’t believe in the moving of the Spirit.  I felt something I had never felt before.  God touched me that morning in such a way that I realized my sinfulness.  I walked the aisle in the middle of the service and surrendered to Jesus.  As I walked that aisle, I remember the hand of a large man on my back.  It was Larry praying for me. 

The past 8 years, he has suffered much.  His body ravaged by disease, strokes and pain.  Yet in the midst of all of that, he prayed for everyone.  He was an intercessor. When he couldn’t see, walk or even get up anymore, he still prayed…he still would call out to God.  Even through all of that, he never lost his sense of humor…his agitating provoking ways.  His attitude was great through it all.

Now that he has gone, we know that he is experiencing the glories of a kingdom that knows no pain, no sickness or sorrow.  He is walking on his 2 brand new legs, dancing in the presence of Jesus. 

I love you Larry “Dad”!  Thank you for giving a punk kid a chance!

Hannah: “Satan was an angel and he wanted to be God. I thought of a good name for him: Mr. Demanding Pants.” #shesontosomethinghere

The greatest miracle God can do is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world, make him holy, put him back in an unholy world, & keep him holy. -Leonard Ravenhill-

Over the last several weeks I have been overwhelmed with a feeling of gratitude.  I am thankful that God allows me to be in full-time ministry.  I think back to the few years that I was bi-vocational.  Working a full-time job and pastoring a full-time church.  Those were weary times but I was blessed to be able to be in ministry and preach the Word of God.

Now, every week, I have the privilege of serving the greatest church on earth.  When I look at what God has done in our church, I stand amazed at His goodness.  This year many have given their hearts to Christ.  In a few weeks we will be baptizing more people in water.  We are seeing growth.  New people equals new opportunities to impact lives.

I love hearing the stories of people, who in one way or another have been touched by RFA.  Either through our kid’s ministries, youth ministries, Sunday School or the church service…people are being ministered too.  There is always a deep satisfaction when one of the kids we pick up on the van on Wednesday night brings their parents to church.  God is good!

Furthermore, I am thankful to be able to preach the gospel, every week, to such a receptive crowd.  I truly look forward to every Wednesday and Sunday to share the Word of God.  What an honor it is to be called by God to RFA.

Sonya and I love you guys with all of our heart.  Thanks for letting us be your pastors!