Pure Contentment

When we were in Beaumont a few weeks ago, we went over to Jonathan's office. When I turned around this is what I saw! I love this picture, because the girls had no idea I was taking it!. They were so relaxed, and contented!

Then I called their names, and caught them just as they looked up. My sweetheart girls, I miss you!

Just a Little of Everything

1. Oh, how my heart is racing with excitement with what God is doing in our midst! After reading The Dialogue of Joseph James, and Shahan Shazaam tonight, I am really excited about the "troubling of the waters"! We are starting revival this Sunday with Pastor McLaughlin and we are thrilled to have him coming to minister in Life Tabernacle! "There is no telling what God will do when we believe"! We are living in perilous times, yet during these "times" we are going to see great and mighty things take place in the spirit and in the church!

2. I don't know what is going to happen in the upcoming election, but I do know we need to be praying for our country! Don't sit idly by and watch from a distance. Get involved by VOTING!

3. I love blogging! I have met up with so many friends, and made new friends since I started doing this, and I absolutely enjoy it!! I love reading what is happening in your "world" and love seeing what God is doing for you. I love reading your "thoughts" and reading your "comments", too. We are all striving to be "what we're suppose to be" for God and this world, and when you know there are others out "there" who understand and are working toward the same goals it gives strength to all those who are "running this race".

4. Why do I feel compelled once again to talk about Heaven? Do you think Jesus is getting ready to come? Do you feel a stirring in your soul? I look around and see things that are happening and I get anxious for Him to come! I would love to tell you things are lovely and wonderful in this world, but I would not be telling the truth. I am not a nay-sayer, but I do know reality, and the reality is....this world is not getting any better!! I said to a friend tonight, "I'm really getting ready for the Lord to come", and she answered with, "Well, He probably would if we start asking Him to." "Even so....come Lord Jesus!" The words to a song I heard as a child and my husband and I have sung through the years, rings in my memory:

Since childhood I've heard of a heaven, and I wondered if it could be true.
That there were sweet mansions eternal, in that land beyond the blue.
I pondered could people really go there, then one day sweet Jesus came in.
And I caught a vision of Glory, my soul with all Heaven did blend.

Heaven.....happy home above! Heaven......land of peace and love.
Oh, it makes me feel like traveling on.
Heaven......eternal!
Heaven......supernal!
Oh, I'm so glad that it's real!

He is coming soon! I'm going to be ready to meet Him! Are you?

"MY" Angel

Carmen, my brother's daughter, sent this to me last night. I asked her if I could "blog it" and she said yes. She is writing about her son Pierce and it is so sweet! Pierce was born after Keith passed away and so Carmen has told Pierce about his Papa K being in heaven.

"Pierce came up with something tonight that I thought you may appreciate. We were putting him to bed and he had a thousand questions as usual. He was asking if I always locked our doors when we went to bed. I said yes. He wanted to make sure no bad guys could get in. I assured him that no bad guys would ever be able to penetrate the angels that surround our home. He asked how many there were, how they protected the house and lots of other interesting questions that can come from a six year old brain. I told him of the angels that went with us in the car, and even to school with him - "Your own personal angel," I said. He was wowed by this. He said excitedly "I have my own angel!?!" I said "of course." He asked about where he sat during school, etc. Then as I was about to FINALLY leave the room, he started in again. I said, "Pierce, baby, it's time to go to sleep, but ok, ONE more question. He said, "how big is MY angel"? I said, "I don't know, but I'm sure he's pretty big. He can fight off ANY bad guys." He replied, "Mom, I think MY angel is Papa K." Before I started crying, I said, "you know, I think you're probably right." I had to get out of there fast so that he didn't think that that upset me. It made him very excited and I'm sure "safe-feeling" that Papa K would be protecting him always. We have never even mentioned Dad in regard to angels. We just always say he's already in heaven. Out of the mouths of babes..."

Thank you Carmen for sharing this beautiful, sweet story. Your Dad is "stretching his suspenders" over this one! He would be so proud of his grandkids if he were still here. I don't know who could brag the biggest, me or him!!!

Overwhelmed

I get overwhelmed with the POWER of GOD! Today has been a blessed day in my life and I just wanted to say, THANK YOU, JESUS! After a wonderful Sunday morning worship service, we ran to get a bite to eat and hurry back to the church to get on the vans with our choir. Our choir was asked to sing at the 2008 Gospel Extravaganza being held at the Sheppard Air Force Base, and we had a great time! The link does not show our choir singing, but you will see a few of our people worshipping as another choir is singing. I will say that the Life Tabernacle Sanctuary Choir did a fabulous job and God rested upon each of the choir members, musicians, and Sis. Kassie, our director, as they ministered in song! I couldn't have been more proud than I was today. When we left the service we were all tired, hot and thirsty, but after a little refreshment we headed into our Sunday evening service and again, God honored us with His presence! I'm always amazed at how He comes and dwells among us as we worship and praise. It just proves to me how much He LOVES being with His "family"! I really do believe that God gets "lonesome" to be with those He created and loves. There has got to be excitement in His heart when He hears the organ, piano, bass, drums, and all the horns tuning up to play. He knows without a shadow of a doubt that soon the singers will begin singing songs of praise and worship, and they will be singing about Him and how awesome and mighty He is. I can see a smile start across His face, and a light in His eyes that says, "Just listen! Isn't that song beautiful? And, standing up he walks over to the balcony of Heaven and with a loud, thunderous voice He calls, "A-N-G-E-L-S! Come over here and bow your ear towards the earth. You will hear the "songs of the redeemed". These are people I bought with a price and they have gathered to worship Me for saving them! Just listen, angels....just listen!" After spending sometime at the balcony listening, He then walks away, shakes His head as if a thought has just flashed across His mind, and He says to Himself, "As much as I would love to tell Gabriel to sound the trumpet, I think I will hold off just a little longer. I've been listening to the prayers of my people, and the cry of their hearts for their loved ones who have not given their lives to me. I am going to extend mercy for a little longer, and maybe, just maybe they will listen to my "call". "COME HOME, COME HOME....ye who are weary....COME HOME!" He bows His head and says, "Yes, yes, that's what I'll do.....just a little longer, my dear saints, just a little longer."

Where Does It Come From?

Tonight while standing in my kitchen, unloading the dishwasher, a wave of "lonesome" washed over me. I tried to stop the tears,because I didn't want my husband to see them. Why wouldn't I want him to see? Because I couldn't explain WHY the tears showed up, or WHERE they came from. It was useless to even try to stop them, so the question came, "Honey, what's wrong?" My answer was, "I just feel lonely." He asked, "Why?" I answered, "I don't know, I just do."

Where do these feelings come from? Why do we have them? I guess my answer would be, "Number 1....I'm a woman....Number 2....I'm a mother. That ought to be answer enough! :)

Andrew has been sick this week and I haven't seen him since last Monday. I have talked to him on the phone almost everyday, but it's not like seeing him in person. I love hearing his voice, but there's nothing like being hugged by that "big teddy bear of a man"!

I saw Mandy, Alayna and Ashlyn on Wednesday night, and that is always wonderful! I just haven't seen them since then, and I just got lonely! I'm sure they are busy taking care of "Daddy", and if anyone knows how to take care of him really well, it would be Andrew's "pride and joy"....his wife and girls. Thank you, Mandy for "caring for" and "loving" our son as you do. You are wonderful!

Jonathan and Brenda live 8 hours away, and I would love to see them. They always seem to be thrilled when we are around. Besides, they have our other two grand-daughters, Savanna and Scarlet there with them, and as Mom Elms use to say, "My arms ache to hold them." I know I just saw them a few weeks ago, but you never get tired of being around your kids!

I didn't mention Number 3....I am a sister, and both of my sisters live a long way away! Karla is the closest one, but she lives 5 hours from me. I know it's not THAT far, but it is when you can't see each other!!!!! With both of us being Pastor's wives and involved in our churches as much as we are, there is no way to just "jump in the car" and run to see each other. I am thankful that she doesn't live on the "other side of the world", but still miss her terribly at times!

Ronda is a different story.....she lives about 1800 miles from me....and that is TERRIBLE! I still can't believe she ended up moving from Texas and is now in California!!! She loves living there and I'm happy for her, but I'm not happy for ME! :( Miss you, Ronda!

Keith....I'll just say....I would absolutely love to hear you sing again. I'm sure you are singing around the throne and most likely have a large crowd completely enthralled as you sing, "I Can't Find the Words".

Then there's Number 4....I'm a daughter and as you know my parents have gone on to their reward and I miss them terribly! But, someday, and it won't be long, we will all meet around the throne and there will be no more "lonely days". It will be joy unspeakable!

Ok....now that I have sufficiently made you all melancholy, I will try to pick this up a bit. I feel better and I hope you don't feel too sorry for me. :) There are a lot of people in my life who give me pleasure. My husband is #1! I couldn't ask for a more loving husband! There are friends who love me, saints who love me...and are my friends, family that is great and loves me, and little children who love me, and ALWAYS come to me and give me hugs! I wouldn't trade my life for any other, except for the one I know is coming "on the other side". I do know that I am just a pilgrim passing through this world. One of these days we will all be worshipping around the throne, walking on the streets of gold, wading in the river of Life, and running from one mansion to the next to just say, "I'm glad you made it home! It's good to see you!"

Somehow I think the feeling of "loneliness" might be from "just not belonging here" anymore. Maybe Jesus is getting ready to tell Gabriel to blow the trumpet to gather the saints of God home! Don't you know it's going to be a glorious day when we hear the trumpet sound? The old song we use to sing when I was growing up said, "They'll be coming from the North, coming from the South, coming from the East and they'll be coming from the West. We're all going up, we're all going up, we're all going up, oh praise the Lord!" I know if I happen to be driving by the cemetery where Mother and Daddy are buried, I will see many graves open up and I will see saints arise, but I won't be looking for very long...for "in a moment in the twinkling of an eye we will all be changed"!

I am feeling MUCH BETTER just talking about that "glad reunion day"! I feel like travelling on! Let's all be ready to meet Him......He's coming soon!

Bible Tag

Don Ryan tagged me with this Scripture Meme, so here we go:

1. What translation of the Bible do you like best?
I like reading the New King James Version. It's easier to understand and is closer to the King James Version than the rest of them.

2. Old or New Testament
New Testament - it's got a lot of exciting miracles and I love how the "plan of salvation" comes together in the book of Acts! I like reading the Old, but it's more tedious to get through. Although, if you read it, taking your time, you will find awesome parallels to the New Testament. (Sorry, I'm not suppose to teach a lesson, am I?)

3. Favorite Book of the Bible
I'm not sure on this one. There's so many great stories that tell how we can WIN, but they are scattered throughout the Scriptures, so it makes it hard to choose just ONE.

4. Favorite Chapter
WOW! Psalms 91 and Revelations 21 (I love this because it tells about where I'm headed!)

5. Favorite Verse(s)
Psalms 91:1-2 - I know I'm "sheltered in His arms" and protected when I read this chapter. The other verses I love: 1 Corinthians 15: 51-55 - This is my HOPE!

6. Bible Character you think you’re most like.
I wouldn't have a clue! LOL! I want to be like Jesus, but have a l-o-n-g way to go! It would have been wonderful to be Mary who sat at His feet.

7. One thing that confuses you about the Bible.
The "begats"! LOL! And all the lineages! WHO do all these people belong to? LOL!

8. Moses or Paul
I love Moses because he led God's people out of bondage! Much like a Pastor who leads the "sheep in his flock" to the gates of Heaven. Of course, I love Apostle Paul for giving us instructions on how to live for God.

9. A teaching in the Bible that you don’t get or struggle with.
I don't have a struggle with the teachings of the Word of God.

10. Coolest name in the Bible
JESUS....oh how sweet the Name! EMMANUEL.....GOD WITH US!

And on that note, Dubya, (I love reading his blog.) Kevin, (Who I've known all "his" life!) and Carla (Who is solid as a rock in living for God.).... you may consider yourselves tagged. Thank you, Bro. Ryan. You had me thinking. I hope I answered to your "satisfaction". :) By the way, I am feeling better. Thank you for "asking".

An Encouraging Word

"Home, home on the range. Where the deer and the  antelope play. Where seldom is heard a DISCOURAGING WORD, and the skies are not cloudy all day."

As you can tell through my writings, I am a fairly "simple, uncomplicated" person. I may not have all the "flowery words of wisdom" to give you, but I have a passion to be an encourager to all who are in despair. Today, is such a day. I received a message early this morning from someone who was "fighting for survival", and my heart was directed to the Word of God. I have continued to feel His presence this morning.

There are many people SICK and are suffering with the flu, pneumonia, bronchial infections, and now Andrew is sick with a swollen lymph gland, sinus, and fever. He went to the doctor and he prescribed an antibiotic that cost $75 dollars (generic) and said take Claritin. When will these sicknesses cease? I am ready for everyone to be well again!

I am not "cast down,or in despair", because I have a God who is watching over us and I know He CARES!

In the year 1988, I was going through a very severe time of struggle. I did not know how to pray for what I was needing from God, and God gave me these scriptures.

     Psalms 143

1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me and in thy righteousness.
2 And enter not into judgement with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified.
3 For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.
4 Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.
6 I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul
thirsteth after thee, as a thristy land. Selah
7 Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.
8 Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know thy way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee.
9 Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.
10 Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God:
thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.
11 Quicken me, O Lord, for thy name's sake: for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.
12 And of thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant.

This morning while meditating on God, the song/scripture came to me: "I love the Lord, He heard my cry"....and I opened my Bible to these scriptures.

Psalms 145:18-20

18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him:
he also will HEAR THEIR CRY, and will save them.
20 The Lord preserveth all them that LOVE HIM...

Don't be discouraged! He HAS heard your CRY! He LOVES YOU and will "never leave you or forsake you"! Be not dismayed! He is NEAR!

I pray you have a wonderful day!

This and That

We had a wonderful weekend here! The presence of God was prevalent in both of our services. Our choir was so anointed as they sung "The Revelation Song" and everyone was touched by the presence of Almighty God! Then, if that wasn't enough, you should have heard Bro. Elms PREACH! WOW! His title was, "His Truth Is Marching On" and he preached his heart. I wish everyone could have heard him. It will be on our church website soon and you can tune in and listen.

While we were in Beaumont I had the privilege of meeting one of the "Star Members" of The Apostolic Church! He was at the church office when we stopped by to pick up Jonathan for lunch. He is a very special family member of Mike and Michelle LaBrie, and very nice and congenial! When you visit with the members of the church you always feel very welcome and Bro. Pepper was no exception. He is very special to Pastor and Sis. Elms, and they wanted me to take a picture of them with him. So, let me introduce you to: Pepper LaBrie!!!
Every now and then Pastor Elms has to talk to him about being a little "worldly" because Pepper thinks he's really "COOL" with his sun-glasses on, and gets a little puffed up, especially when he comes home from getting his hair cut! Maybe someday you will have the chance to meet him. LOL! (Thank you Mike and Michelle for letting me take your "babies" picture and post it on my blog.)

I also had some of the most delicious homemade bread and jelly! Sis. Helen made two loaves of bread and brought them to her Pastor's home, so we could enjoy it with them. Ohhhhhh....it was DELICIOUS with butter and homemade Mayhaw Jelly that Sis. Stark made!!! As I've heard my father say, "It was so good that you wouldn't want to get any on your forehead, because your tongue would beat your brains out trying to get it off!" LOL! I think that was the first time I had ever tasted Mayhaw Jelly. Maybe someone can explain to me what "Mayhaw Jelly" is made out of. Thank you ladies for a wonderful memory made!Also, Sis. Helen, THANK YOU for the special hug you gave me when I saw you. I needed it! Love you!

We Are Home and just a little thought....

We left Beaumont this morning and the temperature was about 66 degrees. We drove several hours toward home, through good ole' Texas storms and by the time we got to Bowie it was 33 degrees and along the highway for just a little bit was SNOW! We couldn't believe what we were seeing! LOL! That's what I LOVE about TEXAS! The difference in "pine trees lining the streets" to where you "can't see out", to the "wide open plains" as you travel Northwest, where you can see "miles and miles of Texas" is great! LOL! I finally started feeling better towards the end of the week and got to enjoy being with our family! I hated missing church at The Apostolic Church where Jonathan pastors, but was able to drop by on Friday evening and got to visit with a few people who were there for choir practise. I'm so glad we can go from our church to Jon's church, and others we have been to, and find people who are of the "same mind" in living for God! My heart is full of thankfulness for the people of God who are living their lives "unto the Lord". People who are not being swayed from the beautiful life of separation, and convictions they hold dear in their lives, are to be commended. God has always had a CHOSEN PEOPLE! People who were "CALLED OUT of DARKNESS into this MARVELOUS LIGHT"! Thank God for those who love the "beauty of holiness"! Yes....I can hear it right now...."I'd rather have someone who (whatever you want to fill in) and has a right spirit, than to have people who look "holy", yet they have self-righteous, horrible spirits"! Well, I just want to say, "Not everyone who loves righteousness and holiness, and separation has UGLY ATTITUDES!" We have a whole church FULL of people who LOVE GOD, SOULS, HOLINESS, AND SEPARATION from the world, and who have BEAUTIFUL SPIRITS, AND ATTITUDES! I do not apologize for what I am saying. I've had people who have loved this truth and the message of separation tell me that it "doesn't matter anymore" how we dress or live, just as long as we believe the "gospel" (baptism in Jesus Name, oneness of God, infilling of the Holy Ghost). Is that really ALL that matters? Those things are part of the foundation of truth, and I love them, but there is more to being a Christian than just the "basic doctrine" of salvation! I'm not trying to make anyone mad, but if you do read this and feel a little conviction in your heart about "things of this world" you might have allowed in your heart, I am thankful. I do not judge you, I judge myself. I want to be pleasing to God. That's all that matters.

Love Is....Beautiful!

As you all know I have been sick since coming to Beaumont, and I hate that so much! I wanted to feel good while here. That hasn't happened, but my sweet family has made me very comfortable. Brenda is so caring and has taken very good care of me. If there's anything I want or need she is ready to help me. Also, Jonathan has been understanding and loving. Scarlet has been giving me sweet hugs and words of love. Out of the blue she will come in and say, "I love you, Mimi" and her little voice makes my heart melt. Savanna came home from church with a sweet note she had written and gave it to me. We found out yesterday that she has "walking pneumonia" so she has been kept home from school for the rest of this week, which is giving us more time together, even if we aren't feeling good. You just make the best of bad situations, and somehow it comes out okay. Yesterday when I got up I walked into the living room and Brenda told me I had some roses. Rachel and her children had come by and given them to me with another sweet note from Katie, Morgan, and Madison! I want to say a great big "Thank You" for the flowers and note! You made me feel really special!
There have been numerous calls and inquiry's from the wonderful saints here in Beaumont and I appreciate all of your prayers and concern. You are special people! Thank you! I have also received notes and prayers from home and I appreciate you all for praying for me. I am feeling some better, but not quite over the "hump". I'll be up and running strong again, I'm sure! Love you all!

Disappointed!

Here I sit in Beaumont at Jonathan and Brenda's house, they are gone to church, my husband is preaching, and I'm SICK! This afternoon I got very sick, to the point of almost passing out, but I didn't..."thank the LORD"! I was hoping it would pass before church, so I could go tonight, but I wasn't able to go. Wendell, Jonathan, and Brenda prayed for me before leaving and I am feeling some better. Maybe I will be able to enjoy the rest of the week with them. I sure hope so! I wanted to be at church tonight with everyone. I enjoy being at The Apostolic Church! The saints are so sweet and friendly and I love them. I, also wanted to be in church with our "kids"! Disappointed is the only way I can describe how I feel about not being able to go! Please, when you read this, just whisper a prayer on my behalf and I will appreciate it very much. I will write another post soon. Until then, have a wonderful week!

The Letter from 1968

I just received this letter from Cindi Harrod (Hopper). She is the daughter of my Youth Leader when I was growing up in Truth Tabernacle. This letter was written when I was 15 years old! Now, ya'll can figure for yourself how "young" I am! :) We were so hungry for God to "show us His glory" once again. We were wanting to see in "our day" what the old-timers had seen in "their day" . This letter was written from the heart of very sincere, hungry "kids" who loved God, but wasn't willing to have a "normal" youth group, or church. When my Dad, who was the Pastor at the time, received this letter, it gripped him to think the young people were calling for a move of God like this and he took this letter to the church and read it to them. He then challenged the adults to bind together in prayer and fasting, and to unify themselves with the youth of Truth Tabernacle to see a mighty outpouring of the Holy Ghost. It was sometime later that we had our first convert, a leader of a rock band, came to church with his girlfriend and God started doing an incredible work in the lives, and their friends. I watched as God delivered MANY young people from addictions that had them bound. I remember the all night prayer meetings, the Bible studies EVERY Tuesday night, the doorbell ringing at our home in the middle of the night and it would be one or several of the "hippie kids" needing to talk to Daddy and needing prayer. I remember being in church and one of the ones who had been delivered from the chains of drugs would have a "flash-back" and we would pray until they were relieved from this terrible thing that would happen. Oh, my mind is racing with the awesomeness of God in our midst when we got desirous for the miraculous manifestations of God to be among us! It can happen again TODAY! If you are a young person reading this, take to heart what God is talking to you about. If you are an adult, don't sit back and let someone else take the lead. There are hungry young people in our churches who are searching for a deeper walk with God, and we can show them the way! REVIVAL is not for those who sit back and let someone else do it, but for those who are willing to "go an extra mile" to see what God can do for US.....NOW.....not "then", but....NOW! Is there anything too hard for God? He'll do it again if we only make the sacrifice to see it happen! Following is the letter that helped start the revival we had a long time ago.

The older generation and ‘old time Pentecost’ as written by the youth in 1968

We, the young people of Truth Tabernacle are desperately seeking and searching for an answer to a question that has been in our minds since we have been filled with the Holy Ghost…“What has happened to ‘old time Pentecost’ and the miracles we have all heard about?” You see, we have heard of brush arbor days when God moved by His Spirit in such a wonderful way to heal grave disease and even raise the dead, but where are these miracles today? Are they no longer able to be manifest in our lives?We’ve been told how Satan did all he could to crush the church in it’s infancy, how men came to kill ministers but instead were touched by the power of God and went to the altar and found salvation! How the church separated itself completely from the denominal church world and sought truth with all it’s heart. We’ve been told how true believers dared to be different and live a holy and modest life unashamedly for God. It seems that these things have ceased to be in most of our churches. Can we as young people once again see these things happen?We don’t just want to hear about ‘old time Pentecost’, or the old time religion, but we demand to be shown a demonstration of the Spirit that you felt and witnessed. We refuse to be content with just half of the promises of miracles, deliverances and of the old time visitation of God’s Spirit, we feel it is our right, privilege and even our very inheritance. We’ve felt God’s presence, but we also must witness the miraculous if we are to grow and increase in God.  In all humility, we ask you -the ‘old time Pentecostals’ to pray with us and for us that we too may fully know and experience the power God! (Signed by: the Young People of Truth Tabernacle)

Note: Thank you, Cindi for providing this letter. I have wanted it for years!

"Dear God, are you bringing this letter to the attention of your people, once again, so we will feel hungry to see You work like never before? What is the reason for this coming our way? Stir us up, Lord! Don't let us rest! The cry of our heart is to see Your promises come to pass! Show us Your glory! Show us Your power! Break the chains that bind! Not only the chains of those bound by sin, but the chains of mediocrity in our own lives. Put a FIRE down in our souls that cannot be quenched! We want to see a MIGHTY OUT-POURING of your Spirit! In Jesus Name! AMEN!"

Pastor Lance and CNN Report

I wanted to share this link with everyone. It is a clip of a report done by CNN today. Pastor Donald Lance is thankful!

Power of Prayer

Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church of Jackson, Tennessee

Yesterday tornadoes ripped through several states, one being Tennessee. Jackson, Tennessee is where Donald and Bridget Lance pastor, and they were in their church with Bridget's parents, Ron and Debbie Alomar and a few other folks when they were informed the tornado was heading their way. They moved from the sanctuary to a closet on the other side of the building to take cover. Bro. Lance unknowingly touched a button on his cell phone and it called Bro. Shatwell in Oklahoma. Bro. Shatwell answered his phone and heard Bro. Lance as he exclaimed, "Oh my God! It's coming this way!" Bro. Shatwell understood what was happening and called together those he was with to pray for God's protection on the Lance's and those with them. God took care of them and they are all okay, except for being scared nearly to death and the trauma the children are going through. Please pray for them and all who were hit by these violent storms. Many lives were taken yesterday, so we are thankful that Donald and Bridget, their children, Ron and Debbie, and others who were there are safe! Thank you Jesus! We have a God that hears and answers prayer!!!!!

Here are a few pictures of the devastation to their church.


(The blue truck and black jeep are Ron and Debbie's vehicles)

Please be in prayer for The Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church and Pastor and Sis. Donald Lance. For further updates you may go to the church website. Thank you all for your prayers!

Hungry for God!

I was about 12-13 years old when a young lady in our church felt called to start a Girls Club. The main thing I remember about the "girls club" is, the prayer meetings we had. Shirley was someone I looked up to and was very instrumental in leading me into a "spiritual walk with the Lord". I had been raised in the church, I had heard the ladies and men in prayer meeting getting in touch with God. I heard them as they prayed in the spirit, hammering down the very gates of hell. I heard them rejoice when those they had been praying for came to God. I heard them stand and testify about the things God was doing through a "time of prayer and fasting". I can still hear my Mother as she communed with Almighty God. She would stay until she broke through in the spirit and felt God had heard her prayers. I can hear the"anguish of her soul" as she prayed to see her children saved, for Daddy to have the wisdom to lead the church, for souls to be saved, and situations in the church to be resolved! Mother knew how to pray and how to change God's mind through her persistent praying! Yes, I remember hearing Daddy as he agonized in prayer for the moving of the Spirit to be felt in our congregation, and lives to be changed in our city! I can hear Daddy and Mother, and the saints as they prayed, but no words would come forth. The cry of the heart for the lost was so deep that they prayed with "groanings which could not be uttered" (Rom. 8:26). "Time" was not worried about. It didn't matter what was going on when they were in the "spirit of prayer"! Oh, how I feel God's presence as I write today. There is a hunger for the things of God like I've not seen in a long time. It is spreading all across our land and I am thankful! It's almost as if I am being returned to my "teen years" once again. I thank God that I am feeling that drawing!

Shirley started prayer meetings with us girls. I wish I could remember all the little details, but I remember after a few prayer meetings Shirley asked us if we understood about "praying in the spirit" and we gave her our answers, then she started teaching us as we sat around the altar. I will never forget the very spot we were sitting! That very day I started understanding a depth in prayer I had never experiened. I thank God for a young lady taking the responsibility to teach us how to pray and the power we had through prayer. One day she told us she was planning on having an "ALL NIGHT Prayer Meeting". I do not remember if the boys were having one or not, but I do remember that night! As we prayed, read our Bibles, prayed, rested, prayed some more, we were carried into the "depths of prayer" and we were "doing battle in the spirit world". That's the only way I know how to describe it! We prayed for hours and God heard our cries! We were so HUNGRY to see all of our young people living for God and we were willing to do what ever it took to get this accomplished. We were DESPERATE for things to change in our youth group. After much prayer we finally came to the realization of "what" we needed to pray. Our prayer became, "God, save all of our young people. I want to be saved, I want my friends saved, I don't want anyone to be lost. God, don't let any of us be lost! But God, if any of them do not want to serve you, and they are just going to "play around" and not be serious in living for you...if you see they are not going to serve you, no matter what you do or no matter what we do, then God remove them so we can have a revival among our friends and other teens that will serve you. Don't let the ones who have grown up in the church, but do not take you serious...don't let them hang around and pull any of us down with them. I want to serve you...no matter what, and we want our youth group to grow!"

First, let me say, if you are not ready to see God "cleanse your church" don't pray that prayer! I watched over a period of time, young people who were just "playing church" leave all they had ever known, and I never saw them return to live for God! That is not what I wanted, but it is what they CHOSE. There was plenty of God's mercy and love from the saints, Pastor and Pastor's wife, for anyone to be saved.

I want to also say that I experienced a "HUNGER for REVIVAL" and watched a whole church CHANGE because of young people who were so hungry for God to do "something miraculous" that they were willing to fast and pray UNTIL......

Note: I will attempt in the next little while to tell you more about one of the greatest times of my life. I might have to get some help from those who were there, but for some reason I feel God is directing this communication at this time. Only God knows what we can see if we get back to "old-time prayer and fasting".

Kids Revival

We had a wonderful "Kids Revival" and I wanted to share a slideshow with you. It is quite long but you will see how great it was! I wish you all could have been here to enjoy it with us. Bro. Trent Sherron was our evangelist. We all loved him! We were also surprised and happy to have Bro. Craft with us on the first night. Bro. Elms got to attend only one night of the services, because he was so sick. I wish he could have been at all the services, and so does he. I also wanted to get this slideshow done for him to enjoy! I missed you Wendell!! We had great church and a wonderful move of the Holy Ghost on Sunday evening and the children came forward to consecrate their lives to the Lord. "Jesus Use Me" was the cry of their hearts!

Magic Time Machine

I cannot tell you how I am feeling tonight! I do not have the time to write about it, because it is after 1 AM and I'm tired, and I have a full day ahead of me AND I need my sleep. I will just say I feel like I have been put in the "magic time machine" and catapulted back in time to my childhood and teen years! First of all, Andrew and Mandy came home from Paris telling us about an incredible missionary that we should have. When we asked who the missionary was they told us it was Missionary George Craft. They went on about his ministry and what an incredible message he had preached. We then received a call from our Foreign Missions Director on Tuesday and asked if we would be willing to have a missionary on Wednesday night. Of course, my husband said yes, and asked who it was. It ended up being.....Missionary George Craft!! Well, most of you do not know the connection we have with Bro. Craft, so I will tell you. When I was 7 years old Bro. Craft and his sister, Diane came to our church by an invitation of one of the young ladies in the youth group! There is a lot of history that I will not go into, because my blog isn't big enough to tell everything (LOL) but after a few years, Bro. Craft went to Western Apostolic Bible College (CLC today) and my husband sang in a quartet with him and two other guys! I am going to stop there and I will make another post with pictures about him being with us this week.

Now... more about the "time machine" feeling I'm having:

Tonight I received an email from a young lady asking me about an incredible revival we had in our church when I was in the youth group. I did not know who was emailing me, then she "introduced" herself as a niece to my best friend, Sharon. Sharon and I have known each other since we were very young girls and now I am hearing from her niece! She has heard about the revival that happened in the '60's at Truth Tabernacle and is wanting to know what happened. Now, my mind is racing with all the memories that I have from that awesome time in my life! Maybe I'll be able to go to sleep tonight.....I'm not sure!

In a few days, I will try to post more about our visit from Bro. Craft. I might even write about the "Fresno Revival". I'll see. Until then, keep praying, fasting, believing, and experiencing the powerful move of the Holy Ghost that God has promised and is happening! I won't stay long in "the past", I promise!