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17 April 2008
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The E-pistle
What I Learned from A
Visitor Who Died |
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By Pastor Randy Morgan |
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Last Sunday morning, we had a powerful
service. God’s Presence was very real, I felt the anointing; I had one of
those anointings that caused me to sense God’s power behind everything that
was said and sung. After service, the leadership was
ministering to individuals and praying with them, and I noticed two young
ladies standing at the altar waiting to speak with me. Deacon Tonna
introduced me to them as the two women that had visited her home group in
response to a Craig’s List posting. Kim and Last night (Wednesday, April 16th) we
had a memorial service here at New Covenant. There were a number of people
here, New Covenant folks and her friends and family. Though I only met her
for a few minutes, I learned a very powerful lesson in this situation – I
learned the importance and power of REVIEW. It hit me that the worship
service she was in was the very last one she was ever in, the last sermon she
heard was the sermon she took into eternity, the last prayer she received was
the last prayer prayed with her, and the last hug I gave her, was the last
hug I was to ever give her in this life. And I asked myself the questions, “What
did I say in that message? Was I sensitive to the voice of the Holy Spirit
though out the whole thing? Was I gentle, kind, meek, was I aware of the
eternal best interest of everyone in the room? Or, was I absorbed with any
personal issue that kept me from truly “seeing” So many times we see our petty issues
and make them larger than they really are, all the while, the clock is
ticking by, and there are those around us who may be “In Church” for the last
time. God forbid we should ever let some pitiful, petty offense keep us from
effectively representing the God that loved us so much that He gave His Son,
Jesus to die for us. In an attempt to become politically correct, the Body of
Christ is often so guilty of watering down the Cross, watering down the
message of salvation, watering down the necessity of a relationship with
Jesus Christ, and so often the Body of Christ is
caught up in anger and wanting to cut off its own nose to despite its face.
While one precious, beautiful one sits in the congregation for the very last
time. To all: New Covenant Church of Atlanta,
to those in the New Covenant Network, and to those beyond this sheepfold, if
you are immersed in petty things, let it go. If you’re one that says, “Oh,
I’m not going to church because so-and-so made me mad; Apostle Randy doesn’t
spend enough time with me; that member over that is so snooty, etc” with all
love, gentleness and respect, I say, “HUSH” and get lined back up. YOU, YES
YOU, DEAR ONES AFFECT THE SPIRITUAL CLIMATE AROUND YOURSELF AND THOSE WHO ENTER
INTO IT WILL EITHER DISCOVER THE LOVE AND PRESENCE OF GOD OR THE EFFECTS OF
WHAT YOU ARE FOCUSED ON WHETHER GODLY OR NOT. We’re in this for eternal purposes, and the petty stuff that means so much today, won’t even be remembered tomorrow, but the souls that we’re in touch with will be alive and active 250,000,000,000 years from now and more. So, let’s live each moment eternally. Let those you love, know that you love them, hug each other, pray with one another, and don’t forget to laugh. All the while, keep the Old Rugged Cross at the forefront of your relationships, and constantly remind each other of the One Who Died and Rose Again – What AMAZING LOVE… |
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I was born in I protested profusely having to go to church several times a week, promising myself when I was on my own, I would never go to church again unless it was of my own choosing. I would never be made to go to church again. If you looked at the word rebellious in the dictionary, you would probably see my picture (or at least my name). I tell you this because it was a very distinct part of my personality and would relate to many lessons I learned during my lifetime. I knew when I was 15 years old that I was attracted to females, and was very open about this as part of who I was. However, it would bring about many trips to the gynecologist, psychologist, and any other professional help my parents sought in order to cure me of this thing I was going through. I was determined to show all that this was who I was and nothing could change that. One time, in my frustration, I even grabbed the steering wheel (on a trip to psychologist) and almost caused my dad to loose control of the car and caused a wreck that could've killed all of us. At the beginning of my senior year in high school, I met the
most wonderful young lady from I had just graduated high school, and was determined. In my most rebellious thoughts (without reasoning at all) l decided to join the Navy. Wouldn't that just show my parents a thing or two? Now, that was a very brilliant decision considering authority figures were at the top of my rebel list. Having made this decision you can imagine what I experienced with all the authority folks in the military. I finished boot camp, with only one free weekend (without restrictions due to my behavior). Scrubbing drill halls with a toothbrush and picking up cigarette butts and burying them with a spoon was my daily routine. This was the beginning of many lessons to be learned. My father passed away shortly after I finished boot camp,
leaving my mom with two brothers at home to raise. I
got out of the Navy and came home to work and help her take care of them.
After two or so good years at home I was ready to be myself and make my own
mark in the world. I then decided to move to I certainly kept the promise I'd made to myself that I wouldn't go to church unless I wanted to. I stayed away from church (and God) for many years. However, I did eventually find my way back to a church and there served on the board of directors and sang in the choir. I was a member of that church for several years. But, there was back-stabbing and people after the pastor to resign (for any reason). It was a place to meet your next lover, but no demonstration of love and caring for each other was found. I finally just asked God, "Is this what I have to go through to get my spiritual needs met?" Feeling angry and discouraged, I again left the church (and God) for several years and told myself, "I'll never go back again! It's not worth it!" God didn't leave me though, He protected me from a relationship which was so bad that I had a gun at my head at least a couple of times. He rescued me from a burning car as well. I was highly intoxicated at the time (just plain drunk). Another time He protected me when I was in a car going in excess of 100 mph with my mate threatening to kill us both. Many times my friends would have to drag me out of bar parking lots so high I didn't even know my name. That was no way to live--I knew I needed a more. After lots of persuasion from one of my best friends in the world, I came to New Covenant Church of Atlanta. I now know what it is like to be able to praise my God with shouting, dancing, and receiving the anointing of the Holy Spirit. I know that I will hear the word of God, and without a doubt, experience the genuine love of caring and compassionate people. I thank Jesus for the new person I am today because of God's love and protection through all the times I wasn't willing to accept his help. I thank God for New Covenant and what it means to my life. God does love, protect, and forgive us if we ask--no matter what choices (good or bad) or situations we experience. My favorite Bible verses are: "...Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you." Matthew 17:20 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3 "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 |
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Pastor's Corner & More |
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From Pastors Joan & Angela |
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Confession of Faith by Pastor Joan Castle |
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The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? I will be strong and of good courage. I will not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go. In righteousness I am established. I am far from oppression and destruction, and fear will not come near me; and from terror, for it will not come near my dwelling. No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that rises against me in judgment is condemned. For this is my heritage as a servant of the Lord, and my righteousness is of Him. God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. God is for me, who can be against me? |
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Deadline by Pastor Angela Brown |
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April the 15th, the deadline to file your taxes with the federal government or face penalty fee for being late. Some of us received returns from our taxes, others might have had to give the IRS more money than they had already taken. I don’t know of anyone who enjoys doing their taxes, but we enjoy if we get a return on the taxes paid throughout the year. The same is true in our daily lives. Sometimes we don’t enjoy doing our daily tasks, but we enjoy the rewards that come with them. The thank you’s, smiles, hugs, and other expressions of gratitude make the work worth it. Keep doing what God has called you to do and the return will be a welcomed deposit into your life. Rom 13:6-7 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. |
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