General Conference Edition – Columbus, Ohio – Friday

Today started extremely early at 6:15 AM (CST) because the primary business session started at 8:00 AM (CST). One major difficulty about the early rising is the late howling. I have stayed with Brent Rashall the last two nights at the Baymont Inn and we have talked a lot later than what we should have. However, I have come away from our “talks” with some good positive things. One of the things that has been stressed is that if we are going to have a Book of Acts church, not only will there be the power of God present but we will also have to contend with a real-live devil who will attempt to work through carnal people. Just as there will be men like Paul and Silas in the church, we also will have to confront those like Simon the Sorcerer and Elymas. The powerful thing is that in the end, the power of God won out and the Church prevailed.

I cannot say that I have a total understanding but I have scratched a surface understanding of the power of God operating in an Apostolic Church. The focus and intent of our prayers are being answered and God will bring His Church out very victorious.

The business progressed along and the main concern with the touted Resolution # 6 ended up being placed before a committee. It will be duly dealt with in Tampa, Florida at next year’s GC. I fully support this idea although I was prepared to vote against it had it come to light today. When I look at some of the voices of the elders in my own life, I cannot “unlearn” the wisdom of their advice that I have gained over the years. I very clearly can believe that men like N. A. Urshan, James Kilgore, Charles Grisham, and Joe Patterson are godly men who have been led by the Spirit.

Anyway, enough of the business ends of the GC. The General Youth Division had an outstanding service today. For all of the Dothan gang, we placed 16^th in the nation. We were about $3000 off to break into the Top Ten. The top SFC givers were the Pentecostals of Alexandria. No surprise there!!! Bro. Gaddy explained that POA had led SFC giving for the last 8 years. My hat is always off to Pastor Anthony Mangun and the POA.

The speaker for the GYD service was Carl McLaughlin who pastors in Euless, Texas. Bro. McLaughlin preached a message entitled “Bound by Bandages.” He worked through the resurrection of Lazarus and preached a very good message. Woven into the message was his own personal testimony of how that he had received the Holy Ghost and been baptized in Jesus name. Very powerful youth message!

The evening service was presented by the Home Missions Division. They started out with a bang with a choir from Tampa Florida (sorry I cannot remember what church). There was a great powerful presence of the Lord in the service.

Next there was a patriotic themed presentation and then Pastor Wayne Huntley basically “preached” the offering. I am unsure of the final totals of the offering. Then we were presented a very good message from Pastor Jerry Dillion from Mississippi. He preached the house down until he got to the end and then he had to get mixed up with a bunch of palaver about Dothan (not Alabama). I am saying this in jest! However, I do believe that I am going to settle down and find a message about the magnificent things that did happen in Dothan. Frankly from my very biased point of view, Dothan is one of the greatest places on the earth.

You will notice the pictures scattered about the blog. I saw Sean and Monique Libby along with their children. I again ran into Stephen and Laurie Williams. I then spent quite a bit of time with my brother Mark, milling around in the book section (I know that is a surprise to the Dothan crowd). I then ran into Rev. J. R. Ensey who was the president of TBC when I was there in 1989-92. We had a very good time of fellowship and I was again reminded of how valuable that my Bible college years have been to me.

I told Bro. Ensey that my Bible college days have motivated two overwhelming passions in my life. The first is to preach. I know that sometimes I take it a bit too serious but I love preaching, not only when I am preaching but when I hear other men skillfully take the Word of God and send it deep into my own soul. Secondly, I was given a passion to study the Word of God. The more I study and write the more that I discover how little that I really know about the Word. Bro. Ensey, A. B. Keating, Kelsey Griffin, David Hunt, and Ken Gurley were my mainstays of teaching me in my Bible college days. I am profoundly grateful for their contribution to my life.

Lastly on the way back to the room, I stopped by a Rally’s (similar to Checkers) and I juiced up all the folks there. I asked them if they were Ohio State fans. This brought three of them to the window and they all told me how fantastic that Ohio State was in college football. Then I asked them if they knew who was number two. They all were unable to tell me. So I informed them that Auburn University in Alabama was. I then told them I would make a deal with them. They had to remember my name and who I was because at the end of 2006, Ohio and Auburn were both going to be undefeated and that they would play for the national championship and that Auburn would knock the stuffings out of them. Auburn is due for a national championship! This wound them up and they all got a little rowdy with that. It was all in good fun and they took it well. Honestly enough, I am not certain if Auburn is ready for OSU.

Good night. . . .

Encouragement = O2 for the Soul

General Conference Edition – Columbus, Ohio – Friday

Today started extremely early at 6:15 AM (CST) because the primary business session started at 8:00 AM (CST). One major difficulty about the early rising is the late howling. I have stayed with Brent Rashall the last two nights at the Baymont Inn and we have talked a lot later than what we should have. However, I have come away from our “talks” with some good positive things. One of the things that has been stressed is that if we are going to have a Book of Acts church, not only will there be the power of God present but we will also have to contend with a real-live devil who will attempt to work through carnal people. Just as there will be men like Paul and Silas in the church, we also will have to confront those like Simon the Sorcerer and Elymas. The powerful thing is that in the end, the power of God won out and the Church prevailed.

I cannot say that I have a total understanding but I have scratched a surface understanding of the power of God operating in an Apostolic Church. The focus and intent of our prayers are being answered and God will bring His Church out very victorious.

The business progressed along and the main concern with the touted Resolution # 6 ended up being placed before a committee. It will be duly dealt with in Tampa, Florida at next year’s GC. I fully support this idea although I was prepared to vote against it had it come to light today. When I look at some of the voices of the elders in my own life, I cannot “unlearn” the wisdom of their advice that I have gained over the years. I very clearly can believe that men like N. A. Urshan, James Kilgore, Charles Grisham, and Joe Patterson are godly men who have been led by the Spirit.

Anyway, enough of the business ends of the GC. The General Youth Division had an outstanding service today. For all of the Dothan gang, we placed 16^th in the nation. We were about $3000 off to break into the Top Ten. The top SFC givers were the Pentecostals of Alexandria. No surprise there!!! Bro. Gaddy explained that POA had led SFC giving for the last 8 years. My hat is always off to Pastor Anthony Mangun and the POA.

The speaker for the GYD service was Carl McLaughlin who pastors in Euless, Texas. Bro. McLaughlin preached a message entitled “Bound by Bandages.” He worked through the resurrection of Lazarus and preached a very good message. Woven into the message was his own personal testimony of how that he had received the Holy Ghost and been baptized in Jesus name. Very powerful youth message!

The evening service was presented by the Home Missions Division. They started out with a bang with a choir from Tampa Florida (sorry I cannot remember what church). There was a great powerful presence of the Lord in the service.

Next there was a patriotic themed presentation and then Pastor Wayne Huntley basically “preached” the offering. I am unsure of the final totals of the offering. Then we were presented a very good message from Pastor Jerry Dillion from Mississippi. He preached the house down until he got to the end and then he had to get mixed up with a bunch of palaver about Dothan (not Alabama). I am saying this in jest! However, I do believe that I am going to settle down and find a message about the magnificent things that did happen in Dothan. Frankly from my very biased point of view, Dothan is one of the greatest places on the earth.

You will notice the pictures scattered about the blog. I saw Sean and Monique Libby along with their children. I again ran into Stephen and Laurie Williams. I then spent quite a bit of time with my brother Mark, milling around in the book section (I know that is a surprise to the Dothan crowd). I then ran into Rev. J. R. Ensey who was the president of TBC when I was there in 1989-92. We had a very good time of fellowship and I was again reminded of how valuable that my Bible college years have been to me.

I told Bro. Ensey that my Bible college days have motivated two overwhelming passions in my life. The first is to preach. I know that sometimes I take it a bit too serious but I love preaching, not only when I am preaching but when I hear other men skillfully take the Word of God and send it deep into my own soul. Secondly, I was given a passion to study the Word of God. The more I study and write the more that I discover how little that I really know about the Word. Bro. Ensey, A. B. Keating, Kelsey Griffin, David Hunt, and Ken Gurley were my mainstays of teaching me in my Bible college days. I am profoundly grateful for their contribution to my life.

Lastly on the way back to the room, I stopped by a Rally’s (similar to Checkers) and I juiced up all the folks there. I asked them if they were Ohio State fans. This brought three of them to the window and they all told me how fantastic that Ohio State was in college football. Then I asked them if they knew who was number two. They all were unable to tell me. So I informed them that Auburn University in Alabama was. I then told them I would make a deal with them. They had to remember my name and who I was because at the end of 2006, Ohio and Auburn were both going to be undefeated and that they would play for the national championship and that Auburn would knock the stuffings out of them. Auburn is due for a national championship! This wound them up and they all got a little rowdy with that. It was all in good fun and they took it well. Honestly enough, I am not certain if Auburn is ready for OSU.

Good night. . . .

Encouragement = O2 for the Soul

General Conference Edition – Columbus, Ohio – Thursday Night

We came to the service tonight and before the service concluded much of the floor was completely filled. A large portion of the side risers and the first level balcony was filled also. I sat with Mark and Stephanie Harrelson for the Thursday evening service. This service was reserved for our General Superintendent to speak.

I would note that Jerry Jones was re-elected as the General Secretary for the UPCI. Several other elections of note were Greg Wilbanks (Eva, AL) who was elected to the Minister’s Appeal Council and Robbie Knox (Somewhere, KY) was elected as the Secretary of the Sunday School Division. Several years ago, Robbie came and preached a revival for us in Dothan. We can now say that we know someone famous in St. Louis.

The choir did a stirring song. The Ohio District All-State Choir sang and Mickey Mangun sang with them on “We Lift Him Up” and it was quite powerful. That is one of those songs that stirs way down deep on the inside whether you know the song or not. I did go outside because I had been informed that the Ohio District had rented the Jumbotron outside of the Nations Arena for the night services. However, when I went to check an insurance ad was on the J-Tron. Perhaps they are going to begin tomorrow.

On my way back in, I did meet Pastor Ron Macey (who has allowed Stephen Williams to work with him for the past seven years at Royalwood) and talked with him for about 20 minutes or so. I am certain that you know the content of that conversation. . . You guessed it. . . books and sermons. I came away from that conversation with a few more nuggets.

I have already gathered a good amount of “nuggets” along the way since I left Dothan. My 12 ½ hour ride up was a good time for the Lord to “download” some things for me and I paid attention while He spoke.

Tonight’s message by GS Kenneth Haney was very good. Bro. Haney preached from Luke 10 and about the importance of the harvest. He really focused in on the ministry for each local congregation.

Here are some odd and end notes that I scribbled down as he preached. Note-taking at GC is always a little cumbersome to me, but I struggled along. Here are the thoughts:

-If there were a greater dedication to the cause, then there would be less compromise and less prevarication from what we are supposed to be working toward accomplishing in this generation.

-The way that a dedication is strengthened is by finding your focus on your calling. Never forget that any calling will have it’s times of agony and of tears. This is way that our calling is designed.

-Our North American lifestyle of affluence has really caused us to lose the burden of the call.

-Bro. Haney made reference to the old song, “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone.”

Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone

Text: Thomas Shepherd and others
Music: George N. Allen

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,

and all the world go free?

No, there's a cross for everyone,

and there's a cross for me.

How happy are the saints above,

who once went sorrowing here!

But now they taste unmingled love,

and joy without a tear.

The consecrated cross I'll bear

till death shall set me free;

and then go home my crown to wear,

for there's a crown for me.

-Then we were challenged by this haunting question:  Where is the Cross in your preaching?

-We live in a generation that wants “Gospel Light.”  This is a Gospel that tastes great and is less filling.  It is a Gospel that feels good but is taking this world nowhere!

-We can never forget the sacrifice of yesteryear.  We have a great obligation to the elders who forged on ahead of us with this powerful and glorious Jesus Name message.

-This generation need not have the situation that Ezekiel had of the missing man.  God sought for a man but could not find one.  

-Fight against that affluence that wants to choke the life out of the anointing in your life.  The affluence of this age causes us to take paths and travel far away from the Cross.

·         You are marked.

·         You will be required to give much.

·         You will have to live the consecrated way.

·         You must always force yourself to keep your heart right.

-When David stayed home from the battle, a great statement was made about his calling.  His calling had become so unimportant and insignificant that he had lost the great passion for God and now he answered to the whims of his flesh and ease.

-Judas found himself with a sellout bargain.  You do not have to look very far to find a lot of “sellout” going on in this generation.

·         When do we fast and pray?

·         When do we call ourselves away for a time of separation from people and from this world?

·         What are we set apart from?

-Every morning when we get up we must again affirm the fact that there is a calling in our lives.  Bro. Haney said that prayer is crucial to those who are in leadership in the church.  Don’t lay your hands on those who are kicking up dust!  Pray for them!  God will take care of them and there will be incredible damage in the end if they do not find a place to get their heart and spirit right with God.

-We must plead the blood at every turn in our lives.  My call is crucial.  Remember that you will have to fight to maintain a right spirit (Bro. Haney was very focused on this particular thought).

-Nothing is like the anointing of the Spirit.  This anointing can break yokes and bondage in the lives of people.  I need to be vigilant in my life concerning this anointing.  We need the anointing of the Spirit in everything that we do in our ministry.

-Don’t let the friction that comes from carnal people distress you.  There will always be friction between the anointed and the “un-anointed.”  It was like this between Eliab and his brothers versus David.  Eliab wanted to scoff at the attempts of David to slay the giant.

-The Eliab’s and their ilk will never understand the methods of the anointed.  

-Saul was once anointed but was now no longer aware of what the anointing was really like.  When you lose your anointing, you will lose your purpose of God in your life.

-We have to affirm:

·         Our Call.

·         Our Mission.

·         Our Weapons.

·         Our Anointing.

This message was followed by a very good prayer meeting.  I did notice a small minority that begin to head for the exits.  By and large, the majority of the congregation did stay and pray.  It was a very good message to hear from the General Superintendent.  I trust that what was gained tonight will carry over into tomorrow’s very important business session.

Encouragement = O2 for the Soul

General Conference Edition – Columbus, Ohio – Thursday Night

We came to the service tonight and before the service concluded much of the floor was completely filled. A large portion of the side risers and the first level balcony was filled also. I sat with Mark and Stephanie Harrelson for the Thursday evening service. This service was reserved for our General Superintendent to speak.

I would note that Jerry Jones was re-elected as the General Secretary for the UPCI. Several other elections of note were Greg Wilbanks (Eva, AL) who was elected to the Minister’s Appeal Council and Robbie Knox (Somewhere, KY) was elected as the Secretary of the Sunday School Division. Several years ago, Robbie came and preached a revival for us in Dothan. We can now say that we know someone famous in St. Louis.

The choir did a stirring song. The Ohio District All-State Choir sang and Mickey Mangun sang with them on “We Lift Him Up” and it was quite powerful. That is one of those songs that stirs way down deep on the inside whether you know the song or not. I did go outside because I had been informed that the Ohio District had rented the Jumbotron outside of the Nations Arena for the night services. However, when I went to check an insurance ad was on the J-Tron. Perhaps they are going to begin tomorrow.

On my way back in, I did meet Pastor Ron Macey (who has allowed Stephen Williams to work with him for the past seven years at Royalwood) and talked with him for about 20 minutes or so. I am certain that you know the content of that conversation. . . You guessed it. . . books and sermons. I came away from that conversation with a few more nuggets.

I have already gathered a good amount of “nuggets” along the way since I left Dothan. My 12 ½ hour ride up was a good time for the Lord to “download” some things for me and I paid attention while He spoke.

Tonight’s message by GS Kenneth Haney was very good. Bro. Haney preached from Luke 10 and about the importance of the harvest. He really focused in on the ministry for each local congregation.

Here are some odd and end notes that I scribbled down as he preached. Note-taking at GC is always a little cumbersome to me, but I struggled along. Here are the thoughts:

-If there were a greater dedication to the cause, then there would be less compromise and less prevarication from what we are supposed to be working toward accomplishing in this generation.

-The way that a dedication is strengthened is by finding your focus on your calling. Never forget that any calling will have it’s times of agony and of tears. This is way that our calling is designed.

-Our North American lifestyle of affluence has really caused us to lose the burden of the call.

-Bro. Haney made reference to the old song, “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone.”

Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone

Text: Thomas Shepherd and others
Music: George N. Allen

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,

and all the world go free?

No, there's a cross for everyone,

and there's a cross for me.

How happy are the saints above,

who once went sorrowing here!

But now they taste unmingled love,

and joy without a tear.

The consecrated cross I'll bear

till death shall set me free;

and then go home my crown to wear,

for there's a crown for me.

-Then we were challenged by this haunting question:  Where is the Cross in your preaching?

-We live in a generation that wants “Gospel Light.”  This is a Gospel that tastes great and is less filling.  It is a Gospel that feels good but is taking this world nowhere!

-We can never forget the sacrifice of yesteryear.  We have a great obligation to the elders who forged on ahead of us with this powerful and glorious Jesus Name message.

-This generation need not have the situation that Ezekiel had of the missing man.  God sought for a man but could not find one.  

-Fight against that affluence that wants to choke the life out of the anointing in your life.  The affluence of this age causes us to take paths and travel far away from the Cross.

·         You are marked.

·         You will be required to give much.

·         You will have to live the consecrated way.

·         You must always force yourself to keep your heart right.

-When David stayed home from the battle, a great statement was made about his calling.  His calling had become so unimportant and insignificant that he had lost the great passion for God and now he answered to the whims of his flesh and ease.

-Judas found himself with a sellout bargain.  You do not have to look very far to find a lot of “sellout” going on in this generation.

·         When do we fast and pray?

·         When do we call ourselves away for a time of separation from people and from this world?

·         What are we set apart from?

-Every morning when we get up we must again affirm the fact that there is a calling in our lives.  Bro. Haney said that prayer is crucial to those who are in leadership in the church.  Don’t lay your hands on those who are kicking up dust!  Pray for them!  God will take care of them and there will be incredible damage in the end if they do not find a place to get their heart and spirit right with God.

-We must plead the blood at every turn in our lives.  My call is crucial.  Remember that you will have to fight to maintain a right spirit (Bro. Haney was very focused on this particular thought).

-Nothing is like the anointing of the Spirit.  This anointing can break yokes and bondage in the lives of people.  I need to be vigilant in my life concerning this anointing.  We need the anointing of the Spirit in everything that we do in our ministry.

-Don’t let the friction that comes from carnal people distress you.  There will always be friction between the anointed and the “un-anointed.”  It was like this between Eliab and his brothers versus David.  Eliab wanted to scoff at the attempts of David to slay the giant.

-The Eliab’s and their ilk will never understand the methods of the anointed.  

-Saul was once anointed but was now no longer aware of what the anointing was really like.  When you lose your anointing, you will lose your purpose of God in your life.

-We have to affirm:

·         Our Call.

·         Our Mission.

·         Our Weapons.

·         Our Anointing.

This message was followed by a very good prayer meeting.  I did notice a small minority that begin to head for the exits.  By and large, the majority of the congregation did stay and pray.  It was a very good message to hear from the General Superintendent.  I trust that what was gained tonight will carry over into tomorrow’s very important business session.

Encouragement = O2 for the Soul

General Conference Edition – Columbus, Ohio – Thursday Night

We came to the service tonight and before the service concluded much of the floor was completely filled. A large portion of the side risers and the first level balcony was filled also. I sat with Mark and Stephanie Harrelson for the Thursday evening service. This service was reserved for our General Superintendent to speak.

I would note that Jerry Jones was re-elected as the General Secretary for the UPCI. Several other elections of note were Greg Wilbanks (Eva, AL) who was elected to the Minister’s Appeal Council and Robbie Knox (Somewhere, KY) was elected as the Secretary of the Sunday School Division. Several years ago, Robbie came and preached a revival for us in Dothan. We can now say that we know someone famous in St. Louis.

The choir did a stirring song. The Ohio District All-State Choir sang and Mickey Mangun sang with them on “We Lift Him Up” and it was quite powerful. That is one of those songs that stirs way down deep on the inside whether you know the song or not. I did go outside because I had been informed that the Ohio District had rented the Jumbotron outside of the Nations Arena for the night services. However, when I went to check an insurance ad was on the J-Tron. Perhaps they are going to begin tomorrow.

On my way back in, I did meet Pastor Ron Macey (who has allowed Stephen Williams to work with him for the past seven years at Royalwood) and talked with him for about 20 minutes or so. I am certain that you know the content of that conversation. . . You guessed it. . . books and sermons. I came away from that conversation with a few more nuggets.

I have already gathered a good amount of “nuggets” along the way since I left Dothan. My 12 ½ hour ride up was a good time for the Lord to “download” some things for me and I paid attention while He spoke.

Tonight’s message by GS Kenneth Haney was very good. Bro. Haney preached from Luke 10 and about the importance of the harvest. He really focused in on the ministry for each local congregation.

Here are some odd and end notes that I scribbled down as he preached. Note-taking at GC is always a little cumbersome to me, but I struggled along. Here are the thoughts:

-If there were a greater dedication to the cause, then there would be less compromise and less prevarication from what we are supposed to be working toward accomplishing in this generation.

-The way that a dedication is strengthened is by finding your focus on your calling. Never forget that any calling will have it’s times of agony and of tears. This is way that our calling is designed.

-Our North American lifestyle of affluence has really caused us to lose the burden of the call.

-Bro. Haney made reference to the old song, “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone.”

Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone

Text: Thomas Shepherd and others
Music: George N. Allen

Must Jesus bear the cross alone,

and all the world go free?

No, there's a cross for everyone,

and there's a cross for me.

How happy are the saints above,

who once went sorrowing here!

But now they taste unmingled love,

and joy without a tear.

The consecrated cross I'll bear

till death shall set me free;

and then go home my crown to wear,

for there's a crown for me.

-Then we were challenged by this haunting question:  Where is the Cross in your preaching?

-We live in a generation that wants “Gospel Light.”  This is a Gospel that tastes great and is less filling.  It is a Gospel that feels good but is taking this world nowhere!

-We can never forget the sacrifice of yesteryear.  We have a great obligation to the elders who forged on ahead of us with this powerful and glorious Jesus Name message.

-This generation need not have the situation that Ezekiel had of the missing man.  God sought for a man but could not find one.  

-Fight against that affluence that wants to choke the life out of the anointing in your life.  The affluence of this age causes us to take paths and travel far away from the Cross.

·         You are marked.

·         You will be required to give much.

·         You will have to live the consecrated way.

·         You must always force yourself to keep your heart right.

-When David stayed home from the battle, a great statement was made about his calling.  His calling had become so unimportant and insignificant that he had lost the great passion for God and now he answered to the whims of his flesh and ease.

-Judas found himself with a sellout bargain.  You do not have to look very far to find a lot of “sellout” going on in this generation.

·         When do we fast and pray?

·         When do we call ourselves away for a time of separation from people and from this world?

·         What are we set apart from?

-Every morning when we get up we must again affirm the fact that there is a calling in our lives.  Bro. Haney said that prayer is crucial to those who are in leadership in the church.  Don’t lay your hands on those who are kicking up dust!  Pray for them!  God will take care of them and there will be incredible damage in the end if they do not find a place to get their heart and spirit right with God.

-We must plead the blood at every turn in our lives.  My call is crucial.  Remember that you will have to fight to maintain a right spirit (Bro. Haney was very focused on this particular thought).

-Nothing is like the anointing of the Spirit.  This anointing can break yokes and bondage in the lives of people.  I need to be vigilant in my life concerning this anointing.  We need the anointing of the Spirit in everything that we do in our ministry.

-Don’t let the friction that comes from carnal people distress you.  There will always be friction between the anointed and the “un-anointed.”  It was like this between Eliab and his brothers versus David.  Eliab wanted to scoff at the attempts of David to slay the giant.

-The Eliab’s and their ilk will never understand the methods of the anointed.  

-Saul was once anointed but was now no longer aware of what the anointing was really like.  When you lose your anointing, you will lose your purpose of God in your life.

-We have to affirm:

·         Our Call.

·         Our Mission.

·         Our Weapons.

·         Our Anointing.

This message was followed by a very good prayer meeting.  I did notice a small minority that begin to head for the exits.  By and large, the majority of the congregation did stay and pray.  It was a very good message to hear from the General Superintendent.  I trust that what was gained tonight will carry over into tomorrow’s very important business session.

Encouragement = O2 for the Soul