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God is good, God is great.
Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you
more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert.

Thank God for Children Saying Grace…

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My
six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we
bowed our heads he said, “God is good, God is great.
Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you
more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty
and justice for all! Amen!”

Along with the laughter from the other customers
nearby I heard a woman remark, “That’s what’s wrong
with this country. Kids today don’t even know ! how to
pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!”

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me,
“Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?” As I held him
and assured him that he had done a terrific job and
God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman
approached the table. He winked at my son and said,
“I happen to know that God thought that was a great
prayer. “Really?” my son asked. “Cross my heart,”
the man replied.

Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the
woman whose remark had started this whole thing),
“Too bad she never asks God for ice cream.
A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of
the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then
did something I will remember the rest of my life.

He picked up his sundae and without a word, walked
over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big
smile he told her, “Here, this is for you.

Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul
is good already.”

From an email that Gerri P received

There is a new schedule out for all events.

Please check the updated schedule!

Here is a list of future conferences…

Sept. 27-Oct 1,2006 Columbus, OH
Sept. 26-30, 2007 Tampa, FL
Sept. 24-28, 2008 Greensboro, NC
Sept. 30-Oct.4, 2009 St. Louis, MO
[no dates set] 2010 Houston, TX
[no dates set] 2011 Louisville, KY

If you have never made it to a General Conference, I encourage you to make it this year or in the near future as it is truly a wonderful time.

The Quarterly meeting was held last Tuesday night.

The following decisions were made:

Thanksgiving dinner will be Oct. 30, 2005 (no 5th Sun. Dinner) with a cost of $5.00 per adult, $3.00 10 and under.

Daughters of Zion meeting for September will be held the 2nd Monday in Lieu of Labor Day.

Enabled by God, we can walk in the Spirit; we can have discerning hearts; we can grow beyond the milk of the Word of God; we can restore brothers and sisters who falter; we can accept biblical preaching as from God Himself. Spirituality is available for all of God’s people.

The dictionary defines “spiritual” as consisting of spirit, incorporeal; relating to sacred matters: ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal, concerned with religious values; relating to supernatural beings or phenomena; involving spiritualism.

If we turn to the Word of God we get a different understanding of what it means to be spiritual. Here are five scriptural and practical signs of spirituality:

First, to be spiritual is to be led by the Spirit.”There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free form the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against god: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please god. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:1-9).

Second, to be spiritual is to have spiritual discernment.”But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But god hath revealed them unto us by his spirit: for the spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of god. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of god. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of god. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. but the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of god. for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned but he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man” (I Corinthians 2:9-15).

Third, to be spiritual is to be able to eat the meat of God’s Word.”I...could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (I Corinthians 3:1-3).

Fourth, to be spiritual is to be able to restore fallen Christians.”If a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit ofmeekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:1-2).

Fifth, to be spiritual is to accept Bible teaching as coming from God.”What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant” (I Corinthians 14:36-38).

Enabled by god, we can walk in the Spirit; we can have discerning hearts; we can grow beyond the milk of the Word of God; we can restore brothers and sisters who falter; we can accept biblical preaching as from God Himself. Spirituality is available for all of God’s people.

Simeon Young Sr.
The Pentecostal Herald

Loneliness is lying awake struggling with the suspicion that he is unfaithful; then the unbelievable pain of knowing for sure. He does not care if I know. She even calls me on the phone.

As I watched you tonight, I wished for an opportunity to talk with you. I watched your beautiful face as you sang and worshiped. You reminded me of myself seven years ago. After church, I watched you as you got into that car with a boy who does not know God. Oh, yes, he was at church tonight. He even went to the altar and shed a few tears. I am sure that you would not accept the idea that, for him, this was just a means to an end.

Seven years ago I was in your shoes. I had known God since my early teens, and had grown up under God-anointed preaching and teaching. I did not lack for boyfriends or dates , as is so often the case with Pentecostal girls in churches where the girls out number the boys. Some very wonderful, consecrated young men came my way. But Satan, who watches diligently and waits patiently to ensnare a soul, saw me one day as I was lukewarm. Oh, I was still going to church and playing my musical instrument and singing and doing all the right things outwardly. But I had never really had that special moment with God when His will and mine were made one. 

I met him at work. Before long, without anyone else knowing it, I felt I could not live without him. He knew about Pentecost, and when he went to church with me, he went to the altar and cried. I married him while my family and those who loved me wept and agonized. It was just six months later that I realized my soul was in danger and that I had to have a touch from God. I prayed through and got a grip on God. Then the battle began. No, he was not going to church anymore. I could count on my fingers the number of times he went during the last seven years. Before I married him, the thought of living without him was unbearable. How lonely it would be I thought. But now I know what loneliness really is, and I would like to tell you about it.

Loneliness is receiving a blessing from God and going home to a man you cannot share it with. He is not interested; he is watching television.

Loneliness is going to a church social alone and watching the young couples enjoy God’s blessings together. You can go alone or stay home alone; he has other interests.

Loneliness is feeling the urgency of Christ’s coming and knowing that the one you love most on this earth is not ready and shows no signs of caring.

Loneliness is seeing two children born and knowing that if your influence is to out weigh his it will be a miracle.

Loneliness is going to a general conference and seeing young couples everywhere who are truly one and dedicated to God’s work. And there goes the young man who loved you once and wanted to marry you. He is preaching the gospel now and has never married. Oh, God, help me! I must not think of it!

Loneliness is lying awake struggling with the suspicion that he is unfaithful; then the unbelievable pain of knowing for sure. He does not care if I know. She even calls me on the phone. After a time, he makes an effort to break it off. I vow to do everything humanly possible to keep this marriage together. I will love him more and pray for him more. Seven years of my life are involved in this; we have a little girl and a little boy!

Loneliness is now. My children and I will go home to a dark empty apartment that will be my home until the lawyer says it is all over. I, who have always been afraid to stay alone, now welcome the peace and solitude. As I look in the mirror, I see that seven years have not changed my face so much. But inside I am old, and something that was once alive and beautiful is now dead. Of course, this is not an unusual story. The remarkable thing about it is that I am still living for God. I am thankful for my family and their prayers of intercession for me.

Oh, I am praying for you, Pentecostal girl! Please believe me when I tell you that no matter how wonderful he is, how loving, how tender- you cannot build a happy life upon disobedience to God’s Word. You see, no matter what the future holds for me. I have missed his perfect will for my life. I will never stop paying for breaking a commandment of God. Do not let it happen to you!

Anonymous
-The Pentecostal Herald (permission granted)

Highlights from the business meeting on Tuesday, July 19th, 2005.

The church will pursue building a Family Life Center. The funds from the sale of the church property on Wilson Avenue will be used toward this effort.

Effective starting 7/24/05, Sunday evening services will begin at 6:00 p.m. Prayer time will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Starting at a earlier time for Sunday evening service will allow our elderly members and member who live a great distance from the church to return home at an earlier hour.