Voice of Hope

The viewing and funeral arrangements for Chester J. Hall are as follows: Visitation Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Funeral Thursday at 10:00 a.m. West Harpeth Funeral Home 6962 Charlotte Pike Nashville, TN 37209 (615) 352-9400

I am saddened to announce the passing of Chester J. Hall. Chester passed away at age 51 after a brief illness. He is the son of our Sullivan's Ridge pastor, Donald Hall , who recently came out of retirment to pastor the local church. As of right now, I do not have any further information, however I will be posting the visitation information later today. Please join me in praying for Brother Hall's family.

Throughout the United States, and in territories and U.S. Military bases people have spent the day remembering those who have fallen in service to their country. I am so thankful to say that I served six years in the United States Army, the beginning of those six years during the standing down of the Vietnam conflict. Today, I paused to remember those I served with, as well as those who have yet to be accounted for, the Missing in Action. We do not leave our own behind, and we cannot rest until all are accounted for. We have so many veterans in our own churches who have served with honor and dignity. We salute them and are grateful for their sacrifice. Earlier today, Debra called our son, Shaun. While they were on the phone, I told her to ask him if he had thanked a veteran...I was happy to hear that he had. If you know a veteran who has served, be sure to let them know that you are grateful for thier service. Often forgotten during these times are the families of the service me...

As many of you know, Debra has been in Kentucky this weekend to be with her mother who is recovering from surgery. I miss having her with me, and am getting a little tired of cooking...you know, McDonalds, O'Charley's, etc,. I will be traveling to Kentucky tomorrow to pick her up and bring her back home so she can get me back on my diet. This morning, I traveled to the Jackson church where I ministered in the morning service. It was a beautiful day to drive and the weather was good until almost home when I ran into a little rain. Tomorrow, we will honor those who gave their lives in the service of our nation. This holiday will be marked by barbecue's, picnics, parties, etc., however we must never forget the reason for the day. This holiday began with remembering the soldiers of the War between the States (1861-1865), but after World War I, the holiday was mean to include those giving the ultimate sacrifice of every war...that means all the way up to today, when we have...

This morning we received the pathologist report on my mother-in-law's examination of her lymph nodes. Everything is clear, and we thank the Lord for the good report. The doctor also said that she had very little bruising from the surgery and lost very little blood. All around, it was a great report. Thank you for your concern you have shown through calls and emails, we will be forever grateful. Debra will be going to Kentucky tomorrow afternoon to help her for a few days around the house, and to help keep her wounds dressed and cared for. Again thank you for your prayers. God bless.

June 25-30, 2006 has been set aside as a week of special prayer for our upcoming General Assembly. As you know, we will be selecting a new General Overseer, as well as discussing various items of business. Our General Overseer has allocated different periods of one week for the various regions of the world, and this special week in June has been selected for North America. Will you please join me as we seek God's direction for the Church of God of Prophecy? Thank you in advance.

Debra and I just returned from Kentucky, where we have been with Debra's mother. Margie is doing really well today. We are waiting on a pathology report which should be in tomorrow to give us the update on the biopsy from the lympth nodes. We are so sorry that we have been out so much lately, but we are indeed grateful to all of you who have called and emailed us. Your support is wonderful. May God bless you!

Several have called and asked about my mother-in-law, who underwent cancer surgery this morning at the Muhlenberg Community Hospital in Kentucky. So far, it looks like the surgery was a success, and perhaps the cancer has been detected in an isolated area, however there will be no definitive word until Wednesday after the biopsy has been examined by a pathologist. Debra and her entire family are grateful for your prayers and you concern, you are really special people...we do appreciate you. Please continue to pray for Margie for her recovery. May the Lord bless you.

This morning, Debra and I visited the West Nashville church to attend, and minister at their annual homecoming. Pastor Terry and Heather Swaw gave us a warm welcome and everyone was so nice. After the morning service, the church hosted a wonderful lunch. I don't know when I've seen more food in one place! Special thanks to the cooks! After dinner, Debra and I left for Kentucky (I'm writing this from a McDonald's where we've stopped for coffee) to be with her mother tomorrow morning. Her mother, Margie is scheduled for cancer surgery at 6:30 a.m. at the Muhlenburg County Hospital. Please join us in prayer for her. We should be there sometime tonight. Thanks for stopping by our blog today.

I am writing today to request for my mother-in-law, Margie Lindsey. She and her husband, Charles pastor our local church at Central City, Kentucky. A few-weeks-ago, she learned that she has breast cancer. On Monday, May 22, 2006, she will be undergoing surgery. Some of you may know, that she had been diagnosed with cancer when they pastored the local church at Zion Grove, Mississippi several-years-ago. Debra and I will be with her for the surgery on Monday in Kentucky. When you have prayer requests given at church tomorrow, will you please mention her name? She is in her mid 70's and needs the hand of the Lord. Will you also, please pray for her in your private devotion time? Thank you so much for your help. May the Lord bless and keep each one of you.

Today, I joined with others at the Robert's Tabernacle church to attend the funeral services of Bishop Hansel Ray, who passed away earlier this week. I was really proud of our ministers who conducted the funeral services. Pastor Tim McCaleb, Pastor Thomas Hale and Pastor David Prince all shared about the life and ministry of this wonderful minister of the gospel. I came to the same conclusion as they all did, that we are indeed blessed to have be the recipients of the ministry of such as wonderful man as Hansel Ray. It was good to see other ministers at the services, among them the District Presbyter, Bishop F. Leon Graves. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ray family.

I am sorry to report the Deacon Farris Williams and his wife, both members at the Bethel Springs church have suddenly passed away. While I do not have all of the details, I know you will help me pray for their family. Former Overseer, Bishop Eugene Weakley and Pastor Jerry Robbins will be conducting the services today in Bethel Springs. I am sorry that I cannot provide you with more information at this time.

As I write today, it is just after midnight, now May 19lth. It has been an extremely busy last few days, and I apologize that I haven't had the opportunity to write. Debra and I traveled to Cleveland on Monday to accompany our son, Shaun and his wife Stephanie to an ultrasound in Chattanooga early on Tuesday. Great news! We are expecting a baby girl into our family around October 21, 2006. We are so thrilled that we can't hardly stand it. When I left Chattanooga early on Wednesday, I traveled through Crossville to pick up a nice rocker and ottoman that the women at the Abundant Life church had presented to grandma Debra to rock the new baby in. I got in rather late, after suffering with food poisoning...stay away from the Japanese food! On Thursday, I attended the funeral services for Sister Mary Moore a long-time member of the Clarksville church, and the mother of Pastor Windell Moore of Gallatin. What a wonderful, beautiful service it was, and the love of this close-k...

Visitation for Brother Ray will be tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., tomorrow from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Anderson and Woodard Funeral Home, located directly across the road from the Lakeside (Westmoreland) church. The funeral will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the Robert's Tabernacle church. Please continue to pray for the family. God bless.

I am saddened to report to you the passing of Brother Hansel Ray. Brother Ray has served the State of Tennessee for many years in various capacities. He is the father of our pastor of the Rickman church, Brother Barry Ray. Will you please join me in prayer for the family? I will be posting the funeral arrangements shortly. God bless.

I am saddened to announce the passing of Mary Moore. She was a retired minister, and spouse of a former pastor. Her son, Windell serves as Senior Pastor at our Gallatin church. Visitation will be at the Clarksville church from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. tomorrow with funeral services on Thursday at 1:00 p.m., also at the church. Please join me in praying for this precious family during this difficult time for them.

Dear Folks,Please pray for the family of Mary Moore. Her son, Windell is the pastor of our Gallatin church, and she is a retired minister and wife of a former pastor. She has been hospitalized at St. Thomas in Nashville for a prolonged period of time. She is in critical condition. Will you also please pray for the family. May God bless each of you.

Today, all throughout the United States, we will celebrate a day set aside to honor our mothers. Those of you whose mother is still alive will have the opportunity to pamper and pet her, while others of us will allow our minds to wander back to the days when "mom" was still with us. Today, we are with our son Shaun and his wife Stephanie in Cleveland, where I will be preaching at the Peerless Road church in the morning service. Our daughter, Lindsey is here as well, so that we can honor my wife and our children's mother, Debra. We will take the time to allow her to be queen for the day. I do hope you will have an opportunity to do something special for that "special" lady in your wife too. My mother went to be with the Lord 15-years-ago, and I miss her more now ever. If your mom is still with you, take the time to tell her how much you love and appreciate her, I wish I had done that more with my mom. I've included a picture of mom, Geneva on my blog to...

Debra and I left out early today for a special time at the Abundant Life church in Crossville. It was an enthusiastic crowd that was gathered for the day’s activities. The pastor’s wife, Theresa Tackett and those assisting her in the preparation had obviously spent a lot of time in preparation for the event, complete with several of the men in the church dressed in white shirts and bow ties to serve the ladies. In the morning session, Sister Grace Love from Old Path Ministries presented her thoughts on church growth, discipline and a variety of other topics. She was a hit with the ladies, as usual. She told me to tell you that DVD’s of the presentation are available for $10. Susan Bailey, from the Columbia church shared about the extreme love of God in our lives, not only through the good times, but through the bad times as well. Her presentation is also available on DVD. She did an outstanding joy of the presentation, and I would heartily endorse any local church having her to ...

Lee University News Article: Dr. David Horton Dies Suddenly on Choir Tour: Funeral is Saturday Funeral services for Dr. David Horton have been scheduled for Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at the North Cleveland Church of God. The family will receive visitors Friday at Rush Funeral Home from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. Dr. David Horton, a veteran member of the Lee University music faculty, died suddenly Monday evening following an apparent heart attack. Horton was in Nassau, Bahamas, on the first day of a post-commencement ministry tour with Campus Choir when he was stricken. His wife Virginia was with him as they returned to their hotel following dinner when he suddenly collapsed and was rushed to a hospital. "We are all stunned and deeply saddened by this unexpected loss," said president Dr. Paul Conn. "There are few people who have ever made such a huge impact on the life of Lee University as Dr. Horton has made. He and his wife Virginia have poured themselves into the lives of so many s...

I'm here to tell you, this blog business has gotten so difficult lately. With the changes of hosting, I ran into some real problems with the uploading. So, I'm back using the blogger settings for a while, until I can get it all under control. I apologize that this has been down. As I am posting, it is 11:00 p.m., and I have had all day meetings at the Nashville Convention Center and also at the Gaylord (GEC) with the task force for the upcoming General Assembly. I am trying to get some information together on parking and food choices for our delegates, which kept us until at 5:00 p.m. After that we had dinner together and I returned to the office until a few minutes ago to catch up on things that were getting behind. As you can see, it was a full day. In the meantime, I again apologize for the dificulties, please check back often. This should be the last glitch. God bless.

Thank you for stopping by today, you will notice a whole new look and feel to the blog. Please check back often to keep up with the changes.