Voice of Hope

Last night we had a great worship service at the Petros Church. I appreciate the folks from the area for their support of the revival, a joint effort of the Petros and Oliver Springs church. We will be there again tonight, and move to the Oliver Springs church for Thursday and Friday nights. Special thanks to Pastors Stewart Slone and Roy Massengale for their efforts to promote the unity of the churches in the area, and for hosting this event.

Memorial Day. Barbecues, parties, picnics and all government offices and banks closed. Some sleep in, others make the day a lazy one, watching television or movies, and just "kicking back" taking it easy. But for those serving on active duty, or veterans of the military services it is quite another day. Its a day of remembrance for fallen comrades in arms. A day to remember the insanity and confusion of combat, and the extraordinary silence after a battle when you don't even hear the bugs or birds...because they've all fallen silent in the face of the death and destruction of battle. Our nation earned its independence by fight a string of battles, consequent military actions strengthened the republic, from places in Europe, the Pacific Theater, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and even the hallowed ground of our own backyards in a violent civil war (though there is nothing "civil" about war) when brother fought brother and a nation was...

Pascha Cathey, the wife of our pastor at Harriman, Tennessee (Tony Cathey) has been hospitalized for several days. I spoke with Brother Tony today and he said that while she is doing some better, she still has a long way to go, and if she is not better by Tuesday, the doctors will be moving her to a hospital in Knoxville. This is a very sweet and loving couple and I am asking for you to join me in asking the Lord for a miracle as you pray. Will you also please share this prayer request at your church? May the Lord bless and keep you.

Yesterday, I posted about my trip to the Capitol to present the invocation to the 106th General Assembly of the House of Representatives. Now, I have to admit that the posting of the video on our related sites (Facebook, Youtube, Etc.) might seem a bit Narcissistic, so I thought today, I would share why this was so important for me personally. During the battle of Nashville (December 15-16, 1864) my great-great grandfather served as a lookout in the Capitol dome. If one could look back to the geography of the time (prior to the urban sprawl) you could see that the Capitol building was a strategic point, and could be easily defended, mostly due to its elevation (one a hill). From the Capitol dome, one could see five miles on a good, clear day, and you could also see railroad and river traffic as well. At our recent General Assembly of the Church of God of Prophecy, I could look down on the Capitol from our room at the Renaissance Hotel, so I pointed it out to my family and friends, ...

It was my honor today to present the invocation at the 106h General Assembly of the Tennessee House of Representatives today. Presented by Representative Ty Cobb, and honored as Chaplain of the Day for the Tennessee House of Representatives. Thanks to Pastor Steve Boshers, Collinwood for helping create this opportunity. Just wanted to share this short clip with all my friends.

In 56 days, members and friends of the Church of God of Prophecy in Tennessee will be converging on the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee for the biennial State Convention. As I've pondered the theme for the convention, there was one thing that continually came to my heart and mind...the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. While considering this topic, I came to a conclusion that was a bit startling to my heart and mind. In some senses, this topic has become a forgotten doctrine of the church. This topic piqued my interest and caused me to research the topic more than I had in quite a while. Of course, I began to look at my own notes of ministry and found this to be a subject that I had not preached in quite a while. Something I found more intriguing was the following: 1. Jesus Christ's existence is a fact of history. 2. There were more than 100 prophecies of His birth, life and death. 3. There are more than eight times as many prophecies regarding...

I just returned home and learned of the passing of Brother David Malone's mother in Illinois. Brother Malone serves House on the Rock Church in Pulaski, TN. More information will be posted once I receive it. Please join me in prayer.

The work is underway! Special thanks to the work crew involved in the process. Just wanted to share a few pictures of the work:

This past couple of days were a great time of SANCTUARY at Camp Hickory Hills, where the Tennessee Ladies Day grabbed our attention. As always, Londa Richardson and her team were the example of excellence in ministry. Thank you! On Friday night, Karen Wheaton ministered to the ladies in song and in word, and we were so blessed to meet her, and hear her testimony of growing up in the Church of God of Prophecy, and her time as the "Gleaner" leader of her local church. She is doing a great work among young people at her ministry known as "the ramp." On Saturday morning, Becca Stevens, Episcopal priest and author shared about the love of God in action! I believe we were all amazed to hear the wonderful story of the work she does with women in crisis. On Saturday afternoon, Sharon Farruggia of Harvest Fellowship Church in Knoxville brought a powerful word to the congregation! It was a well-timed word. The worship, led by June Gordon of Abundant Grace in Memphis and ...