Voice of Hope

1. Give something away (no strings attached). 2. Do a kindness (and forget it). 3. Spend a few minutes with the aged (their experience can be priceless guidance). 4. Look intently into the face of a baby (and marvel). 5. Laugh often (it is life's lubricant). 6. Give thanks (a thousand times a day is not enough). 7. Pray (or you will lose the way). 8. Work (with vim and vigor). 9. Plan as though you will live forever (because you will). 10. Live as though you will die tomorrow (because you will die on some tomorrow). (from A Treasury of Bible Illustrations Copyright © 1995, 1998 by AMG International, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by Permission.)

Margie M Bice Mrs. Margie Trivett Bice, age 90, of Elizabethton, TN passed away Friday, December 16, 2016 in the Johnson City Medical Center Hospital. A native of Poga, TN she was the daughter of the late (T.L.) Lackey and Oda Guy Trivett. Mrs. Bice was a homemaker and was a teacher during World War II at Elk Mills School and Charity Hill School. She was a member of Heartland Fellowship for sixty-nine years where she served as Church Clerk and Treasurer and leader of the Women’s Missionary Auxiliary for many years. Mrs. Bice enjoyed camping, hiking, sewing, quilting and crocheting. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Bice; a son, Johnny Bice; sisters, Gladys Lund, Mildred Treadway and Ruby Trivett and brothers, Roy Trivett and Oscar Trivett. Those left to cherish her memory include three daughters, Charlotte Pate and husband Gary; Nancy Bennett and husband Lester, all of Elizabethton; Freda Russell and husband Joe, Chapmansboro, TN; fou...

The following information was received from our North American Presbyter: Dear Overseer and Pastor; "I would like to make two exciting announcements involving Barna Group and COGOP. The first is that Barna is launching a major initiative focusing on pastors in early 2017, including a live event and national webcast on Thursday, January 26, 2017.   We would love for you to participate in the event in person or online.  It is for pastors, church staff, elders and others who support today's churches. Many of you are probably familiar with Barna.  If not check out their website. If you scroll about halfway down on the homepage, you can subscribe to Barna Update--a free resource for periodic email updates about Barna's research into faith in culture in America.  Barna Update currently has nearly 90,000 subscribers, about half of whom are pastors. The second is that COGOP is partnering with Barna to engage, on your behalf, in the same "state of pastors...

This past week has been a whirlwind of activity as Debra and I have traveled across the State of Tennessee.  We have already had three dinner meetings with our pastors in three districts, which means we have enjoyed the company of about twenty-five percent of our pastors.  It is amazing how some casual conversation, laughter and fellowship can lift your spirits. We have some of the most wonderful people serving our churches in Tennessee and I am privileged to serve them.

Well, it's been another one of those days and it's still 10:30 a.m.  After a night of very little sleep and minor illness, I just decided to get up early and get some things done.  Ahead of schedule is what I was thinking, but avast my plans have gone awry already. Once arriving at the office, I noticed that none of our equipment was working.  Printers wouldn't print, copiers wouldn't copy, server had a blue screen of death.........had a what?  Yes a blue screen of death.  For a couple of days the staff has been working hard around here to take care of normal responsibilities, but to also prepare for our PowerHOUSE Youth Conference at Camp Hickory Hills, and guess what they need?   Right, ALL OF THE ABOVE. So, since early this morning, I have been troubleshooting equipment which means none of the advantage of an early start was realized, there is no help in sight and I feel a little stuck.  If not for police reports, SWAT teams, broken dreams and g...

It has been some time since I've posted to this particular blog.  There are any number of reasons, but suffice it to say, the work continues to grow and need additional care.  This past week, my family and I left for our annual vacation.  This year found us in Disney World in Florida.  During the week, I had to leave the family to travel to a Leadership Summit in Akron, Ohio, a trip that took me four days.  We drove to Orlando and arrived on Saturday, then I flew out on Sunday morning for the beginning of the conference on Monday.  Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday found me at Grace Church at the Bath Campus (really, the name of the little town is Bath) with me flying back to Orlando on Wednesday, and due to Delta Airlines missing their schedule, I was really late getting in Wednesday night.  The vacation resumed on Thursday, and we left Florida on Saturday, returning home on Sunday.  Needless to say, it really wasn't much of a vacation for m...

There is only ONE correct answer to the problems of life.  Do you know the answer?