Revival is in the air. I’ve noticed several churches announcing that their church and community is planning special fall revivals. The “Old-Fashioned Camp Meeting and Revival,” made up of churches in this community, is in full swing. Each meeting we have been able to attend was phenomenal. God’s Word is being preached like it used to be and as it should be with nothing held back. One might think they are getting a little taste of Heaven as they take part in the congregational singing and are blessed by all the special music that is offered, both vocal and instrumental. I counted three violins, several guitars, a banjo, a cello and another instrument that I could not identify being played. The tag team method of preaching also allows one to hear different scriptures from God’s Word with, perhaps, different situations that back up the main scripture and topic that the first speaker chose to preach that night. The revival was at Red Bank last night and will be there tonight, Nov. 9. Wednesday and Thursday night, Nov. 10-11, it will be at the Goodhope General Baptist Church. Friday and Saturday Nov. 12-13, the revival will be held at the Dogwood Nazarene Church. Plan to attend one or all of these old-fashioned revival meetings. Let your heart be stirred, your life changed with a new hope and a new song that only God’s Word can bring. Special prayer meetings begin at 6:00 p.m.; Instrumental music and singing begins at 6:30 p.m., Congregational and special music at 7:00 p.m. preludes the preaching of God’s Word.
This has been a beautiful week for weather. I’m trying to take in all the sunshine I can, while I can. It’s a great time to get in a little fall cleaning, both inside and outside the house. I noticed that my Venetian blinds were getting quite dusty so I have been working on wiping them clean. I can’t clean as much in one day as I used to, so I have to be content with, as my husband says, governing my self to just so much cleaning in one day.
Sunday, my husband and I attended the annual Veterans Day luncheon at the Ava Victory Academy. It was well attended, and the variety of soups and desserts served were great. The Veterans were honored with a free meal and special tributes for their service that was presented by each class of students. They seemed to love every minute of the program and especially the children that delivered it. I noticed that the students not only took care of the program, but they also served the food, greeted the people and attended the special tables set up to take the Veterans names and any pictures of them that could be added to a slide show that is currently in process of being shown each year.
I’d like to say a few words about Ava Victory Academy. If you think that prayer should stay in the schools, and that God’s Word should be a part of the curriculum, then you will be happy to know that this is what Ava Victory Acadamy is all about. Kids are kids, but when God’s Word and ways are taught along with the regular academics of reading, writing and arithmetic, the students will have a well-rounded education that will serve them well for successful careers and happier lives. You can ask anyone of the seniors, and I’m sure they would quickly testify that their spiritual training, along with the excellent academic training that’s geared to fully prepare them for college, serves as their main provision and motivation for a successful life; A life that will be filled with more giving than taking. In short, they will be tomorrow’s leaders. The kind of leaders that we say we want. What better mission could our monies be applied to than for the type of teaching and training that we say our children need? This school could use more of our help. Think about this. We are great about helping other countries, other cities and other communities.
Brother Gary Lirley began church service at Red Bank by leading the congregational hymns. Brother Jerry Huff welcomed everyone and introduced our Sunday school lesson called, “Why the Christian Life is Better.” Scriptures used for this lesson comes from John 14:15-31 and John 15: 11-16. Birthday offerings were given by Bill Holland and Alice Lirley. Prayer request were for our pastor. He is facing gallbladder surgery soon.
Brother Les spoke from John: chapter 10, for the morning sermon. Jesus spoke in verse 9-11 saying, “I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” He continued in verses 27-28 by saying, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And, I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” The thief is Satan. The good shepherd is Jesus. How comforting is it to know that you can rely on Jesus. He will keep you, He will guide you, and He will never, never leave you; no matter what might besiege you along life’s pathway. As the song title says, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
A group from Red Bank gathered at the Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center, Sunday afternoon, to present a program of music and God’s Word to the residents. All their pain and woes seemed to disappear as they took part in singing and listening about God’s love for them. We also enjoyed visiting with many of the residents after the program. My husband and I also enjoyed visiting with Maxine Lirley while we were at the Healthcare Center. She was happy to have had a visit from her daughter, Judy Smith, and her grandson, Matthew Smith, and his family last week. They spent the day visiting and playing games before returning to their homes in Marshall, MO. She was amused at how well her little great grandson, Cory, caught on to playing the game of Pokeeno. In fact she said that he had won the game before they realized what had happened. He’s a sharp little fellow about six years old.
Well folks, I’ve enjoyed visiting with you again this week. Until next week: Consider all that God has promised you and all things, for him, that he asks you to do.
