PRAISE

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so …” (Psalms 107:2)

Power, Redemption, Affirmation, Inspiration, Sanctification, Exaltation

        Volume 4 Issue 2                                                                     October 2003

Hands Up Ministry

PHILIP MORRIS, USA

THE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

The Servant Team – Leaders:

Tom Meadows, Ruth Johnson, Richard Hatcher, Delois Maddox, Ralph Brown, Roy Campbell and Jackie Hager

The Twelve Disciples – Prayer Team

Deborah Whitener, George Foreman, Ivan Pope, Janet Taylor, Juanita Langley, Margie Jasper, Denise Warren, Karen Page, Pam Barden, Ronnie Waddell, and Tee Williams,

Love Fund Coordinator:

Mary Tinnell

Newsletter Staff:

Sandra Witherspoon, Lou Dalton

If you would like a copy of this newsletter, contact Tom Meadows and give him your home and/or e-mail address.

FROM THE SERVANT TEAM:

        PRAISE the Lord!!

Standing In 2003 – God Has A Promise

In 2002 our call to service was Stepping up in 2002 – God Has Plan.  We accomplished many things for the Lord.  We started. Hands Up Ministry meetings on “B” Shift with Roy Campbell as leader and on “C” Shift with Jackie Hager as leader.  This year our charge has been Standing in 2003 – God Has A Promise.  This year we have gone through some transition by some people moving on to other things and creating new opportunities for others to serve.  We started Hands Up Ministry meetings at the Gateway with Mike West as leader.   The Servant Team added Roy Campbell as a member to fill a vacancy.

Our Prayer Ministry under the leadership of Karen Page and Margie Jasper has been the key ingredient for the success of this ministry.  Their faithfulness to have a prayer time at noon on Wednesday on a rotating basis at the OC and MC has been very powerful.  God has heard the cry of His people and done marvelous things.  As a leader I have seen a gradual falling away from the fire that many had for this ministry and our attendance has been lower than in the past but the meetings have been more powerful than at any time in the past.  I recall once such meeting at the MC.  As we were scheduled to meet in the Multipurpose Room, someone had taken it and we started congregating in the hall and the longer we waited, the more people showed up.  Finally we moved to the East Wing Basement Conference Room and as soon as we entered the room, I remember the Holy Spirit moved in power and the Glory fell.  God has many more of these Glory filled meetings scheduled for Hands Up Ministry.  While the enemy loves to see you find reasons for not attending, the Father would love for you to have the determination to attend and be a part of what God is doing at PM.  As we look toward completing our fourth year of ministry, it is all because of the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the faithful service of those that have heard His voice and answered the call.  What is your gift?  Use if for Jesus at PM through Hands Up Ministry.

Tom Meadows

The Newsletter staff is always looking for roving reporters, writers and publishers.  Anyone interested in serving God through this publication, please contact us. .

A PASSION TO KNOW HIM

Philippians 3: 9 -12 

Dr. Charles Stanley says that you will know Christ in a deeper, more meaningful way if you are willing to:

·          Study Scripture: This is where Christ is revealed, and it is the predominant method by which we hear from God.

·          Spend time alone with Him in prayer and meditation.  You can talk to Him, pouring out your praise, worship, concerns, and requests.  Take time to meditate on His truths and how to apply them to your life also is an opening for God to speak to you.

·          Be willing to trust Him.  Trusting Him for the outcome you must believe that whatever He leads you to do is for your best.

·          Be willing to obey Him.  Not only must you believe Him in His leading, but you must step out in faith and take the action toward which He has led you.

·          Observe how He works in your life and in others’ lives.  Keeping a journal will help you remember how faithful He has been to you and the people for whom you pray.

·          Look for evidence of Christ in every circumstance.  He controls all things and if you patiently and prayerfully wait on His timing, His work will be revealed.

·          Lay aside everything in life that conflicts with your loyalty and devotion to Him.  This includes sin, rebellion, and disobedience.

“A rule I have had for years is:  to treat the Lord Jesus Christ as a personal friend”.  D. L. Moody

Seeking In 2004

God Has A Presence

Leadership Workshop & Dinner

December 6, 2003

Towerlight Faith Center

Powhatan, Virginia

This sit down dinner is being sponsored by the generosity of the Lord to say thanks to the Leaders of the Hands Up Ministry.  We will be sharing where we have been, where we are and most importantly where we need to go in 2004.  There is no formal agenda but we will have testimonies of God’s Hand at work in our midst.  We will have some music, some memories, some worship and the Word of the Lord.  Our special guests whom the Lord will impart vision and inspiration to us will be

Dr. Larry and Pastor Jane Briggs

Pastors, Emmaus Fellowship Church.

Meat Loaf

Meat Balls With Mushroom Sauce

Mash Potatoes With Gravy

String Beans

Broccoli And Cheese

Rolls

Ice Tea or Coffee

If you would like to attend as member of HUM or as a guest of someone else the cost is $15.  Please contact Tom Meadows by December 1^st.

More Than A Mission

By Sandra Witherspoon

There are no words to express my gratitude for the opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic to server as a missionary for Christ.  We left the United States with the goal of building a church in the Aguas Blancas community; however, we soon realized we were building much more…

V      Establishing a foundation upon which to build…

The men from our mission team worked together with brothers and sisters in Christ with whom communication was a challenge but communion came naturally.  As the men began digging into the soil, they realized the foundation beneath the site was primarily coral reef.  As they soon discovered, coral reef is very durable.  Coral reefs are built by corals which are themselves tiny animals that secrete a hard calcium carbonate skeleton that accumulate to form coral reefs.  The parallel between the coral and Christ was overwhelming.  Just as the coral lives, so too does Christ and it is He who provides the firm foundation four our faith.

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal.”  Isaiah 26:4 NIV

V      Building into the lives of others, as well as ourselves…..

By investing our time, energy, and skills into the lives of others each team member began to realize how small our contributions were when compared to God’s investment in us.  As Americans, we have a tendency to take many things for granted……a place to worship, a secure house to which we can retreat at the end of a hard day, etc.  However, when in the presence of others who have much less materially, but who worship and give thanks to God so passionately, one begins to wonder which group has the greatest need.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Matthew 5:6 NIV

I strongly encourage you to volunteer for a   mission trip at least once in your life.  I am convinced you will not return the same.

    I didn’t.

Sandy Witherspoon

MISSIONS AT WORK

INVESTMENT FOR AN ETERNITY

By Tom Meadows

Teresa Jackson Memorial Church

Aguas Blancas at Villa Progresso

La Romana, Dominican Republic

April 5 – 12, 2003

On April 5, 2003, Four ladies and ten men departed Richmond headed for the Dominican Republic to build a concrete church that would replace a worn and beaten metal chapel plus give added space for the growing congregation.  Though these people are poor by any standards they are spiritually rich by God’s standard.  It is such a blessing to view this beautiful finished church that Hands Up Ministry had a part in building to the Glory of God and in memory and honor or our Sister Teresa Jackson.  You see “little is much when God is in it, labor not for wealth or fame, there is crown and you can win it if you go in Jesus’ name.”  It is amazing to me that it all starts with a dream or vision.  I remember in 2000 just as we were starting Hands Up Ministry several different people mentioned they would be going on some type of missions trips and we heard from a few of them at our meetings after they returned.  I remember showing my missions slide presentation one day and I knew then that I would be going back to the DR to build another church.  It was also a blessing for Sandy Witherspoon to be able to visit a child there that she supports through an agency.  For me to see my old friend Juan Jose Teford after 18 years and he and his wife were still serving the Lord at San Pedro de Marcoris #1 a church that I had the privilege of leading a team that built in 1985.  When that church was built the community was undeveloped but to see it now with paved roads and nice homes in the community is great.   The other remarkable thing was that the church looked better than it did in 1986 when I last saw it.  The people have honored the Lord by keeping up the church so excellently.

Tom Meadows, Sr.

Update on "THE LIGHT"

An Outreach Ministry of Hands Up

FROM DARKNESS INTO LIGHT

Ronnie Waddell

Park 500

UP DATE ON “THE LIGHT”

4th Quarter 2003

“We do not want you…to grieve like the rest of men. Who have no hope.”

 1 Thessalonians 4:13

The Lord has wiped the tears from our eyes, healed our broken hearts and was always beside us when we could not see Him during the trials of life here at Park.

Have you noticed that life is filled with quandaries that the Bible never specifically addresses? I believe this is the reason God created small groups like “Hands Up”. We have loving Brothers and Sisters to encourage and support us during those times we face dilemmas in our lives. We demonstrate love for the members by protecting them as Jesus did His disciples:  being with them, praying for their needs, and helping them understand how God’s Word relates to their lives and struggles.

Sharing love can be as simple as giving people a chance to share what’s on their heart. We are reaching out to the hurting people at Park and asking God to show us how to let the person know that we care and that Jesus loves them. 

Let your light so shine among men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Ye are the light of the world.

PATIENCE IN PRAYER

When the idea is not right, God says, "NO".

No - when the idea is not the best.

No - when the idea is absolutely wrong.

No - when though it may help you, it would create problems for someone else.

When the time is not right, God says, "SLOW".

       What a catastrophe it would be if God answered

       every prayer at the snap of your fingers.

Do you know what would happen?

God would become your servant, not your master.

Suddenly God would be working for you instead of you working for God.

When you are not right, God says,” GROW".

The selfish person has to grow in unselfishness.

The cautious person must grow in courage.

The timid person must grow in confidence; The dominating person must grow in sensitivity.

The critical person must grow in tolerance.

The negative person must grow in positive attitudes.

The pleasure-seeking person must grow in compassion for suffering people.

When everything is all right, God says,” GO".

Then miracles happen:

A hopeless alcoholic is set free.

A drug addict finds release.

A doubter becomes a child in his belief.

Diseased tissue responds to treatment, and healing begins.

The door to your dream suddenly swings open and there stands God saying, "GO!"

Remember:

God's delays are not God's denials.

God's timing is perfect.

Patience is what we need in prayer.

◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊

All I Ever Need To Know I Learned From Noah’s Ark

1.       Don’t miss the boat.

2.       Remember that we are all in the same boat.

3.       Plan ahead.  It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.

4.       Stay fit.  When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

5.       Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6.       Build your future on high ground.

7.       We were meant to travel in pairs.  It was planned that way.

8.       Speed isn’t everything.  The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

9.       When you are stressed, float awhile.

10.    Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals.

11.    No matter what the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

Author Unknown

HANDS UP MINISTRY

PRAYER MINISTRY

Pray for the following people:

PMUSA Management

Fellow Co-workers

Hands Up Staff

Family & Friends

America

Our Four Weed & Seed Families

Pray for these needs:

Revival of God ‘s people

An outpouring of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Presence of God

Workers for the harvest

1 Peter 5:7

"Cast all your anxiety on him,

 because he cares for you"

If you need prayer contact Karen Page and Margie Jasper or any member of the Twelve Disciples or the Servant Team

hatyilytilyajly

Has anyone told you

i love you

today

i love you

and

jesus loves you

FIVE GREAT LESSONS:

Some Important Lessons Life Teaches You...
1 ~ Most Important Lesson - Everybody in our lives ... is IMPORTANT!!!

During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the
woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'." "I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

Second Important Lesson ~ Pickup in the Rain ..

One night, at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others." Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole

Third Important Lesson ~ Always remember those who serve you

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied." The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies - You see, he couldn't have the
sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.
 

Five Great Lessons (continued)

Fourth Important Lesson ~ The Obstacle in Our Path

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear. But none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

Fifth Important Lesson ~ Giving When it Counts

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate
for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes, I'll do it if it will save her.." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away?" Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in
order to save her. You see understanding and attitude, after all, is everything.

You have 2 choices now

1.        Do Nothing

2.        Get Motivated

I hope that you will choose No. 2 and remember to:

Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt, and
Dance like you do when nobody's watching.

Weed & Seed

2004

Hands Up Ministry with the help of the Lord and God’s people will sponsor four families at Christmas.  We do this not to the glory of man or company but the Glory of the Lord and in an act of thankfulness to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords for his goodness and his wonderful works to the children of men.

1 John 3:17 - But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Weed & Seed of Richmond, Inc. is one of the original Weed & Seed programs funded by the US Department of Justice in 1992.  W&S of Richmond Inc. is a non-for-profit service provider, officially recognized and accredited by the Department of Justice.  The focus is to offer quality prevention and intervention programs for families provide technical assistance and serve as a support resource that facilitates collaborations in the Blackwell, Gilpin and Whitcomb communities.

The purpose is to create healthier and safer communities through collaborative efforts with residents and service providers within the community through a comprehensive strategy of:

Weed -  1.    Law enforcement to decrease violent crimes and drug activity.

            2.   Community policing approaches, which engage citizens in crime preventions.

Seed -   3.     Adult and youth oriented prevention and intervention programs

3.                   4.    Economic revitalization and neighborhood restoration.

Hands Up’s part in this endeavor is to support the involvement of our employer in this worthy cause.

Our commitment in 2001 is to support the needs of two families at Christmas.  Our purpose is to answer the high calling of our Lord to serve others.  Check our website www.hands-up-ministry.org for our Christmas page to keep up with what we are doing and how you can help.

Galatians 6:9/10 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Matthew 25:45 - Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Weed & Seed Of Richmond

901 East Cary Street

Richmond, Virginia 23219-4030

Nancy Brooks, Director

Nancynjbrooks@aol.com

Battlefield of the Mind

.....we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
-2 Corinthians 10:5

According to 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the mind is the battlefield. We are in a war, but it is a spiritual war that must be fought spiritually with spiritual weapons.

Using our spiritual weapons, we refute the enemy's lies, arguments, theories, reasonings, and every other thing that tries to exalt itself against the truth of God's Word.

We must take our thoughts captive and not indulge in the fleshly luxury of receiving and meditating on every thought that falls into our heads. We must exercise ourselves to "think about what we are thinking about." This takes some discipline and practice.

The primary weapon with which we do battle is the Word of God used in various ways preached, taught, sung, confessed, meditated upon, written, and read. The Word of God has a cleansing effect on our minds and lives any way we use it.

I once had a negative, wandering, wondering mind. Now, after years of applying the Word of God and a lot of help from the Holy Spirit, I can say with confidence, "I have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16.)

You can win the battle in your mind every stronghold can be torn down and every deception uncovered. Don't settle for anything less than complete freedom!

Say This:
"Thank You, Lord, for Your Word that renews my mind and sets me free. I have the mind of Christ! In Jesus' name, amen."

Negative situations are not permanent, so why should we allow our minds to be permanently ruled by them?

Proverbs 23:7 - For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

1 Corinthians 10:12 - Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

"WHAT DO ANGELS LOOK LIKE?"

Like the little old lady who returned
~ your wallet yesterday.
Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes
~ light up the world, when you smile.
Like the small child who showed you
~ the wonder in simple things.
Like the poor man who offered to
~ share his lunch with you.
Like the rich man who showed you that it
~ really is all possible, if only you believe.
Like the stranger who just happened to come along,
~ when you had lost your way.
Like the friend who touched your heart,
~ when you didn't think you had one to touch.
Angels come in all sizes and shapes,
~ all ages and skin types.
Some with freckles, some with dimples,
~ some with wrinkles, some without.
They come disguised as friends, enemies,
~ teachers, students, lovers and fools.
They don't take life too seriously,
~ they travel light.
They leave no forwarding address,
~ they ask nothing in return.
They wear sneakers with gossamer wings,
~ they get a deal on dry cleaning.
They are hard to find when your eyes are closed, But
~ they are everywhere you look, when you choose to see.

OUR HANDS UP FAMILY

God made us a family.  We need each other.  We love one another and forgive one another.  We work together and play together.  We worship together and use God’s Word together.  Together we grow in Christ and learn to love all men.  Together we serve our God and seek to know His will.  These are our hopes and ideals.  Lord, we ask for grace to

attain them. 

Amen

WE CAN CARRY NOTHING OUT

By Lou Dalton

It was an old-time country funeral.  Quiet and simple.  The quiet broken by the singing and no one sang on key.  Just voices all singing to a different beat.  There were old faces and new faces; there were noises of the restless children; there were sobs from those whose reality had just sunk in; and there were even a few laughs from those trying too hard not to cry.  The chapel was full and yet there were only a hand full I could have named, but the common thread lay in the coffin.  Appearing to be still, lifeless, even dead.  He was the thread that wove us all together.  His 97 years had been good years yet many would have said he died a dirt poor country farmer with no wealth or riches to leave his children.  His life, however, had touched each of us in a way that we in our own way would never forget.  Dead as he might have been he was still alive.

They told me of his last hours.  How I wish I had been there.  How his daughters, sons, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters took turns lying beside him, holding his hands, and singing gospel songs.  How he lifted his hands in motion as if directing a 100 member choir and how he moaned for them to begin again whenever they stopped.  They said ever so often he would gaze upward, lift his arms and hands as high as his feeble shaking hands would go and get a look on his face as if he had seen the Almighty God Himself. 

WE CAN CARRY NOTHING OUT (continued)

They were sure he was leaving them at that moment, but suddenly he would swing his arms and beckon them to sing, sing, sing.  (They weren’t sure at all if it was them he was directing or an angelic host.)  One life was ushered into those streets of gold to live forever with a new body, new voice, new choir and His Saviour.

As we sat at the Chapel that day each of us knowing we had been “touched by an angel”, our Papa, I believe each of us probably left there wanting to be a little like him.  Whatever he had that made sons, daughters, granddaughters and great-granddaughters sing him into those pearly gates I wanted.  The Bible Says “we brought nothing into this world and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” (1 Tim. 6:7)  Obviously, there’s a whole lot we can leave behind . . . lives changed by our lives . . . woven together by our love.  Sitting at that simple, country funeral of one man who chose the love of God, I vowed to reflect often on what thread I’m weaving.  Who will sing me into those gates?  Will my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren “rise up and call me blessed”.  I came into this world with nothing and I’ll be taking nothing out . . . but by the grace of God I can leave something.

Submitted by Lou Dalton in honor of her uncle, Gilmer Crews, who passed away in November 2002.  His granddaughter, Linda Matthews relayed this story.