PRAISE

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

Power, Redemption, Affirmation, Inspiration, Sanctification, Exaltation

Volume 4 Issue 3                                                                              December 2003

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, Deedre Dickerson and Tee Williams,

Love Fund Coordinator:

Mary Tinnell

Newsletter Staff:

Sandra Witherspoon

 

 

Inside This Issue

1

WHO IS HANDS UP

FROM THE SERVANT TEAM

2

RICHARD HATCHER (FATHER)

SOLDIER OF THE CROSS

3

SEEKING IN 2004-GOD HAS A PRESENCE

VISION FOR 2004

4

CALENDAR OF MEETINGS

WEED & SEED

5

HANDS UP PRAYER MINISTRY

CHRISTMAS PARTY INVITATION

6

A CHRISTMAS STORY

7

A CHRISTMAS STORY (continued)

8

GOD WON’T ASK

A CHILLING STORY

 

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

 

 

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

FROM THE SERVANT TEAM:

PRAISE the Lord!!

Seeking In 2004 – God Has A Presence

In 2004 our call to service is “Seeking In 2004 – God Has A Presence.  As we approach the coming of another year there will be new challenges and better yet more opportunities to show the world that God has a presence at Philip Morris.  We will be starting the new year with one of our founding leaders leaving the company to retirement.  Brother Richard Hatcher has elected to retire effective December 31, 2003.  Brother Hatcher was one of the original nine founding members of Hands Up on January 13, 2000. Richard will continue to serve Hands Up Ministry as our Coordinator of Offsite activities.  In appreciation for his service and commitment to serve our Lord, this issue of PRAISE is dedicated to Richard Hatcher.  I was scheduled to speak about Richard at his retirement but business took me out of town, so I will share what the Lord spoke into my heart about Richard.  If you look up the word “character” in the dictionary you might see the following picture.

 

 

CHARACTER

Christian – man of God.

Humble – others come first.

Available – ready to serve.

Respected – loved by all.

Anchor – sold out to Jesus.

Compassionate – a giver.

Thankful – praise is on his lips.

Edifier – lifter of the brethren.

Radiant – shines with the glow of God.

 

Brother Richard Hatcher retiring after 30 years of service to Philip Morris. This is not farewell but a fare well wish as you retire to serve the Lord in a larger capacity as servant.  Thanks for all your contributions to your fellowman and to the KING.

 

Tom Meadows

*********************************

 

RICHARD HATCHER

by

Dannetta White

Let me take a moment to talk about the man I call Dad and you call Richard. First and foremost, I thank God for him and I’m so very glad that God blessed me to be one of his daughters.  I would say the following things about him even if he wasn’t my father.  He’s kind and thoughtful, forgiving and sweet.  He’s someone you would want to come across everyday of the week.  He’s made it this far because he put God first in his life.  You shouldn’t be surprised to know that he’s on his bending knee thanking his Lord & Savior every night.  I’m sure his friends will miss from seeing his smiling face, but ya gotta know that Daddy Hatcher doesn’t keep still, you’re liable to see him in this place or that place.  I’m soooooooooo happy and proud of you Dad for 2003 was your year, now come on home to your family who just thinks you’re so dear!  Thank you Jesus for blessing my dad.  He’s a good father, friend, co-worker, neighbor and spouse that everyone wish they had!

 

I love you,

First Baby!

Dannetta

 

Richard Hatcher

Soldier of the Cross

Richard who is a soldier of the cross was also a soldier of the United States of America during the Vietnam era.

Specialist 5th Class Richard Hatcher

Seeking In 2004

God Has A Presence

Leadership Workshop & Dinner

December 6, 2003

Towerlight Faith Center

Powhatan, Virginia

 

Several leaders of Hands Up Ministry serving on the Servant Team, The Twelve Disciples Prayer Team and the Editorial Staff attended a workshop dinner on December 6, 2003 at the Towerlight Faith Center in Powhatan, Virginia.

We discussed where Hands Up Ministry has come from, where we are today and what is the vision for the future with special focus on 2004.  We reflected through testimonies, praise, worship and prayer.  We scheduled special guests Dr. Larry and Pastor Jane Briggs to minister to the leadership in what thus saith the Lord for our direction, praying that He would speak to our individual hearts and our corporate spirits.

The Lord came in a powerful way not only to bless Hands Up Ministry but also to bless the host church, Towerlight Faith Center and its pastor the Reverend Shirley Eggleston.  The Lord used Brother Larry to speak a holy inspiring word to Hands Up Ministry and also the Lord spoke through Sister Jane to each HUM members present.

 

Seeking in 2004-God Has A Presence (continued)

Dr. Briggs spoke from Exodus 17 where the first Hands Up meeting was held.  The Lord showed Brother Briggs how Moses became so tired that he could not hold up his hands and when this happened the Israelites would start losing the battle.  Moses had been so busy burning himself out with the murmurings of the people that his strength was gone.  Aaron and Hur had to hold up his hands.  Larry addressed prayer as our strength and spoke to the HUM members to hold up the hands of the ministry leaders so we would not start losing the battle.  He gave us three points to success in 2004.

1.      Communication:  Relationship with the Father is where God talks to man.   Religion is where man talk to God.

2.      Compliant spirit:  Obedience.  Moses did as instructed and so did Joshua, Aaron and Hur.

3.      Commitment:  Being a servant and praying.

Larry also shared that while in prayer for our meeting, the Lord had told him that para-church ministries like Hands Up would be used by God to get to the people.  God was coming out of the Church and that ministry would occur outside of the luxurious buildings.  God was not leaving the Church just getting out into the workplace to meet people's needs.

Our special thanks and blessing to Reverend Shirley, Junius and Brandon for preparing our dinner and providing such a wonderful place for worship.  Thanks to Junie and Brandon for ministering to us in song as prompted by the Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

Can I Count On You?

 

Hand’s Up Meetings

 

Tuesdays:

V      United Christians of Alleghany Warehouse Company: 12:15 PM – 1 PM

V      “The Light” at Park 500 12 PM –  1 PM

 

Wednesdays:

V      M/C “C” Shift:  2 AM – 3 AM

V      M/C “B” Shift:  7 PM – 8 PM

 

Thursdays (Noon – 1:00 PM):

V      Alternates between Operations Center and Manufacturing Center

October 23 – Operations Center

October 30 – Manufacturing Center

V     Gateway Centre

 

 

Coming Soon

Hand’s Up West Broad at the corporate office.  For this to happen God has to raise up a leader.  Pray, then pray some more.  The nucleus of the group is moving there by the Hand of God.

 

 

 

If you feel called to lead the Hands Up Ministry at the Corporate Office contact Tom Meadows.

 

Our regular weekly meetings resume the week of January 5, 2004.

 

Hands Up Ministry

Christmas Outreach

through

Weed & Seed of Richmond

Christmas Mother 2003

Margie Jasper

Since 2000, the first year of ministry, HUM has adopted at least one family to provide for their Christmas needs.  Each year that commitment has grown one additional family with the ministry.  As we are completing our fourth year of ministry we are adopting four families through the Weed & Seed Program of Richmond.  In total with these four families we will have provided a Christmas celebration for ten families.  This is no small undertaking to sponsor four families and some may be questioning that vision but I believe that God will supply our every need to do this because it is about serving others.  Jesus came not to be served but to serve and are we any less committed to the will of our Lord.  We are not doing this to bring attention to ourselves or to our company but to bring honor and glory to our Heavenly Father.  Each Christmas those members of HUM that go out on the distribution day get to see what their donations and sacrifices are doing for others.  We take time to pray God's blessing upon the family and their home and expect God to add the increase to the lives of the people that are touched by your acts of obedience and kindness.  God's word says obedience is better than sacrifice, so please pray and obey the Holy Spirit as to what your part will be in this effort.

*************************************

Update

We were able to raise over $1800 and supply the needs of these three families plus provide a financial donation to one of our own Hands Up Ministry members who has been unable to work recently due to illness.  We praise God for His faithfulness to provide all these needs for our four families in 2003.

*************************************

Check out the Weed & Seed page on our web site.

HANDS UP MINISTRY

PRAYER MINISTRY

Pray for the following people:

 

PMUSA Management

PM Employees

Hands Up Staff

Family & Friends

America

 

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

YOUR INVITATION TO A CHRISTMAS PARTY

You are cordially invited to

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25
but He's always around, so the date is flexible....

Time: Whenever you're ready.
(Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there. (You'll hear Him knock.)

Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay. He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone...  (He says you wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway...it cost Him everything He had. But
you do need to accept the ticket!!

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a
far-out drink He calls "Living Water,"

followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: ; Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything else. (He's very generous in return though.  Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth,
Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness,
Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more!  (All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)

A Christmas Story

 

Pa never had much compassion for the lazy or those who squandered their means and then never had enough for the necessities. But for those who were genuinely in need, his heart was as big as all outdoors. It was from him that I learned the greatest joy in life comes from giving, not from

receiving.

 

It was Christmas Eve 1881. I was fifteen years old and feeling like the world had caved in on me because there just hadn't been enough money to buy me the rifle that I'd wanted so bad that year for Christmas.

 

We did the chores early that night for some reason. I just figured Pa wanted a little extra time so we could read in the Bible. So after supper was over I took my boots off and stretched out in front of the fireplace and waited

for Pa to get down the old Bible. I was still feeling sorry for myself and, to be honest, I wasn't in much of a mood to read scriptures. But Pa didn't get the Bible; instead he bundled up and went outside. I couldn't figure it out because we had already done all the chores. I didn't worry about it

long though; I was too busy wallowing in self-pity. Soon Pa came back in. It was a cold clear night out and there was ice in his beard. "Come on, Matt," he said. "Bundle up good, it's cold out tonight."

 

I was really upset then. Not only wasn't I getting the rifle for Christmas, now Pa was dragging me out in the cold, and for no earthly reason that I could see. We'd already done all the chores, and I couldn't think of anything else that needed doing, especially not on a night like this. But I knew Pa was not very patient at one dragging one's feet when he'd told them to do something, so I got up and put my boots back on and got my cap, coat, and mittens. Ma gave me a mysterious smile as I opened the door to leave the house. Something was up, but I didn't know what.  Outside, I became even more dismayed.

A Christmas Story (continued) Page 2

 

There in front of the house was the work team, already hitched to the big sled. Whatever it was we were going to do wasn't going to be a short, quick little job. I could tell. We never hitched up the big sled unless we were going to haul a big load. Pa was

already up on the seat, reins in hand. I reluctantly climbed up beside him. The cold was already biting at me. I wasn't happy. When I was on, Pa pulled the sled around the house and stopped in front of the woodshed. He got off and I followed. "I think we'll put on the high sideboards," he said.  "Here, help me." The high sideboards! It had been a bigger job than I wanted to do with just the low sideboards on, but whatever it was we were going to do would be a lot bigger with the high sideboards on. When we had exchanged

the sideboards, Pa went into the woodshed and came out with an armload of wood---the wood I'd spent all summer hauling down from the mountain, and then all fall sawing into blocks and splitting. What was he doing? Finally

I said something. "Pa," I asked, "what are you doing?"

 

"You been by the Widow Jensen's lately?" he asked. The Widow Jensen lived about two miles down the road. Her husband had died a year or so before and left her with three children, the oldest being eight. Sure, I'd been by, but so what? "Yeah," I said, "why?" "I rode by just today," Pa said. "Little Jakey was out digging around in the woodpile trying to find a few chips. They're out of wood, Matt." That was all he said and then he turned and went back into the woodshed for another armload of wood. I followed him. We loaded the sled so high that I began to wonder if the horses would be able to pull it. Finally, Pa called a halt to our loading, then we went to the smoke house and Pa took down a big ham and a side of bacon. He handed them to me and told me to put them in the sled and wait. When he returned he was carrying a sack of flour over his right shoulder and a smaller sack of something in his left hand.

 

A Christmas Story (continued) Page 3

 

"What's in the little sack?" I asked. "Shoes. They're out of shoes. Little Jakey just had gunny sacks wrapped around his feet when he was out in the woodpile this morning. I got the children a little candy too. It just wouldn't be Christmas without a little candy."

 

We rode the two miles to Widow Jensen's pretty much in silence. I tried to think through what Pa was doing. We didn't have much by worldly standards. Of course, we did have a big woodpile, though most of what was left now was

still in the form of logs that I would have to saw into blocks and split before we could use it. We also had meat and flour, so we could spare that, but I knew we didn't have any money, so why was Pa buying them shoes and candy?

 

Really, why was he doing any of this? Widow Jensen had closer neighbors than us. It shouldn't have been our concern. We came in from the blind side of the Jensen house and unloaded the wood as quietly as possible, then we took the meat and flour and shoes to the door. We knocked. The door opened a crack and a timid voice said, "Who is it?" "Lucas Miles, Ma'am, and my son, Matt. Could we come in for a bit?" Widow Jensen opened the door and let us in. She had a blanket wrapped around her

shoulders. The children were wrapped in another and were sitting in front of the fireplace by a very small fire that hardly gave off any heat at all. Widow Jensen fumbled with a match and finally lit the lamp. "We brought you a few things, Ma'am," Pa said and set down the sack of flour. I put the meat on the table. Then Pa handed her the sack that had the shoes in it. She opened it hesitantly and took the shoes out one pair at a time. There was a pair for her and one for each of the children---sturdy shoes, the best, shoes that would last.

 

I watched her carefully. She bit her lower lip to keep it from trembling and then tears filled her eyes and started running down her cheeks. She looked up at Pa like she wanted to say something, but it wouldn't come out. "We brought a load of wood too, Ma'am," Pa said, then he turned to me and said, "Matt, go bring enough in to last for awhile. Let's get that fire up to size and heat this place up." I wasn't the same person when I went back out to bring in the wood. I had a big lump in my throat and, much as I hate to admit it, there were tears in my eyes too. In my mind I kept seeing those three kids huddled around the fireplace and their mother standing

there with tears running down her cheeks and so much gratitude in her heart that she couldn't speak. My heart swelled within me and a joy filled my soul that I'd never known before. I had given at Christmas many times before, but never when it had made so much difference. I could see we were literally saving the lives of these people.

 

I soon had the fire blazing and everyone's spirits soared. The kids started giggling when Pa handed them each a piece of candy and Widow Jensen looked on with a smile that probably hadn't crossed her face for a long time. She finally turned to us. "God bless you," she said. "I know the Lord himself has sent you. The children and I have been praying that he would send one of his children to spare us."

A Christmas Story (continued) Page 4

 

In spite of myself, the lump returned to my throat and the tears welled up in my eyes again. I'd never thought of Pa in those exact terms before, but after Widow Jensen mentioned it I could see that it was probably true. I was sure that a better man than Pa had never walked the earth, save One.

 

I started remembering all the times he had gone out of his way for Ma and me, and many others. The list seemed endless as I thought on it. Pa insisted that everyone try on the shoes before we left. I was amazed when they all fit and I wondered how he had known what sizes to get. Then I guessed that if he was on an errand for the Lord that the Lord would make sure he got the right sizes.

 

Tears were running down Widow Jensen's face again when we stood up to leave. Pa took each of the kids in his big arms and gave them a hug. They clung to him and didn't want us to go. I could see that they missed their pa, and I was glad that I still had mine.  At the door Pa turned to Widow Jensen and said, "The Mrs. wanted me to invite you and the children over for Christmas dinner tomorrow. The turkey will be more than the three of us can eat, and a man can get cantankerous if he has to eat turkey for too many meals. We'll be by to get you about eleven. It'll be nice to have some little ones around again. Matt here, hasn't been little for quite a spell." I was the youngest. My two older brothers and two older sisters were all married and had moved away.  Widow Jensen nodded and said, "Thank you, Brother Miles. I don't have to say, "'May the Lord bless you,' I know for certain that He will."

 

Out on the sled I felt a warmth that came from deep within and I didn't even notice the cold. When we had gone a ways, Pa turned to me and said, "Matt, I want you to know something. Your ma and me have been tucking a little money away here and there all year so we could buy that rifle for you, but we didn't have quite enough. Then yesterday a man who owed me a little money from years back came by to make things square. Your ma and me were real excited, thinking that now we could get you that rifle, and I started into town this morning to do just that. But on the way I saw little Jakey out scratching in the woodpile with his feet wrapped in those gunnysacks and I knew what I had to do. So, Son, I spent the money for shoes and a little candy for those children. I hope you understand."

 

I understood, and my eyes became wet with tears again. I understood very well, and I was so glad Pa had done it. Just then the rifle seemed very low on my list of priorities. Pa had given me a lot more. He had given me the look on Widow Jensen's face and the radiant smiles of her three children.

 

For the rest of my life, whenever I saw any of the Jensens, or split a block of wood, I remembered, and remembering brought back that same joy I felt riding home beside Pa that night. Pa had given me much more than a rifle that night; he had given me the best Christmas of my life.

 

                                   God Won't Ask

God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have
transportation.

God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how many people you welcomed into
your home.

God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

God won't ask what your highest salary was, but He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

God won't ask what your job title was, but He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of our ability.

God won't ask how many friends you had, but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

God won't ask about the color of your skin, but He'll ask about the content of your character.

God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, but He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in
heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

 

 

 

BREAD CRUMBS:

 

“If I should neglect prayer but a single day, I should lose a great deal of the fire of faith.” –Martin Luther

 

“Praise is the language of a heart set free.”

 

 

 

Chilling Story!!

(God is in control)

 

A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on September 11th, 2003.  His Name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:

 

A few weeks before Sept 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen' we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home. I received a call from my father who was retired FDNY. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but explained that we missed the flight. My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help.  "This is not something I can just sit by for, I have to do something."  I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up.  Before he got off of the phone, he said, take good care of my grandchild."  Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort.

 

My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered quickly became anger . . . anger at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly 2 years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say goodbye. Then something happened. About 2 months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.' He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, "there is something else you need to know." His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ.

 

I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves."  When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life so mother and baby could live.

 

This story should help us to realize two things:  First, that though it has been two years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.  And second, but most important, God is always in control.  We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control.

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