PRAISE

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

Power, Redemption, Affirmation, Inspiration, Sanctification, Exaltation

      Volume 9 Issue 3                                                                                                December 2008

PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.

THE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

The Servant Team – Leaders:

Ruth Johnson, Deidre Schilling, Delois Maddox, Karen Page,  Sandy Witherspoon, Paul Thompson, and Jackie Hager

Emeritus Leaders

Tom Meadows, Roy Campbell, Ralph Brown and Richard Hatcher

The Twelve Disciples – Prayer Team

George Foreman, Ivan Pope, Janet Taylor, Juanita Langley, Margie Jasper, Denise Warren, Karen Page, Tom Meadows, Pam Barden,  Deedre Dickerson and Tee Williams

Love Fund Coordinator:

Karen Page

Newsletter Staff:

Tom Meadows

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

PRAISE JESUS

The Newsletter staff is always looking for roving reporters, writers and publishers.  Anyone interested in serving God through this publication, please contact a member of the Servant Team.

FROM THE SERVANT TEAM:

PRAISE the Lord!!

Pastor Jeremiah

Sowing In 2009 – God Has A Provision

“CHRISTIAN”

“Christian”, is it a label or a lifestyle?”  Webster describes “Christian” as an adjective to mean decent and respectable while as a noun it means a person who believes in Jesus Christ and adheres to Christianity. 

I have come to the conclusion that many people have not only deceived some people but they are deceiving themselves by listening to the word of men and worshiping in a social setting instead of feasting on the true WORD of God and worshiping in the spiritual realms of heaven.  Many choose to be an adjective which only describes something but can be nothing but window dressing when they could choose to be a noun which is a doer.

James 1:22 - But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

You see we can claim to be “Christian” which would give some description of who we are suppose to be.  But being a real “Christian” is a living description of who Jesus is.  The Bible says, “Christ in you the hope of glory.”  If you take CHRIST out of “Christian” all that is left is IAN.  IAN is acronymic for I AM NOTHING just as God’s WORD says.

John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Powerless

There are many actors in my church but not many servants.

There are many leaders in my church but not many followers.

There are many takers in my church but not many givers.

There is a lot of noise in my church but not much power.

I am not present.  Without me you can do nothing.

HATYILYTILYAJLY

Has anyone told you 

I love you

Today?

I love you

And

Jesus loves you!

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

Prayer Ministry

The one thing that holds this ministry and our work together is our prayer ministry headed up by Karen Page and the prayer team known as the Twelve Disciples.  Did you know that our prayer register has over 300 requests to date?  Each of the names is called out to the Lord everyday not just on Wednesday.  It is a humbling thing to call out 300 names to the Lord knowing that you need as much prayer as any of these names.  Many people will be touched by the Lord through Hands Up Ministry who otherwise might never attend church.

Hands Up Meetings

Tuesdays: United Christians of Alleghany Warehouse Company:  12:20 PM – 12:50 PM   

Wednesdays: “The Light” at Park 500:  12 PM – 1 PM

West Mart One  12 PM-1 PM

Thursdays (Noon – 1:00 PM): Alternates between Operations Center, and Manufacturing Center

Manufacturing Center – January 8, January 22, January 29, February 12, February 26, March 12, March 26

Operations Center – January 15, February 19, March 19

Headquarters HUM

We are still praying for these sites to get started but we realize until someone hears God’s call, it will not happen.

Hands Up Ministry

Christmas at Gilpin Court

By

Pastor Jeremiah

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 ninth year of ministry we should adopt nine families through working with Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority.  In total with these nine families we will have provided a Christmas celebration for twenty-eight families through Weed & Seed plus an additional six families through Chesterfield Christmas Mother and three at large families and 20 families through RR&HA.   To date 48 families have been blessed by God through Hands Up Ministry.

What will you give Jesus for His birthday in 2008?

  This is no small undertaking to sponsor nine 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.

Message from HUM Christmas Mother

Seasons Greetings Fellow HUM Members,

Holiday season is approaching and it's time to begin preparing for Hands Up Ministry's 2008 Christmas Mother Program in Gilpin Court.  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 ninth year of ministry we plan to adopt nine families through working with Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority.  In total with these nine families we will have provided a Christmas celebration for twenty-eight families through Weed & Seed plus an additional six families through Chesterfield Christmas Mother and three at large families and 20 families through RR&HA.   To date 48 families have been blessed by God through Hands Up Ministry.

In addition to the nine families we are planning to sponsor in Gilpin Court, two additional families have heard of our program and requested assistance this year, if possible.  As you know, each year we plan to support one family for each year HUM has existed, but I've discovered that as we plan, God laughs.  His plans are so much higher than ours and He desires to expand our territory.  I hope you will join me in providing for the needs of these two families as well. 

Sponsoring eleven families is no small undertaking but we believe God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory!!  Each Christmas, those members of HUM that go out to distribute gifts see what our donations and sacrifices are doing for others.  We take time to pray God's blessing upon each family and their home and expect God to add the increase to the lives of the people that are touched by our 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.

The RR&HA is compiling the wish lists of each family and will return the list to me by 5:00 PM on Friday, November 14th.  One of the additional families' wish list is attached and the other will be provided soon; however, it is not too early to get involved. 

Specifically, I am searching for eleven HUM members to serve as Coordinators by sponsoring a family and coordinating the gift collection for that family.  Please respond to this message if you are interested in serving in that capacity.

There are other ways you can serve as well . . .

·          Prayer Warrior - Pray for a successful collection & safe delivery.

·          Monetary Contributor - Please contact me if you wish to make a financial contribution to coordinate delivery/pick-up of your donation.

·          Shopper - Once the wish lists have been provided, please let me know if there are items you are planning to purchase so that I and the other HUM Coordinators can track the items that have been procured and those still needed.

·          Wrapper - Please contact me if you are interested in wrapping gifts.  The date, time and location are to be determined.

·          Distributor - Please let me know if you are interested in distributing gifts in Gilpin Court.  In the past, the National Guard and City Police accompanied us as we distributed gifts.  Last year, gifts were distributed in the community center in Gilpin Court.  This year, we are hoping to once again deliver gifts directly to the recipients' homes.  Please be in prayer about this.

You may contact me or Sandy Witherspoon with your commitment. 

We hope to have some pictures for our first issue of PRAISE in 2009.

What will you give Jesus for His birthday in

 2008?

 MISSIONS AT WORK

INVESTMENT FOR AN ETERNITY

By

Tom Meadows

I want you to know that six of the fifteen HUM members responded to the call of God to give the $500.  I still believe there are nine that heard and did not obey but that is between them and God.  Because the nine have not responded does not change what the Lord has spoken to me in the Spirit.

A new year is upon us and as we look back we should be able to see where we planted and where we reaped.  Will you sow in the new year of 2009?  “Sowing in 2009 – God Has A Provision”.  The longer I live the more amazed I am at the love and mercy of our Lord.  We fail Him so much in omission more so than in commission.  The toughest crowd to preach to is the body of Christ (church).

The next church will be our third church that we have been blessed to build on the mission field.  Is God great?   How great is your God.  Pray for our churches there:

Villa Progresso Church

El Curro Church

Be missions minded not absent minded.

………

Christians

by Maya Angelou

'A woman's heart should be so hidden in Christ

that a man should have to seek Him first to find her.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not shouting 'I'm clean living’’ I’m whispering 'I was lost, now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are far too visible but, God believes I am worth it.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain.. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say... 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Pretty is as Pretty does... but beautiful is just plain beautiful!

The Power Of Your Vote

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
 
''Welcome to heaven,'' says St. Peter. ''Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you.''  ''No problem, just let me in,'' says the man. ''Well, I'd like to, but I   have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.''  'Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,' says the senator.

''I'm sorry, but we have our rules.'' And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.
 
Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good t i me that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...The elevator goes up , up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

'Now it's time to visit heaven.'' So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

''Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.'' The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: ‘‘Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.'' So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.
 
Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. ''I don't understand,' stammers the senator. 'Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?'
 
The devil looks at him, smiles and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning. ..”
 
Today you voted.

CHOICE

FREE WILL

GOD DOES NOT VOTE

FIVE FINGER PRAYER

1. Your thumb is nearest you.  So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you.  They are the easiest to remember.  To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a 'sweet duty.'

2. The next finger is the pointing finger.  Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. 

This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers.  They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.  Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger.  It reminds us of our leaders.  Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators.  These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.  They need God's guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger.  Surprising to many is the fact that this

is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify.  It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. 

They need your prayers day and night.  You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. 

Hands!

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.

A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.

It depends whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.

A baseball in Roger Clemens' hands is worth $475 million.

It depends on whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.

A tennis racket in Andre Agassi's hands is worth millions.

It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away an angry dog.

A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.

It depends whose hands it's in.

A slingshot in my hands is a kid's toy.

A slingshot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.

It depends whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in Jesus' hands will feed thousands.

It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse.

Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will

Produce salvation for the entire world.

It depends whose hands it's in.

As you see now, it depends whose hands it's in.

So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because...

It depends whose hands it's in.

This message is now in YOUR hands.

What will YOU do with it?

 It Depends on WHOSE Hands it's in!

How To Dance In The Rain

It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound.

On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.

While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife.

I inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.

I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?' He smiled as he patted my hand and said, 'She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is.'

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.' True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

The happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm,
but how to dance in the rain.'

Sand and Stone

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING

THROUGH THE DESERT

DURING SOME POINT OF THE

JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN

ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND

SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE

IN THE FACE

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED

WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT

SAYING ANYTHING,

WROTE IN THE SAND

'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND

SLAPPED ME IN TH E FACE'

THEY KEPT ON WALKING,

UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,

WHERE THEY DECIDED

TO TAKE A BATH

THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN

SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE

MIRE! AND STARTED DROWNING,

BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM

THE NE AR DROWNING,

HE WROTE ON A STONE:

'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND

SAVED MY LIFE'

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED

AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND

ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU,

YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,

YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'

THE FRIEND REPLIED

'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US

WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN

IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF

FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.

BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES

SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,

WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE

WHERE NO WIND

CAN EVER ERASE IT'

LEARN TO WRITE

YOUR HURTS IN

THE SAND AND TO

CARVE YOUR

BENEFITS IN STONE.