Up to Kansas City and Back

Yesterday was Kelly's big 30 weekend, and her friend had a surprise party for her. Actually Sunday is her birthday. This was at a Cajun Louisiana Jazz restaurant. There was 9 of us. We gave her a new life application Bible with her name on it. It was a nice trip up and back, little tiring on the way back home, but we were back home and in bed before 11.

Randy, Megan and Breana are here this weekend. He fixed some chicken on the grill, actually he was going to, but Barb did it, and it was delicious, with pasta salad, and lots of fresh fruit in the house. Pineapple, watermellon, strawberries, banannas, plums and probably more.

I have napped awhile, studied a while, napped some more--polished sermon some more. Preaching on prayer out of Revelations 8.

Still reading on Heaven by Randy Alcorn---very thought provoking, life changing, I recommend it, in fact we bought a second copy.

Talked to Patrick today, and Zach, is much much better. Praise the Lord.

Getting ready for VBS

Still 2 months out or almost 8 weeks. I believe Vacation Bible School to be the greatest evangelistic tool of the modern day church. Vacation Bible School, as is any ministry done right, is WORK. Work to get ready, work in the midst of, and the follow up is work. It is not a vacation, but the benefits of the Kingdom of God, to use a week of vacation for the Kingdom.
Our director of VBS, is Andrea Makoski, and she is a organizer, pusher, shover. Thank you, Lord, for Andrea.
Barb and I picked up some of the VBS material yesterday, for distribution to the workers.

Pray, and pray, and pray

Rain

The Lord has blessed us with much rain this season. Water, water every where. Last year the lakes was low, farmers were drilling deeper and new wells. Ground water we are told, has come up significantly, lakes remain at flood stage, rivers are still out of their banks or brim full. There are seasons of growing faster than others. The grass is growing so fast, I think, we could actually mow it 3 times a week right now.
I'm digesting 2 books right now, but not that fast--one is by Ravi Zacharis, and the other by Randy Allcorn, called "Heaven". With Ravi's, I have to keep a dictionary close by, and with Allcorn's need to keep the Bible close by, and that is OK.

Several Prayer request today:

Our grandson, Zach, with a severe reaction to an antibiotic, that had penicilin in it.
A Nephew, Sean, with (Aplastic anemia)
A church member friend, Beth, thrown from a horse yesterday afternoon. Praise the Lord, for no broken bones, and no internal bleeding.
Also, Christine, who fell, and is now wearing a arm support.

"Let us lift our eyes, unto the hills, from whence cometh our Help"

Last Minute details

Sermon polishing, getting ready for Memorial day, and we do the Lord's Supper, for "In Remembrance of Him". But I'm preaching on prayer of the church, and "What Can I Give Jesus"
I don't usually preach and do the Lord's Supper, but this Sunday--will.

When we think, of what Jesus gave, that we might have LIFE, what veterans have given that we might have freedom, but with out the Lord, there is no freedom or life until we fully trust Him.

My nephew is in M D Anderson, Houston, Texas. Praying for him, his wife, my brother, Kent and his wife Jean--during this crisis.

Tomorrow is reunion with my mother's family.

My heart aches for the Steven Curtis Chapman family

Oh, the tragic news this morning of the death of Steven's daughter, and the emotions for her brother who was driving the vehicle. May we keep them all in our prayers.

David Cook, winner of American Idol, a Missourian. Not my choice, but he really was the most diverse talented young man. I believe both of the David will do well though.

Pray for me today, in some upcoming major decisions.

I voted, my first time, on American Idol

Wow, I got through, will my man win. Tonight, will tell, right. David A. has been my choice from the begininning of my watching. Last night, I thought there was no choice. David C. OK, but it really was David A. the whole night.

What is really vital? Our Father's love, Hebrews 13:5 promises He will never leave me, (you) nor forsake me / you. God can be trusted, His Son, Jesus, can be trusted. God is faithful. He is always present to hear my sincere and your sincere prayers, to lift us up, and give us genuine Hope He rescues me, protects me, for I cried out to the Lord, acknowledged my sin, and acknowledged His Name. He is the King of kings, and the Lord, of lords.

Reunions, and reunions

Friday evening, Bryan Arnold was with us for our 3rd Friday Singing @ Morning Star, with "The Bryant's" and 'Sharon Bennett. Bryan is a one handed classical pianist, but he can make the old piano rock. Bryan lost his left leg as a child in a lawn mower accident, and then in adult hood, was crippled more so, due to a automobile accident on I-44 on black ice with a semi.
Saturday, Billings High celebrated their 79th Alumni with 88 present. The oldest present was a 90 year old, and the youngest 3 graduating seniors.

This coming Saturday, will be the Hopkins, Gent Reunion in Bolivar.

This week is also our grandson, Zach's first birthday on Saturday. He is one of 14 grandchildren, God has blessed us with. God has truly blessed us with 3 sons, 5 grandsons, 9 granddaughters, and the mothers of our grandchildren. I'm so grateful for a Godly praying wife, and friend. We enjoyed Silver Dollar City yesterday. A truly beautiful day in the Missouri Ozarks. A good breeze on a near 90 degree day, but it was wonderful.

'the fear of the Lord, the beginning of wisdom'

Oh, that the Lord would be reverenced,
to acknowledge our thirst for Him,
to Hunger for Him,
to exalt Him, in Worship,

to acknowledge His mercy,
His grace, to repent of pride,
and live in the joy of the Lord.
God is soooooooooo good,
God is soooooooooo good,

I'll praissssssseeeeee His Name,


Thanks you Lord, Jesus

Ice Storms, Tornados, cyclones, earthquakes, floods, storms

But God is always with us. Praise His Holy Name for His omnisciense, omnipresence, omnipotence. All knowing, all present, all powerful. Powerful to allow the storms of life to come our ways sometime, and we have a choice to call on Him in praise, or forget, or ignore, or as Peter did, deny.
Storms strengthen the oak trees, but sometimes in the tornadoes, the ice storms even the oaks get pruned back. Times when I get pruned back, and God's Word says He does sometime prune us, that we might bear more fruit. Praises to the Lord. Are we learning, drawing any closer, acknowledging any pride, have we been humbled before the Master. I pray we all have discerned HE IS IN CONTROL. Jesus loves me, this I know, why? from experience and the
B I B L E tells me so.

Did you all watch American Idol tonight? I hope David A. pulls it out, but it'll probably be David C.??

Pray for Bob Rost, Shanna Smith, and Geneva Smith today, with me.

MOTHER'S DAY

I was blessed this weekend with 11 of our 14 grandchildren, 2 of our 3 sons, my mother, who will be 85 in November, being in our home for Barb's Mother's Day. And they were in worship with us Sunday, with the exception of my mom.
The boys, cooked on the grill, steak, back bone, chicken and grilled asparagus. It was all delicious.
Not only did we celebrate Mother's Day, it was Abby's birthday week, and she will be 11 on Friday.
Today, I've been to hospital to visit one having a angie gram (came out OK); and another having had lung surgery (had never smoked or been around smoking to any degree---but had lung cancer---but out of 40 lymp nodes--no cancer) So it was isolated and they took it all from the lung. Praise the Lord.

Home again, home again--good to be home

Barb and I, were able to experience Big Cedar cabin life, south of Branson on the full Table Rock Lake. Beautiful greenery, very little breeze, just enough to sense the sensation of the occasional refreshing coolness. We enjoyed our reading material on the deck, above the ravine behind us. I was enjoying John Maxwell's Leadership Gold, and Barb was reading Ravi Zacharis latest writing.
We had anticipated driving into Cox South for a church member's C-section, but that didn't happen, as Dr. said, they needed to wait just a little longer. Though we intended to go, with no thoughts of doing differently, it did free us for a day in Branson. We experience Sight and Sound Theatre ticket line for almost 3 hours of standing/waiting. Branson Landing was unusually full of shoppers, walkers, tourist, and just sightseerers. Guess what? Barb found her some shoes.
Then after arriving home, though the Dr. had said, the little one was not ready for delivery, his mother's water broke, and he was born at 2:30 AM Wednesday morning.
After catching up on phone calls, meeting some deadlines. I have a upcoming family reunion, a school alumni reunion, Mother's Day, and a baccalaureate.
I'm praying through all of these past, present, and future experience, Jesus will be radiated in our/my life. Oh, to see souls free from the bondage of sin and hell.
God has sure blessed us this season with rain, the ground water definitely needs replenished.

Getting Ready

To do, to go, to_________. Getting ready for Crane Baccalaureate, Sunday, May 11, Getting ready for Mother's Day, May 11, Getting ready for cemetery decoration where my mom's parents (My grandma and grandpa Hopkins) are buried. They always have what they call 'Decoration Day' on Mother's Day weekend.
This Sunday, is Gideon Sunday at Morning Star. A dear friend and brother in Christ will be speaking, Brother Ed Mullins, who is also a financial servant. His sweet wife is, Shirley, and is the manager/director of Pregnancy Life Center, in Branson West.
Getting ready to take a couple of nights away. My special mother--Barb's mom--who is 80 will be staying nights in our home and to assist my mother in her needs. Barb's mom, is going on a bowling tournament Saturday and Sunday in Columbia. She is a very active lady.
Getting ready to seek the face of God, first and foremost 24/7

Sad night for Brooke White / National Day of Prayer

I cried, or was teary eyed for Brooke, and as she sang. I personally think that is just not right, or mean. I thought Jason would of been the one to of left, but I WAS WRONG AGAIN. Paula, what was her problem--anyway it draws voters, millions of them.

Today, this great nation, God has blessed, has set aside this day to Pray. As we pray for us, that we would be found faithful, as God is faithful to bless Him, with obeidence because I love the Lord. The Bible says, "If we love the Lord, I will obey the Lord. Praying for the President, Congress, Judges, State Government, County Government, City Government, Local School boards and faculty, the churches that they will be found exalting Jesus in everything, for specifically Christian families, that they will truly be Christ-like.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of my heart, be acceptable unto the Lord, Who is the Rock of Ages.

May Day--give a flower to someone not expecting it today.