DID YOU EVER ATTEND A B'DAY PARTY AND NOT SING HAPPY BIRTHDAY? I DON'T THINK SO, OR DO YOU CALL A FRIEND ON THEIR B'DAY AND SING TO THEM? PROBABLY SO! WHICH IS WHY EVEN THO WE ARE TOLD THAT JESUS WAS NOT BORN ON DECEMBER 25, THAT IS THE DAY DESIGNATED TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH, AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOU ENJOY A SONG FROM MY CHRISTMAS CD. I AM SINGING TO HIM, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!
IT HAPPENED MORE THAN 2000 YEARS AGO, THE BIRTH OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. ONE WHO HAD LEFT THE MAJESTY OF HEAVEN TO COME TO EARTH AS A BABY, A HELPLESS BABY. ON THAT STARRY NIGHT IN BETHLEHEM, THERE WAS MARY, HOLDING THOSE TINY PINK FINGERS THAT HAD SCOOPED OUT OCEANS AND FORMED MOUNTAINS. SHE WAS KISSING HIS LITTLE CHEEKS AND CUDDLING THE ONE WHOSE NAME IS CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD, EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE OF PEACE. MARY MUST HAVE REALIZED THEN, THAT THE PROPHESY THE ANGEL GABRIEL GAVE HER WAS NOW UNFOLDING IN HER ARMS. NEVER HAS A BABY BEEN SO CELEBRATED AND SO MAGNIFIED. HE WAS FATHER GOD'S GIFT TO MANKIND, GIVEN TO MARY AND JOSEPH TO CARE FOR. JESUS WOULD LIVE AS A HUMAN AND RESCUE HUMANITY AT THE RITE TIME, HIS COMING TO EARTH CHANGED EVERYTHING. FOR NOW, MANKIND COULD BE SAVED THRU HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION. HOW GRATEFUL I AM THAT YOU AND I, AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE WORLD, COULD RECEIVE THIS GIFT. WE ONLY NEEDED TO LOOK IN THE MANGER, AND THERE HE WAS, THE MOST "PERFECT GIFT" WE COULD EVER RECEIVE. AMEN!!
2 CORINTHIANS 9:15 ~ THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT!
2020! WHAT A YEAR! SO MANY THINGS HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LIVES OF FOLK, SOME MOST DEVASTATING! ARE YOU BEING BATTERED BY CIRCUMSTANCES YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND? HAVE YOU FOUND IT DIFFICULT TO HEAR THE VOICE OF GOD IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS COVID CHAOS? WELL, LET ME SHARE A POWERFUL SCRIPTURE THAT SAYS JESUS' NAME SHALL ALSO BE CALLED EMMANUEL, MATTHEW 1:23, WHICH MEANS "GOD WITH US." SO, LET'S ATTEMPT TO CUT THRU ALL THE STATIC AND NOISE TO HEAR THAT "STILL SMALL VOICE" OF GOD, FOR AS HE ASSURED ISRAEL AND US TODAY, WE ARE PROMISED "HIS PRESENCE" IN THAT SITUATION. NO MATTER WHAT WE ARE FACING. "GOD IS WITH US," HEBREWS 13:5, HE WILL NEVER LEAVE US NOR FORSAKE US, AS WELL AS MATTHEW 28:20, HE WILL BE WITH US ALWAYS, BECAUSE JESUS IS EMMANUEL "GOD WITH US."
MATTHEW 1:23 ~ “BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD, AND BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL,” WHICH IS TRANSLATED, “GOD WITH US.”
HEBREWS 13:5 ~ … FOR HE HIMSELF HAS SAID, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.”
MATTHEW 28:20 ~ … LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE.” AMEN.
WELL, CHRISTMAS IS ONE OF MY MOST FAVORITE TIMES OF THE YEAR. I LOVE TO SEE THE LIGHTS FLUNG OVER TREES, SHRUBS, AROUND WINDOWS, HOUSES, AND IN THE YARDS. I DROVE THRU MANY NEIGHBORHOODS, AND IN SPITE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN, AND ARE GOING THRU, IT SEEMED THERE WERE MORE LIGHTS THAN I HAD EVER SEEN. I WONDER IF MANY FOLK WERE SAYING, "THERE HAS BEEN SOOOO MUCH DARKNESS THESE LAST 10 MONTHS OF ISOLATION, HEARTACHE, FRUSTRATION, AND CONFUSION THAT I NEED TO SEE LIGHTS" AND THEY CHOSE TO ILLUMINATE THEIR PROPERTIES. THEY WANTED LIGHT TO DRIVE OUT THE DARKNESS IN THEIR WORLD. WHAT A GREAT TIME FOR US TO SHARE WHAT WE AS CHRISTIANS KNOW IS TRUE, THAT JESUS IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD, THAT HIS LIGHT WILL SHINE FORTH IN DARKNESS BECAUSE DARKNESS CANNOT OVERPOWER IT! AND INFORM THEM THAT WHOMEVER CHOOSES TO FOLLOW JESUS WILL ALWAYS WALK IN THE LIGHT OF JESUS! MY CHURCH PRESENTED AN INCREDIBLE DISPLAY OF LIGHTS!!!!!!!
FOR MORE THAN 49 WONDERFUL YEARS OF FULL-TIME TRAVEL, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD A VERY BUSY DECEMBER, SINGING FOR CHRISTMAS BANQUETS AND CONCERTS, EXCEPT THIS YEAR. SO I DID NOT SING MUCH THIS MONTH, BUT THE 3 PLACES I DID MINISTER THIS CHRISTMAS SEASON WERE WONDERFUL. I HAD MY VERY FIRST CONCERT SINCE MARCH 4, IN HEMET (AN HR AWAY) ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON 4 PM SO THE COMMUNITY COULD ATTEND, CONSIDERING THE COVID DILEMMA, IT WAS VERY GOOD! FOLK SEEMED TO ENJOY THE MUSIC AND MINISTRY. I WAS VERY EXCITED.
I HAVE TALENTED FRIENDS WHO HAVE COME TO BLESS US SINCE COVID. THERE HAVE BEEN 17 CONCERTS IN THE COURTYARD FOR OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY. AS MY FINAL SHOW FOR THE YEAR 2020, THERE WAS A TALENTED SENIOR SILVER FOLLIES GROUP COMING TO PRESENT A FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS PROGRAM, HOWEVER, THE WEATHER TURNED VERY COLD (54 DEGREES) CAUSING IT TO BE POSTPONED, SO, AM NOW PLANNING TO DO SOMETHING (THAT IS GROWING MORE EACH YEAR) WE PLAN TO PRESENT A "CHRISTMAS IN JULY" PROGRAM. WILL BE NICE AND WARM.
TWO DEAR FRIENDS RETIRED AND MOVED FROM CALIF. MORE THAN 2 YRS AGO TO PRESCOTT, AZ. HE BECAME ILL WITH CANCER AND PASSED AWAY A FEW WEEKS AGO. I HEARD FROM HIS WIFE NANCY THAT AS THEY WERE PLANING HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE, HE REQUESTED I COME SING A SONG HE WROTE AND I HAD RECORDED MANY YEARS AGO. I LOVED SINGING ARNIE'S SONG CALLED "HEAVENLY BLUES." HE WAS ONE OF THE FINEST GUITARISTS I EVER HEARD. TRAVELING AND SINGING ALL OVER. I WOULD SING HIS SONG WITH PASTORS WHO WERE SINGERS AS I TRAVELED. IT IS A GREAT DUET SONG. SO OFF I WENT TO PRESCOTT, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL SERVICE DEC. 19, EVEN IN THE SHORT TIME THEY HAD BEEN MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH, I COULD SEE AND HEAR THAT THEY WERE LOVED. LISTEN AND ENJOY THE SONG. IT IS ON MY "PAST AND PRESENT" DOVE AWARD CD. THE PERSON SINGING WITH ME IS A FRIEND, AARON MINICK.
MS. LILLIE AND NANCY AT MR. ARNIE'S MUSIC DISPLAY
I ALWAYS LIKE TO CHECK THE WEATHER AND INFO WHEN I AM GOING TO A PLACE .... WELL, DID I GET A SURPRISE! I LEARNED THAT PRESCOTT IS 5367 FT HIGH, (EVEN HIGHER THAN DENVER) AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE COLD. YEA, IT WAS 38-40 DAYTIME AND ONLY 21 IN THE NITE .... WOW!
GLAD I FOUND THAT OUT SO I COULD TAKE A COAT, AS I THOT WEATHER WOULD BE LIKE PHOENIX AND AS I LEFT TO VISIT MY FRIENDS IN PHOENIX, SAW THAT AS WE DROVE FROM PRESCOTT, THE TEMP GAUGE KEPT GOING UP, TIL WHEN I GOT TO PHOENIX, IT WAS 78 DEGREES. YIPPPEEE!
MANY YEARS AGO, THERE WAS AN AWESOME TIME OF SHARE, PRAYER AND PRAISE AT THE CHURCH I ATTENDED. OFTEN, WE WERE THERE FOR AS LONG AS 3 HOURS. IT WAS A WONDERFUL TIME OF MINISTRY! THE PASTOR IN CHARGE OF THAT SERVICE HAS NOW MOVED TO PHOENIX, SO I WAS ABLE TO STOP FOR A VISIT WITH THEM. HE IS A GREAT TEACHER, HIS WIFE PLAYS PIANO. THEY NOW HAVE A LIVE-STREAM SUNDAY MORNING CHURCH SERVICE ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE REACHING THOUSANDS EACH WEEK ALL OVER THE WORLD. I WAS ABLE TO APPEAR WITH THEM THAT SUNDAY MORNING, WHAT A SERVICE! AFTERWARD, THEY SHARED WITH ME MANY OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAD COME IN FROM AFRICA, PAKISTAN, THE PHILIPPINES, SAUDI ARABIA, HALLELUJAH! GOD LET ME MINISTER TO FOLK IN MANY PARTS OF THE "WORLD." YOU MAY SEE PROGRAM HERE: https://youtu.be/XRn6weTQ8xY
ACTS 20:24 ~ BUT LIFE (LILLIE'S LIFE) IS WORTH NOTHING UNLESS I USE IT FOR DOING THE WORK ASSIGNED ME, TELLING OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT GOD'S MIGHTY KINDNESS AND LOVE.
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTORS JEANNIE AND DALE DALY
AS THE YEAR CLOSES, I WANT THE PEACE, LOVE, AND JOY OF CHRISTMAS TO REMAIN IN MY HEART, AND YOURS, IN SPITE OF ALL THAT IS COMING AROUND AND AGAINST US. SURE, SOMETIMES WE CAN BE HAPPY BECAUSE GOOD THINGS ARE "HAPPENING" AROUND US. HOWEVER, REAL JOY, COMES FROM JESUS WHEN HE IS LIVING IN OUR HEARTS. IT IS THERE NO MATTER WHAT WE ARE FACING, I LIKE TO CALL IT "JESUS JOY." WHAT A CLASSIC CHRISTMAS CAROL "JOY TO THE WORLD" THE ANGEL APPEARING TO THE LOWLY SHEPHERDS THAT NITE IN BETHLEHEM PROCLAIMED "DO NOT BE AFRAID FOR I BRING YOU GOOD NEWS WITH GREAT JOY!” AND FRIEND, LET THE JOY OF THE LORD EXPLODE INTO YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!
HERE ARE SOME OF OUR LITTLE FRIENDS SHOWING US WHAT HAVING JOY MIGHT BE LIKE. ENJOY A LAFF! I LOVE IT! HOW CREATIVE HUH?
PSALM 30:5 ~ … WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING.
THE LAST SUNDAY NITE OF THIS YEAR, I WAS BLESSED TO SING IN AN ANOINTED SERVICE AT AN EXCITING CHURCH ~ BREATH OF THE SPIRIT MINISTRIES. MY LONG-TIME FRIEND, DR. MICHELLE CORRAL HAS BEEN FAVORED BY GOD WITH A WONDERFUL CHURCH OF BELIEVERS IN YORBA LINDA. WHAT A JOY TO SIT AND HEAR HER PROCLAIM THE WORD IN A WAY FEW PREACHERS OR TEACHERS DO ANYMORE. WOW! SHE IS SOOOO ANOINTED!
WELL, NOW WE ARE AT THE CLOSE OF 2020 (ONE YEAR CLOSER TO THE RETURN OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST). THERE IS STILL SOOO MUCH FOR US TO DO. I AM JUST WAITING FOR THINGS TO OPEN UP SO I CAN BE "ON THE ROAD AGAIN." HOWEVER, UNTIL THAT HAPPENS, I AM STILL WORKING VERY HARD EVERYWHERE I GO TO PROCLAIM JESUS TO ALL I MEET, TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE ANSWER TO ALL HEARTACHES, DISAPPOINTMENTS, LONELINESS, CABLE NETWORK NEWS, AND ALL THINGS WE ENCOUNTER EACH DAY. JESUS IS OUR ONLY HOPE!!! THE ONLY ONE WE CAN CLING TO.
PSALMS 27:14 ~ WAIT ON THE LORD; BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRENGTHEN YOUR HEART; WAIT, I SAY, ON THE LORD!
I MUST TELL YOU HOW ABSOLUTELY GRATEFUL I AM FOR THE INVESTMENT (MOST OF ALL, YOUR PRAYERS) AND FINANCIAL GIFTS OF LOVE TO ME FOR THE MINISTRY GOD GAVE ME NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO. AND ONCE AGAIN I MUST TELL YOU HOW FAITHFUL GOD HAS BEEN TO ME DURING THESE 10 MONTHS OF SHUTDOWN AND NOT BEING ABLE TO TRAVEL FULL-TIME AS I WAS BEFORE COVID! HOWEVER, GOD HAS TAKEN CARE OF MY NEEDS BY PUTTING THIS MINISTRY ON THE HEARTS OF MANY WHO GO TO PAYPAL, WRITE A CHECK AND MAIL IT, OR HAVE CALLED TO GIVE ME THEIR CREDIT CARD AND THE AMOUNT THEY WISH TO HAVE ME CHARGE TO IT. PLEASE CALL ME IF YOU NEED MORE DETAILS. AND THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR THIS MINISTRY .... YOU MAY HAVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT HERE AND NOW, AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN. THANKS!
LET'S THINK ABOUT THE MANY THINGS GOD HAS DONE FOR US THIS YEAR 2020, AND BE THANKFUL, BELIEVING THAT IN THE COMING YEAR 2021, WE CAN KNOW THAT OUR "GOOD SHEPHERD" WILL CONTINUE TO LEAD AND GUIDE US ALL THE WAY. LET ME REVISIT ONE MORE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THING THE ANGEL TOLD THE SHEPHERDS, LUKE 2:10, AND IT IS FOR US TODAY, "DO NOT BE AFRAID" CAUSE WE HAVE THE GOOD SHEPHERD WHO KNOWS THE WAY TO LEAD US "HOME."
PSALMS 23:4 ~ YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL; FOR YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.
IF YOU WANT ME TO PRAY WITH YOU. IT WOULD BE A BLESSING FOR ME AND YOU! CALL ME AT 909 948-2448. I WILL BELIEVE WITH YOU FOR THE MIRACLE YOU NEED!
DEUTERONOMY 7:9 ~ THEREFORE KNOW [WITHOUT ANY DOUBT] AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE LORD YOUR GOD, HE IS GOD, THE FAITHFUL GOD, WHO IS KEEPING HIS COVENANT AND HIS [STEADFAST] LOVINGKINDNESS TO A THOUSAND GENERATIONS WITH THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.
IF JESUS DOES NOT RETURN BEFORE DECEMBER 25, CHRISTMAS WILL BE HERE. I HAVE JUST THE "PERFECT GIFT" FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, MY CHRISTMAS CD. YOU CAN SEE THE SONGS LISTED, FAVORITES, CLASSICS AND ONE I CO-WROTE, “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON." CONTACT ME AT 909-948-2448 AND I WILL SEND YOU AS MANY AS YOU WOULD LIKE. THE PRICE IS ONLY $13+$4 FOR POSTAGE, TOTAL $17. YOU MAY USE YOUR CREDIT CARD, SEND CHECK, OR GO THRU PAYPAL.
PSALM 100:1-5 ~ SHOUT FOR JOY TO THE LORD, ALL THE EARTH. WORSHIP THE LORD WITH GLADNESS; COME BEFORE HIM WITH JOYFUL SONGS. KNOW THAT THE LORD IS GOD. IT IS HE WHO HAS MADE US, AND WE ARE HIS; WE ARE HIS PEOPLE, THE SHEEP OF HIS PASTURE. ENTER HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE; GIVE THANKS TO HIM AND PRAISE HIS NAME. FOR THE LORD IS GOOD AND HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER; HIS FAITHFULNESS CONTINUES THROUGH ALL GENERATIONS.
I AM SOOO THANKFUL THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS IN 1941 DECLARED THE LAST THURSDAY OF NOVEMBER WOULD BE A LEGAL HOLIDAY. FOR ME, THE DAY HAS ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT GETTING TOGETHER WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES AS WE EXPRESS THANKS FOR ALL GOD HAS DONE. I READ ABOUT THE FAMILY THAT WAS GATHERED AROUND THE TABLE FOR THE TURKEY DINNER, THEY WERE ASKED TO HOLD HANDS AS THEY WOULD PRAY, BUT BEFORE THE PRAYER, EACH PERSON WAS ASKED TO SAY JUST ONE THING THEY WERE THANKFUL FOR. EACH ONE EXPRESSED HEARTFELT THINGS, WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR ONE LITTLE BOY TO SAY WHAT HE WAS MOST THANKFUL FOR, HE SPOKE VERY HAPPILY, “I AM JUST THANKFUL THAT I AM NOT THE TURKEY!"
THERE WAS SADNESS THIS YEAR 2020, BECAUSE OF COVID, WE HAD BEEN TOLD BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE THE TRADITIONAL, WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS WE HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO ENJOYING THRU THE YEARS. OH, HOW I REMEMBER THOSE DELICIOUS MEALS, TURKEY AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS J BUT OF COURSE, THAT DID NOT MEAN THAT IF WE COULD NOT BE NEAR FAMILY, WE COULD NOT ENJOY THE DAY AND GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR ALL OF HIS GOODNESS. I DID!
BECAUSE, AS CHRISTIANS, WE HAVE MUCH TO THANK GOD FOR, AND WE MUST NOT THANK HIM ONLY ON THANKSGIVING, BUT EACH AND EVERY DAY. MAY I GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT? WHAT IF, ALL WE HAVE TODAY IS WHAT WE THANKED GOD FOR YESTERDAY! WE WOULD STILL BE BLESSED! BUT LET'S THANK HIM THROUGHOUT THE DAY, EACH DAY. I AM CERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE HEARD IT BEFORE, BUT LET'S LIVE IN AN "ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE." HE HAS BEEN SOOOO FAITHFUL TO US …. AND WHEN WE PRAISE AND WORSHIP GOD, IT IS NOT ONLY AN EXPRESSION FOR ALL THAT HE HAS DONE, BUT WE ARE DECLARING THAT OUR TRUST IS COMPLETELY IN HIM.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6 ~ BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION, WITH THANKSGIVING, LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD.
THERE SEEMS TO BE PUMPKIN PATCHES EVERYWHERE. I LOVE TO SEE THEM. AND WHEN SOMEONE SENT ME THIS, I JUST HAD TO SHARE IT WITH YOU! “BEING A CHRISTIAN IS KINDA LIKE BEING A PUMPKIN. GOD PICKS US FROM THE PATCH, BRINGS US IN, AND WASHES ALL THE DIRT OFF, THEN HE CUTS OFF THE TOP AND SCOOPS OUT ALL THE YUCKY STUFF. HE REMOVES THE SEEDS OF DOUBT, HATE, AND GREED. FINALLY, HE CARVES A SMILING FACE AND PUTS HIS LOVE, JOY, PEACE AND HIS LIGHT INSIDE OF US TO SHINE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE” …. ISN'T THAT TRUE?
HARVEST TIME IS HERE! THE COOLER WEATHER IS WITH US …. AND WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DAYLIGHT! IN FACT, OUR SUN SETS AT ABOUT 4:45 PM. YIKES! BUT SOON IT WILL BE LONG DAYS AGAIN! YIPPEEE!
WELL, ANOTHER MONTH IS OVER, NOVEMBER HAS PAST. AND ESPECIALLY DURING THIS PERIOD OF COVID, MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN GOING THRU DIFFICULT CHANGES, FRUSTRATIONS, EVEN SOME BOUTS OF DEPRESSION, SERIOUS FAMILY FRICTION, LOSS OF JOB INCOME, A BAD DIAGNOSIS FROM YOUR DOCTOR, UNEXPECTED CHALLENGES, BUT I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT NO MATTER WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR LIVES, WE NEED ONLY REMEMBER THIS, "EVEN THO WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT TOMORROW HOLDS, WE DO KNOW THE ONE WHO HOLDS TOMORROW" WE ARE IN HIS HANDS! AMEN! HE DOES LOVE US! OUR GOD SOOOO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE SENT HIS ONLY SON JESUS TO REDEEM US, TO BRING US SALVATION! SO WE CAN SPEND ETERNITY WITH HIM IN THE BEAUTIFUL PLACE CALLED HEAVEN. WELL, THIS BEAUTIFUL SONG FROM MY LONG-TIME FRIEND, LARRY WAYNE MORBITT WILL TOUCH YOUR HEART.
2 CORINTHIANS 9:15 ~ NOW THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT [WHICH IS PRECIOUS BEYOND WORDS]! {AMP}
I WAS BLESSED TO SING IN A SAN DIEGO CHURCH THIS MONTH, WHAT A WONDERFUL SERVICE, AND IT FELT GOOD SINGING AGAIN! I HAD NOT SUNG SINCE MARCH 4, UNTIL 3 WEEKS AGO IN NASHVILLE. GOD GAVE ME A FRESH ANOINTING AS I SANG! AND THE PASTOR'S MESSAGE WAS TREMENDOUS!
IT WILL BE EXCITING WHEN I AM "ON THE ROAD AGAIN" I DO HOWEVER ENJOY PRESENTING THE CONCERTS HERE IN MY COURTYARD FOR THE RESIDENTS. THEY HAVE BEEN HAPPY TO HAVE PROFESSIONALS COME MINISTER TO US. MUSIC IS SUCH A POWERFUL MEDIUM! AND WHEN WE HEAR SONGS THAT WE REMEMBER SINGING IN CHURCH WHEN WE WERE YOUNGER, OUR HEARTS ARE TOUCHED! HALLELUJAH! THAT IS WHY I THANK GOD EACH DAY, THAT HE GAVE ME THIS "ASSIGNMENT" NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO TO PROCLAIM THE GOSPEL THRU SONGS! I LOVE IT! AND AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL THE OPEN DOORS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WALK THRU!
ACTS 20:24 ~ BUT MY LIFE (LILLIE'S LIFE) IS WORTH NOTHING TO ME UNLESS I USE IT FOR FINISHING THE WORK ASSIGNED ME BY THE LORD JESUS - THE WORK OF TELLING OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE WONDERFUL GRACE OF GOD. {NLT}
ARE YOU THE PERSON WHO SCHEDULES FOR YOUR SINGLES GROUP, LADIES MINISTRY, OR YOUR CHURCH? WELL, IF SO PLEASE KNOW THAT I WOULD LOVE TO COME MINISTER TO YOUR PRECIOUS PEOPLE. YOU WILL BE BLESSED, NOT DISAPPOINTED!! AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! PLEASE CALL ME ASAP AT 909-948-2448 AND WE'LL TALK!
ALSO, IF YOU ARE SUFFERING AND NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE PRAY FOR AND WITH YOU, PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448, AND I WILL! THERE IS NOTHING OUR GOD CANNOT DO! AMEN!!!!
PHILIPPIANS 4:19 ~ AND MY GOD SHALL SUPPLY ALL YOUR NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY BY CHRIST JESUS.
BECAUSE MY BLOG COMES OUT ON THE LAST DAY OF THE MONTH, WHEN I WRITE IT IN DECEMBER, CHRISTMAS WILL BE ALL PAST. SO I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO SAY, MY PRAYER IS THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU A PEACEFUL TIME WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, THAT THE BIRTH OF JESUS WILL BE PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED IN YOUR HOMES, THAT HE WILL BE TALKED ABOUT WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN, SPOUSE, CHILDREN, EXTENDED FAMILY AND THAT "MERRY CHRISTMAS" OR EVEN "BLESSED CHRISTMAS" WILL BE SPOKEN FROM YOUR LIPS/HEARTS TO ALL YOU MEET. REMEMBER, CHRIST IS IN CHRISTMAS! HE IS THE ONLY REASON FOR THE SEASON." I CO-WROTE A SONG THAT IS ON MY CHRISTMAS CD. I DEDICATE TO YOU NOW, “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON.” ENJOY!!
FRIENDS, FOR NEARLY ONE YEAR (10 MONTHS TO BE EXACT), I HAVE BEEN IN THE LOVING CARE OF JESUS CHRIST, HE HAS BEEN TAKING CARE OF ALL MY FINANCIAL NEEDS. I HAVE NOT MISSED ONE PAYMENT FOR ANYTHING SINCE MY LAST SINGING ENGAGEMENT ON MARCH 4 (BEFORE COVID) AND I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE THAT I WILL NOT MISS ONE! BECAUSE WHEN I READ THE BIBLE, MATTHEW 6:26 IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCRIPTURES. "HE SEES THE SPARROW FALL, AND THAT I AM MORE VALUABLE THAN THE BIRD" SO BECAUSE GOD KNOWS WHAT I NEED AND WHEN I NEED IT, HE TOUCHES THE HEARTS OF FOLK AND THEY SEND ME GIFTS OF LOVE.
MATTHEW 6:26 - LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR, FOR THEY NEITHER SOW NOR REAP NOR GATHER INTO BARNS; YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY?
THANKS SOOO MUCH FOR YOU WHO HAVE BEEN USED BY GOD TO PARTNER WITH ME AS I AM ON THIS JOURNEY TO SHARE GOD'S WORD THRU WORD AND SONG. IT IS GOOD GROUND! YOU WILL BE SENT A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT HERE AND NOW, AND RECEIVE A REWARD IN HEAVEN. A WIN ~ WIN. YOU MAY GO THRU PAYPAL, SEND A CHECK OR PLACE ON YOUR CREDIT CARD. JUST LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN HELP YOU WITH THE DETAILS. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AS YOU BLESS ME. THANKS!
MAY I LEAVE YOU WITH THESE WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT….
IF JESUS DOES NOT RETURN BEFORE DECEMBER 25, CHRISTMAS WILL BE HERE. I HAVE JUST THE "PERFECT GIFT" FOR YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS, MY CHRISTMAS CD. YOU CAN SEE THE SONGS LISTED, FAVORITES, CLASSICS AND ONE I CO-WROTE, “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON." CONTACT ME AT 909-948-2448 AND I WILL SEND YOU AS MANY AS YOU WOULD LIKE. THE PRICE IS ONLY $13+$4 FOR POSTAGE, TOTAL $17. YOU MAY USE YOUR CREDIT CARD, SEND CHECK, OR GO THRU PAYPAL.
BRRRRR, FALL OR PERHAPS YOU CALL IT, AUTUMN, IS IN THE AIR .... IT IS HAPPENING! TEMPS ARE NOT TOO HOT NOR TOO COLD, KINDA, JUST RITE! HOWEVER, BEFORE THE LEAVES BEGIN TO FALL, WE CAN SEE THE AWESOME HANDIWORK OF GOD, OUR CREATOR, AS LEAVES CHANGE TO THOSE GORGEOUS COLORS .... RED, ORANGE, YELLOW AND BROWN. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN EXCITED AS I HAVE TRAVELED TO AREAS WHERE THE "CHANGING OF THE LEAVES" BRINGS MANY TOURISTS EACH YEAR.
I MUST SAY, MY MOST BREATHTAKING SIGHT WAS IN BANGOR MAINE, I CRIED AS I LOOK AT THE HILLS SEEMINGLY "ON FIRE" BECAUSE OF THE "PAINTBRUSH" GOD HAD USED TO BLESS AND DELIGHT US. HE MAKES US MORE AWARE OF HIS CREATIVE ABILITY, ESPECIALLY IN SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.
I WAS SURE THAT I MIGHT SEE THE "CHANGING OF THE LEAVES" AS I TRULY LOVE THAT, HOWEVER, SEEMS IT WAS A BIT EARLY, WITH THE WEATHER BEING STILL TOO WARM, WHEN I WENT TO NASHVILLE TN (SINCE FEBRUARY 28 WHEN I RETURNED FROM MY MONTH LONG STAY IN HAWAII), I HAD NOT BEEN TOO FAR AWAY FROM MY HOME, I KNEW I NEEDED TO GET AWAY, SO I PRAYED ABOUT WHERE I SHOULD GO. SEEMS EACH TIME I HAD TRAVELED TO NASHVILLE, IT WAS TO RECORD OR HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH MUSIC, BUT THIS TIME I JUST WANTED TO BE A TOURIST. I USED SW AIRLINE MILES TO FLY (MIDDLE SEAT WAS EMPTY), MARRIOTT POINTS TO HAVE 10 NITES IN A SUITE, AND POINTS FOR MY RENTAL CAR. I WAS A "HAPPY CAMPER” , DID LOTS OF SIGHTSEEING, FINALLY WAS ABLE TO SEE THE PARTHENON, AS I HAD SEEN THE ORIGINAL ONE IN ATHENS, GREECE. I HAD FORGOTTEN HOW BEAUTIFUL NASHVILLE IS, I LOVE THOSE HUGE TREES THAT WERE SO VERY GREEN AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE HOW HUGE MOST OF THE LAWNS ARE. I FELT SORRY FOR THE GARDENERS.
MS. LILLIE AT THE PARTHENON
I VISITED WITH WONDERFUL FRIENDS, LIKE SUE BUCHANAN, WHOM I MET IN 1976 (PROLIFIC SPEAKER AND WRITER). I LOVE HER SENSE OF HUMOR. SHE KEPT ME LAFFING, FED ME AND ALLOWED ME TO PRAY A BLESSING OVER HER HOUSE.
MS. LILLIE WITH SUE BUCHANAN
WHEN I WAS ON THE BILL GAITHER RECORD LABEL AND WAS JUST STARTING TO TRAVEL IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY, A YOUNG LADY WAS "BOOKING" ME (WELL, ACTUALLY CALLING AROUND THE COUNTRY TO TRY TO CONVINCE CHURCHES TO HAVE ME COME). PAT STILLEY BECAME MY "CAJUN ANGEL," GOD USED THIS YOUNG GIRL WITH HER GIFT TO CONVINCE FOLK THEY NEEDED ME (SHE CAN SELL REFRIGERATORS TO ESKIMOS). WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. SHE AND HER PRECIOUS HUSBAND JOHNNIE ENTERTAINED ME FOR A DAY, FED ME, WE HAD GREAT FELLOWSHIP, WAS GREAT TO RECONNECT.
MS. LILLIE WITH PAT STILLEY
WHAT A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY I HAD TO MEET WITH STEVE AND JAN ADAMS AFTER KNOWING THEM FOR A VERY LONG TIME. STEVE PLAYS BEAUTIFUL PIANO AND TRAVELED WITH DOUG OLDHAM FOR MANY YEARS. HE ALSO WROTE THAT MOVING SONG "THERE IS PEACE IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM" AFTER GOD SPARED HIS LIFE BECAUSE HE DOVE UNDER A COUCH IN A FURNITURE STORE WHEN A POWERFUL, DANGEROUS F-4 TORNADO HIT XENIA, OHIO, APRIL 1974 (CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE WORST IN U.S. HISTORY). THAT SONG HAS TRULY BEEN A BLESSING TO MANY AS THEY FACE STORMS IN THEIR LIVES (PERHAPS NOT AN F-4, BUT A STORM IN DIFFICULT FAMILY MATTERS, FINANCIAL HARDSHIP, COVID RELATED DEPRESSION, ETC). BUT, WHEN WE ARE SINKING, REMEMBER, WE HAVE A SAVIOR WHO CAN "WALK ON WATER" TO SAVE US. AND HE WILL! AMEN!
MS. LILLIE WITH STEVE AND JAN ADAMS
MANY YEARS AGO (1965), I MET 3 LOVELY SISTERS, ALL BLONDS, WHO TRAVELED AND SANG BEAUTIFULLY, THE SUNSHINE SINGERS (PECK SISTERS). WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS THRU THE YEARS AND WHEN MY MOM AT AGE 94 PASSED AWAY, THEIR MOM, MS. LOIS OFFERED TO BE "MY MOM". I LOVED THAT OFFER AND HER, SO I CONSIDER JUDY, LINDA, AND SHARON, MY SISTERS. A DIFFERENT MOTHER, BUT THE SAME HEAVENLY FATHER. THEY ARE ALWAYS THERE FOR ME.
MS. LILLIE WITH THE PECK SISTERS AND THEIR MOM LOIS
MS. LILLIE WITH JUDY PECK NELON
WHEN I MENTIONED TO JUDY PECK NELON THAT I PLANNED TO COME, SHE, BECAUSE OF GOD'S WONDERFUL GIFT TO HER, (I'LL JUST SAY THAT SHE IS A MOVER AND A SHAKER, IN FACT, JUDY AND HER HUSBAND AT MANNA MUSIC PRODUCED MY FIRST RECORD IN 1975 ), SHE KNOWS HOW TO GET THINGS DONE, SHE BEGAN MAKING CONTACTS TO GET ME INTO HER CHURCH TO SING. THAT WEEK, WE HAD GREAT TIMES TOGETHER, I WAS ABLE TO SPEND TIME AT HER LOVELY HOME, EATING AT CRACKER BARREL WITH 2 OTHER FRIENDS DEBBY AND LINDA, TALKING ABOUT OLD TIMES. AS MOST OF YOU KNOW, I LOVE TO CELEBRATE MY B'DAY, AND ON APRIL 30, I WAS UNABLE TO DO SO BECAUSE ALL RESTAURANTS WERE "CLOSED DOWN" HERE IN CALIFORNIA, AND I THINK EVERYWHERE IN U.S. AND GATHERINGS WERE PROHIBITED. SO WHEN I LEARNED THAT RESTAURANTS WERE OPEN IN NASHVILLE, I DECIDED I WOULD HAVE MY FIRST (OF MANY) 82nd B'DAY CELEBRATIONS THERE WITH SPECIAL FRIENDS. DEBBY, LINDA, AND JUDY HELPED ME CELEBRATE …. WE WERE AT AN INCREDIBLE OLD HOUSE BUILT DURING THE CIVIL WAR AND IS NOW A RESTAURANT, "THE STANDARD," AN IMPRESSIVE PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE. MUCH OF THE ORIGINAL BUILDING IS THERE. I CHOSE THAT PLACE BECAUSE MY DEAR FRIEND, MARGE, TOLD ME HER SON (WHOM I HAD KNOWN SINCE HE WAS 5 YRS OLD) WORKED THERE. IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL TIME FOR ME TO SEE HIM AGAIN.
MS. LILLIE'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT "THE STANDARD" WITH FRIENDS JUDY, DEBBY, AND LINDA
MS. LILLIE WITH KEVIN AND DEBRA FERRIN (KEVIN WORKS AT "THE STANDARD" RESTAURANT)
MS. LILLIE WITH HER BIRTHDAY CHEZCAKE
PASTOR BISHOP JERRY MAYNARD OF CATHEDRAL OF PRAISE IN NASHVILLE, AGREED TO HAVE ME COME SING A SONG. HE IS A GOOD SINGER AND EVEN SANG WITH ME. I WAS BLESSED AS HE PREACHED A VERY ANOINTED MESSAGE. IF YOU CARE TO WATCH AND HEAR A ZOOM VIDEO HE AND I DID, I HAVE PLACED IT HERE FOR YOU. ENJOY!
ANOTHER GIFT FROM GOD IS THAT I WAS ABLE TO APPEAR ON AN INTERNET TV SHOW, A VERY LONG, LONG, LONG-TIME FRIEND HAS A POWERFUL SHOW EACH DAY AT 1OAM ON ROKU, "THE KEVIN SHOREY SHOW". IT IS A WONDERFUL TIME OF GUESTS AND MINISTRY …. KEVIN IS AN ANOINTED SINGER, A GIFTED PREACHER, AND YOU WILL BE BLESSED …. I BELIEVE THE NUMBER OF THE SHOW I WAS ON IS #625. IF YOU CARE TO WATCH, CLICK THIS LINK: https://youtu.be/Zaonh_kTwSc
MS. LILLIE WITH KEVIN SHOREY
WHAT A SPECIAL TREAT TO ATTEND A TAPING FOR THE HUCKABEE SHOW, THANKS TO THE KINDNESS OF A LONG-TIME FRIEND, SARAH DELANE BACK, FORMER SINGER WITH NANCY HARMON AND ONE OF THE BILL GAITHER HOMECOMING VIDEO FRIENDS. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET EXCELLENT SEATS FOR US.
MS. LILLIE WITH SARAH DELANE BACK
I EVEN GOT A SHOUT-OUT FROM HIM WITH AN INVITATION TO RETURN TO SING ON HIS SHOW. YIPPPPEEEE! HOPE I HEAR FROM HIM. AFTERWARD, I WAS ASKED TO COME TO THE STAGE FOR A PHOTO AND HERE IT IS (HE IS SUCH A KIND MAN), I WAS ABLE TO TALK WITH HIM FOR A FEW MINUTES, WANTED TO LET HIM KNOW, I WAS BORN IN ARKANSAS ALSO.
MS. LILLIE WITH FORMER ARKANSAS GOVERNOR HUCKABEE
MS. LILLIE AND FRIENDS AT TAPING OF THE HUCKABEE SHOW
IN CALIFORNIA, WE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO PAYING HIGH PRICES FOR GAS .... SO WHEN I SAW THIS AT THE DIFFERENT SERVICE STATIONS IN NASHVILLE, I HAD TO TAKE A PHOTO.
PRICE OF GAS RECENTLY IN NASHVILLE
I AM BACK HOME AND MOVING ON WITH THE TASK I WAS GIVEN JUST WEEKS AFTER THE COVID SHUTDOWN. AND I LOVE THIS ASSIGNMENT! FOR 17 WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN PRESENTING COURTYARD CONCERTS FOR THE 50 RESIDENTS WHO LIVE IN THIS LOVELY PLACE. WE ARE STILL NOT ABLE TO HAVE ALL THE MANY ACTIVITIES WE HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO, ALL OUR CRAFTS, BINGO, BUNKO, BIBLE STUDIES, GAME NITES, EVEN MEALS IN THE DINING ROOM (MEALS ARE STILL DELIVERED TO US) …. SO FOR THEM TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME FROM THEIR APARTMENTS, PRACTICE SOCIALLY DISTANCING ONCE A WEEK, SIT OUTSIDE WEARING THEIR MASKS, AND ENJOY VERY PROFESSIONAL SOLOISTS, DUETS, TRIOS, SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTETS, BLUEGRASS BAND, HULA DANCERS, VENTRILOQUIST, BRASS DUO, AND SOOOO MUCH MORE, HAS BEEN A REAL TREAT FOR THEM. AND THANK GOD, HE HAS GIVEN ME FAVOR WITH MY MUSICAL FRIENDS, WHO, BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN DOING A LOT DURING THIS COVID, THEY ARE ALL EAGER TO COME AND BLESS US AND THERE ARE STILL MORE TO COME.
PSALM 149:1 ~ PRAISE THE LORD! SING TO THE LORD A NEW SONG, AND PRAISE HIM IN THE CONGREGATION OF HIS GODLY ONES (BELIEVERS). {AMP}
I PRAY THAT YOU ARE WELL, THAT GOD IS KEEPING YOU SAFE, AS HE HAS ME. THERE IS STILL QUITE A BIT OF FEAR FLOATING AROUND. BUT I BELIEVE IF THE NEWS STATIONS WERE TURNED OFF, LIFE WOULD BE BETTER FOR ALL OF US. AS I HAVE MENTIONED, I DO NOT HAVE TV, I LISTEN TO THE 5-MINUTE NEWS AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR, SO THERE IS NO TIME FOR A LOT OF DETAILS THAT THE COMMENTATORS LOVE TO DWELL ON, REPEATING OVER AND OVER, ETC.
I KNOW THAT FEAR IS THE AIR, BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF PHONE CALLS I RECEIVE FROM FOLK WHO ARE FEARFUL AND JUST NEED TO TALK, SO I FIND I AM ON THE PHONE MINISTERING TO MANY DAILY. OF COURSE, THEY KNOW I AM NOT A COUNSELOR, BUT I AM HAPPY I AM THERE FOR THEM TO TALK TO THEM AND ASK GOD HOW TO PRAY, AND I KNOW THEY ARE BLESSED, AND STRENGTHENED, AND ENCOURAGED.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME PRAY FOR AND WITH YOU, PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448, WE'LL HAVE A GOOD TIME TOGETHER. I LOVE YOU!
HEBREWS 4:16 ~ THEREFORE LET US [WITH PRIVILEGE] APPROACH THE THRONE OF GRACE [THAT IS, THE THRONE OF GOD’S GRACIOUS FAVOR] WITH CONFIDENCE AND WITHOUT FEAR, SO THAT WE MAY RECEIVE MERCY [FOR OUR FAILURES] AND FIND [HIS AMAZING] GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED [AN APPROPRIATE BLESSING, COMING JUST AT THE RIGHT MOMENT]. {AMP}
PLEASE LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU WITH SOMETHING A FRIEND SENT ME, AND I DO BELIEVE GOD IS SAYING THIS TO EACH OF US TODAY.
"I HAVE HEARD YOUR CRIES, I CAN FEEL YOUR PAIN. I HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN YOU! I KNOW YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND ALL THAT I DO AND ALLOW, BUT I AM ALWAYS IN CONTROL. I ALONE HAVE ALL POWER. OUT OF YOUR HURT AND DISAPPOINTMENT, I WILL BRING GREAT JOY! I NEED YOU TO "HOLD ON" THRU THESE DIFFICULT DAYS BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE ALRIGHT! JUST PLACE YOUR FAITH AND TRUST IN ME LIKE NEVER BEFORE. BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!"
AND I'LL ASK.....CAN I HEAR A BIG AMEN!
PSALM 46:1 ~ GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH [MIGHTY AND IMPENETRABLE], A VERY PRESENT AND WELL-PROVED HELP IN TROUBLE. {AMP}
PSALM 46:10 ~ BE STILL AND KNOW (RECOGNIZE, UNDERSTAND) THAT I AM GOD. I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE NATIONS! I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH. {AMP}
2 TIMOTHY 1:7 ~ FOR GOD DID NOT GIVE US A SPIRIT OF TIMIDITY OR COWARDICE OR FEAR, BUT [HE HAS GIVEN US A SPIRIT] OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF SOUND JUDGMENT AND PERSONAL DISCIPLINE [ABILITIES THAT RESULT IN A CALM, WELL-BALANCED MIND AND SELF-CONTROL]. {AMP}
THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 6 MONTHS OF NO INCOME FROM SINGING, BUT AM I WORRIED? NO, FOR THE GOD I SERVE, PROMISED, HE WILL GIVE ME WHAT I NEED, WHEN I NEED IT! HALLELUJAH! FOLK HAVE BEEN SOOO KIND TO GO TO PAYPAL, OR SENT A CHECK IN THE MAIL FOR THE MINISTRY! THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR KINDNESS. IF YOU WISH TO HAVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT FOR YOUR GIFT, SIMPLY LET ME KNOW, YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN WILL BE THERE FOR YOU. THANKS SOOOOO MUCH! OF COURSE, SOMETHING EVEN MORE NECESSARY IS FOR ME TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE PRAYING FOR ME, I NEED YOUR PRAYERS, I DEPEND ON THEM. THANKS!
2 CORINTHIANS 9:8 ~ AND GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL GRACE [EVERY FAVOR AND EARTHLY BLESSING] COME IN ABUNDANCE TO YOU, SO THAT YOU MAY ALWAYS [UNDER ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, REGARDLESS OF THE NEED] HAVE COMPLETE SUFFICIENCY IN EVERYTHING [BEING COMPLETELY SELF-SUFFICIENT IN HIM], AND HAVE AN ABUNDANCE FOR EVERY GOOD WORK AND ACT OF CHARITY. {AMP}
I STILL HAVE A FEW DATES LEFT OPEN IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER IF YOU ARE PLANNING SOME FUNCTION FOR YOUR SENIOR GROUP, LADIES GATHERING OR IN YOUR CHURCH, PLEASE CONSIDER HAVING ME COME. JUST CALL ME AT 909-948-2448. WE'LL TALK. YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!
PHILIPPIANS 4:8 ~ FINALLY, BELIEVERS, WHATEVER IS TRUE, WHATEVER IS HONORABLE AND WORTHY OF RESPECT, WHATEVER IS RIGHT AND CONFIRMED BY GOD’S WORD, WHATEVER IS PURE AND WHOLESOME, WHATEVER IS LOVELY AND BRINGS PEACE, WHATEVER IS ADMIRABLE AND OF GOOD REPUTE; IF THERE IS ANY EXCELLENCE, IF THERE IS ANYTHING WORTHY OF PRAISE, THINK CONTINUALLY ON THESE THINGS [CENTER YOUR MIND ON THEM, AND IMPLANT THEM IN YOUR HEART]. {AMP}
THE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER AT ONE TIME MEANT THAT SUMMER IS PASSING, VACATION IS NEARLY OVER, TIME TO GATHER NEEDED SCHOOL SUPPLIES, BOOKS, NOTEBOOKS, PENS, PENCILS FOR THE CLASSROOM, THE EXCITEMENT OF FOOTBALL AND OTHER SPORTS WAS IN THE AIR, AND WE KNEW, HERE COMES ANOTHER FALL!
EXCEPT THIS YEAR 2020 THAT IS ALL DIFFERENT, SINCE WE HAVE BEEN SHUT DOWN AS A COUNTRY, SOCIETY, AND COMMUNITY FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, (IN FACT, 6 MONTHS). WE HAVE ASKED, "WHEN WILL THIS END?" WE HAVE BEEN UNSURE WHEN THE STUDENTS WOULD RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM THEY WERE SOOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO. WELL, HERE WE ARE AND MOSTLY STILL "SHUT DOWN." IF WE AS BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS DID NOT KNOW THAT FATHER GOD IS IN CONTROL, IT WOULD BE FRUSTRATING, BUT WE CAN KNOW HIS PEACE AND PERMIT IT TO RULE OUR HEARTS. AMEN!
JOHN 14:27 ~ PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU; MY [PERFECT] PEACE I GIVE TO YOU; NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES DO I GIVE TO YOU. DO NOT LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NOR LET IT BE AFRAID. [LET MY PERFECT PEACE CALM YOU IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND GIVE YOU COURAGE AND STRENGTH FOR EVERY CHALLENGE.] {AMP}
GROWING UP, WE ALWAYS LOOKED FORWARD TO THE LAST HOLIDAY OF THE SUMMER, LABOR DAY! FUNNY ABOUT THE NAME, AS FEW FOLK LABORED ON THAT DAY. ACTUALLY, IT WAS A GREAT, FUN HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, BAR-B-QUES, GRILLING, DELICIOUS FOOD A WONDERFUL TIME TOGETHER. BUT THIS YEAR 2020, IT WAS NOT TO BE AS WE REMEMBERED IT GROWING UP. SO WE ARE NOW WAITING AND PRAYING THAT WE CAN HAVE OUR USUAL THANKSGIVING DAY TOGETHER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. BUT ONLY GOD KNOWS!
THE FIRST LABOR DAY PARADE
LABOR DAY WAS FIRST CELEBRATED IN 1882, HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN? WELL, IT SEEMS THAT THERE WERE SOME LABOR UNIONS WHO WANTED TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR THOSE WORKING AND SHOW HOW VALUABLE THEY REALLY WERE, SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY. THERE WAS A CROWD OF 2O,000 WHO GATHERED TO WATCH THE PARADE OF WORKERS, IT WAS PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND WHO MADE IT A NATIONAL FEDERAL LEGAL HOLIDAY IN 1894.
THIS LABOR DAY THERE ARE MILLIONS WHO HAVE NO JOB TO GO TO, THEY HAVE BEEN LAID OFF AND THERE IS NOT QUITE ENUF MONEY TO SUPPLY FOOD FOR THE FAMILY, TO PAY THE MONTHLY BILLS. MY HEART DOES GO OUT TO THOSE PRECIOUS FOLK AND MY PRAYERS DO GO UP TO GOD FOR THEM. I HAVE BEEN GIVING TO OUR CHURCH'S BENEVOLENT FUND THAT HAS BEEN SET UP FOR THOSE DEAR ONES. YES, GOD DOES TAKE CARE OF HIS OWN. IF GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON TO SAVE US, THEN HE WILL SURELY PROVIDE US WITH ALL WE NEED.
ROMANS 8:32 ~ HE WHO DID NOT SPARE [EVEN] HIS OWN SON, BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO, ALONG WITH HIM, GRACIOUSLY GIVE US ALL THINGS? {AMP}
WHAT A WONDERFUL BLESSING FOR ME, I WAS ABLE TO GET ON A PLANE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE MY MONTH-LONG HAWAII TRIP (ARRIVED BACK HOME FEBRUARY 28). I FLEW THIS MONTH TO NASHVILLE TN FOR A CONFERENCE AND A WONDERFUL TIME TO VISIT WITH SPECIAL FRIENDS FOR 9 DAYS. THANK GOD FOR POINTS AT MARRIOTT, SO I WAS ABLE TO USE THEM FOR MY HOTEL ROOM, I USED AIRLINE MILES/POINTS TO FLY SO THE ONLY THING I HAD TO PAY FOR WAS A RENTAL CAR, AND I AM STILL SHOCKED AT THE INCREDIBLE RATE I RECEIVED FOR THOSE 9 DAYS. GOD SURROUNDED ME WITH FAVOR AS A SHIELD. AMEN! I WAS ALSO ABLE TO SING IN A CHURCH ONLINE SERVICE AND MY, IT WAS SOMETHING WONDERFUL! AS I HAD NOT SUNG IN A CHURCH SINCE MARCH 4. WOW! I LOVED BEING BACK. AS ALWAYS, GOD WAS FAITHFUL TO GIVE ME A FRESH ANOINTING AND I KNOW HEARTS AND LIVES WERE BLESSED AS I SANG AND SHARED …. THANK YOU LORD! I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED SEEING THE CHANGING OF THE LEAVES FALL COLORS, SO I WAS HAPPY AND BLESSED ALSO TO ENJOY VIEWING GOD'S HANDIWORK! IT IS ALWAYS MOST BEAUTIFUL IN THAT PART OF THE UNITED STATES! WHAT AN AWESOME GOD!
PSALM 104:24 ~ THE HEAVENS DECLARE THE GLORY OF GOD; AND THE FIRMAMENT SHOWS HIS HANDIWORK.
I AM VERY HAPPY ALSO THAT I AM NOW BEING ASKED TO COME MINSTER IN CHURCHES, SO I AM BOOKING TO THE END OF THE YEAR. THAT IS A REAL BLESSING. I AM EXCITED! AND REMEMBER IF YOU ARE PLANNING AN EVENT FOR YOUR SENIORS GROUP, A LADIES FUNCTION, OR YOUR CHURCH AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME COME, JUST GIVE ME A CALL AND WE'LL TALK …. 909-948-2448. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME.
PSALM 104:33 ~ I WILL SING TO THE LORD AS LONG AS I LIVE; I WILL SING PRAISE TO MY GOD WHILE I HAVE MY BEING.
I CHERISH MY TIME OF DEVOTION EACH MORNING. BUT AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO SOMETIMES WHEN I AWAKEN, I AM NOT REALLY SURE RITE AWAY, WHAT DAY IT IS? THE ONLY DAY I ALWAYS KNOW RITE AWAY …. IS WHEN IT IS SUNDAY.
AS I READ AND REREAD HIS WORD EACH DAY, I AM ENCOURAGED, BLESSED, CHALLENGED AND LIFTED ABOVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF COVID, AN ENEMY THAT HAS PRODUCED CONFUSION AND UNCERTAINTIES. BUT I CAN STILL REJOICE KNOWING "GOD HAS OUR BACK!" WE CAN TRUST HIM THRU THE SEEMINGLY UNBEARABLE SITUATIONS. HE WANTS US TO BRING ALL OF OUR BURDENS AND CAST THEM ON HIM. HE WILL GIVE US RELIEF FROM THE STRUGGLE WE ARE HAVING BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THEM. HERE IS AN OLD SONG I SANG AS A LITTLE GIRL, AND I STILL LOVE TO SING IT! ENJOY!
WE PERHAPS ALL REMEMBER THE DRIVE-IN CHURCH PHENOMENON STARTED BY DR ROBERT SCHULLER IN 1955, A NOVEL IDEA THAT EVOLVED BEFORE "MEGA CHURCHES" CAME INTO EXISTENCE WITH MULTIPLE VENUES AND CAMPUSES. I FEEL PRIMARILY THOSE CAME TO BE BECAUSE OF THE "WORSHIP WARS." MANY FOLK HAD A DIFFERENT STYLE OF MUSIC PREFERENCE, DIFFERENT VENUES ON THE CHURCH PROPERTY WOULD BE OPENED SO THERE COULD BE STYLES THAT APPEALED TO ALL. YOU WOULD GO THERE, ENJOY YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC, (I LOVED WHEN I SANG IN A CHURCH WITH A BLACK GOSPEL MUSIC/BIG CHOIR VENUE), THE MESSAGE FROM THE MAIN SANCTUARY WOULD BE SHOWN ON SCREEN FOLLOWING EACH VENUE'S' PRAISE AND WORSHIP, AND EVERYONE SEEMED HAPPY CAUSE THEY COULD HAVE THEIR CHOICE OF MUSIC. THEN IN 2020, CAME COVID, AND BECAUSE WE COULD NO LONGER WORSHIP IN A BUILDING, THE IDEA FOR DRIVE-IN CHURCH WAS RE-INTRODUCED, AND I WAS BLESSED TO ATTEND ONE FOR 10 SUNDAYS WHEN MY CHURCH WAS SHUT DOWN AND WAS HAPPILY THERE UNTIL MY CHURCH RE-OPENED ON MAY 31 …. (WE HAVE BEEN INSIDE SINCE THAT TIME) MY PASTOR TOLD US, A LETTER SIGNED BY THOUSANDS WAS SENT BY AN ATTORNEY TO OUR GOV. NEWSOME, TELLING HIM THAT HE WOULD NOT CLOSE OUR CHURCH DOWN AGAIN, UNLESS COSTCO, WALMART, HOME DEPOT, LOWES, K-MART AND CASINOS ARE ALSO CLOSED." SO HALLELUJAH! I MUST THANK GOD THAT THE DRIVE-IN PARKING LOT CHURCH I VISITED WAS WONDERFUL! …. GOOD MUSIC, INCREDIBLE PREACHING AND VERY WELL-ATTENDED. WE WERE BLESSED AS WE LISTENED AND ENJOYED THE SAME MUSIC AND LISTENED TO THE MINISTER ON THE OUTSIDE PLATFORM. HOWEVER, PERHAPS SOME CHURCHES WHO WANTED TO PLEASE FOLK WITH A CHOICE OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP STYLE OF MUSIC, PLUS EVEN TYPES OF MESSAGE, COULD END UP BEING LIKE THIS.
I LOVE TO LAFF, AND I HAVE DONE SO MANY TIMES AT THIS VIDEO, AS IT SHOWS WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU TRY TO PLEASE EVERYONE.
I MUST AGAIN SAY A HEARTFELT THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SENT GIFTS OF LOVE TO ME DURING THIS DOWN TIME. I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL THAT GOD TOUCHED HEARTS AND YOU RESPONDED, I DO NEED ALL THE PRAYERS YOU WANT TO SEND UP TO HIM FOR ME ALSO. IF YOU WANT TO BE A BLESSING TO ME, YOU MAY GO TO PAYPAL, USE A CREDIT CARD, OR SEND A CHECK IN THE MAIL. JUST CALL ME FOR DETAILS IF YOU WISH, AT 909-948-2448. YOU CAN RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT NOW AND ALSO LATER A REWARD IN HEAVEN. MAY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU IN HIS CARE.
DEAR FRIEND, PLEASE CONTINUE TO LOOK TO GOD FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS DURING THIS TIME AS GOD REVEALS TO US THAT HE IS GREATER THAN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE WE FACE!
PSALM 46:1 ~ GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH [MIGHTY AND IMPENETRABLE], A VERY PRESENT AND WELL-PROVED HELP IN TROUBLE. {AMP}
DID YOU KNOW THAT? …. OF THE 12 MONTHS IN A CALENDAR YEAR, THIS IS THE ONLY MONTH THAT DOES NOT GIVE US A HOLIDAY TO CELEBRATE …. WONDER HOW THAT HAPPENED? …. WELL, SOME POLITICIAN IN WASHINGTON DC …. IS PERHAPS WORKING TO SUBMIT A BILL TO HAVE ONE PROCLAIMED.
AUGUST 1, 1779 WAS THE BIRTHDAY OF THE YOUNG ATTORNEY, FRANCIS SCOTT KEY. HE WAS THE AUTHOR OF THE IMMORTAL WORDS OF OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM, "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER." THE INSPIRATION FOR THOSE WORDS CAME AS HE WITNESSED THE RELENTLESS NIGHTTIME BOMBARDMENT OF FORT MCHENRY, MARYLAND DURING THE WAR OF 1812 …. HIS STIRRING STANZAS WERE PUT TO MUSIC, IT WON NATIONAL FAME AND BECAME KNOWN FOREVER AS "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER."
THE FOURTH STANZA OF OUR ANTHEM CONTAINS THE FIRST EXPRESSIONS THAT WERE THE CONVICTIONS OF THAT GENERATION OF AMERICANS …. WORDS THAT LIVE IN THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE TODAY AND HAS BECOME AMERICA'S NATIONAL MOTTO....
STANZA 4
O THUS BE IT EVER, WHEN FREEDOM SHALL STAND
BETWEEN THEIR LOVED HOME AND THE WAR'S DESOLATION,
BLEST WITH VICTORY AND PEACE, MAY HEAVEN'S RESCUED LAND
PRAISE THE POWER THAT HATH MADE AND PRESERVED US AS A NATION
THEN CONQUER WE MUST, WHEN OUR CAUSE IS JUST,
AND THIS BE OUR MOTTO: "IN GOD IS OUR TRUST"
AND THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER IN TRIUMPH SHALL WAVE
O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.
I LOVE TO HEAR THIS SONG AS WELL AS SING IT, BUT ACTUALLY, ONE MUST HAVE A SPECIAL VOICE TO SING IT WELL AS A SOLO …. CAUSE WHEN YOU GET TO THOSE HIGH NOTES ON "ROCKETS RED GLARE" …. IT COULD BE A CHALLENGE AS IT WAS FOR ME, HOWEVER, HERE IS MY RECORDING OF THAT SONG FROM MY "CLASSIC" CD.
ANOTHER EPIC EVENT IN AUGUST 1945; THE END OF WORLD WAR II, THIS YEAR 2020 MARKS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DATE. MY BROTHER IN LAW IS A VETERAN OF THAT WAR AND JUST TURNED 96 YRS OLD, AFTER HIS MILITARY SERVICE, CLARENCE WAS A PASTOR, PIANIST, A GREAT TEACHER OF GOD'S WORD AND STILL HAS AN EXTREMELY SHARP MIND …. I LOVE TO CALL HIM …. WE CAN TALK FOR AN HOUR EASILY.
WELL, BACK TO OUR WORLD HERE AND NOW …. MANY LIVES HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN IMPACTED THRU-OUT THE WORLD. SO MANY ARE SUFFERING THRU EXTREME HARDSHIPS AND DIFFICULTIES BECAUSE THE COVID-19 VIRUS IS STILL WITH US …. BUT THEN, SO IS GOD! SOMEONE SAID TO ME, "THIS VIRUS IS EVERYWHERE, I SAID THAT IS TRUE, BUT "SO IS GOD! WE KNOW THAT HE IS BECAUSE HIS WRITTEN WORD TELLS US SO....
ISAIAH 41:10: ~ FEAR NOT, FOR I AM WITH YOU; BE NOT DISMAYED, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU, YES, I WILL HELP YOU, I WILL UPHOLD YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND.
NEARLY 6 MONTHS OF BEING "SHUT DOWN" AND "ISOLATED" IS BEGINNING TO SHOW UP IN MANY WAYS, THAT ARE NOT GOOD. WE HEAR ABOUT THE FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES BECAUSE OF JOB LOSSES, SPIKE OF PORN WATCHING, ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION, ANGER MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS BEING WITH FAMILY MORE THAN USUAL …. EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS, CHILD ABUSE AND MUCH MORE. IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS, THERE IS MUCH FEAR AND A HUNGER THAT CAN ONLY BE SATISFIED WHEN JESUS IS LIVING IN HEARTS, AND IT SEEMS THAT FOLK ARE MORE OPEN TO HEARING ABOUT JESUS BEING THE ANSWER FOR ALL THEIR PROBLEMS …. LET'S TELL THEM.
MATTHEW 11:28 ~ COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.
I AM SOOO WANTING TO BE IN A CHURCH CONCERT SETTING AGAIN, HAVE NOT BEEN IN ONE SINCE MARCH 4 …. NEVER THOT I WOULD MISS BEING "ON THE ROAD" AS MUCH AS I AM.
AS MY B'DAY GIFT TO THE SENIOR RETIREMENT COMMUNITY RESIDENTS HERE WHERE I NOW RESIDE, I ASKED IF I COULD HAVE A CONCERT IN THE COURTYARD. RESIDENTS CAME FROM THEIR APARTMENTS TO THE PATIO AREA, WEARING MASKS, AND PRACTICING SOCIAL DISTANCING. I WAS SOOOO EXCITED TO PRESENT THAT CONCERT. IN FACT, I DID PLACE ONE OF THE SONGS ON YOU-TUBE: "HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW.....4-29-20 (CLICK HERE)" IF YOU CARE TO TAKE A LOOK. IN FACT, I WILL LET YOU LISTEN TO ANOTHER OF THE SONGS .... ONE THAT I LOVE TO SING. I HOPE YOU ENJOY BOTH OF THEM.
WELL, THE RESPONSE WAS GOOD, SO GOOD, THAT I HAVE BEEN KEPT BUSY SINCE THEN. OUR ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR HERE ASKED IF I WOULD LIKE TO PLAN SOME CONCERTS FOR THE RESIDENTS TO HELP MAKE LIFE SEEM NOT SOOO ISOLATED ~ THEY COULD AT LEAST WAVE TO ONE ANOTHER. SO FOLKS, THAT IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN DOING AND IT HAS BEEN A GOOD THING.
I AM THANKFUL FOR THE FRIENDS IN MY LIFE WHO ARE IN MINISTRY BUT ARE NOT BUSY NOW, SO WHEN I ASKED, ALL WERE VERY HAPPY TO COME TO ENTERTAIN THE RESIDENTS AND MY! WHAT A BLESSING ALL HAVE BEEN. THE RESIDENTS HAVE BEEN DELIGHTED WITH THE VARIETY OF TALENT WE HAVE HAD FOR 13 WEEKS NOW, THEY HAVE SUNG ALONG WITH MOVING HYMNS THEY HAVE LOVED SINCE LEARNING THEM AS A CHILD, THERE HAVE BEEN WORSHIP AND PRAISE SONGS, THEY HAVE HEARD CLASSIC OLDIES, YES, ALL STYLES! WOW!
I MUST MENTION A FEW OF THEM. A CHIMEOLOGIST (LIKE THE HANDBELLS), THE NEXT WEEK, A HUSBAND AND WIFE WHO HAVE BEEN SINGING AT DISNEY .... PLUS THE DAUGHTER OF RESIDENTS HERE, SHE ALSO IS A PROFESSIONAL WHO HAS SUNG MANY YEARS WITH THE INTERNATIONALLY KNOWN GARY BONNER SINGERS. THE COUPLE SANG "MORE THAN WONDERFUL" (SANDI PATTI~LARNELL HARRIS FAVORITE) …. WOWWEE! THEY REALLY BLESSED THE RESIDENTS. A VENTRILOQUIST, WITH AN INCREDIBLY TALENTED SINGING HUSBAND REALLY PUT ON A GREAT PROGRAM, THEN A TALENTED SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTET, HAPPY AND LIVELY! NEXT, A HUSBAND AND WIFE SINGING DUO WERE GREAT! HAD ANOTHER EXTREMELY TALENTED MALE SOLOIST, THEN I THOT MIGHT BE FUN TO HAVE THE NEXT CONCERT NAMED "HOMEGROWN" AS I DISCOVERED THOSE WHO HAVE TALENT HERE IN OUR RETIREMENT PLACE AND FOUND 4 PERSONS WHO PRESENTED A FINE CONCERT. THEN BACK TO MORE PROFESSIONALS, A TALENTED HUSBAND AND WIFE DUO WERE WONDERFUL, THEN, A CONCERT WITH A HAWAIIAN THEME. THE RESIDENTS WERE ASKED TO WEAR ISLAND ATTIRE, I GAVE THEM TACKY LEIS (I WAS ABLE TO WEAR ONE OF MY 8 MUU-MUUS THAT I STILL HAVE FROM LIVING THOSE 10 YEARS IN BEAUTIFUL HAWAII). DEAR FRIENDS (HUSBAND AND WIFE) CAME TO SING AS SHE PLAYED THE UKULELE AND OF COURSE, I WANTED HULA DANCERS, AND WAS DOUBLY BLESSED, BECAUSE THE GIRL I ASKED TO COME SAID HER MOM HAS BEEN A HULA DANCER FOR MANY YEARS AND WOULD LOVE TO COME ALONG AND DANCE WITH HER .... WELL, THEY WERE WONDERFUL! I LOVE HAWAII, SO WILL HAVE TO PLAN ANOTHER HAWAIIAN THEME CONCERT SOON. NEXT, AN 86-YEAR-OLD MAN I HEARD ABOUT CAME TO PLAY HIS TRUMPET, BRINGING ALONG A PROTEGE,' THEY PLAYED TOGETHER AND WERE FANTASTIC! I AM EXCITED AS I PLAN MORE CONCERTS WHICH I SHALL TELL YOU ABOUT LATER. WHAT A GREAT "ASSIGNMENT" I WAS GIVEN AT THIS COVID-19 TIME! THANK YOU LORD!
JOHN 9:4 ~ I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY; THE NIGHT IS COMING WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK.
OF COURSE, I AM STILL ABLE TO REPORT HOW FAITHFUL GOD HAS BEEN TO CONTINUE TO SUPPLY ALL MY NEEDS DURING THIS TIME .... AMEN! GOD CONTINUES TO TOUCH HEARTS OF FOLK WHO WILL SEND ME THRU PAY PAL, AND OTHER WAYS, JUST WHAT I NEED EACH MONTH .... I LOVE TO SAY .... "THAT GOD KNOWS WHAT I NEED AND WHEN I NEED IT." PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 IF YOU WISH TO HAVE ANY INFO.
I MUST SAY A "BIG THANKS" TO THOSE OF YOU WHOSE HEART HAS BEEN TOUCHED AND YOU HAVE SENT A LOVE GIFT TO ME .... IT WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR ACCOUNT IN HEAVEN .... PLUS YOU CAN HAVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT DOWN HERE. I SOOOO NEED YOUR PRAYERS FOR THIS TIME AT HOME, AM MINISTERING A LOT ON THE PHONE .... FEEL FREE TO CALL ME, AND I'LL PRAY WITH YOU!
WHEN I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL, DID NOT GO TO COLLEGE, INSTEAD WENT TO WORK AT THE TELEPHONE COMPANY. I HAD PLANNED TO WORK 30 YEARS AND GET A NICE RETIREMENT, BUT AFTER WORKING ONLY 22 YRS, GOD CALLED ME INTO FULL-TIME MINISTRY …. I KNEW IT WAS GOD CALLING ME. AT MY RETIREMENT PARTY, GOD PLACED A SCRIPTURE IN MY HEART: MATTHEW 6:26….
MATTHEW 6: 26: ~ LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR, FOR THEY NEITHER SOW NOR REAP NOR GATHER INTO BARNS; YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY?
THE QUESTION ASKED AT THE END .... AREN'T YOU MUCH MORE VALUABLE THAN THEY? WELL, THAT SPOKE TO ME IN A POWERFUL WAY .... CAUSE IT MEANT "OF COURSE", SO, YES! HE WOULD! I HEARD A PASTOR SAY THAT "JESUS DID NOT COME TO DIE FOR BIRDS .... NO, HE CAME TO GIVE HIS LIFE SO THAT WE THE PEOPLE, (THE WORLD) MIGHT HAVE LIFE AND THAT MORE ABUNDANTLY .... AND YES, WE KNOW GOD IS MINDFUL OF THE BIRDS, BUT, HE IS CERTAINLY WATCHING OVER US ALSO"
WELL, IT WAS THIS MONTH, AUGUST 28, 1976, WHEN I "HUNG UP" ON MA BELL …. WALKED OUT INTO FULL-TIME MINISTRY .... AND CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE TIME I HAVE TRULY NEEDED SOMETHING THAT HE DID NOT SUPPLY IT. HE HAS GIVEN ME INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD, PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS THRU WORD AND SONG. MOST OF THE TIME, I HAVE TRAVELED ALONE .... WITH GOODNESS AND MERCY SURROUNDING ME. AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR THAT "ASSIGNMENT" FROM GOD.
ACTS 20:24 ~ BUT LIFE IS WORTH NOTHING UNLESS I USE IT FOR DOING THE WORK "ASSIGNED" ME BY THE LORD JESUS ~ THE WORK OF TELLING OTHERS THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT GOD’S MIGHTY KINDNESS AND LOVE.
HOW ARE YOU LIVING? THE QUESTION IS ASKED BY DR RIGSBY IN THIS INCREDIBLE SPEECH NOW SEEN BY MORE THAN 200 MILLION FOLK ON FACEBOOK .... BUT IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT, ENJOY! IT IS A FAVORITE OF MINE!
SO, IF YOU ARE FEELING TODAY THAT YOU HAVE HIT ROCK BOTTOM …. WITH ALL THE FRUSTRATIONS, HEARTACHES, TRAUMA AND LONELINESS IN YOUR LIFE, ACTUALLY, THAT, AS DR. RIGSBY SAID, IT CAN BE A PLACE, A FOUNDATION ON WHICH YOU CAN BUILD. JESUS CAN TAKE YOUR HAND AND RAISE YOU UP TO BEGIN TO LIVE AS HE PLANS FOR YOU TO LIVE! HE WANTS TO SET YOU FREE AND GIVE YOU LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY. AMEN!
EPHESIANS 3:20 ~ NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO [CARRY OUT HIS PURPOSE AND] DO SUPERABUNDANTLY MORE THAN ALL THAT WE DARE ASK OR THINK [INFINITELY BEYOND OUR GREATEST PRAYERS, HOPES, OR DREAMS], ACCORDING TO HIS POWER THAT IS AT WORK WITHIN US {AMP}
ONLY GOD KNOWS WHEN I WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL AND SING AGAIN, HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE BEGINNING TO PLAN AN EVENT FOR YOUR SENIORS GROUP, CHURCH OR LADIES FUNCTION, I WOULD LOVE TO COME MINISTER TO THEM. JUST CALL ME AT 909-948-2448. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME.
1 CORINTHIANS 16:23 ~ THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU.
THIS YEAR, 2020 DENOTES THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS 244 YEARS OLD, TWO DAYS AFTER CONGRESS VOTED TO APPROVE A COMPLETE SEPARATION FROM GREAT BRITIAN, THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS SIGNED .… RECEIVED OUR "NATIONAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE" WE WERE FREE FROM THE KING'S RULE, FREEDOM FOR THE 13 COLONIES TO CHOOSE OUR OWN GOVERNMENT. GODLY PRINCIPALS WERE THE FOUNDATION IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS GREAT LAND. THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS THE PRIMARY WRITER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE .… THE INCREDIBLE PREAMBLE INCLUDES THAT FAMOUS PASSAGE: "WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT; THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL; THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN INALIENABLE RIGHTS; THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS." AMEN!
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SHARING A RALLY WITH A CHRISTIAN POLITICAL ACTIVIST AND AUTHOR, DAVID BARTON, A TEXAS MAN WHO IS DESCRIBED AS A "WALKING LIBRARY OF CONGRESS." I WAS AMAZED AT THE THINGS HE SHARED THAT DAY, ALL WERE AWESOME! ESPECIALLY WHEN HE SAID "THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE FORMED ALL THE PRINCIPLES OF CHRISTIANITY INTO OUR FORM OF GOVERNMENT THROUGHOUT THE COLONIES, THE FOUNDERS SAID THAT ON A REGULAR BASIS, SO ACTUALLY, IT WAS THEY WHO SAID IT WAS A CHRISTIAN NATION."
I READ ABOUT A GROUP CALLED THE "BLACK REGIMENT" PATRIOTIC CLERGY WHO WORE BLACK ROBES .… HENCE THE NAME: THEY WERE A SECRET WEAPON SO POWERFUL THAT EVEN KING GEORGE OF ENGLAND FEARED THEM .… THE BLACK REGIMENT WERE SIMPLY PREACHERS WHO PRAYED AND WHO LATER WERE LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR EDUCATION IN AMERICA. HARVARD, YALE, PRINCETON, WILLIAM AND MARY AND DARTMOUTH WERE ALL FOUNDED BY MINISTERS, EVEN THO NOW THE VERY BELIEFS THESE SCHOOLS HAD AS THEIR FOUNDATION IS UNDER ATTACK. WE NEED NOT WEAR A BLACK ROBE, BUT WE ARE CALLED TO BE FULL-TIME MINISTERS ROOTED IN THE WORD OF GOD AND MUST CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR AMERICA.
MAY GOD PUT THE DESIRE IN EACH OF OUR HEARTS TO DO WHAT HE INSTRUCTED THE ISRAELITES TO DO AS HE GAVE INSTRUCTIONS IN THAT FAMILIAR SCRIPTURE …. 2 CHRONICLES 7:14. I KNOW THAT IS WHAT WE MUST DO. OUR LAND SOOOO NEEDS A HEALING, NEEDS A REVIVAL!
MY HEART ACHES WHEN I THINK OF HOW FAR WE HAVE DRIFTED FROM WHAT OUR FOUNDING FATHERS WANTED AND BELIEVED FOR THESE UNITED STATES. LET'S CONTINUE TO PRAY EACH DAY FOR "OUR RETURN."
2 CHRONICLES 7:14 ~ IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND.
COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT WE WERE TOLD TO "STAY IN" NEARLY 5 MONTHS AGO? YES, WE WERE! THIS C-VIRUS HAS GIVEN US A SEVERE BLOW, WHAT WITH CHANGING OUR LIFESTYLES, HAVING TO CHANGE PLANS, HAVING CANCELLATIONS, ETC. SEEING THE ECONOMIC DESTRUCTION IN OUR LAND, THE DEATHS FROM THIS DREADED C-VIRUS, BUT I KNOW THAT "THIS TOO SHALL PASS" AND I REFUSE TO GIVE IN TO FEAR THAT IS SPEWED OUT EACH DAY IN THE MEDIA (I DO NOT HAVE TV) BUT I DO HEAR FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY, HOW BAD IT CAN BE WHEN YOU CHOOSE TO LISTEN TO WHAT THE COMMENTATORS PROMOTE (MUCH FEAR). OF COURSE, ALL THAT BAD INFO GETS INTO YOUR SPIRIT AND CAN EASILY CAUSE "STRESS" AND WHO NEEDS THAT? ASK GOD TO REMOVE THOSE NEGATIVE THOTS THAT ARE TRYING EACH DAY TO "CREEP IN."
I CHOOSE TO PUT MY FAITH IN GOD'S WORD THAT TELLS ME HE WILL CERTAINLY WALK WITH US THRU THIS DIFFICULT TIME …. LET'S HOLD TIGHTLY TO HIS HAND …. AS WE WALK WITH HIM …. IT IS NOT AS SCARY …. WHEN WE CLING TO HIS STRONG HAND.
ISAIAH 43:2 ~ WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU; AND THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW YOU. WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED, NOR SHALL THE FLAME SCORCH YOU.
WOW! THERE IS NOT MUCH TO WRITE ABOUT AS FAR AS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MY LIFE NOW, BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A LOT GOING ON! I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED TELLING YOU WHERE I WAS GOING AND WHAT I WAS DOING IN ALL OF MY CONCERTS, ETC. AND NOW, FIVE MONTHS OF NO INCOME FROM CONCERTS IS A DIFFERENT WAY OF LIFE FOR ME, NOT MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THAT (BUT OF COURSE, I CAN SAY HOW FAITHFUL GOD IS TO SUPPLY ALL MY NEEDS, ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY) AND WE KNOW, HE DOES OWN EVERYTHING. GUESS I AM JUST LIKE YOU, IN THE "WAITING MODE", AND THAT SHOULD BE OK, FOR WE KNOW GOD IS IN TOTAL CONTROL OF THE PLANS HE HAS FOR US, AND WILL CONTINUE TO PROTECT US AS WE WAIT IN HIS PRESENCE. THAT HAS BEEN SOOOO GOOD FOR ME …. AND I THINK "HIM" ALSO.
JEREMIAH 29:11 ~ “FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU,” DECLARES THE LORD, “PLANS TO PROSPER YOU AND NOT TO HARM YOU, PLANS TO GIVE YOU HOPE AND A FUTURE.”
FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE OLDER, WE ARE LIVING IN A DIFFERENT AMERICA TODAY THAN WE GREW UP IN. I HAVE CLEAR MEMORIES OF ALL I ENDURED BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF MY SKIN. AND EVEN TODAY, THE RACE ISSUE IS STILL WITH US, AND WILL BE UNTIL JESUS COMES …. FOR, UNLESS HEARTS ARE CHANGED BY HIM AND EVERYONE SHOWS LOVE TO ONE ANOTHER, WE SHALL CONTINUE TO WITNESS WHAT WE ARE SEEING AROUND US. FOLKS, SADLY RACISM IS TAUGHT. JESUS IS THE ANSWER! GOD SENT HIS ONLY SON TO EARTH BECAUSE ALL LIVES MATTER!
ACTS 17:25-28 ~ NOR IS HE WORSHIPED WITH MEN’S HANDS, AS THOUGH HE NEEDED ANYTHING, SINCE HE GIVES TO ALL LIFE, BREATH, AND ALL THINGS. AND HE HAS MADE FROM ONE BLOOD EVERY NATION OF MEN TO DWELL ON ALL THE FACE OF THE EARTH, AND HAS DETERMINED THEIR PREAPPOINTED TIMES AND THE BOUNDARIES OF THEIR DWELLINGS, SO THAT THEY SHOULD SEEK THE LORD, IN THE HOPE THAT THEY MIGHT GROPE FOR HIM AND FIND HIM, THOUGH HE IS NOT FAR FROM EACH ONE OF US; FOR IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING, AS ALSO SOME OF YOUR OWN POETS HAVE SAID, ‘FOR WE ARE ALSO HIS OFFSPRING.’
I CONTINUE TO MINISTER BY PHONE AND E-MAIL TO MANY HURTING DEAR FOLK. I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE FOR THEM AND YOU, SO PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 IF YOU NEED ME TO PRAY WITH YOU. IT WILL BE A PRIVILEGE, AS I DO BELIEVE WE SERVE A GOD WHO ANSWERS PRAYER.
I MUST SAY A BIG THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO TELL ME THAT YOU PRAY FOR ME, I CAN FEEL YOUR PRAYERS. AND OF COURSE, THANKS TO YOU WHO SEND ME GIFTS OF LOVE DURING THIS "DOWNTIME." NOT SURE WHEN I WILL BE "ON THE ROAD AGAIN" BUT I AM EXCITED AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IT! ALL GIFTS OF LOVE ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE! I CAN SEND YOU A RECEIPT NOW, AND YOU WILL ALSO RECEIVE A REWARD IN HEAVEN. YOU CAN GO THRU PAYPAL, CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD AND AMOUNT, OR SEND "SNAIL MAIL." ALSO, GOD WILL MAKE YOU A BLESSING TO ME, THIS GRATEFUL HEART! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
OUR CHURCH IS STILL OPEN (WE CAME IN ON MAY 31), THANK GOD! AND WE ARE SOOOO HAPPY! OF COURSE, THERE ARE MANY WHO HAVE NOT RETURNED YET FOR MANY DIFFERENT REASONS, (ONE REASON IS THAT WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF SENIORS, BUT I ALWAYS WEAR MY MASK), WE ARE VERY HAPPY THAT THE DIGITAL MINISTRY IS "ALIVE AND WELL." IN FACT, WE ARE TOLD THAT THERE ARE MORE THAN TEN TIMES THE AMOUNT WATCHING "ONLINE" THAN THOSE WHO ARE IN THE CHURCH BUILDING. PRAISE THE LORD!
PHILIPPIANS 4:23 ~ THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.
JUNE 14 WAS FLAG DAY, I HONOR THE FLAG, I RESPECT THE FLAG, I FLY THE FLAG AND WHENEVER ASKED…
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
WE ARE HEARING AND SEEING A LOT ABOUT OUR FLAG THESE DAYS, SOME WANT TO STAND, OTHERS WANT TO KNEEL. THERE IS CERTAINLY MUCH TURMOIL IN OUR LAND, WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY AND LOOTING BY UNRULY PERSONS (THESE ARE NOT PEACEFUL PROTESTORS). THERE IS SOOO MUCH HATE …. AND THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT satan WANTS! I AM SOOO SAD WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA NOW. THERE IS A REAL NEED FOR THE BODY OF CHRIST TO PRAY EARNESTLY.
SOME DAYS, IF WE DID NOT KNOW OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, WE COULD BECOME WEARY OF THE RHETORIC THAT IS HEARD ON THE NEWS (I DO NOT HAVE TV, SO I ONLY LISTEN TO THE NEWS ON THE HOUR FOR HEADLINES). I REFUSE TO HAVE MY SPIRITMAN FILLED WITH WHAT I HEAR FROM SOME FRIENDS, AS THEY ARE TUNED IN DAY AND NITE TO THE CABLE NEWS NETWORKS. YIKES!!!!!!! THEY ARE BEING INDOCTRINATED WITH THE "FEAR FACTOR" AND THAT PRODUCES STRESS WE DON'T NEED, BECAUSE, STRESS IS HARD ON A BODY, ACTUALLY, "PEACE" IS WHAT WE ALL NEED. AND THAT "PEACE" COMES TO US THRU JESUS CHRIST, THE PRINCE OF PEACE! I CHOOSE TO HAVE HIS PRESENCE IN MY LIFE EACH AND EVERY DAY. AND NOT THE ANXIETY THAT IS BEING PUSHED/POURED ON US.
JOHN 14:27 ~ PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU; NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES DO I GIVE TO YOU. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID.
WELL, I HAVE HEARD MANY SAY, THEY CAN'T DECIDE WHERE THEY WANT TO GO FIRST TO EAT IN A RESTAURANT WHEN THE QUARANTINE IS PAST, I THOT ABOUT IT, CHEEZECAKE FACTORY, P.F. CHANG, MIMI'S? WELL, I WAS DRIVING PAST DENNY'S AND SAW THEY HAD REOPENED, AND BECAUSE I DON'T COOK BREAKFAST AT HOME, I SOMETIMES GO THERE FOR THEIRS. I ALWAYS ORDER THE SAME THING, 2 EGGS COOKED TO ORDER, 2 SLICES OF TURKEY BACON, AND 2 PANCAKES, (OF WHICH I GET ONLY ONE) AND EVEN CUT IT IN HALF ) …. I GET FRESH STRAWBERRIES FOR MY PANCAKE TOPPING INSTEAD OF SYRUP. NOW HERE IS THE BEST PART, THE COST IS ONLY $4 PLUS TAX AND TIP. I HAD MISSED IT SOOO MUCH. IT WAS FUN!
AT MY SENIOR PLACE HERE, WE ARE STILL IN ISOLATION. NO DINING ROOM MEALS TOGETHER YET, FOOD IS STILL BEING DELIVERED. I PRAY IT MIGHT BE GETTING CLOSE FOR US TO GATHER AGAIN THERE FOR FOOD AND MUCH FELLOWSHIP. PRAISE GOD! HUMANS ARE MADE TO BE TOUCHED AND HUGGED AND BECAUSE THERE IS NONE OF THAT NOW, IT IS DIFFICULT FOR MANY. I KNOW IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME!
I AM SOOO HAPPY THAT I WAS ASKED TO PLAN A WEEKLY CONCERT IN OUR BEAUTIFUL COURTYARD. GOD HAS BEEN GOOD TO TOUCH THE HEARTS OF MY FRIENDS WHO ARE TALENTED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. I REACHED OUT AND ASKED IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO COME BLESS A GROUP OF SENIORS (MANY OF THE RESIDENTS ARE EXPERIENCING LONELINESS AND ISOLATION, HAVING TO STAY 6-FT APART, AND WEAR MASKS). THE ANSWERS FROM MY FRIENDS HAVE BEEN "YES! YES!" I AM SOOO GRATEFUL TO THEM. THEY WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT A BLESSING EACH OF THEM HAS BEEN TO US. WE HAVE HAD A REAL VARIETY OF PROGRAMS. PRAISE GOD!
MATTHEW 25:40 ~ AND THE KING WILL ANSWER AND SAY TO THEM, ‘ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, INASMUCH AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, YOU DID IT TO ME.’
A QUOTE FROM BILLY GRAHAM, “A GOOD FATHER IS ONE OF THE MOST UNSUNG, UNDER-PRAISED, UNNOTICED, AND YET, ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE ASSETS IN OUR SOCIETY.” ~ BILLY GRAHAM
IN 1972, PRESIDENT NIXON MADE A PROCLAMATION THAT THE 3RD SUNDAY IN JUNE BE THE DAY WE GIVE HONOR AND RECOGNITION TO OUR FATHERS. YES, MOTHERS' DAY DOES GET A LOT OF ATTENTION, AND IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE. HOWEVER, DADS ARE SOOOO IMPORTANT IN THE HOME, THEY ARE MUCH NEEDED TO LEAD AND GUIDE THE FAMILY. I LOVE THIS SCRIPTURE…
PSALM 127:3-4 ~ BEHOLD, CHILDREN ARE A HERITAGE FROM THE LORD, THE FRUIT OF THE WOMB IS A REWARD. LIKE ARROWS IN THE HAND OF A WARRIOR/DADS, SO ARE THE CHILDREN OF ONE’S YOUTH.
HOWEVER, WHEN THERE IS NO DAD IN THE HOME, HERE IS A WONDERFUL, COMFORTING SCRIPTURE TO SHARE WITH THOSE WHO NEED TO HEAR IT…
2 CORINTHIANS 6:18 ~ AND I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU AND YOU SHALL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS TO ME, SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY.
I NEEDED THAT SCRIPTURE WHEN I WAS GROWING UP AS MY DAD PASSED AWAY WHEN I WAS ONLY 12 YRS OLD, 70 YEARS AGO. SO I HAVE HAD TO RELY ON MY HEAVENLY FATHER, AND HE HAS NEVER DISAPPOINTED ME! I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SPENDING ETERNITY WITH BOTH MY EARTHLY DAD AND MY HEAVENLY FATHER. I ALWAYS THOT I LOOK LIKE MY EARTHLY DAD AND I AM ALWAYS TRYING TO ALSO LOOK LIKE MY HEAVENLY FATHER.
MS. LILLIE'S DAD
IT IS A SAD STATISTIC THAT THE PRECENTAGE OF ABSENTEE BLACK FATHERS IS A STAGGERING 70% . THAT IS WHY I LOVE THIS VIDEO …. A FATHER SPENDING TIME TO "CARRY ON A CONVERSATION" WITH HIS BOY!
AFTER 2 YEARS OF HAVING A PHONE THRU CONSUMER CELLULAR, (BY THE WAY, I LOVE BEING WITH THEM) HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS AT ALL WITH THE COMPANY. SUDDENLY MY PHONE BEGAN ACTING UP, SO HERE I AM AT TARGET GETTING A NEW ONE! (WEARING MASK AND ALL) IT IS A SAMSUNG A-20 …. ONLY $180 WHEREAS THE APPLE I-PHONES START AT $800 THERE. REALLY FOLKS, I JUST WANT TO MAKE PHONE CALLS AND I DO LOVE THE NEW A-20.
WHAT A BLESSING THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GO BACK INTO OUR CHURCH BUILDING, NOTICE I DID NOT SAY "GO BACK TO CHURCH" BECAUSE YOU AND I ARE THE "CHURCH.” IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL, THE MUSIC AND THE MESSAGES FROM MY PASTOR. (WE HAVE BEEN BACK FOR 5 SUNDAYS NOW) AMEN!
THE BUILDING SEATS 4000, SO WE CAN HAVE ONLY 800 FOR EACH OF THE 3 SERVICES. WE MUST HAVE 4 SEATS BETWEEN US AND WEAR A MASK. THE ENTIRE ROW IN FRONT OF YOU WILL ALWAYS BE VACANT SO THE GUIDELINES ARE BEING FOLLOWED …. THANKS TO THE CHURCH PASTORS, AND CLEANING CREW FOR TRYING TO KEEP US AS SAFE FROM THE VIRUS AS POSSIBLE.
PSALM 122:1 ~ I WAS GLAD WHEN THEY SAID TO ME, “LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD.”
IT WAS MARCH 4, 2020, WHEN I HAD MY LAST CONCERT, AND NOTHING SINCE THEN, IT HAS BEEN VERY DIFFERENT NOT BEING ABLE TO SING, (HOWEVER, GOD HAS GIVEN ME AWESOME ENCOUNTERS WITH FOLK I MEET EACH AND EVERY DAY!) I WILL TELL YOU THAT IT HAS BEEN A PRECIOUS TIME FOR ME TO CONTINUE TO TRUST GOD AS I HAVE FOR THE NEARLY 50 YEARS THAT I HAVE BEEN IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY. HE IS THE ONE I LOOK TO WHEN I NEED TO HAVE A BILL PAID, AND HE TOUCHES THE HEARTS OF FOLK WHO WRITE, SENDING ME LOVE GIFTS, AND IT IS ALWAYS JUST WHAT I NEED! WHAT A GOD I SERVE! THANK YOU LORD! AND SINCERE THANKS TO THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN TO ME DURING THIS TIME, THRU PAY PAL, WRITTEN CHECKS, CREDIT CARDS, EVEN CASH HAS COME THRU THE SNAIL MAIL. GOD CERTAINLY USED YOU TO BE A BLESSING TO ME. AND I DO SOOO APPRECIATE ALL YOUR PRAYERS FOR ME. YOU CAN RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT DOWN HERE ON EARTH, AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN.
MATTHEW 6:26 ~ LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR, FOR THEY NEITHER SOW NOR REAP NOR GATHER INTO BARNS; YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY?
ARE SOME OF YOU ASKING DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME, "GOD, WHAT IS GOING ON?" WELL, I THINK GOD MAY HAVE ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN TO GET OUR ATTENTION. AND I BELIEVE IT HAS DONE THAT! FOLK SEEM TO BE SEARCHING AND SEEKING! AND WE AS CHRISTIANS, NEED TO BELIEVE THAT GOD IS WORKING FOR US AND NOT AGAINST US. SO LET'S BE ENCOURAGED, KNOWING THAT WE CAN HAVE HOPE IN GOD, AND MUST NOT BE SWAYED AS WE LOOK AROUND AT THE DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES.
HEBREWS 10-23 ~ LET US SEIZE AND HOLD TIGHTLY THE CONFESSION OF OUR HOPE WITHOUT WAVERING, FOR HE WHO PROMISED IS RELIABLE AND TRUSTWORTHY AND FAITHFUL [TO HIS WORD].
I AM SOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO THE TIME I CAN GET BACK "ON THE ROAD AGAIN" ALL MY CONCERTS WERE POSTPONED TIL SEPT/OCT/ NOV, SO IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF SCHEDULING AN EVENT FOR YOUR CHURCH, SENIOR ADULTS OR A LADIES FUNCTION, PLEASE KNOW THAT I WOULD LOVE TO COME MINISTER IN WORD AND SONG …. GOD WILL BE MAGNIFIED AND JESUS LIFTED UP! AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME. PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT. REMEMBER, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!
PSALM 119:133 ~ ESTABLISH MY FOOTSTEPS IN [THE WAY OF] YOUR WORD; DO NOT LET ANY HUMAN WEAKNESS HAVE POWER OVER ME [CAUSING ME TO BE SEPARATED FROM YOU].
THESE LAST 3 MONTHS HAVE BEEN A TIME THAT WILL GO DOWN IN THE HISTORY BOOKS AS "UNPRECEDENTED" …. TO BE TOLD ON MARCH 13, 2020 THAT WE MUST NOT LEAVE OUR HOMES …. (EXCEPT FOR ESSENTIALS) WAS SOMETHING WE AMERICANS HAVE NOT BEEN ASKED/TOLD TO DO IN MY LIFETIME WOW! AND FOR MANY IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT …. AS ONE THING WE AMERICANS WANT IS FREEDOM TO GO AND COME AS WE WISH. ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS FOR ME IS HAVING TO WEAR A MASK …. ONE PRIMARY REASON IS BECAUSE IT HIDES MY SMILE …. I HAVE ALWAYS SMILED AT EVERYONE AS I MOVE ABOUT MY DAYS …. AND FOR THEM TO NOT SEE IT, IS FRUSTRATING FOR ME …. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE EYES SMILE …. SO I AM CHECKING THE MIRROR OFTEN, TO SEE IF THAT IS TRUE. IS IT?
I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I HAVE NEVER BEEN MARRIED OR HAVE CHILDREN AND LIVE ALONE …. THAT I HAVE NOT HAD THE STRESS THAT IS OCCURRING IN MANY HOUSEHOLDS. IT MUST BE DIFFICULT TO NOT HAVE A JOB TO GO TO …. OR THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK FROM HOME, BUT NOW, TO HAVE YOUR CHILDREN AT HOME 24 HRS A DAY WHO MUST BE HOME-SCHOOLED …. KEPT ENTERTAINED …. PREPARE MEALS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY …. WHEW!!!!! I HAVE PRAYED A LOT FOR THOSE SITUATIONS …. AND IF THAT IS YOU I HAVE JUST DESCRIBED …. GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE FACING …. THE BURDEN THAT HAS BEEN HEAPED UPON YOU …. AND HE IS THERE TO LIFT IT FROM YOU.
PSALM 55:22 ~ CAST YOUR BURDEN ON THE LORD [RELEASE IT] AND HE WILL SUSTAIN AND UPHOLD YOU; HE WILL NEVER ALLOW THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE SHAKEN (SLIP, FALL, FAIL). {AMP}
IT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING TIME FOR ME …. AS I WAS ALL SCHEDULED TO TRAVEL AND SING FOR MARCH, APRIL, MAY AND JUNE …. BUT BECAUSE OF THE C-VIRUS, ALL SERVICES HAD TO BE POSTPONED …. SO HERE I AM AT HOME DOING GREAT THINGS …. SUCH AS CLEANING OUT DRAWERS, CABINETS, CLOSETS, ETC. …. AND LOVING IT! AND OF COURSE, I HAVE SO MUCH MORE TIME TO SPEND WITH THE LORD, READING HIS WORD, AND PRAYING FOR THE WORLD SITUATION. I AM SOOO GRATEFUL FOR THE 6 AM PRAYER LINE I AM A PART OF 7 DAYS A WEEK …. WE LIFT UP OUR PRESIDENT, VICE PRESIDENT, THE CABINET, AS WELL AS ALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN WASHINGTON D.C. IT IS WONDERFUL THAT AS BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS, WE KNOW OUR GOD IS IN CONTROL. THIS C-VIRUS DID NOT CATCH GOD BY SURPRISE …. HE KNOWS EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING AND WILL SEE US THRU THESE UNCHARTED WATERS.
ISAIAH 43:2 ~ WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU; AND THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY WILL NOT OVERWHELM YOU. WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH FIRE, YOU WILL NOT BE SCORCHED, NOR WILL THE FLAME BURN YOU. {AMP}
WHEN I BEGAN TRAVELING IN 1976 FULL-TIME, I MADE IT A POINT TO ALWAYS MAKE SURE I WAS HOME FOR MOTHER'S DAY …. AS I SO WANTED TO EXPRESS RESPECT, HONOR AND LOVE TO MY DEAR, SWEET MOM, TO LET HER KNOW HOW MUCH I APPRECIATED ALL THE SACRIFICES SHE MADE FOR ME AND ALL HER CHILDREN AND HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO EACH OF OUR LIVES. WE LOVED CELEBRATING HER AND WERE SAD WHEN SHE WENT TO HEAVEN TO BE WITH JESUS AT THE AGE OF 94 …. BUT, WE'LL SPEND ETERNITY TOGETHER.
MS. LILLIE'S MOTHER AT HER 90TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION SURROUNDED WITH HER CHILDREN (Nell, Evelyn (with Jesus), Loretta, Paul, Ms. Lillie, Gertie (with Jesus), and Gladine)
I AM HAPPY THAT IT WAS ANNA JARVIS WHO WANTED TO CELEBRATE HER MOM IN A SPECIAL WAY IN 1908 …. WELL, IT QUICKLY SPREAD, AND IN 1914, PRESIDENT WILSON SIGNED A PROCLAMATION …. THAT THE SECOND SUNDAY OF MAY WOULD BE A NATIONAL HOLIDAY TO HONOR MOTHERS. HOW KIND OF GOD TO TOUCH OUR CALIFORNIA GOVERNORS' HEART, SO THAT FLORISTS COULD OPEN UP THAT WEEKEND …. AS FLOWERS ARE VERY MUCH A PART OF MOTHER'S DAY …. ANOTHER THING THAT HAD BE DONE ON THAT VERY SPECIAL DAY …. WAS "SOCIAL DISTANCING"…. ( I AM CERTAIN THOSE 2 WORDS WILL BE IN THE NEXT PRINTING OF WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY) IT WAS VERY DIFFERENT …. (HAVING TO STAY 6-FT AWAY FROM YOUR MOM) I AM CERTAIN THAT EVERYONE MISSED THOSE BIG HUGS. BUT HEY! GOD'S GOT THIS!
PSALM 103:11 ~ FOR AS THE HEAVENS ARE HIGH ABOVE THE EARTH, SO GREAT IS HIS LOVING-KINDNESS TOWARD THOSE WHO FEAR AND WORSHIP HIM [WITH AWE-FILLED RESPECT AND DEEPEST REVERENCE]. {AMP}
MY HEART DOES GO OUT AND PRAYERS GO UP FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE HERE IN MY SENIOR RETIREMENT PLACE AND ARE UNABLE TO HAVE THE FELLOWSHIP WE NORMALLY HAVE TOGETHER WITH FAMILY/FRIENDS. AS WE HAVE NONE OF THE THINGS WE USUALLY EXPERIENCE …. SUCH AS GAME TIME, BINGO/BUNKO, CRAFTS, BIBLE STUDY ETC. NO MORE MEALS IN THE DINING ROOM, ALL MEALS ARE DELIVERED TO OUR DOORS. I THINK WHAT I MISS MOST THO …. ARE THE HUGS!
WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME TO DO A CONCERT IN THE 3 COURTYARDS WE HAVE HERE …. THE RESIDENTS ARE ABLE TO COME TO THEIR PATIO AREA AND ENJOY MUSIC. THERE ARE DIFFERENT GROUPS WHO COME BY EACH WEEK TO SING THE HYMNS OF THE CHURCH AND WE ARE BLESSED. MY CONCERT WAS THE DAY BEFORE MY B'DAY, APRIL 29 …. HERE IS ONE OF THE 12 SONGS I SANG THAT DAY …. HOPE YOU ENJOY!
I HAD FUN THE 18 YRS I EXERCISED AT CURVES …. WHEN THEY CLOSED THE ONE NEAR MY HOUSE AND MOVED …. I JOINED THE 24-HR FITNESS GYM NEAR ME …. AND HAVE LOVED BEING THERE ALMOST A YEAR NOW …. WELL, OF COURSE, THE GYMS ARE ALL CLOSED …. WELL, I DISCOVERED THE SAME ROUTINES/EXERCISES I HAD BEEN DOING AT THE GYM ARE AVAILABLE FOR ME ONLINE. SO EACH DAY, I STILL WORKOUT THRU THE COMPUTER …. (I HAVE 2 DIFFERENT POUND WEIGHTS, MY STRETCH ROPE AND MY SMALL BALL TO STRENGTHEN MY UPPER LEGS. HEY, I MAY NEVER RETURN TO A GYM …. SO MUCH EASIER …. NO GETTING DRESSED, DRIVING TO GYM …. CAUSE WHEN I AM OUT OF THE HOUSE, I ALWAYS FIND A REASON TO RUN HERE AND THERE DOING FUN THINGS …. BUT NOW I JUST COME FROM MY BEDROOM, TURN "PUTER" ON, WORKOUT AND WHEN I AM DONE …. I AM AT HOME. I ENJOY IT!
MEMORIAL DAY WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS "DECORATION DAY" …. A DAY TO REMEMBER AND DECORATE GRAVES OF THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN MILITARY SERVICE TO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA …. PRESIDENT JOHNSON DECLARED IN 1966, "THAT THE LAST MONDAY IN MAY WILL BE RECOGNIZED AS THE OFFICIAL DAY TO REMEMBER AND HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED AND GAVE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE, THEIR VERY LIVES FOR OUR FREEDOM" …. REMEMBER, "FREEDOM IS NOT FREE" …. AND LONG AGO, PRESIDENT LINCOLN DECLARED, "THEY GAVE THEIR 'LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION' AND THEN ADDED …."AND THAT THE DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN" …. I'LL SAY AMEN TO THAT!!!
LET'S ALSO REMEMBER THAT OUR FREEDOM IS A GIFT FROM GOD …. WE MUST KEEP GOD'S NAME IN AMERICA …. AND TEACH THE GODLY HERITAGE THAT IS A PART OF OUR HISTORY. MAY AMERICA'S TRUST RETURN TO BE IN GOD ONLY!
PSALM 33:12 ~ BLESSED [FORTUNATE, PROSPEROUS, AND FAVORED BY GOD] IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD, THE PEOPLE WHOM HE HAS CHOSEN AS HIS OWN INHERITANCE. {AMP}
WHEN I WAS TRAVELING OVERSEAS OFTEN, I ALWAYS CARRIED A SMALL AMERICAN FLAG WITH ME …. I LOVE AMERICA! …. AND YES, THERE IS SOOOO MUCH THAT IS WRONG WITH OUR COUNTRY, BUT, I AM HAPPY I WAS BORN HERE, AND I REMEMBER HOW EXCITED I WOULD BE WHEN I WOULD SEE MY FLAG FLYING OUTSIDE OUR U. S. EMBASSY IN THOSE COUNTRIES …. I WOULD GET A TEAR IN MY EYE …. SEEING THAT FLAG.
I SOUND A PHOTO TAKEN IN 1917, AND WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU. IT IS A LIVING FORMATION OF OUR AMERICAN FLAG …. I LOVE IT! …. I AM JUST SORRY IT WAS NOT PHOTOGRAPHED IN COLOR, I THOT PERHAPS THERE MIGHT NOT HAVE BEEN COLOR BACK IN THOSE DAYS, BUT GOOGLE ADVISED ME THAT THE FIRST COLOR PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN IN 1861 …. AND NOW WE HAVE FABULOUS COLOR PICTURES …. THERE IS NOT AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHY IT WAS NOT IN COLOR THEN .... THE PHOTO WAS TAKEN IN 1917 AT THE NAVAL TRAINING STATION IN GREAT LAKES, ILLINOIS. THERE WERE 10,000 YOUNG U. S. NAVY SAILORS WHO WERE USED TO CREATE THIS "LIVING PHOTOGRAPH …. TWO MEN MADE IT HAPPEN …. ONE WAS ON THE GROUND COORDINATING THE PLACEMENT OF THE THOUSANDS OF SAILORS …. YIKES!!!!! …. WHILE HIS PARTNER TOOK HIS PLACE ON TOP OF A 75-FOOT TALL TOWER WITH CAMERA IN HAND …. HERE ARE SOME STATS …. THE ENTIRE FLAGPOLE …. 560 MEN …. WHILE THE SMALL BALL ON TOP OF FLAG POLE FARTHEST FROM THE CAMERA, WERE 300 MEN …. THE FLAG IS 73 FEET WIDE AT BOTTOM AND 300 FEET WIDE AT THE TOP, THEY EVEN ARRANGED THE MEN SO IT APPEARS THE FLAG IS WAVING IN THE BREEZE …. …. 2 MEN USED THE GIFT OF CREATIVITY GOD HAD GIVEN THEM …. TO UNDERTAKE THAT ENORMOUS TASK. SO WE CAN VIEW THIS "PHOTO OF 1917 HUMAN FLAG."
"OUR GRAND OLD FLAG"
IT MIGHT BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO REMAIN CALM IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS C-VIRUS CHAOS …. WE ARE HEARING MANY DIFFERENT REPORTS FROM THE NEWS SOURCES WHO SEEM TO HAVE AN AGENDA …. PROMOTING THE "FEAR FACTOR." I REFUSE TO LISTEN TO THE NEWS …. AS I HEAR IT IS ALL BAD! SO WHEN STRESS BEGINS TO CREEP INTO YOUR LIFE, PLEASE LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU TO GIVE ALL THOSE WORRIES TO GOD …. HE WANTS TO GIVE US HIS PEACE. AND BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE ARE "DOING LIFE WITH JESUS," HE IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE AND HE LIVES IN US ... AMEN!
JOHN 14:27 ~ PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU; MY [PERFECT] PEACE I GIVE TO YOU; NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES DO I GIVE TO YOU. DO NOT LET YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NOR LET IT BE AFRAID. [LET MY PERFECT PEACE CALM YOU IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND GIVE YOU COURAGE AND STRENGTH FOR EVERY CHALLENGE.] {AMP}
AS SOON AS THE MANDATE WAS GIVEN TO "STAY-AT-HOME", CHURCHES BEGAN MEETING "ONLINE', THAT WAS SOMETHING NEW AND DIFFERENT ALSO …. HOWEVER, I FOUND A CHURCH THAT WAS MEETING IN THE CHURCH PARKING LOT …. 363 PARKING SPACES THAT ARE ALMOST FILLED SUNDAYS AT 10 AM AND 6 PM …. I THANK GOD FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY HE GAVE ME TO HAVE A BIT OF FELLOWSHIP AS I WAVE AND GREET FOLK IN THE NEXT CAR. FOR YEARS, I HAVE BEEN SINGING A SONG .... "HE'S AN ON TIME GOD" …. NOW I COULD CHANGE THAT TO …. "HE'S AN ONLINE GOD! CAUSE FOR THE WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK SERVICE FROM MY HOME CHURCH, I AM TUNED IN TO SOME WONDERFUL MESSAGES …. THEN ON FRIDAY NITES, I AM ON THE LINE WHERE WE PRAY ALONG WITH OUR PASTOR FOR ALL THE NEEDS …. POWERFUL! …. ON SATURDAY NITES, I AM BEING BLESSED TO BE A PART OF OUR FIRST WEEKEND SERVICES. I AM GRATEFUL TO OUR PASTOR THAT OUR CHURCH HAS BEEN ONLINE FOR A LONG TIME AND NOW WE CAN KEEP OUR CHURCH FAMILY CONNECTED EASILY …. THANK GOD FOR THE TECHNOLOGY …. AMEN!
AFTER 77 DAYS, MANY PASTORS IN MY AREA (3,000 IN FACT) HAD A MEETING AND FELT THAT IT WAS TIME TO RE-OPEN THE DOORS OF THEIR CHURCHES .... (EVEN THO, THOSE MAKING THE RULES HAD NOT "DEEMED THE CHURCHES AS ESSENTIALS"). WE ALL KNOW THAT THE CHURCH IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR HEARTS AND LIVES. THE PASTORS AGREED THAT THE DAY SHOULD BE SUNDAY, MAY 31, PENTECOST SUNDAY, FOR IT WAS THE DAY THE CHURCH BEGAN, ACCORDING TO ACTS 2, WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME FROM HEAVEN AND FILLED THE HOUSE. AMEN! IT WILL BE A GOOD THING FOR US TO BE TOGETHER AGAIN! .... PRAISE GOD!
BECAUSE JESUS WAS GOING BACK TO HEAVEN, HE PROMISED TO SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT TO EMPOWER US SO WE CAN BE A PART OF THE COMING REVIVALS IN THE LAST DAYS. TTHERE WILL BE MUCH FOR US TO DO .... AND THE BEST PART IS THAT GOD IS WITH US! OUR JOB .... WE MUST SPREAD THE TIDINGS AROUND .... WHEREVER MAN IS FOUND AND TELL THEM "THE COMFORTER HAS COME."
FOR AT LEAST 44 YEARS NOW, I HAVE BEEN SINGING THIS ARRANGEMENT OF AN OLD HYMN OF THE CHURCH. WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME TO SING THIS SONG RIGHT AFTER THE OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING. I WANTED THEM TO KNOW THAT "THE COMFORTER HAS COME" AND DURING THIS UNPRECEDENTED TIME IN THE WORLD, I WANT YOU TO KNOW ALSO. ENJOY!
JOHN 14:16 ~ AND I WILL ASK THE FATHER, AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ANOTHER HELPER (COMFORTER, ADVOCATE, INTERCESSOR, COUNSELOR, STRENGTHENER, STANDBY), TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER. {AMP}
NEVER IN MY LIFE (82 YEARS) HAS THERE BEEN AN EASTER WEEKEND LIKE APRIL 2020. SOMEWHERE IN MY MIND I WAS HEARING …. IT WAS NOT "REALLY HAPPENING" …. HERE WE ARE …. BEING TOLD BY THE GOVERNMENT ON MARCH 13 THAT WE MUST PRACTICE "SOCIAL DISTANCING" …. MEANING WE MUST BE 6-FEET FROM THE PERSON NEAR US. IT ALSO MEANT THAT WE WOULD BE UNABLE TO GATHER TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST AND TO PROCLAIM TO ALL WE MEET …. "HE IS RISEN INDEED"! YES, I WAS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED, AS I AM CERTAIN WERE MANY PASTORS.
EACH YEAR, EASTER IS ONE OF THE 2 MOST ATTENDED CHURCH SERVICES (CHRISTMAS, THE OTHER). I AM CERTAIN, HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS ONE WOULD HAVE HEARD FROM PASTORS IN THE CHURCH BUILDINGS THAT WEEKEND.
DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MAUNDY THURSDAY? IT IS THE DAY OF THE LAST SUPPER …. WHEN JESUS GOT UP FROM THE TABLE WHERE HE ATE WITH HIS 12 DISCIPLES. HE TOOK A TOWEL AND ALSO TOOK ON THE ROLE OF A SERVANT TO WASH THE FEET OF EACH ONE, (EVEN JUDAS WHO WOULD THAT NITE BETRAY HIM). AS JESUS WALKED AMONG THEM, HE INSTRUCTED THEM TO LOVE ANOTHER USING THE EXAMPLE OF WHAT HE HAD JUST DONE AND COMMANDED THAT WE SHOULD DO LIKEWISE.
JOHN 13:15 ~ FOR I GAVE YOU [THIS AS] AN EXAMPLE, SO THAT YOU SHOULD DO [IN TURN] AS I DID TO YOU. {AMP}
FOLLOWING THAT LAST SUPPER, HE WENT TO THE GARDEN TO PRAY …. AND WHILE THERE, JUDAS BROUGHT THE SOLDIERS TO ARREST HIM. JUST DAYS BEFORE, DURING THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM RIDING ON A DONKEY, THE CROWD SHOUTED: "HOSANNA, BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD" …. THEY FELT THEY WERE HONORING JESUS, AS THEY WANTED HIM TO BE KING. HOWEVER, THE TIDE WOULD TURN DURING THE WEEK …. AND PERHAPS EVEN SOME OF THOSE SAME FOLK ARE THE ONES WHO ATTENDED THE MOCK TRIAL …. AND CRIED "CRUCIFY HIM." WHILE THE FAITHFUL FEW FOLLOWED AS JESUS CARRIED HIS HEAVY CROSS, TIL HE COULD NO LONGER, AND A MAN NAMED SIMON OF CYRENE WAS TOLD TO HELP HIM AS THEY WALKED TO GOLGOTHA'S HILL FOR THE CRUCIFIXION.
FOR ALL THE SINS OF THE WORLD, HE HAD COME TO DO THE FATHER'S WILL .... TO SUFFER AND DIE ON THAT CROSS FOR ME AND YOU. EACH DAY WE SHOULD GIVE PRAISE AND ADORATION FOR THAT UNSELFISH ACT. BECAUSE WHEN JESUS UTTERED THOSE 3 WORDS "IT IS FINISHED" AS HE HUNG HIS HEAD AND DIED, THAT MEANT, WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE OUR SINS FORGIVEN AND ENTER INTO A LIFE-TRANSFORMING RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. AMEN!
JOHN 3:16-17 ~ FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, SO THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE. {NKJV}
FOR GOD DID NOT SEND THE SON INTO THE WORLD TO JUDGE AND CONDEMN THE WORLD [THAT IS, TO INITIATE THE FINAL JUDGMENT OF THE WORLD], BUT THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE SAVED THROUGH HIM. {AMP}
IT WAS FRIDAY …. BUT SUNDAY WAS A-COMIN'…. AND IT DID! ON THAT 3RD DAY MORNING, JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD JUST AS HE SAID HE WOULD. HE CONQUERED DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE. HE IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE. HALLELUJAH!
WELL, I AM PART OF A 6 AM PRAYER LINE AND WE ARE ASKING GOD'S HELP IN THIS C-VIRUS HORRIBLE SITUATION. WE KNOW GOD DID NOT SEND IT …. HE ONLY PERMITTED IT! LIKE ME, I HOPE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A NEW, AND DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE. I KNOW I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME .... AND I AM HAPPY FOR THAT!
GOD IS USING THIS TIME TO ACTUALLY SHOW US WHERE WE WERE. HOW WE WERE SPENDING EACH OF OUR WAKING HOURS …. I KNOW I AM NOW SPENDING MORE TIME WITH GOD AND IN HIS WORD, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, I CAN HONESTLY SAY I HAVE NO FEAR, NO WORRY, NO FRUSTRATION. I AM AT PEACE AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHAT HE WANTS TO DO IN EACH OF OUR LIVES. WE READ ABOUT JOSEPH …. WHEN HE MADE HIMSELF KNOWN TO HIS BROTHERS IN EGYPT, HE SAID IN GENESIS 50:20 "YOU MEANT EVIL FOR ME …. BUT GOD TURNED IT AROUND AND MADE IT GOOD." I AM ALSO CERTAIN THAT MUCH GOOD HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO COME FROM THIS C-VIRUS EPIDEMIC. I AM PRAYING FOR AND EXPECTING A REVIVAL IN THE LAND, UNLIKE WE HAVE EVER SEEN!
LOOK AT THIS ....
THE DATES I HAD SCHEDULED IN MARCH, APRIL, MAY HAD TO BE POSTPONED TIL LATER THIS YEAR. I AM GRATEFUL THEY WERE NOT TOTALLY CANCELLED …. AND THAT IS GOOD. MY INCOME COMES FROM TRAVELING AND MINISTERING IN CHURCHES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, BUT THESE LAST 3 MONTHS, MARCH, APRIL AND MAY, I AM "HOME" …. THEREFORE, NO INCOME!
I DO REALIZE THAT SOME OF YOU ARE IN A FINANCIAL CRISIS AND HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE, HOWEVER, THERE ARE SOME WHO ARE ABLE TO BLESS THOSE OF US WHO TRAVEL FULL-TIME …. AND IF YOU ARE ABLE TO SHARE IN MY MINISTRY DURING THIS CHALLENGING TIME …. THANKS! YOU ARE ABLE TO DONATE SEVERAL WAYS …. YOU MAY SEND A CHECK TO “LILLIE KNAULS, 1125 W. ARROW HWY., UPLAND, CA 91786” .... OR CALL ME AT 909-948-2448, AND USE YOUR CREDIT CARD FOR WHATEVER AMOUNT YOU WISH TO GIVE …. YOU MAY ALSO DONATE BY USING THE DONATE BUTTON ON MY HOME PAGE …. OR IF YOU HAVE PAYPAL, YOU MAY USE YOUR PAYPAL ACCOUNT TO “SEND MONEY” TO SINGER@MISSLILLIE.COMTHAT'S IT! I WILL VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT! PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT. GOD WILL MAKE YOU A BLESSING TO ME!
WHAT A SHOCK TO HEAR THAT ONE OF MY LONG-TIME FRIENDS WENT TO BE WITH JESUS, DEAR PASTOR GARY MCSPADDEN. I MET HIM AND HIS PRECIOUS WIFE CAROL MANY YEARS AGO. IN FACT, I SANG IN HIS PARENTS CHURCH IN TEXAS, WHEN I THINK HE WAS YOUTH PASTOR, AND HAVE LOVED THEM SINCE THEN. I WOULD SEE HIM REGULARLY WHEN WE GATHERED TO TAPE A BILL GAITHER HOMECOMING VIDEO …. WHAT A VOICE! RECENTLY, I WAS BLESSED TO SING IN HIS GREAT CHURCH IN BRANSON, MO. WHAT AN EXCELLENT TEACHER HE WAS. I WAS SOOOO BLESSED AS I HEARD HIM EXPOUND THE WORD THAT NITE. WELL, WHAT A DAY IT WILL BE WHEN WE SEE JESUS AND ALL THE FRIENDS WHO HAVE GONE ON BEFORE US.
PASTOR GARY MCSPADDEN AND MS. LILLIE
PASTOR GARY MCSPADDEN, MUSIC MINISTER PASTOR DOUG, R.W. BLACKWOOD, MS. LILLIE, DONNA BLACKWOOD AND PASTOR CAROL MCSPADDEN
THE SENIOR COMPLEX WHERE I LIVE IS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. THERE ARE NO GAMES, CRAFTS, MEETINGS, NO MEALS TOGETHER (THEY DELIVER OUR MEALS TO US). THERE ARE SIGNS POSTED ALL OVER REMINDING US TO STAY 6-FEET APART, ETC. SO WE COULD BE VERY MUCH ALONE IF WE WANTED TO BE, BUT I CHOOSE NOT TO BE! AS I DO GO OUT TO THE COURTYARD AREA EACH DAY, PLACE A CHAIR IN THE SUN, AND ABSORB MY VITAMIN D …. WHEN SOMEONE WALKS BY GOING TO DISPOSE OF TRASH OR TO THE LAUNDRY ROOM, I CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH A HUMAN. GOD DID NOT CREATE US TO BE ALONE …. UNABLE TO TOUCH OR BE TOUCHED …. WE ARE CREATED TO BE PART OF A COMMUNITY, A BIBLE STUDY, A CHOIR REHEARSAL, ATTEND POTLUCKS, A CHURCH SERVICE. AND WOW! DO I MISS IT! …. BUT EVEN THO WE CANNOT DO ANY OF THOSE THINGS (IN PERSON) …. THANK GOD FOR TECHNOLOGY. THERE ARE WONDERFUL MEETINGS "ONLINE" AND I AM ONLINE SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK CONNECTING FOR SERMONS FROM MY CHURCH PASTORS, BUT IT'S NOT THE SAME. RITE?
HEBREWS 10:25 ~ NOT FORSAKING OUR MEETING TOGETHER [AS BELIEVERS FOR WORSHIP AND INSTRUCTION], AS IS THE HABIT OF SOME, BUT ENCOURAGING ONE ANOTHER; AND ALL THE MORE [FAITHFULLY] AS YOU SEE THE DAY [OF CHRIST’S RETURN] APPROACHING. {AMP}
HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO ATTEND A CHURCH PARKING LOT DRIVE-IN SERVICE FOR 4 SUNDAYS …. AND IT IS WONDERFUL! THERE ARE 362 PARKING SPACES AND MOST ARE FILLED TO THE POINT THAT THERE IS ALSO A 6 PM DRIVE-IN SERVICE AS WELL AS THE 10 AM. WE TUNE TO AN FM STATION TO HEAR THE MUSICIANS/SINGERS WHO ARE LOCATED INSIDE THE CHURCH …. HOWEVER, PASTOR AND WORSHIP LEADER ARE OUTSIDE ON A PLATFORM. (TECHNOLOGY ENABLES EVERYONE TO BE TIED TOGETHER) WE CLAP OUR HANDS AND MOVE AROUND …. LIFT OUR HANDS AND PRAISE GOD! …. AND WAVE TO THE FOLK IN THE CAR NEXT TO US. I THANK GOD FOR INLAND LIGHTHOUSE, RIALTO (18 MILES AWAY). THERE ARE POWERFUL MESSAGES PREACHED THERE EACH SUNDAY. THE PASTORS CHOSE TO FILL A NEED FOR MANY! YES, ESPECIALLY ME.
DRIVE-IN CHURCH SERVICE AT INLAND LIGHTHOUSE, RIALTO, CA
LET’S BE GRATEFUL TO GOD THAT WE LIVE IN AMERICA. WE KNOW THAT OUR COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES. HERE’S ONE …. ON APRIL 24 1865, THE SPEAKER OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, REPUBLICAN SCHUYLER COLFAX IN AN MEMORIAL ADDRESS IN HONOR OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN, SAID; “THE LAST ACT OF CONGRESS EVER SIGNED BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN WAS ONE REQUIRING THAT THE MOTTO, IN WHICH HE SINCERELY BELIEVED, IN GOD WE TRUST, SHOULD HEREAFTER BE INSCRIBED ON OUR PAPER BILLS AND COINS.”
FOLK TALK A LOT ABOUT GETTING BACK TO NORMAL .… WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THAT WILL BE …. AND WHAT WILL THE "NEW NORMAL" BE? OUR "ASSIGNMENT IS STILL THE SAME" …. MAKE JESUS KNOWN TO ALL. AND AT THIS TIME, WE DO KNOW MANY FOLK ARE FILLED WITH FEAR (COULD THEY BE WATCHING THE NEWS CHANNELS?) …. AND THEY ARE MORE OPEN TO HEARING WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY ABOUT GOD WHEN THEY ASK US, "YOU DON'T SEEM TO BE AFRAID .... WHY NOT?" WOW! WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE WITH THEM …. AND TELL THEM HOW THEY CAN FIND PEACE WITH GOD AND BECOME A NEW PERSON THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.
LUKE 19:10 ~ FOR THE SON OF MAN HAS COME TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST.
I AM STILL EXCITED ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED THE DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY, AS I SOOOO WANTED TO SING TO THE RESIDENTS HERE. I SAID IT WAS MY "BIRTHDAY GIFT" TO THEM. WE HAVE 3 LOVELY COURTYARDS, I VISITED EACH ONE, THEY CAME TO THEIR DOORS ON THE 2 LEVELS …. AS I SANG SONGS THEY KNEW AND COULD JOIN IN. I WAS TOLD BY MANY THAT THE SONGS LIFTED THEIR SPIRITS AS THEY SANG THEM AND THERE WAS COMFORT, HAPPINESS, AND JOY IN THEIR HEARTS! OF COURSE, I FELT IT ALSO! ENJOY THE VIDEO BELOW.
MS. LILLIE WITH MOXY, ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR
EPHESIANS 5:19 ~ SPEAK TO ONE ANOTHER IN PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, [OFFERING PRAISE BY] SINGING AND MAKING MELODY WITH YOUR HEART TO THE LORD. {AMP}
I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT GOD HAS GOOD PLANS FOR YOU …. JEREMIAH 29:11 SAYS SO …. THAT PLAN IS, HE WILL BE WITH US IN EVERY TRIAL, HEARTACHE, AFFLICTION, PERSECUTION …. HE IS OUR ROCK AND FORTRESS! LET'S RUN TO HIM. PLEASE CALL ME IF I CAN PRAY SPECIFICALLY FOR YOUR NEEDS …. I AM HERE FOR YOU …. 909-948-2448 …. AND OF COURSE, I NEED AND DEPEND ON YOUR PRAYERS ALSO. THANKS!
PSALM 91:5 ~ YOU WILL NOT BE AFRAID OF THE TERROR OF NIGHT, NOR OF THE ARROW THAT FLIES BY DAY. {AMP}
WOW! HERE WE ARE IN THE MONTH OF MARCH ALREADY AND WHAT A MONTH IT HAS BEEN! HUH? I SHALL UNPACK MORE OF THAT LATER! …. I WILL BEGIN BY WRITING ABOUT ST. PATRICK'S DAY …. THIS WONDERFUL MAN WAS BORN AROUND 375 A.D. …. HE WAS SOOO LOVED BY THE IRISH THAT ON THE DAY HE WAS BORN AND YES, DIED MARCH 17 .... THAT DAY WOULD BECOME A DAY TO HONOR ALL HE HAD BROUGHT TO THEIR LAND.
I MUST GIVE A PLUG FOR THE MOVIE "I AM PATRICK" THAT WAS SET TO BE RELEASED ON MARCH 17, HOWEVER BECAUSE OF ALL THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING AROUND THE WORLD, WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GO TO A THEATRE TO SEE IT. I READ THE SYNOPSIS …. AND IT IS SAID TO BE AN INCREDIBLE PORTRAYAL OF THE LIFE OF THIS SERVANT MAN KIDNAPPED BY PIRATES AS A TEEN …. SOLD INTO SLAVERY TO HERD AND TEND SHEEP IN IRELAND …. DURING THE 6 YEARS THERE, HE BECAME FLUENT IN THE IRISH LANGUAGE. FINALLY, ABLE TO ESCAPE FROM IRELAND TO RETURN HOME …. BUT NOT FOR LONG …. AS HE RECEIVED A CALLING FROM GOD TO RETURN TO IRELAND …. HE DID AND TRAVELED OVER THAT LAND PREACHING THE GOSPEL AND CONVERTING MANY …. EVEN USING A UNIQUE WAY TO TEACH ABOUT THE "TRINITY" …. USING THE SHAMROCK TO MAKE IT UNDERSTANDABLE TO ALL. WAS BLESSED TO PREACH FOR 40 YEARS, AND MANY WERE CONVERTED THRU-OUT IRELAND …. HE WAS CERTAINLY USED BY GOD TO PREACH SALVATION TO THAT PART OF THE WORLD. I AM SOOO LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE MOVIE AS MANY MYTHS AND LEGENDS ABOUT HIM WILL BE DISPELLED.
JOHN 3:17 ~ FOR GOD DID NOT SEND THE SON INTO THE WORLD TO JUDGE AND CONDEMN THE WORLD (THAT IS, TO INITIATE THE FINAL JUDGMENT OF THE WORLD), BUT THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE SAVED THROUGH HIM.
IT WAS FUN TO GET ALL DRESSED ON THAT DAY IN THE BEAUTIFUL COLOR GREEN …. THIS YEAR, I WORE A SHAMROCK NECKLACE AROUND MY NECK, LOVELY EARRINGS, BRACELETS, AND A SCARF AND FAILED TO TAKE A PHOTO. I DO REMEMBER ... MANY YEARS AGO, I WAS SCHEDULED FOR A ST. PATRICK'S DAY LUNCHEON …. AND MY DEAR FRIEND, MARY ELLEN SUGGESTED SHE MAKE SOMETHING FOR ME IN THAT GREEN COLOR …. WELL, SHE DID AND I LOVE TO WEAR IT OFTEN.
OFTEN WE HEAR SOMEONE GIVE AN IRISH GREETING …. "TOP OF THE MORNING TO YOU" WHICH MEANS "I HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY" …. WELL, THAT PROMISE IS WRITTEN IN GOD'S LETTER TO US …. THE BIBLE! WHICH IS WHY I ALWAYS WANT TO GO THERE EACH DAY WHEN I AWAKEN TO SEE WHAT HE IS SAYING TO ME. PSALM 71:8 ~ MY MOUTH IS FILLED WITH YOUR PRAISE AND WITH YOUR GLORY ALL DAY LONG.
ANOTHER PHRASE, "THE LUCK OF THE IRISH" …. REFERS TO THE IRISH-AMERICAN MINERS IN THE 19TH CENTURY WHO WERE VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR FINDINGS …. WELL, BECAUSE OF JEALOUSY, THEY WERE RIDICULED AND MOCKED AND TOLD, THEY HAD THE "LUCK OF THE IRISH" AS OPPOSED TO "BRAIN POWER."
I DO NOT LIKE TO HEAR FOLK TO SAY TO ME …. "GOOD LUCK" …. (EVEN THO THE WORK "LUCKY" MEANS "GOOD FORTUNE") …. I WOULD RATHER HEAR THEM SAY …. “BE BLESSED!”AS I ALWAYS TRUST GOD FOR HIS BLESSING ON THE MINISTRY HE HAS GIVEN ME. AMEN!
I DID HEAR A POPULAR SONG …. "I AM NOT LUCKY, I AM LOVED" AND I WILL ADD THE WORD "BLESSED." LET'S LISTEN TO A BIT OF IT! I TOOK A PHOTO WITH HIM!
MS. LILLIE AND JONATHAN McREYNOLDS
HOW ARE YOU DOING IN THIS DIFFICULT TIME? …. WITH ALL THAT IS GOING ON ALL AROUND US? …. WHAT A DAY WE ARE LIVING IN! …. WE ARE ABLE TO SEE HOW WE AS HUMANS BEINGS ARE …. THE HOARDING, SELFISHNESS, ANGER AND FEAR THAT IS RAMPANT! I HAVE BEEN SHOCKED AND SADDENED BY WHAT I HAVE SEEN …. AND WHAT'S WITH THE TOILET TISSUE THING?
I MUST TELL YOU A STORY MY FRIEND JUST SHARED WITH ME. SEEMS HER DEAR FRIEND WAS GETTING MARRIED …. NOT KNOWING WHAT TO GET FOR HER …. SHE GAVE HER A $100 GIFT CARD …. AND JOKINGLY SAID: "JUST SPEND IT ALL ON TOILET PAPER …. THEN YOU WON'T HAVE TO WORRY FOR A WHILE." HER FRIEND TOLD HER THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE DID …. AND 2 MONTHS LATER …. WE HAVE THIS DILEMMA …. I SUPPOSE MY FRIEND, (THE GIVER OF THE GIFT CARD) COULD THINK SHE MAY BE A PROPHET? …. ALSO, HERE IS A TIP FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO GIVE EASTER BASKETS …. REMEMBER, EASTER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER …. AND HERE IS A PRACTICAL SUGGESTION! …. YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD ALSO MAKE A GREAT, WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS GIFT? …. PROV. 17:22 TELLS US "LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE."
PLEASE BE BLESSED AS YOU LISTEN TO THIS SONG …. VERY APPROPRIATE FOR THIS DAY …. THIS TIME ….
I BELIEVE WE ARE COMING OUT OF THIS …. IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL TO BE ON A PRAYER CALL LINE EACH MORNING …. PRAYING FOR THOSE WHO ARE AFFLICTED WITH THIS VIRUS AND THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO PASSED AWAY BECAUSE OF IT …. THE MEDICAL WORKERS, FIRST RESPONDERS, ETC. WE PRAY FERVENTLY FOR THE PRESIDENT AND EVERY ONE AROUND HIM. IT IS DIFFICULT AS HE IS CALLED UPON TO MAKE MONUMENTAL DECISIONS ABOUT THIS C-VIRUS IN ADDITION TO ALL OTHER DECISIONS HE HAS TO MAKE.
I REFUSE TO NOW CALL IT BY THE NAME GIVEN IT …. BECAUSE IT IS JUST A NAME BUT WE KNOW A MORE POWERFUL NAME ABOVE THAT NAME …. IT IS THE NAME JESUS. HEY, CORONA MEANS "CROWN" AND OF COURSE, WE KNOW THAT ONLY JESUS IS WEARING THE CROWN OF GLORY AND HONOR. SO EACH DAY WE PRAY THAT THE VIRUS WILL BE "DECROWNED, DETHRONED AND DEFEATED …. AND THAT THE BLOOD OF JESUS WILL FLOW TO CURSE THE ROOT OF THIS VIRUS AND COVER US AS WE MUST STAY IN OUR HOMES AND/OR GO ABOUT OUR NECESSARY DAILY ACTIVITIES OR INTERACTING WITH OTHERS THRU THE PHONE OR SOCIAL MEDIA. FOLKS, I AM NOT AFRAID! …. AS WE ARE TOLD THAT GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR! THAT IS WHY I ANOINT MY HEAD WITH BLESSED OIL EACH DAY AND COVER MYSELF WITH THAT PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS. PSALM 91 IS A CHAPTER WE CAN GO TO FOR SWEET COMFORT …. PLEASE GO THERE AND READ IT AND LET THE COMFORT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT SURROUND YOU! WOW! I LOVE THOSE PROMISES FROM GOD!
2 TIMOTHY 1:7 ~ FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND.
PSALM 91:1-7 ~ HE WHO DWELLS IN THE SHELTER OF THE MOST HIGH WILL REMAIN SECURE AND REST IN THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY (WHOSE POWER NO ENEMY CAN WITHSTAND). I WILL SAY OF THE LORD, “HE IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS, MY GOD, IN WHOM I TRUST (WITH GREAT CONFIDENCE, AND ON WHOM I RELY)" FOR HE WILL SAVE YOU FROM THE TRAP OF THE FOWLER, AND FROM THE DEADLY PESTILENCE. HE WILL COVER YOU AND COMPLETELY PROTECT YOU WITH HIS PINIONS, AND UNDER HIS WINGS YOU WILL FIND REFUGE; HIS FAITHFULNESS IS A SHIELD AND A WALL. YOU WILL NOT BE AFRAID OF THE TERROR OF NIGHT, NOR OF THE ARROW THAT FLIES BY DAY, NOR OF THE PESTILENCE THAT STALKS IN DARKNESS, NOR OF THE DESTRUCTION (SUDDEN DEATH) THAT LAYS WASTE AT NOON. A THOUSAND MAY FALL AT YOUR SIDE AND TEN THOUSAND AT YOUR RIGHT HAND, BUT DANGER WILL NOT COME NEAR YOU.
BEING HOUSE-BOUND, BECAUSE OF THIS VIRUS, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL THINGS POSTPONED …. (I AM HAPPY THEY ALL SAID …. WE ARE POSTPONING …. NOT CANCELLING YOUR TIME TO COME TO US) …. SO THAT WAS GOOD …. WHEN THINGS GET BACK TO A BIT OF NORMALCY, I WILL BEGIN TO PLACE NEW DATES ON MY TOUR PAGE …. I WILL BE EXCITED TO BE "ON THE ROAD AGAIN" PLEASE LOOK AT YOUR SCHEDULE AND SEE IF I MAY COME MINISTER TO YOUR LADIES FUNCTION, SENIOR GROUP AND OF COURSE, YOUR CHURCH. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! YOU MAY CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE'LL TALK …. IT WILL BE WONDERFUL!
I AM USING THIS "DOWN-TIME" TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH GOD AND IN HIS WORD! IT IS AWESOME! HALLELUJAH! AND YES, I PLAN TO CONTINUE IN THAT WAY WHEN THIS IS OVER. I MUST!
I FEEL THAT GOD ALLOWED THIS C VIRUS SO THAT AS MANY ARE HOME-BOUND …. HAVING INTERACTIONS WE DON'T NORMALLY ENCOUNTER …. WE CAN SEE MANY THINGS IN OUR LIVES THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED …. SO THAT WE ARE PREPARED TO CARRY OUT THE ASSIGNMENT GOD HAS GIVEN EACH OF US …. WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE HAD THESE LAST FEW WEEKS TO PROCLAIM JESUS CHRIST TO THOSE WHO ARE FEARFUL ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING …. TO PRAY THAT THE PRINCE OF PEACE, JESUS CHRIST WILL BE INVITED TO BECOME LORD OF THEIR LIVES. I BELIEVE THAT satan MEANT THIS FOR EVIL …. BUT GOD WILL TURN IT AROUND AND MUCH GOOD WILL COME FROM IT. AMEN!
ROMANS 15:13 ~ MAY THE GOD OF HOPE FILL YOU WITH ALL JOY AND PEACE IN BELIEVING (THROUGH THE EXPERIENCE OF YOUR FAITH) THAT BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT YOU WILL ABOUND IN HOPE AND OVERFLOW WITH CONFIDENCE IN HIS PROMISES.
THE ECONOMIC SITUATION GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO BELIEVE GOD'S WORK BY TRUSTING HIM FOR ALL OUR NEEDS. HE KNOWS JUST WHAT WE NEED AND WHEN WE NEED IT …. DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES WILL COME AND HOPE COULD BEGIN TO FADE/DIE …. AND FEAR WILL ATTEMPT TO INVADE OUR LIVES …. BUT THAT IS WHEN WE CAST ALL OF OUR BURDENS AND CARES ON GOD …. BECAUSE WE CAN BELIEVE ALL HIS PROMISES ABOUT HIS CARE FOR US …. AND REJOICE!
I HAVE BEEN 45 YEARS IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN ONE TIME THAT GOD HAS FAILED TO GIVE ME WHAT I NEED TO PAY MY BILLS …. HE IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS AND THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR YOU. JUST A SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ME ALL THESE YEARS WITH YOUR PRAYERS AND GIFTS OF LOVE …. GOD CERTAINLY USED YOU TO BE A BLESSING TO ME …. THANKS! I LOVE YOU!
PSALM 55:22 ~ CAST YOUR BURDEN ON THE LORD [RELEASE IT] AND HE WILL SUSTAIN AND UPHOLD YOU; HE WILL NEVER ALLOW THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE SHAKEN (SLIP, FALL, FAIL).
PHILIPPIANS 4:19 ~ AND MY GOD WILL LIBERALLY SUPPLY (FILL UNTIL FULL) YOUR EVERY NEED ACCORDING TO HIS RICHES IN GLORY IN CHRIST JESUS.
WELL, MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU IN HIS CARE AS YOU WORSHIP HIM, PRAISE HIM, AND LIFT HIM UP. THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCRIPTURES.
ISAIAH 41:10 ~ ‘DO NOT FEAR (ANYTHING), FOR I AM WITH YOU; DO NOT BE AFRAID, FOR I AM YOUR GOD. I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU, BE ASSURED I WILL HELP YOU; I WILL CERTAINLY TAKE HOLD OF YOU WITH MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND (A HAND OF JUSTICE, OF POWER, OF VICTORY, OF SALVATION)’
THESE ARE SYMBOLS OF WHAT THE WORLD DEPICTS AS BEING SIGNS OF LOVE …. FLOWER DELIVERIES, BALLOONS, BOXES OF CHOCOLATES, CARDS, JEWELRY ETC. THIS YEAR 2020, THERE WAS A NEW SPENDING RECORD FOR VALENTINE'S DAY …. A WHOPPING $27.4 BILLION WAS ADDED TO THE ECONOMY …. A HUGE RETAILERS BOOST FROM THOSE WHO CELEBRATE THIS DAY.
AS BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS, EACH DAY WE CAN REMEMBER AND RECEIVE LOVE FROM THE ONE WHO SAID IN JOHN 3.16, "GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, AND PROVED HIS LOVE …. BY SENDING HIS ONLY SON, JESUS TO THE WORLD TO REDEEM US" …. AND JESUS SO LOVED US THAT HE WAS WILLING TO COME TO THIS EARTH, BECOME ONE OF US, AND PAY THE SUPREME SACRIFICE BY SUFFERING AND DYING ON THE CROSS …. (FOR ALL THE SINS WE HAVE EVER AND WILL EVER COMMIT) AFTER HIS BURIAL …. THEN ON THE 3RD DAY MORNING, HE AROSE …. A VICTOR OF THE "DARK DOMAIN.”
OUR SYMBOL OF GOD'S LOVE THROUGH HIS SON JESUS TO US
BUT HE LIVES FOREVER WITH HIS SAINTS TO REIGN .... HE'S ALIVE HALLELUJAH!
1 PETER 1:3 ~ BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO ACCORDING TO HIS ABUNDANT MERCY HAS BEGOTTEN US AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FROM THE DEAD. {NKJV}
I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE THAT I WAS IN HAWAII FOR A MONTH …. AND JUST RETURNED …. WHAT A GREAT WONDERFUL TRIP! …. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO TRAVEL TO MORE THAN 50 COUNTRIES DURING MY YEARS OF MINISTRY, AND I MUST SAY THAT HAWAII IS RITE AT THE "TOP" OF MY LIST OF "THE WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES"
HEBREWS 11:3 ~ BY FAITH [THAT IS, WITH AN INHERENT TRUST AND ENDURING CONFIDENCE IN THE POWER, WISDOM AND GOODNESS OF GOD] WE UNDERSTAND THAT THE WORLDS (UNIVERSE, AGES) WERE FRAMED AND CREATED [FORMED, PUT IN ORDER, AND EQUIPPED FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE] BY THE WORD OF GOD, SO THAT WHAT IS SEEN WAS NOT MADE OUT OF THINGS WHICH ARE VISIBLE. {AMP}
MY FIRST TRIP TO HAWAII WAS IN 1967 …. AN ALL-INCLUSIVE PRICE FOR HOTEL, AIRFARE, AND A CIRCLE ISLAND TOUR WAS A MERE $298 …. YEP, THAT'S RITE. I STAYED AT THE CHEAPEST HOTEL ON THE BEACH …. (ONE OF THE FIRST 2 HOTELS BUILT IN WAIKIKI), THE NOW STATELY MOANA. THE PRICE WAS $36 PER NITE …. THERE WAS NO AIR CONDITIONING, BUT I LOVED BEING THERE …. LET ME CONTRAST THE PRICE OF A HOTEL ROOM AT THE MOANA NOW …. AFTER THE $50 MILLION RENOVATION …. LEAST EXPENSIVE IS $349. I LOVE TO GO THERE WHERE YOU CAN STILL SIT ON THE OLD-FASHIONED PORCH WITH ROCKING CHAIR.
AT FIRST TRIP TO HAWAII, I FELL IN LOVE WITH THE PEOPLE …. SO KIND, WARM, LOVING, HOSPITABLE. I HAVE RETURNED MANY TIMES SINCE THEN …. IN MY EARLIER YEARS, WHEN I WAS TRAVELING FOR MINISTRY TO THE FAR EAST …. HONG KONG, JAPAN, MALAYSIA, I ALWAYS MADE SURE I WAS ROUTED THRU HAWAII FOR A FEW DAYS …. ONCE, I SANG FOR A UNIQUE MINISTRY, CALLED THE WAIKIKI BEACH CHAPLAINCY …. THE VISION WAS BIRTHED IN A PENTHOUSE CHURCH ON A SUNDAY MORNING …. THE YOUNG MINISTER WAS SPEAKING …. AS HE LOOKED DOWN AT ALL THE FOLK ON THE BEACH WHO WERE ENJOYING THE OCEAN, BASKING IN THE SUN AND EVEN "BAKING" IN THE SUN, THE YOUNG BOB TURNBULL THOT …. "THOSE FOLK ON THAT BEACH NEED TO HEAR ABOUT JESUS TOO, AND THEY WILL PERHAPS NEVER COME UP HERE TO OUR CHURCH …. SO WE NEED TO TAKE "CHURCH TO THEM" …. HE KNEW THE THOT WAS FROM GOD …. SO HE BEGAN WORKING ON IT …. AFTER ONE YEAR OF JUMPING ALL THE HURDLES, CUTTING THRU THE RED TAPE …. HE FINALLY HAD PERMISSION FROM HIS PERSONAL FRIENDS, THE GOVERNOR, THE MAYOR AND EVERYONE ELSE HE NEEDED PERMISSION FROM. HE BEGAN THAT FIRST SERVICE ON THE FIRST SUNDAY IN FEBRUARY, 1970 …. AND HERE, 50 YEARS LATER, SERVICES ARE STILL BEING HELD EACH SUNDAY MORNING 10:30 AM AT THE HAWAIIAN HILTON HOTEL IN WAIKIKI.
ABOVE: MS. LILLIE SINGING ON THE BEACH IN 1989
BELOW: MS. LILLIE SINGING/MINISTERING ON THE BEACH IN FEB. 2020
ROMANS 1:16 ~ I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL, FOR IT IS THE POWER OF GOD FOR SALVATION [FROM HIS WRATH AND PUNISHMENT] TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES [IN CHRIST AS SAVIOR], TO THE JEW FIRST AND ALSO TO THE GREEK. {AMP}
OF COURSE, I WAS EXCITED TO COME BE A PART OF THIS CELEBRATION. BECAUSE I LIVED IN HAWAII FOR 10 YEARS FROM 1983-1993 AS A VOLUNTEER WITH THIS UNIQUE MINISTRY …. I SHALL NEVER FORGET WHEN I WAS SINGING IN MANY PLACES IN MALAYSIA FOR A WEEK, AFTER ONE OF THE CHURCH SERVICES, A PASTOR CAME TO ME AND SAID …. "SISTER LILLIE, GOD ASKED ME TO GIVE YOU A WORD …. HE SAYS, HE IS GOING TO CHANGE YOUR MINISTRY, AND IT WILL BE SUCH A DRAMATIC CHANGE, YOU MIGHT EVEN WONDER, IF IT IS FROM HIM …. BUT IT IS" …. THEN HE WALKED AWAY.
WELL, ENROUTE HOME, OF COURSE, I HAD A STOP-OVER IN HAWAII, AND SANG FOR THE BEACH SERVICE …. AS I WAS SINGING …. I DID NOT HEAR AN AUDIBLE VOICE, BUT I KNOW IN MY HEART …. I HEARD GOD SAY …. "YOU ARE TO BE A PART OF THIS BEACH MINISTRY" WOW! WHO WOULD NOT WANT TO BE GIVEN THAT EXCITING ASSIGNMENT. SO I TALKED WITH GOD ABOUT HOW "I LIVED WITH MY MOM, SHE WAS ON A FIXED INCOME …. THAT I HAD BILLS TO BE PAID AS I WOULD BE A VOLUNTEER, ETC." I THEN ASKED HIM A FAVOR …. THAT IF HE REALLY WANTED ME TO BE IN HAWAII, WOULD HE PLEASE SUPPLY ALL THE MONEY IN A YEAR TO PAY OFF ALL MY BILLS (I AM NOW CERTAIN, HE COULD HAVE DONE IT SOONER). WELL, THRU OUT THAT YEAR, NOTHING EXTRA CAME IN TO PLACE IN MY "HAWAII MOVE" KITTY, BUT IN THE LAST MONTH BEFORE THE YEAR WOULD HAVE BEEN UP …. GOD SENT IN EXTRA FUNDS AND I WAS DEBT-FREE" AND READY FOR THAT HAPPY MOVE! WITH 4 SUITCASES AND 2 BOXES TO THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND OF OAHU. WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO SEE AND HEAR ABOUT FOLK WHO CAME TO KNOW JESUS. IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BECAUSE THEY WERE IN SUCH A BEAUTIFUL LOCATION, LOOKING AT THE GORGEOUS BLUE SKIES, WHITE CLOUDS, THE OCEAN AND SEEING GOD'S HANDIWORK, THEY HEARD THE FULL GOSPEL PREACHED, ENJOYED THE ANOINTED SINGING, AND CHRISTIAN HULA. (EVEN ME …. (IMAGINE THAT). THEY HEARD OF GOD'S LOVE FOR THEM AND MANY ASKED JESUS TO COME LIVE IN THEIR HEARTS AND LIVES.
PSALM 86:5 ~ FOR YOU, O LORD, ARE GOOD, AND READY TO FORGIVE [OUR SINS, SENDING THEM AWAY, COMPLETELY LETTING THEM GO FOREVER AND EVER]; AND ABUNDANT IN LOVING-KINDNESS AND OVERFLOWING IN MERCY TO ALL THOSE WHO CALL UPON YOU. {AMP}
ABOVE: HULA GIRLS ON THE BEACH FEB. 2020
BELOW: MS. LILLIE DANCING THE HULA IN HAWAII IN 1991
THERE IS A FILE OF WONDERFUL NOTES, LETTERS AND NOW EMAILS OF TESTIMONIES PRAISING GOD FOR SALVATION ON THAT BEACH …. HERE IS ONE SENT DIRECTLY TO ME: "HI LILLIE, …. I JUST WANTED TO TELL YOU I GOT SAVED ON WAIKIKI BEACH'' WHEN THE WAIKIKI BEACH CHAPLAINCY SET UP CHURCH AROUND ME …. I JUST WANTED TO GET SOME RAYS. WELL, IT WAS A TIME IN MY LIFE WHEN THE BOTTOM HAD BEEN PULLED OUT. I WENT TO HAWAII TO ESCAPE, AND I FOUND JESUS IN 1976 …. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE MARRIED ON THE BIG ISLAND AND ARE NOW SERVING THE LORD IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY." SIGNED DEBBIE. M. …. WOW! ISN'T THAT AWESOME? THAT IS JUST ONE OF MANY PRAISES TO GOD!
I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR THE VISION HE PLACED IN THE HEART OF BOB TURNBULL. THERE HAVE BEEN 3 CHAPLAINS WHO HAVE SERVED THESE 50 YEARS …. THE OTHER TWO WERE GENE OZBUN AND NOW ALEX MCANGUS …. AND THEY WERE ALL THERE FOR THIS GREAT REUNION BANQUET AND ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION …. I AM SURELY HAPPY I WAS THERE ALSO.
BOB TURNBULL, MS. LILLIE, GENE OZBUN, SHARON (WIFE OF ALEX McANGUS), ALEX McANGUS
YVONNE TURNBULL, COLLEEN, FOUNDER BOB TURNBULL, MS. LILLIE, GENE OZBUN
MS. LILLIE AND SHARON WITH PRESENT CHAPLAIN ALEX McANGUS
MS. LILLIE WITH CHUCK & DONI ANTONE - BEACH CHAPLAINCY LEADERS ON THE BIG ISLAND AT KONA
NOW I MUST TELL YOU HOW I LEFT HAWAII …. IN A GREAT SUNDAY NITE SERVICE AT MY CHURCH, FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD, BEFORE THE SPEAKER BEGAN HER MESSAGE, SHE SAID, "GOD HAS A WORD FOR THAT LADY WEARING THE HAT …. POINTING TO ME …. SHE INVITED ME TO COME FORWARD …. COVERING HER MIC SAID, "GOD SAYS HE WANTS TO CHANGE YOUR MINISTRY, SAYS, THAT YOU HAVE BECOME TOO COMFORTABLE HERE IN HAWAII AND HE WANTS YOUR VOICE TO BE HEARD AROUND THE WORLD …. HE SAYS YOU WILL MAKE A MAJOR GEOGRAPHICAL MOVE TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN" …. WELL, A FEW DAYS LATER, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM BILL GAITHER …. WHO TOLD ME A GROUP OF SINGERS WOULD BE JUST SITTING AROUND THE PIANO SINGING SOME OF THE BEAUTIFUL, OLD SONGS, (THEY HAD ALREADY RECORDED ONE VIDEO AND HE ASKED IF I WOULD COME FOR THE NEXT TAPING) …. SO THAT WAS ONE SIGN …. THEN I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE EVANGELIST BENNY HINN, ASKING ME TO COME BE A PART OF THE MINISTRY GOD HAD GIVEN HIM …. ANOTHER SIGN …. SO ACROSS THE OCEAN AND ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, I MOVED TO ORLANDO FLORIDA, AND OFF I WENT TO BE ON THE SECOND TAPING (“TURN YOUR RADIO ON") OF THE NOW POPULAR VIDEO SERIES "BILL GAITHER HOMECOMING VIDEOS." WHAT JOY TO HAVE BEEN A SMALL PART OF THOSE INCREDIBLE VIDEOS FOR 26 YEARS …. THEY ARE SEEN AND HEARD IN ALL PARTS OF THIS WORLD …. PLUS I BEGAN TRAVELING FOR 8 YEARS WITH THE BENNY HINN MINISTRIES TEAM SINGING TO MASSIVE CROWDS AROUND THE WORLD. NOW, AS I LOOK BACK ON MY ALMOST 82 YEARS OF LIFE, MORE THAN 50 YEARS IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY, I AM SOOOO GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR THE INCREDIBLE PLAN HE HAD FOR MY LIFE. (I DO HAVE HUNDREDS OF E-MAILS, LETTERS, NOTES FROM FOLK EVEN IN REMOTE PLACES ON THIS PLANET WHO HAVE BEEN IMPACTED THRU THE SONGS I HAVE BEEN SINGING). ALL GLORY BE TO GOD! AMEN!
PROVERBS 18:16 ~ A GIFT OPENS THE WAY AND USHERS THE GIVER INTO THE PRESENCE OF THE GREAT. {NIV}
I HAD NEW DOORS OF MINISTRY OPENED TO ME THIS TRIP. BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN COMING TO VACATION IN HAWAII FOR SOOO MANY YEARS, I TRY TO SING IN DIFFERENT CHURCHES …. AND IT IS A BLESSING TO STILL MEET NEW PASTORS WHO INVITE ME. OF COURSE, I AM MINISTERING FOR MORE "SENIOR ADULT GROUPS" …. (NOW THAT I ARE ONE) …. AND I AM ALWAYS ANXIOUS TO TELL THEM …. "DON'T DIE BEFORE YOU DIE" …. WHAT A GREAT MESSAGE GOD GAVE ME ….
EXCITING JOY FELLOWSHIP GROUP IN KALIHI: JOY, MS. LILLIE, GAY HONGO, DIRECTOR ALAN
I WOULD LOVE TO COME TO YOUR SENIOR GROUP AND ENCOURAGE THOSE SPECIAL SAINTS WITH THIS MESSAGE …. THEY WILL BE CHALLENGED! PLEASE CALL ME! 909-948-2448. I WILL ALSO COME SING FOR LADIES LUNCHEONS, TEAS AND CHURCHES. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME!
MY DAYS IN HAWAII WERE RESTFUL FOR ME …. I WENT OUT WITH FRIENDS WHEN I WANTED TO OR STAYED IN MY LOVELY ACCOMMODATIONS (THAT GOD PROVIDED …. FOR FREE!) WHEN I DIDN'T WANT TO GO OUT. WOW! I FEEL GOOD! THANK YOU, LORD!
ONE OF THE MOST UNUSUAL CHURCHES I MINISTERED, PASTOR GAVE ME THE ENTIRE 2 MORNING SERVICES. IT WAS A "TOURISTS CHURCH" …. OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION. WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME …. I LOVED BEING THERE! …. MORE THAN A HUNDRED FOLK FROM ALL OVER …. (SEEMED MANY FROM COLD CLIMATES). I SHARED WITH PASTOR THE TRULY AWESOME "ASSIGNMENT" HE HAS BEEN GIVEN TO PREACH THE "FULL GOSPEL" TO FOLK WHO MIGHT HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD IT …. (EVEN THO THEY MIGHT ATTEND CHURCH EACH WEEK) …. I AM SADDENED AS I TRAVEL AND OFTEN HEAR MANY PASTORS WHO JUST SEEM TO PREACH "FEEL GOOD" MESSAGES …. THEY NEED TO "PREACH THE GOSPEL" …. IT IS THE "GOOD NEWS" OF GOD'S LOVE, JESUS DEATH, BURIAL AND RESURRECTION" AND HOW HE DOES WANT TO COME LIVE IN OUR HEARTS TO LEAD AND GUIDE US THRU THIS LIFE AND THEN WE WILL BE FOREVER WITH HIM. HALLELUJAH!
2 TIMOTHY 3:16 ~ ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED [GIVEN BY DIVINE INSPIRATION] AND IS PROFITABLE FOR INSTRUCTION, FOR CONVICTION [OF SIN], FOR CORRECTION [OF ERROR AND RESTORATION TO OBEDIENCE], FOR TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS [LEARNING TO LIVE IN CONFORMITY TO GOD’S WILL, BOTH PUBLICLY AND PRIVATELY - BEHAVING HONORABLY WITH PERSONAL INTEGRITY AND MORAL COURAGE]. {AMP}
PASTOR ANDREW AND MS. LILLIE
MS. LILLIE SINGING AT WAIKIKI BAPTIST
SINCE I LEFT HAWAII, I HAVE RETURNED MANY TIMES TO CELEBRATE MY BIRTHDAYS …. AND BECAUSE MY DEAR FRIENDS KNOW HOW I LOVE B'DAYS …. (THEY ALL SEEM TO REMEMBER MY 50TH B'DAY …. I CALLED IT “HAWAII 5-0”) …. MANY FRIENDS CAME FROM THE MAINLAND AND MET MY "HAWAII FRIENDS" AND CELEBRATED WITH ME …. IT WAS A WONDERFUL NITE!. SO NOW, SEEMS THAT WHENEVER I AM IN THE ISLANDS …. EVEN WHEN IT IS NOT EVEN NEAR MY B'DAY …. THEY WANT TO TAKE ME OUT FOR A "BIRTHDAY DINNER" AND THIS TIME …. WHAT A TREAT! GOD IS SOOOOO GOOD TO ME!
MISS LILLIE AND FRIENDS AT HER BIRTHDAY DINNER: SHARON, NANCY, PATTI, COLLEEN, MELANIE, LOLING, AND CINDY
ECCLESIASTES 5:20 ~ (LILLIE) DOES NOT REFLECT ON THE DAYS OF HER LIFE, BECAUSE GOD KEEPS HER OCCUPIED WITH GLADNESS OF HEART.
OH, I MUST TELL YOU WHAT WE ORDERED AT ONE OF THOSE B'DAY MEALS …. IT WAS SUGGESTED WE ORDER THIS FISH …. IT IS HEAVILY BREADED AND DEEP-FRIED (OF COURSE, WE WERE TOLD IN THE FINEST OIL) …. IT COMES IN 2 SIZES …. WE ORDERED THE LARGER ONE …. IT CAME WITH RICE AND SAUTEED VEGGIES …. SO WHEN YOU FIGURE THE COST OF THAT LARGER FISH AT $175 …. THE COST WAS ACTUALLY NOT THAT MUCH WHEN DIVIDED BY THE 5 OF US. I HAD A BIG SURPRISE WHEN 2 OF THE LADIES TOOK ONE OF THE EYES TO EAT …. SAID IT KINDA TASTED LIKE A "GRAPE" UGH! I NEVER EAT DEEP FRIED FOOD, BUT I DID THAT NITE …. AND MY, WAS THAT FISH TASTY! UMMMMMM! HOWEVER, I DID NOT EAT ANY MORE FRIED FOOD THE ENTIRE TIME I WAS THERE.
TERESE, MS. LILLIE, CHERYL, PAT & COLLEEN
ABOVE: THE BIG FISH
BELOW: THE SMALLER FISH
SINCE THE OPENING IN 1970, (AND I HAD A DELICIOUS MEAL THERE THAT FIRST YEAR) …. BUT HAD NOT RETURNED TIL 5 NITES AGO, WHEN I WAS INVITED BY MY LONG-TIME FRIEND, SELWYN TO ENJOY ANOTHER DELICIOUS SALMON DINNER AT THE "TOP OF WAIKIKI" …. THE ONLY ROTATING RESTAURANT IN HAWAII. WE WENT AROUND 3 TIMES AND WHAT A VIEW …. PLUS OF COURSE, THE SUNSET WAS A TREAT …. JUST IMAGINE IT! WE TRIED WITH OUR CAMERAS TO GET GOOD PHOTOS, EVEN ASKED FOLK TO PLEASE USE THEIR CAMERA …. BUT THE PHOTOS WOULD NOT COME OUT ANY OTHER WAY …. ONLY WHAT YOU SEE …. SORRY!
LONG-TIME FRIEND SELWYN & MS. LILLIE
I HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED READING ABOUT MY EXCITING TRIP TO BEAUTIFUL HAWAII .... THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND GOD DID SEND ANGELS TO PROTECT ME .... THE MINISTRY TIME WAS WONDERFUL AS WELL AS THE FELLOWSHIP WITH DEAR FRIENDS.
MS. LILLIE WITH HULA SHOW DANCERS
MS. LILLIE WITH WAYNE & CINDY
MS. LILLIE, COLLEEN, BRIAN, MAILE & CONNIE. (BRIAN HAS BEEN WITH THE CHAPLAINCY THE LONGEST OF ALL VOLUNTEERS….44 YEARS)
MS. LILLIE WITH MISS HAWAII 1994 COURTNEY, HER DAD PAUL, HER DAUGHTER ZOE & MOM CHERYL
MS. LILLIE WITH PRECIOUS FRIENDS: CHRIS, BECKY, MERCY & FABIAN
MS. LILLIE WITH BROOK LEE WHO WAS MISS HAWAII, MISS USA & MISS UNIVERSE 1997
MS. LILLIE WITH MELANIE & PUTTER
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR FRED – FIRST ASSEMBLY MINISTER OF MUSIC
MS. LILLIE WITH EARL
MS. LILLIE WITH HULA GIRLS DEBBIE & GAY
PSALM 23:6 ~ SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE; AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.
I ALWAYS WANT TO SAY A BIG THANKS TO YOU WHO GIVE TO THIS MINISTRY GOD HAS CALLED ME TO. REMEMBER WHAT YOU GIVE IS PLANTED IN GOOD GROUND. YOU WILL RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT HERE AND NOW …. PLUS A REWARD IN HEAVEN. HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU MAY GIVE …. THRU PAYPAL (JUST GIVE MY NAME) …. OR CALL AND GIVE ME YOUR CREDIT CARD AND THE AMOUNT YOU WISH TO BLESS ME WITH. YOU MAY ALSO CALL FOR ADDRESS IF YOU WISH TO SEND A CHECK. I AM ALSO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PRAYERS, THANK YOU! I DEPEND ON THEM.
I KNOW! I KNOW! THAT I WAS WEARING THE SAME OUTFITS MANY TIMES IN THE PHOTOS. I DO THAT BECAUSE I AM SINGING AT 10 DIFFERENT PLACES AND I DON’T SEE THE SAME PEOPLE AT THE FUNCTIONS …. SO IT DOES MAKE SENSE TO ME NOT TO HAVE TO CARRY SO MANY DIFFERENT OUTFITS. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
MY LONG-TIME FRIEND COLLEEN NOMURA HAS A BEAUTIFUL GIFT THAT SHE BEGAN USING IN A MOST POWERFUL WAY AFTER SHE BECAME A CHRISTIAN, A POPULAR DANCER IN THE HAWAII ENTERTAINMENT WORLD FOR MANY YEARS. THIS TALENTED CHOREOGRAPHER FOR THE POPULAR WAIKIKI DON HO SHOW ASKED JESUS INTO HER HEART WHEN MINISTERS BEGAN TO CONDUCT BIBLE STUDIES AFTER THE SHOW EACH WEEK FOR THE PERFORMERS WHO WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT JESUS. MANY OF THE DANCERS WERE SAVED AND ARE STILL LIVING A LIFE FOR JESUS TODAY. YOU HAVE NOTICED HER SMILE IN THE PHOTOS ABOVE …. NOW BE BLESSED BY THE AWESOME GIFT GIVEN TO HER BY GOD! SHE SIGNS A SONG THAT IS MY PRAYER …. AND I AM SURE YOURS ALSO, BECAUSE WE ARE LIVING IN DIFFICULT TIMES …. CHAOS IS EVERYWHERE …. WE MUST PRAY FOR OUR PRESIDENT AND THOSE IN WASHINGTON D. C. WHO PASS OUR LAWS AND MOST OF ALL FOR "A REVIVAL IN OUR LAND!"
FEBRUARY IS ALSO RECOGNIZED AS THE BIRTH MONTH OF TWO OF OUR NATION'S GREAT LEADERS, GEORGE WASHINGTON BORN ON FEBRUARY 22 AND ABRAHAM LINCOLN BORN FEBRUARY 12 …. BOTH BELIEVED THAT GOD WAS CENTRAL TO AMERICAN'S SUCCESS AND WOULD BENEFIT FROM HIS BLESSING …. AT THE START OF THE CIVIL WAR …. ONE OF THE DECLARATIONS MADE BY PRESIDENT LINCOLN WAS "LET US RENEW OUR TRUST IN GOD AND GO FORTH WITHOUT FEAR" …. FEBRUARY 1954, A BILL WAS INTRODUCED TO CONGRESS TO ADD THE WORDS "UNDER GOD" TO OUR PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE …. MEANING WE WERE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER COUNTRIES. CONGRESS ACCEPTED THE PROPOSITION TO SHOW THE WORLD THAT WE AMERICANS STILL BELIEVE THAT A HIGHER POWER HAS DIRECTED THE BEGINNING AND DESTINY OF OUR GREAT LAND …. YES, WE KNOW THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WAS FOUNDED ON CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES AND THE COMMAND TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IS FOR US TO OBEY TODAY …. MAY WE DO AS THE ISRAELITES WERE COMMANDED IN 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 …. "IF MY PEOPLE, WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND I WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND." YOU WILL BE BLESSED AS YOU WATCH AND LISTEN TO THIS BEAUTIFUL SONG, "GOD BLESS AMERICA" HERE IS MY DEAR FRIEND COLLEEN.
EPHESIANS 6:11 ~ PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD, THAT YOU MAY BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE WILES OF THE DEVIL.
FRIENDS, IT IS HERE! A NEW YEAR! IN FACT A "NEW DECADE." WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL, I COULD NOT EVEN CLOSE MY EYES AND THINK ABOUT LIVING TO SEE 2020 …. AND HERE WE ARE! MY PRAYER IS THAT I GROW CLOSER TO GOD THIS YEAR …. WE USUALLY THINK OF THE NEW YEAR AS THE TIME FOR A "FRESH START." WE HEAR ABOUT FOLK WHO RESOLVE TO START YET ANOTHER DIET TO LOSE WEIGHT, DECIDING TO ENROLL AT THE GYM TO BEGIN WORKOUTS …. AND MANY, MANY OTHER RESOLUTIONS TO "BEGIN AGAIN" …. I DO NOT WANT TO "BEGIN AGAIN" AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH NEW YEAR. THE NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW PRIORITIES, THINGS WE KNOW WE MUST DO FOR GOD! YES, THIS IS WANT I WANT TO SAY AT EACH NEW YEARS' BEGINNING, THANK YOU LORD, THAT MY SPIRITUAL LIFE HAS GROWN MUCH IN THE PREVIOUS YEAR, BECAUSE YOUR GRACE DOES OFFER US "FRESH STARTS" …. EACH DAY. AMEN!
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF HOME TELEPHONE VOICE MESSAGE MACHINES, (REMEMBER THOSE?) I HAVE BEGUN MY MESSAGE GREETING WITH A SCRIPTURE, AND THE FIRST FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THIS ONE. WE MUST BE REMINDED ABOUT THIS GREAT INVITATION.
HEBREWS 4:16 ~ THEREFORE LET US [WITH PRIVILEGE] APPROACH THE THRONE OF GRACE [THAT IS, THE THRONE OF GOD’S GRACIOUS FAVOR] WITH CONFIDENCE AND WITHOUT FEAR, SO THAT WE MAY RECEIVE MERCY [FOR OUR FAILURES] AND FIND [HIS AMAZING] GRACE TO HELP IN TIME OF NEED [AN APPROPRIATE BLESSING, COMING JUST AT THE RIGHT MOMENT] {AMP}
WELL FOLKS, WE ARE ONE YEAR CLOSER TO THE RETURN OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! I WANT TO BE READY TO MEET HIM …. DON'T YOU? LET'S LOOK FORWARD TO HIS COMING! HERE IS A VIDEO YOU MUST WATCH!
I SHALL BEGIN WITH WHAT I DID ON DEC. 31, CAUSE IT ACTUALLY WENT INTO JANUARY 1. …. GROWING UP IN THE BLACK CHURCH, THERE WAS ALWAYS WHAT WAS CALLED "WATCHNITE SERVICE" HELD ON NEW YEARS' EVE, DEC 31 …. WE WERE ALWAYS ON OUR KNEES PRAYING AS THE NEW YEAR APPROACHED …. IT WAS A MOST POWERFUL SERVICE AND EXCITEMENT AS WE REALIZED WE HAD SEEN THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR …. SO THIS DEC 31, I ATTENDED THE HUGE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST IN LOS ANGELES PASTORED BY BISHOP CHARLES BLAKE …. THE 100-VOICE CHOIR FILLED THE ATMOSPHERE WITH PRAISE, SPECIAL GUEST SINGER, JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS …. (HE IS INCREDIBLE). MY NEPHEW IS ON STAFF AT WEST ANGELES NOW FOR OVER 30 YEARS, I ASKED IF I MIGHT STAY OVERNITE WITH THEM, SO I WOULD NOT HAVE TO DRIVE BACK HOME ALONE AT 3AM …. BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENDS AFTER MIDNITE AND WE EXIT TO THE LARGE CHURCH BANQUET ROOM WHERE THE BREAKFAST IS SERVED …. THE UBIQUITOUS "CHICKEN AND WAFFLES." WOW! NOW THAT COMBINATION IS EVEN ON THE MENU AT KFC! PLUS, THE ADDED SIDES, EGGS, POTATOES, BISCUITS, GRAVY. I WAS PROUD OF MYSELF, I ONLY HAD A WAFFLE, AND CHICKEN SAUSAGE, AND EGGS. WHAT A FUN TIME, AS THE CHURCH BAND COMES TO PLAY EXCITING CHURCH SONGS WITH THE JAZZ FEEL. WE ARRIVED AT MY NEPHEW'S HOUSE AT JUST BEFORE 3AM …. WHAT A NITE! OUR SPIRIT WAS TOUCHED AND BLESSED IN THAT AWESOME CHURCH SERVICE AND OUR BODIES FILLED WITH DELICIOUS BREAKFAST AND MUSIC!
MS. LILLIE WITH LADY MAE BLAKE AND JONATHAN MCREYNOLDS
MS. LILLIE WITH HER NEPHEW, DR. KEN HAMMONDS, AND HIS WIFE NAOMI
WEST ANGELES CHURCH BAND
PSALM 133:1 ~ BEHOLD, HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR BROTHERS TO DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY! {AMP}
MY YEAR BEGAN WITH A PHONE CALL FROM A PRECIOUS DEAR FRIEND, GINGER, WE GO BACK MORE THAN 40 YEARS …. I HAVE SEEN HER 2 SONS GROW UP TO BE TALL HANDSOME MEN …. SHE INFORMED ME THAT HER HUSBAND HAD PASSED AWAY AND ASK IF I WOULD PLEASE COME SING FOR HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE THE FIRST SUNDAY IN THE NEW YEAR. OF COURSE, I SAID YES AND BEGAN TO PREPARE.
BECAUSE HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS TO BE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON 3PM, I WONDERED IF I MIGHT FIND A CHURCH TO SING ON SUNDAY MORNING, AND I DID …. WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME TO BE AT ARIZONA COMMUNITY CHURCH. THERE WAS A POWERFUL, CHALLENGING MESSAGE PREACHED. I HAVE BEEN INVITED BACK TO DO A LADIES LUNCHEON …. YIPPEEE! THANK GOD!
I WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT GINGER'S FIRST HUSBAND HAD PASSED AWAY AND AFTER A FEW YEARS, SHE DECIDED TO GO ONLINE TO MEET SOMEONE …. AND MY! DID SHE! AS I UNDERSTAND, IT WAS THIS PASTORS' FIRST TIME ONLINE, HE HAD LOST HIS WIFE 3 YRS EARLIER …. WELL, ONE THING LED TO ANOTHER HE AND GINGER MARRIED AND HAD 14 YEARS IN MINISTRY TOGETHER. I LOVE BEING IN HIS PRESENCE …. HE WAS A GODLY MAN. THAT NOW, MAKES ME WONDER IF THERE MIGHT A CHANCE FOR ME TO MEET SOMEONE AS GINGER DID? …. WELL, I'LL SEE WHAT GOD WANTS!
MS. LILLIE WITH GINGER HAAN
BY THE WAY, THE SONG GINGER ASKED FOR, IS ONE I SING AT MANY, MANY FUNERALS AND MEMORIALS …. I RECORDED IT OVER 40 YEARS AGO, AND I DO RECEIVE PRINTED PROGRAMS FROM A SERVICE WITH THE SONG LISTED AND INDICATING "AS SUNG BY LILLIE KNAULS” AS IT IS PLAYED THRU THEIR SOUND SYSTEM …. PLEASE LISTEN TO "FINALLY HOME."
BEING ONE OF THE BILL GAITHER HOMECOMING VIDEO FRIENDS FOR 26 YEARS, HAS GIVEN ME AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY TO BECOME ACQUAINTED WITH MANY, MANY QUARTETS, GROUPS, TRIOS, AND SOLOISTS WHO SING SOUTHERN GOSPEL, AND I LOVE THEM ALL. IT IS VERY EXCITING WHEN SOME COME TO CALIFORNIA, AND I AM ABLE TO ATTEND A CONCERT AS I DID A FEW NITES AGO. IT WAS WONDERFUL TO HEAR THE BLACKWOOD BROTHERS QUARTET, THOSE FAMILIAR WITH SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC WILL OF COURSE REMEMBER, JAMES BLACKWOOD (THEY WERE WONDERFUL, AND VERY POPULAR) …. WELL, HIS ELDEST SON BILLY HAS THIS ANOINTED QUARTET WHO TRAVEL AND SING MANY OF THE OLD CHURCH HYMNS AS WELL AS SONGS HIS DAD'S GROUP SANG! WE WERE ALL SOOO BLESSED (HOW NICE THAT HE ASKED ME TO COME ON STAGE TO SING A SONG)!
MS. LILLIE WITH THE BLACKWOOD BROTHERS QUARTET
PSALM 147:1 ~ PRAISE THE LORD! FOR IT IS GOOD TO SING PRAISES TO OUR GOD, FOR HE IS GRACIOUS AND LOVELY; PRAISE IS BECOMING AND APPROPRIATE. {AMP}
I HAVE NOTICED THAT CHRISTIAN CALIFORNIANS ARE HAPPY THAT MORE AND MORE SOUTHERN GOSPEL GROUPS ARE COMING TO MINISTER HERE IN OUR STATE, THAT IS A GOOD THING …. AS THERE IS A RICH HERITAGE WE HAVE IN THAT MUSIC …. SO LET ME TELL YOU WHAT ELSE HAPPENED THIS MONTH. THERE WAS A 5-HOUR SING FEATURING ALL LOCAL SOUTHERN GOSPEL ARTISTS NEAR ME …. I WAS ABLE TO DROP IN AND SING A COUPLE OF SONGS. EVEN THO I DON'T CONSIDER MYSELF A SOUTHERN GOSPEL ARTIST …. I GUESS THE GAITHER VIDEOS HAVE KINDA PLACED ME IN THAT CATEGORY AND I LOVE IT! I UNDERSTAND, FEW OF THE ATTENDEES LEFT TO GO HOME …. (ONLY GO TO THE RESTROOM) ONE GROUP AFTER THE OTHER SANG AND WERE ENJOYED …. I HOPE THEY HAVE MORE! DON'T FORGET, YOU CAN ALWAYS CHECK MY TOUR SCHEDULE TO SEE WHERE I WILL BE SINGING FOR THE NEXT 3 MONTHS …. HOPE I AM NEAR YOU!
I AM HAPPY I BEGAN THIS YEAR WITH EXCITING THINGS AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO ALL GOD HAS PLANNED. IT IS FINE WITH ME …. WHATEVER IT IS THAT HE WILL FILL UP THE REST OF MY 2020 SCHEDULE WITH! OOPS! I JUST ENDED A SENTENCE WITH A PREPOSITION O WELL!
THERE IS AN ORGANIZATION CALLED “THE RED HAT SOCIETY” FOUNDED IN 1998 …. LADIES WHO ARE OLD ENOUGH TO WEAR A PURPLE DRESS AND A RED HAT AND NO ONE CAN CRITICIZE THEM. WHAT A FUN MEETING. I'LL MENTION IT’S NOT A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION, I WAS ASKED TO SING SECULAR SONGS, BUT I INSISTED ON SINGING ONE GOSPEL SONG BECAUSE I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLANT SEEDS FROM GOD’S WORD INTO HEARTS. I OPENED SINGING THE SONG I WROTE ABOUT HATS …. IT’S CALLED “HATTITUDE.” I DID NOT HAVE A PURPLE DRESS, BUT WAY BACK IN MY CLOSET I FOUND PURPLE PANTS WITH A MATCHING TOP AND WORE A RED JACKET PLUS I GRABBED ONE OF MY RED FASCINATOR HATS. VERY COLORFUL LADIES WHO MEET ONCE A MONTH. IF YOU ARE EVER IN A RESTAURANT AND SEE A GROUP OF LADIES WEARING PURPLE OUTFITS AND RED HATS, THAT’S THEM. FUN!
IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF PLANNING YOUR SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY FUNCTION, LADIES LUNCHEON, TEA …. I WOULD LOVE TO COME MINISTER TO THEM …. IT WILL BE A VERY SPECIAL TREAT FOR ME AND ALSO FOR THEM …. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! JUST CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT A DATE.
REMEMBER, THIS IS A NEW YEAR …. JUST WAITING THERE FOR US TO FILL IT UP! WE HAVE THE CHOICE OF FILLING IT UP THIS YEAR WITH POSITIVE, AFFIRMING, HAPPY WORDS. YOU SEE, WORDS HAVE POWER, AND WHEN WE ARE FACING WHAT SEEMS TO BE INSURMOUNTABLE, SUCH AS PROBLEMS IN OUR HOMES, WITH OUR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, WITH OUR BOSS ON OUR JOB …. ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE, THE WORDS WE SPEAK HELP TO CREATE A PLACE OF PEACE. SO OPEN YOUR MOUTHS, GIVE PRAISE TO GOD …. HONOR HIM, BLESS HIS NAME …. THIS IS TRUE! WHAT YOU SAY …. IS WHAT YOU GET!
PSALM 19:14 ~ LET THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART BE ACCEPTABLE IN YOUR SIGHT, O LORD, MY [FIRM, IMPENETRABLE] ROCK AND MY REDEEMER. {AMP}
I PRAY THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU A BLESSED NEW YEAR! AND WHAT A BLESSING MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN TO THIS MINISTRY THRU THE YEARS …. PRAYING FOR ME AS I TRAVEL HERE AND THERE WITH THE GOOD NEWS THRU WORD/SONG. GOD HAS MADE YOU A BLESSING TO ME AND THE MINISTRY HE HAS CALLED ME TO …. THANKS FOR HELPING ME CONTINUE TO BOLDLY PROCLAIM THIS "GOOD NEWS. I WILL BE GRATEFUL IF GOD ASKS YOU TO GIVE …. YOU WILL RECEIVE A TAX RECEIPT HERE ON EARTH AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN PLEASE CALL ME FOR MAILING ADDRESS, IF YOU WISH TO SEND A CHECK …. OR YOU CAN GO TO PAYPAL …. MENTION MY NAME AND GIVE THAT WAY …. OR CALL ME AT 909-948-2448, GIVE ME YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER AND THE AMOUNT YOU WISH TO GIVE …. I WILL TAKE CARE OF THAT. REMEMBER, NO MATTER HOW SMALL YOU THINK YOUR AMOUNT IS, "LITTLE IS MUCH WHEN GOD IS IN IT." THANKS SO MUCH, OR MAHALO! …. I SAY MAHALO AS THAT IS "THANK YOU" IN HAWAIIAN …. AND I LEAVE TODAY FOR A MONTH IN THAT BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
MANY OF YOU KNOW I DID LIVE THERE FOR 10 YEARS …. AS A MISSIONARY WITH A MINISTRY. MANY FOLK WOULD SAY YEAH! RITE! BUT I REALLY WAS AND WILL TELL YOU ABOUT HOW I WAS CALLED AND SENT THERE …. WHAT IT WAS LIKE, ETC. NEXT MONTH. REMEMBER, I POST MY BLOG ON THE LAST DAY OF EACH MONTH …. SO YOU WILL ENJOY ALL THE PHOTOS AND INFO ABOUT THE ACTIVITIES FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINISTRY I WORKED WITH 1984-1994 …. THE WAIKIKI BEACH CHAPLAINCY. I WILL SEE MANY FRIENDS AND ENJOY THE CELEBRATION PLUS SOME R/R. THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS. WHAT A BLESSING, I HAD AIRLINE MILES TO EVEN UPGRADE TO FIRST CLASS …. GOD BLESSED ME WITH 2 DIFFERENT PLACES TO STAY …. 2 WKS IN EACH PLACE …. GOD IS GOOD! ALOHA!
JOHN 3:16 ~ FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
2 CORINTHIANS 9:15 ~ THANKS BE TO GOD FOR HIS INDESCRIBABLE GIFT!
EACH YEAR AS WE READ FROM LUKE 1~2, THE STORY OF THE COMING OF JESUS TO EARTH …. AND AS WE CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH BY JOINING IN OUR HEARTS AND ECHOING THE PRAISES PROCLAIMED BY THE ANGELS DECLARING "GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST AND ON EARTH, GOODWILL TO ALL MEN" …. OUR MOUTHS SHOULD ALSO SPEAK THOSE SENTIMENTS TO ALL WE ARE IN CONTACT WITH DURING THIS SEASON …. AND ALWAYS .... TO LET THEM KNOW WE WERE GIVEN THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL! THE GIVER, FATHER GOD KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WE NEEDED AND SENT HIM!
IF OUR GREATEST NEED HAD BEEN INFORMATION,
GOD WOULD HAVE SENT AN EDUCATOR.
IF OUR GREAT NEED HAD BEEN TECHNOLOGY,
GOD WOULD HAVE SENT A SCIENTIST.
IF OUR GREATEST NEED HAD BEEN MONEY,
GOD WOULD HAVE SENT US AN ECONOMIST.
IF OUR GREATEST NEED HAD BEEN PLEASURE,
GOD WOULD HAVE SENT US AN ENTERTAINER.
GOD KNEW OUR GREATEST NEED WAS TO HAVE FORGIVENESS,
SO HE SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS! HALLELUJAH!
I DO LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR …. OH, THE BEAUTIFUL LITES HANGING ON THE HOUSES, FLUNG ON TREES, BUSHES AND THE DECORATIONS MAKE THE SEASON SO BEAUTIFUL …. HEARING THOSE TIMELESS CAROLS PLAYED IN THE MALL IS AN SPECIAL EXPERIENCE.
I NO LONGER DECORATE AS I ONCE DID FOR CHRISTMAS …. YEARS AGO I PURCHASED A SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE …. STRUNG LITES ALL OVER IT …. PLACED POINSETTIAS ON IT WITH AN ANGEL ON TOP …. AND JUST PLUG IT IN EACH YEAR …. WHEN CHRISTMAS IS OVER …. I JUST PLACE IN A PLASTIC BAG AND TIE IT) …. THERE IS A DECORATED SLEIGH FOR MY CHRISTMAS CARDS, A GORGEOUS POT OF POINSETTIAS I PURCHASED OVER 20 YRS AGO …. WHICH DOES LOOK VERY REAL, AND OF COURSE A NATIVITY SCENE …. ONE BOX OF 99 CENTS RED, GREEN, SILVER, AND GOLD BALLS PLACED IN A BOWL …. HERE IS A TIP FOR YOU …. MY LOVELY ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE ALWAYS IN MY LIVING ROOM …. I JUST STICK SOME BEAUTIFUL SMALL POINSETTIAS IN THEM FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER …. SO I CAN LITERALLY COMPLETE ALL THE CHRISTMAS DECORATING WITHIN 30 MINS …. …. OH I ALMOST FORGOT THE CUTE CAROLER WHICH I ALSO BRING OUT …. AND THAT'S IT!
THE ENTIRE WORLD DOES SEEM TO COME ALIVE DURING THIS TIME …. HOWEVER, WE AS CHRISTIANS KNOW THAT MANY FOLK HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT …. MANY SIMPLY THINK OF IT AS A TIME TO GIVE AND GET GIFTS …. HOST AND ATTEND PARTIES …. BUT IT IS MUCH MORE THAN THAT, ISN'T IT? IT IS ALL ABOUT OUR HEAVENLY FATHERS' LOVE.
GALATIANS 4: 4-7 ~ BUT WHEN THE RIGHT TIME FINALLY CAME, GOD SENT HIS OWN SON. HE CAME AS THE SON OF A HUMAN MOTHER AND LIVED UNDER THE JEWISH LAW, TO REDEEM THOSE WHO WERE UNDER THE LAW, SO THAT WE MIGHT BECOME GOD'S CHILDREN. TO SHOW THAT YOU ARE HIS CHILDREN, GOD SENT THE SPIRIT OF HIS SON INTO OUR HEARTS, THE SPIRIT WHO CRIES OUT, “FATHER, MY FATHER.” SO THEN, YOU ARE NO LONGER A SLAVE BUT A CHILD. AND SINCE YOU ARE HIS CHILD, GOD WILL GIVE YOU ALL THAT HE HAS FOR HIS CHILDREN. (GNT)
DECEMBER IS USUALLY A VERY BUSY MONTH FOR ME TO MINISTER IN WORD/SONG FOR CHRISTMAS FUNCTIONS …. AND I LOVE IT! AS I HAVE WRITTEN EARLIER TO YOU, I BEGAN WORKING OUT AT 24-HR FITNESS IN JUNE AFTER NEARLY 20 YEARS OF GOING TO CURVES …. I WAS VERY HAPPY TO HEAR THAT IN DECEMBER OUR GROUP (SILVER SNEAKERS) WOULD BE HAVING THEIR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY …. I QUICKLY ASKED IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME SING …. I ALSO LEARNED THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLE SAX PLAYER IN OUR GROUP …. SO THE 2 OF US PROVIDED THE MUSIC …. HE IS VERY TALENTED! WE PLAYED AND SANG SEVERAL SONGS …. I WAS EVEN ABLE TO SING A COUPLE OF CHRISTIAN SONGS …. I WAS TOLD BY CHRISTIANS WHO ARE IN THE GROUP THAT THEY WERE HAPPY I BROT JESUS INTO THAT FUNCTION I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR A WAY TO DO THAT!
THERE WAS ANOTHER SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY TO SING FOR A "HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS" PARTY …. WHAT A NITE …. EVEN THE NAPKINS HAD THAT WRITTEN ON THEM, IT WAS A LOVELY EVENING. ONE OF THE SONGS I SANG....
MATTHEW 1:21 ~ SHE WILL GIVE BIRTH TO A SON, AND YOU SHALL NAME HIM JESUS (THE LORD IS SALVATION), FOR HE WILL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS. (AMP)
WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO ONCE AGAIN SPEAK/SING FOR THE SENIOR ADULTS AT CHURCH ON THE WAY …. VAN NUYS …. WHOSE FOUNDER IS DR. JACK HAYFORD …. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE GROUP! THEY ARE A MOST KIND AND LOVING …. THEIR LEADER IS PASTOR JIM NELSON …. WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE TO HAVE IN THE AUDIENCE FLORENCE LARUE …. SHE SANG FOR YEARS WITH THE POPULAR GROUP 5TH DIMENSION …. REMEMBER "LET THE SUN SHINE IN"?
Ms. Lillie with Pastor Jim Nelson (Church on the Way)
Ms. Lillie with Florence Larue
ANOTHER FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON FOR ME TO MINISTER WAS HELD AT THE POPULAR KNOTTS BERRY FARM IN A LOVELY BANQUET ROOM …. WOW! I WAS VERY IMPRESSED THAT THE PASTOR HAD AN ENVELOPE AND GIFT FOR 32 OF THE DEDICATED WORKERS IN HIS CHURCH AND SHARED A BIT ABOUT EACH OF THEM. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT HE APPRECIATED THE GIFTS THEY USE AND HOW THEY, AS WELL AS MANY OTHERS, KEEP THE CHURCH "OPERATING EFFICIENTLY" …. A LOVELY CHRISTMAS SCENE IN THE ROOM.
THE NEXT DAY FOLLOWING THE BANQUET, I WAS ABLE TO SING IN A NEARBY CHURCH …. OH MY! …. NOT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS, HAVE I BEEN IN SUCH A WONDERFUL SERVICE! ALL THE OLD PENTECOSTAL MUSIC …. HAMMOND ORGAN, ETC. AS WELL AS ANOINTED PREACHING. I WAS TAKEN BACK TO MY CHILDHOOD AND EARLY YEARS, I LOVED BEING THERE! …. PASTOR DOUG'S MESSAGE WAS VERY POWERFUL AND CHALLENGING TO US …. I PRAY I GET TO GO BACK SOON.
Ms. Lillie with Pastors Doug and Brenda Chambers
I SAY IT OFTEN …. I LOVE WHERE I LIVE NOW …. DOESN'T SEEM THAT IT HAS BEEN 3 YEARS ALREADY …. THERE ARE ALL TYPES OF ACTIVITIES FOR US TO JOIN IN AND ENJOY. ONE WAS A CRAFT CLASS …. WHERE WE COULD MAKE FALL COLOR WREATHS OR CHRISTMAS …. SO THERE I AM, HOLDING THE WREATH I HAD CREATED WITH GLUE GUN, ETC. …. AND YES, IT IS HANGING ON MY FRONT SCREEN …. I DID GO TO DOLLAR TREE AND FIND A BEAUTIFUL LARGE STAR TO ATTACH TO IT …. "THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM."
IT IS A SPECIAL TIME WHEN THE RESIDENTS OF MY COMPLEX ARE TOGETHER FOR OUR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARTY …. I WAS BLESSED TO SING THE SONG THE ENTIRE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR AT THIS TIME …. "JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON" …. I WROTE IT SEVERAL YEARS AGO …. WHEN A LONG TIME FRIEND SENT ME AN 8-LINE POEM …. I READ IT AND SAID …. "THAT'S A SONG" …. SO I WROTE ANOTHER VERSE, CHORUS, AND THE MUSIC …. AND IT HAS BEEN SUCH A BLESSING TO MANY. ENJOY!
THIS YEAR, I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THE DINNER FOR SOME HOMELESS IN RIVERSIDE. THEY ARE BUSSED IN AND SERVED A DELICIOUS TURKEY DINNER AND TREATED ROYALLY! THEY RECEIVE A LARGE GIFT BAG …. AND ARE SHOWN MUCH LOVE. I WAS ABLE TO SERVE MEALS TO THOSE PRECIOUS PEOPLE …. WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME. THE PERSON IN CHARGE WAS ONCE HIMSELF HOMELESS A FEW YEARS AGO …. HIS LIFE HAS BEEN TURNED AROUND AND HE IS GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY HE ONCE WAS A PART OF.
Ms. Lillie with Pastor Jeff
THERE IS A VERY SPECIAL SERVICE EACH NEW YEAR AT WEST ANGELES CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST IN LOS ANGELES …. AND I LOVE TO ATTEND, AS IT REMINDS ME OF WHEN I WAS GROWING UP …. WE ALWAYS HAD WHAT IS KNOWN IN THE BLACK CHURCH AS A "WATCHNITE" SERVICE …. WE ARE ALWAYS AT CHURCH TIL THE NEW YEAR COMES IN …. PRAYING, PRAISING, SINGING AND GIVING THANKS FOR THE BLESSING TO SEE ANOTHER YEAR …. THIS TIME, IT WILL BE A "NEW DECADE" AMEN!
AS THIS YEAR AND DECADE CLOSES, I WANT TO SAY YES, I HAVE KNOWN SOME OF YOU FOR SEVERAL DECADES …. (AS I HAVE BEEN SINGING AND TRAVELING FULL TIME FOR NEARLY 50 YRS) …. AND SOME, I HAVE NOT KNOWN AS LONG, BUT I AM SAYING SINCERE THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS THRU THE YEARS. I HAVE DEPENDED ON THEM. AND FOR THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS MINISTRY GOD HAS GIVEN ME …. I OFFER SINCERE "THANKS" AS GOD HAS MADE YOU A BLESSING TO ME. AND FOR YOU WHO WISH TO BE A PARTNER WITH ME, YOU MAY SEND A LOVE GIFT 3 DIFFERENT WAYS …. YOU CAN GO TO PAYPAL AND GIVE MY NAME …. YOU CAN CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND TELL ME AN AMOUNT TO BE PLACED ON YOUR CREDIT CARD …. OR YOU CAN ALWAYS SEND A CHECK OR M. O. TO ME AT MY NEW ADDRESS, PLEASE CALL FOR IT. WHATEVER YOU GIVE WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR ACCOUNT IN GLORY …. AND YOU WILL ALSO RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT DOWN HERE AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN!
I PRAY THAT AS YOU CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, THERE WAS GREAT JOY SPRINGING UP IN YOUR HEART AS YOU PAUSED TO REMEMBER THE WONDERFUL GIFT, JESUS! …. AND MAY THAT AWESOME GIFT, GIVEN SO LONG AGO, BE MORE PRECIOUS TO YOU, NOT ONLY AT THE CHRISTMAS SEASON …. BUT IN THE NEW YEAR (THE NEW DECADE) THAT LIES AHEAD. AS HE IS EMMANUEL …. GOD WITH US!
CAN YOU SAY AS THAT BEAUTIFUL SONG SAYS …. "LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH, AND LET IT BEGIN WITH ME?" REMEMBER JESUS IS THE PRINCE OF PEACE …. AND WHEN HE LIVES IN US …. WE HAVE IT! NO MATTER WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR WORLD, YES, THERE IS CHAOS …. IN OUR FAMILIES, ALL AROUND US …. BUT, WE CAN KNOW PERFECT PEACE IN EVERY SITUATION WE ENCOUNTER BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ALONE!
ISAIAH 26:3 ~ YOU WILL KEEP IN PERFECT AND CONSTANT PEACE THE ONE WHOSE MIND IS STEADFAST [THAT IS, COMMITTED AND FOCUSED ON YOU - IN BOTH INCLINATION AND CHARACTER], BECAUSE HE TRUSTS AND TAKES REFUGE IN YOU [WITH HOPE AND CONFIDENT EXPECTATION]. (AMP)
AS YOU ARE PLANNING YOUR ACTIVITIES FOR THE COMING YEAR? …. PLEASE HAVE ME COME TO MINISTER IN WORD/SONG FOR YOUR SENIOR ADULT GROUP FUNCTION, LADIES LUNCHEON OR YOUR CHURCH. I WOULD LOVE THAT! YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! …. PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT. I LOVE TO SHARE POWERFUL NUGGETS GOD HAS GIVEN ME TO SENIOR GROUPS ESPECIALLY!
ROMANS 8:32 ~ HE WHO DID NOT SPARE [EVEN] HIS OWN SON, BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL, HOW WILL HE NOT ALSO, ALONG WITH HIM, GRACIOUSLY GIVE US ALL THINGS? (AMP)
TODAY I AM THANKFUL THAT ON NOVEMBER 26, 1863, PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SIGNED THE PROCLAMATION THAT MADE THE 4TH THURSDAY OF EACH NOVEMBER A DAY FOR THIS NATION TO GIVE THANKS.
FROM THE WHITE HOUSE TO OUR HOUSE …. WE GATHER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND MANY OF US HAVE VISITED SHELTERS AND RESCUE MISSIONS TO VOLUNTEER TO SERVE AND MINISTER TO THE HOMELESS AND IMPOVERISHED.
MATTHEW 25:35-40 ~ FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME FOOD; I WAS THIRSTY AND YOU GAVE ME DRINK; I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU TOOK ME IN; I WAS NAKED AND YOU CLOTHED ME; I WAS SICK AND YOU VISITED ME; I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU CAME TO ME.’ THEN THE RIGHTEOUS WILL ANSWER HIM, SAYING, ‘LORD, WHEN DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY AND FEED YOU, OR THIRSTY AND GIVE YOU DRINK? WHEN DID WE SEE YOU A STRANGER AND TAKE YOU IN, OR NAKED AND CLOTHE YOU? OR WHEN DID WE SEE YOU SICK, OR IN PRISON, AND COME TO YOU?’ AND THE KING WILL ANSWER AND SAY TO THEM, ‘ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, INASMUCH AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, YOU DID IT TO ME.’
AT THE TABLE IN OUR HOMES …. THRU THE YEARS, THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE BEING WITH MY FAMILY, HUGGING, TALKING AND TALKING …. (SOMETIMES, WE MIGHT EVEN HAVE TO RAISE OUR HAND TO INDICATE THAT WE ARE NEXT TO HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY) …. AND THE FELLOWSHIP AFTER DINNER IS PRICELESS …. MANY ENGAGING IN DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES. WHAT A DAY!
IT IS A DAY FOR THE WORLD TO BE REMINDED TO GIVE THANKS …. BUT I AM THANKFUL THAT AS A BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIAN, EACH AND EVERY DAY SHOULD BE A DAY OF THANKSGIVING FOR US. THAT IS WHAT GOD WANTS! I AWAKEN EACH MORNING …. SAYING, "THIS IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE …. I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT" …. FOR ME, THAT MEANS TO GIVE THANKS FOR ALL THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO ME. MAY THIS VIDEO SPEAK TO YOU, AS IT DID TO ME.
PSALM 100:4 ~ ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING, AND INTO HIS COURTS WITH PRAISE. BE THANKFUL TO HIM, AND BLESS HIS NAME.
MY NOVEMBER BEGAN WITH ME SPENDING TIME WITH MY 93-YR OLD SISTER NELL, AND HAVE 3 WONDERFUL TIMES OF MINISTRY IN LAS VEGAS …. WHAT OPPORTUNITIES GOD GIVES ME TO SHARE "NUGGETS" FROM HIM TO SENIOR ADULTS …. I LOVE IT! …. ONE WAS AT THE LOVELY LAS VEGAS HILTON RESORT …. AN ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS SETTING …. WOW! …. IT WAS SPONSORED BY A LONG-TIME DEAR FRIEND …. MORRIS CHAPMAN …. (HE WROTE THE GLORIOUS, AWESOME CHRISTMAS SONG "BETHLEHEM MORNING" …. SANDI PATTY MADE POPULAR). A DELICIOUS LUNCHEON HAD BEEN PREPARED FOR US …. THEN THE PRAISE AND WORSHIP TIME BEGAN …. ANOTHER LONG-TIME FRIEND, LEON PATILLO OPENED THE MUSIC MINISTRY TIME WITH HIM SINGING AND PLAYING INCREDIBLE MUSIC …. I FOLLOWED WITH SONGS GOD DIRECTED ME SING. THEN MORRIS CHAPMAN CLOSED BY LEADING US INTO A BEAUTIFUL TIME OF WORSHIP. WHAT A DAY!
LEON PATILLO, MS. LILLIE, MORRIS CHAPMAN
PSALM 150:6 ~ LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH PRAISE THE LORD. PRAISE YE THE LORD!
I MUST SAY HOW THANKFUL I AM THAT AT NEARLY AGE 82, I AM STILL ABLE TO TRAVEL AND MINISTER IN WORD AND SONG …. GOD DOES KEEP ME HEALTHY AND MY VOICE STRONG! AMEN!
I AM OF THE OPINION, THAT ONE CANNOT HAVE THESE .... TRUE THANKSGIVING IN A HEART WITHOUT GENEROSITY …. OR PRAISE. THOSE THREE GO TOGETHER. WHEN WE ARE THANKFUL, WE WILL WANT TO TELL GOD ABOUT THE GIFTS HE GIVES US. HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE THEM AND WHAT HE DOES FOR US, OUR FAMILIES, ETC. AND OFFER PRAISE TO HIS NAME FOR THOSE GIFTS …. AND OF COURSE, BE WILLING TO PASS ON TO THOSE AROUND US, PRACTICAL THINGS. ENGAGE IN CONVERSATION WITH FOLK WE MEET IN THE STREETS AND HELP THOSE WHO ARE TRULY IN NEED.
2 CORINTHIANS 9:11 ~ YOU WILL BE ENRICHED IN EVERY WAY SO THAT YOU MAY BE GENEROUS, AND THIS [GENEROSITY, ADMINISTERED] THROUGH US IS PRODUCING THANKSGIVING TO GOD [FROM THOSE WHO BENEFIT]. {AMP}
FOR 12 YEARS NOW, (I WAS THERE FOR THE VERY FIRST ONE) AN EXCITING THING HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN PALM DESERT (NEAR PALM SPRINGS, CA) …. THE 2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH, OCTOBER - MAY …. MANY OF US, ALONG WITH THE "SNOWBIRDS" COME TO A GREAT CHURCH FOR A "HYMN SING" …. WHAT A JOY TO SING THE OLD SONGS! IT IS WONDERFUL TO SING SONGS WE RECOGNIZE. MOST OF US DO NOT EVEN NEED A HYMN BOOK …. CAUSE WE KNOW THEM …. THEY ARE IN OUR HEARTS! …. IF YOU GET A CHANCE, YOU WILL BE BLESSED IF YOU COME! …. I WILL BE SINGING ON TUESDAY JAN. 14 …. WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU.
PSALM 69:30 ~ I WILL PRAISE THE NAME OF GOD WITH SONG AND MAGNIFY HIM WITH THANKSGIVING. {AMP}
IN 1965, I BECAME PART OF A GREAT CHURCH IN SAN JOSE, CA …. I WAS SOLOIST FOR THE CHURCH-SPONSORED TV PROGRAM …. HOSTED BY PASTOR KENNY FOREMAN …. HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS IN JANUARY 2019 …. AND WHAT A SERVICE! …. BECAUSE THE CHURCH BEGAN IN NOVEMBER MANY YEARS AGO …. THEY PLANNED A LEGACY MONTH, AND INVITED ME TO COME FOR IT …. (IN FACT, I SAY OFTEN THAT "ALL THAT I AM, I OWE TO GOD AND PASTOR KENNY FOREMAN). I REALIZED AS I WATCHED THE EXCITING VIDEO THAT DAY …. ALL THAT GOD BLESSED PASTOR FOREMAN TO DO DURING HIS 53 YEARS AS PASTOR …. HE DID WITH SOOOO MUCH LOVE …. IT WAS VERY MOVING! …. HIS 2 SONS ARE CARRYING ON.
SHIRLEY AND KEN FOREMAN, MS. LILLIE, KEN FOREMAN JR.
MS. LILLIE WITH KURT FOREMAN
PSALM 69:36 ~ THE DESCENDANTS OF HIS SERVANTS WILL INHERIT IT, AND THOSE WHO LOVE HIS NAME WILL DWELL IN IT. {AMP}
I WAS BLESSED TO SING FOR THE HOVING HOME IN PASADENA …. A POWERFUL MINISTRY FOR WOMEN WHO ARE THERE TO BE A PART OF AN 18-MONTH PROGRAM OF REHABILITATION …. MANY NEEDS ARE MET IN THEIR TORN-UP LIVES. SOME WERE ON DRUGS, LIVING ON THE STREETS, ETC. THERE ARE WOMEN WHO DO NOT EVEN KNOW JESUS WHEN THEY ARRIVE …. THEY COME BECAUSE OF A COURT ORDER, AS A RESULT, THEY ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET JESUS, ACQUIRE THEIR GED, SOME HAVE VISITING PRIVILEGES WITH THEIR CHILDREN RESTORED IN MANY CASES. I AM SOO GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR GIVING THE VISION FOR THIS NECESSARY HOME TO JOHN AND ELSIE BENTON. MR. JOHN WENT TO BE WITH JESUS 3 YRS AGO …. BUT MS. ELSIE IS STILL CARRYING ON WITH HER BIBLE STUDY EACH MORNING, WHERE THE GIRLS GET TO KNOW THE BASICS OF THE BIBLE …. AND JESUS INTIMATELY!
MS. LILLIE WITH MRS. ELSIE BENTON
…. MANY HAVE COME TO KNOW JESUS IN A WAY THAT IS THE "BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO THEM." AMEN! PLEASE KEEP THE HOVING HOME IN PRAYER AS THEY REACH OUT TO THOSE LADIES WHO NEED THAT PLACE. I BELIEVE THIS IS THE ASSIGNMENT FOR HOVING HOME …. JESUS SAID ….
LUKE 4:18 ~ THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME (THE MESSIAH), BECAUSE HE HAS ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOOD NEWS TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO ANNOUNCE RELEASE (PARDON, FORGIVENESS) TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED (DOWNTRODDEN, BRUISED, CRUSHED BY TRAGEDY). {AMP}
I WANTED TO TELL YOU ABOUT MY THANKSGIVING DINNER …. (I PREFER THE DARK MEAT) …. AND WE DISCOVERED THAT EACH RESTAURANT WE PHONED WAS SERVING THE "PRESSED TURKEY BREAST" UGH! FINALLY, WE HAD TO SETTLE ON "GOLDEN CORRAL" (FOR THE REAL, VISIBLE TURKEY WITH 2 DRUMSTIX) …. YIPPPEE! IT IS CERTAINLY NOT ONE OF MY FAVORITE RESTAURANTS, ONLY BEEN THERE 2 TIMES …. BUT OFF WE WENT! AFTERWARD, WE HAD RESERVED RECLINER SEATS FOR THE MOVIE …. "IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD" STORY ABOUT MR. ROGERS. WOW! IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOMETHING MOVING AND HEARTFELT …. YOU WILL WANT TO SEE THIS MOVIE …. A TRUE STORY …. NOT JUST ABOUT THE AWESOME MR. ROGERS …. BUT ABOUT A GROWNUP LIFE HE TOUCHED. OF COURSE, WE KNOW HOW HIS SHOW FOR 33 YRS. DID TOUCH MILLIONS OF CHILDREN AS THEY WATCHED HIM TALK ABOUT THINGS THEY NEEDED TO HEAR, AND THIS KIND, GENTLE MAN KNEW HOW TO TELL THEM …. I WISH HE WAS STILL ON TV FOR THIS NEW GENERATION OF KIDS TO VIEW …. THINGS MIGHT BE DIFFERENT IN OUR WORLD!
I AM ALL BUNDLED UP AS IT WAS 42 DEGREES OUTSIDE AS WELL AS …. POURING DOWN RAIN. DON'T KNOW WHEN WE HAVE HAD SUCH A COLD THANKSGIVING …. IT WILL GO DOWN TO 34 DEGREES TONITE. BRRRR.
MY UPSTAIRS NEIGHBOR, MR. ROGER …. SERVED IN THE MILITARY AND ALWAYS WORE A HAT INDICATING IT …. WELL GOD CALLED HIM HOME …. HE SPENT HIS FIRST THANKSGIVING IN HEAVEN WITH JESUS. HIS PRECIOUS WIFE MS. JEAN ASKED IF I WOULD PLEASE SING FOR HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE WHICH WAS HELD RITE HERE IN OUR COMMUNITY CENTER …. I WAS HONORED TO BE ASKED …. AND IT WAS A BLESSING, I WAS TOLD. SHE THEN HAD A "TACO TRUCK" COME WITH THE FOOD (SOMETHING DIFFERENT, I'D SAY) BUT WAS ENJOYED BY ALL.
MS. JEAN WITH PHOTO OF MR. ROGER
THERE WAS AN OVERFLOW CROWD; SOME PEOPLE EVEN HAD TO SIT OUTSIDE
I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THIS THOT …. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 ~ "GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS THE WILL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS FOR YOU". I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT NO MATTER WHAT SITUATION YOU FIND YOURSELF IN …. OR WHATEVER IS GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE, IF YOU CAN FIND A WAY TO BE THANKFUL IN IT, EVERYTHING WILL LOOK DIFFERENT. IT IS A CHOICE WE MUST MAKE DAILY …. IS NOT ALWAYS EASY TO DO …. BUT IS CERTAINLY REWARDING …. TRY IT! WE CAN BE THANKFUL IN SUCH A WAY THAT OUR HEARTS MAKE MUSIC OF JOY. HALLELUJAH!
I MUST ALSO SAY HOW THANKFUL I AM TO GOD FOR EACH OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN IN MY LIFE …. SOME FOR MANY, MANY YEARS …. OTHERS FOR A SHORTER TIME …. AND THANKS FOR LETTING ME KNOW THAT YOU DO PRAY FOR THIS MINISTRY GOD HAS GIVEN ME.
SPECIAL THANKS FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO GIVE TO THIS MINISTRY (IT IS GOOD GROUND) IF YOU CARE TO GIVE, GOD WILL MAKE YOU A BLESSING TO ME …. I AM HAPPY TO SEND YOU A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT HERE AND NOW …. AND THEN, YOU WILL RECEIVE A REWARD IN HEAVEN. YOU MAY GIVE BY GOING TO PAYPAL …. GIVE THEM MY NAME …. OR SIMPLY CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND PLACE THE AMOUNT ON YOUR CREDIT CARD …. OR SEND A CHECK TO ME VIA U. S. MAIL. JUST CALL ME FOR ADDRESS. AND PLEASE CALL ME IF I CAN PRAY WITH YOU …. I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT.
ALSO, WE ARE AT END OF THIS YEAR …. (SEEMS HARD TO BELIEVE) SO AS YOU ARE PLANNING FUNCTIONS FOR YOUR SENIORS GROUP, LADIES MEETING, OR TO SING IN YOUR CHURCH IN 2020, PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT A DATE …. REMEMBER, AS I ALWAYS SAY, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME!
I LOVE YOU, MY SPECIAL FRIENDS, SOOOO MUCH. I LEAVE YOU WITH THIS SCRIPTURE.
REVELATION 7:12 ~ AMEN! BLESSING AND GLORY AND MAJESTY AND WISDOM AND THANKSGIVING AND HONOR AND POWER AND MIGHT BELONG TO OUR GOD FOREVER AND EVER. AMEN. {AMP}
THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER MEANS THAT AUTUMN IS IN FULL SWING …. AND I LOVE IT! THE BEST PLACE TO SEE THE FALL FOLIAGE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON IS BAR HARBOR, MAINE …. AND I CAN PERSONALLY SAY …. THAT IS TRUE! …. AS I WAS THERE A FEW YEARS AGO …. WOW! …. I CRIED AS I LOOKED AT THE HILLSIDE OF TREES …. GOD'S PAINTBRUSH PRODUCED SOME AWESOME COLORS AND EACH YEAR BRINGS JOY AND DELIGHT TO THE MILLIONS OF TOURISTS. THEN, THRU THE BALANCE OF SEPTEMBER AND MOST OF OCTOBER …. THE CHANGING OF THE LEAVES WILL HAPPEN DOWN SOUTH AND FINALLY GETS TO CALIFORNIA. I WILL BE ABLE TO SEE SOME NEAR MY HOUSE …. AS THERE IS AN AREA LINED WITH THE MAPLE TREES THAT DO CHANGE. IT IS SOOOO BEAUTIFUL!
THE PUMPKINS SEEMS TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENT FOR DECORATIONS IN THE FALL. MOST RESIDENTS HERE AT MY RETIREMENT COMPLEX DO HAVE A LOVELY WREATH ON THEIR DOORS OF THE HARVEST COLORS OR GARLANDS OF FALL COLORS PLUS PUMPKINS. THE PUMPKIN FLAVORS AT STARBUCKS, RESTAURANT PIES, COOKIES, MUFFINS ARE OUT THERE! …. ALL THINGS PUMPKIN!
ACTUALLY, WE ARE ALL PUMPKINS …. DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT THIS? BEFORE WE INVITED JESUS TO COME LIVE IN OUR HEARTS AND BECAME A CHRISTIAN …. WE WERE LIKE A PUMPKIN. GOD GRACIOUSLY PICKED US FROM THE PATCH …. BROUGHT US IN …. WASHED ALL THE DIRT OFF US …. THEN HE CUT OFF THE TOP, SCOOPED OUT ALL THE YUCKY STUFF …. HE REMOVED THE SEEDS OF DOUBT, HATE AND GREED …. AND PLACED THERE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT SEEDS …. LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, MEEKNESS, GENTLENESS, AND SELF CONTROL. HE THEN CARVES ON US A NEW SMILING FACE AND PUTS HIS LIGHT INSIDE FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 ~ THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW.
OCTOBER 8TH WAS THE CELEBRATION OF YOM KIPPUR …. THE HEBREW "DAY OF ATONEMENT" …. THE HOLIEST JEWISH HOLIDAY OF THE YEAR. THE DAY IS ABOUT ASKING GOD TO FORGIVE SINS AND ACCEPTING REPENTANCE. MANY FAST TO CLEANSE THE SOUL AND BODY. YOM KIPPUR ENDS WITH THE SOUNDING OF THE SHOFAR AND A MUCH CELEBRATED TIME OF MUSIC, DANCING, FESTIVE FOOD AND THE FAST IS BROKEN WITH A BREAK-THE-FAST MEAL.
WELL, AS BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS, WE SHOULD BE VERY AWARE AND THANKFUL THAT JESUS CHRIST ALREADY MADE THE ULTIMATE ATONEMENT FOR ALL OUR SINS, AND I CHOOSE TO, EACH DAY CELEBRATE THE SACRIFICE HE MADE FOR THE WORLD …. BY DYING ON THE CROSS FOR ALL OUR SINS …. HE WAS CRUCIFIED, BURIED, BUT ON THE 3RD MORNING, HE AROSE FROM THE TOMB AND LIVES FOREVERMORE. HE IS WILLING TO FORGIVE OUR SINS WHENEVER WE ASK HIM. AMEN!
1 JOHN 1:9 (AMP) ~ IF WE [FREELY] ADMIT THAT WE HAVE SINNED AND CONFESS OUR SINS, HE IS FAITHFUL AND JUST (TRUE TO HIS OWN NATURE AND PROMISES) AND WILL FORGIVE OUR SINS [DISMISS OUR LAWLESSNESS] AND [CONTINUOUSLY] CLEANSE US FROM ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS [EVERYTHING NOT IN CONFORMITY TO HIS WILL IN PURPOSE, THOUGHT, AND ACTION].
AND THEN …. THERE'S HALLOWEEN IN OCTOBER …. HONESTLY, I REALLY DO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS DAY! I DO NOT CELEBRATE IT IN ANY WAY WHATSOEVER …. BECAUSE OF IT'S ORIGIN AND WHAT THE WORLD HAD MADE IT TO BE. THEY MAKE IT SCARY, ABOUT WITCHES, SKELETONS, GHOSTS AND GOBLINS, HERE IS A QUESTION FOR YOU …. IS THIS DAY BASED ON GODLY THEMES SUCH AS PEACE, AND SALVATION …. OR DO YOU HAVE OPPRESSION, FEAR, DEPRESSION? IF SO, THIS SCRIPTURE IS FOR YOU!
PHILIPPIANS 4:8 ~ FINALLY, BRETHREN, WHATEVER THINGS ARE TRUE, WHATEVER THINGS ARE NOBLE, WHATEVER THINGS ARE JUST, WHATEVER THINGS ARE PURE, WHATEVER THINGS ARE LOVELY, WHATEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT, IF THERE IS ANY VIRTUE AND IF THERE IS ANYTHING PRAISEWORTHY, MEDITATE ON THESE THINGS.
I AM HAPPY THAT MY CHURCH DOES HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE …. NO NEED FOR CHILDREN FROM OUR CHURCH GO OUT INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD, TO GET TREATS …. AS WE HAVE A HARVEST FESTIVAL NITE …. A PUMPKIN PATCH, FOOD, MUSIC. THE KIDS MAY WEAR COSTUMES (ALTHO NOTHING SCARY) …. THERE HAS BEEN UP TO 50 SUV'S WITH THEIR TRUNKS OPEN …. AS KIDS WALK AROUND (AND AROUND) (AND AROUND) TO BE GIVEN CANDY. AND WE ALL KNOW THAT SUGAR IS NOT GOOD FOR US …. SO I ALWAYS PRAY THAT PARENTS WILL MONITOR THEIR KIDS AS TO HOW MUCH CANDY THEY CONSUME AT ONE TIME.
WHAT A WONDERFUL OCTOBER I HAD …. I WILL GIVE YOU SOME OF THE HIGHLITES …. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE UP NORTH ON THE HWY 101 TO HOLLISTER CALIFORNIA …. TOOK ME EXACTLY 6 HOURS …. I STOPPED AFTER 3 HRS …. HAD A SNACK, WALKED AROUND, ETC. …. THEN I WAS ON THE ROAD AGAIN …. IT IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL DRIVE …. I HAVE LOTS OF CD'S TO LISTEN TO AND ENJOY. I DO PRAY A LOT AS I TRAVEL …. NOTHING TO DISTURB ME …. AND GOD KEEPS THE ANGELS ENCAMPED AROUND ME AND MY CAR …. HE IS A GOOD GOD! WHAT AN AMAZING CHURCH ON SUNDAY …. ONE OF THOSE HAPPY, CLAPPY CHURCHES …. I WAS AT HOME …. AND PASTOR HAD AN EXTREMELY POWERFUL MESSAGE …. AND A VERY SPECIAL PRAYER TIME AT THE ALTAR AFTERWARD! HALLELUJAH!
PSALM 107:8 ~ OH, THAT MEN WOULD GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, AND FOR HIS WONDERFUL WORKS TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN!
A DEAR, LONG-TIME FRIEND, KATHLEEN (WE WORKED TOGETHER IN SAN JOSE IN THE EARLY 60'S), SHE LIVES IN HOLLISTER AND SHOWED UP AT THE CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING …. WHAT A SURPRISE! IT WAS GREAT TO SEE HER, SHE OFFERED TO DRIVE ME TO SAN JUAN BAUTISTA MISSION …. FOUNDED IN 1797 (A VERY POPULAR TOURIST PLACE) …. HERE IS A BIT OF TRIVIA, I VIVIDLY REMEMBER THE SCENES IN THE MOVIE "VERTIGO WITH JIMMY STEWART" THAT WERE SHOT THERE.
MS. LILLIE WITH LONG-TIME FRIEND KATHLEEN AT SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
THEN I HEADED EAST ON 152 …. STOPPED FOR A SENIORS CONFERENCE AT A PLACE CALLED CASA DE FRUTA .... THE FIRST ORCHARD TREES WERE PLANTED IN 1908. THEN A ROADSIDE FRUIT STAND WAS OPENED IN 1943. WHAT A PLACE! GIFT SHOPS, INCREDIBLE FRUIT …. I STAYED IN THE LOVELY INN AND LOVED BEING THERE. I HAD NO IDEA IT WOULD BE SOOOO COLD IN THAT AREA …. IT WAS 44-46 DEGREES EACH MORNING I AWAKENED …. BRRRRR!
MOVING ON DOWN THE ROAD, I WAS SCHEDULED TO SING AT A GREAT CHURCH IN MODESTO ON WEDNESDAY. PASTOR HERB HENRY IS ALSO A POPULAR PROMOTER OF GOSPEL MUSIC WITH THE SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTETS …. AND ME! I ASKED THAT HIS FAMILY QUARTET SING BEFORE HE INTRODUCED ME TO SING. IN FACT, HIS FAMILY HAS BEEN SINGING SINCE 1989. THEIR HARMONY IS AWESOME. THE PEOPLE ARE BLESSED WHEN THEY SING. PASTOR HERB HENRY IS ALSO AN ACCOMPLISHED PIANIST. I WAS ABLE TO STAY IN THE CUTEST LITTLE HOUSE THEY HAVE BEHIND THEIR BIG HOUSE …. AND BOY, DID I LOVE IT! THEY WERE SOOO KIND TO ME. IF ANY OF YOU LIVE IN THE MODESTO AREA, HE DOES HAVE A RADIO PROGRAM, PLAYS SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS 2-4 PM ON RADIO 770AM …. YOU WILL LOVE LISTENING TO THAT GREAT MUSIC.
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR HERB HENRY AND HIS WIFE NANCY
ALMOST HATED TO LEAVE THAT CUTE HOUSE, WHICH I NAMED "LILLIE'S PAD", I LEFT TO "HEAD ON DOWN THE ROAD" …. WAS AT VISALIA FIRST ASSEMBLY, PASTOR MARK HAS A VERY ACTIVE SENIORS GROUP …. I LOVE SINGING FOR THEM …. 100 ACTIVE SENIORS PACKED THE ROOM TO PARTAKE AT A "POTATO BAR" …. YOU WERE TO PICK UP YOUR POTATO …. AND MOVE ON DOWN THE LINE TO TOP IT WITH MANY THINGS, SUCH AS CHEESE, SOUR CREAM, GUACAMOLE, CHILI, BACON BITS, SAUTEED MUSHROOMS, TOMATOES, OLIVES, BUTTER …. AND SOOOOO MUCH MORE …. THE PICTURE BELOW IS SOMEONE ELSE'S PLATE .... NOT MINE BECAUSE I DO NOT EAT POTATOES .... I JUST HAD SOME OF THE "LOADED" SALAD …. YUMMIE!
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTORS MARK AND JAMIE OF VISALIA FIRST ASSEMBLY
MS. LILLIE MINISTERING AT VISALIA FIRST ASSEMBLY 50+ SENIORS GROUP
MY LAST STOP WAS IN BAKERSFIELD WITH MY LONG-TIME FRIEND …. WELL, ACTUALLY MY SISTER, PASTOR SHARON PECK ELMORE …. WE LAFF THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENT MOTHERS …. BUT THE SAME FATHER (GOD, OF COURSE). YOU OLD-TIMERS WILL REMEMBER THAT SHE AND HER 2 SISTERS TRAVELED MANY YEARS AS THE "SUNSHINE SISTERS". IN FACT, HER SISTER JUDY PECK NELON AND HER HUSBAND SIGNED ME UP TO RECORD MY VERY FIRST "RECORD" ALBUM IN 1975 …. AND JUDY ALSO CONVINCED ME THAT I NEEDED TO BE ON FACEBOOK, SHE SET UP AND CARED FOR MY PAGE …. AND DID A FANTASTIC JOB. GOD HAS BLESSED PASTOR SHARON WITH A GREAT CHURCH IN BAKERSFIELD …. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE SERVICE! …. AS SHE CAN REALLY PLAY A HAMMOND ORGAN AND SHARE THE WORD! …. AND EACH TIME SHE SINGS, THERE IS A VERY SPECIAL ANOINTING.
MS LILLIE WITH PASTOR SHARON PECK
I AM ALWAYS HAPPY WHEN GOD OPENS A DOOR FOR ME TO MINISTER IN A RETIREMENT CENTER …. MANY DO SEEM SAD …. I SENSE THE LONELINESS AND WANT TO BRING GOD'S JOY INTO THE PLACE WITH ME …. I TELL FUNNY STORIES AND TRY TO MAKE THEM LAFF …. I QUOTE GEORGE BERNARD SHAW, "YOU DON'T STOP LAUGHING BECAUSE YOU GET OLD" …. RATHER, YOU GET OLD BECAUSE YOU STOP LAUGHING. AMEN! PLEASE REMEMBER THAT!
PROVERBS 17:22 ~ A HAPPY HEART IS LIKE GOOD MEDICINE, BUT A BROKEN SPIRIT DRAINS YOUR STRENGTH.
THE SENIORS ALL SEEM TO LOVE TO SING PERHAPS ONE OF THE FIRST SONGS THEY EVER LEARNED …. "YES, JESUS LOVES ME" I MUST PRESENT THE GOSPEL AND REMIND THOSE PRECIOUS PEOPLE (EVEN THO ALL ARE NOT YET CHRISTIAN), THEY NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE LOVED …. JESUS STILL HAS A PLAN FOR THEIR LIVES …. THERE IS STILL SOMETHING THEY CAN DO CAUSE, AFTER THE FINAL HEARTBEAT …. ETERNITY BEGINS! AND …. HEAVEN AND HELL ARE REAL!
JOHN 3:16 ~ FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE I HAVE …. GOD OPENS DOORS FOR ME TO SPEAK/SING IN MANY DIFFERENT PLACES, AND I WILL BE VERY HAPPY TO COME TO YOUR GROUP WITH POWERFUL SONGS AND NUGGETS FROM GOD'S WORD …. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! …. AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME. PLEASE CHECK YOUR PLANNING CALENDAR AND CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME COME FOR A GREAT TIME OF MINISTRY AND WE'LL TALK! PERHAPS FOR YOUR HOLIDAY FUNCTION?
PERHAPS YOU ARE FACING A REAL HARDSHIP, THINGS SEEM TO BE GOING ALL WRONG …. MAYBE A BAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT …. ARE YOU FILLED WITH PAIN, LOSS OF EMPLOYMENT …. WAYWARD CHILDREN …. LOST A LOVED ONE …. OR MAYBE OTHER DIFFICULT TRIALS? …. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE DO HAVE A GOOD SHEPHERD WHO GAVE HIS LIFE FOR US AND WHO IS WILLING TO CARRY ALL OF OUR SORROWS. HE PROMISED TO LEAD AND GUIDE US IN THE WAY WE SHOULD GO. PERHAPS THE MOST IGNORED INVITATION IS THAT OF JESUS WHO SAID THIS …. AND HE MEANS IT. LET HIM DO IT!
MATTHEW 11:28 ~ COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.
TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN SOOOO FAITHFUL WITH YOUR FINANCES THRU THE YEARS AND OF COURSE, YOUR PRAYERS …. I MUST SAY A "BIG THANKS" …. THIS MINISTRY IS GOOD GROUND AND IF GOD PROMPTS YOU TO GIVE, YOU WILL BE BLESSED. YOU WILL RECEIVE A RECEIPT DOWN HERE AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN. THERE ARE 3 WAYS YOU MAY DO SO …. GO THRU PAYPAL (JUST GIVE MY NAME) …. YOU MAY CALL AND GIVE ME YOUR CREDIT CARD INFO …. OR SEND THRU REGULAR MAIL …. I AM GRATEFUL FOR WHATEVER YOU CAN INVEST IN THIS MINISTRY GOD HAS GIVEN ME. ALSO, PLEASE CALL ME IF YOU HAVE A NEED AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME PRAY FOR YOU …. I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT …. AMEN!
HERE IS SOMETHING I DO THAT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO DO ALSO, WHEN I LEAVE MY HOUSE, I ASK GOD TO BRING SOMEONE INTO MY PATH HE WANTS ME TO MINISTER TO WITH A KIND WORD, COMPLIMENT, OR A PRAYER …. I LIKE TO PRAY THEN AND THERE, AND ALSO LATER. IT WILL MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD!
AND HERE IS VIDEO THAT BRINGS HOME THE POINT …. GOD IS EVERYWHERE! ENJOY!
MATTHEW 25:44 ~ …. LORD, WHEN DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY OR THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NEEDING CLOTHES OR SICK OR IN PRISON, AND DID NOT HELP YOU?
UNTIL NEXT TIME,
P. S. - OF COURSE, I’M SURE YOU NOTICED I’M WEARING THE SAME OUTFIT IN ALL PHOTOS …. MY EXPLANATION, IT IS EASIER FOR ME NOT TO TAKE LOTS OF CLOTHES, BUT THEN I FORGET THAT YOU WOULD BE SEEING PHOTOS ON MY BLOG.
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS WAS GROWING UP …. WE WENT BACK TO SCHOOL THE 3RD DAY AFTER LABOR DAY …. FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS, (PERHAPS TO GET US BACK "INTO THE FLOW OF SCHOOL" AGAIN) THEN THE WEEKEND OFF. AND BACK FOR REAL ON MONDAY. NOW, I UNDERSTAND SOME SCHOOL YEARS BEGIN AS EARLY AS AUGUST …. YES, THINGS CHANGE …. BUT ONE THING HAS NOT CHANGED …. MY WORST SUBJECT WAS MATH!
HOW COME NO ONE TAUGHT ME THIS?
THE LABOR DAY HOLIDAY SEEMS TO MARK THE END OF SUMMER "FUN" …. AND WE EXPECT DIFFERENT WEATHER, SCHOOL DAYS, MUCH HOMEWORK …. AND WE EVEN BEGIN TO ANTICIPATE THE HOLIDAYS …. THAT'S RITE, IF JESUS DOES NOT RETURN, CHRISTMAS WILL BE HERE SOON.
EVER WONDER WHY WE HAVE A LABOR DAY CELEBRATION …. WELL, HERE IT IS AGAIN FOR YOU ....
LABOR DAY WAS FIRST CELEBRATED IN 1882 .... HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN? .... WELL, IT SEEMS THAT THERE WERE SOME LABOR UNIONS WHO WANTED TO SHOW APPRECIATION FOR THOSE WORKING AND SHOW HOW VALUABLE THEY REALLY WERE .... SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY. IT WAS A CROWD OF 2O,000 WHO GATHERED TO WATCH THE PARADE OF WORKERS .... IT WAS PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND WHO MADE IT A NATIONAL FEDERAL LEGAL HOLIDAY IN 1894 .... TODAY IT IS HAILED AS THE LAST VACATION DAY OF SUMMER AND BEFORE SCHOOL BEGINS .... SO TO MANY IT MEANS .... YET ANOTHER PICNIC .... WITH HOT DOGS .... AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS .... ME, I TRY TO DO NOTHING ON LABOR DAY
I WAS THINKING TODAY ABOUT ALL OF THE MANY JOBS I HAVE HAD IN MY LIFETIME …. I LOVED TO WORK CAUSE I LIKED HAVING EXTRA MONEY AMONG THE MANY JOBS I HAVE HAD WHEN I WAS STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL. IN SEATTLE …. I WORKED IN A CONVALESCENT HOME …. DELIVERING TRAYS OF FOOD TO PATIENTS …. RETRIEVING THEM …. WASHING THE DISHES AND SETTING UP THE TRAYS FOR THE NEXT MEAL. THAT IS WHEN I REALIZED I WOULD BE "OLD" ONE DAY …. EVEN WORKED AS A HAT/COAT CHECK GIRL AT A FANCY RESTAURANT …. THAT IS WHEN I REALIZED I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A "MINK COAT" …. AND I WAS GIVEN A GORGEOUS FULL LENGTH ONE IN MY LATER YEARS …. BUT WHEN I MOVED TO WARMER CLIMATES …. HAWAII, FLORIDA AND NOW BACK IN CALIFORNIA, I REALIZED I WOULD HAVE NO NEED FOR A "MINK COAT" …. SO I GAVE IT TO A FRIEND WITH A MINISTRY IN NEW YORK AND AM TOLD HOW SHE LOVES TO WEAR IT DURING THOSE COLD WINTER MONTHS WITH THOSE FRIGID TEMPS.
IN 1978, SOMETHING WONDERFUL HAPPENED, PRESIDENT CARTER SIGNED A PROCLAMATION THAT THE 2ND SUNDAY OF SEPTEMBER WOULD BE RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED AS "GRANDPARENTS DAY." I WANT TO SHOW PHOTOS OF MY GRANDPARENTS …. MY MOM'S MOTHER, JULIE AND FATHER FRANK. AND MY DAD'S MOM, ROSIE.
MY MOM'S FATHER, FRANK
MY MOM'S MOTHER, JULIE
MY DAD'S MOM, ROSIE
ONCE AGAIN I HAD THE AWESOME OPPORTUNITY TO MINISTER AT THE TEEN CHALLENGE MINISTRY IN RIVERSIDE …. I STILL MARVEL HOW GOD HAS USED THAT MINISTRY IN THE LIVES OF SOOOO MANY MEN AND WOMEN AS THEY ARE "NEW CREATURES" BECAUSE JESUS NOW LIVES IN THEM …. RECENTLY, I ORDERED ON AMAZON THE DVD OF "THE CROSS AND THE SWITCHBLADE" …. THE POIGNANT STORY OF THE FOUNDER OF THE TEEN CHALLENGE MINISTRY, DAVE WILKERSON …. WOW! I HAD SEEN IT SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, BUT WANTED TO SEE IT AGAIN …. WHAT A BLESSING! …. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT …. I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU DO …. YOU WILL ALSO BE BLESSED!
I ALWAYS APPRECIATE BEING ABLE TO SPEAK TO SENIORS …. TO SHARE WITH THEM "DON'T DIE BEFORE YOU DIE" …. IT IS A POWERFUL MESSAGE. I WOULD LOVE TO COME TO YOUR SENIORS GROUP AND ENCOURAGE THEM WITH THIS MESSAGE AND GOOD OLD SONGS …. THEY RECOGNIZE! JUST CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE'LL TALK!
DOORS OPENED FOR ME AT THE BRIDGE CHURCH BY PASTORS GARY AND ANNE MARTIN IN MURRIETA. IT WAS A LIVELY GROUP FOR THE SENIORS LUNCHEON.
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTORS GARY AND ANNE MARTIN
I WAS EXCITED WHEN AT 1:30PM ON A MONDAY, I HAD A GREAT CROWD OF SENIORS COME TO HEAR ME SING/SPEAK IN ESCONDIDO …. GOD TOUCHED HEARTS AND LIVES IN THAT 1-HOUR SERVICE …. WOW!
EPHESIANS 5:19 ~ SPEAKING TO ONE ANOTHER IN PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING AND MAKING MELODY IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD.
MORE THAN 50 YEARS AGO, I MET A LADY WHO BEGAN SEWING FOR ME …. (IN FACT WHEN I FIRST BEGAN SINGING SHE MADE ALL THE CLOTHES I WORE ON STAGE) …. SHE WOULD COME 2 TIMES A YEAR TO VISIT AND SEW FOR ME …. I LOVED IT …. WELL, IN 2013, SHE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PANCREATIC CANCER AND LIVED 5 MONTHS. I SOOO APPRECIATED HER HUSBAND ALSO. WELL, HE PASSED AWAY A FEW WEEKS AGO …. THE CHILDREN ASKED IF I WOULD PLEASE COME SING FOR HIS SERVICE THE SAME SONG I SANG FOR HER SERVICE …. AND I DID …. WHAT A MEMORIAL! THERE ARE MANY THINGS YOU PERHAPS DO NOT KNOW ABOUT A PERSON …. UNTIL SUCH A SERVICE, WHEN YOU HEAR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN SPEAK WITH SUCH LOVING WORDS ABOUT THEIR LOVED ONE. IT WAS TRULY HEARTWARMING.
I NEED TO TELL YOU THE STORY OF HOW SONNY'S WIFE MARY ELLEN CAME TO KNOW JESUS …. SHE MADE A GORGEOUS DRESS FOR ME …. RED VELVETEEN …. FOR A SPECIAL SERVICE …. I KNEW SHE WAS NOT HAPPY IN HER CHURCH …. THE ENTIRE FAMILY ATTENDED THE CATHOLIC CHURCH …. SHE FELT SHE NEEDED MORE, SO WHEN I ASKED HER TO COME TO CHURCH TO SEE ME ON STAGE WEARING THE DRESS SHE HAD CREATED …. AND HEAR ME SING, SHE AGREED. THE SERVICE WAS ABOUT TO BEGIN …. I HAD A SEAT RITE DOWN FRONT FOR HER …. WENT OUTSIDE TO SEARCH FOR HER, FOUND HER STANDING IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH FINISHING HER SMOKE …. SHE CAME IN, I SANG AND AFTER THE MESSAGE, THE PREACHER SAID "THERE MIGHT BE SOMEONE HERE WHO WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF BAD HABITS …. IF SO PLEASE COME FORWARD" AND JESUS WILL TAKE THEM AWAY …. WELL, SHE HAD ADMITTED TO ME MANY TIMES, THAT SHE HATED SMOKING, BUT IT WAS SOMETHING SHE COULD NOT GIVE UP …. SO WHEN I SAW HER LEAVE HER SEAT, AND MOVE TO THE FRONT AREA …. I STARTED TO CRY! …. WELL, FROM THAT DAY FORWARD, SHE NEVER SMOKED ANOTHER CIGARETTE, AFTER SHE HAD INVITED JESUS TO FORGIVE HER OF ALL SINS AND COME LIVE IN HER HEART …. SHE WAS FREE! …. AS A RESULT OF HER NEW FOUND FAITH, HER ENTIRE FAMILY CAME TO KNOW JESUS …. SONNY, HER HUSBAND WAS THE FIRST …. THEY BEGAN ATTENDING CHURCH REGULARLY, AND TODAY, HER 3 BOYS AND 1 GIRL ALL KNOW JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR, AND 2 ARE IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY ! PRAISE JESUS!
BUT THAT IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY, AFTER THE MEMORIAL SERVICE WAS OVER, THE MAN WHO READ THE OBITUARY CAME UP TO ME AND SAID, “MS LILLIE, YOU HAVE GRANDCHILDREN” …. WELL, I WAS PUZZLED, CAUSE I HAVE NEVER MARRIED …. HE PROCEEDED TO TELL ME HOW HIS FAMILY ATTENDED THE SAME CATHOLIC CHURCH AS DID SONNY AND MARY ELLEN AND FAMILY …. SO AFTER HER CONVERSION TO CHRIST, SHE CALLED AND INVITED THEIR FAMILY TO GO TO A BILLY GRAHAM CRUSADE …. YES, YOU GUESSED IT! …. WELL, JOHN AND WIFE ATTENDED AND WENT FORWARD WHEN THE INVITATION WAS GIVEN …. HE AND HIS WIFE WANTED TO THANK ME FOR INVITING MARY ELLEN TO THE SERVICE THAT NITE …. BECAUSE OF HER COMING TO KNOW JESUS, SHE THEN INVITED THEM TO THE CRUSADE, AND NOW ALL OF JOHN'S CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN KNOW JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR …. WELL, I COULD ONLY THANK GOD FOR BRINGING THIS ALL ABOUT MORE THAT 50 YEARS AGO …. I WOULD LIKE TO STRONGLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO WITNESS TO FOLK AS WELL AS INVITE THEM TO CHURCH …. FOR YOU DON'T KNOW WHEN THEY ARE RIPE AND READY TO RECEIVE THIS WONDERFUL JESUS WE KNOW …. AND THEY WILL INVITE SOMEONE, AND IT GOES ON AND ON AND ON.
MATTHEW 5:16 ~ LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN.
MS. LILLIE WITH TODD, PERRY, NICOLE AND MITCH AT SONNY'S MEMORIAL SERVICE
MS. LILLIE WITH MARY ELLEN AND SONNY …. SHE MADE WHAT WE ARE EACH WEARING (THE PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED RED VELVETEEN DRESS) AND EVEN SONNY'S JACKET
I HAVE ANOTHER DEAR FRIEND WHO I HAVE ALSO KNOWN FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, HER HUSBAND WENT TO BE WITH JESUS 12 YEARS AGO …. WE TALK ON THE PHONE OFTEN …. SHE INFORMED ME RECENTLY THAT SHE WAS DATING A MAN …. SO, AFTER A YEAR AND A HALF. SHE TELLS ME THAT THEY WILL MARRY …. SO I ATTENDED THE MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR MY FRIEND SONNY AT 10AM …. AND HER WEDDING AT AGE 82 ON THE SAME DAY! …. A DAY WITH MIXED EMOTIONS. THE CHURCH WAS PACKED FOR HER WEDDING …. LOTS OF FRIENDS WHOM I HAD NOT SEEN FOR MANY YEARS …. WHAT GREAT FELLOWSHIP! …. AND MANY FOLK WANTED ME TO KNOW THAT THERE IS HOPE AND IT COULD STILL HAPPEN FOR ME …..HA HA HA HA.
EDNA AND JOHNNY
ECCLESIASTES 5:20 ~ (LILLIE) DOES NOT REFLECT ON THE DAYS OF HER LIFE, BECAUSE GOD KEEPS HER OCCUPIED WITH GLADNESS OF HEART.
ON THE FOLLOWING DAY, I SANG AT VICTORY OUTREACH, A MINISTRY SIMILAR TO TEEN CHALLENGE …. THEY HAVE HOMES AND TRAINING CENTERS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE HAD DIFFICULT LIVES WITH INCARCERATIONS, AND ADDICTIONS, BUT WHO WANT TO BE CLEAN AND DELIVERED …. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE SERVICE WITH THE FOUNDER SONNY ARGUINZONI. JUST AN OBSERVATION, I LOVE THAT THE MEN WEAR SUITS AND TIES …. NOT THAT CASUAL LOOK I SEE IN MANY CHURCHES.
2 PETER 3:9 ~ THE LORD IS NOT SLACK CONCERNING HIS PROMISE, AS SOME COUNT SLACKNESS, BUT IS LONGSUFFERING TOWARD US, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE.
COLOSSIANS 1:13-14 ~ HE HAS DELIVERED US FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS AND CONVEYED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE SON OF HIS LOVE, IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
ONCE A YEAR, FOR 13 YEARS NOW, SOMETHING EXCITING HAPPENS IN RANCHO CUCAMONGA. IT IS WHEN THE SILVER FOX FOLLIES IS PRESENTED. ALL SENIORS MUST BE AT LEAST 65, AND MUST HAVE SOME TALENT …. AND MY, DO THEY! …. I ESPECIALLY LIKE SEEING THAT TAP DANCE LINE …. THEIR AGES RUN TO 88 YEARS …. AND THEY ARE STILL DOING THE ROCKETTES KICK. IT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD ENJOY SEEING …. IT WAS A PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO BE A PART OF THIS ONE. BECAUSE THIS YEAR IS THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NO. 1 HIT SONG "O HAPPY DAY" IN 1969 …. I WAS IN THE CHOIR WHO RECORDED IT .... THE EDWIN HAWKIN SINGERS, AND SINCE I AM A SENIOR, I WAS TOLD I COULD SING IT ON THE PROGRAM …. AND I HAD A CHOIR FROM MY CHURCH COME AND SING WITH ME …. WOW! WHAT A GREAT SOUND! …. I LOVE WHEN I AM ABLE TO DO SECULAR EVENTS BECAUSE JESUS IS LIFTED UP …. AND THAT IS WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT, RITE? HOPE YOU WILL ATTEND THE ONE NEXT YEAR …. THEY MIGHT ASK ME TO SING AGAIN.
SILVER FOX FOLLIES PHOTOS
MY PASTOR HAS BEEN IN AN GREAT SERIES OF MESSAGES ABOUT SEEING THINGS FROM GOD'S PERSPECTIVE TO THINK AND DREAM BIG …. WE WERE CHALLENGED TO STRIVE TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR THE KINGDOM …. WHAT A GREAT IDEA TO HAVE ONE OF THE MEN IN THE CHURCH MAKE A HUGE CHAIR …. I LOVED IT AND TOOK THIS PHOTO …. AND WHEN SOMETHING IS PREACHED WITH THAT KIND OF VISUAL, YOU DON'T EASILY FORGET IT …. SO, EACH DAY I AM "DREAMING BIG" AND WANTING TO DO INCREDIBLE THINGS FOR GOD AS HE STRENGTHENS ME.. HE WILL GIVE EACH OF US THE COURAGE, RESILIENCE, AND DESIRE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN BUILDING THE KINGDOM.
TITUS 2:7 ~ IN ALL THINGS SHOWING YOURSELF TO BE A PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS; IN DOCTRINE SHOWING INTEGRITY, REVERENCE, INCORRUPTIBILITY...
ARE YOU WANTING TO BE "MORE THAN AVERAGE" IN YOUR WALK WITH GOD? I KNOW THAT IS WHAT I WANT. AND IT CAN HAPPEN AS WE LOOK AROUND AT THE CHAOS IN THE WORLD …. KNOWING THAT WE MUST "SOUND THE ALARM" TO EVERYONE WE MEET …. TELL THEM ABOUT THE ANSWER TO ANY PROBLEM WE HAVE AND IT IS JESUS.
JOHN 9:4 ~ I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY; THE NIGHT IS COMING WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! …. FOR YOUR FAITHFUL PRAYERS FOR ME PERSONALLY, AND FOR THE MINISTRY GOD HAS GIVEN ME. I AM SOOOO GRATEFUL TO YOU WHO ALSO GIVE TO HELP ME CONTINUE TO "CARRY THE GOOD NEWS" TO THIS HURTING WORLD AS WELL AS TO ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO HAVE KNOWN JESUS FOR MANY YEARS …. I DO BOTH! IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THIS MINISTRY …. (IT IS GOOD GROUND) …. YOU CAN GO TO PAYPAL AND ENTER MY NAME. OR YOU CAN CALL ME AT 909-948-2448, GIVE ME YOUR CREDIT CARD AND I WILL TAKE YOUR DONATION …. YOU MAY ALSO SEND TO MY ADDRESS, NO PROBLEM! PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WHATEVER GOD PLACES ON YOUR HEART TO GIVE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT HERE AND NOW, AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN.
THE HOLIDAYS ARE UPON US, SO IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF PLANNING A TEA, LUNCHEON, OR BANQUET, ETC., PLEASE KNOW I WOULD LOVE TO COME AND MINISTER IN WORD/SONG. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! HEARTS AND LIVES WILL BE TOUCHED AND CHANGED! YOU CAN REACH ME AT 909-948-2448 …. I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOUR CALL!
2 CORINTHIANS 13:11 ~ FINALLY, BRETHREN, FAREWELL. BECOME COMPLETE. BE OF GOOD COMFORT, BE OF ONE MIND, LIVE IN PEACE; AND THE GOD OF LOVE AND PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU.
YEP, I AM STILL WAITING? ... IT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN! IS THERE SO LITTLE OR (NOTHING PRESSING) IN WASHINGTON D. C. FOR OUR ELECTED LEGISLATORS TO THINK ABOUT AND WORK FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR UNITED STATES ... WILL THEY EVENTUALLY COME UP WITH A HOLIDAY TO DECLARE IN THIS MONTH? ... CAUSE AS YOU KNOW, THE ONLY MONTH IN THE 12-MONTH CALENDAR YEAR WITHOUT A HOLIDAY ... IS AUGUST.
DID YOU KNOW, HOWEVER, THERE ARE TWO CELEBRATIONS IN AUGUST THAT HAVE NOT BEEN MADE INTO HOLIDAYS? ... YET!!! WELL, ON THE FIRST SUNDAY, IS "NATIONAL FRIENDS' DAY ... AND ON THE 3RD SUNDAY, "WOMEN'S FRIENDS" DAY.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO WRITE ABOUT "FRIENDS" ... NO! NOT THE TV SHOW ... WHICH I HAVE NEVER SEEN EVEN ONCE. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE FRIENDS GOD HAS GIVEN ME THESE 81 YEARS OF MY LIFE. OF COURSE, AS I HAVE TRAVELED, I HAVE MET THOUSANDS OF FOLK WHO ARE STILL ACQUAINTANCES THRU THESE 40+ YEARS I HAVE BEEN ON THE ROAD. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY DIFFERENT HOMES OPENED TO ME, HAVE HAD LOTS OF FELLOWSHIP ... HOME-COOKED AND RESTAURANT MEALS, RIDES TO AND FROM AIRPORTS, ETC. AND I DO CHERISH THESE PRECIOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR KINDNESS ... I DO NOT EXPECT ALL OF THOSE TERRIFIC, GODLY ACQUAINTANCES I HAVE SPENT TIME WITH, TO FIT INTO THAT "BEST FRIEND CATEGORY" SUCH AS THE ONES I MET MANY YEARS AGO AT A CHURCH IN SAN JOSE WHO ARE STILL VERY MUCH IN MY LIFE ... IN FACT, I SPEAK TO AT LEAST ONE OF THEM EACH DAY! NOW THOSE ARE FRIENDS!
OUR SOCIETY USES THE WORD "FRIEND" TO MEAN ANYONE FROM A BUSINESS CONNECTION TO A DRINKING BUDDY. IN THE BIBLE, JOHN MAKES IT CLEAR THAT TRUE FRIENDSHIP IS ROOTED IN MUTUAL COMMITMENT TO CHRIST. THIS GIFT FROM GOD DOES INDEED BRING FULLNESS OF JOY. LET'S THANK GOD FOR OUR CHRISTIAN FRIENDS AND PRAY THAT WE WILL NEVER TAKE THEM FOR GRANTED. A NOTABLE QUOTE FROM OUR FIRST LADY ELEANOR ROOSEVELT ... WHOSE HUSBAND FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1933-1945 ... SHE SAID ... "MANY PEOPLE WILL WALK IN AND OUT OF YOUR LIFE, BUT ONLY TRUE FRIENDS WILL LEAVE FOOTPRINTS IN YOUR HEART".
I HAVE HEARD SAID THAT IF WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE 3 GREAT, SPECIAL FRIENDS IN OUR ENTIRE LIFETIME ... THAT IS A GIFT! ... WITH THESE LADIES, WE HAVE BONDED WITH ONE ANOTHER THRU THE 50+ YEARS. ... OUR FRIENDSHIP RUNS "DEEP" ... AND WE ARE CLOSE! THEY KNOW THEY ARE FREE TO SPEAK INTO MY LIFE ... TO CORRECT AND ADMONISH ME, TO HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE AND I CAN FEEL THEIR PRAYERS. THEY ARE ALSO SUPPORTIVE OF ME BOTH IN BAD TIMES AS WELL AS GOOD TIMES. WHAT A BLESSING FROM GOD TO HAVE FRIENDS IN THE MIDST OF SUFFERING ... THEY DO PROVIDE GREAT COMFORT! AMEN!
PROVERBS 27:17 ~ AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, SO A MAN SHARPENS THE COUNTENANCE OF HIS FRIEND.
PROVERBS 17:17 ~ A FRIEND LOVES AT ALL TIMES…
HERE IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ... "FRIENDS ARE FAMILY ... YOU CHOOSE" AND FRIENDS CAN BE YOUR SIBLINGS ALSO. THAT’S WHY IT IS SOOOOO SPECIAL FOR ME EACH WEEK WHEN I SPEND AT LEAST AN HOUR ON THE PHONE WITH MY 3 SISTERS ... WE DO A CONFERENCE CALL ... SOMETIMES OUR ONLY BROTHER GETS TO BE INCLUDED ... HE, AT 85, IS SUCH A BUSY GUY ... DID YOU EVER TRY TO GET 5 FOLK ON THE LINE AT THE SAME TIME? WHEW!!
WE ALL NEED "FRIENDS" ... LET'S REMEMBER WHAT GOD'S WORD SAYS ABOUT THAT SUBJECT ... I THINK THESE ARE MY FAVORITES:
ECCLESIASTES 4:9-10 ~ TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE A GOOD REWARD FOR THEIR LABOR. FOR IF THEY FALL, ONE WILL LIFT UP HIS COMPANION. BUT WOE TO HIM WHO IS ALONE WHEN HE FALLS, FOR HE HAS NO ONE TO HELP HIM UP.
PROVERBS 27:6 ~ FAITHFUL ARE THE WOUNDS OF A FRIEND, BUT THE KISSES OF AN ENEMY ARE DECEITFUL.
OF COURSE, MANY OF US DO HAVE WONDERFUL FRIENDS HERE ON THIS EARTH AND THANK GOD FOR THAT ... THE ABILITY TO TELL SOMEONE WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON AND KNOW THEY CARE ... OR HOPE THEY DO. WELL, JESUS IS THE BEST FRIEND WE COULD EVER HAVE ... WE CAN TELL HIM ALL OF OUR DARKEST SECRETS ... AND HE WILL TELL NO ONE ... HE WILL WALK WITH US THRU ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS ... WILL BE THE SWEET COMFORT WE NEED. HE IS THE LIFTER OF OUR HEAD! I LOVE THIS OLD HYMN:
WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS ALL OUR SINS AND GRIEVES TO BEAR WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO CARRY EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER
OH WHAT PEACE WE OFTEN FORFEIT OH WHAT NEEDLESS PAIN WE BEAR ALL BECAUSE WE DO NOT CARRY EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER
AND THAT IS THE KEY ... TO TAKE ALL OF OUR BURDENS AND CARES TO THE FRIEND WHO IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER FRIEND ON THIS EARTH. HE WILL ALWAYS FORGIVE US ... WILL ALWAYS BE THERE BESIDE US ... HIS NAME IS JESUS ... AND HE CALLS US "FRIENDS." WE NEED ONLY A LOOK AT JESUS.
JOHN 15:15 ~ I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, BECAUSE I HAVE REVEALED TO YOU EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE HEARD FROM MY FATHER. YOU HAVE NOT CHOSEN ME ... BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU!
I LOVE THIS! ... TO HAVE A FRIEND ... WE MUST BE A FRIEND! THAT MEANS WE MUST BE ABLE TO LISTEN ... TO BE SYMPATHETIC ... LAUGH WITH THEM, CRY WITH THEM, FORGIVE QUICKLY ANY AND ALL MISUNDERSTANDINGS, TO BE THERE FOR THEM AS YOU WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE THERE FOR YOU!
REMEMBER THAT A GESTURE OF FRIENDSHIP, NO MATTER HOW SMALL IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED ~ JACKSON BROWN JR.
LUKE 6:31 ~ TREAT OTHERS THE SAME WAY YOU WANT THEM TO TREAT YOU.
GOD HAS BLESSED ME TO BE ABLE TO MINISTER AT THE CHINO PRISON FOR WOMEN FOR NEARLY 20 YRS NOW ... AND IT IS SUCH A BLESSING FOR ME ... AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE BLESSED ALSO. WELL, ONCE A YEAR THERE IS AN ORIENTATION FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS ... FAILURE TO ATTEND MEANS WE ARE UNABLE TO GO IN FOR A YEAR ... AS WE MUST WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT ORIENTATION. WHAT A BLESSING TO SEE SOOO MANY FOLK PRESENT WHO GO ON A REGULAR BASIS TO MINISTER. THAT DAY, I WAS ASKED BY A HIGH-PROFILE STAFFER, IF I WOULD BE WILLING TO COME IN AND WORK WITH A CHOIR. ADDING ("THAT THE LADIES LOVE TO SING") ... SO I AM GRATEFUL THAT GOD HAS OPENED THIS DOOR FOR ME AND I AM VERY EXCITED! PLEASE PRAY THAT GOD WILL GIVE ME HIS AWESOME IDEAS AND CREATIVITY TO WALK INTO THIS NEW ASSIGNMENT. THANKS!
MATTHEW 25:36-40 …. "I WAS SICK AND YOU VISITED ME; I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU CAME TO ME …. WHEN DID WE SEE YOU SICK, OR IN PRISON, AND COME TO YOU?" AND THE KING WILL ANSWER AND SAY TO THEM, "ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, INASMUCH AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, YOU DID IT TO ME."
ALSO, HAD MY ANNUAL PHYSICAL ... BELIEVE IT OR NOT ... YOU ARE GIVEN 45 MINUTES WITH YOUR DOCTOR ... WOW! CAN ASK QUESTIONS, AND ENJOY THE VISIT ... SHE GOES OVER ALL THE BLOOD WORK THAT IS DONE PRIOR TO COMING IN FOR THE VISIT ... AND PRAISE GOD! ... ONCE AGAIN SHE BRAGS ON ME ... AND I BRAG ON GOD! ... I ALSO TELL HER IT MUST BE IN MY GENES AS MY MOTHER WAS 94 WHEN SHE PASSED AND MY GRANDMOTHER WAS 102 ... SHE SAYS THAT IF ONLY 25% OF HER PATIENTS WERE LIKE ME ... SHE WOULD BE A "HAPPY DOCTOR" ... SHE KEEPS SAYING ... "YOU ARE 81 AND YOU TAKE NO MEDICINE? WELL, JUST KEEP DOING WHAT YOU ARE DOING" ... BUT SAYS I NEED TO DO ONE MORE DAY IN THE GYM ... AS SHE WANTS ME TO LIFT WEIGHTS TO KEEP MY BONES STRONG ... SO ACTUALLY, I AM DOING THE 4TH DAY AT HOME, HOTEL ROOM OR WHEREVER I AM ... AS I WENT AND PURCHASED WEIGHTS AND STRETCH BANDS, ETC. SO I DO NOT HAVE TO GET "DRESSED UP" AS I NORMALLY DO TO GO WORKOUT. I SHALL KEEP YOU POSTED ON MY PROGRESS IN THE GYM.
I THINK OFTEN OF THE NEARLY 10 YRS I LIVED IN BEAUTIFUL HAWAII ... WORKING WITH THE WAIKIKI BEACH MINISTRY ... WOW! I DO REMEMBER WHEN I LIVED IN HAWAII ... I WOULD DANCE THE HULA AND IT WAS TERRIBLE ... (COMPARED TO EVERYONE ELSE) SO WHEN I RETURNED TO THE MAINLAND, I JUST STOPPED! AND YOU SHOULD SAY "THANK YOU!! I AM ALWAYS EXCITED WHEN I AM INVITED TO SPEAK/SING AT A LUAU, ESPECIALLY AT NORTH COAST CHURCH IN VISTA, CA. I ALWAYS HAVE A FUN TIME. I LOVE TO SEE THE HULA DANCED.
MS. LILLIE AT NORTH COAST CHURCH LUAU
MS. LILLIE AND BEAUTIFUL HULA DANCER KEIKO
SOME OF THE 230 PRESENT AT NORTH COAST CHURCH SENIOR'S LUAU
PERHAPS YOU THOT YOU HAD FRIENDS, BUT NOW, NO ONE SEEMS TO BE THERE FOR YOU ... HERE IS GOOD NEWS, JESUS HAS HIS ARMS OPENED WIDE FOR YOU TO COME TO HIM ... HE WILL NOT HOLD YOU AT ARM'S LENGTH, OR EVEN PUSH YOU AWAY ... NO! NO!
MATTHEW 11:28 ~ COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.
AS YOU ARE PLANNING YOUR UPCOMING HOLIDAY FUNCTIONS, REMEMBER, I WOULD LOVE TO COME MINISTER TO YOUR SENIORS GROUP ... YOUR LADIES LUNCHEON ... OR YOUR CHURCH ... YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME. PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE WILL TALK ... IT WILL BE A GREAT TIME OF MINISTRY IN WORD/SONG! HEARTS AND LIVES WILL BE TOUCHED AND CHANGED!
THIS ASSIGNMENT GOD GAVE ME MORE THAT 40 YEARS AGO TO CARRY THE GOOD NEWS AROUND THE WORLD IS A JOYOUS ONE ... I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD THAT HE KEEPS ME HEALTHY AND MY VOICE STRONG ... AND I LOVE WHAT I DO! I AM ABLE TO GO AS YOU PRAY FOR ME AND PLANT A FINANCIAL SEED INTO THIS MINISTRY ... IT IS "GOOD GROUND" ... EASY WAYS TO GIVE ... THRU PAYPAL ... JUST GIVE THEM MY NAME ... OR CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND GIVE ON YOUR CREDIT CARD ... I CAN ALSO GIVE YOU MY ADDRESS IF YOU WISH TO MAIL A CHECK ... WHATEVER AMOUNT YOU GIVE, A RECEIPT WILL BE SENT TO YOU AND OF COURSE, IT WILL ALSO BE ADDED TO YOUR ACCOUNT IN HEAVEN.
REMEMBER, SMILE AND BE A FRIEND TODAY! IF YOU GO LOOKING FOR A FRIEND, YOU WILL FIND THEY ARE VERY SCARCE ... BUT IF YOU GO OUT TO BE A FRIEND, ... YOU WILL FIND THEM EVERYWHERE! ~ ZIG ZIGLAR
PROVERBS 27:9 ~ OIL AND PERFUME MAKE THE HEART GLAD, SO A MAN’S COUNSEL IS SWEET TO HIS FRIEND.
WHAT A WAY TO BEGIN THIS MONTH …. CELEBRATING THE BIRTH OF OUR NATION …. IT IS NOW 243 YEARS OLD! WOW!
LET’S GO DOWN THE HALLS OF HISTORY …. WE READ ABOUT HOW OUR FOUNDING FATHERS TALKED AND WROTE ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS, AND IN 1776, THEY FORMALLY DECLARED OUR INDEPENDENCE AND FREEDOM FROM THE BRITISH RULE …. SIGNED THE DOCUMENT THAT GAVE US WONDERFUL FREEDOMS TO DETERMINE OUR OWN WAY TO WORSHIP, LIVE AND WORK WITHOUT FEAR.
THERE IN THAT DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE PARCHMENT, ARE THOSE PUNGENT WORDS WE ALL KNOW …. “WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE EVIDENT …. THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THE CREATOR WITH UNALIENABLE RIGHTS …. THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.” AND FOR ALL THESE FREEDOMS, MANY THOUSANDS OF DEDICATED MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN HAVE FOUGHT AND DIED FOR AMERICA TO BE FREE. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME TO SPEAK/SING FOR A 4TH OF JULY LUNCHEON …. THERE WERE 10 DIGNIFIED VETERANS FROM THE VIETNAM WAR IN MILITARY CAMAFLOUGE WHO PROUDLY CAME TO HELP WITH THE CELEBRATION. THEY MARCHED IN WITH DIFFERENT FLAGS …. LED US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO “OUR FLAG” …. I THEN LED THE AUDIENCE IN SINGING “THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER.” IT WAS A VERY MOVING PART OF THE PROGRAM …. (I KNOW THERE IS MUCH WRONG WITH OUR COUNTRY, BUT I AM HAPPY I WAS BORN IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA).
2 CHRONICLES 7:14 ~ IF MY PEOPLE WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, THEN I WILL HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN AND HEAL THEIR LAND.
BECAUSE JULY IS NOW KNOWN AS “FREEDOM MONTH” …. I WAS ASKED TO DO MORE OF THE 4TH OF JULY TALK …. AND EACH TIME IT WAS WELL-RECEIVED. I TALKED ABOUT THE FREEDOM WE HAVE HERE IN AMERICA …. AND HOW WE CAN HAVE FREEDOM FROM THE PRISON OF SIN WE WERE BORN INTO …. FREEDOM ONLY JESUS GIVE US …. A POWERFUL WORD!
THEN I CLOSED WITH THIS AWESOME SONG …. WRITTEN BY MY FRIEND NEIL ENLOE, I’LL TELL YOU HOW HE CAME TO WRITE IT. HE WAS SINGING WITH A GROUP CALLED THE COURIERS …. THEY WERE MUSICAL GUESTS ON A NEW YORK CRUISE WITH 2400 FOLK IN THE EARLY 1970’S …. HE WENT OUT ON THE DECK TO SEE THE SIGHTS ALONG THE SHORE …. SUDDENLY, “SHE” CAME INTO VIEW AND HE BEHELD THIS ALMOST MAJESTIC FIGURE IN ALL OF HER GLORY. BEING RAISED IN THE MIDWEST, HE HAD NEVER SEEN THIS AWESOME MONUMENT …. AND SUDDENLY EVERYTHING PATRIOTIC ROSE TO THE SURFACE …. HE THEN THOUGHT …. THERE MUST BE A COUNTERPART TO MY AMERICAN FREEDOM …. YES! IT IS THE LIBERTY I HAVE IN CHRIST …. AND THERE MUST BE A MONUMENT TO THIS FREEDOM …. HE THEN ASKED HIMSELF, WHAT WOULD BE THE GREATEST SYMBOL OF CHRISTIAN LIBERTY OTHER THAN THE CROSS? SO, FOLKS HE WROTE AND RE-WROTE THE SONG FOR THREE MONTHS BEFORE PUBLISHING IT …. AND WON THE 1974 DOVE AWARD FOR “THE STATUE OF LIBERTY” …. HOPE YOU ENJOY HEARING ME SING IT!
JOHN 3:16-17 ~ FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED.
THE CROSS IS THE CHRISTIANS' STATUE OF LIBERTY
BECAUSE JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS TO GIVE US SALVATION …. WHEN WE ASK HIM TO FORGIVE US OF ALL OUR SINS AND COME INTO OUR HEARTS AS LORD AND SAVIOR …. WE WILL HAVE A NEW LIFE! I READ ONCE THAT YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, TOMORROW IS A MYSTERY, TODAY IS A GIFT FROM GOD …. THAT IS WHY WE CALL IT THE “PRESENT” THINK ABOUT IT …. OUR LIVES ARE A GIFT FROM GOD! IT IS PRECIOUS, IS FRAGILE, AND CAN BE GONE SOMETIMES VERY QUICKLY …. ECCLESIASTES 3:3 READS “THERE IS A TIME TO BE BORN AND A TIME TO DIE.” SO WE SHOULD TRY TO MAKE OUR LIVES COUNT FOR CHRIST AND FOR ETERNITY.
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, IN A FRAME ON THE WALL WERE THESE WORDS …. “ONLY ONE LIFE WILL SOON BE PAST …. ONLY WHAT’S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST.” FROM A POEM WRITTEN BY A BRITISH MISSIONARY CHARLES STUDD …. (WHO PASSED AWAY IN 1931) …. IT WAS THE INSPIRATION FOR THE SONG WRITTEN BY MY FRIEND, LANNY WOLFE …. (WHICH I RECORDED ON MY FIRST RECORD IN 1975) …. SO BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO SEE THOSE WORDS ON THE WALL OFTEN …. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THEM IN MY HEART AND MIND …. AND TRY TO LIVE IN SUCH A WAY THAT I WILL HEAR JESUS SAY TO ME “WELL DONE.”
COLOSSIANS 3:24 ~ KNOWING WITH ALL CERTAINTY THAT IT IS FROM THE LORD [NOT FROM MEN] THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE THE INHERITANCE WHICH IS YOUR GREATEST REWARD. IT IS THE LORD CHRIST WHOM YOU ACTUALLY SERVE.
I WRITE EACH YEAR ABOUT THE WONDERFUL PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS …. A PRESENTATION WHICH IS NOW 84 YRS OLD …. WE SEE “LIVING” PICTURES” …. CLASSICAL AND CONTEMPORARY WORKS OF ART ARE RECREATED BY REAL PEOPLE WHO ARE MADE TO LOOK 99% IDENTICAL TO THE ORIGINAL THRU COSTUMES, MAKEUP AND BACKDROPS. (AS THEY STAND STILL FOR 90 SECONDS) …. IT IS AS IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE ORIGINAL PAINTING …. INCREDIBLE! THERE IS A 52-PIECE ORCHESTRA IN THE PIT …. AWESOME! OF COURSE, IT IS DIFFERENT EACH YEAR JULY 1 TO AUGUST 31, WHICH IS HOW THEY GET US TO RETURN EACH YEAR. TREAT YOURSELF IF YOU CAN TO A WONDERFUL EVENING! IT IS HELD IN THE 2600-SEAT OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATER …. MIGHT BE A BIT CHILLY.
I DID TAKE THE MONTH OF JUNE AND JULY OFF FROM TRAVELING FAR AWAY…. (I MINISTERED IN PLACES LESS THAN 2 HOURS AWAY) …. AS I SOOO WANTED TO GET SOME THINGS DONE AROUND MY PLACE …. I HAD “DEEP CLEANING” IN MY APARTMENT …. 2 LADIES DID A GREAT JOB! …. I THEN CLEANED OUT MY CLOTHES CLOSET …. GAVE THINGS TO WOMEN WHO COULD WEAR THEM …. GOT STORAGE AREA TAKEN CARE OF …. SECURED A “CHEAP” JEWERLY ARMOIRE …. I WANTED ALL OF MY CHEAP JEWELRY TO BE ORGANIZED IN A GOOD PLACE …. I LAFF SOMETIMES …. KNOWING THAT IF THE PRICE OF ALL THE COSTUME JEWELRY I HAVE …. (AND I DO HAVE LOTS) …. (OR HAD) IT WOULD NOT EVEN TOTAL $500) …. BUT IT IS FUN TO WEAR …. SO OF COURSE, I SAW THERE WAS LOTS OF CHEAP JEWELRY I WILL NEVER WEAR AGAIN …. WAS ABLE TO GIVE THAT AWAY ALSO …. AS SOMEONE WILL PERHAPS LOVE WEARING IT …. BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSION I GOT FOR MY IRS TAX …. I WAS ABLE TO GET THAT DONE AND ALL READY FOR THE ACCOUNTANTS OFFICE …. BEFORE THE EXTENDED OCTOBER DEADLINE YIPPPPPEEE! …. SO I HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY WITH THOSE KINDS OF THINGS …. BUT STILL ENJOYING MINISTERING HALLELUJAH!
WELL, I AM SOOOO THANKFUL TO GOD THAT FOR NEARLY 45 YEARS, I HAVE BEEN A PART OF “SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM IN ALL THE WORLD AS I WITNESS UNTO ALL NATIONS …. AND THEN THE END WILL COME.”
I WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW VERY GRATEFUL I AM THAT BECAUSE OF YOUR FERVENT PRAYERS AND GIFTS …. (LARGE AND SMALL) …. I AM ABLE TO CONTINUE PROCLAIMING THE “GOOD NEWS” …. PLEASE KNOW THAT WHATEVER YOU GIVE …. (YOU WILL RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT) …. AND OF COURSE, A REWARD IN HEAVEN. …. FOR THIS MINISTRY IS “GOOD GROUND.” I DO APPRECIATE YOU BEING A PARTNER WITH ME FOR THE KINGDOM …. YOU MAY GIVE THRU PAYPAL …. JUST USE MY NAME. PERHAPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO CALL ME AND PLACE A GIFT ON YOUR CREDIT CARD …. 909-948-2448 …. I AM THE ONLY ONE WHO ANSWERS MY PHONE. AND THERE IS ALSO U.S. MAIL …. PLEASE CALL FOR MY ADDRESS. THANK YOU. AND PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE A PRAYER NEED …. I WOULD LOVE TO LIFT YOU UP IN PRAYER. AMEN!
MATTHEW 25:45 ~ THEN THE KING WILL ANSWER THEM, SAYING, ‘ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, ‘INASMUCH AS YOU DID NOT DO IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE, YOU DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’
JEREMIAH 33:3 ~ CALL UNTO ME, AND I WILL ANSWER YOU, AND SHOW YOU GREAT AND MIGHTY THINGS, WHICH YOU DO NOT KNOW.
IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF BOOKING GUESTS FOR YOUR CHURCH, SENIORS FELLOWSHIP MEETINGS, LADIES FUNCTIONS …. WELL, AS YOU ARE BEGINNING TO LOOK AT YOUR SCHEDULE FOR THE FALL AND HOLIDAY TIME …. PLEASE HAVE ME COME …. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED …. AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! …. GOD HAS GIVEN ME SOME POWERFUL NUGGETS TO COMMUNICATE TO SENIORS …. AS WELL AS LADIES GROUPS, THEY WILL BE BLESSED AND CHALLENGED …. PLEASE CALL ME AT HOME 909-948-2448 …. AND WE’LL TALK!
GALATIANS 6:9 ~ LET US NOT GROW WEARY OR BECOME DISCOURAGED IN DOING GOOD, FOR AT THE PROPER TIME WE WILL REAP, IF WE DO NOT GIVE IN.
JUNE I4 IS FLAG DAY! …. AND HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1880'S …. BUT IT WAS NOT UNTIL 1949 THAT PRESIDENT TRUMAN DECLARED JUNE 14 TO BE THE OFFICIAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION AND CELEBRATION FOR OUR FLAG.
THE STARS AND STRIPES WERE OFFICIALLY ADOPTED AS OUR NATIONAL BANNER BY CONGRESS IN 1777. SO, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE FLAG AND SALUTE IT …. WE SHOULD BE THANKFUL THAT WE LIVE IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY. IT IS ALWAYS A VERY SPECIAL, HEARTWARMING FEELING WHEN I PLACE MY HAND OVER MY HEART AND SAY ….
“I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA .... AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS .... ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.”
HERE IS A PHOTO OF THE FLAG THAT IS ALWAYS OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT …. AND I DO CARRY A SMALL FLAG WITH ME WHEN I TRAVEL. I HAVE A GREAT FEELING WHEN I PASS ONE OF OUR EMBASSIES IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY AND SEE "OLD GLORY" FLYING WOW! GOD BLESS AMERICA!
PSALM 33:12 ~ BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD, THE PEOPLE HE HAS CHOSEN AS HIS OWN INHERITANCE.
WE ARE EXPERIENCING SOMETHING CALLED "JUNE GLOOM" WEATHER-WISE HERE IN CALIFORNIA. IT IS A WEATHER PATTERN THAT RESULTS IN CLOUDY, OVERCAST SKIES WITH COOL TEMPERATURES DURING THE LATE SPRING AND EARLY SUMMER. LOW-ALTITUDE CLOUDS FORM OVER THE COOL WATERS OF THE CALIFORNIA CURRENT AND SPREAD OVERNITE INTO THE COASTAL REGIONS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. ACTUALLY, I LOVE IT, 'CAUSE THE SUN OFTEN IS NOT SEEN TIL ABOUT 1-2 PM …. SO THAT MEANS I CAN GET SOME THINGS DONE WHEN IT IS COOLER.
AFTER I HAD MY FIRST KNEE REPLACEMENT IN FEB 1999 …. (WHICH MEANS THAT WAS MORE THAN 20 YRS AGO) …. WOW! AND I AM STILL ENJOYING IT …. I KNEW I NEEDED TO EXERCISE MORE REGULARLY, SO I ENROLLED IN "CURVES FOR WOMEN" …. BOY, DID I ENJOY GOING THERE! …. IT DID TAKE ME A WHILE TO BUILD UP MY MUSCLES, AND WHEN I HAD MY 2ND KNEE REPLACEMENT IN 2003 …. I WAS ABLE TO GET THEM BOTH INTO SHAPE AND HEALTHY. SO WHAT A SURPRISE TO LEARN THAT MY CURVES 6 BLOCKS AWAY WAS CLOSING DOWN AND MOVING TO ANOTHER TOWN …. (THO NOT TOO FAR AWAY) …. BUT FARTHER THAN I WANTED TO TRAVEL.
I HAD NOTICED THAT THERE IS A 24-HOUR FITNESS GYM JUST 4 BLOCKS FROM ME …. WELL, NOW I HAVE SIGNED UP THERE, AND WAS VERY HAPPY TO DISCOVER THAT MY INSURANCE WILL PAY THE MONTHLY FEE …. 'CAUSE THEY WANT SENIORS TO BE HEALTHY AND ENJOY OUR "GOLDEN YEARS." THERE IS A POOL …. EACH DAY A CLASS FOR SENIOR FITNESS …. ZUMBA AND OF COURSE, MANY DIFFERENT MACHINES .... (WHICH I HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO LEARN YET) AND MUCH MORE. MY DOCTOR HAD ENCOURAGED ME TO BEGIN USING WEIGHTS REGULARLY …. (TO HAVE STRONGER BONES). I HAD NOT BEGUN TO DO THAT, SO NOW I HAVE A TRAINER FOR 2 MONTHS AND SHE IS HELPING ME LEARN TO USE THEM. I AM HAPPY THAT EACH TIME I AM TRYING TO RAISE THE SIZE WEIGHT A BIT MORE AND MORE, ETC. I AM VERY HAPPY AND LOVIN' IT. HERE IS SOMETHING FOR YOU!
EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 70 AND 80 YRS
BEGIN BY STANDING IN A COMFORTABLE PLACE WHERE YOU HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM ON EACH SIDE. WITH A 5-LB POTATO BAG IN EACH HAND, EXTEND YOUR ARMS STRAIGHT OUT FROM YOUR SIDES AND HOLD THEM THERE AS LONG AS YOU CAN. TRY TO HOLD FOR A FULL MINUTE, THEN RELAX. EACH DAY YOU WILL FIND THAT YOU CAN HOLD THIS POSITION FOR A BIT LONGER.
AFTER A COUPLE OF WEEKS, MOVE UP TO 10-LB POTATO BAGS. THEN TRY 20 LBS. EVEN TRY 30-LBS. AND EVENTUALLY, YOU ARE ABLE TO LIFT 40-LB POTATO BAGS IN EACH HAND …. AND CAN HOLD YOUR ARMS STRAIGHT FOR MORE THAN A FULL MINUTE (I'M AT THAT LEVEL NOW …. YIPPPEEEE)
AFTER YOU FEEL CONFIDENT AT THAT LEVEL …THEN BEGIN TO PUT POTATOES IN THE BAGS.
MS LILLIE .... THE OVER-DRESSED LADY AT THE GYM
JUST HAD MY ANNUAL PHYSICAL, AND ONCE AGAIN MY DOCTOR IS VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS OF MY BLOOD WORK …. SHE SAYS MY BODY IS IN GOOD CONDITION FOR BEING 81 YRS OLD …. I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD THAT HE HELPS ME BE AWARE OF THE TYPE OF FOODS I SHOULD EAT AND GIVES ME STRENGTH TO EXERCISE REGULARLY. I FEEL GOOOOOOD!
BECAUSE EASTER IS ON A DIFFERENT DATE EACH YEAR, MANY FOLK DO NOT KNOW WHEN PENTECOST SUNDAY IS …. DID YOU KNOW THAT IT IS THE 7TH SUNDAY AFTER EASTER? …. IT COMMEMORATES THE DAY THE HOLY SPIRIT FELL ON THE 120 APOSTLES AND OTHER FOLLOWERS WHO WERE GATHERED IN THE UPPER ROOM. WHEN JESUS WAS RETURNING BACK TO HEAVEN .… HE ASSURED THOSE LOOKING UP WHEN HE WAS CAUGHT IN THE CLOUD …. THAT THEY SHOULD GO AND WAIT IN JERUSALEM. JESUS PROMISED THEM HE WOULD SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT …. THEY WENT AND AS HE HAD PROMISED …. THE HOLY SPIRIT APPEARED TO THEM AS TONGUES RESEMBLING FIRE AND SET ON EACH OF THEM …. AND THEY WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES.
PENTECOST IS REGARDED AS THE BIRTHDAY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH AND THE START OF THE CHURCH'S MISSION TO THE WORLD. WE ARE TOLD THAT WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES …. WE WILL HAVE POWER AND BE EFFECTIVE WITNESSES.
NOT ONLY IS THE HOLY SPIRIT REFERRED TO AS "ONE CALLED ALONGSIDE TO HELP AND WALK WITH US" …. BUT HE DOES LIVE WITHIN AND HELPS US LIVE A VICTORIOUS LIFE!
THERE IS AN OLD HYMN I HAVE BEEN SINGING FOR 43 YRS NOW …. I FIRST SANG IT AT MELODYLAND (WAS A GREAT CHURCH IN ANAHEIM) IT IS A DIFFERENT ARRANGEMENT …. I GUESS IT BECAME MY "SIGNATURE SONG" …. HERE IS A YOU-TUBE VIDEO OF ME SINGING IT …. I HOPE YOU ENJOY! …. YES, THE COMFORTER HAS COME!
ACTS 2:33 ~ JESUS, BEING LIFTED HIGH BY THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, AND HAVING RECEIVED FROM THE FATHER THE PROMISED BLESSING WHICH IS THE HOLY SPIRIT, HAS MADE THIS OUTPOURING WHICH YOU YOURSELVES SEE AND HEAR.
WHAT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE DISTRICT COUNCIL IN ANAHEIM CA. FOR THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD (AS I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THAT GREAT DENOMINATION FOR NEARLY 45 YEARS) …. THE SPEAKERS ARE ALWAYS THE FINEST AND TRULY ANOINTED .…THIS YEAR, ONE WAS PASTOR OF THE ROCK CHURCH IN SAN DIEGO, MILES MCPHEARSON …. WHAT AN INCREDIBLE BLESSING HE WAS! …. AS HE PREACHED FROM HIS NEW BOOK …. “THE 3RD OPTION” …. ALL ABOUT THE RACIAL DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCHES …. HE TOLD US HOW GOD WANTS EACH OF US TO SEE PEOPLE NOT BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN …. BUT AS GOD SEES THEM! …. AMEN!
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR MILES MCPHEARSON
ACTS 10:34 – 35 ~ THEN PETER OPENED HIS MOUTH AND SAID: “IN TRUTH I PERCEIVE THAT GOD SHOWS NO PARTIALITY. BUT IN EVERY NATION WHOEVER FEARS HIM AND WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS IS ACCEPTED BY HIM.”
ROMANS 2:11 ~ FOR THERE IS NO PARTIALITY WITH GOD.
AN INCREDIBLE SOUTHERN GOSPEL QUARTET, BILLY BRISENDINE AND THE REGENTS ARE IN CONCERT ONCE A MONTH IS THE AREA, THIS MONTH THEY ASKED ME TO COME AND BE A PART OF THE PROGRAM …. WELL, IT WAS WONDERFUL AND WE SANG TO A TOTALLY PACKED HOUSE. THERE WAS A POWERFUL ANOINTING IN THAT SERVICE, AS WE SANG SONGS THAT GLORIFIED GOD AND JESUS WAS LIFTED UP. THERE WAS PRAYER FOR THE SICK, AND AS FOLK CAME FORWARD, WE ANOINTED THEM WITH “BLESSED OIL” AND BELIEVED GOD FOR HEALING. WHAT A SPECIAL SERVICE! I CANNOT BELIEVE I DID NOT GET A PHOTO WITH THE QUARTET. BUT HERE IS THE FLIER!
IN 1963, I MET ANDRAE AND SANDRA CROUCH …. THEY CAME TO SAN JOSE FOR A CONCERT AT MY CHURCH …. WHEN I MOVED TO SOUTHERN CALIF 20 YEARS AGO …. I MADE IT A "MUST" TO ATTEND THEIR CHURCH IN PACOIMA EACH YEAR ON THE "TWINS" BIRTHDAY …. WHICH IS JULY 1 …. (THE CELEBRATION IS ALWAYS THE SUNDAY CLOSEST TO THEIR JULY 1 B'DAY .… SO THIS YEAR ON JUNE 30) …. A GROUP OF US WERE THERE.
YOU KNOW, PASTOR ANDRAE PASSED AWAY 4 YRS AGO IN 2015, BUT PASTOR SANDRA, HIS CO-PASTOR IS STILL HAVING B'DAYS AND IS NOW HONORED! IT IS ALWAYS A GREAT CELEBRATION AS MANY OF THOSE WHO HAVE SUNG WITH THEM FOR YEARS ON HIS RECORDINGS, COME THAT DAY, AND I TELL YOU, IT IS SOOOO EXCITING TO HEAR THE SONGS "LIVE" THAT HAVE BEEN HEARD FOR YEARS ON RECORDINGS. I THANK GOD FOR PASTOR ANDRAE AND SANDRA'S CONTRIBUTION TO GOSPEL MUSIC.
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTORS SANDRA AND ANDRAE CROUCH - MEXICAN BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION JULY 2012
HOW ARE YOU COPING? DO YOU HAVE FEARS AND CONCERNS ABOUT YOUR LIFE, THIS WORLD, THINGS YOU ARE JUST NOT SURE HOW THEY WILL TURN OUT? …. WELL, WE CAN TRUST GOD TO HANDLE THE THINGS THAT OVERWHELM US. LET'S PLACE ALL OF OUR CARES IN GOD'S HANDS …. I REMEMBER HEARING A STORY OF A LITTLE BOY WHO WAS WITH HIS DAD IN A STORE …. WHEN THEY GOT TO THE CHECKOUT …. THE CLERK COMMENTED TO THE SMALL BOY …. "YOU HAVE BEEN SUCH A NICE, PATIENT BOY …. "WOULD YOU LIKE SOME CANDY?" …. (NOW WHAT KID DOES NOT LIKE CANDY?) …. THE BOY SHOOK HIS HEAD, AND SAID: "NO THANK YOU." WELL, THE CLERK WAS VERY SURPRISED …. AND SUGGESTED AGAIN THAT HE PUT HIS HAND IN THE BIG JAR AND GET ALL HE WANTED …. AGAIN THE YOUNG BOY SHOOK HIS HEAD, NO …. THE CLERK SAID WELL, I KNOW THAT WHEN YOU GET TO YOUR CAR, YOU WILL WISH THAT YOU HAD GOTTEN SOME …. I'LL JUST GET SOME FOR YOU. THE CLERK REACHED IN AND GAVE THE BOY A LARGE AMOUNT OF CANDY …. THE BOY HAD TO PUT OUT BOTH HANDS TO RECEIVE IT WHILE SAYING "THANK YOU" …. AND AS THEY WERE WALKING TO THE CAR …. THE DAD ASKED HIS SON …. WHY HE DIDN'T TAKE THE CANDY WHEN FIRST TOLD HE COULD …. THE BOY REPLIED WITH A GRIN …. "DAD I SAW THE SIZE OF HIS HANDS" THINK ABOUT THE SIZE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHERS' HANDS, WE NEED ONLY TO PLACE OUR LONELINESS, ILLNESS, HEARTACHES, FRUSTRATIONS AND OUR FAMILIES IN HIS HANDS. WE CAN WALK AWAY KNOWING THAT HE CAN AND WILL TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN PLACED IN THOSE LOVING, CARING, GENTLE HANDS. AND HALLELUJAH, YOU CAN THEN LIVE EACH DAY KNOWING THAT THERE IS NO CAUSE FOR WORRY!
1 PETER 5:7 ~ CASTING THE WHOLE OF YOUR CARE [ALL YOUR ANXIETIES, ALL YOUR WORRIES, ALL YOUR CONCERNS, ONCE AND FOR ALL ON HIM, FOR HE CARES FOR YOU AFFECTIONATELY AND CARES ABOUT YOU WATCHFULLY.
WELL, I'M GONNA KEEP ON SINGING …. TELLING THE WORLD THAT JESUS SAVES. THAT IS THE "ASSIGNMENT GIVEN TO ME MORE THAN 41 YRS AGO. WHAT A JOY TO BE "ON THE ROAD" WITH THE "GOOD NEWS" …. I LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU WHO TELL ME THAT YOU PRAY FOR ME …. I NEED YOUR PRAYERS. REMEMBER, I AM WILLING TO COME MINISTER IN YOUR CHURCH FOR A SENIORS GROUP …. A LADIES LUNCHEON/TEA. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME. PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE CAN DISCUSS A DATE.
I MUST ALWAYS SAY A "BIG THANKS" FOR YOUR FINANCIAL BLESSINGS TO THIS MINISTRY GOD HAS CALLED ME TO …. THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO PRAY FOR ME AS I SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS …. I KNOW THIS MINISTRY IS "GOOD GROUND". YOU WILL RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT HERE ON EARTH AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN …. THERE ARE EASY WAYS TO GIVE …. YOU MAY GO ON PAYPAL, ENTER MY NAME …. CALL ME IF YOU WISH TO USE YOUR CREDIT CARD …. OF COURSE, YOU MAY SEND A CHECK …. I WILL BE GRATEFUL THAT GOD MADE YOU A BLESSING TO THE MINISTRY.
I CORINTHIANS 15:57 ~ THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY .... MAKING US CONQUERORS, THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
I AM THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE A DAY IN THIS NATION THAT HAS BEEN DECLARED FOR US TO PAY HONOR AND RESPECT …. AS WE SOLEMNLY REFLECT AND APPRECIATE THOSE WARRIORS OF OUR MILITARY WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE AS THEY FOUGHT FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY OF OUR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA PROTECTING OUR HOMELAND …. SO THAT WE MAY HAVE THE FREEDOM WE ENJOY EACH DAY. THEY MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN …. AND WILL NOT BE! AS MANY FAMILY MEMBERS WILL VISIT BURIAL SITES AND SIGNIFICANT LOCATIONS AROUND OUR LAND TO REMEMBER THEIR LOVED ONES …. THEIR HEROES …. OUR HEROES. WE DO HEAR THIS STATED OFTEN …. AND IT IS TRUE, "FREEDOM IS NOT FREE" …. THERE ARE SACRIFICES BEING MADE EACH AND EVERY DAY …. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
PSALM 33:12 ~ BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD, THE PEOPLE HE HAS CHOSEN AS HIS OWN INHERITANCE.
MY PARTICIPATION AT THE ANNUAL FANFEST IN VISALIA CA WAS A VERY EXCITING WAY TO BEGIN THE MONTH OF MAY …. IT IS HELD EACH YEAR …. THE FIRST WEEKEND OF MAY …. A WONDERFUL WAY TO SEE AND HEAR SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE QUARTETS AND SINGERS …. THIS WAS MY 6TH YEAR …. AND THE POSTER FOR 2020 HAS MY PHOTO ON IT …. SO I SHALL LOOK FORWARD TO RETURNING . SEEING FOLK WHO SAY THEY REMEMBER ME FROM "WAY BACK" IS ALWAYS FUN …. I LOVE HEARING THE STORIES OF HOW WE FIRST MET …. THERE IS GREAT SINGING AND THE WORD PREACHED …. YOU WILL BE BLESSED IF YOU ATTEND.
OUR WEATHER IN CALIFORNIA HAS BEEN WEIRD, 2-3 DAYS OF 80 DEGREES, THEN 2-3 DAYS OF ONLY 60 DEGREES …. WOW! AND A FEW DAYS AGO, THERE WAS MUCH THUNDER/LIGHTENING …. IT BECAME SOOO DARK IN MY HOME BECAUSE OF THE BLACK CLOUDS, THAT THE ROOM WOULD LIGHT UP WHEN FLASHES OF LIGHTENING OCCURRED …. AND MONSOON RAIN THAT POURED FROM THE SKY CAUSED MANY STREETS TO BE FLOODED …. BUT IS ALL BACK TO NORMAL NOW.
GOD HAS OPENED MANY DOORS FOR ME TO SPEAK/SING AT SENIOR FUNCTIONS …. AS I DID RECENTLY …. AGAIN STRESSING THE POINT TO "LIVE UNTIL YOU DIE." A PASTOR RECENTLY TOLD ME THAT THE LARGEST NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS IN HIS CHURCH ARE THE SENIOR ADULTS …. WHAT A BLESSING FOR HIS CHURCH .... AND FOR THEM. I ALWAYS TELL THEM THAT THEY ARE NOT IN A "WAITING ROOM FOR DEATH" …. NO! AND "IF THEY ARE NOT DEAD …. THEY ARE NOT DONE THEY (WE) MUST KEEP BUSY. AMEN!
PSALM 71:18 ~ YES, EVEN WHEN I AM OLD AND GRAY-HEADED, O GOD, FORSAKE ME NOT, [BUT KEEP ME ALIVE] UNTIL I HAVE DECLARED YOUR MIGHTY STRENGTH TO [THIS] GENERATION, AND YOUR MIGHT AND POWER TO ALL THAT ARE TO COME.
BECAUSE THE HYMNS ARE SOO LOVED I WAS ASKED BY MY FRIEND MS. JUDY TO COME TO THE RETIREMENT RESORT WHERE SHE LIVES TO CONDUCT AN AFTERNOON OF SINGING THOSE TIMELESS SONGS …. A TALENTED YOUNG MAN, TODD PLAYED THE PIANO …. THERE WERE PRINTED WORDS FOR THE ONES WE HAD SELECTED AS WE SANG FOR 90 MINUTES …. PLUS TOOK REQUESTS FROM THE AUDIENCE …. A GREAT AFTERNOON OF MUSIC. THANK GOD FOR MUSIC! …. I DO LOVE THE SONGS THAT ENCOURAGE, BRING COMFORT, AND PEACE TO OUR SPIRIT.
EPHESIANS 5:19 ~ SPEAKING TO ONE ANOTHER IN PSALMS AND HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS, SINGING AND MAKING MELODY IN YOUR HEART TO THE LORD.
THE YEAR WAS 1968, WHEN YOUNG PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT CHURCHES IN THE BAY AREA MET TO REHEARSE FOR A CHOIR COMPETITION AT A YOUTH CONGRESS IN WASHINGTON DC …. (WE CAME IN 2ND PLACE) …. EDWIN HAWKINS KNEW HE HAD INTRODUCED A GREAT SOUND AND DECIDED TO KEEP THE CHOIR TOGETHER TO SING FOR CHURCHES AND THE COMMUNITY. THE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA STATE YOUTH CHOIR HAD A NAME CHANGE, WE BECAME THE EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS (SEEMED CORRECT AS HE WAS THE ARRANGER, PIANIST, AND DIRECTOR).
I WAS LIVING IN SAN JOSE, CA …. MY FRIEND, BARBARA AND I WOULD DRIVE UP TO OAKLAND FOR REHEARSALS ON MONDAY NITES. ONE REHEARSAL NITE, EDWIN TOLD US THAT HE HAD BEEN LOOKING THRU THE HYMN BOOK AND SAW SOME SONGS HE WANTED TO REARRANGE AND TEACH US …. ONE WAS "I HEARD THE VOICE OF JESUS SAY" …. ANOTHER, "JESUS LOVER OF MY SOUL" AND "O HAPPY DAY" …. WOW! WHEN HE HEARD THEM SUNG BY HIS CHOIR …. HE SEEMED VERY HAPPY AND DECIDED THAT WE SHOULD MAKE A "RECORD." REMEMBER THOSE? …. SO MAY 1968, WE GATHERED AT THE EPHESIAN CHURCH IN BERKELEY CA TO RECORD …. AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE CURIOUS …. WE RECORDED ON AN AMPEX 2 PR-10 TRACK MACHINE …. ONE TRACK FOR THE ENTIRE 55-VOICE CHOIR AND THE OTHER TRACK FOR THE SOLOISTS …. OF COURSE, IN TODAY'S DIGITAL WORLD, THAT IS CONSIDERED ANTIQUATED.
THE ORIGINAL EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS
THERE WERE 1,000 RECORDS PRESSED …. EACH MONDAY NITE AT CHOIR REHEARSAL, CHOIR MEMBERS WOULD TAKE AS MANY RECORDS AS WE THOUGHT WE COULD SELL FOR $5 TO OUR FRIENDS AND BRING THE MONEY BACK THE NEXT REHEARSAL NITE …. HOW VERY EXCITED WE WERE TO HAVE A RECORDING …. AND THEN, ALMOST A YEAR LATER, AT A WAREHOUSE IN SAN FRANCISCO, CA …. A HIPPIE WAS CLEARING OUT OLD RECORDS …. SAW AN ALBUM WITH A PHOTO OF A "BLACK CHOIR" .... HE PUT IT ON A TURNTABLE …. THE FIRST CUT WAS "O HAPPY DAY" …. WELL, THANK GOD, HE FLIPPED OUT! …. RAN DOWN TO RADIO STATION KSAN …. INSISTED THEY PLAY IT …. AND THAT IS THE STORY OF HOW GOD LET THAT SONG (I BELIEVE THE FIRST GOSPEL SONG) TO "CROSSOVER" FROM THE CHRISTIAN WORLD TO THE SECULAR WORLD …. VARIETY MAGAZINE WROTE ON MAY 23, 1969 THAT IN JUST A FEW DAYS, IT WAS NO. 1 AROUND THE WORLD. BEING THE MOST REQUESTED SONG ON ROCK STATIONS IN LOS ANGELES THE FIRST 3 WEEKS OF APRIL 1969. AND BEING PLAYED 10 TO 20 TIMES A DAY ACROSS THE ENTIRE RADIO SPECTRUM. IT WAS EVEN MORE POPULAR IN EUROPE …. 70,000 COPIES WERE SOLD IN 4 DAYS IN FRANCE.
WHAT ALWAYS BLESSED ME IS THIS …. THAT THE NAME OF JESUS WAS CLEARLY IN THAT SONG TELLING WHAT HE HAD DONE IN OUR LIVES …. THERE WAS NO DOUBT ABOUT WHOM WE SANG. PRAISE GOD! IT WAS A NEW FRESH SOUND …. INCREDIBLE HARMONIC ARRANGEMENTS, DISTINCTIVE …. MODERN RHYTHMS WITH A CAPTIVATING MELODY OF AN OLD HYMN BOOK SONG REARRANGED BY EDWIN HAWKINS.
I WAS WORKING AT THE TELEPHONE COMPANY IN SAN JOSE, WE WERE ABLE TO PLAY MUSIC IN THE OFFICE …. THERE I WAS BUSILY WORKING AT MY DESK, WHEN I HEARD OUR SONG ON THE RADIO …. WELL, THEN I FLIPPED OUT! …. CAUSE NOW EVERYONE WOULD BE SINGING OUR SONG ABOUT JESUS! THANK YOU, LORD!
AND OF COURSE, THERE WAS NOW AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL. THE CHOIR WAS TRIMMED DOWN FROM THE ORIGINAL 55 TO AN EASIER, MANAGEABLE GROUP OF 45 …. AND WHEN OFFERS FROM OVERSEAS BEGAN POURING IN …. THE GROUP WAS AGAIN CUT TO AN EVEN SMALLER NUMBER …. BUT BECAUSE WE WERE ALL TALENTED SINGERS, IT WOULD EASILY WORK AND DID WORK BEAUTIFULLY …. WOW! (I'LL NEVER FORGET THE NITE EDWIN TOLD ME I WOULD BE ONE OF THE 20 INTERNATIONAL GROUP) …. HOWEVER, I HAD A JOB …. HOW COULD I MANAGE THAT? NOW LET ME SHARE THIS, MY PAC-BELL MANAGER TOLD ME I COULD TAKE A LEAVE BUT I MUST REPORT TO WORK FOR HALF A DAY ONLY EACH MONTH …. YIPPEEEE! SO NOW, I WAS FREE TO TRAVEL, AND TRAVEL WE DID! …. ON THE PROGRAM WITH THE TOP ROCK STARS AT DIFFERENT VENUES …. JOE COCKER, ENGLEBERT HUMPERDINK, TOM JONES, DIANA ROSS, FIFTH DIMENSION, BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS, LED ZEPPELIN, SLY AND FAMILY STONE, JETHRO TULL, AND MANY MORE …. PLUS ALL OF THE MAJOR TV SHOWS WE APPEARED ON …. DICK CAVETT, DAVID FROST, SMOTHERS BROTHERS, HOLLYWOOD PALACE WITH SAMMY DAVIS JR., DICK CLARK AND AMERICAN BANDSTAND.
DICK CLARK OF AMERICAN BANDSTAND INTERVIEWS EDWIN HAWKINS
EDWIN WAS PRESENTED WITH OUR MILLION SELLER GOLD RECORD AT OUR APPEARANCE ON THE ANDY WILLIAMS SHOW …. A NICE THING! WE DID NOT SING EVEN ONE SECULAR SONG AS WE TRAVELED WITH THOSE "CELEBRITIES" .... ALL OF OUR SONGS WERE "ALL ABOUT JESUS!" HALLELUJAH!
AFTER A COUPLE OF YEARS OF TRAVEL, I WAS TOLD I WOULD HAVE TO RETURN TO MY JOB OR RESIGN. SO I RETURNED FROM MY LEAVE AND WENT BACK TO THE PHONE COMPANY …. THEN, I BEGAN SINGING ON MY OWN …. (GOD TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF SOME DEAR FRIENDS WHO PAID FOR MY FIRST RECORD IN 1975), AND NOW 43 YEARS LATER I AM STILL "ON THE ROAD" PROCLAIMING THE "GOOD NEWS" …. AND LOVIN' IT!
MS. LILLIE WITH EDWIN HAWKINS
GOD CALLED EDWIN HOME TO HIS REWARD …. AND ON FEBRUARY, 7, 2018 …. MEMBERS OF THE ORIGINAL EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS SANG FOR HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE …. WHAT A NITE! IT WAS A JAM-PACKED HOUSE, WE SANG THE SONG WE HAD RECORDED 50 YEARS EARLIER …. HIS AWESOME ARRANGEMENT OF “O HAPPY DAY."
MS. LILLIE AT EDWIN HAWKINS MEMORIAL
MS. LILLIE WITH THE ORIGINAL EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS AT EDWIN HAWKINS MEMORIAL
IT SEEMS THAT I AM ASKED TO SING "O HAPPY DAY" IN EACH CONCERT …. FOLK CAN'T SEEM TO GET ENUF OF IT …. I HAVE HAD MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO SING IN UNUSUAL PLACES BECAUSE OF THAT SONG …. A SONG WITH A POWERFUL MESSAGE. I LOVE WHEN FOLK TELL ME WHERE THEY WERE WHEN THEY FIRST HEARD IT.
ISAIAH 43:19-21 ~ BEHOLD, I WILL DO A NEW THING; NOW IT SHALL SPRING FORTH; SHALL YE NOT KNOW IT? I WILL EVEN MAKE A WAY IN THE WILDERNESS, AND RIVERS IN THE DESERT.
THERE IS A MINISTRY THAT I KNOW GOD ORDAINED …. TO BE THE PLACE WHERE MEN AND WOMEN CAN COME FOR 18 MONTHS …. GO THRU THE TEEN CHALLENGE PROGRAM AND BE A NEW PERSON WHEN THEY ARE GRADUATED …. I WAS TOLD THAT THE FIRST SCRIPTURE THEY LEARN IS 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 …. BECAUSE THEY LEARN WHO THEY ARE IN CHRIST AND THAT WHEN THEY ACCEPT JESUS AS THEIR SAVIOR, THEY ARE FREE FROM ALL THEIR "OLD WAYS." WELL, 2 TIMES A YEAR, THEY HAVE A CONFERENCE CALLED "SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS WEEK" …. THERE ARE HUNDREDS FROM THE TEEN CHALLENGE CENTERS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WHO GATHER UNDER A HUGE TENT TO HEAR WONDERFUL MUSIC, ANOINTED MESSAGES AND RECEIVE SPECIAL PRAYER …. I WAS BLESSED TO SING FOR THIS ONE AND WOW! I LEFT THERE ON A CLOUD. I LOVE TEEN CHALLENGE!
MS. LILLIE SINGING AT TEEN CHALLENGE SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS PROGRAM
I AM SOOOO EXCITED ABOUT WHAT GOD IS DOING IN MY LIFE …. HE PROVIDES ALL MY NEEDS …. KEEPS ME STRONG AND HEALTHY …. AND OPENS DOORS FOR ME TO MINISTER IN WORD AND SONG! AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME COME MINISTER IN YOUR CHURCH, LADIES LUNCHEON OR A SENIOR FUNCTION, PLEASE LET ME KNOW .... YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED. AND YES! YOU CAN AFFORD ME! CALL ME AT 909-948-2448.
I AM TOLD OFTEN THAT MANY OF YOU ARE URGED BY GOD TO PRAY FOR ME AT DIFFERENT TIMES …. AND YOU DO! …. I AM GRATEFUL BECAUSE I DO NEED YOUR PRAYERS …. THANKS SOOOO MUCH …. AND ALSO THANKS FOR ANY LOVE GIFT YOU WISH TO BLESS THE MINISTRY WITH …. THIS IS "GOOD GROUND" AND WHATEVER YOU GIVE WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR ACCOUNT IN HEAVEN …. PLUS, YOU WILL RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT HERE ON EARTH. THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN GIVE …. YOU MAY GO TO PAYPAL AND JUST GIVE MY NAME …. OR CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 TO USE A CREDIT CARD. GOD WILL BLESS YOU FOR BLESSING ME.
I HAVE FRIENDS WHO HAVE THEIR TV SETS ON ALL DAY TO THE NEWS CHANNELS. WELL, I DO NOT EVEN HAVE TV TO WATCH TV NEWS …. I JUST HEAR THE HEADLINES AT THE TOP OF THE HOUR ON MY RADIO …. AND THAT'S IT! I BELIEVE THAT WATCHING IMAGES OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE WORLD OVER AND OVER AGAIN …. MENTALLY IS NOT A GOOD THING .... FOLK CAN BEGIN TO FEEL THERE IS NO HOPE FOR THEIR SITUATION, THEIR MARRIAGE, LIVING IN A BROKEN WORLD, WAYWARD CHILDREN, ETC. THEY ARE LONELY, DISAPPOINTED AND BURDENED …. BUT THAT IS WHY IT IS SOOO IMPORTANT THAT WE, AS BORN AGAIN CHILDREN OF GOD, BRING THEM THE "GOOD NEWS" AND TELL THEM THERE IS AN ANSWER .... JESUS!
MARK 16:15 ~ AND HE SAID TO THEM, GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH AND PUBLISH OPENLY THE GOOD NEWS (THE GOSPEL) TO EVERY CREATURE [OF THE WHOLE HUMAN RACE].
ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT THINGS IN YOUR LIFE? WELL, AS BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS, WE KNOW WHAT TO DO …. WE CAN READ GOD'S WORD (THE BIBLE) EACH DAY TO BE REASSURED THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE …. THAT NO MATTER WHAT WE ARE FACING …. WE ARE SURROUNDED BY HIS LOVE. HOW WONDERFUL TO KNOW THAT AS WORRY AND FEAR CLOSES IN ON US …. AND AS WE SEE WEIRD THINGS GOING ON AROUND US …. THE ONLY THING WE CAN BE CERTAIN OF IS THAT OUR GOD CAN BE TRUSTED. AMEN!
HEBREWS 13:5 ~ .... FOR GOD HIMSELF HAS SAID, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU.”
HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED! YES, HE HAS, AND IS ALIVE FOREVERMORE! THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS THE LIVING HOPE OF THE CHRISTIAN! WE KNOW THAT BECAUSE HE CONQUERED DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE, WE CAN LIVE A LIFE WITH HIM .... LIVING IN US. HE GIVES US THAT REAL HOPE.
JOHN 3:16 ~ FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
WHEN JESUS MADE THAT TRIUMPHANT ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM …. THERE WERE THOSE WHO LINED THE STREETS TO SHOUT "HOSANNA." HOWEVER, AS THE WEEK PROGRESSED, THE MOOD CHANGED, AND MANY OF THE SAME FOLK WERE NOW SAYING "CRUCIFY HIM." OF COURSE, HE KNEW THAT WAS WHY HE CAME TO EARTH, SO IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE, JESUS PRAYED TO HIS FATHER, "IF IT IS POSSIBLE, TO LET THIS CUP PASS" HOWEVER, HE QUICKLY ADDED, "FATHER, NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE." HIS AGONY WAS SOOO GREAT THAT SWEAT LIKE DROPS OF BLOOD FELL TO THE GROUND. THE BIBLE TELLS US THAT AN ANGEL CAME TO MINISTER TO HIM. AFTER BEING REFRESHED, JESUS KNEW WHAT HE HAD TO DO! AND IT WAS FOR ME AND YOU!
JOHN 3:17 ~ FOR GOD DID NOT SEND HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED.
JUDAS BETRAYED HIM …. HE WAS ARRESTED …. THERE WAS A "MOCK TRIAL" …. JESUS WAS SENTENCED TO DIE A CRUEL DEATH ON THE CROSS, (THAT HE WAS MADE TO CARRY) HE WAS NAILED TO THE CROSS, AND AS HE HUNG THERE BEARING THE SINS OF THE WORLD, HE CRIED WITH A LOUD VOICE …. "IT IS FINISHED!" IT WAS A CRY OF VICTORY, THAT WE CAN BE FORGIVEN AND BE FREE FROM OUR SINS. IT WAS A "GOOD FRIDAY!"
THEN WHEN HE SAID "FATHER, INTO THY HANDS, I COMMEND MY SPIRIT AND DIED, IT WAS TRIUMPHANT FOR US. JESUS HAD COMPLETELY ERASED OUR SINS AND WE CAN LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
HIS BODY WAS TAKEN DOWN …. PLACED IN A BORROWED TOMB …. I REMEMBER THE GREAT DR. E.V. HILL ONCE SAID, SOME FOLK WONDER WHY OUR LORD HAD TO BE PLACED IN A "BORROWED TOMB" …. WELL, HE EXPLAINED IT THIS WAY …. "JESUS DID NOT PLAN TO OCCUPY IT TOO LONG."
HALLELUJAH, AND HE DIDN'T! …. HE GOT UP FROM THAT GRAVE ON THE 3RD DAY MORNING …. SPENT A FEW DAYS WITH THE DISCIPLES …. THEN ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN …. BUT PROMISED TO SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT TO NOT ONLY WALK ALONG BESIDE US …. BUT WOULD ALSO LIVE WITHIN US …. AND JESUS ALSO PROMISED THAT HE'LL BE BACK TO TAKE US TO THE PLACE HE IS NOW PREPARING FOR YOU AND ME …. SO LET'S KEEP THAT IN OUR MINDS …. AS WE SAY "EVEN SO COME LORD JESUS" AND REMEMBER THE RESURRECTION!
1 CORINTHIANS 15:19 ~ IF WE WHO ARE ABIDING IN CHRIST HAVE HOPE ONLY IN THIS LIFE AND THAT IS ALL, THEN WE ARE OF ALL PEOPLE MOST MISERABLE AND TO BE PITIED.
IT WAS EXCITING TO RETURN TO BRANSON, MO. THRU THE YEARS, I HAVE VISITED THIS EXCITING PLACE (HAVE EVEN STAYED IN THE SAME MOTEL FOR MANY YEARS) IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PART OF THESE UNITED STATES …. ROLLING HILLS, LOTS OF HISTORY!
I WAS ABLE TO MINISTER IN 2 CHRISTIAN WOMENS' CLUBS …. ONE IN HARRISON, ARKANSAS …. WITH 85 LADIES PRESENT …. IT WAS A "HAT THING" …. AND BELOW IS A PHOTO OF THE WINNERS IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES …. AGAIN, I SPOKE ON "HATTITUDE OF JOY" …. I DO A CONTRAST OF HAPPINESS VS JOY …. THE LADIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR HATS …. WAS SUCH A FUN TIME! …. I WAS HAPPY TO TELL THEM I WAS BORN IN FT. SMITH, ARKANSAS …. HARRISON IS ONLY 33 MILES FROM BRANSON.
WINNERS HAT CONTEST
THE NEXT DAY, I SPOKE AT THE BRANSON CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S CLUB …. ANOTHER GREAT TIME OF FELLOWSHIP …. ALL THE HAT WEARERS LOVED IT! I HAVE BEEN BLESSED FOR 16 YEARS TO BE A SPEAKER FOR THESE MEETINGS …. I DID HEAR FROM THE LADIES (AS I GREET THEM AT THE DOOR WHEN THEY LEAVE) AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE TOUCHED AS I MINISTERED IN WORD/SONG. THESE TIMES ARE A BLESSING FROM GOD FOR ME.
MARK 16:15 ~ AND HE SAID TO THEM, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO EVERY CREATURE.
THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO GO TO SOME OF THE SHOWS …. LAS VEGAS STYLE WITH CHEAPER PRICES, A GOOD THING! (BUT GOD SURROUNDS ME WITH FAVOR …. I DO NOT EVER HAVE TO PAY FULL PRICE) …. THANK YOU, GOD! IF YOU HAVE NEVER BEEN TO BRANSON …. IT COULD BE A GREAT GETAWAY FOR YOU TO SEE FAMILY-FRIENDLY TYPE SHOWS. TWO OF MY FAVORITE SHOWS ARE OF THE BLACKWOOD SINGERS AND A GREAT SHOW CALLED "O HAPPY DAY" …. WOW! BOTH SHOWS FEATURE WONDERFUL HYMNS AND GOSPEL SONGS.
MS. LILLIE WITH THE BLACKWOOD SINGERS
MS. LILLIE WITH KIM BOYCE KOREIBA FROM THE "O HAPPY DAY" SHOW
WHEN I WAS LEAVING, KIM RAN TO ASK IF I WOULD TAKE A PHOTO WITH HER …. SHE IS A LONG TIME FRIEND …. HAVE KNOWN HER AT LEAST 30 YEARS (SHE WAS A MISS FLORIDA) …. A GREAT SINGER! …. ALSO WITH THE SHOW IS HER HUSBAND GARY, ANOTHER INCREDIBLE SINGER ALLEN ASBURY …. WOW! WHAT A VOICE! …. AND THE DRUMMER IS DEBRA PAXTON, DAUGHTER OF THE LEGEND GARY PAXTON …. WHO WAS MY SPECIAL FRIEND …. HE HAS MOVED ON TO HEAVEN.
ANOTHER SHOW I REALLY ENJOYED …. IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE! …. I SAW THEM FIRST ON THE "AMERICA'S GOT TALENT" …. THE 3 TENORS …. WHAT A SHOW THEY PRESENT …. OPERATIC, COUNTRY AND SOUTHERN GOSPEL SONGS …. WOW! …. 3 INCREDIBLE VOICES!
MS. LILLIE WITH THE 3 TEXAS TENORS
WHAT A PRIVILEGE ALSO, THAT I COULD RETURN TO MINISTER ON THE JIM BAKKER SHOW …. WHAT AN EXCITING PLACE! …. THANK GOD FOR HIS RESTORATION …. AND HOW HE IS STILL BEING USED TO BUILD THE KINGDOM AMEN! IT WAS GREAT TO BE ABLE TO SING FOR THEIR CHURCH SERVICE ON SUNDAY …. A VERY ANOINTED SERVICE …. A BEAUTIFUL GATHERING PLACE!
MS. LILLIE WITH JIM AND LORI BAKKER
SO WONDERFUL TO ATTEND THE SIGHT AND SOUND THEATRE …. FOR THE SPECTACULAR PRESENTATION OF "SAMSON." I BELIEVE IT IS EVERY 2 YEARS, THERE IS THE STORY OF A BIBLE CHARACTER …. THERE ARE HUNDREDS IN THE CAST …. THE SCRIPT IS VERY WELL-WRITTEN …. SO THAT WE SEE "OUR LIVES" IN THE STORY …. DYNAMIC SONGS …. AND THE AUDIENCE SEEMS TO BE A PART OF THE PLAY …. SUCH AS THE WHALE SWIMMING THRU THE AUDIENCE AS WE SEEM TO BE UNDER WATER IN "JONAH" …. OF COURSE, THE PARTING OF THE RED SEA IN "MOSES" I SHALL NEVER FORGET. WOW! AND ALL THOSE ANIMALS IN "NOAH." THRU THE YEARS WHEN I HAVE VISITED BRANSON, I LOVE SEEING THE SHOWS …. AND THIS TIME TO SEE "SAMSON" WAS A REAL THRILL …. I CAN'T SEEM TO THINK ABOUT WHICH HAS BEEN THE "BEST" BUT I TELL YOU WHEN THE BLINDED SAMSON ASKED THE LAD TO LEAD HIM TO THE PILLARS AND WHEN HE LEANED ON THEM …. AND THOSE WALLS OF THE BUILDING CAME TUMBLING DOWN …. MY! O MY! HOPE YOU CAN SEE IT FOR YOURSELF!
ENROUTE HOME, I WAS TO STOP IN DALLAS, TX AND MINISTER IN SONG AT CALVARY CHURCH …. IT WAS WONDERFUL! I HAVE SUNG AT THIS CHURCH MANY TIMES AND HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED HEARING PASTOR DON GEORGE SPEAK (HE IS ONE OF THE GREATEST SPEAKERS I HAVE EVER HEARD). THAT MORNING, PASTOR GARY SPOKE A GREAT WORD TO US.
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR GARY PAGE AND PASTOR DON GEORGE
IT JUST DOES NOT SEEM POSSIBLE …. THAT MY B'DAY IS HERE AGAIN. AS YOU MIGHT REMEMBER, I HAD AN EXCITING 80TH B'DAY LUAU WITH 125 FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN ATTENDANCE …. WOW!
MS. LILLIE AT HER 80TH BIRTHDAY LUAU, APRIL 2018
IN MY NEW RETIREMENT COMMUNITY LIVING, I LOVE THAT IN THE DINING ROOM ONCE A MONTH …. THOSE WITH B'DAY'S ARE CELEBRATED WITH A LARGE BANANA SPLIT …. BUT BECAUSE I DON'T EAT THOSE …. I RECEIVED A BOWL OF FRUIT WITH A CANDLE …. UUMMMM
MS. LILLIE AT UPLAND MANOR B'DAY CELEBRATION, APRIL 2019
WELL, THIS YEAR, I WILL HAVE A VERY LOW KEY B'DAY …. JUST GOING TO A RESTAURANT NEAR MY HOUSE WITH 2 FRIENDS …. IT IS A LOVELY OLD, ESTABLISHED POPULAR PLACE …. BEEN CHECKING THE MENU ONLINE, SO I WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHAT I WILL ORDER …. (SO HARD FOR ME TO MAKE DECISIONS WHEN I AM IN THE RESTAURANT LOOKING AT THE MENU).
MS. LILLIE WITH LONG-TIME FRIENDS, DOLLY AND CHARLOTTE
I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR THE LONG LIFE HE IS GIVING ME …. AND OF COURSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO STILL TRAVEL AND PROCLAIM THE GOOD NEWS THRU WORD AND SONG. I AM SOOOO ENJOYING THE "ASSIGNMENT" OF A "MUSICIANARY" HE GAVE ME MORE THAN 40 YRS AGO.
IT WILL BE A JOY FOR ME TO COME MINISTER IN YOUR CHURCH, OR FOR YOUR SENIORS MEETINGS, MAYBE A LADIES FUNCTION? …. IT WILL BE A BLESSING FOR BOTH OF US. THE SONGS AND THE MESSAGE WILL INSPIRE, AND TOUCH HEARTS! PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448, AND WE'LL TALK! LIKE I ALWAYS SAY …. YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!
I AM ABLE TO DO WHAT GOD HAS CALLED ME TO DO BECAUSE OF FRIENDS WHO PARTNER WITH ME …. IF GOD IS PROMPTING YOU TO MAKE A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION TO THE MINISTRY …. WHAT A BLESSING IT WILL BE! …. IT IS "GOOD GROUND." I WISH TO SINCERELY THANK YOU WHO HAVE GIVEN AND DO GIVE …. AND TO THOSE OF YOU WHO TELL ME THAT YOU PRAY REGULARLY FOR ME …. I NEED BOTH. THANKS SOOO MUCH! …. PLEASE KNOW THAT I PRAY FOR YOU ALL ALSO …. AND PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME AT 909-948-2448 …. AS I AM HAPPY TO AGREE WITH YOU FOR WHATEVER THE NEED …. I WILL BE HONORED TO DO SO.
DO YOU FEEL THAT YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS HAVE DIED? …. ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH CARES OF THIS WORLD? …. (AND I AM CERTAIN THERE ARE MANY) …. WELL, I HAVE GOOD NEWS FOR YOU! IN ANY AND ALL OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES, WE CAN FOCUS OUR EYES ON JESUS, TELL HIM WHAT OUR CONCERNS ARE, AND WE HAVE THE ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL THEN FEEL THE PEACE HE HAS PROMISED.
JOHN 14:27 ~ PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU; NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES DO I GIVE TO YOU. LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID.
THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE …. WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT …. WE CAN KNOW WHEN WE AWAKEN EACH DAY OUR GOD IS IN CONTROL …. IF WE WILL LET HIM BE, HE WILL BE!
MORE THAN FORTY YEARS AGO, I ATTENDED A CHURCH WHERE SPECIAL MONTHLY FRIDAY NITE MUSICALS WERE HELD …. HOSTED BY SWEET AUDREY MIEIR …. DIFFERENT GROUPS AND SINGERS WOULD COME AND SING ONE SONG …. I SO WANTED TO BE A PART …. I LEARNED THAT HANK AND NORMA BROWN CONDUCTED THE AUDITIONS.
MS. LILLIE WITH AUDREY MIEIR
MS. LILLIE WITH HANK AND NORMA BROWN
(BY THE WAY, I LIVE NEAR THEM NOW AND SEE THEM OFTEN) …. IN 1969, THEY GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT …. THEIR ASSIGNMENT FROM AUDREY WAS TO AUDITION ALL THE SINGERS …. PLACE THE APPROVED NAMES AND THE SONGS THEY COULD SING …. AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY WERE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT NITE …. GIVE THE LIST TO AUDREY WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT THE CHURCH …. AND DEAR AUDREY, BEING THE MINISTER, MUSICIAN (SHE WROTE THE SONG "HIS NAME IS WONDERFUL") …. THE ENTIRE PROGRAM WAS WEAVED TOGETHER IN AN INCREDIBLE WAY …. AS SHE SPOKE AND SET UP EACH SONG SHE WANTED US TO HEAR THAT NITE …. I SHALL NEVER FORGET WHEN SHE ASKED ME TO COME EACH MONTH THAT I COULD (I WAS THEN TRAVELING WITH THE EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS …. OUR SONG "O HAPPY DAY" WAS NO. 1 AROUND THE WORLD) …. I WOULD ALWAYS SING ONE OF HER SONGS …. SUCH AS "ALL HE WANTS IS YOU", "BECAUSE HE TOUCHED ME," " IT MATTERS TO HIM ABOUT YOU" AND OTHERS …. I LOVED HER SOOO MUCH! …. SHE BECAME MY "OTHER MOTHER" …. MENTORING ME AND HELPING ME MAKE DECISIONS …. ONE, AS TO WHETHER OR NOT I SHOULD LEAVE THE TELEPHONE COMPANY …. I WAS WORKING FOR MY 30 YEAR RETIREMENT …. AND WITH ONLY 8 MORE YEARS TO REACH IT …. I MUST ADMIT I WAS A BIT FEARFUL …. BUT SHE PRAYED AND COUNSELED ME THRU THAT …. AND THE REST IS HISTORY …. I WALKED OUT INTO FULLTIME MINISTRY …. PRAISE GOD! I MISS HER A LOT, BUT I KNOW SHE IS WITH JESUS. SHE WAS ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN WORKING WITH DEAR COUPLES AS THEY ADOPTED MANY ORPHANED CHILDREN FROM KOREA. THE CHURCH WOULD BE PACKED EACH MONTH.
I DID MEET MANY FRIENDS I AM STILL IN CONTACT WITH …. SUCH AS THE PASTOR OF THAT GREAT CHURCH IN LOS GATOS …. MARVIN AND JOYCE RICKARD.
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR MARVIN AND JOYCE RICKARD
ONE OTHER COUPLE I MET THERE, RICHARD AND MARLA SNYDER …. WHAT A REMARKABLE DYNAMIC DUO …. TRUE EVANGELISTS! …. IT SEEMS THEY WOULD INVITE EVERYONE THEY MET TO COME TO CHURCH …. IN FACT IT IS KNOWN THAT GOD HAS BLESSED THEM THRU THE YEARS TO BRING 150 FOLK TO THE CHURCH AND WHO RECEIVED JESUS AS LORD AND SAVIOR …. WE RECONNECTED 3 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS SPEAKING IN MORRO BAY …. WHAT A WONDERFUL TIME WE SHARED.
MS. LILLIE WITH RICHARD AND MARLA SNYDER
IT WAS SAD FOR ME TO SEE THAT MS. MARLA HAD BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ALS (LOU GERIG'S DISEASE). I LEARNED THE FIRST PART OF MARCH THAT MS. MARLA HAD GONE TO BE WITH JESUS …. AND MR. RICHARD ASKED IF I WOULD PLEASE COME TO SING FOR HER MEMORIAL SERVICE …. AND I DID! WOW! …. IT IS OFTEN TRUE THAT YOU DON'T ALWAYS KNOW ALL THAT A PERSON HAS DONE IN THEIR LIFETIME …. UNTIL A "CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE" …. SHE HAD AN INCREDIBLE LIFE …. AND USED IT FOR GOD! AND WE SHOULD BE DOING THAT ALSO …. EACH AND EVERY DAY! AMEN!
LUKE 10:2 ~ HE WAS SAYING TO THEM, “THE HARVEST IS ABUNDANT [FOR THERE ARE MANY WHO NEED TO HEAR THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT SALVATION], BUT THE WORKERS [THOSE AVAILABLE TO PROCLAIM THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION] ARE FEW. THEREFORE, [PRAYERFULLY] ASK THE LORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT WORKERS INTO HIS HARVEST.
I ALWAYS ENJOY THAT BEAUTIFUL AREA OF CALIFORNIA …. REAL TOURIST TRAPS …. I MEAN PLACES …. THE ATTRACTION IS "THE ROCK" …. I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT IT IN MORRO BAY ….
THE WEBSITE TELLS OF IT …. IT WAS FORMED 23 MILLION YEARS AGO (SAY WHAT?) FROM PLUGS FROM A LONG EXTINCT VOLCANO …. COVERING OVER 80 ACRES …. IS 576 FEET HIGH AND WAS AN IMPORTANT AID FOR MARINERS …. CLIMBING IT WAS BANNED IN 1968. A CAUSEWAY WAS BUILT IN 1940 TO CONNECT IT WITH THE MAINLAND …. IT IS REALLY SOMETHING TO SEE …. LET'S VIEW A VIDEO FROM AN UNMANNED COPTER.
I LOVE WHEN THE POPULAR SOUTHERN GOSPEL GROUPS COME TO TOWN …. WHAT A REAL BLESSING TO HEAR "THE FIRST FAMILY OF SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC" THE HOPPERS …. ALONG WITH ERNIE HAASE AND SIGNATURE SOUND …. IT IS VERY OBVIOUS THAT THEY KNOW OF WHOM THEY SING …. AND ARE TRUE "MUSICIANARIES" …. AS THEY ARE ON THEIR BUSES TRAVELING THE COUNTRY BRINGING US THE "GOOD NEWS" …. THRU MUSIC! WHAT A NITE! …. AND IT WAS AN HONOR TO BE CALLED ON STAGE TO SING WITH BOTH GROUPS COMBINED …. I LOVED IT!
MS. LILLIE WITH ERNIE HAASE
PSALM 147:1 ~ FOR IT IS GOOD TO SING PRAISES TO OUR GOD; FOR IT IS PLEASANT, AND PRAISE IS BEAUTIFUL.
THEN IT WAS TIME FOR ME TO GO TO SACRAMENTO AREA TO SPEAK/SING FOR A ST. PATRICKS' DAY TEA …. THE LADIES WERE ALL DRESSED UP …. AND WORE HATS …. I LOVED THAT! THAT IS ALWAYS FUN TO SEE …. I WAS ABLE TO CONNECT WITH SOME LONGTIME DEAR FRIENDS...
MS. LILLIE WITH BARBARA, JOANNE AND PAT
I SHALL FILL YOU IN A BIT ON ST. PATRICKS’ DAY …. WHO WAS HE AND WHY DOES HE HAVE A HOLIDAY? WELL, HERE GOES …. SEEMS HE WAS BORN INTO A WEALTHY FAMILY IN ROMANO, BRITAIN, HIS FATHER WAS A DEACON AND GRANDFATHER A PRIEST IN THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. AT AGE 16, HE WAS KIDNAPPED BY IRISH RAIDERS AND TAKEN TO BE A SLAVE IN IRELAND, HE WORKED AS A SHEPHERD FOR 6 YEARS. DURING THAT TIME HE COMMITTED HIS LIFE TOTALLY TO GOD …. AND WAS TOLD BY GOD ONE DAY TO FLEE TO THE COAST WHERE A SHIP WOULD BE WAITING TO TAKE HIM HOME….
AFTER RETURNING HOME, HE BECAME A PRIEST …. AND FELT THE CALL TO RETURN TO IRELAND TO CONVERT THOSE WHO DID NOT KNOW JESUS …. HE SPENT MANY YEARS EVANGELIZING THE NORTHERN HALF OF IRELAND, AND THOUSANDS ACCEPTED JESUS AS LORD. HE DIED ON MARCH 17 AND WAS VERY WELL KNOWN BECAUSE OF ALL THE GOOD HE HAD DONE. IN PAGAN IRELAND THE NUMBER 3 WAS SO SIGNIFICANT TO THEM …. THAT ST. PATRICK WAS HELPED IN HIS EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS …. BY USING THE 3 LEAVED SHAMROCK TO EXPLAIN THE HOLY TRINITY TO THEM. ABOUT THE 9TH AND 10TH CENTURY, HE BECAME WIDELY KNOWN AS THE PATRON SAINT OF IRELAND …. SO EACH MARCH 17, I DON'T THINK ABOUT ALL THE DRINKING OF EVEN "GREEN BEER", ETC …. NO! I THINK OF THIS GODLY MAN WHO EVANGELIZED AND BROUGHT MANY TO THE SAVING GRACE OF JESUS. LET'S DO THE SAME TODAY! SOME OF YOU DO NOT EVEN WANT TO THINK OF WHAT YOUR LIFE WOULD BE LIKE …. HAD SOMEONE'S PRAYERS AND WITNESS NOT INTRODUCED YOU TO JESUS …. THEY TOLD YOU AND YOUR LIFE WAS CHANGED, YOU NOW HAVE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. THANK GOD!
JOHN 3:17 ~ FOR GOD DID NOT SEND THE SON INTO THE WORLD TO JUDGE AND CONDEMN THE WORLD [THAT IS, TO INITIATE THE FINAL JUDGMENT OF THE WORLD], BUT THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE SAVED THROUGH HIM.
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 ~ THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, HE IS A NEW CREATION; OLD THINGS HAVE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW.
THE DAY AFTER THE TEA, I MINISTERED IN A GREAT CHURCH …. THE PASTOR AND WIFE ARE LONG TIME FRIENDS …. AT LEAST 40 YEARS WE HAVE KNOWN ONE ANOTHER …. I HAD A GREAT TIME WITH THEM …. AS WE SPOKE OF THE "OLD DAYS." WE LIKE TO SING THE "OLDER SONGS AND HYMNS"
WHEN I WAS PICKED UP AT THE AIRPORT, I WAS ASKED TO SIT IN THE FRONT SEAT …. AS THEY WANTED ME TO HAVE THE REAL "TESLA" EXPERIENCE …. WOW! AND IT CERTAINLY WAS ONE! …. HE TOOK HIS HANDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL ANYTIME HE FELT LIKE IT AND THE CAR "DROVE ITSELF" …. AROUND CURVES, ETC …. I HAD NEVER HAD THAT EXPERIENCE BEFORE, SO I WAS IN AWE OF ALL THAT TECHNOLOGY AT WORK …. WE STOPPED FOR LUNCH AND WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR …. HE SIMPLY PUSHED A BUTTON AND THE CAR BACKED ITSELF OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE …. SO IT WOULD BE EASIER FOR US TO GET IN …. NOW THAT WAS SOMETHING TO SEE …. I JUST HAD TO TAKE A PHOTO OF THE "T" ON THE CAR.
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR TOM AND LINDA GALOVICH
FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, MY DEAR FRIEND SAMANTHA LANDY HAS HOSTED CELEBRITY LUNCHEONS IN PALM DESERT …. AND THEY ARE AWESOME, AS FOLK WE KNOW, LOVE AND HAVE SEEN ON TV, IN THE MOVIES, AND POLITICIANS ARE SPEAKING TO US ABOUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS CHRIST. WE ARE NEVER DISAPPOINTED! …. THIS LUNCHEON I WAS ASKED TO SING …. AND HOW EXCITING!
MS. LILLIE WITH SAMANTHA LANDY AND HER HUSBAND RANDY
THE SPEAKER WAS BRUCE MARCHIANO …. WHO IN 1993 WAS IN A MOVIE …. "THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW." THE BEST THING ABOUT THIS MOVIE IS THAT …. EVERY SPOKEN WORD IN THE FILM IS FOUND IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW …. AS THE CHARACTERS ARE SPEAKING …. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN …. IS THE CHAPTER AND VERSE IN THE BOOK OF MATTHEW. WE VIEWED A SHORT VIDEO ABOUT THE MOVIE …. AND THEN WE HEARD HIM …. HE IS A WONDERFUL SPEAKER, GREAT COMMUNICATOR …. WE SAT THERE MESMERIZED AS HE TOLD OF MANY THINGS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN HIS LIFE, SINCE HE HAS PORTRAYED JESUS IN THAT 1993 FILM …. I HOPE THAT IF HE IS SPEAKING IN YOUR AREA, YOU WILL GO HEAR HIM …. AND OF COURSE AS SOON AS YOU CAN …. PLEASE WATCH THE MOVIE WITH YOUR FAMILY …. "THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW". HE PLAYED THE ROLE OF JESUS TO BE REAL "HUMAN" …. (BECAUSE HE LAUGHED OFTEN) AND BRUCE IS NOW KNOWN AS THE 'LAUGHING JESUS" …. IT WAS TRULY A TREAT FOR US …. I EVEN GOT A PHOTO WITH HIM.
MS. LILLIE WITH BRUCE MARCHIANO AND HIS WIFE MARIA
WHAT AN EXCITING MONTH I HAVE HAD! …. GOD IS GOOD TO OPEN DOORS FOR ME TO MINISTER IN WORD AND SONG. I AM THANKFUL FOR THE ASSIGNMENT I WAS GIVEN OVER 40 YEARS AGO TO BE IN FULL-TIME MINISTRY FOR "THE KING" …. AND YES, GOD HAS TAKEN OF ME …. IN THE WAY HE PROMISED.
MATTHEW 6:26 ~ LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR, FOR THEY NEITHER SOW NOR REAP NOR GATHER INTO BARNS; YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. ARE YOU NOT OF MORE VALUE THAN THEY?
I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE THAT ALMOST ONE YEAR HAS PASSED SINCE I CELEBRATED MY 80TH B'DAY WITH A LUAU. WOW! WHERE DID THE YEAR GO? …. SOON IT WILL BE APRIL 30 AND I WILL BE 81 YEARS OLD …. WELL, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL REALLY FLY BY NOW AND THAT IS JUST FINE WITH ME!
ECCLESIASTES 5:20 ~ (LILLIE) DOES NOT REFLECT ON THE DAYS OF HER LIFE, BECAUSE GOD KEEPS HER OCCUPIED WITH GLADNESS OF HEART.
THE WORLD SEEMS TO BE CHANGING RITE BEFORE OUR EYES …. ISN'T IT? WHAT WAS ONCE CONSIDERED WRONG IS NOW RITE AND WHAT WAS RITE IS NOW WRONG! …. HOW CAN THAT BE SINCE GOD DOES NOT CHANGE …. HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER. HE WANTS US TO LIVE HOLY BEFORE HIM …. AND WE MUST NOT ENTANGLE OURSELVES WITH THE CARES OF THIS WORLD, SUCH AS BAD HABITS, DISAPPOINTMENTS, WORRIES, HURTS, ADDICTIONS …. AND MANY MORE THINGS! NO! GOD WILL GIVE US THE GRACE TO OVERCOME ANY AND ALL TEMPTATIONS. AMEN! HE PROMISED!
I CORINTHIANS 10:13 ~ NO TEMPTATION [REGARDLESS OF ITS SOURCE] HAS OVERTAKEN OR ENTICED YOU THAT IS NOT COMMON TO HUMAN EXPERIENCE [NOR IS ANY TEMPTATION UNUSUAL OR BEYOND HUMAN RESISTANCE]; BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL [TO HIS WORD—HE IS COMPASSIONATE AND TRUSTWORTHY], AND HE WILL NOT LET YOU BE TEMPTED BEYOND YOUR ABILITY [TO RESIST], BUT ALONG WITH THE TEMPTATION HE [HAS IN THE PAST AND IS NOW AND] WILL [ALWAYS] PROVIDE THE WAY OUT AS WELL, SO THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ENDURE IT [WITHOUT YIELDING, AND WILL OVERCOME TEMPTATION WITH JOY].
THE KEY TO VICTORY IS KEEPING OUR EYES FOCUSED ON JESUS …. THE ONE WHO HAS ALREADY DEFEATED DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE …. HE IS COMING BACK AS OUR LIVING LORD, REDEEMER, KING AND JUDGE …. EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS!
REVELATION 22:12 ~ BEHOLD, I AM COMING SOON, AND I SHALL BRING MY WAGES AND REWARDS WITH ME, TO REPAY AND RENDER TO EACH ONE JUST WHAT HIS OWN ACTIONS AND HIS OWN WORK MERIT.
AND REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE HAVING A FUNCTION FOR SENIORS, A LADIES GROUP OR EVEN WANT ME TO COME SING IN YOUR CHURCH …. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN I CAN COME MINISTER IN WORD/SONG …. BELIEVE ME, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED …. AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME!
I MUST SAY A BIG THANKS TO YOU WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ME IN PRAYER AND GIFTS OF LOVE THRU THE YEARS …. I DO NEED THEM BOTH! PLEASE ASK GOD IF HE WOULD HAVE YOU GIVE TO THE MINISTRY HE HAS CALLED ME TO, IT IS GOOD GROUND, AND I WILL BE SO GRATEFUL! YOU MAY GIVE THRU PAYPAL …. JUST ENTER MY NAME, OR I CAN ALSO GIVE YOU MY ADDRESS IF YOU WISH TO MAIL A CHECK ...OR CALL ME AT 909- 948-2448 AND USE YOUR CREDIT CARD …. WHATEVER AMOUNT YOU GIVE WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR ACCOUNT IN GLORY …. YOU WILL RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT HERE ON THIS EARTH …. PLUS A REWARD IN HEAVEN. THANKS SOO MUCH! I LOVE YOU!
2 TIMOTHY 2:15 ~ BE DILIGENT TO PRESENT YOURSELF APPROVED TO GOD, A WORKER WHO DOES NOT NEED TO BE ASHAMED, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTH.
I AM TOLD THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON, PERHAPS THE CARD COMPANIES, THE FLOWER GROWERS, OR THE CHOCOLATE CANDY MAKERS WANTED MORE THAN A DAY TO SELL THEIR WARES, SO IT SEEMS THAT FEBRUARY IS NOW KNOWN AS THE "MONTH OF LOVE." I KNOW THAT IT IS ALSO MEDICALLY KNOWN AS "HEART MONTH," WHEN WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO LEARN HOW TO TAKE CARE OF OUR HEART.
DO YOU KNOW THE STORY OF VALENTINES' DAY? WELL, I SHALL TELL YOU WHAT THE INTERNET SHOWED ME, AND OF COURSE, YOU CAN BELIEVE EVERYTHING THAT IS PLACED ON THERE …. RITE?
THIS IS PERHAPS WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE WAY BACK THEN!
THE FIRST VALENTINES' DAY WAS IN THE YEAR 496, ORIGINATING FROM A ROMAN FESTIVAL CALLED LUPERCALIA IN THE MIDDLE OF FEBRUARY, AS IT WAS OFFICIALLY THE START OF SPRINGTIME. IN ROME, ALONGSIDE A PORTRAIT OF VALENTINE, THE TEXT STATED THAT HE WAS A ROMAN PRIEST MARTYRED DURING THE REIGN OF CLAUDIUS GOTHICUS. HE WAS ARRESTED, IMPRISONED AND BEHEADED, BEING CAUGHT MARRYING A CHRISTIAN COUPLE AND ALSO AIDING CHRISTIANS WHO WERE AT THE SAME TIME BEING PERSECUTED BY CLAUDIUS IN ROME.
WELL, BECAUSE I AM NOT MARRIED OR EVEN HAVE A BOY-FRIEND, I RECOGNIZE IT AS "FRIENDS DAY" …. I AM AMAZED HOW MANY CALLS, EMAILS, TEXTS I RECEIVE ON VALENTINES' DAY WHICH IS WHY I BEGAN REFERRING TO IT …. AS "FRIENDS DAY" A FEW YEARS AGO. I LOVE BEING ABLE TO SPEAK WITH "FRIENDS" ON THE PHONE AND WE TELL ONE ANOTHER HOW WE TREASURE OUR FRIENDSHIPS, SOME GO BACK MORE THAN 50 YEARS WOW! WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME TO KNOW THAT WHEN GOD CALLS ME HOME, I WILL SPEND ETERNITY WITH THEM AND THE MOST "PERFECT VALENTINE" …. JESUS CHRIST …. THE LOVER OF MY SOUL …. AND I SHALL LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
PSALM 133:1 ~ BEHOLD, HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR BROTHERS TO DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY!
TITUS 2:13 ~ LOOKING FOR THAT BLESSED HOPE, AND THE GLORIOUS APPEARING OF THE GREAT GOD AND OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
BECAUSE FEBRUARY IS KNOWN AS "LOVE MONTH" …. I GAVE MY VALENTINE TALK 6 TIMES AND LOVED IT! I WAS BLESSED TO SHARE THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE NEED TO KNOW …. IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS …. SUCH AS "DOES ANYONE CARE?" IS …. PERHAPS THE MOST WELL-KNOWN VERSE IN THE ENTIRE BIBLE.
JOHN 3:16 ~ FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.
JESUS WAS SENT TO EARTH BY GOD TO SHOW WHAT "REAL LOVE" IS. HE WAS THE CONDUIT FOR GOD'S LOVE THAT WAS PUT INTO ACTION. SEE, LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB. I SANG THIS BEAUTIFUL OLD HYMN DURING EACH TALK ….
THE LOVE OF GOD IS GREATER FAR THAN TONGUE OR PEN CAN EVER TELL. IT GOES BEYOND THE HIGHEST STAR AND REACHES TO THE LOWEST HELL. THE GUILTY PAIR, BOWED DOWN WITH CARE, GOD GAVE HIS SON TO WIN; HIS ERRING CHILD HE RECONCILED AND PARDONED FROM HIS SIN.
CHORUS: THE LOVE OF GOD, SO RICH AND PURE! HOW MEASURELESS AND STRONG! IT SHALL FOREVER MORE ENDURE - THE SAINTS’ AND ANGELS’ SONG.
COULD WE WITH INK THE OCEAN FILL, AND WERE THE SKIES OF PARCHMENT MADE; AND WERE EACH STALK ON EARTH A QUILL, AND EVERY MAN A SCRIBE BY TRADE; TO WRITE THE "LOVE OF GOD" ABOVE WOULD DRAIN THE OCEAN DRY; NOR COULD THE SCROLL CONTAIN THE WHOLE, THO STRETCHED FROM SKY TO SKY.
I BEGAN THE MONTH WITH A GREAT TRIP TO SPEAK/SING FOR CHRISTIAN WOMENS' CONNECTION MEETINGS, I'VE MENTIONED THEM BEFORE. I HAVE NOW BEEN INVOLVED FOR 15 YEARS AND AM SOOOO BLESSED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY GIVEN ME. THESE MEETINGS BEGAN IN SAN JOSE CA. 80 YEARS AGO (THE SAME YEAR I WAS BORN). THEY ARE HELD ALL AROUND THE GLOBE ONCE A MONTH, LADIES ARE ASKED TO BRING AN UNSAVED FRIEND TO A WELL-PLANNED PROGRAM OF MUSIC AND A TALK ABOUT JESUS …. AN APPEAL IS GIVEN AT THE END FOR ANYONE WHO WANTS JESUS TO COME INTO THEIR HEART …. THEY CAN REPEAT A PRAYER. MY HEART IS THANKFUL TO GOD AS I LEARN HOW MANY DO RESPOND EACH YEAR. MY TOUR WAS IN THE CENTRAL COAST OF CALIFORNIA …. SANTA MARIA, SAN LUIS OBISPO, MORRO BAY AND PASO ROBLES. THEY WERE EACH WELL ATTENDED AND SEVERAL RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL. AMEN!
I AM SOOOO GRATEFUL THAT GOD GAVE ME AN “ASSIGNMENT” MORE THAN 40 YEARS AGO TO TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD TO SPEAK/SING ABOUT THE LOVE JESUS HAS FOR EVERYONE …. AND UNTIL HE CALLS ME HOME …. I'M GONNA KEEP ON SINGING …. TELLING EVERYONE THAT JESUS SAVES! AMEN!
JOHN 9:4 ~ I MUST WORK THE WORKS OF HIM WHO SENT ME WHILE IT IS DAY; NIGHT IS COMING WHEN NO ONE CAN WORK.
ENROUTE HOME, I STOPPED IN DELANO CA. FOR A LADIES MEETING ON SATURDAY MORNING AND I MINISTERED IN A GREAT CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING …. THE PASTOR PREACHED A TRULY ANOINTED MESSAGE …. I WAS CHALLENGED AND BLESSED!
PASTOR DAVID, MS. LILLIE AND HIS PARENTS; MR. AND MRS. RIVAS
OUR WEATHER HAS BEEN DIFFERENT ALMOST EACH DAY …. LOTS OF RAIN, THEN SUNSHINE AND A JOY TO SEE A RAINBOW AS I WAS DRIVING HOME …. AND THEN THERE IS SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS NEAR MY HOUSE …. …. WE HAVE BEEN PRAYING FOR THE FOLK IN EXTREMELY COLD AREAS OF THE COUNTRY, THAT GOD WILL SUPPLY ALL THEIR NEEDS.
I CANNOT CLOSE WITHOUT SAYING A "BIG THANKS" TO THOSE OF YOU WHO PRAY FOR ME ON A REGULAR BASIS AND FOR THOSE WHO GIVE FINANCIALLY TO THIS MINISTRY …. IT IS GOOD GROUND!! AND I SOOOO APPRECIATE YOUR GIFTS.....YOU WILL RECEIVE A RECEIPT FROM ME AND THEN A REWARD IN HEAVEN FROM JESUS. IT IS VERY EASY TO GIVE …. YOU MAY GO TO PAYPAL AND LEAVE A CONTRIBUTION, CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND CHARGE TO YOUR CREDIT CARD OR I CAN ALSO GIVE YOU MY ADDRESS IF YOU WISH TO MAIL A CHECK .... THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! WE ARE CO-LABORERS TOGETHER FOR THE KINGDOM …. I LOVE HOW GOD MAKES YOU A BLESSING TO ME! AND I ALSO WANT TO BE A BLESSING TO YOUR FAMILY AS I PRAY THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE ALL GOD HAS FOR YOU.
PHILIPPIANS 4:13 ~ I CAN DO ALL THINGS [WHICH HE HAS CALLED ME TO DO] THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS AND EMPOWERS ME.
DEAR FRIEND, HOW ARE YOU DOING? …. I KNOW THAT THE WORLD IS IN CHAOS, WITH THINGS SEEMINGLY SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL …. DO YOU SEEM TO BE IN ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER? …. FEELING ALL ALONE, BETRAYED, MISTREATED, ENDURING FINANCIAL HARDSHIP? WELL, I KNOW ONE WHO DOES UNDERSTAND EACH OF THOSE HEARTACHES …. HIS NAME IS JESUS! HE IS ALWAYS BESIDE US IN EVERY DIFFICULTY …. WALKING WITH US …. SO JUST KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN....NO WAY! EVEN IN OUR DARKEST HOUR, WE CAN BE ENCOURAGED, BECAUSE GOD KNOWS OUR DEEPEST NEED AND WILL SUPPLY …. WHATEVER IT IS!
1 CORINTHIANS 1:9 ~ GOD IS FAITHFUL [HE IS RELIABLE, TRUSTWORTHY AND EVER TRUE TO HIS PROMISE - HE CAN BE DEPENDED ON], AND THROUGH HIM YOU WERE CALLED INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.
IT IS HARD FOR ME TO BELIEVE THAT I WILL HAVE ANOTHER B'DAY IN APRIL …. SEEMS I JUST HAD MY 80TH B'DAY LUAU …. AND SOON I'LL BE 81 YEARS OLD …. (TIME IS MOVING FASTER) …. I AM GRATEFUL THAT GOD DOES KEEP ME STRONG AND ABLE TO TRAVEL AND STILL SING. (YIPPPEEEE) HERE'S SOMETHING FUNNY FOR YOU …. I LOVE TO LAFF …. ENJOY!
WELL, PLEASE CHECK YOUR PLANNING CALENDAR TO SEE IF THERE IS A TIME WHEN I CAN COME MINISTER TO YOUR SENIOR ADULTS, LADIES LUNCHEON, OR IN YOUR CHURCH …. IT WILL BE A GREAT TIME OF MINISTRY. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED AND JESUS LIFTED UP!
I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE PART OF A 6AM PRAYER CALL. 300-400 ARE THERE ON THE LINE 7 DAYS A WEEK. IT IS AWESOME! WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT PRAYING FOR OUR PRESIDENT, CONGRESS, SENATE AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE MAKING LAWS …. I AM THANKFUL THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL OF EVERYTHING …. AND IN HIS TIME …. HE WILL MAKE ALL THINGS RIGHT!
1 THESSALONIANS 4:18 ~ THEREFORE COMFORT AND ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER WITH THESE WORDS.
I JUST READ THAT JANUARY IS USUALLY THE COLDEST MONTH OF THE YEAR .... PERHAPS THAT IS WHY IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS "NATIONAL SOUP MONTH" .... PERHAPS IT CAME TO BE BECAUSE IT IS SOOOOO COLD IN MANY PLACES THAT MORE TIME IS SPENT INDOORS .... AND THERE IS NOTHING QUITE LIKE A HOT BOWL OF SOUP ON A COLD DAY .... ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS CHICKEN SOUP.
JANUARY 6 IS WHEN HISTORY INDICATES .... OR 12 DAYS AFTER HIS BIRTH .... WHENEVER IT WAS THE WISE MEN VISITED JESUS .... SEEMS JESUS WAS AT LEAST 2 YEARS OLD .... I LOVE IT WHEN IN THE LARGE CHRISTMAS PRODUCTIONS .... NOW .... THE WISE MEN COME TO A HOUSE IN NAZARETH TO VISIT THE CUTE LITTLE BOY, JESUS .... AND ARE NOT AT THE MANGER WHERE HE WAS LAID WHEN HE WAS BORN .... SO NOW YOU KNOW!
JANUARY IS ALSO THE MONTH IN AMERICAN HISTORY WHEN BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WAS BORN AND THEODORE ROOSEVELT DIED.
WELL, HAPPY NEW YEAR .... 2019 IS HERE .... ANOTHER YEAR CLOSER TO THE RETURN OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. AND MY PRAYER IS THAT GOD WILL GIVE YOU A MOST BLESSED, HEALTHY NEW YEAR.
WHEN I WAS GROWING UP .... WE HAD SOMETHING CALLED "WATCHNITE SERVICE" .... WHICH MEANS .... WE WATCHED THE OLD YEAR GO OUT AND THE NEW ONE ENTER .... I LOVED THOSE SERVICES! .... WE USUALLY GATHERED AT 8 OR 8:30PM .... HAD LOTS OF SINGING, TESTIMONIES TIL ABOUT 10PM .... TOOK A BREAK FOR "FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP" .... THEN RETURNED FOR MORE GOOD SINGING AND PREACHING .... THEN AT ABOUT 11:45 PM WE WERE ASKED TO GET ON OUR KNEES AND BEGIN PRAYING .... OUR PASTOR WANTED FERVENT PRAYER TO BE ASCENDING WHEN THE NEW YEAR BEGAN. I WONDER IF ANY CHURCHES HAVE THOSE TYPES OF SERVICES NOW? I WOULD CERTAINLY LOVE TO ATTEND ONE.
WHEN I WAS A PART OF A WONDERFUL CHURCH IN SAN JOSE, CA .... OUR NEW YEARS SERVICES WERE AWESOME ALSO! .... AS WE HAD PRETTY MUCH THE SAME TYPE OF SERVICE .... AFTER THE NEW YEAR PRAYER TIME WE WOULD HEAR OUR PASTOR KENNY FOREMAN SAY .... "GO HUG SOMEONE AND SAY TO THEM .... "HAPPY NEW YOU" .... BECAUSE HE SAID WE COULD NOT HAVE A NEW YEAR .... UNLESS WE WERE MADE NEW .... AND MY, ISN'T THAT TRUE? .... AND I DID JUST SEE A T-SHIRT THAT HAD THIS WRITTEN ON IT ."HAPPY NEW YEAR .... HAPPY NEW ME!" .... JUST ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING WHAT I HAVE BEEN HEARING ALL MY LIFE.
AND IF YOU ARE LIKE ME .... YOU HAVE BEEN ASKING GOD TO DO JUST THAT .... I WANT HIM TO MAKE ME READY AND OPEN FOR CHANGES IN MY LIFE .... WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DELETE, REARRANGE, AND ADD IS FINE WITH ME .... IN OTHER WORDS, I WANT HIM TO MOLD ME AND MAKE ME TO CONFORM TO HIS WILL IN EVERY WAY.
PSALM 51:10 ~ CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART, O GOD, AND RENEW A RIGHT AND STEADFAST SPIRIT WITHIN ME.
FOR MANY YEARS, MY PASTOR KENNY FOREMAN HAD CANCER .... BUT CONTINUED TO LIVE .... EVEN WHEN THE DOCTORS WOULD GIVE HIM ONLY 3 MONTHS .... 8 MONTHS .... 1 YEAR TO LIVE .... GOD KEPT HIM ALIVE! .... I WOULD OFTEN TELL HIM .... "IT AIN'T OVER TIL GOD SAYS IT'S OVER! .... AND BEFORE CHRISTMAS, 2018, GOD CHOSE TO CALL HIM HOME TO HIS REWARD.
PASTOR KENNY FOREMAN'S MEMORIAL SERVICE
A FEW YEARS, PASTOR KENNY STEPPED ASIDE AND LET HIS 2 SONS CARRY ON WITH THE CHURCH .... AND OH MY, HAVE THEY! .... THERE ARE SERVICES ON SATURDAY NITES 5PM .... AND 3 SERVICES ON SUNDAY MORNINGS .... THE CHURCH SEATS 3400 .... PLUS THERE ARE 7 OTHER CAMPUS LOCATIONS AROUND THE AREA .... WITH THEIR OWN OFFICES .... THEY HAVE WEEKLY SERVICES AND OF COURSE CHURCH SERVICES ON SUNDAYS .... EACH OF THEM GROWING.
WHEN I BEGAN ATTENDING CATHEDRAL, PASTOR FOREMAN HAD A TELECAST AND ASKED ME IF I WOULD BE THE SOLOIST FOR IT .... SO FOR YEARS, I WAS THERE TO HEAR THE INTRODUCTION "AND NOW HERE SHE IS .... MY SOUL SISTER LILLIE KNAULS TO SING FOR US" .... IT WAS WONDERFUL .... THEN IN LATER YEARS, WE BEGAN SINGING "THROUGH IT ALL" AS A DUET .... AND MY, WAS THAT WELL RECEIVED! .... SO AFTER I MOVED AWAY, I WOULD SING THAT WHEN I CAME TO VISIT THE CHURCH. AND THRU THE WONDERFUL MEANS OF TECHNOLOGY, AT THE MEMORIAL SERVICE, THEY PLAYED A CLIP OF HE AND I SINGING IT. I MUST SAY, IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO WATCH THRU THE TEARS .... I LOVED PASTOR FOREMAN AND HIS SWEET WIFE MS. SHIRLEY VERY MUCH .... MY PRAYERS ARE DAILY WITH HER (THEY WERE MARRIED 61 YEARS) .... AND THE 2 BOYS KEN JR. AND KURT .... FOR THE COMFORT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO SURROUND THEM EACH DAY AND NITE. WHAT A WAY TO BEGAN THE NEW YEAR AND MONTH OF JANUARY!
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR KENNY & SHIRLEY FOREMAN AND KEN FOREMAN JR.
ROMANS 14:8 ~ FOR IF WE LIVE, WE LIVE TO THE LORD; AND IF WE DIE, WE DIE TO THE LORD. THEREFORE, WHETHER WE LIVE OR DIE, WE ARE THE LORD’S.
I MUST SAY IT WAS A SPECIAL TIME TO SEE SOOOO MANY OLD FRIENDS WHO RETURNED FOR THE SERVICE .... IT WAS A GREAT REUNION! .... THEN I BEGAN THINKING ABOUT HEAVEN AND THE "GRAND REUNION" WE SHALL HAVE .... “WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN" WE WILL HAVE THE JOY OF ETERNITY AND JESUS AHEAD OF US.
1 THESSALONIANS 4:17 ~ THEN WE WHO ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM IN THE CLOUDS TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR. AND THUS WE SHALL ALWAYS BE WITH THE LORD.
WHEN I MOVED FROM ORLANDO FL. TO RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA. IN 1998, IT WASN'T VERY LONG TIL I WAS DOING WHAT I HAD BEEN DOING FOR YEARS .... (GOING TO MINISTER IN PRISONS) .... BOTH MEN AND WOMEN'S .... SO FOR NEARLY 20 YEARS NOW, I HAVE BEEN DOING JUST THAT .... AND WHAT A BLESSING FOR ME IT IS .... TO BRING HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THOSE WHO ARE THERE PAYING THEIR DEBT TO SOCIETY .... I HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED EACH TIME I GO IN .... BECAUSE JESUS CAN USE EACH OF US TO BE HIS HANDS EXTENDED.
THE CHAPLAIN AT CHINO PRISON FOR WOMEN I HAVE MINISTERED FOR .... NEARLY 20 YEARS RETIRED THIS MONTH, WHAT A CELEBRATION SHE HAD .... OVER 200 FOLK GATHERED TO HONOR HER .... INCLUDING OVER 50 WHO HAD GOTTEN OUT OF THE PRISON WHILE SHE WAS CHAPLAIN .... THEY CAME TO THANK HER FOR HER KINDNESS TO THEM THRU THE YEARS .... SHE IS A VERY SPECIAL LADY AND HAS BECOME A DEAR FRIEND .... A POWERFUL WOMAN OF GOD WHO IS AN EXCITING PREACHER ALSO .... MAY GOD OPEN NEW DOORS FOR HER GIFTS .... (AND SHE DOES HAVE MANY) I WAS SOOO EXCITED THAT SHE TOOK TIME TO ATTEND MY 80TH B'DAY LUAU AND OFFER A PRAYER! I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN HER FINAL SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICE AT THE PRISON .... IT WAS INCREDIBLE! .... MUCH HONOR WAS BESTOWED ON HER BY THE INMATES, TESTIMONIES GIVEN ABOUT HER ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR THEM .... WAS WONDERFUL!
MS. LILLIE WITH CHAPLAIN LOIS WOODARD
MATTHEW 25:43 ~ I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU DID NOT TAKE ME IN, NAKED AND YOU DID NOT CLOTHE ME, SICK AND IN PRISON AND YOU DID NOT VISIT ME.
I SPENT AN EXCITING WEEK IN SAN DIEGO AREA .... WHAT A GORGEOUS CITY! I WAS RITE ON THE WATER .... I COULD SEE MANY BOATS.
THE WEATHER WAS LOVELY! I USUALLY SING IN A CHURCH THE SUNDAY BEFORE AND THE SUNDAY AFTER THAT INCREDIBLE PASTORS CONFERENCE I ATTEND EACH YEAR, GOD DOES OPEN DOORS FOR ME .... AND AT THE PASTORS CONFERENCE, I SANG ONE SONG IN EACH SERVICE .... AND JUST LISTENED TO THE SPEAKERS WITH A HEART TO RECEIVE FROM EACH OF THEM .... EACH ONE WAS A GOD-SEND .... FOR ME, I WAS CHALLENGED AS THEY DEPOSITED SUCH POWERFUL NUGGETS INTO MY SPIRIT .... AND I WILL NOT FORGET THEM! THE THEME FOR THE CONFERENCE WAS .... "ARISE, SHINE FOR THE LIGHT HAS COME" .... WHAT A BLESSING TO HEAR FROM THE SPECIAL SPEAKER, DAVID SHIBLEY WHO CHALLENGED US TO CONTINUE TO FAITHFULLY SPREAD THE GOSPEL .... TO FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION. AND REMEMBER, WHEN WE SHARE OUR FAITH AND THE GOOD NEWS, WE SHARE THE GREATEST TREASURE OF ALL .... AMEN!
MARK 16:15 ~ AND HE SAID TO THEM, “GO INTO ALL THE WORLD AND PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL CREATION.”
PROVERBS 17:22 TELLS US THAT "LAUGHTER DOES GOOD LIKE A MEDICINE" .... AND ONE GOOD THING ABOUT ME .... IS I LOVE TO LAFF .... I READ THAT CHILDREN CAN LAFF UP TO 300 TIMES A DAY .... WHEREAS, WE ADULTS WILL LAFF ONLY 15-20 TIMES A DAY .... HOW SAD .... I WILL TELL YOU THE REASON WE SHOULD FIND SOMETHING TO LAFF ABOUT EACH DAY .... (I KNOW I CERTAINLY DO) MY DOCTOR SAYS THAT WHEN WE LAUGH, OUR INSIDES ARE BEING MASSAGED .... (NOW YOU KNOW HOW GREAT IT FEELS TO BE ON A TABLE .... GETTING A MASSAGE) RITE? WELL, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING ON INSIDE OUR BODIES WHEN WE LAFF .... IT REDUCES THE STRESS RESPONSE .... SO I PRAY THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY FIND SOMETHING TO LAFF ABOUT .... YOU WILL FEEL BETTER FOR IT. A SMILE IS A GIFT FROM GOD. DID YOU EVER THINK ABOUT THIS? .... THE ONE THING YOU NEVER WILL HAVE TO DO .... IS TEACH A BABY TO SMILE, .... IT JUST HAPPENS .... CAUSE GOD GAVE IT TO THEM .... AND WE HAVE IT!
NEHEMIAH 8:10 ~ …FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH!
RECENTLY, THE INCREDIBLE CHRISTIAN COMEDIAN MICHAEL JR. WAS IN MY AREA .... WHAT A NITE! .... HE HAS A WONDERFUL GIFT TO MAKE YOU LAFF WITH CLEAN HUMOR .... SO, IF HE IS EVER IN YOUR AREA, TRY TO GO SEE HIM .... YOU WILL LAFF AND LAFF AND LAFF.
MS. LILLIE WITH COMEDIAN MICHAEL JR.
IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LAFF ABOUT IN YOUR LIFE......THAT THINGS ARE NOT HAPPY, PERHAPS YOU JUST RECEIVED BAD NEWS FROM THE DOCTOR .... A PENDING DIVORCE .... WAYWARD CHILDREN ...EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE FALLING APART AROUND YOU? I DO HAVE A WORD FOR YOU FROM GOD'S WORD .... WHICH IS A COVENANT HE HAS MADE WITH US. IT CANNOT CHANGE! .... IS SETTLED IN HEAVEN .... LET ME SHARE THIS WITH YOU! WHERE THERE IS A PROBLEM .... HERE IS A PROMISE! .... THE BIBLE IS FILLED WITH THEM FOR WHATEVER YOU ARE FACING .... AS YOU READ HIS WORD EACH DAY, THERE WILL BE ANSWERS AND COMFORT FOR YOU.
PSALM 119:89 ~ FOREVER OH LORD …. YOUR WORD STANDS IN HEAVEN!
I PETER 1: 24 ~ THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWERS FADE, BUT THE WORD OF THE LORD ENDURES FOREVER
EVER FEEL LIKE YOU'RE JUST NOT GONNA MAKE IT .... WELL, KEEP TRYING .... HERE'S PROOF!
SEE .... YOU CAN MAKE IT!
I AM SO LOOKING FORWARD FOR ALL THAT GOD HAS FOR ME THIS NEW YEAR, 2019 …. HE IS OPENING MANY NEW DOORS …. AND IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF PLANNING EVENTS FOR YOUR LADIES MEETING, SENIORS GROUP, EVEN YOUR CHURCH …. PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE'LL TALK …. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! GOD WILL USE THE SONGS TO TOUCH HEARTS AND LIVES. AMEN!
GOD WAS FAITHFUL TO SUPPLY THE NEED OF THIS MINISTRY DURING 2018, AND I AM CERTAIN THAT THRU GIFTS OF LOVE FROM FOLK WHO DO CONTRIBUTE, SOME REGULARLY OR OCCASIONALLY TO THE MINISTRY GOD HAS CALLED ME TO, I WILL HAVE ALL I NEED IN 2019 ALSO …. THIS MINISTRY IS "GOOD GROUND" …. AND WHEN YOU GIVE, YOU WILL RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT FROM ME AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN …. PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE PART OF THE "LABOR FORCE" WHEN YOU PRAY AND GIVE TO SUPPORT THE ASSIGNMENT GOD HAS GIVEN ME …. OF COURSE, I DO NEED LOTS OF PRAYER AS I TRAVEL WITH THE GOOD NEWS …. SO PLEASE DO THAT FOR ME …. YOU MAY GIVE BY GOING TO PAYPAL .... CLICK THE DONATE BUTTON AT MISSLILLIE.COM, YOU MAY USE YOUR CREDIT CARD .... OR YOU MAY SEND A CHECK TO P. O. BOX 994, RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA 91729. THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING A PART OF THIS MINISTRY. I LOVE YOU!
HEBREWS 6:10 ~ FOR GOD IS NOT UNRIGHTEOUS TO FORGET YOUR WORK AND LABOR OF LOVE, WHICH YOU HAVE SHOWN TOWARD HIS SAINTS …. IN THAT YOU HAVE MINISTERED TO THE SAINTS …. AND STILL DO.
SOMETHING ELSE GREAT HAPPENS EACH JANUARY 22 .... MY ONLY BROTHER'S B'DAY …. THERE WERE SIX GIRLS AND ONE BOY IN MY FAMILY …. HE TURNED 88 YEARS OLD …. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!
MS. LILLIE'S BROTHER PAUL 88TH BIRTHDAY
PHILEMON 1:25 ~ THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE MESSIAH, BE WITH YOUR SPIRIT. AMEN!
OR DO YOU CALL A FRIEND ON THEIR B'DAY AND SING TO THEM? PROBABLY SO! WHICH IS WHY EVEN THO WE ARE TOLD THAT JESUS WAS NOT BORN ON DECEMBER 25, THAT IS THE DAY DESIGNATED TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTH, AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOU ENJOY A SONG FROM MY CHRISTMAS CD. I AM SINGING TO HIM, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!
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