SINCE JULY 2021, I HAVE NEEDED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR MYSELF AS I AM SO BUSY (AND OLDER ) AND I’M NO LONGER ABLE TO WRITE BLOGS, I THOUGHT I WOULD REPOST PREVIOUS BLOGS AND YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN MY LIFE DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS … WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE I'M HAVING.
FOR PAST BLOGS BEGINNING WITH AND BEFORE JULY 2021 - CLICK HERE
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Flashback - Feb. 2018
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.”
THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE .... WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT! ~ PSALM 118:24
MY, THIS "NEW YEAR" IS ALREADY PASSING QUICKLY .... AND SOME OF OUR CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HAVE GONE ON TO GLORY TO BE WITH JESUS, I WILL WRITE MORE ABOUT THEM LATER ....
FEBRUARY BEGAN WITH THE "SUPER BOWL" .... AND BECAUSE I WAS GOING TO SAN JOSE AREA TO PARTICIPATE IN THE TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY, FEB. 6/7 MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR EDWIN HAWKINS .... I DECIDED TO GO UP EARLIER AND SING IN A CHURCH ON THE SUNDAY .... I CONTACTED AN OLD FRIEND WHO HAS PASTORED FOR 37 YEARS TO TELL HIM WHY I WOULD BE IN THE AREA .... AND .... ASKED IF I COME BY AND SING "O HAPPY DAY?" .... WELL, HE INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SERVICE BECAUSE OF SUPER BOWL .... THEY WOULD BE HAVING A VIDEO WITH INTERVIEWS AND TESTIMONIES FROM NFL PLAYERS WHO ARE COMMITTED CHRISTIANS .... BUT HE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME CLOSE EACH OF THE SERVICES WITH THAT SONG .... WOW! EACH WAS AN INCREDIBLE SERVICE .... AND THAT VIDEO WAS AWESOME! .... IT WAS A BLESSING TO SEE AND HEAR THOSE GUYS SPEAK FERVENTLY ABOUT THEIR FAITH IN GOD. I LOVED BEING REUNITED WITH PASTOR BUCHHOLZ AT HIS EXCITING CHURCH ....
PASTOR BILL & MELODY BUCHHOLZ WITH MS. LILLIE
THE CHURCH WOULD SEAT 2500 .... AND IT WAS PACKED BOTH NITES AS WE GATHERED FOR A CELEBRATION OF LIFE .... THE LIFE OF EDWIN HAWKINS .... A FRIEND OF MANY .... A TALENTED MAN BORN TO PLAY THE PIANO .... TO WRITE SONGS .... TO REARRANGE MANY SONGS .... AS HE DID WITH THE HYMN WRITTEN IN THE 17TH CENTURY .... “O HAPPY DAY” .... WHICH HE TAUGHT TO HIS CHOIR .... (I WAS A MEMBER OF THAT CHOIR) .... WE RECORDED THE SONG .... AND IT ENDED UP BEING THE FIRST GOSPEL SONG TO CROSS OVER TO THE BILLBOARD CHARTS .... IN FACT, THE ORIGINAL EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS WERE ASKED TO COME SING .... AND WE DID! .... HE WAS MY KIND, GENTLE FRIEND AND I SHALL MISS HIM .... BUT WHEN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN .... THAT WILL BE A “HAPPY DAY” AMEN!
THE ORIGINAL EDWIN HAWKINS SINGERS
THE EXCITING 100+ CELEBRATION CHOIR WHO ALSO SANG
PASTOR DONNIE MCCLURKIN SANG AS ONLY HE CAN!
IF YOU HAVE EVER WATCHED TBN, WELL, FOR 40 + YEARS, YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD THIS ANOINTED MAN TEACH, PREACH, OR JUST "BE THERE" ON STAGE LISTENING WHEN OTHERS WERE. HE HAS BEEN A VITAL PART OF THAT NETWORK .... AND IS NOW THE SENIOR PASTOR AT THE TRINITY BROADCAST CHURCH IN IRVINE .... I HAVE KNOWN HIM ALL THOSE YEARS AND WAS SO HONORED TO BE INVITED TO HIS 90TH B'DAY CELEBRATION .... HE IS A REAL MAN OF GOD AND STILL AN ANOINTED PREACHER, TEACHER. WHAT A LIFE GOD HAS GIVEN HIM. I AM HAPPY HE IS MY FRIEND .... HIS WIFE, MS. HILDE, IS A DEAR PARTNER TO HIM.
WHAT A JOY FOR ME TO SEE AT THE PARTY, MY "OLD FRIENDS" WHOM I HAVE KNOWN ALSO FOR THOSE 40+ YEARS .... (HIS WAS THE VOICE YOU HEARD FOR YEARS INTRODUCING THE "PRAISE PROGRAM") .... JAY JONES ..... I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
JAY & MARILEE JONES WITH MS. LILLIE
WE DO HEAR THE WORD “LOVE” OFTEN THIS TIME OF THE YEAR ....THE 14TH OF FEBRUARY .... VALENTINES’ DAY .... IT HAS BEEN SET ASIDE TO TELL THOSE CLOSE TO US THAT WE DO LOVE THEM .... THE GREETING CARD COMPANIES DO A BOOMING BUSINESS .... THE LINES ARE LONG AT SEE’S CANDY STORES .... .... THERE ARE HUGGY BEARS .... AND OF COURSE, HOW COULD I FAIL TO MENTION THE LOVELY BOUQUETS DELIVERED OR EVEN PURCHASED AT THE LAST MINUTE. I LEARNED THAT THE ENTIRE MONTH OF FEBRUARY IS NOW KNOWN AS THE “LOVE MONTH” .... SO I THOT I WOULD WRITE SOMETHING EVEN AFTER VALENTINES’ DAY. FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS .... THE BANQUETS I HAVE SING/SPOKEN FOR HAVE BEEN CALLED SOMETHING LIKE “FRIENDS” OR “LOVE” FEASTS .... BECAUSE THERE ARE SOOO MANY FOLK WHO ARE ALONE AND SHOULD NOT BE REMINDED THAT THEIR MATES HAVE PASSED AWAY .... OR THOSE WHO ARE SINGLE (AS I AM) AND HAVE NO ONE IN OUR LIVES TO SHARE THAT DAY WITH. SO MY MESSAGE IS ALWAYS TO TALK AND SING ABOUT GOD’S LOVE FOR US. (THAT OLD HYMN .... “THE LOVE OF GOD” .... IS A FAVORITE ONE I SING). LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB .... SO, AS PERHAPS THE MOST WELL-KNOWN SCRIPTURE IN THE BIBLE STATES .... “FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON .... AND WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT PERISH .... BUT WILL HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE.” GOD KNEW WHAT WE NEEDED AND SENT “HIM” .... BECAUSE LOVE IS AN ACTION VERB, HE SAW THE NEED AND FILLED IT IN A “PERFECT WAY” .... AND WE TOO, MUST SHOW LOVE HOWEVER AND WHENEVER WE CAN .... AS ONE OF MY FAVORITE SCRIPTURES STATES .... WHEN YOU VISITED THOSE IN PRISON, FED THE HUNGRY .... CARED FOR THE ORPHANS AND WIDOWS .... (YOU MAY HAVE THOT YOU WERE DOING IT FOR THOSE WHO NEEDED IT) .... BUT WE ARE REALLY DOING IT AS UNTO THE LORD .... MATTHEW 25:40 .... WHEN JESUS IS IN OUR HEARTS .... HE BRINGS “REAL LOVE” .... CAUSE “GOD IS LOVE.”
WHAT A JOY FOR ME TO MINISTER TO 100+ LADIES ON VALENTINES' DAY .... THEY WERE ALL WIDOWS AND WHAT A LUNCHEON! .... THERE WERE MANY, MANY GIFTS GIVEN TO THEM .... THEY WERE MADE TO FEEL SOOO SPECIAL (AS THEY ARE) .... THERE WAS LOTS OF LOVE IN THAT ROOM .... I FELT IT AND WAS HAPPY TO BE THERE. AND IT WAS EVIDENT THAT GOD WAS SPEAKING TO THEIR HEARTS AS I SPOKE AND SANG! LET ME SHARE WHAT THE GREAT MAN OF GOD CHARLES SPURGEON WROTE .... "NOTHING CAN SATISFY THE ENTIRE MAN BUT THE LORD'S LOVE AND THE LORD HIMSELF" AMEN!
MATTHEW 11:28 ~ COME TO ME, ALL YOU WHO LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.
PSALM 55:22 ~ CAST YOUR BURDEN ON THE LORD, AND HE SHALL SUSTAIN YOU; HE SHALL NEVER PERMIT THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE MOVED.
I AM CERTAIN THAT AS OFTEN AS BILLY GRAHAM TRAVELED THE WORLD .... HE WAS ALWAYS HAPPY TO RETURN HOME .... AS THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME! .... WELL, NOW HE IS “FINALLY HOME” .... IT'S THE PLACE HE HAS SPOKEN ABOUT FOR MANY DECADES TO LITERALLY MILLIONS AROUND THE WORLD .... INVITING THEM TO COME AND “GO WITH HIM” TO LIVE WITH JESUS FOREVER AND EVER. WHAT A MAN! .... HE WAS CALLED AND SENT BY GOD TO THE WORLD WITH “GOOD NEWS” .... I SHALL NEVER FORGET THE NITE .... IN 1982 .... HE CAME TO SAN JOSE FOR A CRUSADE .... OF COURSE, I WANTED TO SING IN THE CHOIR AND DID! .... WHAT INCREDIBLE SERVICES! .... MANY CAME FORWARD TO RECEIVE JESUS AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOR .... THE HUSBAND OF MY DEAR FRIEND WAS IN CHARGE OF HIS SECURITY DETAIL .... AND EXCITED TO HAVE THAT JOB AND RESPONSIBILITY .... WHEN JIM CALLED AND ASKED IF I WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET BILLY GRAHAM? .... DUH! .... IS WHAT I THOT .... AND WAS SOOOO VERY HAPPY WHEN HE TOLD ME THAT JUST AS DR. GRAHAM WAS LEAVING .... I WAS TO BE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEPS AS HE CAME DOWN .... AND OF COURSE, I WAS THERE! .... SO MY FRIEND SIMPLY SAID “DR GRAHAM, THIS IS MY FRIEND, LILLIE KNAULS .... A GREAT SINGER .... AND SHE WANTS TO MEET YOU” .... WELL, HE REACHED OUT HIS HAND .... TOLD ME HOW HAPPY HE WAS TO MEET ME .... I SHOOK IT AS I THANKED HIM FOR COMING TO SAN JOSE .... HE SMILED THAT KIND SMILE AND GOT INTO THE VEHICLE .... WHAT A NITE FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO SHAKE HANDS AND SPEAK THOSE FEW WORDS TO THIS MAN OF GOD. MANY YEARS LATER, I WAS VERY EXCITED TO BE ASKED TO COME FOR A BILL GAITHER VIDEO TAPING AT THE BILLY GRAHAM LIBRARY .... WHAT A PLACE! .... IT IS INCREDIBLE! THERE IS SOOOO MUCH TO SEE AND DO .... AND FOLLOWING THE LIVES OF RUTH AND BILLY GRAHAM THROUGHOUT THE PLACE IS WONDERFUL! .... I LOVE THE BUILDING WITH THE HUGE CROSS AS A DOOR .... (SO ALL MUST COME IN AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS) .... THAT IS POWERFUL! I THANK GOD FOR THE LIFE OF BILLY GRAHAM AND THE MESSAGE HE ALWAYS PROCLAIMED! AMEN!
THE WORLD HEARD THE NEWS ON FEBRUARY 21, 2018 THAT ONE WHO HAS BEEN CALLED "AMERICA'S PASTOR" WAS CALLED HOME TO GLORY .... OUR BELOVED DR. BILLY GRAHAM. WE ALL KNEW HE WOULD BE LEAVING THIS EARTH ONE DAY .... BUT WE ALL STILL FELT A LOSS .... (EVEN IF WE HAD NEVER MET HIM OR SPOKEN WITH HIM) .... BUT OH MY! HE CERTAINLY SPOKE TO OUR HEARTS .... EACH TIME WE HEARD A MESSAGE FROM HIM .... OR SAW AN INTERVIEW WITH HIM ON A POPULAR TALK SHOW .... WE KNEW, "IT WAS ALL ABOUT JESUS" .... WHAT A CALLING FROM FATHER GOD HE RECEIVED AND WAS SENT AROUND THE WORLD WITH THE "GOOD NEWS" .... HE WENT .... AND AS A RESULT, MANY SOULS ARE SAVED! .... HE FINISHED HIS WORK!
WELCOME BILLY, COME ON IN! WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!
I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT 2018 .... AND WHAT GOD HAS PLANNED FOR ME .... HE IS OPENING NEW DOORS FOR MINISTRY .... AND I AM HAPPY TO WALK THRU THEM. SO, IF YOU ARE PLANNING A SENIOR ADULT FUNCTION .... A LADIES LUNCHEON/TEA .... AND EVEN FOR A CHURCH SERVICE .... PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHEN I CAN COME .... YOU CAN CALL ME AT 909-949-2448 .... REMEMBER, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME!
I AM TRULY THANKFUL AND APPRECIATE THOSE OF YOU WHO PRAY FOR THIS MINISTRY AND GIVE FINANCIALLY .... THANKS FOR BEING MY PARTNER .... YOU HELP ME TO DO THE WORK GOD HAS CALLED ME TO DO .... WHAT AN "ASSIGNMENT" HE GAVE ME. ALSO, PLEASE, LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN PRAY FOR YOU .... CALL 909-948-2448 AND WE CAN AGREE TOGETHER. AMEN!
ACTS 20:24 ~ MY 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.
ANOTHER DEAR FRIEND OF MINE WENT TO BE WITH JESUS .... HAL SPENCER WHO PRODUCED MY VERY FIRST RECORD BACK IN 1975 .... I WANT TO SHARE A BIT ABOUT HIM .... I MET HIM IN 1974 AFTER I HAD BEEN GIVEN MONEY TO HELP WITH THE COST OF A RECORDING. HIS COMPANY, THE WELL KNOWN "MANNA MUSIC" PRODUCED THAT ALBUM .... AND IN 1975 I HAD IT IN MY HANDS .... WOW! HAL WAS A DEAR FRIEND AS WAS HIS WIFE, JUDY WHO IS STILL TODAY ONE OF MY DEAREST FRIENDS .... I SPOKE WITH HIM JUST A FEW WEEKS AGO WHEN I LEARNED THAT HE WAS VERY ILL, WE LAUGHED AS WE TALKED ABOUT THE PAST AND I THANKED HIM FOR HIS GIANT CONTRIBUTION TO WHO I AM TODAY .... I REMEMBERED THAT EACH TIME WE SPOKE ON THE PHONE HE WAS ALWAYS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO ME AND SEEMED HAPPY WITH HOW MY LIFE WAS GOING .... I ALWAYS REMINDED HIM THAT GOD USED HIM TO "START" WHAT GOD IS NOW DOING IN MY LIFE." .... I SHALL MISS HIM BUT WE WILL ALL BE TOGETHER AGAIN SOON .... FOREVER!
MS. LILLIE WITH HAL SPENCER
I AM THANKFUL TO GOD, THAT FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS I HAVE "READ THRU THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR" .... WHAT A REAL BLESSING IT HAS BEEN! ACTUALLY, I HAVE USED THE SAME DEVOTIONAL BOOK .... IT TAKES ME THRU THE ENTIRE BIBLE .... THRU THE PROVERBS .... (READING 1 A DAY) .... AND A PSALM EACH DAY .... THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE WORD OF GOD! .... PLEASE LET ME ENCOURAGE YOU TO IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GOD'S WORD! .... EACH DAY THIS YEAR AND EVERY YEAR YOU ARE ALIVE! .... HERE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN WHEN WE DO.
PSALM 119:133 ~ DIRECT MY STEPS BY YOUR WORD, AND LET NO INIQUITY HAVE DOMINION OVER ME.
WELL, FIRST OF ALL, LET'S REMEMBER, WE ARE HEARING FROM THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE .... THE BIBLE IS HIS VOICE .... IT IS HIS LOVE LETTER TO US .... WHICH DOES ALSO INCLUDE WARNINGS IF WE DO NOT OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS .... AND WHEN WE HIDE IN OUR HEARTS WHAT WE READ .... WE RECEIVE HIS WISDOM ..... MAY GOD GIVE EACH OF US A HUNGER FOR HIS WORD!
HEBREWS 4:12 ~ FOR THE WORD OF GOD IS LIVING AND POWERFUL, AND SHARPER THAN ANY TWO-EDGED SWORD, PIERCING EVEN TO THE DIVISION OF SOUL AND SPIRIT, AND OF JOINTS AND MARROW, AND IS A DISCERNER OF THE THOUGHTS AND INTENTS OF THE HEART.
I LOVE YOU SOOOOO MUCH .... THANKS FOR BEING MY FRIEND!
EVERYONE LOVES TO CELEBRATE A BIRTHDAY, SO DO I! THAT IS WHY I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO JULY 4TH. THIS YEAR WAS THE 245TH B'DAY OF OUR UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THAT DAY IN 1776, THE ADOPTION OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE STATED THAT THE THIRTEEN AMERICAN COLONIES WERE "FREE AND INDEPENDENT STATES" …. THAT ALL THE POLITICAL CONNECTION BETWEEN THEM AND GREAT BRITAIN IS AND WILL BE TOTALLY DISSOLVED." AND YES, EVEN THO WE HEAR LITTLE ABOUT THE GOD-FEARING MEN WHO LOOKED TO GOD AS THEY PREPARED DOCUMENTS FOR THIS NEW NATION, OUR FOUNDING FATHERS DID ACKNOWLEDGE GOD AS THE SOURCE OF OUR RIGHTS! ONE ONLY NEEDS TO READ THE WRITINGS OF SOME OF THOSE FOUNDERS AND IT IS APPARENT HOW THEY FELT ABOUT GOD. AMEN!
PSALM 22:28 ~ FOR THE KINGSHIP AND THE KINGDOM ARE THE LORD’S AND HE RULES OVER THE NATIONS. {AMP}
PROVERBS 14:34 ~ RIGHTEOUSNESS [MORAL AND SPIRITUAL INTEGRITY AND VIRTUOUS CHARACTER] EXALTS A NATION, BUT SIN IS A DISGRACE TO ANY PEOPLE. {AMP}
THE "LITTLE GIRL" IN ME LOVES TO SEE FIREWORKS …. SO ON JULY 4, VERY NEAR MY HOUSE, THERE WAS A FIREWORKS SHOW FOR 30 MINUTES, HOW AWESOME! LOTS OF OOOH'S AND AAH'S, I LOVED IT! WAS ABLE TO JUST SIT IN MY CAR AND ENJOY THEM.
I AM A FLAG-WAVING AMERICAN. I AM PROUD TO LIVE IN A LAND WHERE WE CAN STILL WORSHIP GOD. AND MY PRAYER IS THAT OUR FREEDOMS WILL NOT BE TAKEN AWAY, EVEN THO IT CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE GOING THAT WAY. SO LET'S KEEP PRAYING THAT WE WILL DO AS THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE ASKED TO DO, AND GOD PROMISED HE WOULD THEN "HEAL THEIR LAND"
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.
AT MY SENIOR LIVING PLACE, WE HAD A WONDERFUL EXCITING JULY 4TH CELEBRATION, I WAS ASKED TO SING 2 SONGS. I SANG "GOD BLESS AMERICA" AND "THE STATUE OF LIBERTY." I DO LOVE SINGING THOSE SONGS, THEY ARE ON MY PATRIOTIC CD. I ALSO HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO SING THEM AGAIN AT A CHURCH IN THE DESERT. BECAUSE THE 4TH WAS ON A SUNDAY THIS YEAR, IT WAS VERY EXCITING, THERE WERE INCREDIBLE RED, WHITE AND BLUE DECORATIONS EVERYWHERE.
Ms. Lillie singing at Friendship Church July 4, 2021
Ms. Lillie sings "God Bless America" from her Patriotic CD
I HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT THIS SEVERAL TIMES, "PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS." EVERYONE SHOULD GO AT LEAST ONCE. THERE IS A HUGE STAGE, AN ORCHESTRA IN THE PIT, MAJOR PAINTINGS OF THE WORLD ARE DUPLICATED WITH LIVE PEOPLE .... THIS YEAR'S THEME WAS "MADE IN AMERICA." WE SAW WORKS FROM AMERICAN ARTISTS AND SCULPTORS. YOU WILL BE IN AWE AS YOU SEE HOW THEY MUST STAND MOTIONLESS FOR 90 SECONDS AS WE MARVEL THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO IT. IT BEGINS AT 8:30 PM IN THE OUTDOOR THEATRE IN LAGUNA BEACH. I HOPE YOU WILL LOOK INTO GOING NEXT YEAR, IT IS PRESENTED FOR ONLY 2 MONTHS, JULY AND AUGUST.
Ms. Lillie at the 2021 Pageant of The Masters
I SPEAK OFTEN OF MY 10 YEARS LIVING IN HAWAII, WORKING WITH A UNIQUE MINISTRY, THE WAIKIKI BEACH CHAPLAINCY. IT BEGAN IN 1970 BY CHAPLAIN BOB TURNBULL. GENE OZBUN FOLLOWED HIM AND THEN ALEX MCANGUS CAME ON BOARD AS CHAPLAIN. WELL, ALEX PASSED AWAY RECENTLY, AND I AM SOOO THANKFUL THAT I WAS ABLE TO SEE HIM WHEN I ATTENDED THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MINISTRY, FEB 2020 .... (IN FACT I RETURNED HOME FEB. 28 AND THE COUNTRY CLOSED DOWN ON MARCH 13) I GUESS I COULD HAVE BEEN "STUCK" IN HAWAII.
ALEX HAD SUCH A WARM, KIND SPIRIT, HE MADE EVERYONE FEEL AT EASE AND WAS ALWAYS READY TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT THE GOD HE KNEW. GOD GAVE HIM AN INCREDIBLE SINGING VOICE! HE USED THAT TALENT AS A PERFORMER IN WAIKIKI FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE BECOMING A CHRISTIAN, AND WHEN HE ACCEPTED JESUS INTO HIS HEART, HE WAS " ALL IN" AND EVENTUALLY BECAME CHAPLAIN OF THE WAIKIKI BEACH CHAPLAINCY. IT IS CALLED “THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CHURCH IN THE WORLD" RITE THERE ON THE BEACH IN WAIKIKI, BUT HE HAS NOW GONE TO A PLACE THAT IS EVEN MUCH MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN HAWAII! IT IS TRUE PARADISE!!!! HIS LOVELY WIFE SHARON, WITH HER SWEET, GENTLE SPIRIT, WAS CALLED TO WORK ALONGSIDE HIM AS HIS PARTNER IN THE MINISTRY. THEY DID WORK BEAUTIFULLY TOGETHER. SHE WAS WILLING TO MAKE EACH SACRIFICE HE WAS ASKED TO MAKE. OF COURSE, SHE MISSES HIM GREATLY AS WE ALL DO ALSO, BUT I BELIEVE THAT SOON AND VERY SOON WE WILL ALL RECEIVE OUR HEAVENLY LEI FROM JESUS AND HEAR HIM SAY "ALOHA, WELL DONE!
THE WAIKIKI BEACH CHAPLAINCY WILL CONTINUE, AS A NEW CHAPLAIN HAS STEPPED IN TO CARRY ON WITH THIS UNIQUE, NECESSARY MINISTRY. I HOPE YOU WILL VISIT ONE OF THE SERVICES HELD AT THE HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE .... RITE ON THE BEACH!
Performer Alex greeting two blondes during his performance in Waikiki. The blonde on the right is shown with her husband in the inset who moved to Hawaii to become chaplains of the beach ministry in Kona and are still there.
The 3 Chaplains (Bob Turnbull, Gene Ozbun and Alex McAngus) and Ms. Lillie at the 25th Anniversary of Waikiki Beach Chaplaincy
The 3 Chaplains (Bob Turnbull, Gene Ozbun and Alex & Sharon McAngus) and Ms. Lillie at the 50th Anniversary of Waikiki Beach Chaplaincy, Feb. 2020
Ms. Lillie with Chaplain Alex & Sharon McAngus
Chaplain Alex & Sharon McAngus and Ms. Lillie at the Church on the beach in Waikiki
ANOTHER DEAR LONG-TIME FRIEND PASSED AWAY ALSO. IT WAS A JOY FOR ME TO TRAVEL 5 TIMES TO INDIA TO MINISTER WITH MARK AND HULDAH BUNTAIN. THEY WERE MISSIONARIES FOR MORE THAN 60 YEARS IN THAT LAND OF DEVASTATION, AND DESPERATION. THEY SAW IT WHEN THEY ARRIVED AND ASKED GOD TO LET THEM MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF ALL THEY CAME IN CONTACT WITH, AND THEY DID TOUCH THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF HEARTS AND LIVES! GOD BLESSED THEM TO BUILD A HOSPITAL, INTRODUCE COMMUNITY PROGRAMS, OPEN MANY SCHOOLS AND THRIVING CHURCHES. MRS. BUNTAIN WAS A GOOD FRIEND TO MOTHER TERESA. (WHAT A JOY WHEN SHE ARRANGED FOR ME TO HAVE A SHORT VISIT WITH HER FRIEND) THEY EACH KNEW THEY WERE OBEYING GOD AND DOING WHAT HE HAD CALLED THEM TO DO, TO CARE FOR THE MANY IMPOVERISHED AND LESS FORTUNATE.
WHEN PASTOR MARK PASSED AWAY A FEW YEARS AGO, MRS. BUNTAIN REMAINED IN CALCUTTA, CONTINUING WITH THE VISION GOD HAD GIVEN THEM. I LOVED THEM BOTH. MRS. BUNTAIN WAS SUCH A SWEETHEART. SHE WANTED ME TO HAVE A SARI. I LOVED WEARING IT AND STILL HAVE IT. MRS. BUNTAIN WILL BE SORELY MISSED AS SHE WAS SOOOOO LOVED BY ALL WHO MET HER. MANY WILL BE IN HEAVEN BECAUSE OF HER SERVICE IN THE KINGDOM. WELL DONE!!! SHE FELL ASLEEP DOWN HERE AND AWAKENED IN GLORY!! SHE WAS "FINALLY HOME." I TRULY LOVE THIS SONG! IT IS ON MY "FAVORITES" CD.
Ms. Lillie and Huldah Buntain (2017)
Ms. Lillie wearing the Indian pink sari
WELL, THEY JUST ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK "BACK TO THE MASK." SOOOO MUCH CONFUSION. FOR SOME FOLK, THIS GLOBAL PANDEMIC IS TOO MUCH FOR THEM. IS THAT YOU?" ARE YOU JUST SEEING TOUGH AND UNCERTAIN TIMES ALL AROUND YOU? WELL, I WANT TO ASSURE YOU THAT WHAT YOU NEED IS A MASSIVE DOSAGE OF HOPE. EVERYBODY NEEDS HOPE!! DOES IT SEEM THAT YOUR HOPE IS SLOWLY FADING? OH, HALLELUJAH! AS BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS, WE KNOW THE "HOPE GIVER" AND IT IS JESUS! WE NEED ONLY TO PLACE OUR FAITH IN THE ONE WHO IS OUR "LIVING HOPE." HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE SCRIPTURES ON "HOPE" THAT WE CAN SHARE WITH THOSE AROUND US WHO ARE HURTING.
JEREMIAH 29:11 ~ FOR I KNOW THE THOUGHTS THAT I THINK TOWARD YOU, SAYS THE LORD, THOUGHTS OF PEACE AND NOT OF EVIL, TO GIVE YOU A FUTURE AND A HOPE.
PSALM 147:11 ~ THE LORD TAKES PLEASURE IN THOSE WHO FEAR HIM, IN THOSE WHO HOPE IN HIS MERCY.
PROVERBS 23:18 ~ FOR SURELY THERE IS A HEREAFTER, AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF.
ROMANS 15:13 ~ FOR SURELY THERE IS A HEREAFTER, AND YOUR HOPE WILL NOT BE CUT OFF.
THERE IS MUCH WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND AS WE GO ABOUT "LIFE" HERE. WE DO NOT KNOW "WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS," BUT WE DO KNOW THE ONE "WHO HOLDS THE FUTURE!" PRAISE GOD!
JUDE 1:24 ~ NOW TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM STUMBLING AND TO PRESENT YOU FAULTLESS BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF HIS GLORY WITH EXCEEDING JOY. {AMP}
I AM BEING BLESSED TO GO OUT FOR MINISTRY AGAIN. DOORS ARE SLOWLY OPENING. THANK GOD!!!! SO I WILL SAY TO YOU, IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF BOOKING GUESTS FOR A FUNCTION, PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE'LL DISCUSS IT. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! GOD HAS GIVEN ME SOME POWERFUL "NUGGETS" THAT WILL ENCOURAGE AND LIFT HEARTS.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! YOU WHO HAVE BEEN SOOO KIND TO PRAY FOR ME. I DO NEED YOUR PRAYERS! PLEASE DON'T STOP! SOME OF YOU HAVE BLESSED ME FINANCIALLY, (THIS IS GOOD GROUND) THANKS FOR YOUR INVESTMENTS. IT IS EASY TO GIVE IF YOU CHOOSE, THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO DO SO. THE DONATE BUTTON ON MISSLILLIE.COM WILL TAKE YOU TO PAYPAL, OR YOU MAY SEND A CHECK TO MY ADDRESS, YOU MAY EVEN CALL ME AT 909-948-2448, GIVE ME YOUR CREDIT CARD # AND THE AMOUNT YOU WISH TO CONTRIBUTE AND THAT'S IT! GOD WILL MAKE YOU A BLESSING TO ME. THANK YOU THANK YOU!
2 THESSALONIANS 3:18 ~ THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH ALL OF YOU. {AMP}
JUNE, HERE WE ARE 6 MONTHS INTO THIS YEAR 2021, IT IS REALLY HARD TO BELIEVE THAT ONE HALF OF THE YEAR IS GONE. EVEN SOOOO, COME LORD JESUS!
SOME THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS MONTH. THE MONTH OF JUNE HAS THE DAY WITH THE MOST DAYLIGHT. 11% OF ALL THE MARRIAGES PERFORMED IN THE UNITED STATES ARE IN JUNE. IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS "CANDY MONTH." AND IS CONSIDERED THE MONTH OF J O Y, FOR IT IS THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER. BUT AS BORN-AGAIN CHRISTIANS, WE CAN HAVE JOY EACH DAY OF EACH MONTH, CAUSE WE HAVE THE JOY-GIVER LIVING WITHIN US, JESUS CHRIST!
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. {AMP}
AND THERE ARE SEVERAL HOLIDAYS THAT ARE CELEBRATED IN JUNE. ON JUNE 14 IS FLAG DAY. I STILL HONOR THE FLAG AND FOR WHAT IT STANDS. I HAVE MENTIONED BEFORE THAT I CARRY A FLAG WITH ME EACH DAY IN MY PURSE .... AND WHEN I HAVE TRAVELED OVERSEAS AND HAVE SEEN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FLAG FLYING, IT IS A WELCOMED SIGHT.
AND ON JUNE 19, KNOWN AS JUNETEENTH .... THIS DAY IS CELEBRATED AS IT COMMEMORATES THE END OF SLAVERY IN THE UNITED STATES. PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN SIGNED THE PROCLAMATION OF INDEPENDENCE IN 1863, BUT IT TOOK 2 YEARS FOR ALL SLAVES TO BE NOTIFIED .... IT IS THE OLDEST HOLIDAY CELEBRATED!
ANOTHER IMPORTANT HOLIDAY IN JUNE IS FATHERS' DAY, ALWAYS CELEBRATED ON THE 3RD SUNDAY. LET'S THANK HEAVENLY FATHER FOR STABLE "EARTHLY DADS" GIVEN TO US TO FIX BROKEN THINGS, HELP TEENAGERS LEARN TO DRIVE, FIX BICYCLES, ASSEMBLE CHRISTMAS PRESENTS , COACH SPORTING EVENTS, INSTRUCT US WITH OUR EVERYDAY PROBLEMS, PROVIDE A PLACE FOR US TO LIVE, AND CARE FOR OUR NEEDS. YES, DADS ARE IMPORTANT IN OUR LIVES! SADLY, HOWEVER IN OUR SOCIETY AND POP CULTURE, FATHERS OFTEN DO NOT RECEIVE APPRECIATION, NOR ARE THEY VALUED .... BUT GOD LOVES DADS!
I HAD A DAD IN MY LIFE FOR ONLY 12 YRS, THEN HE WENT TO BE WITH JESUS, SO I AM AWARE THAT MANY OF US MAY HAVE MISSED OUT ON SOME OF THE THINGS I MENTIONED ABOVE, BUT WHEN WE RECEIVE JESUS INTO OUR HEARTS, GOD, KNOWING HOW MUCH WE NEED FATHERS BECAME OUR HEAVENLY FATHER .... I KNOW HE HAS TAKEN CARE OF ME AND HE STILL DOES! I LOVE TO SING THAT OLD SONG, "MY HEAVENLY FATHER WATCHES OVER ME."
PSALM 103:13 ~ JUST AS A FATHER LOVES HIS CHILDREN, SO THE LORD LOVES THOSE WHO FEAR AND WORSHIP HIM [WITH AWE-FILLED RESPECT AND DEEPEST REVERENCE]. {AMP}
2 CORINTHIANS 6:18 ~ AND I WILL BE A FATHER TO YOU, AND YOU WILL BE MY SONS AND DAUGHTERS,” SAYS THE LORD ALMIGHTY. {AMP}
WHAT AN EXCITING VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE THIS PAST WEEKEND, ANOTHER THING HARD TO BELIEVE, IT WAS MY 65TH HIGH SCHOOL CLASS REUNION. SOOO MUCH FUN. BOY, TECHNOLOGY IS REALLY SOMETHING! I LOVED CONNECTING WITH FRIENDS I HAD GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL WITH, BUT SOME I HAD MET IN JUNIOR HIGH, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR AN EVEN LONGER TIME. YIPPPEEE!
GARFIELD 1956 GRADUATING CLASS
I HAVE BEEN HEARING FOR MONTHS ABOUT A TV SHOW CALLED "THE CHOSEN." WELL, BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE TV, I HAD NEVER WATCHED IT. HOWEVER, WHEN I RECEIVED MY CHRISTIAN MAGAZINE ~ CHARISMA, AND THE COVER STORY WAS ABOUT "THE CHOSEN," I READ THAT IT HAD BECOME IMMENSELY POPULAR RITE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC WHEN HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTIONS WERE CLOSED DOWN. AND IT SEEMED THAT LIFE AS WE KNEW IT HAD ALSO CLOSED DOWN, SO FOLK WERE HOME WANTING SOMETHING TO WATCH, (ESPECIALLY FAMILY-FRIENDLY FILMS/SHOWS) AND TA-DA, ENTER "THE CHOSEN!" PRAISE GOD!
IT HAS ALREADY BEEN TRANSLATED INTO MORE THAN 70 LANGUAGES, AND FAMILIES ARE ABLE TO WATCH IT TOGETHER. WELL, AFTER READING THE ARTICLE, I KNEW I MUST SEE IT. I JUMPED AT THE OPPORTUNITY WHEN A FRIEND INVITED ME TO. I TELL YOU I WAS "BLOWN AWAY." WE WATCHED THE FIRST 4 EPISODES THAT AFTERNOON, WITH NO COMMERCIALS (SO JUST IN CASE YOU DO NOT KNOW, EVERY NETWORK ONE HOUR TV SHOW YOU WATCH HAS 17 MINUTES, THAT'S RITE ~ 17 MINUTES OF COMMERCIALS), SO WHEN WE WATCHED WITH NO COMMERCIALS, IT WAS A SHORTER TIME. I HAVE WATCHED ALL 8 EPISODES (THE FIRST SEASON) AND PLAN TO SEE EACH OF THE EPISODES AS THEY ARE RELEASED. SO PLEASE, TAKE A LOOK AT "THE CHOSEN." YOU WILL SEE A GLIMPSE INTO WHAT THE DAILY LIFE OF CHRIST MIGHT HAVE BEEN LIKE. OH, BY THE WAY, THERE ARE 3 CONSULTANTS; A RABBI, A CATHOLIC PRIEST, AND AN EVANGELICAL SCHOLAR, WHO REVIEW THE SCRIPTS FOR ACCURACY OF SCRIPTURE AND OF THE CULTURAL THINGS AS WELL. BELIEVE ME, YOU WILL BE BLESSED.
HALLELUJAH, THE CALIFORNIA ORDER TO LIFT THE COVID SANCTIONS AND TO TOTALLY OPEN UP WAS JUNE 16, SO WE COULD CELEBRATE FREEDOM!!! WELL, SO WE THOT!! FOR MANY, MANY MONTHS, WE HAVE TRIED TO OBEY THE RULES, REGULATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND GUIDELINES DICTATED BY OUR STATE GOVERNOR, AND I MUST TELL YOU, IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY. SO I HAVE BEEN EXCITED TO COME OUT OF THE MASK …. WOWWEE! WELL, NOT SOOOO FAST, AS THERE IS NO CLEAR MANDATE YET, SO WE DO NOT REALLY KNOW THE TRUTH. LOTS OF "DOUBLE-SPEAK" AS SOME PLACES SAY "WEAR THE MASK," OTHERS SAY "NO MASK REQUIRED." WHAT IS ONE TO BELIEVE?
PROVERBS 29:2 ~ WHEN THE RIGHTEOUS ARE IN AUTHORITY AND BECOME GREAT, THE PEOPLE REJOICE; BUT WHEN THE WICKED MAN RULES, THE PEOPLE GROAN AND SIGH. {AMP}
HAVE DISTURBING CIRCUMSTANCES COME INTO YOUR LIFE AND STRESS HAS ROBBED YOU OF YOUR PEACE? LET'S TURN TO JESUS IN PRAYER AND ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HELP US LET GO OF THOSE THINGS, SO WE CAN HAVE HIS PEACE. WE READ IN THE BIBLE MANY TIMES THESE WORDS "DO NOT BE AFRAID." IT MEANS EVEN IN TIMES WHEN A RATIONAL PERSON MIGHT BE TERRIFIED, BUT, THERE IS A COMFORTING PEACE THAT ONLY CHRIST CAN GIVE. IT COVERS ANY AND EVERYTHING THAT WE COULD FACE! YES, EVEN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC; WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN SOOO MANY LOSSES, SUCH AS JOBS, HEALTH INSURANCE, HOMES, EVEN LIFES' BASIC NEEDS, BILLS THAT CAN NOT BE PAID, CHILDREN OUT OF SCHOOL, AND OF COURSE, THE SUFFERING OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, WHAT A DIFFICULT THING TO BE UNABLE TO VISIT THEM IN THE HOSPITALS, NURSING HOMES, AND THEIR DEATHS OCCURRING WITH NO SERVICES PERMITTED. THE LIFE THEY LIVED COULD NOT EVEN BE RECOGNIZED AND SHARED. IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY, HOWEVER, THE PEACE CHRIST GIVES US, COVERS ALL THOSE THINGS. SO, I CHOOSE TO HAVE THE PEACE OF GOD RULE MY LIFE. HOW ABOUT YOU?
COLOSSIANS 3:15 ~ LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST [THE INNER CALM OF ONE WHO WALKS DAILY WITH HIM] BE THE CONTROLLING FACTOR IN YOUR HEARTS [DECIDING AND SETTLING QUESTIONS THAT ARISE]. TO THIS PEACE INDEED YOU WERE CALLED AS MEMBERS IN ONE BODY [OF BELIEVERS]. AND BE THANKFUL [TO GOD ALWAYS]. {AMP}
PHILIPPIANS 4:7 ~ AND THE PEACE OF GOD [THAT PEACE WHICH REASSURES THE HEART, THAT PEACE] WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING, [THAT PEACE WHICH] STANDS GUARD OVER YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS [IS YOURS]. {AMP}
I AM 83 YEARS OLD NOW, AND I HAD NEVER PERSONALLY KNOWN ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART TRANSPLANT, BUT WHEN I MOVED INTO MY SENIOR PLACE HERE NEARLY 5 YRS AGO, I LEARNED THAT MY NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR HAD ONE 12 YRS AGO. SHE AND HER HUSBAND WERE ON STAFF AT "CHURCH ON THE WAY" FOUNDED BY PASTOR JACK HAYFORD. MS. CAROLYN IS A CUTE LITTLE LADY AND IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME. SHE AND HER HUSBAND, PASTOR GARY (HE WAS PASTOR TO THE SENIOR ADULTS THERE) BEFORE RETIRING AND MOVING HERE. (I DO BELIEVE GOD HAS THEM HERE FOR ME). THEY PRAY FOR ME EARNESTLY AS I TRAVEL AND I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR PRAYER WARRIORS! I ASKED HER WHAT IT IS LIKE TO KNOW YOU HAVE THE HEART OF "SOMEONE ELSE?" HER ANSWER WAS "I FEEL BLESSED" AND AT TIMES I HAVE THOT ABOUT GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE WHO MADE OUR BODIES SO THAT THE SURGEONS ARE ABLE TO TRANSPLANT BODY ORGANS. BECAUSE GOD MADE US ALL FROM ONE BLOOD, AND IN MS. CAROLYNS' CASE, EACH HEART COMES FROM THE HEART OF GOD!
MS. LILLIE WITH CAROLYN AND GARY ABKE
WATCH THIS MOVING VIDEO. THANKS!!!
IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF BOOKING SPEAKERS/SINGERS IN YOUR CHURCH, SENIOR LUNCHEONS, AND LADIES MEETINGS, AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME COME, I WOULD LOVE THAT! YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME! AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED, AS GOD WILL BE GLORIFIED AND JESUS LIFTED UP!!! YOU MAY CALL ME AT 909-948-2448, AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT!!!
ANOTHER BIG THANKS FOR YOUR LOVE GIFTS TO THIS MINISTRY (IT IS GOOD GROUND). IF YOU WISH TO PARTNER WITH ME IN THE "ASSIGNMENT" GOD GAVE ME NEARLY 50 YRS AGO, YOU MAY INVEST BY GOING TO THE DONATE BUTTON ON MY HOME PAGE AT MISSLILLIE.COM WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE TO GIVE, YOU CAN RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT DOWN HERE AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN! THANKS SOOOO MUCH FOR ALL THE PRAYERS YOU SEND UP TO GOD FOR ME, I NEED THEM AND AM THANKFUL TO YOU! GOD BLESS YOU! WHAT A FAITHFUL GOD I HAVE! HE HAS SUPPLIED ALL MY NEEDS DURING THESE MANY, MANY MONTHS OF THIS PANDEMIC. ALWAYS REMEMBER, I AM HAPPY TO PRAY WITH YOU ANYTIME YOU HAVE A NEED. CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 …. I AM HERE FOR YOU! I LOVE YOU!!!!!
LILY OF THE VALLEY FLOWERS REPRESENT THE FLOWER OF THE MONTH OF MAY
HERE WE ARE IN MAY …. THE FIFTH MONTH OF THIS YEAR OF OUR LORD 2021, YES, TIME DOES SEEM TO BE FLYING BY. WE ARE ONE MONTH CLOSER TO THE RETURN OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS!!!!
DID YOU KNOW THAT TWO OF OUR UNITED STATES PRESIDENTS WERE BORN DURING THE MONTH OF MAY? HARRY TRUMAN ~ MAY, 1884, AND JOHN KENNEDY ~ MAY 1917, HOWEVER, NOT ONE PRESIDENT HAS DIED DURING THE MONTH OF MAY.
THERE IS ONE FEDERAL HOLIDAY IN MAY, WHICH IS MEMORIAL DAY. THAT DAY WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO DIED WHILE SERVING IN THE ARMED FORCES. I WILL FOCUS ON THAT LATER IN THE BLOG.
OF COURSE, THERE IS ANOTHER DAY WE CELEBRATE IN MAY, IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE, ALWAYS ON THE SECOND SUNDAY OF MAY …. WE HONOR OUR MOTHERS, WHETHER DEAD OR ALIVE. MY DEAR, PRECIOUS MOM PASSED AWAY 21 YEARS AGO, AND I STILL MISS HER VERY MUCH. SHE LOVED THE LORD WITH ALL HER HEART AND TAUGHT US HIS WORD. WE QUICKLY LEARNED THAT WE MUST ASK JESUS TO COME LIVE IN OUR HEARTS. MY MOTHER WAS THE KINDEST, MOST GENTLE, SWEETEST, PERSON I HAVE EVER KNOWN IN MY LIFE. SHE WAS A SHINING EXAMPLE OF A GODLY WOMAN. I KNOW THAT WE SHALL BE REUNITED IN HEAVEN AND SPEND ETERNITY TOGETHER. I AM HAPPY I WAS BORN TO HER AND I AM CERTAIN THAT MY SIBLINGS (SIX GIRLS, 1 BOY) FELT THE SAME WAY, AS SHE DID HAVE HER HANDS FULL WITH ALL OF US …. SOME DAYS IT WAS PERHAPS LIKE THIS VIDEO …. ENJOY AND LAFF!!!!
MS. LILLIE KISSES HER MOM ON HER MOM'S 90TH BIRTHDAY
EPHESIANS 6:2 ~ HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER, WHICH IS THE FIRST COMMANDMENT WITH PROMISE.
LET ME TELL YOU MORE ABOUT MY 3 WEEKS IN FLORIDA, AS I CELEBRATED MY 83RD B'DAY WITH A PAR-TAY IN ORLANDO! A WONDERFUL TIME WITH FRIENDS IN A LOVELY RESTAURANT. THEY KEPT THE GUEST LIST A SECRET SO I HAD LOTS OF SURPRISE FRIENDS THERE. THEN I DROVE OVER TO THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA AS THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ME TO MINISTER IN A COUPLE OF CHURCHES, FOR WHICH I WAS MOST GRATEFUL TO GOD.
ON MY ACTUAL B'DAY, APRIL 30, I WAS BLESSED TO SHARE IT WITH LONG-TIME FRIENDS I HAVE KNOWN FOR MORE THAN 50 YRS. THEY HAVE RETIRED AND MOVED TO FLORIDA, IT WAS WONDERFUL TO CELEBRATE MY B'DAY WITH THEM. I LOVED THAT THEY TOOK ME TO A TEA-HOUSE.
MS. LILLIE WITH CHARLES AND LIL MCKINNEY
THERE IS A PASTOR IN FLORIDA WHO IS CERTAINLY A "GIFT" TO THE SOUTHERN GOSPEL COMMUNITY OF QUARTETS, TRIOS, AND SOLOISTS WHO TRAVEL FULL-TIME PROCLAIMING THE GOOD NEWS, SINGING THOSE EXCITING, MOVING SOUTHERN GOSPEL SONGS. IT WAS SEVERAL YEARS AGO, PASTOR BILL BAILEY IN BRADENTON BEGAN INVITING THESE GROUPS TO COME TO FLORIDA IN THE WINTER BECAUSE THOUSANDS OF "SNOWBIRDS" COME THERE TO GET AWAY FROM THE COLD IN WISCONSIN, OHIO, NEW YORK, ETC. (YOU GET THE POINT). THOSE "SNOWBIRDS" CAN SEE AND HEAR THESE WONDERFUL GROUPS ALMOST NITELY DURING THE 3-4 MONTHS THEY ARE IN FLORIDA. AND OF COURSE, THE GROUPS ARE VERY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE THEIR COLD CLIMATES AND COME TO FLORIDA ALSO. SO IT IS A WONDERFUL PLAN FOR ALL.
I WAS BLESSED TO BE AT PASTOR BILL BAILEY'S CHURCH IN BRADENTON, FLORIDA ON SUNDAY, MAY 2 (ACTUALLY MOST SNOWBIRDS HAD GONE BACK TO THEIR HOMES). IT WAS HIS B'DAY, AND I SANG FOR TWO GREAT SERVICES. WHAT A "HAPPY CHURCH." THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS IN THAT PLACE!
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR BILL AND SALLY BAILEY
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 HAVE A DEAR LONG-TIME FRIEND, ARTHELENE RIPPY WHO HOSTS A TV PROGRAM ON CTN, CHANNEL 22 IN THE CLEARWATER AREA. SHE INVITED ME TO BE A GUEST ON HER SHOW, WE LAFFED AND TALKED, I EVEN SANG A GREAT HYMN OF THE CHURCH ON THAT PROGRAM. MY MULTI-TALENTED FRIEND, MARK PAYNE WHO LIVES IN THE AREA CAME TO PLAY BEAUTIFUL PIANO FOR THE SONG. VIEW IT BELOW.
MS. LILLIE WITH ARTHELENE RIPPY, HOST OF HOMEKEEPERS TV PROGRAM
HAD WONDERFUL FELLOWSHIP WITH LONG-TIME FRIENDS WHO LIVE IN THE AREA THAT I HAD NOT SEEN FOR MANY YEARS. I LOVED BEING WITH THEM, WAS TAKEN OUT 3 DAYS IN A ROW TO EAT! I MANAGED TO GAIN 6 POUNDS ON THAT 3 WEEK TRIP YIKES!!!!! IT WAS GOOD TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES. WHAT A BLESSING TO BE RECONNECTED WITH MY WEBMASTER FOR NEARLY 20 YRS. THEY WELCOMED ME INTO THEIR CUTE HOME AND "PAMPERED ME."
MS. LILLIE WITH JERRY AND PEGGY WIMBERLY
MS. LILLIE WITH DALE AND PING SMELSER
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR WALT AND PAM BOLINGER
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR BRAD AND BEV KIDWELL
PROVERBS 17:17 ~ A FRIEND LOVES AT ALL TIMES...
PROVERBS 12:26 ~ THE RIGHTEOUS SHOULD CHOOSE HIS FRIENDS CAREFULLY, FOR THE WAY OF THE WICKED LEADS THEM ASTRAY.
IT WAS 36 YRS AGO, THAT I MINISTERED IN THE SUNCOAST CATHEDRAL, ST PETERSBURG. I LOVED CROSSING THAT PHENOMENAL ARCHITECTURAL-DESIGNED BRIDGE. IT IS REALLY SOMETHING TO SEE!
ST. PETERSBURG SKYWAY BRIDGE, FLORIDA
PASTOR DAVID, FOR YEARS, HAS MINISTERED TO MANY SENIORS AT SUNCOAST CHURCH. THE SENIORS COME FROM 18 DIFFERENT CHURCHES ON MONDAY MORNINGS TO HEAR MINISTERS AND SINGERS. IT IS A BLESSING FOR THEM TO BE A PART OF "PRIME TIMERS" AS THEY ARE ABLE TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH FOLK THEIR OWN AGE, GO ON FIELD TRIPS, SPEND MUCH TIME TOGETHER ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES. THE MORNING I WAS THERE, OVER 100 SENIORS WERE PRESENT, I WAS ABLE TO SHARE POWERFUL NUGGETS FROM GOD. AND WHAT A WONDERFUL SURPRISE AS THERE WAS A HUGE B'DAY CAKE FOR ME WHICH WAS CUT AND SHARED AFTER THE MEETING. I WAS ALSO ABLE TO BE WITH THE SENIOR BIBLE CLASS ON SUNDAY MORNING, PASTOR DAVID HAD THIS TO SAY ABOUT THOSE DAYS: “WE HAD A WONDERFUL TIME OF MINISTRY WITH OUR DEAR FRIEND MS LILLIE KNAULS ON SUNDAY MORNING SILVER SAINTS SENIOR ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MEETING. THEN ON MONDAY, WE ENJOYED MS LILLIE AT OUR REGULAR SILVER SAINTS SENIORS MEETING. SHE MINISTERED TO US IN THE WORD AND MUSIC AND SONG. WE WERE TRULY BLESSED AND LEFT BOTH MEETINGS ENCOURAGED AND BLESSED. WE LOVE MS LILLIE. ~ PASTOR DAVE AND LINDA BUSSINGER”
SENIORS GROUP AT SUNCOAST CATHEDRAL
MS. LILLIE WITH PASTOR DAVID AND LINDA BUSSINGER
FOR YEARS, WHEN I VISITED ORLANDO I HAVE STAYED WITH MY FRIEND, SHIRLEY BALMER JORDAN (WHO PLAYS BEAUTIFUL ORGAN AND PIANO). SHE HAS NOW MOVED TO PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA AND I LEARNED SHE WAS ONLY 7 MILES FROM MY CLEARWATER HOTEL, SO I WAS ABLE TO HAVE DINNER WITH HER ON MOTHERS' DAY. HAPPY TO SEE HER NEW PLACE, IT IS GORGEOUS! KINDA LIKE A RESORT. I SOOOO APPRECIATED BEING WITH MY LONG-TIME FRIEND.
MS. LILLIE WITH SHIRLEY JORDAN
PSALM 133:1 ~ BEHOLD, HOW GOOD AND HOW PLEASANT IT IS FOR BRETHREN TO DWELL TOGETHER IN UNITY!
I RETURNED HOME FILLED WITH JOY AS GOD HAD GIVEN ME A MARVELOUS TRIP. HE PROTECTED ME IN EVERY WAY, HE ASSIGNED ANGELS TO BE WITH ME, AND I FELT AN SPECIAL ANOINTING AS I SPOKE AND SANG ABOUT "JESUS!"
MAY WE ALWAYS REMEMBER, THAT FREEDOM IS NOT FREE! THOUSANDS HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE FOR THIS COUNTRY! OTHERS LIVE WITH PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL HANDICAPS .... IT WAS BECAUSE OF THEIR LOVE FOR THE UNITED STATES. LET'S BE FOREVER GRATEFUL TO GOD AND TO THEM.
WELL, IT IS TIME FOR ME TO CLOSE THIS "BOOK," BUT I MUST SAY A BIG THANKS FOR YOUR PRAYERS FOR ME AS I CONTINUE THE "ASSIGNMENT" GIVEN ME BY GOD NEARLY 49 YRS AGO. LATELY, I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO SING AND AM WAITING FOR CHURCHES TO FULLY OPEN UP SO I CAN BE "ON THE ROAD AGAIN." IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME COME TO YOUR LADIES MEETING, SENIOR FUNCTION, OR CHURCH, PLEASE CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE'LL TALK ABOUT IT. YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME AND YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!
AND THANKS SOOO MUCH FOR ALL THE CARDS FOR MY 83RD B'DAY. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE THEM. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS. MANY OF YOU HAVE BLESSED ME THRU THE YEARS WITH FINANCIAL LOVE GIFTS. GOD HAS MADE YOU A BLESSING TO ME! THIS MINISTRY IS "GOOD GROUND" AND YOU WILL BE REWARDED IN HEAVEN PLUS, YOU MAY HAVE A RECEIPT DOWN HERE WHEN YOU ASK FOR IT. SUGGESTION, ON THE HOME PAGE AT MISSLILLIE.COM THERE IS AN EASY WAY IF YOU WISH TO GIVE THROUGH PAYPAL OR DEBIT CARD. THANK YOU!!!
SO, PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR ME, I NEED THEM!!!! …. AS I SERVE MY LORD!
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. {AMP}
JESUS' DEATH ON THE CROSS AND HIS RESURRECTION CHANGED EVERYTHING IN THE LIVES OF THOSE FIRST BELIEVERS. AND YES, IS IT TRUE OF US TODAY, BECAUSE OF WHAT OCCURRED DURING THOSE DISMAL DAYS. THE TIME OF ANGUISH IN THE GARDEN, THE MOCK TRIAL, BEATINGS, THE CROWN MADE OF THORNS PUSHED DEEPLY INTO OUR SAVIORS BROW. HE WAS THEN MADE TO DRAG THAT "OLD RUGGED CROSS" IN HIS WEAKENED, CONDITION THRU THE NARROW STREETS, NO DOUBT, SOME CURSED AND SPAT ON HIM. IT WAS QUITE A CONTRAST FROM JUST DAYS EARLIER WHEN AS HE RODE INTO JERUSALEM ON THE DONKEY, THE STREETS WERE LINED WITH MANY WHO WAVED PALM BRANCHES AND GAVE HIM A JOYOUS WELCOME AND CELEBRATION. THE CROWD SOOOO WANTED HIM TO BE THE MESSIAH! HOWEVER, 6 DAYS LATER, THEIR MOOD AND WORDS HAD CHANGED, THEY SHOUTED: "CRUCIFY HIM." AND EVEN INSISTED THAT BARABBAS (A MURDERER) BE RELEASED AND LET JESUS BE CONDEMNED TO DIE. JESUS HUNG ON THAT CROSS IN EXCRUCIATING PAIN WITH NAILS IN HIS HANDS AND FEET, FOR NOTHING HE HAD DONE! HE KNEW WHY HE HAD BEEN SENT TO EARTH, AND ONE OF HIS FINAL WORDS FROM THE CROSS WAS "TETELESTAI" …. WHICH MEANS "IT IS FINISHED!” HE HAD ACCOMPLISHED THE WORK FATHER GOD SENT HIM TO DO. REMEMBER, IT WAS FOR US HE DIED!!!!
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.
PLEASE TRY TO COMPREHEND HOW MUCH WE ARE LOVED BY GOD! I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD FROM THE TIME I WAS A LITTLE GIRL, THAT IF I HAD BEEN THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD, HE WOULD HAVE DIED FOR ME. WOW! NOW THAT IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT; GOD'S GIFT OF REDEMPTION FOR ME, AND HOW AM I LIVING IN IT?
ROMANS 5:8 ~ BUT GOD DEMONSTRATES HIS OWN LOVE TOWARD US, IN THAT WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US.
I HEARD AN EXCITING BLACK PREACHER SAY, IT'S FRIDAY! BUT SUNDAY'S A-COMING! AND IT DID! JUST AS JESUS SAID IT WOULD. HE WENT TO THE CROSS, NOT WITH FEAR, BUT WITH PURPOSE! WE WERE THE REASON! JESUS CONQUERED DEATH, HELL AND THE GRAVE AND WALKED OUT OF THE TOMB. AND WHICH IS WHY I ALWAYS REFER TO THAT MARVELOUS EVENT AS RESURRECTION SUNDAY! HE IS RISEN, YES HE IS RISEN INDEED! REJOICE, BECAUSE HE LIVES, WE SHALL ALSO LIVE!
I WAS VERY EXCITED TO SHARE AND SING FOR A TERRIFIC SENIOR GROUP THIS MONTH, BECAUSE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING, THEY WERE ABLE TO HAVE ONLY 60, AND PRAISE GOD THERE WERE 60 THERE. AFTER THE MINISTRY, WE ENJOYED A DELICIOUS MEAL. I SPOKE TO THEM ABOUT "LIVING UNTIL THEY DIE" AS GOD HAS NOT ASKED US TO RETIRE, RATHER REFIRE! .... AND KEEP WORKING FOR HIM, AS HE DOES HAVE A RETIREMENT PLAN THAT IS OUT OF THIS WORLD.
IN 1993, I MOVED FROM 10 WONDERFUL YEARS OF WORKING WITH A MINISTRY IN BEAUTIFUL HAWAII TO ORLANDO FLORIDA WHERE I LIVED FOR 6 YRS, MET MANY WONDERFUL FRIENDS. MANY OF US ARE STILL IN CONTACT. RECENTLY, ONE OF THOSE SPECIAL FRIENDS CALLED TO ASK WHEN I WAS COMING BACK FOR A VISIT TO ORLANDO? .... IT HAD BEEN NEARLY 5 YRS SINCE I WAS THERE, TELLING ME THAT WHEN I DO COME, SHE WILL PLAN SOMETHING SO MANY OF US COULD GET TOGETHER FOR FUN.
WELL, THOSE OF YOU WHO KNOW ME, KNOW THAT I LOVE TO CELEBRATE MY B'DAY! (EACH OF THEM) SO I JUMPED ON THAT RITE AWAY, AND SUGGESTED THAT IF SHE WANTED TO PLAN MY APRIL 30TH ~ 83RD B'DAY CELEBRATION, I WOULD COME FOR THAT. SO MS. ALVA AND HER TEAM DID JUST THAT! I ALSO SUGGESTED WE WEAR HATS. THERE WAS A LOVELY PRIVATE ROOM IN A GREAT RESTAURANT, I WAS VERY EXCITED, KNOWING THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO TRY TO SEE EVERYONE .... (ONE AT A TIME) .... THAT WAS A BLESSING FOR MY BODY.
Party Planner Ms. Alva with Ms. Lillie
Kim, Cathy, Ms. Lillie, Betty ~ wearing hats at the party
A funny moment for Ms. Lillie
Award Winning Cake Designer presented this cake to Ms. Lillie
WHAT A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY GIVEN ME TO BE WITH LONG-TIME FRIENDS AT THIS BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION. THE CREATIVITY OF MS. ALVA WAS VERY EVIDENT AND ENJOYED BY ALL WHO ATTENDED.
I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED CELEBRATING B'DAYS, AND NOT JUST MINE! I DO SEND OUT MANY. MANY B'DAY CARDS A YEAR TO MY FRIENDS, AND CALL A LOT OF FOLK TO SING MY MANY VERSIONS OF "HAPPY B'DAY" TO THEM. THEY NEED TO FEEL VERY SPECIAL AS THEY CELEBRATE THE DAY GOD SENT THEM TO THIS EARTH. SO, HEY IF YOU WANT ME TO CALL AND SING A FUN VERSION OF HAPPY B'DAY TO YOU ON YOUR DAY, OR ANYONE! …. JUST LET ME AT KNOW AT 909-948-2448.
ECCLESIASTES 5:20 ~ (LILLIE) DOES NOT REFLECT ON THE DAYS OF HER LIFE, BECAUSE GOD KEEPS HER OCCUPIED WITH GLADNESS OF HEART.
YES, I AM SLOWLY REALIZING THAT THINGS CHANGE WHEN OUR AGE NUMBERS BEGIN TO CHANGE. HOPE YOU ARE NOT SEEING THIS HAPPEN TO YOU AS WE GROW OLDER .... DO YOU SOMETIMES FEEL THAT WE DON'T GET NO RESPECT!! CHECK THIS VIDEO OUT!!!!!
I WAS ABLE TO FIND SEVERAL PLACES TO MINISTER IN SONG WHEN I WAS IN ORLANDO AS WELL AS THE WEST COAST OF TAMPA, CLEARWATER AREA, DID A TV PROGRAM! WHAT A TRIP! I AM GRATEFUL THAT GOD WAS FAITHFUL .... AS ALWAYS TO HAVE ANGELS ENCAMPED AROUND ABOUT ME AND PROTECT ME IN ALL MY WAYS.
ONE EXCITING PLACE I MINISTERED WAS AT JUDAH CHURCH IN ORLANDO. BISHOP CLINT BROWN IS PASTOR AND HIS TALENTED MINISTER OF MUSIC IS DR. RON KENOLY. WE KNOW THAT NAME FROM THE MANY ANOINTED GOSPEL SONGS GOD HAS GIVEN HIM THAT WE SING. I THINK MY FAVORITE OF HIS SONGS (HE SAYS HE WROTE IN 1990) IS THE INCREDIBLE ONE THAT IS SUNG ALL OVER THE WORLD ON RESURRECTION SUNDAY; "HALLEJULAH, JESUS IS ALIVE." EACH WEEK, HE PRESENTS A TIME OF MUSIC, FELLOWSHIP, AND FUN FOR SENIOR ADULTS. OF COURSE, FLORIDA BEING FLOODED WITH SNOWBIRDS, MANY ATTEND THAT JOYOUS CELEBRATION. IT WAS WONDERFUL FOR ME TO BE IN THAT VENUE I LOVE MINISTERING TO SENIORS. iT WAS A BLESSING FOR ME TO HAVE A YOUNG MAN WHO HAS PLAYED FOR ME AS WE TRAVELED MANY PLACES IN THE WORLD; WHAT A GIFT GOD GAVE MARK PAYNE.
Songwriter Dr. Ron Kenoly, Ms. Lillie, Pianist Mark Payne
NOW THAT SOME CHURCHES HAVE BEGUN TO OPEN UP, I AM BEING ASKED TO COME AND MINISTER! SO PLEASE, IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF PLANNING SENIOR FUNCTIONS, LADIES LUNCHEONS OR YOUR CHURCH SERVICE, AND YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ME COME MINISTER TO THEM, YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES! YOU CAN AFFORD ME. JUST CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 AND WE SHALL TALK.
WHAT A BLESSING YOU ALL HAVE BEEN TO ME AS I HAVE SURVIVED THE YEAR 2020, WITH ALL BILLS BEING PAID ON TIME! BECAUSE GOD WAS FAITHFUL TO HAVE MANY OF YOU SEND GIFTS OF LOVE TO MEET MY FINANCIAL NEEDS. AND THANK YOU! THANK YOU! IT IS VERY EASY TO INVEST IN THIS MINISTRY, YOU CAN IF YOU ASK, RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT DOWN HERE AND FOR SURE, A REWARD IN HEAVEN. YOU MAY GO TO PAYPAL, OR CALL AND GIVE ME YOUR CREDIT CARD AND THE AMOUNT YOU WISH TO GIVE, OR SEND A CHECK. I ALSO SOOOO APPRECIATE ALL THE PRAYERS THAT YOU SEND UP TO THE THRONE FOR ME. PLEASE CONTINUE IN THAT GIFT TO ME. I NEED THEM! I LOVE YOU!
ROMANS 8:32 ~ SINCE HE DID NOT SPARE EVEN HIS OWN SON BUT GAVE HIM UP FOR US ALL, WON’T HE ALSO GIVE US EVERYTHING ELSE? {NLT}
MS. LILLIE WEARING HER FAVORITE ST. PATRICKS' DAY TOP
I WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING ABOUT ST. PATRICK, HE WAS A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF GOD. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT ON MARCH 17, 2020, A MOVIE ENTITLED "I AM PATRICK" WAS TO DEBUT AROUND THE WORLD, BUT, THIS GREAT MOVIE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE SEEN BECAUSE OF COVID-19, AND MUCH OF THE WORLD WAS BEING SHUT-DOWN. COMPREHENSIVE RESEARCH WENT INTO THE MAKING OF THIS MOVIE. A TRUE TO LIFE PORTRAYAL OF THE MAN WE HAVE HEARD ABOUT FOR YEARS, AND CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY ON MARCH 17 ~ ST. PATRICK. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WHAT I THINK WILL BE A BLESSING AS YOU READ.
PATRICK HAD BEEN KIDNAPPED IN ENGLAND AND BROUGHT AS A SLAVE TO IRELAND .... HELD IN CAPTIVITY FOR 6 YEARS .... ESCAPED AND RETURNED HOME .... BUT FELT THE CALL TO RETURN TO EVANGELIZE THAT LAND .... HE WAS A HUMBLE, GENTLE MAN AND DID SPREAD CHRISTIANITY ALL OVER IRELAND. HE BECAME THE PATRON SAINT OF IRELAND AND ESTABLISHED MORE THAN 300 CHURCHES. I DO LOVE ONE OF HIS PRAYERS .... "MAY THE STRENGTH OF GOD GUIDE US, MAY THE POWER OF GOD PRESERVE US, MAY THE WISDOM OF GOD INSTRUCT US, MAY THE HAND OF GOD PROTECT US, MAY THE WAY OF GOD LEAD US, MAY THE SHIELD OF GOD DEFEND US, MAY THE ANGELS OF GOD GUARD US AGAINST THE SNARES OF THE EVIL ONE. MAY CHRIST BE WITH US, MAY CHRIST BE BEFORE US, MAY CHRIST BE IN US, CHRIST BE OVER ALL. MAY THY GRACE O LORD, ALWAYS BE OURS THIS DAY, O LORD AND FOREVERMORE." AMEN!
I REALIZE THAT THIS DAY HAS EVOLVED INTO A SECULAR HOLIDAY. THERE IS MUCH CELEBRATION ON MARCH 17 .... PARADES, PARTIES, DRINKING (EVEN GREEN BEER), AND REVELRY. I FEEL, NOT THE WAY A MAN OF GOD SHOULD BE HONORED. THANK GOD FOR THE WITNESS OF ST. PATRICK. PLEASE WATCH THIS TRAILER FROM THE MOVIE.
WELL, WE ARE LIVING ONE DAY AT A TIME HERE IN CALIFORNIA .... NEVER KNOWING WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON. SEEMS NOW OUR GOVERNOR HAS GIVEN PERMISSION FOR RESTAURANTS, MOVIE THEATERS, EVEN DISNEYLAND, UNIVERSAL SIX FLAGS, AND KNOTTS BERRY FARM TO REOPEN, OF COURSE, WITH LIMITED CAPACITY, ETC. BUT I AM HAPPY, AS MANY FOLK CAN GO "BACK TO WORK." AND THERE CAN BE A BIT OF NORMALCY.
AND YES, CHURCHES CAN ALSO REOPEN, BUT WITH LIMITED CAPACITY. EVEN THO MY CHURCH CLOSED WHEN THE SHUT-DOWN ORDER WAS MADE ON MARCH 13, 2020 AND REMAINED CLOSED TIL A MEETING HELD WITH SEVERAL THOUSAND PASTORS AND LAY PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE FELT THAT THE CHURCH IS "ESSENTIAL" AND MUST BE OPENED. THEY DECIDED TO REOPEN CHURCHES ON MAY 31 (THAT DAY WAS CHOSEN BECAUSE THAT WAS THE DAY THE CHURCH BEGAN IN THE BIBLE) AND WE HAVE BEEN OPENED SINCE THAT DAY. THEY AGREED TO NOT CLOSE AGAIN, UNLESS, LOWES, HOME DEPOT, SAM'S CLUB, COSTCO, WALMART AND THE CASINOS CLOSE ALSO.
I SOOOO AGREE, BECAUSE WHY SHOULD WE BE ABLE TO SHOP IN ALL THOSE PLACES, BUT NOT ABLE TO ATTEND CHURCH? THOSE OF US WHO KNOW JESUS, KNOW THE ANSWER, DON'T WE? WE ALSO KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL, AND HE HAS CREATIVE AND AWESOME HANDS TO HOLD AND CARRY US AND "FIX THINGS."
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]. {AMP}
A GOOD THING FOR ME HAS ALSO BEGUN, I AM GETTING CALLS TO COME SING AND I THANK GOD FOR THOSE OPEN DOORS (EVEN IF IT IS ONLY 2-3 TIMES A MONTH, AT NEARLY 83 YEARS OF AGE THAT IS FINE FOR ME). I JUST WANT TO FULFILL THE "ASSIGNMENT" GOD GAVE ME NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO TO TRAVEL AND SING. OH MY, I LOVE IT! AND IF YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF BOOKING GUESTS FOR YOUR SENIOR GROUP, LADIES FUNCTION OR YOUR CHURCH, PLEASE LET ME COME. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME. WE CAN TALK, CALL ME AT 909-948-2448. THANKS!!!!
IT HAS BEEN A BIT DIFFICULT FOR ME THO GETTING ACCUSTOMED TO BEING A PART OF ZOOM MEETINGS, PRAYER MEETINGS, MEMORIAL SERVICES, ETC. BUT I THANK GOD FOR THE TECHNOLOGY. HOWEVER, NOTHING TAKES THE PLACE OF BEING IN THE SAME ROOM WITH BROTHERS AND SISTERS, HUH?
YES, WE ALL HAVE SEEN MANY THINGS OVER THIS PAST YEAR 2020 THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED US TO SUFFER DEPRESSION, FEEL ANXIOUS, FEARFUL, NERVOUS, SOME OF US HAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO THAT DREADED EPIDEMIC, SUFFERED SEVERE FINANCIAL LOSSES. I KNOW THAT FOLK ARE HURTING, BECAUSE I AM ASKED TO PRAY WITH MANY THRU-OUT THE DAYS AND NITES, AND THE WORDS OF COMFORT I GIVE ARE THESE; JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH US, HE IS THAT MIGHTY TOWER, THE RIGHTEOUS CAN RUN TO IT AND ARE SAFE, HE IS A SHELTER IN THE TIMES OF STORMS, THE ONE WHO PROTECTS US AND DURING THIS TIME OF JOB LOSSES, OF COURSE, HE IS OUR PROVIDER, THE ONE THING THAT IS SOOOO IMPORTANT DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME, IS TO KNOW JESUS AS THE "PRINCE OF PEACE." I AM REFERRING TO HAVING THAT DEEP SENSE OF PEACE THAT IS INWARD SO, IN THE MIDST OF TROUBLE AND UNREST, WE HAVE IT! PLEASE KNOW THIS TRUTH, ONE CAN BE EASILY SHAKEN IF LISTENING/WATCHING THE "CABLE NEWS," SO LET'S READ THE "GOOD NEWS" (THE BIBLE) INSTEAD?
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.
I LOVE THAT I WAS ABLE TO RETURN TO A CHURCH WHERE I MINISTERED 6 YEARS AGO, SUCH WAS THE CASE THIS MONTH. PASTOR KURT GAVE ME THE ENTIRE SERVICE, SAID HE WOULD COME UP AFTER I SANG TO GIVE AN INVITATION NOT ONLY FOR SALVATION BUT RATHER FOR ANYTHING ANYONE NEEDED. THERE WAS A GREAT OUTPOURING OF GOD'S POWER. I WAS TOLD HOW BLESSED AND ENCOURAGED THE PEOPLE WERE. AMEN! I HAD FASTED AND PRAYED FOR A FRESH ANOINTING, I SIMPLY SHARED WHAT A FAITHFUL GOD WE SERVE AND CAN TRUST HIS WORD (THE BIBLE) TO "DO WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO" AND THEN WAIT FOR HIM TO DO IT. THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL BRING TO MIND THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD TO US IN TIMES PAST AND GIVE US THE ASSURANCE THAT HE NEVER CHANGES.
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-25 ~ IT IS BECAUSE OF THE LORD’S LOVINGKINDNESSES THAT WE ARE NOT CONSUMED, BECAUSE HIS [TENDER] COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL. THEY ARE NEW EVERY MORNING; GREAT AND BEYOND MEASURE IS YOUR FAITHFULNESS. THE LORD IS MY PORTION AND MY INHERITANCE,” SAYS MY SOUL; “THEREFORE I HAVE HOPE IN HIM AND WAIT EXPECTANTLY FOR HIM.” THE LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHO WAIT [CONFIDENTLY] FOR HIM, TO THOSE WHO SEEK HIM [ON THE AUTHORITY OF GOD’S WORD]. {AMP}
AS ALWAYS, I WANT TO SAY A BIG THANKS TO YOU WHO HAVE SENT A LOVE GIFT TO ME FOR THE MINISTRY GOD CALLED ME TO NEARLY 50 YRS AGO, I AM SOOOO GRATEFUL. AND OF COURSE, I MUST THANK YOU FOR LIFTING ME UP TO GOD IN PRAYER. I NEED THOSE PRAYERS AND IF YOU CARE TO MAKE AN INVESTMENT, THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS TO DO SO, CALL ME WITH YOUR CREDIT CARD AND THE AMOUNT YOU WISH TO GIVE. YOU CAN GO TO PAYPAL (USE MY NAME) OR SEND A CHECK TO MY ADDRESS IN UPLAND, CA. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CALL ME AT 909-948-2448 IF YOU NEED MORE INFO. THERE IS A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT DOWN HERE IF YOU ASK AND A REWARD "UP THERE IN HEAVEN."
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.’
I DO LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH, THANKS FOR BEING MY FRIENDS!
2 TIMOTHY 4-22 ~ THE LORD BE WITH YOUR SPIRIT. GRACE BE WITH YOU. {AMP}
WHILE BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS SYNONYMOUS WITH PROMINENT FIGURES SUCH AS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., HARRIET TUBMAN, ROSA PARKS, MUHAMMAD ALI, JACKIE ROBINSON, LANGSTON HUGHES, MAYA ANGELOU, GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER, LOUIS ARMSTRONG, AND FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA, THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHER AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO'VE MADE A PROFOUND IMPACT IN HISTORY: SELF-MADE MILLIONAIRE MADAM C.J. WALKER, ASTRONAUT MAE C. JEMISON, OPEN-HEART SURGEON DANIEL HALE WILLIAMS, INVENTOR GARRET MORGAN, MEDIA MOGUL OPRAH WINFREY AND "FATHER OF BLACK HISTORY" CARTER G. WOODSON, WHO LOBBIED EXTENSIVELY TO ESTABLISH BLACK HISTORY MONTH AS A NATIONWIDE CELEBRATION, AMONG MANY OTHERS.
I HAVE A FEELING YOU ARE GOING TO VIEW THIS VIDEO AND ASK YOURSELF, "WHY HAVE I NEVER HEARD THESE THINGS BEFORE?" .... IT IS A MUST-SEE! GET READY!!!!!
HARRIET TUBMAN
SOME YEARS AGO, I WAS SINGING AT A CHURCH, THE PASTOR SAID HE HAD SOMETHING TO GIVE ME, IT WAS A BOOK ON HARRIET TUBMAN, AN AMERICAN ABOLITIONIST. I THANKED HIM AND BEGAN READING IT RIGHT AWAY. WHAT A BOOK! IT WAS A STORY OF THIS LITTLE LADY THAT WAS FREED FROM SLAVERY, BUT WAS NOT WILLING TO LIVE IN FREEDOM ALONE WHILE HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS REMAINED IN SLAVERY. IN FACT, HER LIFE STORY IS PORTRAYED IN THE MOVIE “HARRIET.” SHE ESCAPED AND WENT BACK TO RESCUE 70 FAMILY AND FRIENDS USING THE NETWORK OF "SAFE HOUSES" KNOWN AS THE "UNDERGROUND RAILROAD." DURING THE CIVIL WAR, SHE SERVED AS A ARMED SCOUT AND SPY FOR THE UNION ARMY. SHE WAS A DEVOUT RELIGIOUS CHRISTIAN AND DEPENDED ON GOD TO GIVE HER VISIONS AND DREAMS TO GUIDE HER ON EACH PLANNED ESCAPE. I WAS SO MOVED AFTER READING THE BOOK AND WAS EQUALLY OVERWHELMED AS I SAW THE MOVIE “HARRIET.”
I AM OLD ENUF TO HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME DIFFICULT TIMES LIVING IN THE SOUTH WHILE GROWING UP, AND EVEN AFTER MOVING AWAY TO SEATTLE AT AGE 12. HOWEVER, WHENEVER I RETURNED TO "THE SOUTH," I DID NOT HAVE THE FREEDOM "OTHERS" HAD. BEING A CHRISTIAN, I KNEW WHAT MY MOTHER HAD TAUGHT ME, THAT I MUST FORGIVE ALWAYS, THE MISTREATMENT AND I DID, AND HAVE, AND DO! MY HEART IS BROKEN TO SEE THE RACISM IN OUR LAND TODAY. I AM CERTAIN THAT GOD'S HEART IS SADDENED WHEN HE LOOKS AT HIS CREATION AND SEES HOW MUCH DIVISION THERE IS. HE WANTS US TO ALL LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
JOHN 13:34 ~ A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE TO YOU, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, THAT YOU ALSO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.
ACTS 17:26 ~ AND HE MADE FROM ONE [COMMON ORIGIN, ONE SOURCE, ONE BLOOD] ALL NATIONS OF MEN TO SETTLE ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH….
DID YOU KNOW THAT FEBRUARY IS NOW KNOWN AS "THE MONTH OF LOVE?" IT IS TO BE CELEBRATED FOR THE ENTIRE MONTH. OF COURSE, RETAILERS LOVE THAT. FOR THE WORLD SEES A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE LUCRATIVE SALES, ESPECIALLY THE CARD COMPANIES! HERE ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS FROM 2020 REGARDING VALENTINES' DAY. 27 BILLION CARDS WERE EXCHANGED THAT DAY, $3 BILLION BOXES OF CHOCOLATES AND CANDY PURCHASED, (THE FIRST HEART-SHAPED BOX OF CHOCOLATES WAS INTRODUCED IN 1861, BY CADBURY AS A STRATEGY TO INCREASE SALES), $2.3 BILLION ROSES SOLD, MOSTLY RED. $6 BILLION SPENT ON JEWELRY ALSO FOR THAT DAY. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NOTHING I READ THAT MENTIONED HOW MUCH MONEY WAS SPENT ON A ROMANTIC, LAVISH DINNER AT RESTAURANTS. BUT THE MOST SURPRISING FACT FOR ME IS THAT $886 MILLION WAS SPENT ON PETS OF HAPPY OWNERS. YEP, WHAT A BUSINESS!!! THE WORLD MAKES THAT DAY "ALL ABOUT ROMANCE AND LOVE" DOESN'T IT? AND IT DOES SEEM TO BE WORKING FOR THEM.
QUESTION: WHAT DID THE FLAME SAY TO HIS BUDDIES WHEN HE FELL IN LOVE? ANSWER: "I HAVE FOUND THE PERFECT MATCH." HA HA HA.
HOW APPROPRIATE THAT THE INVENTOR OF THE BELOVED FERRIS WHEEL, GEORGE FERRIS WAS BORN ON VALENTINES' DAY FEBRUARY 14, 1859. PERHAPS WHEN YOU CLIMBED ABOARD THE FIRST TIME, YOU WERE SEATED NEXT TO SOMEONE YOU HAD A CRUSH ON, AND ON THAT INVENTION AS YOU WENT AROUND AND AROUND, YOU HELD HANDS AND HAD YOUR FIRST KISS! AWWWWW!!
I READ THAT THE FIRST VALENTINE DAY'S CARD WAS SENT IN 1415, BY CHARLES DUKE OF ORLEANS. IT WAS A POEM HE PENNED TO HIS WIFE WHEN HE WAS IMPRISONED IN THE TOWER OF LONDON.
THE ONE WE CELEBRATE ON FEBRUARY 14 IS ST. VALENTINE OF ROME WHO DIED AROUND 270 A.D. HE WAS MARTYRED BECAUSE HE REFUSED TO DENY CHRIST.
AND WE MUST NOT DENY OUR LORD AND SAVIOR TODAY AS WE LIVE IN THIS WORLD, FOR I HOPE WE ALL KNOW HOW MUCH WE ARE LOVED BY FATHER GOD. WE SEE IT ON FREEWAY BILLBOARDS, IN ARENAS AT SPORTING EVENTS, THERE IS THE LITTLE GUY WHO SITS IN THE STADIUM HOLDING A SIGN WITH JOHN 3:16 WRITTEN ON IT, PERHAPS ONE OF THE MOST WELL KNOWN VERSES OF THE BIBLE. AND I LIKE TO ALWAYS ADD VERSE 17.
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.
YES, GOD WAS THINKING OF US WHEN HE SENT HIS ONLY SON JESUS TO THE WORLD, HE WAS SHOWING WHAT "REAL LOVE" IS. IT IS AN ACTION VERB! AND JESUS WAS THE CONDUIT FOR GOD'S LOVE THAT WAS PUT INTO ACTION. FRIEND, LET ME ASSURE YOU THAT FATHER GOD DOES LOVE US AND ALWAYS WILL!
ROMANS 8:38-39 ~ FOR I AM PERSUADED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS NOR PRINCIPALITIES NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT NOR THINGS TO COME, NOR HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATED THING, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.
WHAT A LOT OF SADNESS THIS MONTH WHEN ONE I DEARLY LOVED, PASTOR FRED PRICE ON FEB. 12, WENT TO BE WITH JESUS. HE WAS THE PROMINENT PASTOR OF A MEGA CHURCH IN LOS ANGELES, I LOVED LISTENING TO HIS DAILY RADIO PROGRAM BEFORE HE BEGAN MOSTLY TV. HE WAS A TEACHER OF GOD'S WORD AND PREACHED FERVENTLY ABOUT OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. I WAS BLESSED TO ATTEND CRENSHAW CHRISTIAN CENTER ONLY TWICE; ONCE WHEN HE PREACHED A GREAT MESSAGE, AND ONCE WHEN PASTOR BENNY WAS THE SPEAKER, POWERFUL ALSO! WHAT A REWARD PASTOR PRICE WILL HAVE IN HEAVEN!
ON FEB. 16, A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND I HAVE KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME, WENT TO BE WITH JESUS ALSO. CARMAN WAS LIKE MY "LITTLE BROTHER," I LOVED SITTING IN HIS CONCERTS, HEARING HIM SING THE SONGS GIVEN TO HIM BY FATHER GOD. GOD ALSO GAVE HIM CREATIVE ABILITY TO PRESENT THE SONGS IN AN ENTERTAINING, VIVID, POWERFUL WAY. I SHALL SURELY MISS HIM!!!!!!
A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, HE WAS ONLY APPEARING ONCE IN SOUTHERN CALIF. THE CITY WAS 2 HOURS AWAY, SO I ASKED 2 FRIENDS TO COME ALONG FOR THE ULTIMATE CARMAN CONCERT. WE WANTED TO BE SURE TO SEE HIM AND THE WAY TO DO THAT WAS TO CONTRIBUTE $100 TO HIS MINISTRY (WE EACH CHIPPED IN AND DID IT). THAT PROVIDED US EARLY ENTRY INTO THE BUILDING, FRONT ROW SEATS, AND THE REALLY WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY FOR MY FRIENDS TO MEET AND GREET HIM AS WELL AS GET A PHOTO WITH HIM. (HIS MOM AND I WERE GOOD FRIENDS, WE WOULD TALK FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME ON THE PHONE. WE ALWAYS PRAYED FOR HER SON CARMAN TO BE ABLE TO DO ALL GOD HAD SENT HIM TO EARTH TO DO.)
WELL, BACK TO THE CONCERT …. IT WAS SOOOOO WONDERFUL, SOOOO ANOINTED AND AWESOME! I SAT THERE AND THANKED GOD FOR HOW HE HAD GIVEN CARMAN SUCH A PLATFORM TO REACH THE WORLD WITH HIS DIFFERENT STYLE OF MUSIC, LYRICS AND POWERFUL VOICE TO PROCLAIM JESUS AS LORD. HE HAS NOW JOINED THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES, CHEERING US ON, AND WE WILL ALL SPEND ETERNITY TOGETHER. AMEN!!!
I AM TOLD THIS IS ONE OF THE LAST SONGS HE WROTE. HOW FITTING THE LYRICS HE PENNED. I LOVE THIS SONG, LET'S LISTEN!
I AM SO HAPPY THAT I WAS ABLE TO SING LAST SUNDAY IN A CHURCH, (THERE WERE 100 FOLK ALL WEARING MASKS) BUT THAT DID NOT STOP THEM FROM SINGING, MOVING AND PRAISING GOD! I KNEW GOD WANTED ME TO BRING JOY TO THEM THRU THE SONGS AND SPOKEN WORD!! AND I THINK I DID! I SPOKE ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING DURING THIS COVID TIME THAT PERHAPS ARE STEALING OR HAS ALREADY TAKEN OUR JOY, BUT SINCE REAL JOY COMES FROM JESUS, IF HE IS LIVING IN US, WE DO HAVE "JESUS JOY!" IT JUST MUST BE ACTIVATED, THRU PRAISE AND WORSHIP!!!!! ANOTHER AMEN!
PSALMS 71:23 ~ MY LIPS SHALL GREATLY REJOICE WHEN I SING TO YOU, AND MY SOUL, WHICH YOU HAVE REDEEMED.
ARE YOU FEELING THE LOVE OF GOD? OR DOES IT SEEM THAT HE HAS FORSAKEN YOU AND YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN? WELL, OF COURSE, THAT IS NOT TRUE, IT IS A LIE FROM satan. HE WANTS YOU TO BELIEVE THAT LIE, BUT REMEMBER, satan IS A LIAR AND THE FATHER OF THEM. WE NEED ONLY TO RUN TO THE OPEN ARMS OF JESUS THAT ARE OUTSTRETCHED TO US. AS HE SAID IN MATTHEW 11:28; COME TO ME ALL WHO ARE WEARY AND HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST. HE INVITES YOU TO COME BECAUSE HE IS THE GOOD SHEPHERD, AND WHAT DOES A SHEPHERD DO? HE CARES FOR US, HIS SHEEP, FOR ALL OUR NEEDS, HE IS THERE! WE HAVE NO NEED TO FEAR ANYTHING OR ANYONE, BECAUSE HIS PROMISES ARE WRITTEN IN HIS WORD (THE BIBLE) TO BELIEVE AND HOLD ONTO. HALLELUJAH!
PSALMS 23 ~ THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD; I SHALL NOT WANT. HE MAKES ME TO LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES; HE LEADS ME BESIDE THE STILL WATERS. HE RESTORES MY SOUL; HE LEADS ME IN THE PATHS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE. 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. YOU PREPARE A TABLE BEFORE ME IN THE PRESENCE OF MY ENEMIES; YOU ANOINT MY HEAD WITH OIL; MY CUP RUNS OVER. SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE; AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.
CLOSING, I WANT TO ONCE AGAIN THANK THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE PARTNERS WITH ME IN THIS MINISTRY GOD HAS CALLED ME TO. IN FACT, NEARLY 50 YEARS AGO, I RECEIVED HIS "ASSIGNMENT" AND MANY OF YOU HAVE SUPPORTED ME BOTH WITH FINANCIAL LOVE GIFTS AND OF COURSE, WITH YOUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE YEARS, YES, I NEED BOTH. THANKS! THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS YOU MAY GIVE TO THIS MINISTRY; THRU PAYPAL, OR CALL ME AT 909-948-2448, TELL ME HOW MUCH YOU WISH TO PLACE ON A CREDIT CARD, OR YOU CAN MAIL A CHECK TO MY ADDRESS HERE IN CALIF. AND RECEIVE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT DOWN HERE AND A REWARD IN HEAVEN.
AS THE CHURCH DOORS SLOWLY OPEN, I WOULD LOVE IF YOU WOULD CALL ME WHEN YOUR CHURCH IS BEGINNING TO RUN SMOOTHLY AGAIN, AS I AM REALLY READY TO RETURN TO MINISTER. IT WILL BE GREAT TO COME TO YOUR SENIOR GROUP, SPEAK/SING FOR A LADIES FUNCTION, OR SING IN YOUR CHURCH. I KNOW THAT YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED AND YES, YOU CAN AFFORD ME!
PSALMS 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.
PLEASE CALL ME WHEN YOU HAVE A PRAYER REQUEST AND NEED SOMEONE TO PRAY WITH YOU …. I AM HAPPY AND WILLING TO DO THAT; 909-948-2448.
IT DOES SEEM THAT MOST FOLK I HAVE SPOKEN WITH SINCE THE NEW YEAR BEGAN, ALL FEEL THE SAME WAY, THEY ARE HAPPY "2020 IS OVER" SOME SAY, "IT WAS LIKE A BAD DREAM" AWAKENING EACH MORNING (OFTEN NOT EVEN REMEMBERING WHAT DAY IT WAS) TO THE REALIZATION THAT THE DREAM/NIGHTMARE WAS REAL! BUT THEN, SO IS OUR GOD!!!! AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO BE!!!! AMEN!
PHILIPPIANS 4:6 ~ DO NOT BE ANXIOUS OR WORRIED ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING [EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE AND SITUATION] BY PRAYER AND PETITION WITH THANKSGIVING, CONTINUE TO MAKE YOUR [SPECIFIC] REQUESTS KNOWN TO GOD. {AMP}
HERE WE ARE, WE HAVE TAKEN OFF INTO THE NEW YEAR, A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK TO MAKE SURE "WE ARE READY." LET'S SEE, MAKE SURE ALL THE DISAPPOINTMENTS OF 2020 "WERE LEFT THERE!” AND THAT YOU ARE KEEPING YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS ALIVE TO BE REALIZED IN THIS EXCITING 2021. IT IS HARD TO IMAGINE THAT ONE MONTH HAS ALREADY PASSED, AND FOR MANY, LIFE IS NOT EASY, WITH ALL THE RESTRICTIONS WE STILL ARE FACING EACH DAY. (SUCH AS, THE MASK FOR ME IS VERY DIFFICULT) 'CAUSE I LOVE TO SMILE AT FOLK AS I AM WALKING TOWARD THEM, AND WHENEVER FACING THEM, BUT WITH THE MASK, NO ONE CAN SEE A SMILE THAT COULD HOPEFULLY LIFT A DISCOURAGED PERSON, OR EVEN BRING A SMILE TO THEIR FACES, ETC. SO THAT IS ONE THING I WILL BE HAPPY FOR (TO LOSE THE MASK).
WELL, THIS TIME LAST YEAR, I WAS IN A BEAUTIFUL PLACE, HAWAII. WHAT AN AWESOME TIME I HAD, BEING WITH DEAR FRIENDS I MET WHEN I LIVED THERE FOR 10 YEARS, 1984-1994. SINCE I LEFT THERE, I HAVE LOVED GOING BACK TO VISIT EACH YEAR OR EVERY OTHER YEAR TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACE ON EARTH (FOR ME). I DID HAVE A WONDERFUL TIME .... RETURNING HOME JUST DAYS BEFORE THE "SHUTDOWN." FRIENDS TELL ME ABOUT THE CONDITION OF HONOLULU, AND WAIKIKI, ONLY NOW ARE THEY BEGINNING TO REOPEN HOTELS, RESTAURANTS, MOVIE THEATRES, ETC. BUT THEY FEEL IT WILL BE A LONG TIME BEFORE ALL IS BACK TO NORMAL! ONLY GOD KNOWS!!
MOST BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS
LONG-TIME FRIENDS
WBC CHURCH SERVICE SINGING ON THE BEACH
LUNCH WITH A BEAUTIFUL VIEW
WBC 50TH ANNIVERSARY: BOB TURNBULL, MS. LILLIE, GENE OZBUN, SHARON, PRESENT CHAPLAIN ALEX McANGUS
AS IT HAPPENS EACH YEAR IN JANUARY, MY CHURCH ASKS US TO PARTICIPATE IN A FAST, AND I DO THE DANIEL FAST (EATING ONLY VEGGIES, AND BEANS FOR 21 DAYS). IT IS ACTUALLY A WONDERFUL WAY TO EAT ALSO, CAUSE I LOVE VEGGIES! OF COURSE, THERE ARE SO VERY MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF VEGGIES, THAT ONE CAN HAVE DIFFERENT ONES FOR MANY DAYS. (BUT, NOT A COUPLE OF TIMES A DAY, AND WITHOUT MEAT) SO THAT MEANS, I WAS ABLE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH GOD, AS I ELIMINATED ALL THE THINGS IN THE ELECTRONIC WORLD THAT WOULD DISTRACT ME FROM "TIME WITH JESUS." AND OF COURSE, IT IS A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO CLEANSE THE BODY AFTER ALL THE THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS YUMMY GOODIES! I AM ALWAYS HAPPY FOR THE FAST. THIS IS ONE OF MY MEALS TODAY. NOW THIS IS YUMMY!
IT IS STILL VERY WEIRD, NOT BEING ABLE TO TRAVEL AND MINISTER IN SONG. BUT I KNOW IN GOD'S TIME, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN! UNTIL THEN I AM STILL ABLE TO PROCLAIM THAT "JESUS IS LORD" AS I MOVE AROUND IN MY DAY. THIS IS OUR MISSION, SHOULD WE DECIDE TO ACCEPT IT! HOW WONDERFUL THAT WE CAN BE EYEWITNESSES TO WHAT GOD IS DOING AND WANTING TO DO IN THIS WORLD. WHAT AN "ASSIGNMENT" FOR US! LET'S ASK THE QUESTION, "DO YOU KNOW HIM? I LOVE THIS VIDEO AND I AM CERTAIN THAT YOU WILL ALSO. IT IS PART OF AN AWESOME MESSAGE PREACHED BY S. M. LOCKRIDGE, A PROMINENT BLACK PREACHER WHO PASTORED IN SAN DIEGO 1953 -1993. WHAT A COMMUNICATOR!! ENJOY!
REVELATION 19:16 ~ AND HE HAS ON HIS ROBE AND ON HIS THIGH A NAME WRITTEN: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
REVELATION 2:1:6 ~ AND HE SAID TO ME, “IT IS DONE! I AM THE ALPHA AND THE OMEGA, THE BEGINNING AND THE END. I WILL GIVE OF THE FOUNTAIN OF THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY TO HIM WHO THIRSTS.
I MUST "BRAG" ON GOD AS HE HAS CONTINUED TO SUPPLY ALL MY NEEDS, HE PROMISED, AND HE HAS, AND HE WILL!! WHEN I "HUNG UP" ON MA BELL IN 1978, WALKING OUT INTO FULL-TIME MINISTRY, GOD GAVE ME THAT WONDERFUL SCRIPTURE, MATTHEW 6:26 AND HE HAS FULFILLED IT, HE HAS KEPT HIS PROMISE TO ME AND TO ALL WHO WILL BELIEVE HIM. EVEN IN THIS COVID TIME, GOD HAS TOUCHED THE HEARTS OF FOLK TO SEND ME "LOVE GIFTS" AND EVERY BILL IS PAID "ON TIME." THAT IS JUST LIKE HIM!
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 AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR THE MARVELOUS OPPORTUNITY HE HAS GIVEN ME TRAVELING TO 52 COUNTRIES IN THESE NEARLY 50 YEARS OF MINISTRY PROCLAIMING THE LOVE OF GOD! MANY YEARS AGO, WHEN I VISITED KENYA, AFRICA, WE WERE ABLE TO GO ON A SHORT SAFARI, WOW! WHAT A SIGHT TO SEE ALL THOSE ANIMALS SOOOO CLOSE TO US (I THOT TOO CLOSE) . WENT SHOPPING FOR SOUVENIRS WALKING THRU MARKETPLACES, I SAW THIS BEAUTIFUL OSTRICH EGG, PURCHASED IT, AND IT HAS BEEN ON A SHELF ALL THESE YEARS, LAST WEEK, I DECIDED I WOULD HAVE MY DEAR FRIEND CHARLOTTE MAKE AN ARRANGEMENT USING IT AND THIS IS WHAT SHE DID WITH MY EGG!! EACH TIME I LOOK AT IT, I AM REMINDED OF THE SIX TRIPS TO AFRICA AND THIS TIME OF MINISTRY IN BEAUTIFUL KENYA, HUGE CROWDS OF PEOPLE, WITH MANY COMING FORWARD TO RECEIVE JESUS AS LORD. LOCAL PASTORS WERE STANDING BY TO PRAY FOR EACH ONE, AND WERE PREPARED TO GATHER INFORMATION SO THEY COULD DO FOLLOW-UP WORK WITH THEM AFTER WE HAD LEFT THE COUNTRY. WONDERFUL HEALINGS OCCURRED IN EACH SERVICE.
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.
OSTRICH EGG
MY FAMILY IS VERY DEAR TO ME .... WHAT A BLESSING THAT WITH THE FOUR REMAINING SISTERS, WE HAVE A 3 WAY CALL EACH WEEK FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR TO CATCH UP ON THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR LIVES. SOMETIMES OUR BROTHER HAS BEEN ON THE LINE WITH US. I HAVE NOT SEEN ANY OF THEM SINCE NOVEMBER 2019 BECAUSE OF COVID, SO OUR TALKS ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. I AM PRAYING THAT I WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT THEM DURING THIS YEAR. AMEN!
A VERY SPECIAL EVENT OCCURRED THIS MONTH, MY ONLY BROTHER PAUL TURNED 90 YRS OLD. BECAUSE OF COVID, THERE WAS AN FANTASTIC NEARLY 2 HR ZOOM "PARTY CELEBRATION" FOR HIM, FRIENDS, FAMILY, POLITICIANS, CELEBRITIES, CITY OFFICIALS SPOKE KIND WORDS ABOUT HIM. HE IS A VERY SPECIAL BROTHER, WHOM I LOVE! HE ATTENDED MY 80TH B'DAY LUAU? ANOTHER HAPPY BIRTHDAY GREETING, BROTHER PAUL!!
MS. LILLIE WITH HER BROTHER PAUL
WHAT A BLESSING GOD GAVE ME, TO HAVE BEEN A SMALL PART OF THE BILL GAITHER HOMECOMING VIDEOS FOR 26 YEARS. I LOVE THIS SONG I SANG WITH VESTAL GOODMAN.
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FOR SOME OF YOU, HERE WE ARE IN 2021, YOU THOT THINGS WOULD BE BETTER, BUT ALREADY THERE ARE CLOUDS OF DOUBT AND DISCOURAGEMENT HOVERING OVER YOU AND YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED! WELL, PLEASE KNOW THAT DISCOURAGEMENT IS NATURAL AND NORMAL. BUT LET ME GIVE YOU "GOOD NEWS." OUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL CONTINUE TO PLACE HIS STRONG AND LOVING ARMS AROUND US, HIS CHILDREN, DURING THIS TIME OF OUR GRIEF, SORROW AND DISCOURAGEMENT. HE ONLY ASKS THAT WE TRUST HIM IN AND THRU ALL SITUATIONS. WE CAN GIVE HIM ALL OUR WORRIES AND CARES …. LET HIM SHOW US MERCY AND GRACE IN OUR TIME OF NEED.
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}
I GIVE THANKS TO FATHER GOD FOR YOUR KINDNESS TO ME, MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN MAKING BOTH FINANCIAL AND YOUR PRAYER INVESTMENTS TO THIS MINISTRY FOR YEARS, AND OF COURSE, I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP IN BOTH WAYS. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! IT IS EASY TO BLESS THIS "GOOD GROUND;" YOU CAN GO TO PAYPAL, ENTER MY NAME, GO TO THE DONATE BUTTON ON MY HOME PAGE, CONTACT ME AT 909-948-2448, GIVE ME YOUR CREDIT CARD AND THE AMOUNT YOU WISH TO GIVE, OR SEND THRU THE MAIL …. EITHER WAY YOU CHOOSE, I AM HAPPY TO GIVE YOU A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT HERE AND NOW, AND THEN, YOU WILL RECEIVE A REWARD IN HEAVEN. MAY GOD BLESS YOUR SEED!
WHAT A BLESSING IT HAS BEEN FOR TO ME TO RECEIVE CALLS FROM SOME OF YOU WHO ASK ME TO PRAY WITH YOU FOR THAT NEED IN YOUR LIFE. IT BLESSES ME TO AGREE WITH YOU FOR YOUR MIRACLE! JUST CALL ME AT 909-948-2448! I LOVE YOU!
PSALM 46:1 ~ GOD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH [MIGHTY AND IMPENETRABLE], A VERY PRESENT AND WELL-PROVED HELP IN TROUBLE. {AMP}
1 CORINTHIANS 16:23 ~ THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH YOU. AMEN!
) AND I’M NO LONGER ABLE TO WRITE BLOGS, I THOUGHT I WOULD REPOST PREVIOUS BLOGS AND YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING IN MY LIFE DOWN THROUGH THE YEARS … WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE I'M HAVING.
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