The Past Two Weeks

Monday March 16
We were blessed by New Canaan Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, Georgia. We attended their revival service, and were welcomed by old friends, and new friends. Bro. Carl Partain not only performed the special music, he preached the service. He preached a sermon on the Christian's trials. I had never heard him before, but I look forward to the next time I will be able to hear him again.

Sunday March 22
We visited Fellowship Baptist Church in Winder, Georgia for the morning service. Pastor Kevin Pirkle preached a powerful message from the book of Hebrews. After the service I was able to visit with Pastor Pirkle, and was quite surprised to find out we attended the same high school. He graduated my freshman year. He has only been Pastor for a few months, and they were having their Pastor appreciation dinner. It is always a blessing to see how the different churches love the men that God sends to them.

Monday March 23
Canaan Baptist Church Covington, Georgia.
The 6th annaul Land of Canaan Jubilee, started on the 22nd, but for us it started on Monday night with Tony Hutson. Bro. Tony as he is referred to much of the time is the Pastor of Middle Tennessee Baptist in Mufreesboro Tennesse.
He preached a message on: Before we can go to Mt. Carmel. The preaching, singing and fellowship were a great blessing as they always are when we are able to to make it to Canaan Baptist Church.

Wednesday March 25
Found us at Victory Baptist Church in Loganville, Georgia. The people of Victory are very friendly as well as Pastor Derik Lawrence and his family. My son said he found a new friend when we left, talking about Pastor Lawrence's son. My former boss is a member of Victory as well as some old friends from my rodeo days. It was a true blessing to see them and catch up on what has been happening in their lives.

Thursday March 26
I was back at Canaan Baptist, Dr. Max Barton preached a message on: Is it profitable to serve God? I am glad I made the drive back to Covington, to hear that message. I believe anyone who is in the ministry needs to hear it. Dr. Barton has Pastored for over 40 years, and his love and experience and the power of God flowed from him as he preached.

Friday March 27
It was billed as Fantastic Friday, but the billing couldn't live up to blessings God poured out on Canaan Baptist that day. The first service started at 10:00 and the first preacher called from the floor was Bro. Settles of North Carolina. He preached on: I come quickly. God had his hand on the service and directed it for his glory.
The next preacher was Pastor Tim McCulley of Philadelphia Baptist Church in Calhoun Georgia. He preached a message on the faith of Abram.
Pastor Bill Vaughn of Highlands Baptist Church, North Carolina preached on: What I want when I come to church. He preached on having a face to face meeting with God. God used the first three preachers of the first service to "set the stage" for the closing preacher.
Pastor Virgil Barnard of Fellowship Baptist Church in Oxford, Georgia was the final preacher of the morning service. He preached on: It pleased him to bruise him. He preached on how he never understood how it could please God to bruise Jesus, that is until God showed him. He went on preaching about the blood of animals only covering the sins of man. He also showed it with black and red cloths laid on the pulpit. He than preached on The Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. He said he finally learned how it pleased God to bruise him, when started talking about the gathering of the blood from the garden, and the courtyard where he had been beaten, how the blood was gathered from the place where they nailed his hands, and the blood from the cross. He preached how not one drop was left behind. When Jesus took that blood and covered the Mercy Seat he preached It pleased God to bruise him!

After a break for lunch, Pastor Scott Caudill had a missionary call. It was a real blessing to see 12 missionaries present their burdens for their fields.
Bro. Brady Rochester preached on why the birds are still singing. It was a good reminder that God will not leave us nor forsake us.
Pastor Terry Brock preached on Failure is not always final. Just because we fail does not mean God is done with us, He will "hit the restart button".
Dr. Billy Goolsby brought a powerful message on living for God.
Dr. Max Barton closed out the afternoon service with a message on being on speaking terms with God.
After a dinner break Dr. Joe Arthur closed the revival with the message "But when the morning was now come" He preached that when we are in the trials of a dark night, the morning will come.
God directed the meeting on staying on the job, He used the day to refresh preachers and layman alike to not give up even when it seems you are at the place of no hope.