As the end of the year approaches with incredible speed, it seems that it is a good time to look back over the past year and reflect. This last year has seen both advances and setbacks, just like all other years.
Anthony and Bridgett were united in marriage in January.
Phillip and Kat were joined in marriage at the beginning of April, and my cousin Alisha married Justin at the end of April.
We had Bro. and Sis. Traylor come through earlier this year and preach for a few days. The preaching was excellent.
We had one family leave our church in July, but we had our first fifth Sunday in July, and a great time was had.
I bought a new car in August, went to a wedding in Michigan at the beginning of October, and went to Mantle Conference in Kansas City at the end of the same month.
I went to my Aunt and Uncle's house for Thanksgiving, while my Mom and Dad went to Kansas City to be with my Phillip and Kat.
In December, we had our annual Christmas banquet/party, visited my Aunt, Uncle, Grandparents, and cousins for Christmas, and are now in Jefferson City, MO visiting my Grandma and other family for New Years as we could not get together over Christmas.
I pray that everyone has a safe and happy New Year. May Jesus Christ be nearer to you this year than He was last.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Staying Busy
Well, we are still very busy and active. On Monday, my pastor and I engaged in an outreach to get people to come to church. We handed out more than 150 packets to people inviting them to church. We are going to be passing out flyers to people over the next few days. We will have about 160 to pass out. By faith, we will see people come to church from this.
I just helped to get the initial flyers ready for our church's Christmas Party. We will be passing these out as well. I can hardly wait to see the what will happen. I will have to be sure to get pictures.
We had a visitor in church tonight. I know that we will be seeing more of this as time goes on.
I just helped to get the initial flyers ready for our church's Christmas Party. We will be passing these out as well. I can hardly wait to see the what will happen. I will have to be sure to get pictures.
We had a visitor in church tonight. I know that we will be seeing more of this as time goes on.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
My Trip to Kansas City: Part Three
On Saturday night, my brother and I went to the last service of Mantle Conference. We arrived early and went in for prayer, after which the worship began. It was a very good service, with a mighty move of God. Brother Stoneking preached on "The State of the Apostate".
This message has remained with me more than any of the others. Bro. Stoneking stated that if you knew this truth, had lived it, and rejected and said that it was not true, you would then become an apostate. He gave examples of those who had and had not done this. This was a very powerful message, and I can hardly wait for my brother to send me my cds from it.
During the altar service, one of the men that goes to the same church that Phillip does received that baptism of the Holy Ghost. Almost immediately afterward, Bro. Gleason took the mic and shouted, "There are people getting the Holy Ghost tonight!" He had no idea that we had just seen one pray through! There was tongues and interpretation given several minutes later.
After this had transpired, I adjourned to the foyer where Bro. Stoneking would be giving autographs and sitting for pictures. I desired to have both things, and so I got them. Here are some of the pictures that I got.
This message has remained with me more than any of the others. Bro. Stoneking stated that if you knew this truth, had lived it, and rejected and said that it was not true, you would then become an apostate. He gave examples of those who had and had not done this. This was a very powerful message, and I can hardly wait for my brother to send me my cds from it.
During the altar service, one of the men that goes to the same church that Phillip does received that baptism of the Holy Ghost. Almost immediately afterward, Bro. Gleason took the mic and shouted, "There are people getting the Holy Ghost tonight!" He had no idea that we had just seen one pray through! There was tongues and interpretation given several minutes later.
After this had transpired, I adjourned to the foyer where Bro. Stoneking would be giving autographs and sitting for pictures. I desired to have both things, and so I got them. Here are some of the pictures that I got.
This is a picture of a brother who I do not know. I agreed to take his picture with Bro. Stoneking, and he would take mine. I then said that I wanted a picture with him as I would be taking his picture later. It was fun.
This is one of my pictures with Bro. Stoneking. He looks better in them than I do.
This Phillip, my youngest brother, getting his picture taken with Brother Stoneking.
This is another young man who I took a picture for.
On Sunday, I went to church with Phillip. We had a very excellent service, and there was a message given in tongues and an interpretation. Bro. PJ Dixon preached the afternoon service, and did a fantastic job.
After the service, we were going to go for a bite to eat, when Phillip received a phone call from Kat. Upon hearing that a young lady desired to receive the Holy Ghost, we promptly scrapped our lunch, and went back to their apartment. As can be seen, we began to pray and before long, well, the wonderful story played out in their living room that Sunday afternoon. I can not think of a better way to spend a Sunday.
This is a picture right around the time that she received the Holy Ghost. Kat is in pink on the left, Sis. Heather is in front of her. Sis. Schwerzler is standing in front of them. I am in the corner by the closet. Bro. Schwerzler is taking a picture, and Bro. PJ is right across from his wife, Sis Heather. Phillip is the one holding taking the picture.
The following pictures are some that I took at their 'Pastor Appreciation Dinner' later that evening.
Bro. Schwerzler sitting at the table waiting for the fun to begin.
Bro. and Sis. Schwerzler standing behind a huge cake that was prepared for this occasion.
Phillip and a couple of other brethren having fun and goofing off.
Bro. PJ reading the answers from the quizzes that were on the table. These were a lot of fun.
Bro. PJ giving honor to whom honor is due. That is his laptop that he used to store his notes for this tribute to Bro. and Sis Schwerzler.
Bro. and Sis. Schwerzler opening their cards and discovering that they contained gift cards. Sorry that I can not remember where they were from. We can see that Sis. Schwerzler already has her's up.
Bro. Schwerzler giving a few remarks expressing his gratitude to the church.
After the dinner was over, we decided not to end the party. We went over to Bro. and Sis Schwerzler's house for some more fun. After sitting for a few minutes, it was suggested that we take up charades. I took part in this, but you will not see any pictures of me here, because I was the only one taking pictures.
Bro. PJ is imitating Bro. Stoneking.
This brother is imitating Bro. Schwerzler.
Bro. Schwerzler is just coming in from moving the church van. He was not quite sure what was up.
Bro. PJ on the floor laughing. I do not remember if this was one of the charades, or if was a moment of fun. Those are my feet sitting in the bottom of the picture.
Well, it was a good time. After the fun came to its inevitable end, I went back to Kat and Phillip's apartment, packed my few things and hit the road. It was a long road home, and I was in my own bed by 1000. I enjoyed the trip, and I hope that you enjoyed reading about it. I have more to post, but that will be coming later.
God bless you all,
Jonathan
Sunday, October 30, 2011
My Trip to Kansas City: Part Two
I left off just before my brother and I went to church Friday evening. I will now try to pick up where I left off.
Phillip and I drove together to Bro. Stan Gleason's church, that is where the conference was being held. We generally are early to pray before church, but we were running behind, and so we actually walked in during the last half of pre-service prayer.
Service started and was good. The best part of course was the preaching. Bro. Lee Stoneking preached, and he was excellent. I do not remember everything that was said, but I do remember him preaching about Apostolic power. I received some direction from the Lord during that service, Afterward, I met some of the people that go to the same church as my brother. I also met some people from a church a few miles away from ours. That added to the trip.
After my brother and I left, we joined his pastor and church family at Cheddar's restaurant. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of this meeting, but we had a great time. Prophecy, psychology, and many other things were discussed around the table. The great thing about being with other Apostolics is the feeling that you are with family no matter where you are.
My brother and I took his car to the morning sessions, and we were able to hear Bro. Gleason teach about what anyone starting out should do when they seek to enter the ministry. He had approximately five or six points that he made. Some of them were as follows: 1) Listen to your Pastor. 2) Obey those in spiritual authority without question. 3) Make use of the opportunities as they come available. 4) Be found doing things without being asked. 5) Volunteer to be used, and then be found faithful even if is seems like a small thing.
Bro. Stoneking taught the next session. His topic was on the gifts of the Spirit and their operation. He did go very in depth, but he did enumerate a number of things about them. 1) The best gift is that is best for the situation. 2) The gifts are given to men, therefore they are going to be misused and abused. 3) In spite of point 2, we should still seek for the gifts to be used in us.
During the alter service, after his message, a tongues and interpretation went forth, and the assembly was continued to remain for a very long time. The morning sessions started at 1000, and my brother and I headed out with a few others to lunch around 1400. After lunch at Chili's, we went home to prepare for the evening service.
Keep your eyes peeled for Part 3. I intend to post it tomorrow or Monday.
See you then,
Jonathan
Phillip and I drove together to Bro. Stan Gleason's church, that is where the conference was being held. We generally are early to pray before church, but we were running behind, and so we actually walked in during the last half of pre-service prayer.
Service started and was good. The best part of course was the preaching. Bro. Lee Stoneking preached, and he was excellent. I do not remember everything that was said, but I do remember him preaching about Apostolic power. I received some direction from the Lord during that service, Afterward, I met some of the people that go to the same church as my brother. I also met some people from a church a few miles away from ours. That added to the trip.
After my brother and I left, we joined his pastor and church family at Cheddar's restaurant. Unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of this meeting, but we had a great time. Prophecy, psychology, and many other things were discussed around the table. The great thing about being with other Apostolics is the feeling that you are with family no matter where you are.
My brother and I took his car to the morning sessions, and we were able to hear Bro. Gleason teach about what anyone starting out should do when they seek to enter the ministry. He had approximately five or six points that he made. Some of them were as follows: 1) Listen to your Pastor. 2) Obey those in spiritual authority without question. 3) Make use of the opportunities as they come available. 4) Be found doing things without being asked. 5) Volunteer to be used, and then be found faithful even if is seems like a small thing.
Bro. Stoneking taught the next session. His topic was on the gifts of the Spirit and their operation. He did go very in depth, but he did enumerate a number of things about them. 1) The best gift is that is best for the situation. 2) The gifts are given to men, therefore they are going to be misused and abused. 3) In spite of point 2, we should still seek for the gifts to be used in us.
During the alter service, after his message, a tongues and interpretation went forth, and the assembly was continued to remain for a very long time. The morning sessions started at 1000, and my brother and I headed out with a few others to lunch around 1400. After lunch at Chili's, we went home to prepare for the evening service.
Keep your eyes peeled for Part 3. I intend to post it tomorrow or Monday.
See you then,
Jonathan
Friday, October 28, 2011
My trip to Kansas City: Part One
Well, it has been a week since I started my trip to Kansas City, and I am finally able to post some of what went down. First, I am going to explain why it took so long. I travelled home very early (or very late) on Monday morning. When I got home at 0900, I went to bed and remained there all day. I then had to work third shifts, and managed to contract a minor sinus infection or cold. However, God has been moving on my behalf, and I am far and away over the worst of it. That is why I am now posting.
I wanted to get leave the Quad Cities for Kansas City no later than 1000, but as seems to be the case whenever I travel, I got out about half an hour late. For this reason, I stopped for gas between Davenport and Walcott, and continued hurried on. My hurry precluded my taking pictures when I stopped, otherwise there would be more than just Dialogue here. I filled up with gas before I reached Des Moines, IA. I then had a relatively uneventful trip until I reached Liberty, MO.
If anybody reads this and you happen to from Liberty, I like your city, but there has to be a better way to Kansas City aside from turning off onto the highway. As one point, it took me nearly 10-15 minutes to move one tenth of a mile. I thought that I would be getting to my Phillip's apartment at 1630. However, I did not arrive until nearly 1700 (5:00 p.m. for those who are do not live on military time). However, once in Lee's Summit, I had no trouble finding the apartment and getting inside.
It was at this point that I had a problem. There are two bedrooms, and one of them was to be mine. However, not knowing which one, I sent a text (which is the exception not the rule for me) to Kat, Phillip's wife. She informed me which one was mine, and I quickly moved in and started preparing for church.
While I was busy, Phillip came home and started getting ready to go to church. When the time came, Phillip and I went to church. These were a few of the pictures that I took while I was waiting for him to get ready so we could leave.
I wanted to get leave the Quad Cities for Kansas City no later than 1000, but as seems to be the case whenever I travel, I got out about half an hour late. For this reason, I stopped for gas between Davenport and Walcott, and continued hurried on. My hurry precluded my taking pictures when I stopped, otherwise there would be more than just Dialogue here. I filled up with gas before I reached Des Moines, IA. I then had a relatively uneventful trip until I reached Liberty, MO.
If anybody reads this and you happen to from Liberty, I like your city, but there has to be a better way to Kansas City aside from turning off onto the highway. As one point, it took me nearly 10-15 minutes to move one tenth of a mile. I thought that I would be getting to my Phillip's apartment at 1630. However, I did not arrive until nearly 1700 (5:00 p.m. for those who are do not live on military time). However, once in Lee's Summit, I had no trouble finding the apartment and getting inside.
It was at this point that I had a problem. There are two bedrooms, and one of them was to be mine. However, not knowing which one, I sent a text (which is the exception not the rule for me) to Kat, Phillip's wife. She informed me which one was mine, and I quickly moved in and started preparing for church.
While I was busy, Phillip came home and started getting ready to go to church. When the time came, Phillip and I went to church. These were a few of the pictures that I took while I was waiting for him to get ready so we could leave.
This is Asher. He a near constant companion for Phillip. He also is a bit shy.
Here Asher is looking at Phillip in anticipation of a treat.
Phillip is fixing to giving Asher his treat by balancing it on his nose. Unfortunately, I was too busy after this to take any more pictures until Saturday evening.
This is the ending of part one. I had thought about writing it all at once, but that suddenly loomed as nearly impossible. So I will post Part Two shortly.
God bless all of you,
Jonathan
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