He Is Risen!

VERSE OF THE WEEK: While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:4-6

PASTOR TO PASTOR
The women were downcast. They were afraid. They had been through the worst, and they could not conceive of it getting any better. Their faces reflected their mood. Their postures were instructive. They could only ask themselves, "When will this ever end. They have killed, Him, and now they have stolen His body."
They came out of respect and out of duty, but they could hardly believe that anything profitable would occur. And then the angels spoke. "Why do you seek the living in the land of the dead? He is not here. He has risen."

Well, Praise the Lord. It is true. And it is permanent. And the good news of the first Easter is the same today as it was then. Why do we hang our heads? Why to stoop at the shoulder? Why do we anticipate the the bad will get worse? Why do we swim in the muck of defeat, discouragement, and disillusionment? And death?

These ladies, faithful and good, went to the trouble of securing expensive and costly spices to dress the dead body of Jesus. They thought the Cross was the final word. Even thought they had seen Him raise others, they could hardly believe that He could raise himself. And don't forget, He was there last and best hope for victory over the oppression they had experienced all their lives. And now that hope was gone.

This Sunday you will preach to people just like these dear women. They are perplexed. They are absent of hope. Things are bad for them, and they expect them to get worse. And there will be some who are still searching for life, and for peace, and for joy. But....you already have seen it....they are looking amongst the dead.

And the God of heaven, Jesus' own Father, has selected you to tell these and others, "He is Risen." Hallelujah! Some are ignorant and don't know what this means. Others have forgotten. Don't assume that it is redundant. I am praying that all across Mississippi and Louisiana churches...we will hear people say, "today, I found what I have been looking for". He is Alive!

EXCELLENT ADVENTURES
On the 14th of March we were at Hattiesburg First (MS). What a thrill. Great time of worship. Enjoyed seeing lots of new faces at this church and visiting into the afternoon with Pastor Kermit Hudson, wife Wendy, and the girls.
On the 21st I preached at Vicksburg First (MS) both services. I took a vote on their new pastor in the morning service and was able to return that night and report that he had accepted.
Last Sunday, with a touch of the stomach crud, I preached at Prentiss (MS). This small group of dedicated folks were so kind to me. Enjoyed being with Pastor Pamela Epps.
This Sunday I will be preaching in Science Hill, Ky. where my daughter has just relocated. Looking forward to being there.

SCHEDULE
April 11 - McVay Memorial (LA) am
April 18 - Crystal Springs (MS) am
April 25 - Vivian (LA) am, Ruston (LA) afternoon
May 2 - AVAILABLE am, Vicksburg (MS) Installation Service afternoon
May 9 - Pineville First LA) am

SPECIAL NOTES

Rev. Charles (Chuck) and Renee Parish have accepted a call to Vicksburg First (MS). Chuck has served at the Global Ministry Center in NYI and Renee has served as Secretary in the General Secretary's office for a number of years. Prior to these assignments they were missionaries to Papau New Guinea. We welcome to the district. Their first Sunday is April 25 and installation is set for May 2 at 2:30.

Open Churches: (MS) Jackson Emmanuel and Union
(LA) Kenner First and GracePointe

Important Prayer Requests:
Please pray for Wanda Howard, pastor's wife at Westlake (LA). She had knee replacement surgery this past week.
Please pray for the Angela Ching, pastor's wife at Houston Fellowship (MS). Her father had a mini-stroke, her aunt had a heart attack and her grandmother was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, all in about a day and a half.
Pray for the mother of Pastor Keith MeGehee, who will have a heart cath this Friday. She has been very ill over the past several weeks.
Rev. Darwin Enicks (Baker, LA)is home recovering from hip surgery in Baton Rouge. Rev. Derek Catron, pastor at Lake Charles First (LA), continues to recover from staph infection.
Continue to pray for Rev. Scott Howell (West Monroe Faith Community)who has been suffering from kidney stones for months. He had a procedure to get rid of the final remnant that has caused so much trouble.
Rev. Diane Adams, (associate at Meridian Fitkins, MS) is recovering from surgery.
Continue to pray for Rev. Jerry Cole, McVay Memorial (LA), and Rev. Mike Howard (Westlake, LA)

GOOD NEWS PRAISE REPORTS
David and Phyllis Hoffpauir are the proud grandparents of a new baby boy. Jason Edward was born on March 23 and was 7 lbs. 10 oz., and 19 inches long.
Paul McCleese, pastor's husband at Gulfport First (MS) found a good job at a hospital in Gulfport. This is an answer to prayer.
Nine prisoners were baptized this past week at DaySpring (MS), and a baby was rescued at the abortion clinic in Jackson. Thanks God for this "Takin It To the Street' model ministry.
MS had an outstanding NYI Convention. congratulations to Rev. Michael Ford on his reelection as NYI President.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Mississippi Pastors- the Southeast Region is looking into a Health Insurance program through Blue Cross Alabama. It looks like whoever wants to join will be able to. The cost for a family is a little over $1,200 per month, and for a single it is $560. There is a dental policy for $71 per month. The policy looks pretty good. If you are interested let me know and I will pass along the contact information.


PALCONS are scheduled for Trevecca (TNU) Region May 11-14 and Southern (SNU) Region June 28-July 1. Register at www.palcon2010.org.
These are going to be incredible events and you are encouraged to start planning now to participate. As we enter a new year please put this in your budget. If one doesn't work in to your schedule try another. Dates of the other events are at www.palcon2010.org

DISTRICT ASSEMBLY DATES

Mississippi (at Emmanuel)Dr. Eugenio Duarte GS, Vance and Jeannie Sharp, worship
NMI Convention -- Tuesday, April 13, 7:00 pm - Wednesday, April 14, 5:00 pm
SDMI Convention -- Wednesday, April 14, 7:00 pm - Thursday, April 15, 5:00 pm
District Assembly -- Thursday, April 15, 7:00pm - Friday, April 16, 9:00 pm

LOUISIANA 100TH ANNIVERSARY DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
LOUISIANA (at Rocky Creek)Dr. Eugenio Duarte GS, Vance and Jeannie Sharp, worship
SDMI Convention -- Tuesday, May 4, 7:00 pm - Wednesday, May 5, 5:00 pm
NMI Convention -- Wednesday, May 5, 7:00 pm - Thursday, May 6, 5:00 pm
District Assembly -- Thursday, May 6, 7:00 pm - Friday, May 7, 9:00 pm

Book I am Recommending: "Forgotten God, Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit" by Francis Chan. I have just discovered this writer, a pastor in California, who seems to inspire me and encourage me. His first book of note was Crazy Love. This particular book is about the Holy Spirit, and how the church has largely neglected Him, not only in our speech and our polity, but in our practice. Chan says, "From my perspective, the Holy Spirit is tragically neglected and, for all practical purposes, forgotten. While no evangelical would deny His existence, I'm willing to bet there are millions of churchgoers across America who cannot confidently say they have experienced His presence or action in their lives over the past year. Wow. What a challenging thought. So far, well worth the read.

Thought For The Week: "If I were Satan and my ultimate goal was to thwart God's kingdom and purposes, one of my main strategies would be to get churchgoers to ignore the Holy Spirit." Francis Chan