Mother Memories

Last night as I wrestled with a physical ailment, I picked up an Apostolic Sentinel and read several comments, from various ladies, about their mothers. The topic seemed to be about advice, given by the mothers, that had proven true and steadfast. My mind immediately flew to my mom and how she prayed! She gave advice aplenty like all moms, but the thing that has stuck in my mind with absolute clarity is the way she prayed. My mother was not a 'part-time' prayer person. Her prayer schedule included daily sessions, and most of the time she prayed two or three times a day. We lived in a small community with neighbors on every side, but across the street, at a diagonal angle, lived a little lady named Florene Brown. Aunt Rene was Mother's prayer partner. She owned a small grocery store, and she lived as simply as any person in our rural town. Her home, however, was the neighborhood prayer room, and my mother visited it as often as possible. Many a battle in the spirit world was fought and won by those two ladies on bended knees. While Mother managed to pray at least once a day at home, she always managed to pray with Aunt Rene too. As an adult I have come to realize that the prayers Mother prayed, when everything was going right, were like a huge savings account when things went wrong. There are times when, I am sure, Mother turned her face to the wall like Hezekiah, of the Old Testament, and said, "Oh God, remember my faithfulness and hear my cry." I believe that my mother's voice was so familiar to God that he never had any trouble recognizing her or coming to her rescue. This is the advice that I received from my mom, not from her spoken word but from her living example. "Pray when the sun is shining, and when the storm clouds arise, God will be your sustaining strength!"

Happy 80th Birthday Missionary Perdue

July 26, 2009

Dear Bro. Perdue,
Just this afternoon I sat and began to contemplate about the years of knowing you. My earliest memories centered around the home of my parents, Elward and Eldora Jordan. I am sure it would have been a Sunday afternoon, and there would have been many others present. I can see in my mind the gathering of folks, most on their knees, seeking the face of God. However, you never stayed kneeling long. You would come to your feet and began pacing the floor, worshiping God with your whole heart, as the prayers of the saints were offered up. I am also sure that as a small tot, I was more interested in watching the proceedings than I was in praying! I can imagine my eyes, as big as saucers, as I followed your progress around the room. You never failed to notice us kids, and you would open your rather large hand wide, ruffle our hair, smile down and never miss a beat in your prayer! It was during those Sunday afternoons that I began to see you as a hero.
Later, when I was just below the age of the church youth group, you accepted the leadership of the Bon Wier, U.P.C. youth. I had older brothers and sisters whose age allowed them to participate, but as a child I could only look on in awe and wonder. I remember the hugs you so freely gave us and the words of praise and encouragement as we grew older. It seemed as though you always had time for us kids.
You truly cared about the young people, and gave so freely of you time so that they were all involved in wholesome activities. Volley Ball games that were exciting to play, youth services with scripture matches that mostly ended with George and Roger Dale tied. Powerful services that brought about consecration and dedication of youthful souls were sure to happen with you at the helm. One of the most impressive things I remember seeing was a skit about the widow whose oil and meal never ran out. Thank you for giving and giving and giving again!
Then off to foreign fields you flew to do the will of God! The many things you accomplished in South America will only be known to all when we reach the glory world! I remember getting to see you at General Conference; how excited Glenn and I, as young evangelist would be, getting to visit with you and Sis.Perdue in the display area. We always went looking, searching especially for your booth! What fun, we knew the Missionary in a personal way! It seemed so special to us.
We were delighted when you invited us to South America. We made memories, and got a first-hand view of the churches under your ministry! I cried buckets of tears over the poverty in the cities we visited, yet saw some of the most astounding works of God, both in the churches and in the beautiful scenery. We were overwhelmed by the hunger for God in the hearts of the people in South America. Their seeking and worship of God helped us to understand the deep love and burden that you carry for that beautiful country and those sweet people!
And now, you are back in the States, attending the church where we pastor. What an honor to have your knowledge and wisdom, your understanding of human nature, and someone with your 'walk with God', as a part of our church and community. What did we ever do without you here? You are truly a great example to our church and a compassionate mentor to our family! You gave me some of the best advice I ever had, when I was going through one of the roughest times of my life. Darwin looks at you as though you were his grandfather in the Lord! Your loving guidance in his life has not escaped our attention.
Thank you for your daily support in prayer. We feel the effect of those prayers all the time and need their continual out-pouring. We Love you, and we are indebted to God for placing you in our lives. While I could go on and on, I must close. I am asking God to be close to you and Sis. Perdue and to save your children and grand children!
In His service, Debbie (Jordan) Burks
Glenn too!

Old Barns

I recieved this as an e-mail today. It blessed me, so I thought I would pass it on!

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. Psalm 145:17

Old Barns, Old People and Old Friends, I love them all!!! A stranger came by the other day with an offer that set me to thinking. He wanted to buy the old barn that sits out by the highway. I told him right off he was crazy. He was a city type, you could tell by his clothes, his car, his hands, and the way he talked. He said he was driving by and saw that beautiful barn sitting out in the tall grass and wanted to know if it was for sale. I told him he had a funny idea of beauty. Sure, it was a handsome building in its day, but then, there's been a lot of winters pass with their snow and ice and howling wind. The summer sun's beat down on that old barn till all the paint's gone, and the wood has turned silver gray. Now the old building leans a good deal, looking kind of tired. Yet, that fellow called it beautiful. That set me to thinking. I walked out to the field and just stood there, gazing at that old barn. The stranger said he planned to use the lumber to line the walls of his den in a new country home he's building down the road. He said you couldn't get paint that beautiful. Only years of standing in the weather, bearing the storms and scorching sun, only that can produce beautiful barn wood. It came to me then. We're a lot like that, you and I. Only it's on the inside that the beauty grows with us. Sure we turn silver gray too... and lean a bit more than we did when we were young and full of sap. But the Good Lord knows what He's doing, and as the years pass He's busy using the hard weather of our lives, the dry spells and the stormy seasons to do a job of beautifying on our souls that nothing else can produce. And to think how often folks 'holler' because they want life easy! They took the old barn down today and hauled it away to beautify a rich man's house. I reckon someday you and I will be hauled off to Heaven to take on whatever chores the Good Lord has for us on the Great Sky Ranch. I suspect we'll be more beautiful then, for the seasons we've been through here, and just maybe we might even add a bit of beauty to our Father's house. I do sincerely thank God for my wonderful friends and family who care about me even though I show signs of weathering!

Duh….

Wow!! I am learning more all the time about blogging. If I wish to keep a copy of my blog for personal use, I have just realized that I need to type it up in Word and post it to my blog. Now, how come it took me so long to figure that one out?????

Jesus Knocking?

An e-mail I received in the mail this morning has gotten my mind on fast forward………
A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own hearts. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David's comment.
Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart. "Listen," she said. Then asked, "What do you suppose that is?"
He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if he was lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin as he asked, "Is that Jesus knocking?"

I wonder if we are attuned enough to hear as God knocks continually at our hearts door. Maybe, He just needs to visit, or He could he possibly wish to heal: a broken heart, a wounded soul, a maligned body, or a tortured spirit! Maybe he would like to bring peace to our hearts! Could he have a special job for us to do?
Whatever, He is knocking for I want to hear the knocking!So God, if I need a spiritual stethoscope, my heart is open to Your knocking.
"Where He leads me I will follow.
Where He leads me I will follow.
Where He leads me I will follow.
I'll go with Him, With Him, all the way."

Lonnie

Lonnie and Bertie Faye

Lonnie and Shirley

Ditto

L2R Glenn, Lonnie, Bro Perdue

Lonnie and Crawfish!

I love you my brother!!!

Campmeeting

Campmeeting was wonderful for us this year. The services were so powerful, and the word of God anointed!! Of course the highlight of my week was the night that Britni and Malcolm came and brought Carter! This was Malcolm's first time to be in a Pentecostal service, and he really enjoyed it! He went to the front and prayed!! I want God to fill them both with the Holy Ghost!! I know He wants to, and I believe that their hearts are tendering towards God!

Carter is so precious, and I want him to be raised in Truth!!!