Jesus Is Lord Over Picayune, MS

Eric Ludy - The Ancient War Cry

2012-02-05T09:36:00.000-06:00

In Your Arms ~ by Jordan Vaughan

2012-01-29T15:33:00.000-06:00

Yours ~ by Jordan Vaughan

2012-01-29T15:25:00.000-06:00

I Come to Praise ~ by Jordan Vaughan

2012-01-29T15:19:00.001-06:00

Salvation ~ by Jordan Vaughan

2012-01-29T15:10:00.000-06:00

Open Wide The Doors ~ by Jordan Vaughan

2012-01-29T14:56:00.000-06:00

Your Love's So Real ~ Jordan Vaughan

2012-01-29T14:45:00.003-06:00

While on My First Assignment ...

2012-01-24T18:16:00.001-06:00

When I first surrendered to the call to preach, (after running from it for eight long hard years); the Lord sent me to a little coffee house outreach, called,"The King's Inn'', in Picayune, Ms. This was at the head of Goodyear Blvd. & Main St. This was where I began learning hands on ministry of teaching and preaching God's Word. I was also sent to the mission field of "Goodyear Blvd." The "Vard" was the hang out of the day. While making my usual trek, from what is now P.J.'s to the other end, where Mike's Quick Stop is now, I walked in front of the first Baptist Church and came upon a group of teenagers. I started telling them about this Jesus who sent me out where they were. One was a young teenage boy, sitting in his red convertible sports car. said, "Hey man, is it a sin to drink?" Immediately I responded: "The Bible says be ye not drunk with wine where it is excess but be filled with the spirit." He wanted to know where that was found. Even though I had my Bible with me I could not quote chapter and verse. So, I said a little prayer under my breath. 'Lord, You know I don't know where this is and if I can't show them this, these kids will think I am lying.' While standing under a dim lit street I opened my Bible to the exact verse of scripture, Ephesians 5 :18, and read it to them.

How amazed I was to think God could even control my hands and fingers so precisely that out of 31,103 verses, I turned to the exact verse! How great is our God!

Pastor- Steven Stockstill

Cry by Jordan Vaughn

2012-01-23T20:27:00.004-06:00

Picayune

2011-11-09T09:40:00.001-06:00

by Stephanie Mitchell Edge

Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 9:08am.

Where do I even start? I feel like I have so many things to say, and not enough time to say it. I know, I’m only moving ... I’m not dying.. But it's so much more than that. I am moving away from my home. My family. My friends that I have had for as long as I can remember, and some that I just met and feel like I have know forever. Needless to say, I am terrified and excited all in the same breath.

This past year. Wow. If I told you how wonderful the people are who surround me are, you would never believe me. I have seen more acts of kindness and selflessness in the past year than most people see in their entire lifetime. Say what you want about Picayune. Heck, I say a lot too.. But the truth is..it is our home. Everyone knows you, knows your business and sometimes that is the thing that will get you through the roughest part of your life. It's those people who treat you to lunch when you can't afford to go, offer a smile when you are down, drop by to give you a hug when you are stressed, or just simply call to make sure you are okay.

I wish I could go through here and list everyone who has helped me this past year but there is no way. You know who you are. Saying thank you is not enough to express all you have done for me and my family. Your support, prayers, concern, acts of kindness, gestures, understanding, patience... the list just goes on and on. I know whereever I go in life I will never meet friends like the ones I have developed by simply living in this little town. I thank God for this opportunity to see more than Picayune, but I also thank him for allowing me to grow up here... and to raise my children here.

I remember when I was younger I couldn’t wait to leave.. And I did... and quickly realized I wanted to come back..lol. Who knows what God has in store for us..but I know that no matter where I go, or how long I stay.. I can always come back home.

Eternal Love (Rough Draft) - Jordan Vaughan

2011-10-19T23:09:00.002-05:00

Jordan Vaughan currently resides in TX but is a native of Picayune, MS. Please enter into worship with him as you view and listen to this 'rough draft' the Lord has given him. He is pursuing his passion of writing and recording his music and lyrics.

There IS Tremendous Power in Words Spoken Over Our Children and City

2011-10-13T00:12:00.000-05:00

by: Kelly Sampson

I was putting my make-up on about 3 weeks ago and the Lord told me in the sweetest voice “I have chosen you to speak out for me.” I told the Lord “I’m not from Picayune.” And He said, “Yes. but He knew in my heart I was feeling it was my home, too.” I have been feeling this since the day I saw the mascot for The BLUE DEVILS...He told me “Parents all wonder why there is such a problem with drugs and the kids going crazy” and He told me “The parents have been calling their children devils for decades ‘Go Devils, Go Devils.’” He said “The spoken word is very powerful and they just don’t understand what damage they are doing. Church going people that have been taught and know how powerful the spoken word is and still they call their children Devils!” The Lord said “NO, IT’S NOT JUST A GAME. IT’S THEIR LIVES and FUTURE they’re placing a curse on. The city of Picayune, Pearl River county and other counties will never be drug free and the jail will not stop being over crowded till you stop calling your children devils.” So there you have it! Now Picayune, its up to you to do what you will with your children.

~Devil from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, is believed in many religions and cultures to be a powerful, supernatural entity that is the personification of evil and the enemy of God and humankind. The Devil is commonly associated with heretics, infidels, and other unbelievers. The Abrahamic religions have variously regarded the Devil as a rebellious fallen angel or demon that tempts humans to sin or commit evil deeds. Judaism sees the Devil as an adversary and an accuser whose role is assigned rather than assumed.

In mainstream Christianity, God and the Devil are usually portrayed as fighting over the souls of humans, with the Devil seeking to lure people away from God and into Hell. The Devil commands a force of evil angels, commonly known as demons. The Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament) describes the Adversary (Ha-satan) as an angel who instigates tests upon humankind. Many other religions have a trickster or tempter figure that is similar to the Devil. Modern conceptions of the Devil include the concept that it symbolizes humans' own lower nature or sinfulness.

People put the concept of the Devil to use in social and political conflicts, claiming that their opponents are influenced by the Devil or even willingly supporting the Devil. The Devil has also been used to explain why others hold beliefs that are considered to be false and ungodly.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue . And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

THIS IS THE MASCOT YOU PICKED FOR YOUR CHILDREN???????

AND JESUS IS LORD OVER PICAYUNE, MS

Will Your Faith Stand?

2011-09-27T23:47:00.003-05:00

by Jennie Heberg (August 26,2011)
Featured in: Women of Faith
Picayune, Item

~ Just imagine you're a 15 year old living a life that affords you the best your country has to offer.

Your parents have seen to it that you are well established in the best learning facilities available but first and foremost have seen to it that your life is rooted and grounded in a great faith in The One True God, Jehovah. You attend services regularly as a family, there is a habit of prayer in your household and God is sought in every area of your life.

God has given you great wisdom in all things in your life and you've been equally blessed with friends who are blessed just as you are. You are of royal blood, living in the palace.

There comes a particular day that all your physical security is destroyed. Your entire country is overthrown by another and everything to which you've grown accustomed is completely gone. You, along with many of your friends, approximately 70 who also live in the palace and are of royal descent, have been kidnapped, physically unharmed, and taken to this foreign country who, in an instant, was solely responsible for turning your world completely upside down.

Your family's safety is utterly unknown to you. As the next few days to by you realize that the King has chosen you and three of your close friends to serve him. You've all been chosen because of your station in life and because you are well learned in academics, sports, and wisdom.

You've aligned yourself with your friends and have become the lead person in your group acting as the spokesperson. In the first thirty days of your 'imprisonment' you find that you will be expected to attend classes to learn the language and customs of this new country you've been thrown into.

The King's Top Chefs will be preparing all your food consisting of every delicacy, pastry and drink available to that of only the 'rich and famous' however you've been raised not to partake of these things simply due to your belief in God and His standards. Not only would these foods be unhealthy for your body, but the meats prepared had been offered up to idols and you've been raised to love and honor The One True God, Jehovah.

The reasons you are so proficient in your studies, sports, and wisdom is that you honor God, Jehovah in every are of life not allowing foods offered to idols to be eaten. Instead, you have lived on 'whole foods', health foods if you will, vegetables, grains, whole wheat and water. You present your desire as a challenge that if you and your three friends can eat these things for ten days of the three years required, that you will prove that you all will test better than any others in the program. You are given the permission to do so by the man who has been set as Supervisor over all.

At the end of that ten days you and your three friends prove that your God's way is best. When tested, the four of you prove to be ten times better than any others in every matter of wisdom and understanding that the King consulted you about. This happened simply because your four trusted your God, Jehovah.

As time goes on the four are put to the test over and over; every time you see the hand of your God, Jehovah deliver you from extreme circumstances. Your faith stands strong against all your enemies throw at you and you prevail. This is due to your lifestyle, the fact that you pray, listen to what God, Jehovah directs and you find favor and are friends to many.

The 15 year old we speak of died in the country he was taken to, living to be second in command of the conquering country, a friend to the King. This young man lived to be over 80 years old before going to meet his God face to face.

This King he worked for came to see the hand of God work in so many ways that at the end of his life he also went to meet his God, Jehovah. The influence of these four, especially this 15 year old young man, had such a profound influence on their surroundings, community, supervisors and ultimately the King of the country that God, Jehovah gave him favor on earth.

Now, I ask you again, will your faith stand?

~
The 15 year old, 3 friends and 80 year old I am writing about here are Daniel and his friends. A LifeGroup on the study of the book of Daniel is currently being held in my home. This article was written prior to the beginning of our group. Amazing things are already happening.

Remembering Hurricane Katrina six years later

2011-09-06T22:23:00.001-05:00

August 27, 2011

Remembering Hurricane Katrina six years later

By Jodi Marze, Lifestyles Editor The Picayune Item

PICAYUNE — Six years ago today, Gwen Williams (a.k.a. Ms. Chocolate) left her home in New Orleans and her church ministry as a story teller behind as she evacuated to escape Hurricane Katrina.

“It’s hard to believe that it has been six years,” she says.

She recalls when she returned to her home, after the flooding had subsided.

“I came home, after Katrina, to my house that held 30 years of my life, momentos, and furnishings. That day that I came home I saw that my house was gone and every earthly thing that I had in it was gone with it.”

She says (referring to the rose made of dollars that she brought with her), “I found this rose laying inside my front door, blackened and disgusting from the flood waters. My mom had given me the rose for my birthday. My brother warned me not to touch it. But I took it because I saw the value and the lesson in it. It will always remind me that you can be ugly and still have value. The petals are still legal tender and have not lost value because they went through a disaster. Your life can be ugly and still have a purpose. All is never lost. There is always hope.”

Williams, who wrote a book about her experience titled, “The Birthday Rose — What Katrina could not destroy ...” says she is doing better now and feels very settled in her home in Nicholson and community.

“All of us have been moved around and settled places; some of us have healed while others are still dealing with fraudulent contractors and higher home taxes because of the flood.

“People always ask me, ‘Are you a hurricane survivor?’ So I tell them ‘No! I am a hurricane overcomer. If I were just a survivor that would mean that I was back on my feet and ready for the next one; but I am here to tell you that I practice F.I.D.O. which stands for Forget It and Drive On! Through Jesus I am an overcomer!”

Williams has embraced some big differences coming from “a big city and huge church to small town and small church with different racial demographics.”

She says, “What I perceived to be Mississippi and what I have experienced in Mississippi are two very different things. I didn’t think that the community would be so warm and welcoming. I love nothing more than meeting people up at Treasures. There are no friendlier people around.”

Williams continues to build her ministry out-reach for children by writing her third book in the “Effie and his Encouraging F-words” series; launching her first DVD called “Ms. Chocolate: For Real” in its second production and staying active in her church. She attends First Baptist Church in Picayune where she sings in the choir, and teaches 5th and 6th- graders.

“They love my stories and can probably tell them now better than I can! I love it when they see me out and they call out to me, ‘Hey Chocolate!’ Everyone just looks like ‘What did those kids just call you?!’”

Williams is known for her humor and big smiles, but you can see the hurt in her expression when she speaks about local children who go to bed hungry.

“The hurt in my heart is for those children. I don’t see how someone can support children in other countries while the ones in their own back yard have no food. We have got to get the message out that these children need our help; they do not have uniforms for school and are not eating like they should.

“But this issue really goes deeper than that,” she says, “we have got to reach these babies that are out there having babies. These children grow up in survival mode and this is all they know. We have got to reach them before they start having babies and teach them that abstinence is a better way. We must help them do better than this.”

Williams says her next step in her ministry is to put her “Effie” character in costume take her act into schools.

She says, “I’m not an entertainer; I’m an inspirational story-teller. I’m not a survivor; I’m an overcomer. God has blessed me and opened many doors for me. He has brought me here and I feel that by the grace of God, I am in the group that has healed since Hurricane Katrina.”

A Call to COMMUNITY

2011-07-12T00:18:00.004-05:00

by Dawn Bechtel

As a young child I attended a Christian School from 1st-9th grade. Even though I went to a Christian School and church every Sunday, I never had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ until I was saved by Jesus' love and grace in November of 1994. In March of 1995 I was baptized and my life changed forever!
I was like a 'burning bush' for the Lord. Wherever I went and whomever I spoke to, I spoke about Jesus. I loved people so much that I couldn't wait to tell them about how Jesus' love and forgiveness had changed my life and how He could change theirs. I kept telling the Lord, "Here I am; send me!"

One day my nephew invited me to go minister with him on a street outreach in New Orleans. At first I was a little hesitant, but I felt such a stirring and nudging at my heart that I couldn't wait to go! On Saturday morning we headed to New Orleans East to minister to the needs of children and families in a broken down neighborhood.
Several groups of people from Andy's church followed us as we drove into the neighborhood where we were going to minister. As we were pulling up to the location, a truck driven by one of the church family members pulled up and unloaded tarps, a sound system and food. His church family quickly broke up into several teams. One group started getting games together for the kids to play. Another team was preparing food and the other team headed out to knock on doors to get the families to come to where we were located.
Over 100 kids and parents came out. As I watched the street outreach, I saw the hunger, pain and brokenness of people who did not know Jesus. They had no hope! What they needed was Jesus in their lives. My heart broke. That day the Holy Spirit began speaking to my heart about reaching out to the people in the community of Picayune.

Within a couple of months after that first outreach, I attended a training in Tampa, FL, where I was trained in street ministry. Upon returning to Picayune, with the covering of my Pastor, I met with the Director of the Housing Authority and the Police Department and I shared what we wanted to do. They directed us to the most needy areas of the city.
Over the next 4 1/2 years God did amazing things in our city. He unified the hearts of the people in our church to reach the city for the Lord. The Lord multiplied the street ministry from one to three locations. We 'went to the highways and byways and compelled them to come in.' (Luke 14:23) Jesus was exalted, people accepted the Lord and lives were changed.

The Lord opened doors for us to obtain free produce, food and snacks. We were able to provide snacks, vegetables and other items to residents in the housing areas, trailer parks and throughout the city. Many nights several of us went on 'midnight runs' to load food into a Suburban and then unload it in our storage garage where we would sort and bag food to be delivered to locations throughout the city. We even went into dumpsters behind area grocery stores to get food for the needy! Rain or shine, hot or cold we did it because of the love of people and the Lord. Lives were changed; hope was restored -- the only Hope, Jesus Christ.

Throughout this time we began several community outreach ministries; clothes ministry, baby baskets to young unwed girls' babies, outreaches at The Pines and Convalescent Home, Thanksgiving baskets, a bus ministry, 'Back to School' bashes and a community Easter egg hunt. The Lord continued to multiply. His glory was revealed!

The Lord called us to go minister in Honduras to over 5,000 people in parks, hospitals, an orphanage and on the streets in the poorest areas of town. People were healed and lives were changed forever for Jesus!

Over the past 17 years the Lord has used me in our community in ways I could never have dreamed or imagined. Whether serving the youth at RLM, developing programs as Teen Director and Director of the Boys and Girls Club, coordinating after school and summer camps in multiple school districts, Teen Court Judge for Picayune, teaching Young Ladies of Virtue and overseeing outreach projects in our community, God never ceases to amaze me that He could use 'this foolish thing of the world, to confound the wise.' (Ninth Ward Girl, you know!)

To be used by God takes a humble spirit and a willing heart. I am truly humbled to know that the Lord is continuing to grow and trust me with some of His work to be done here. Giving myself selflessly to the Lord to serve His people is truly a privilege, blessing and honor that I do not take lightly.

One of my life's goals is for the Lord to use me to leave a 'Legacy' to the children and families of Picayune. Knowing that my life was spent selflessly to love and serve His people and to exalt Him is what I am here for -- to help people see that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, that He has a plan and purpose for each one of us, and that everyone is valuable in His eyes. Only by accepting Him as Lord and Savior will their lives change and restoration take place.

When I meet Him face to face, I pray I hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And when I do, I know that I will have fulfilled my purpose and call to His people of this community.
Posted from Life Signs Magazine July-September 2011 with permission

GREATER THINGS

2011-07-10T23:18:00.002-05:00

By: Wendy Mims

I have heard it said that nothing good comes out of Picayune, MS., that it is just a small & insignificant town with a high teen pregnancy rate and a hub for drugs. Well, I beg to differ...

A while back I had the privilege of listening to a dear friend in her very first radio interview promoting the publishing of her 1st devotional book for women. As I listened to her talk about the journey that led to the fruition of the book I couldn't help but think of times that we had experienced. I began to think about where she had come from, where she was and where she was going! As I continued to listen my heart became overwhelmed with pride and love and I was honored to call her my friend. I started to think about my own life and where I had come from and I began to think of all the amazing women that I am surrounded by every day, my inner circle, the ones I call my 'Godfriends'! I thought about each friend and the journey they have traveled. Where they had come from, where they are now and where the Lord is taking them and my heart became filled with joy and I thought... "Who ever said Picayune is insignificant? Great things are coming out of Picayune"!

So who are the Great Women of today? Where have we come from and where are we going?

We are 'Our Father's Daughters', we are the lineage of the Mothers of Old, and we glean of the wisdom gained from each one. Wisdom such as that of Hannah, the 'Barren Woman', Naomi, the 'Widow', Ruth, the 'Faithful Servant', Esther, the 'Chosen Queen' and even the wisdom to be gained from the lives of Gomer, the 'Harlot' and Rahab, 'Prostitute'. They were mothers, sisters, daughters and friends. Like us, they experienced times of grief & sorrow, shame, insecurity, heartache and rejection. Just like us they dwelt in Egypt for a time, they had a Jordan to cross over and a promised land to inherit. Each one had a story to tell, wisdom to offer and each one played a strategic role in the lineage of Jesus Christ and of us. We are following in the footsteps of an army of Warrior Brides who have gone before us and left their mark on the pages of history.

What could take a young woman having been abused or neglected by men who vowed to love her, from a place of brokenness into a place of wholeness? What could take a broken heart that once grieved so bad the pain of living seemed unbearable and turn it into a place where healing waters have made joy and laughter its song? And what could take a mind filled with questions and doubts, fears and uncertainty and make it a place where God's Grace has become its Anthem...NOTHING BUT THE HEALING HAND OF A MIGHTY GOD HAS DONE THIS!!!...these are the places from which we've come, they are our Egypt, our Crossing over the Jordan and they have lead us into our Promised Land. It is a Beautiful land flowing with springs of joy and laughter and a place where the cry of brokenness has become our captivating dance of redemption ...and the best is yet to come!!!

Yes, I'd say..."Great things are coming out of Picayune"!!!

GREATER THINGS HAVE YET TO COME, GREATER THINGS HAVE YET TO BE DONE IN THIS CITY!!!

Posted with permission: taken from Life Signs Magazine Summer 2011 RLM

Cleansing Streams

2011-06-07T22:35:00.001-05:00

Cleansing Streams

Thank You, Lord, for

This cleansing stream

Pouring over me!

Lord, I give my all

Into Your hands.

Thank You for Your

Cleansing streams.

I love You Lord

And look to You

To pour over me

Your cleansing streams

Over and over and over again!

Thank You, Lord for

Your cleansing stream!

Here in this house

You’ve filled the air

With Your Cleansing Stream!

The above just poured out of my spirit as I was worshipping during the final service of this year's Prophetic Conference at Resurrection Life. I look forward to hearing the music to go along with it. I usually sing to the Lord during worship and the words just flow. I pray you'll enjoy this writing.

WHEN PRAYER becomes PERSONAL by Charles & Barbara Grantham

2011-04-11T11:59:00.001-05:00

WHEN PRAYER BECOMES PERSONAL

By Charles and Barbara Grantham

As I begin my day I have a track to run on. “Father, I thank you for the love of God that prevails in my heart; because I come through the blood of Jesus; because I am crucified with Christ and filled with the Spirit of the living God. I ask you to fill me now. I thank you for the desire that is in my heart to walk in the law of the Spirit of Life that is in Christ Jesus in obedience – because the law of the Spirit of Life that is in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death – receiving the Grace of God as an intercessor and as a soul winner, wearing the whole armor of God in Jesus name.

As a result of this prayer my focus is no longer on me. You and I who are born again must dwell in the light. Once we have tasted and have an appreciation of the light, the contradictions are obvious and cause discomfort; rightly so?

I would like to share with you answered prayer. For quite some time I have noticed when praying with other people, words would come up out of my inner man calling for liberty. After going through the Cleansing Streams led by Bro. Carey, I recognized a light came on; my prayer has been answered. I have an appreciation in me; thanksgiving that the leadership of this RLM fellowship has emphasized and encouraged liberty of the individual to function in the Kingdom of God.

About 5∏ years ago Bro. Allen asked Bro. Dan to put together a prayer team to hear God. A dozen people participating in regular times to pray together formed the healing team. In an all night prayer meeting the Lord gave us an assignment to form the Gatekeepers. The Gatekeepers then formed the Watchman on the Wall. The New Year began with the Watchman in place. We are being flooded with dreams, visions, and revelations. To put it another way, the perfect law of Liberty is coming into effect right before our eyes. The perfecting of communication between God and man is taking place and we are in it. This is not an exclusive club. Stay tuned and be aware, the Holy Spirit is one fine recruiter.

There are no heroes here but we will honor our leadership to the point that they will be effective for the Glory of God. I can see it now: the RLM House of Prayer will become the instrument in the fulfilling of Jesus’ Prayer in the lives of many, ‘THAT THEY BE ONE.’

Bro. Dan has preached to our team for almost six years that we should not be “need oriented” people but that we should have a testimony of an over comer; that my God meets all my needs. So the simplicity here is recognizing and appreciating Almighty God’s perfect plan of Redemption and learning to function in the perfect law of Liberty. The perfecting of communication, that is to say, learning to hear the voice of God and responding in obedience is the way we are going to get it done.

Last year during the Week of Prayer and Fasting Mary Pitts came to our prayer booth in the sanctuary. She had been diagnosed with cancer. After praying for her she received healing in her body. Recently the last PET scan came back negative. Since then every time I see Mary she has a big smile on her face. She shared with me that she is so thankful that the Lord led her and her family to RLM. When you see a woman at church with a smile on her face that can’t be wiped off you will know it is Mary Pitts. Look what the Lord has done!

People who come to the healing room for prayer receive salvation as well as healing. About a month ago a couple brought their seven year old son, Warren, to the healing room for prayer because he was having his tonsils removed the next day. After we prayed for the operation I asked Warren if he had asked Jesus into his heart. He said, “No!” His mother said, “Do you want to right now?” He quickly answered, “Yes.” When he left the room he not only had been covered in prayer for the operation he had also received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. His mother shared with me that her prayer was answered: Warren went into the operating room with no fear. What a difference prayer can make!

For years the intercessors of RLM have prayed for a prayer room where intercession and prayer could be made without interference. The House of Prayer building is an answer to the intercessors’ prayers.

People are being saved, set free, and healed in Picayune and Pearl River County. Prayer is being made night and day by Gatekeepers, Watchman, and faithful Intercessors who have answered the call to prayer. No matter the situation Jesus is ready to hear and answer. You can’t tell me God doesn’t heal today.

Jesus is Lord over Picayune

and Pearl River County!

My Pieces ..by Ejay Harris

2010-09-30T23:00:00.001-05:00

...anything to bring Glory to God and trade my ashes for beauty...I just pray that it may bring hope to someone who may be feeling broken and down trodden...

Love in Christ,
Ejay
---------

My Pieces .. by Ejay Harris

When I was age 12, I surrendered my life and heart to Jesus completely and innocently. Soon there after, my Mom and Dad passed away within 8 months time of each other. My Mom was the last to leave passing only two days after my 13th Birthday. She threw me a big party and away I went for the weekend with some relatives. Life was getting better after losing my Dad only 8 months prior to that. I remember the day she passed like it was yesterday...I also remember looking into the clouds and saying "Thanks God, some birthday present". After I gave my heart to the Lord, I begged her to start attending Church with me, which she never did, saying "maybe some day". Neither she nor I ever had that day, so in hurt and disbelief I turned my heart away from Jesus saying, "if there is a God then He certainly doesn't care about me".

I was immediately moved to the Picayune area where I lived in an environment of mental, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of not just one relative but several. When the secret was out, I met my social worker Tana Walker and was moved first to a girls shelter, then through several different foster homes, until I finally landed in the loving home of my Mom and Dad, Larry and Dottie Wilson and all of my sisters and brothers. Tana Walker reminded me through the example of her life and love that Jesus is real and that He loves me. Larry and Dottie and the rest of the family showed me, through their acceptance, what living as a person who is unconditionally loved is all about. Mom and Dad took me in when I was 18 years old and they, and the rest of the family, have always loved me and treated me as one of their very own. I thank Jesus every day for each and every one of them.

At the age of 17, I gave my love and soul back to my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Though I now knew that Jesus loved me even though I was used and abused, I still had not learned to love myself. Those of you who have known me since school days probably remember the change. Between my 11th and 12th grade High School years I went from being a pot smoking, beer drinking, cussing like a sailor heathen, to a Bible thumping, Jesus loving, Jesus t-shirt wearing, Word preaching Child of God. Yet during all those years in school there were not many people who knew of the abuse and hell I was enduring at the same time.

During my walk with Jesus I have made some very bad choices such as abusive relationships, drugs and alcohol, wrong marriages, and divorces. I have been rejected, beat down, ignored, disowned, overlooked, hated, used and abused. I have lost so many loved ones that I started to feel like Job. The only difference is that each time someone I loved died, I cursed God and walked away. Eveytime I lost someone I became angry, discouraged and confused. I was saddened by the losses but angry because I felt that God chose them over me. You see I had prayed and begged for Jesus to just take me home almost every day of my life since I can remember. This life I had been walking, even as a Christian, was brutal and I was tired.

After my last divorce, I decided to take that leap out from under the covering of the protection of God. I am in no way blaming my ex-husband, infact I thank him for helping me get my life back once I gave my life back to Jesus. I soon found myself once again abused, used, on drugs, homeless, helpless, and hopeless. I was tired of the walk around the mountain...like the Israelites in the wilderness...so I began to pray that Jesus would place in me a new heart. A heart that is not tossed to a fro with the winds of life, but one that is secure and at peace even during the strongest of storms. Jesus has answered that prayer in a way I would never imagine.

Jesus has taken my pieces that were so shattered and broken, He has carefully and purposefully placed each one in its place. Like the loving Creator He is, He has changed my heart, delivered me, restored me, accepted me, acknowledged me, caressed me, lovingly touched me, and set me at His right hand as His beautiful bride and the DAUGHTER OF THE MOST HIGH KING!!

Here is my hearts desire...I have allowed God to make me vulnerable and use my pieces to hopefully spark just a glimmer of hope in someone's life that may be feeling rejected, hurt, confused, and broken. If there is but just a glimmer Jesus will do the rest.

Here is God's promise to me and to anyone who will believe that He sets the captives free, brings sight to the blind, makes the lame walk again and restores back to all everything that the devil has stolen!!

Isaiah 42:3 "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;" (NIV) another translation Isaiah 42:3 "He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. He will bring justice to all who have been wronged." (NLT)

Matt. 11:28 Then Jesus said, "Come to Me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest."
At the feet of Jesus I have found my healing, deliverance, restoration, peace and rest!

Love in Christ,

Ejay

Rise and Go Toward the South...to Picayune, MS

2010-08-10T11:49:00.003-05:00

Carl, Jennie & Jonathan Heberg
May 2010

The first part of Acts 8:26 reads like this: Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south..."

This has been resonating in my heart of late. As you continue on to verses 34-35 we see one particular man, who had been reading the Scriptures and really didn't understand their meaning. Amazingly, Philip came up just at the time he needed direction and explanation. When Philip asked him if he knew what the writing meant, his response amazes me, 'how can I know if someone doesn't explain it to me?' Philip then had an opportunity to lead him through 'what we in our society call' the plan of salvation and upon coming upon a body of water desired to be baptised.

What a great intro to what God is doing in our lives today. We have lived the theme "Don't Limit God" throughout this year. At the beginning of each year my husband is given a specific theme for the year. This theme runs throughout the messages he preaches, passages he teaches on, and everything that occurs during that year. Our family adopts this as a constant part of our daily lives. At the beginning of this year, 2010, we had no idea how real it would resound in our daily living. As having been a pastoral family in a particular denomination for several years, he felt that God had specifically instructed him to take 'a little time off' in that area. However, that being said, we ARE NOT AT ALL to step out of the ministry He placed in our lives. We walk daily in the reality of walking in ministry He places before us. Having lived in the Henleyfield area for 4 years, going south for us is to Picayune, MS. We sought the Lord and He truly spoke to us to make Picayune, MS our home on this earth. I had told Carl that I'd be willing to go wherever he heard from God we were to go and even Jonathan wrote in his birthday card this year that no matter what we do for the Lord, or where the Lord leads us as a family he would be there for him and would encourage him and pray for him. Jonathan, being a twelve year old and very close to his Dad, really touched his heart. We are in full support of all that God calls Carl to do and we'll be with him and minister side by side with him, be at home when he has open doors to travel or can travel with him. The Lord will do the leading and we'll all do the following.
My husband has been in some sort of jail/prison ministry for over 20 years but within a week from actually relocating to Picayune the Lord opened wide a door for him to weekly lead a Bible study for Federal prisoners, those no one else would go see. For various reasons these prisoners, even if they really want to attend a Bible study, were not willing to attend services out of their block. The door has been opened wide for him to go into their block. It began because 1 (ONE) person was interested in a deeper relationship with the Lord, however since then nearly a dozen men have joined in the study, although as in these type situations, they are not always allowed to continue in this group simply due to the fact that they are relocated in various facilities in the nation.
There are also other areas of ministry Carl continues to walk in, (ie. Nursing/Assisted Living Homes, etc.)
As we've begun to attend church we have been able to plug into various areas of leadership and God is opening many doors for him in ministry as well as opening things for me to walk in also.
So my reason for saying that 'Jesus Is Lord Over Picayune, MS' is that simply He, our Lord and Savior, called us here to Picayune, MS, minister to everyone He places in our lives. We are to work on our own lives, keep ourselves ready always to be Jesus for others, and see just what 'Great and Wonderful things God will do', as Carl always says to end his prayers of benediction and blessings spoken over congregations.
We look for God to begin to open doors for us to minister in local and distant churches, retreat situations, revivals, etc. When God opens a door we will know it, and will see Him walk us through that door. We know that as God has promised He will allow us to only walk through those doors He opens and will close all doors that are not His. What a great encouragement to know our Lord and Savior is so interested in our lives to the extent that He will keep us as we seek His face and direction in all areas of our lives. This is true for everyone who will do so.
I'm probably the greatest advocate and supporter for the call of God on Carl's life and love his teachings as he has a great gift of teaching and administration on his life. A variety of teachings have been developed over the past 21 years since God spoke the call to him. Here is just a small list of topics God has developed in his spirit:

New Life in Christ (a concise yet expanded explanation and teaching of walking out our faith in Christ, including discipleship)
The Blessing (the importance of the blessing of the parents/especially the father over the children)
You Have Not Many Fathers (mentors, fathers in the faith, etc. for men who really are not walking in their proper place because they are not confident in God's leading due to the fact that they don't have a Father view of God as there are no Fathers of the Faith they can pinpoint in their lives)
Prayer Walking (taking the city/community for Jesus by walking, riding or coming together with others to pray, encourage and minister with a purpose to see Jesus' love permeate their lives)
and a host of other teachings

Contact me for info about his schedule. Be blessed and always know that God has a plan and a vision for your life. It is up to you to walk in it.

In His Love and Service,

Jennie
Eph. 3:20

Home Sweet Home

2010-08-07T08:59:00.001-05:00

Howard & Thelma Summers

Home Sweet Home

We moved to Picayune from New Orleans 35 years ago when we were expecting our sixth child and had outgrown our suburban home. After looking exhaustively for a country home near New Orleans, Slidell, and finally, Picayune, the realtor took us to see “just one more” down a country road, over a “cattle gap,” and up a long driveway. A picturesque panorama unfolded before us with two giant magnolias flanking the drive framing a sprawling, white, older home surrounded by birds and flowers. It would be our home for the next 20 years.

We raised our six children there, until our son who was born there went away to college. We gave them roots grown deep in the wonderful community of Picayune, watched them graduate high school, spread their wings and go on to successful lives of their own lived for God and reflecting their upbringing, reinforced by spiritual development in church attendance and participation. Our oldest became a minister, our second-oldest, a minister’s wife, four are involved in music ministry in their churches, with one a youth pastor and band director at an outreach church for Chinese in Houston, Texas. Besides ministry, they work in education, nursing, industry and finance. My husband, Howard, became a minister himself when God stopped him in his tracks in the middle of a business career. The then-pastor at Solid Rock Church, Rev. Joseph Kiley, guided him in getting ministerial credentials and placed him on staff as Administrator/Associate Pastor. We left Picayune when Howard was called to the staff of a large church in Wichita, Kansas. We later returned to south Mississippi where he was pastor of a church on the Gulf Coast, leaving after Hurricane Katrina.

Is Jesus Lord over Picayune? That was our experience. I know the demographics of the town have changed, but God hasn’t changed. As II Chronicles 7:14 says, “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.” If that is the case, then we can say, “Jesus is Lord over Picayune.”

(Check out www.thelmasummers.blogspot.com/ for more wonderful articles by this author.)

excerpt from Bubble Bath Moments compiled by Manthie Hayes

2010-08-06T08:57:00.002-05:00

Let me give a bit of intro to this book for you.
The heart behind Bubble Bath Moments was -- to minister to a woman's heart....
devotions by everyday women.
...their stories - amazing, heart-warming, real stories of their experiences & what God has done in their lives.
Love this part.."I believe that new relationships will be built through this, that broken hearts will be healed, that the discouraged will find new hope, that the weary will find strength to persevere and most of all that you will gain a greater understanding of God's love for you."

Here is just one devotion by Manthie Hayes who compiled this book that includes several wonderful devotions from a variety of ladies from varied ages and backgrounds. A great example of Jesus Is Lord Over Picayune, MS (a publication of RLM Media)
shared with permission from Manthie Hayes:
Jennie Heberg

The Perfect Design

by Manthie Hayes

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14

My best friend started a t-ball league for special needs children. She was inspired to do this after their youngest son was diagnosed with autism. To me, this seems like such a huge responsibility and undertaking, but she just breezes through it. I got an opportunity at a fundraising event to watch her interact with the children. I watched and listened as she calmed one little girl, who no one else could get to listen, simply by the tone of her voice. I was amazed and inspired to be able to witness her with the kids. Maybe it touched me so much because that is not my element and not my gift, yet she doesn't think anything about it. It's just her being her. Seeing God's gifts in action with her increases my faith and wonder of the Lord. When she is working with these children, I can see God knitting her together in her mother's womb, putting a piece of compassion here, additional patience there, and being so specific as to make her voice a tone that would be soothing to the children she ministers to. What an amazing God! It is so exciting to see someone operating in the purposes that they were created to do. How neat it is to see God's hand in every part of their person that enables them to be effective. Somehow when I watch her with these children, God gets bigger to me, and it inspires me to use the gifts and talents He's given to me.

What are some of the things God has created you for? A mother, a teacher, a nurse, a wife, a business woman, a writer? Ask the Lord to show you what the compilation of you was designed to do. If you're still not sure, begin by looking at your passions. What motivates you? What inspires you? What drives you? You are fearfully and wonderfully made! Created in His image to do good works! Operate in your purpose! Fulfill your destiny! Discover the woman God created you to be.

Father, thank You that You have specifically equipped us with every little thing we need to do Your will for our lives on this earth. Begin to light fires in our hearts that prepare and lead us to Your purpose for us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Additional scriptures: Jeremiah 1:5; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 139; Ephesians 2:10

*************************************************************************

This is just one example of the wonderful works God has given to a variety of ladies who reside in the Picayune, MS area and most of which attend Resurrection Life Ministries. Please continue to keep these ladies and their families in your prayers and get on over to Melinda's to get your own copy of their book; a great source of encouragement for yourself or a friend or family member. If you know someone who needs to be encouraged in their faith this would be a very great reminder of God's faithfulness. If you aren't in the area of Picayune, MS you can check out http://www.melindasfinegifts.com/ and mail order you copy/ies.
Jennie Heberg
Eph. 3:20

The Branches of Mississippi

2010-07-30T23:56:00.000-05:00

*I have no author to credit this writing to, however, the Branches have given permission to share this with you. Amazing read. Enjoy!

THE DUCK
I will never forget the smell. It was a duck.
Five days earlier, Hurricane Katrina has rendered the family pet to nothing but a very small, very flat pile of feathers and goo, smashed quite efficiently under the weight of a giant pine tree. We laughed about "the fowl" odor as we applied chainsaws to the endless stacks of debris. It was actually a gumbo of aromas concocted from ingredients that included sweat, chainsaw smoke, pine trees, gasoline fumes, and this duck - whose spirit had departed its carcass 5 days ago. After being stirred by nature's brutal fury, the recipe was heated at 99 degrees in the Mississippi sun, and served to our waiting nostrils.
TV cannot convey the aroma of disaster.
All I could think about was that the stench must be really bad 40 miles away in New Orleans. There are thousands of ingredients and bodies in that hellish cauldron, and they must smell worse than this duck.
And I assure you a decomposing duck is plenty bad.

THE BRANCHES
Some friends and I have just returned from a Labor Day weekend, round-trip from Nashville to Picayune, MS. We went to help our friend Richard Rose's parents dig out from Katrina's damage. The delivery included gasoline, a generator, tarps, prayer, food, manpower and moral support.
Dana and "Twig", both in their 70s, have never spent a night apart. They are the oldest married couple at the Solid Rock Bible Church *(now World Prayer Tabernacle) in Picayune. Before the empty nest, theirs was obviously the "fun" house that raised 4 kids on 12 acres. A yellow ribbon is wrapped around one tree left standing in the driveway. It is for the son who in the Navy in the Persian Gulf.
Dana is a vivacious, Spirit-filled woman, who often mentions the "Lord's healing" of a variety of ailments, and never fails to give Him the glory. "Twig" is in the MS State University hall-of-fame; a former football quarterback who in 1951 got his nickname because of his diminutive stature, and the fact that his last name is actually "Branch".
That's even funnier when I realize I've just spent the last 2 days removing trees from the Branch's house, for a guy named "Twig".
The Branches make their living selling "glitter plaques" to approximately 10,000 Christmas arts-and-crafts aficionado's throughout malls in the south. Although, the plaques are a little tacky, and Dana swears, "she'd never hang one in her house", she and Twig make thousands of them, by hand, throughout the year. Each contains a saying, an unsophisticated reminder of God's love, and the love of family. They are simple slogans applied to plaster castings(updated to wooden so they won't break), with glitter applied to the top. The plaques are stored in hundreds of poultry boxes, which now occupy the dry parts of their home.
The Branches have weathered many storms, but none like Katrina. The 145 mph wind shears brought two 100 year-old trees crashing down on their modest country home on the outskirts of town. Each limb pierced the roof shingles like nails driven in the outstretched palms of God's kindest couple. The night the winds came, they were sheltering others in their home.
One massive branch now pokes through the bedroom ceiling where it missed Dana's head by about 2 feet - and 4 minutes. She shows it me as evidence of the miracles that accompany their lives. In the aftermath she claims, "I had this peace during the hurricane" and "I was not afraid."
THE POLICE
Right after we arrived, the police also came by to check on Dana and Twig. Five days earlier the couple's eldest son had called them to check on his parents. The police were just getting there.
The officers carried packages of single-spaced names, handwritten on legal pads, called in by hundreds of desperate relatives. No computer printouts. This was old-fashioned police work, one step at a time, across the fallen trees, electrical wires, scattered limbs, and death. They weren't the kind of police you see in the movies. They were just an average man and woman, probably deputized, wearing plastic vests with "Police" written on them. They assured Dana and Twig they were among the lucky ones.
And before any of us is critical of the authorities for being slow, unresponsive or inept, one must realize the scale of this disaster. Imagine a landmass the size of Great Britain was suddenly gone in 10 hours. And average men and women in plastic vests, whose lives are also damaged, must figure out what to do. It takes a while.
Even if the phones, and water and electricity were working - nobody calls in the say, "I'm dead."
The police have no clue how many are dead, hurt, injured until they can tediously walk through every single-spaced life on those pages.
THE MESS
There were eight of us to remove the debris, but it was still slow going. We used chainsaws to hack away one section at a time, and cut the trees into manageable sizes so that they could be carried away by hand. The neighbor loaned us a small tractor and trailer to pull some of the larger logs and piles of limbs. It was truly a Godsend.
There were other jobs to do: removing sheet metal debris, keeping the generator running, getting well-water flowing, nailing tarps to the roof, prepping meals, finding water and a mosquito-free place to sleep. I had to beg-off on the carpet removal, when an asthmatic attack (my 1st in 25 years) began closing my throat in a choking reaction to cat dander, wet moldy carpets, and mildew on damp boxes inside the 90 degree home.
Safety is a legitimate concern. With all communications gone, you can't exactly call the cops or an ambulance if some decides to pilfer you life. And it is happening, even in this small town. Twig keeps a rifle in the kitchen, and pistol in the candy bowl.
The logs must be cut to a manageable size. The debris must be carried away moment by moment, one limb at a time.
REDEFINING NORMAL
I think some people thing they will "get back to normal" after the hurricane. But there will never be "normal" again. Normal is gone. The task of a "new normal" is daunting, but people like the Branches will rise to the occasion. You can't really focus on the thousands of other details, like your family photos, your comfort, the rest of the world, your cars, or life as you knew it. Today's challenge is just food, water and a dry place to sleep. The "new normal" is years away, and they will need help to get there.
And normalcy comes especially slow if your "glitter plaques" and your livelihood are lying in a wet chicken box.
Still I have been amazed at how our 2 day trip provoked generosity, and people saying things like "hero", "bless you", "here's a free generator", "here's money", etc. There is a greater good that is revealed in people during times like this. This is also not normal.
THE CHOICE
I'll always remember the clarity, and poignancy of this 70-year-old woman, in the rubble of her life, staring me in the eye telling me that "happiness is a choice", and how she is choosing hope, joy and faith. This was her moment of choice.
And before everyone sinks into spirals of hopelessness and despair, Dana believes we must CHOOSE happiness. Through her tears I saw her choice. It was obviously a statement borne of pure faith and determination. Mountains will be moved by her choice.
So, as Twig and Dana modeled the choice, I also chose Happiness amidst the devastation. I experienced the simple pleasure of a pure sky as we ate dinner under the stars. I realized it had been years since I'd seen the Milky Way. I thought of how even marginal food could taste amazing, when seasoned by a heart of thankfulness over a camp stove. We laughed and told stories by candlelight. I learned about my friends' childhood. I found out what "Blue Johnny" milk is (don't ask). I learned how to file a chainsaw blade. We gave each other high-fives, as an attorney, a record producer, 2 teen aged boys, a pastor, and an accountant managed to fell a large pine tree EXACTLY where we wanted it.
Choosing happiness makes you feel alive again. But it's a hard choice to make in such devastation. The stars can be bright again, even if you are forced to sit under them.
THE ONE
People back in Nashville have asked me what to do? There is really only one thing you can do: Don't try to help everyone - just help "One". Jesus just said to love your neighbor. It is God's job to love the whole world.
Individuals like Dana and Twig are a good investment. I know the tiny deposit we made into their life will grow exponentially. After all, they emulate a man who fed 5,000 with a few loaves and fish. I'm not sure how the miracle works, but you've gotta trust the process.
Now that Dana and Twig have a band-aid on their house, and have been checked on, and are somewhat stabilized...they can help others apply their bandages.
On the way back to Nashville, I saw probably 10 convoys of military vehicles headed south with relief supplies. But the federal government is not going to be able to help individuals very well. They can only help "the many". So, it's up to us to help "the one". If millions of us will do that, the solution is waiting. Give whatever loaves and fish you have to another person, just do that one simple thing.
A miracle is desperately needed.

*I asked Dana tonight if I could put this on the blog and she lovingly said "it will be fine, dear". This is just one of things that make me see that Jesus Is Lord Over Picayune, MS. He brought so many to assist many of our city's residence from all over the globe to help and many of the recipients of their physical help were really a great and Godly influence on those applying the 'band-aids of life'. I praise the Lord for His goodness and love.