---

December 2003

---

Luke 2:10-14

Fear not: For, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

"Their soul shall be a watered garden" (Jeremiah 31:12).

"And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there He put the man whom He had formed And a river went out of Eden to water the garden" (Genesis 2:8,10).

A piece of land lies fallow and unattended without cultivation, but under the care of a willing hand, it will blossom like a rose, producing a good crop, and enriching the hand that tills it, provoking praise from those who see it. Did you know that God is a gardener? first in Eden, last in the City of God, and in between in the garden of the souls of men. A garden becomes the glory, song, and prayer of the gardener who cultivates it. In each of us, it is a partnership between the creature and the Creator, for as He commissioned Adam, so He enjoins us. He waters the heart, making it rain on the just and the unjust. This is the thought of the text: "Their soul shall be a watered garden." God says of Zion, His Church, "He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody" (Isaiah 51 :3). "And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not" (Isaiah 58:11).

Oh, to have one's soul under God's cultivation; no longer a wilderness, but another Eden planted by the Lord. Such a garden is fenced or enclosed from the waste places; walled around by grace; planted with the incorruptible seed of the Word of God under the direction of the Spirit; visited by Love Divine, all love's excelling; talked to by the Holy Spirit; weeded by the hand of the Father's chastening; and guarded by the power of the blood of Jesus. Such a favored soul, like a backyard garden, is prepared to yield a hundred-fold unto the Lord.

Now a garden may be starved of water by neglect and, consequently, parched by heat, resulting in the plants wilting and dying. Jesus spoke of plants also being choked by the deceitfulness of riches and the cares of this world (Matthew 13), and in the Epistle to the Hebrews is described a cursed piece of land bearing briers and thorns because it crucified the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame" (Hebrews 6:4-8). Oh, my soul, how soon would this be the case if the Lord was to leave thee! In the East a garden without water soon ceases to be a garden at all, and a garden neglected and overgrown has no better future. Oh, to have one's soul watered by the Holy Spirit uniformly, every part receiving the refreshing fluid. Oh, to have the soul watered plentifully, a sufficient supply to every root and stem. Oh, to have the soul watered continually, for water to a plant is like the air we breathe, without which it will perish! Oh, to have it watered wisely, for the Lord knows just what is needed! He suits a blessing to our every need. Where ever water touches the desert, it makes the desert blossom as a rose. You can tell exactly where it has touched the earth from the verdant green color. It is the same with the soul, for where ever the Holy Spirit has come in His fullness, that soul is like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth the fruits of the Spirit in season. Then what we need is another Pentecost that the world will take notice that we have been with Jesus. "Take time to be holy; speak oft with the Lord!" Pray my brother! Pray! Let the Spirit of God be poured out upon your soul and then the neighbors will pass by and take notice of what the Lord is growing in your life. It won't be artificial fruits, vegetables, and flowers; it will be the real thing! The garden of your heart might just inspire some of them to go home and dig in the dirt of their own fallen nature, praying, "Search me, 0 God!"

Ezekiel saw a river issuing from under the door of the House of God eastward, going down into the desert, and into the Dead Sea, which being brought forth into the sea, the waters were healed. And it came to pass that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whethersoever the rivers shall come, shall live (Ezekiel 47). If we could get watered by the Spirit, we might just be the instrument to change people around us. Oh that Methodism might once again become the House of God, out of which shall flow Spirit-filled people, who poured from the Upper Room, to make the Church and all souls in it as a watered garden, to the glory of God and the salvation of lost and dying souls. Let us pray, therefore, "Oh Lord, water me this day and cause me to yield a full reward, for Jesus sake. Amen!"

Cajun Revival

Union Methodist Protestant Church in Strong, Arkansas had a revival November 5th-7th. Brother Glen Mayeux and his wife Sue came to our church as evangelist. They were truly a blessing to the church and us.

Brother Glen is the Pastor of Lettsworth Methodist Protestant Church in Simsport, LA. He is the son of Rev. Lloyd and Ruby Mayeux. She is in the course of study in the LA. Conference as well as Sister Sue; their 3 years will be completed in June.

Brother Glen is a powerful evangelist in our time and we are sure God will use both of them mightily. He is very dedicated to God’s work and has a vision for the church.

His family is also very talented. They have a band and all play different instruments and sing. They will be a blessing in anyone’s church.

The altar was full and they have been a Blessing to our church.

If you have him in your church he will come with a Bible in one hand and a Gumbo Pot in the other. You will enjoy both.

Rev. Donald Ray Smith

Church of the Year Nomination...2003

Since Rev. Shane Wyatt began his ministry at Wimberly in June, 2202, God has poured out incredible blessings on our church. Bro. Shane and his family have been a wonderful addition to our church and everyone loves them and their ministry.

The members of Wimberly Church consider themselves a “family”, and just as each individual family gets together to eat and enjoy activities, we also enjoy “fellowship” and them together, unified in Christ. We are still thankful for this unity among our members and for the sweet spirit that we feel in our services.

To “kick-off” the year, we had a cook-out on June 15th, followed by Vacation Bible School on June 24-28. In July, our young married couples enjoyed an outing to Meridian, MS. August always brings “The Ridgeways”, a singing group from Hickory, MS. The public was invited and everyone had an enjoyable time listening to their music and singing. In September, we honored our Senior Citizens with a lunch in the fellowship hall. Each senior was presented a gift. On September 29, Wimberly hosted the Fifth Sunday Fellowship.

We have a good group of young people in our church and we try to have special activities for them. In November, we had our fall cook-out and hay-ride, followed by a trip to the Biringham Zoo. Everyone had a great time! Our annual traditional Christmas program. This year, our Christmas play had a special message that touched the hearts of our members and our visitors alike. There was not a dry eye in the church. Afterwards, we exchanged gifts and enjoyed a wonderful supper together.

We continue to have a very special active WMS! The ladies support our missionaries through several shares. They plan food and fellowship outings, bridal and baby showers for our members, prepare “baskets” for the elderly at Christmas and give their financial and spiritual support for mission work in general. This January, our WMS invited Martha Sykes, a local speaker to come speak to us and our invited guest. She was truly and inspiration to us all!

Our church men had several “brotherhood” breakfasts and meetings this year. We are still praying that God will touch them and use them in a “active” ministry in our church.

In February, the young married couples gave and served a Valentine Banquet to the older couples. Special guests were Rev. and Mrs. Mark Lambert. After the meal, we played the “NewlyWed” game with the older couples. It was hilarious! Also in February, we combined our annual “soup” supper with a baby shower for our pastor’s wife. Our spring revival was held March 14-16, with our homecoming service on Sunday, March 16th. Special speaker for this event was Rev. Jeff Carroll from Clanton. March was also the month for our annual “outing” to Clarkco State Park in Quitman, MS. This year we had 37 persons staying for the week-end. Our Sunday morning devotional was led by Paul Lucus. Our pastor and his family were unable to attend, due to the birth of their daughter, Carlee, on March 24. We trust that they will be there next year.

April was the month this year for the annual Easter Sunrise Service, followed by a delicious breakfast. The children enjoyed an egg hunt also at the local ball park. On May 2, the church members went bowling in Meridian, MS at Dixie Bowl Lanes. Although, we don’t have many great bowlers, we had a lot of fun!

The Lord continues to bless our church! Our attendance has increased since last year. We had a family of four join our church in January and they have been a blessing to us. We welcome them to our church! In December, 2001, we bought the house and property across the road, to use as a parsonage. The loan will be paid in full in July, 2003! We praise God for his marvelous goodness! We started a church library this year, and now have 475 books cataloged. We have had a great response to the library program and we trust that it will continue to grow.

We pray that we will always be in the center of God’s will in all that we do. May we continue to reach out to others and live a life that will be an example to those around us. Please continue to keep all of us at Wimberly in your prayers!

The Wimberly Church Family

We have 16 youth from 1st-8th grades. We meet monthly or a Wednesday since they get out of school at 1:30 PM. They are always anxious to meet and plan activities. In August we were honored to have the “Vietnam Wall” in Meridian. After our meeting emphasizing the importance of our Freedom we visited the wall. We had 14 youth and several adults to go. It was a moving experience. We make all our members “Life Members” and inform them about our mission work and emphasize being proud to be “Methodist Protestants”.

Trey Hunt has completed his Sentry and Guard Badges! Christen Lummus and Kasey Hunt completed their “Miss Damsel” step.

Our Youth Sunday in July was a success with our adults realizing our youth are important to the church today!!

We plan to become more involved in all our church activities. Please pray and support our young people in the Methodist Protestant Church– We need them - EVERYONE!!

Rev. H. O. Headley
Remembering a Dear Friend

I first met Brother H. O. Headley at the Alabama Conference at Antioch Church in August of 1955. A few weeks afterward I came to Pleasant Grove Church as pastor. He told me later that he wondered at the time what that skinned-headed young sprout could do. ( I had a short butch hair cut at the time.)

Soon we became fast friends. He and his wife, Mrs. Edwina, took me under their wings and treated me like a son. They often had me over for meals, washed my clothes, etc. He would take me fishing from time to time. He was a peach farmer and I would help him in the peach orchard, haul peaches to the market for him and peddle them in various places. He loaned me money to buy a car when I needed one.

When Annette and I were married they came to Kosciusko for the wedding. I understand that he was the first president of the Alabama Layman’s Fellowship. He was always interested in it and supported it. He always said that he answered the call to preach under my ministry. He pastored a number of the churches in the Alabama Conference. Perhaps his longest pastoral service was at Okalona Church. He drove over a hundred miles one way to preach there for many years. He loved people and paid special attention to the older members. He loved to preach and found it very difficult to give up preaching after he became incapacitated. He always felt he could still preach if given the opportunity.

We went together to a meeting of the American Council of Christian Churches in the late 1950’s at Johnson City, N.Y. Those of you who know him know how quick motioned he was and how he went at everything he did with full speed. When we stopped to eat on the way one time he asked for tea to drink, not knowing that in Pennsylvania he would be served hot tea. He tried the tea with sugar but didn’t like it. Then he squeezed lemon in it but it was not better. Then like a flash he picked up my milk and poured some of it in it. I will never forget how he looked when it curdled instantly.

He attended and supported other meetings of similar nature as the ACCC. He told me he was saved when one of the preachers involved in the ACCC came and held a meeting at Pleasant Grove Church.

One desire he never saw fulfilled was to have a Methodist Protestant Church in Clanton. However, after being disabled he did attend Brother S. A. Lowery’s church in Clanton where he preached occasionally.

For almost 48 years I know him as a dear friend and faithful minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Ben B. Gerald

Holiness
By S.L. Brengle

Holiness is not necessarily a state in which there is perpetual rapturous joy.

Isaiah 53:3 tells us that Jesus, was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” Joy is the normal state of the holy man but it may be mingled with sorrow, grief and perplexities on account of manifold temptation. The low water mark however, in the experience of the holy person is one of perfect peace. The high water mark is up in the third heaven somewhere; but this is not likely to be constantly maintained. Paul returned for the third heaven to be buffeted by Satan, stoned, whipped and imprisoned of men.

Holiness is not a state of freedom from temptation.’

This is a world of trial and conflict with principalities and powers, and the holy soul who is in the forefront of the conflict may expect the heaviest and most perplexing and prolonged temptations. Our blessed Lord was tried and tempted forty days and forty nights of the devil, and the servant must not be surprised if he is as his Master.

Holiness is not a state of freedom from infirmities.

It does not produce a perfect head, but rather a perfect heart! The saints have always been compassed about with infirmities that have proved a source of great trial, but when patiently endured for His dear sake have also proved a source of great blessing. Paul had a thorn in the flesh, and infirmity, to buffet him. He longed to be rid or it, doubtless feeling that it interfered with his usefulness. But the Lord said to him, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The epistle to the Hebrews (9:15) tells us that Jesus “was touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” We may be faulty in memory, judgement or understanding; we may have manifold infirmities of body and mind; but God looks upon the purity of the heart, the singleness of the eye and the loyalty of our affection, and if He does not find us faulty there, He counts us perfect men. It is not in mere natural perfection that the power and glory of God are manifested, but rather in goodness, purity, patience, love, meekness and long-suffering shining forth through the infirmities of the flesh and imperfections of mind.

Holiness is not a state of freedom from affliction.

The saints of all ages have been chosen “in the furnace of affliction” (Isa. 48:10). Job, Jeremiah, Daniel, Paul and the mighty army of martyrs have, and shall always, come up through tribulation. It is not God’s purpose to take us to heaven on flowery beds of ease. That would not develop strength of character, nor cultivate simplicity and purity of heart; nor in that case could we really know Jesus, and the fellowship of His sufferings. It is in the furnace of fire, the lion’s den, and the dungeon cell that He most freely reveals Himself to His people.

Holiness is not a state where there is no further development.

When the heart is purified it develops more rapidly than ever before. Spiritual development comes through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the heart, and the holy soul is in a condition to receive such revelations constantly, and since the finite can never exhaust the infinite, these revelations will continue for ever and prove an increasing and never-ending source of development.

Holiness is not a state from which we cannot fall.

Paul tells us that we stand by faith (Rom. 11:16-22), and he says, “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). It is an unscriptural and dangerous doctrine that there is any state of grace in this world from which we cannot fall. Probation does not end the moment we believe in Jesus, but rather the moment we quit the body. It is only those who endure to the end who shall be saved. While here, we are in the enemy’s country, and must watch and pray and daily examine ourselves, and keep ourselves in the love of God, lest we fall from His grace and make shipwreck of our faith.

Some have asked the question, “How can a holy soul be tempted, or how can it fall?” I will ask the question, how could the angels fall and how could Adam, just fresh from the hands of his Maker in whose image he was made, fall? And I will ask the more startling question still, how could Jesus, the blessed incarnate God Himself, be tempted?” We have our five senses and various bodily appetites, none of which are in themselves sinful, but each of which may become an avenue by which the holy soul may be solicited to evil. Each must be regulated by the Word of God and dominated by the love of Jesus, if we wish to keep a holy heart, and “stand perfect and complete in all the will of God” (Col. 4:12).

Holiness is a state of conformity to the divine nature.

God is love, and there is a sense in which a holy man can be said to be love. He is like God, not in God’s natural perfection of power and wisdom and knowledge and omnipresence, but in patience, humility, self-control, purity of heart and love. As the drop out of the ocean is like the ocean, not in its bigness, but in its essence, so is the holy soul like God. As the branch is like the vine, not in its self-sufficiency, but in its nature, its sap, fruitfulness, its beauty, so is he that is holy like God.

This unspeakable blessing is provided for us by our compassionate Heavenly Father through the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, and is received through a complete renunciation of all sin, an uttermost consecration to all the known will of God, importunate prayer, and childlike faith. –Life Indeed

2003 BLITZ ON BELIZE REPORT FROM
FIREBURN AND GUINEA GRASS --By Pat Smith

This was a special summer for the Arkansas Team. We love to share about our time in Belize. This makes 17 years for part of our team. Don and Myself, Frank and Dena Robinson, Brad Lemons, Danny and Mary Morrison, and 2 new members, Tammy Clark from Lettsworth M. P. Church in La., and Mikie Moss from El Dorado, Ark. We had a blessed time. Our new team members were a great blessing to us and the people of Belize.

When you are working for the Lord, the Devil always tries to defeat you. We have come to expect these attacks always just before we leave. This year was no exception. There were 2 terrible accidents just before we left. We left 2 friends in critical condition (Jeremy Osgood and Jimmy Crawford) and another that we didn’t expect to be alive when we returned (Ruby Mayeux). Our hearts were heavy as we left but we knew God had called us to this work, and He was in charge. So with prayers of everyone we knew, we set our hearts to Belize and left our friends in the hand of the Lord.

I think this is one of the best years we have had in a long time. Everywhere we went there was such a sweet Spirit. This year we did 2 Bible Schools -- one at Guinea Grass and one at Fireburn. Because we didn’t have enough people, everyone had to double up. We left early in the morning and went to Guinea Grass and did that Bible School until noon. Then went to a small park there where we ate a sandwich before going to Fireburn to do Bible School. We went to our rooms, washed up a little, ate, then went back to Guinea Grass for revival that night. There were around 500 at Guinea Grass at Bible School. I had about 150 in my class of teens and adults. At Fireburn there were about 65, most of them adults and teens.. That was a surprise. We expected mostly children. Don dedicated 2 of their babies. While we were there, there were several anointed and prayed for their needs. The night services at Guinea Grass were special for us. Don was the evangelist. The church was running over every night, and the altar was full. The interpreter had a hard time understanding Don, and it made for some confusion. But God blessed every word and the Holy Spirit took over the service. Our week was such a blessing. I knew it would be special.

Everything that happened God turned to good -- our friends that were in the accident -- everyone we saw we asked them to pray for a miracle. Mrs. Ruby Mayeux wanted Don to have part in preaching her funeral though the Dr. said she couldn’t last that long. One day there were about a 150 crying out Jeremy’s name for a miracle. We couldn’t help feeling we had deserted our friends in their time of need. God truly has given a miracle in Jeremy’s life. He is still in the hospital, but God has worked a miracle. He is on his way to recovery!! Mrs. Ruby woke everyday to see if we were home, and the day we came home her son told her, “They’re home.” It was like she waited until we were home before she went to meet the Lord.

We worked hard when we arrived in Belize trying to get the candy, cookies, and drinks ready for the week. Some of the people in the Guinea Grass Church did all our candy for both villages this year. That was a great help to us. We could buy everything in Orange Walk. Thanks to the giving of several Spirit-led people the van was once again paid for. We have so many giving people to help; all our needs were met. I believe if you are called out to go, the Lord will meet all your needs. We stayed in Orange Walk. This year it was a nice hotel for Belize, and it sure helped to have a good nights sleep before we started our days work.

We went to Tower Hill and saw the young men that have been friends for several years now. Their ages are from 12 years to 17 years. I had promised them some water guns....... I brought them several to share with their friends -- also glitter and some candy. It sure was good to see them again. They went to the revival with us each night and Bible School in the daytime. Some of them wanted us to have Bible School in their village. They said we could use their church. The people wouldn’t care. I asked what church they went to. I knew most of them were Catholic. However, these boys went to the Adventist Church. I thanked them kindly. But said God would work out a time and a place -- we would love to come.

We didn’t have much time for a play day, but we decided to go to a place called Blue Hole. It is a beautiful place with caves and springs. It is shaded with trees that hang over the water. It is a still, quiet place, and no one was there but us. We decided to take a swim in the cold water. It was a real treat to relax and enjoy the beauty. It was as if God was there with us. We had been there awhile when Tammy, our new member, told us she had never been baptized and would like for Don to baptize her. In this special place, we all stood on the bank and sang “Amazing Grace” -- then Don baptized her. The sun peaked through the trees and shone on them. It was truly amazing. After he had finished, Frank said he was only child when he was baptized and would like for Don to baptize him. It was hard to leave this place and go back into the world. It will be something we all will remember.

It was good to see our friends again. Belize has become such an important part of our lives it is hard to leave. We know a year is a very long time and there will be a lot of changes when we return. If you have never gone, I promise it will change your life forever.

PROJECTS RECENTLY APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF MISSIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

~Finish bathroom - Pancotta School

~New roof - Hattieville Church

~Classrooms - Hattieville Church

~Additional classrooms - San Lazaro School

~New bathroom facility - San Lazaro School

~New roof - San Lazaro Mission Station

****SOME ONGOING NEEDS ARE:

~ Funds for books for schools

~$100 Scholarships for EBC students