Let the remodeling beging

The Murray house is about to get a little larger. Praise the Lord. I want to say thank you to the church for deciding to turn our garage into a master bedroom. The boys are all excited, for at least a little while they will all have their own room. (until little sister gets here). It seems like yesterday we had plenty of room, but just look at what milk and pop tarts will do to a family.
If you would like to help on the renovation just give us a call and we will let you know when and what to do.
Don't forget to keep the 1000 Hills Cowboy Church in your prayers. We will have a celebration service on January 9 and we hope many poeple from both the sponsoring churches will be there to celebrate. The first official service will be January 16. If you need more information contact us by phone or email. 870 598 5128 kevin@eblovesyou.com

living the abundant life, (no matter what the devil says)


Kevin

Cold outside

Wow it's cold! As many of you may know I drive a school bus for Piggott Schools and this morning was one of the coldest mornings ever. I am really a fair weather kind of person. Cold weather is great for keeping you inside by the fire. One of the things I love to do is just sit around a fire and be with family and friends. Driving a school bus is something I never set out to do but for the last 9 years I have been driving a bus. I have the privilege of driving the special needs bus. Every day I am reminded by some of the kids on my bus just how blessed that I am. Last night I was watching some sports awards being given out for the top football players of 2006. (congratulations to Darren Mcfadden of the Arkansas Razorbacks for being voted the top running back in college football, God Hogs!) One of the highlights of the evening for everyone was when they gave out an inspirational award to a band member from the university of Louisville. The story was so inspiring. This young man was born with no eyes and he didn't have the ability to walk. Sounds like a terrible future for the child doesn't it. Well it wasn't the child was blessed with a musical talent and he began to play the piano at the age of 2. (I saw the video) His parents encouraged this young man to be a winner despite his handicap. Long story short this young man now plays in the University of Louisville marching band as a trumpet player. His dad pushes him in a wheel chair as he plays in front of thousands of people each game. It's an awesome story look for it on the Internet it will inspire you to keep trying !

Living life to the fullest,

Kevin

Cowbooy Church Coming Soon!

I never really thought of myself as a church planter but in just about a month I will be preaching the first sermon in a new church. The Thousand Hills Cowboy Church near Poplar Bluff, MO. We have been meeting with our core croup members on Tuesday nights getting ready for the big day. I loved watching everyone this week get in different groups and plan. We have some hard working, excited, nervous people. We've never done this before, but thank the Lord it's not about us. We know God is going to bless this new church. Pray about joining us if it sounds like something you would like to be a part of. I want to thank my wife and my boys for the sacrifices that they make for me to be away on Tuesday nights. This Tuesday I missed all 3 of the boys basketball games. Tanners team lost to the best team in the conference by 1 point, they said Tanner came up with a big rebound at the end of the game. He was disappointed that he missed the front end of a one and one with 13 seconds left. Dad wasn't there that really is hard for me to take, pray for me. Logan and Ethan also lost by 1 point in the last game of the season. Free throws once again proved costly. Ethan did score his first 2 points of the season, way to go Ethan! It looks like Logan has made the 6th grade traveling team, way to go Logan. Ethan seems to think his career might have been short lived. He has made the all cattle feeding team, he's a first team all american. Me and Johnna are so proud of the boys that God has given us and we look forward to having their sister home sometime next year.

living life to the fullest,

Kevin

Enjoy the Holidays

Good morning everyone, I hope all of you had a great weekend. I really enjoyed coming to church yesterday and seeing all the beautiful decorations. I want to say thank you to all the volunteers who made the church look so wonderful. I really love the Christmas season and all the excitement that it brings. I think that is what God had in mind when He sent Jesus to be born. Jesus is exciting not just His birth, but everything about Him. That is why a relationship with Jesus is the most exciting thing in my life. He brings joy like nothing else. I hope all of you will make sure that you enjoy this Christmas to the fullest, don't forget that Jesus came to give us life not make it more difficult. Enjoy the Holidays!


Live life to the fullest,

Kevin

pastor Jacob

This is pastor Jacob praying for a new home that they built for a family in a poverty area. I encourage you to visit www.gtsss.org

God moment

Wow, have you ever been in the presence of someone that you knew had been with Jesus. I just had something wonderful happen. I was getting ready for our Wednesday night prayer time and a friend of mine came in the church with a pastor from India. I had met pastor Jacob once before and was equally impressed the first time I met him. This time there just seemed to be something different, he seemed to have an even greater passion for Jesus and the people of India. I really can't explain what I experienced other than I feel like I have seen Jesus. I feel so unworthy of all the comforts of America after hearing and seeing what others around the world go thru to preach the gospel to a lost world. I know God is calling me to make a difference in the world that I live in just like pastor Jacob is doing in India. Will you pray for me and my family that our lives may be filled with purpose and not just possessions. Thank the Lord for meeting with us on Wednesday night! If you would like to know more about pastor Jacob and his ministry go to www.gtsss.org



you are loved,

Kevin

1000 Hills Cowboy Church

Cowboy church is about to begin in Poplar Bluff, MO. I just got home from our first core group meeting of the new Cowboy church that we are planting. It was a great meeting, we had 17 interested people who have committed to help get this church started. Everyone is so excited about ministering the Gospel to the western heritage culture. I am so proud of Emmanuel Baptist, our church gave over $4000.00 to start this new work. They are also willing to share their pastor with another group of people, that shows how giving they really are. The new church will begin Jan. 17, 2007. Pray for us as we make preparation for our first service. We are praying that we will reach as many people as we can in our first service.
The cowboy church is designed to reach farmers, ranchers, ropers, and anyone who just wants to be a cowboy or cowgirl. This is really exciting to be a part of a church start. Pray for us!

You are loved,

Kevin

1000 Hills Cowboy Church

Cowboy church is about to begin in Poplar Bluff, MO. I just got home from our first core group meeting of the new Cowboy church that we are planting. It was a great meeting, we had 17 interested people who have committed to help get this church started. Everyone is so excited about ministering the Gospel to the western heritage culture. I am so proud of Emmanuel Baptist, our church gave over $4000.00 to start this new work. They are also willing to share their pastor with another group of people, that shows how giving they really are. The new church will begin Jan. 17, 2007. Pray for us as we make preparation for our first service. We are praying that we will reach as many people as we can in our first service.
The cowboy church is designed to reach farmers, ranchers, ropers, and anyone who just wants to be a cowboy or cowgirl. This is really exciting to be a part of a church start. Pray for us!

You are loved,

Kevin

Great weekend

Hey everyone hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving weekend. We enjoyed it so much we wanted the weekend to never end. On Friday Johnna and her mom tackled black Friday with all the other brave shoppers and headed for Memphis. Ethan and myself saddled up and headed team roping, Tanner and Logan couldn't miss the Arkansas vs LSU game. On Saturday we all went to Cape and enjoyed the day doing more shopping and more team roping. Wade and Erica Harris and their boys joined us on the trip. Saturday night we enjoyed the Olive Garden and after that we spent some much needed time in the hot tub and swimming pool at the Victorian Inn. It was GREAT! Sunday morning I preached at the Cape County Cowboy Church. It was such a neat experience we all enjoyed the service very much. They had a packed church (sale barn). If you ever have the opportunity to attend don't miss it. It will be worth the drive.

I am looking forward to a wonderful week. We are getting closer to our first service of the 1000 Hills Cowboy Church and there is still much to do. We are having a core group meeting tomorrow at 7pm at the R bar H arena in Poplar Bluff. If you would like to be a part of this church start just join us tomorrow night. I let you know how things are going .

You are loved,


Kevin

Thanksgiving with the Murray's and Coates

Thank the Lord for my moms coo kin'. She's the best. I know what you're thinking but trust me on this one. We have had a wonderful day. My family and Johnna's parents spent Thanksgiving day together and to the best of my knowledge no injuries. That doesn't include the pain of over eating. We all had plenty to eat and it was EXCELLENT! I have so much to be thankful for and I want to start with my family. Johnna and the boys are really what make life so much fun for me, I love them all very much. I know that not everyone has such a Great family. I do want to encourage everyone who has a good family to take time to tell them how grateful you are for them. Words mean a lot when they come from someone as special as a dad, mom, brother, sister. I'm also thankful for my mom and dad and the fact that they now live so close to us. I have many more but I'll just mention one more, Emmanuel. I love being the pastor of such a wonderful group of people and I am thankful for the privilege of getting to be a part of such a wonderful family. Thank you Lord for all the blessings that you have given me. I hope all of you had a great day. Be safe shopping tomorrow and pray for my wife and her mother as the tackle Memphis on the busiest shopping day of the year. Me and the boys are going team roping Friday and Saturday, life is good.


You are loved,

Kevin

A special Lady

Today I had the priviledge of preaching the funeral of a Lady from St. Clair, Mo. She was the daughter of Mae Romine, a member of our church. Her name was Rhonda and the story her husband told me has left quite an impact on this preacher. Rhonda suffered with a breathing disease called COPD for the past few years and had really suffered for the past 2years. She was married and had 2 grown children. The last thing that Rhonda did before she past away was ask her husband to get the preacher to come to their house. The reason for the visit wasn't for her it was so the preacher could share the gospel with her husband. She knew she was going to spend eternity with Jesus but could not leave this life without knowing her husband would be with her again. Rhonda's husband gave his life to Christ that day and shortly after he did Rhonda closed her eyes and the Lord took her to be with Him in Heaven.

What a story! When I heard that I was so impressed with what Rhonda done for her husband. She didn't focus on her own problem, but she was thinking about the lost right up until the day she died. The last thing she did on earth was something she will never do again and that is tell someone how to be saved. Wouldn't that be great to know that the last thing you did on earth was not some trivial thing like coach a basketball game or rope a cow or eat a turkey, but to lead someone to Christ. I'm not saying all of those things are wrong because theyr'e not. I'm just saying that while we are doing those things we should look for opportunities to spread the gospel. I want to be a witness for the Lord just like Rhonda!

You are loved,

Kevin

The Murray house was full of smiling faces last night as all the boys got to experience winning for a change. First Tanner and the Jr. High Mohawks beat Armorel to give them their 1st win of the season. Tanner came out of the game in the 4th quarter with a knee to the right eye. It left quite a mark, a big black eye that cannot be missed. Then later that same night Logan and Ethan got their first win of the season in the elementary league. I was proud of all the boys they all had great attitudes even while we were on a little losing streak.

Winning may not be everything, but I will admit it is more fun than losing. That's why I don't like losing it's no fun. Most people get really upset when they loose that's why you see more and more people spending more and more money trying to get their kids in the right programs. Sports can really get out of hand if we are not careful. The only advice I have on this subject is the verse of scripture that says "what does it profit a man to gain the world and loose his own soul". If we put all our efforts into the things of this world that's all we are going to end up with.
I want my boys to know that their is a much bigger picture to life than wins and loses in an athletic event. I'm still very competitive, but raising Godly young men is about as successful as anyone can be.

Hey it's me just playin around with this blog thing. How 'bout that, I got a picture. Now that I know how to do that I'll try to keep you updated on the latest Murray photos.

It's about 5:30 and I am on my way to watch a basketball game and coach a basketball game. Life is GREAT. Keep praying for our adoption so we can add beauty pageants to our list of activities. I'll let you know how the games go, pray for us.

Great weekend

Good morning everyone! Yesterday was AWESOME! I enjoyed the services so much you folks are the Greatest. Can you believe all the things that God is going to do thru us as we continue to be a RISK taking church. The future is looking very bright for Emmanuel. We had 4 people join our church yesterday. I'll introduce them to you real soon. Keep praying for the new church that will start in Poplar Bluff.

What a weekend, basketball, wedding, deer hunting, movie night at the Murray's and to wrap it up with a community wide Thanksgiving service. I am so thankful for all the wonderful blessings God gives me every day and you are a part of those blessings.

you are loved,

Kevin

Hey everyone, it's been a Great Day! I had brunch with the Young at Heart group from the church and then I visited Ms Sue Hoggard in the Jonesboro Hospital, she's doing better. (heart attack) Now I am looking forward to 7pm that is when the 2 youngest Murray Boys play basketball. I have the honor of coaching them 2 and 6 other 4th-6th graders. We may not have a very good record but we are all still winners. Life is busy but a BLESSING. I am brand new at this blogging buisness but I'll try to keep you posted on teh Murray household.

I'm a blogger - Who would have thunk it!!

Hi folks and welcome to the website of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Piggott, Arkansas and my first every official blog!

GOD LOVES YOU!

And so do we at EBC!

We hope this website when completed can bring not only quick information to you about our efforts in Christ, but we also hope that it can bring joy and show our love for our neighbors around the world. Email us anytime on your thoughts and make sure to send us your prayer requests from around the world. I'll be posting more in the days, weeks and months ahead and I hope that these thoughts help you as we all seek to be more like Jesus. WE LOVE YOU and come visit us in Piggott, Arkansas where all are welcome and we ask for your prayers as we work toward building the Kingdom of God.