Be Positive it's contagious.

This morning I just want to encourage all of you to be positive. I love it when I meet people with a bright outlook on life. So many waste so much time dwelling on the negative instead of focusing on the Positive. I promise you that everyone reading this blog has so much to be positive about. Just think of all the people who can't read it because they don't have a computer. The list goes on and on of the things to be positive about. People amaze me at how some can be so positive and some so negative. I often wonder what makes the difference, I would love to say that it's Jesus but unfortunately not all Christians are people I would consider to have good attitudes. I want to encourage all of you this morning to think about the people that you could effect in a positive way just by having a positive outlook on things. Take time today and encourage someone who may be feeling a little down. Nothing brightens my day like being used by God to brighten some other persons day. You can do it!

I think I'm going to visit a few people in the hospital and nursing home today. Have a Great Day.

Worked on the remodeling today.

Well my hands are a little sore from using a shovel on Tuesday. Roger Wegel and myself hooked up the plumbing for the new bathroom at our house. I wasn't much help but I did learn that a big part of plumbing is using a shovel. Roger was wonderful, he is such a servant. The project is taking a little longer than I thought but it will be done one of these days and when it is it will be very nice. I appreciate all that has been done by everyone who has worked on the new addition.

Baseball has just about taken over the Murray house. All 3 of the boys have started their baseball season and I am proud of all of them. Tanner and Logan both played over the weekend and done well. Ethan missed his game last night because he wanted to go with me to Cowboy Church. I am so thankful to have such active boys, it can be a little hectic at times but I wouldn't trade it for nothing.

Cowboy Church was so wonderful last night. We had 55 in attendance and everything went GReat. I would love to see more people coming but you would just have to be there to understand what kind of spirit we have in that place. The worship just seems to get better each week. Please keep us in your prayers.

Pray for me as I continue to be obedient to the Lord in all that I do. Love ya.

Great time in Harrison, but Great to be home.

Hey everyone I'm sorry for not blogging much lately but I just haven't taken the time to sit down at the computer much lately. I got back from Harrison on Friday morning about 1 a.m. and feels like I have been going ever since. This weekend was filled with ballgames. The Murray boys had 7 baseball games on Saturday. Tanners team finished the day with 2 wins and 1 loss while Logans team finished with 3 wins and 1 loss. Ethan didn't have a ball game but he did go to a horseshow and he finished 1st in the barrael race and 2nd in the barrael pick up and placed in a couple other events. So it was a busy but fun Saturday for us. I love being a dad.

Sunday was wonderful, we had a Great day at church. We had a youth make his decision to trust Christ public and wants to be baptized. It was great to see everyone after being gone for a week. I love preaching revivals but I really miss our church when I'm gone. Sunday night our church decided to buy a new church van. We will be picking it up tomorrow. Praise the Lord.

Well the boys are gone with the youth to a Newsboys and Kutless concert in Poplar Bluff so I think I'll sneak back to the xbox while they are gone. I hope all of you have a great week. I hope to back on a regular basis this week. Stay in touch.

Back in the hills of Harrison.

Good morning everyone. I sure hope everyone is doing good today. I made it back to Harrison yesterday about 5:30. We had another real good service last night. I'm sad to say that we haven't seen anyone come to know the Lord during the Revival but we will keep preaching and inviting so please pray for me.

Today I am going to be going to a couple of cow sales with Doug Nortons brother. I am really looking forward to spending the day with him and learning more about the cattle business. I know that might not excite you but I just love being around livestock. Isn't it amazing how different God made all of us. The weather is a little wet here but I think it's suppose to clear off tomorrow. It really is beautiful around here. Gotta go to the cow sale, see ya later.

Home for a little while.

That's right I'm in Piggott but only for a few hours. I had to come home and take care of a few things and then I'll be leaving again. I just got (1 am Tuesday morning) and thought that I would wind down by sharing with you how the day went. It was a beautiful day in Harrison. The sun was shinning all day. It felt really good to get out and take a walk and get some exercise. Walking in Harrison is a little different than Piggott because of all the hills. I was wondering if I was going to make it back to the house. While I was walking I met a fellow who had moved to Harrison from California. Phil was a super fellow I ended up helping him all afternoon haul off a large pine tree that he had cut down. I love meeting new people and I really love helping people. I felt really good about the day.

Our Revival service went good. We didn't have as many people on Monday but we are praying for the church to be full tonight. I am going to be playing my guitar and singing tonight so please pray that God would use my gifts to glorify Jesus and draw some one to be born again. I am praying for someone to be saved I have a young man in mind and I am going to get to spend some time talking to him on Thursday I hope.

Harrison is a good place for a Cowboy like me to do some shopping. They have a tractor supply store, 3 farm center stores and 2 western stores to choose from. Today I was on the lookout for some new boots and after a few hours of shopping and bargain hunting I finally found them. I had to go in the store 3 times before I bought them, but the 3rd time was charm. I saved ten dollars on them by shopping around. See there it does pay to not get in a hurry.

Well I am starting to get a little sleepy so I better go get a few hours sleep before I get up and drive the school bus. I'll be leaving for Harrison around lunch time so keep me in your prayers. By the way the little white truck is doing great, over 24 miles per gallon and didn't use any oil. It also came in handy hauling off that pine tree. What is it that you have that you are thankful for. Tell God.

I'm in Harrison, AR.

That's right as you read this blog I am in the hills of Arkansas. I started preaching a revival last night at the Woodland Hills Baptist Church in Harrison, AR. We had a wonderful service with lots of people and a wonderful spirit. This is my 2nd time to be with this church. They have a wonderful church family. I am staying with one of the families in the church. I am already missing home but I will be traveling home tonight after the services to do some business back home tomorrow. (pay my taxes) Please keep us in your prayers.

I really enjoy our services at Emmanuel on Sunday morning. It just seems to me that God is doing some Great things in several families at this time. I am so excited about the 6 people that we will be baptizing when I get home. Please keep praying for our church and me!

I am going to spend some time this morning and take a little walk and talk to the Lord. I look forward to hearing from God. I hope that all of you will do the same. You may not have the time or the energy for a walk, but I do hope that you will make an effort to seek the Lord. God wants a daily relationship with us not just a once a week friendship.

Please pray for Johnna and the boys while I am away. When I'm gone that's one less taxi driver and all three boys have a baseball game tonight in different places. Thankful we have many friends. I hope all three of you boys have a Great Game, I love all of you and I'll see you soon.

I can't leave without saying something about Jackie Robinson. I love baseball and I just want to say that I do believe that the game of baseball is better today because of his great sacrifice. I don't think any of us can really understand the mess that Jackie Robinson endured just to play baseball. I hope that everyone that reads this blog understands that God doesn't look at the outside of a man He looks to the inside. Don't be like many others in our country and draw lines of separation just because of color. There is no place in the church for this kind of action. Thank you Jackie Robinson.

Praise the Lord and Play Ball!!

I know all of you can't wait to hear about Ethan's first big game. Well let me begin by saying that he did great. The coach put him in as the starting pitcher, I couldn't believe it either. Listen to this, he struck out the side in the top of the first inning. Now that sounds great and it was but he did walk 9 batters in the inning, but we choose to focus on the positive. We lost the game 6 to 1 to Marmaduke. It was really fun to watch those kids play baseball and just have fun. Landon Williams did a super job as our catcher. Charles Richardson is our coach and he is Wonderful with those kids. We are suppose to play again tonight if the rain holds off. All three Murray boys play at 8pm in three different towns, I need to hire some drivers if your interested in working for us just leave a comment.

Tom Woolery called yesterday with some more good news that one of the teenagers in the church had trusted Jesus as his Savior. Praise the Lord. This has really been a good week, we are all so blessed. I don't know about you but Johnna and I have been talking and we believe that God is truly up to something great in our church. I am so excited that the baptistery is getting to be used again and again. Keep praying for our community, school, and churches.

I'll be leaving Sunday afternoon to go to Harrison, AR to preach a revival. I was there a year ago when the tornado went thru Marmaduke. It is a good church so pray for me to be used by God. I'll stay in touch with you, love all of you. Have fun this weekend by coming to Emmanuel, I'll see you there.

Jesus Saves!

I'm so sorry that I am a few days behind in blogging, let me catch you up on all the happenings. Tuesday morning I had the privilege of sharing Christ with the husband of one of our church members and he committed his life to Christ. It was so cool. The neat thing is that it all started Sunday night after he came to see the movie "Facing the Giants". God used that movie to bring him to Jesus. I am so thankful to be in a church that uses every way possible to bring people to Jesus. I have heard so many wonderful comments about the movie I hope that if you haven't seen the movie "Facing the Giants" that you would go rent it today.

Tuesday night was Cowboy Church and we had another wonderful crowd of about 60 folks. We enjoyed some good old gospel music and then opened up the bible and heard from the Lord. It is so encouraging to go to Cowboy Church. So many of those people are just hungry for the Lord. Please keep us in your prayers as we now have 2 men who need to be baptized. They are both growing in the Lord. Last night I drove to Doniphan, MO to visit with a family who came last week and they don't have a relationship with Christ. Please keep this family in your prayers and I'll keep you up to date on what happens. I want to say thanks to the people from Emmanuel who have been so faithful to come and help in this new church start.

Well tonight we are suppose to have our first baseball game and Ethan is excited. That's right I said Ethan. He has been practicing and working hard at improving his skills and it looks like he is going to be one of our pitchers and he can't wait. Landon Williams is on the same team and they are so fun to watch. Tanner and Logan have already played a few games and they have both done well. They play on a usssa baseball team together and then they both play on separate league teams. Tanner has been playing 3rd base, catcher and pitcher. Logan is a utility player on the infield he plays both shortstop and 2nd base. Logan has been playing on the 14yr old team which has been a little intimidating for him but he is doing fine. Well I better go talk to all of you hopefully tomorrow. Have a great day and I'll tell you about the big game tomorrow.

Let's have Easter every Sunday!

It was an incredible weekend at Emmanuel! Let me begin by saying Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make Easter Weekend so GREAT. You know who you are I can't name everybody but if it wasn't for you folks we would not have the church that we have. Everybody wants to belong to a Great church but it takes Great people to make a Great Church. I know what some of you are thinking, no it takes a Great God to make a Great Church, I agree with you but that Great God chooses to work through people and here at Emmanuel God is working through some people and making them GREAT! I love you and I am so happy to do ministry with you.

For those of you who don't know what happened over the weekend I'll just catch you up on the numbers. We had our annual Easter Celebration on Saturday at Heritage Park and it was windy and cold but the people still came. It is so hard to know how many people came but I'll just say we gave away hundreds of hot dogs, soda, and cotton candy. The kids seemed to have a wonderful time on all the rides and playing all the games. It was cold but Great. We gave away 12 big Easter baskets and 6 wal-mart gift cards worth $65. We had some happy boys and girls!

Easter Sunday morning was something to see. When we built this church I just knew that it would be full of people someday and on Easter Sunday it was full to capacity! We had over 550 people attend our morning worship service and it was something to see. It got better, we had 5 people join the church and one young man give his life to Christ. PRAISE THE LORD!

Sunday night we showed the movie "Facing The Giants" and we had close to 300 people attend the movie. It was so much fun, we had our own concession stand filled with popcorn, soda, nerd ropes and sweetarts. Brent and Misti Sanders concluded the night with a testimony of God's faithfulness. It was so much fun! Isn't it Great that I have used the word Great so much to describe church. I am so thankful to be a part of Emmanuel !

I know that Easter only comes once a week but I am already looking forward to next Sunday.
I hope that you and your family are just excited about Sunday as I am. It doesn't matter if you go to Emmanuel or Flamingo Road Sunday is coming and I can't wait!

Good Friday.

Hey everyone it's Friday but Sunday is coming! This week I read something that is so Awesome I'm going to share it with you. Before I share that with you I want you to hear what another preacher said this week that really challenged me. He said that we should live like we have a BIG God. Isn't that true. We have a God who rose from the dead there is nothing our God can not do. Let's not live in doubt and defeat, let's live a life of victory. Whatever it is that has you down remember you have a BIG GOD!

Friday, April 14, 2006
It's Friday. But Sunday's a Coming!
Some things are so good, I would give almost anything to have been the one who said it. But I didn't. It's still far too good not to share.
Dr. Tony Campolo tells the story of a little preaching competition that he had with his pastor during services at the church where he attends. Dr. Campolo tells how he preached the perfect sermon, perfect in every way. He had taken the congregation to the heights of glory. And as he sat down beside his pastor, Dr. Campolo patted him on the knee and simply said, "Top that." The older black pastor looked at him and said, "Boy, watch the master."
It was a simple sermon, starting softly, building in volume and intensity until the entire congregation was completely involved, repeating the phrases in unison. The sermon went something like this.
It's Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter's denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It's Friday; but Sunday's a coming.
It's Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, "Father, forgive them." It's Friday; but Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, "My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?" What a horrible cry. But Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. And at the moment of Jesus' death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday's coming.
It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that's because it's Friday, and they don't know it, but Sunday's a coming.
And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday.
Now it's Sunday. And just about dawn on that first day of the week, there was a great earthquake. But that wasn't the only thing that was shaking because now it's Sunday. And the angel of the Lord is coming down out of heaven and rolling the stone away from the door of the tomb. Yes, it's Sunday, and the angel of the Lord is sitting on that stone and the guards posted at the tomb to keep the body from disappearing were shaking in their boots because it's Sunday, and the lamb that was silent before the slaughter is now the resurrected lion from the tribe of Judah, for He is not here, the angel says. He is risen indeed.
It's Sunday, and the crucified/resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave. It's Sunday. And now everything has changed. It's the age of grace, God's grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again. All because it's Sunday.

Don't forget it's Friday and we are having a Good Friday service tonight at Hitts Chapel at 6:00!

Easter Service

We had 55 folks at Cowboy Church for our Easter Service last night. It was a wonderful service. We had a family at the service who had not been in church in years. The neat thing is that their son is the one who brought them. It was so great to see God work in this family. Out of the 55 people 44 of them didn't come from Emmanuel or Cape County. Isn't that great 44 people who have chosen to make Thousand Hills Cowboy Church home. I am encouraged every week by what God does. I am praying for people to be saved and I am going to be faithful until it happens. Keep praying for us as we serve every Tuesday in Poplar Bluff.

Today was also another trip to Jonesboro. Logan had to see the orthodontist. While in Jonesboro we visited the hospital and prayed with June Morris. Please keep Ms Morris in your prayers they have found what they call a hot spot on her back and they are going to do some more test on her tomorrow. She is the mother of Kathy Ballard from our church.

All in all it has been a wonderful day, when you find double cheeseburgers for a dollar at Mcd's it's a good day. I hope that all of you are still looking forward to Sunday. Don't forget to bring your family and friends this Sunday. Love all of you, send me some comments I love hearing from you, tell me a little of what's happening to you.

It's gonna be a busy week!

Let the fun begin! Tonight I am going to Corning FBC to an evangelism rally and I want some people to go with me. I'll be leaving the church at 5:30 so come and join me for a fun and encouraging night with other people who have a heart for the lost.

Hey we are just 1 day away from our first Easter service. That's right tomorrow night in Poplar Bluff we will have our first Easter service at the Cowboy Church. It all starts at 7pm and it's friend and family night. I have already heard from some of the folks that they are expecting a lot of people. Why not come and join in on the fun and just see what God does at the service. Pray for us as we hope to see many people give their lives to Christ. Come expecting a blessing.

Hey take a look at the schedule for the rest of the week:

Wednesday : 250 high school seniors will be on our campus for a financial planning seminar

Friday: Good Friday service at Hitts Chapel and I will be the speaker, please come

Saturday: Easter Celebration at Heritage Park 10 - 1 Food and Clothing Ministry at the church 1 -4

Sunday: Easter Service at 10am Don't miss it!

This week has so much potential for GReatness it's scary. In order for us to reach our potential we need everyone to pitch in and help. Would you consider doing your part so that we can have the Greatest Easter Week we have ever had. If you don't know what to do call the office (870 598 5128) and we will help you find something to do. Don't forget to INVITE someone to come with you to our Easter Service. I can't wait to get started so let's go to work.