Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone I hope that all of you have a wonderful day with family and friends. I am so thankful for the greatest gift that I ever received and that gift is a relationship with Jesus Christ. God sent His son to this earth on Christmas morning so that I could have a relationship with God. When I accepted the gift of God it changed my life forever. I am certainly not perfect but I am forgiven. When I got Jesus I got a friend who loves me unconditionally. Not only that but I got peace, hope, and the opportunity to live a worry free life that I can live to the fullest if I just will. I would say that Jesus is definitely the Greatest Gift I have ever received. Have you accepted this gift, I wish you would. Merry Christmas everyone.

Great Weekend at Emmanuel

Last night we had our second annual shopping spree for those who needed a little help in our community. Emmanuel became the hands and feet of Jesus. All weekend long people have been going the extra mile. We had a benefit auction on Saturday night and raised $4000 dollars to buy gifts for those in need. People from the church donated all the items to sell and all the money went to those less fortunate. I love this time of year as we celebrate the birth of Jesus it just seems to bring out the best in our church.

Gift Revolution

Please don't forget our 2nd annual Gift Revolution as we collect gifts for those in need of a little help this year around Christmas. We are on pace to pass last years total of gifts and families helped we still in need of more toys and volunteers. If you know of a family that you would like added to our list of those invited to come and shop please call the church office and let us know. Giving is a great way to get a blessing!

Friendly Friday

Hey everybody why not designate every Friday as friendly Friday. I know you need to be friendly everyday but let's go the extra mile on Fridays. Today I picked up a hitchhiker, he was young man who just got out of jail and was trying to get home to Paragould and I took him to Rector on my way to a funeral. Tomorrow I am going to the nursing home and taking a pizza to a special friend who has had a stroke and she hasn't been able to go home. She has a little girl that she just loves and I am looking forward to seeing her tomorrow. We can all do something please comment and let me know what friendly Friday thing you get to do for somebody. Have a GREAT Friday but don't forget Sunday is comin'.

Just to let you know I am so pumped up about Dec 20!!!!! This year we are going to make a BIG difference in our community by letting parents shop for Christmas at Emmanuel!!!! We are going to pass out our own stimulus money. If you have someone that you know of that could use our help please call the church office so we can keep a record of how many people to expect. I hope everyone that reads this blog will get involved in a BIG way! Buy gifts if you can but if you can't pray for those in need and come help volunteer on this BIG day!!! We need to fill the stage in just 3 more weeks. WE CAN DO IT! Pray for someone to come to know Jesus as their savior, that's why we do what we do.

The Gift Revolution rolls on

Hey everyone just wanted to let you know about the Gift Revolution that is going to take place all during the month of December. The whole thing is simple, just do something nice for someone. For example buy someones coffee in the morning, it doesn't have to be much but it will mean a lot. On December 20 we are going to have our 2nd annual shopping spree for those less fortunate. We are hoping to provide gifts for 30 families and we need your help. This week we are collecting toys for children ages 8-12. We need new toys please. We already have well over 150 gifts but we need much more. Join the revolution and help make a difference.

Large Crowd

We had our AWANA thanksgiving meal tonight. We invited all the kids and their families and did they show up. It was GREAT the church was filled with people of all ages. I haven' t had that much fun in a while. The church folks did a Super job feeding and cleaning for all the special guest that we had. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see our church serve the community and tonight was just wonderful. I love people who love to serve and we still have plenty of servants at Emmanuel. We had around 350 people at our church tonight and it just reminded me of what the church looks like when it works together to do the work that God has for us to do. Good things are happening a Emmanuel!

Been a Full day

It's Sunday night I just got thru adding some friends on facebook (I am now in double digits) The day started with a wonderful morning at Emmanuel Baptist Church. The atmosphere is changing every week for the good. I knew that God would finish what He started and that's just what He is doing. Lives are still being changed and I am so excited about seeing what's next. I spent most of the afternoon working on something for Johnna and got it finished just in time to go to the hospital. I got a call that they had to take my mom to the hospital about 4:30 so I spent the rest of the night in the emergency room. They are keeping mom in the ICU over night they got her blood pressure down and improved her breathing which is what we were most concerned about. I want to thank Jerry Massey for leading the church service tonight since I didn't make it, I started to go on to church but I decided mom was more important. Thanks to all of you who took the time to come by or call, I don't see how people make it alone. Someone mentioned to me today that I had my JOY back, and they are right, I do. Satan knows it to so he didn't want this day to end as good as it started but what He doesn't know is that IT DID.

What's goin on

Hey everybody I want to thank you for praying for Cowboy Church we had almost 100 folks show up for our first night in our new location. It was a lot of fun! I want to thank all the people from Emmanuel who came up to support the work that is being done in Poplar Bluff. We had another big night in AWANA'S last night. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all the adults who make that night so GREAT, the kids love Wednesday Nights.

There is plenty to do around Emmanuel right now if you are not plugged in to a ministry find you one that interest you and go to work. There's a sweet spirit in this place AGAIN, thank all of you for hanging in there and even if you didn't hang in there, I understand, wherever you are serving the Lord I pray that God blesses and people come to know Jesus.

Cowboy Church Tonight

Tonight at 7 pm Thousand Hills Cowboy Church will be moving into it's new home at the Rodgers Theater in Poplar Bluff, Mo. Several folks from Emmanuel are going to encourage the Cowboy Church and listen to Eternal Vision. I am looking forward to tonight. I must say it feels Great to be able to talk about the Cowboy Church and not worry about what people might say. I love Emmanuel Baptist Church and since they day I became the pastor this church has ministered to the Cowboy Culture. Whether it's been serving home cooking to rodeo contestants or serving BBQ and passing out bibles at a team roping Emmanuel has been involved in spreading the Gospel in different arenas of life and I am Thankful. Keep praying for lost people to find Jesus! He left us here to round up the strays, saddle up and go "Soul Searchin' " (my new favorite song by Eternal Vision)

Correction

I said I will see you Sunday in the next post but Cowboy Church is on Tuesday so don't get confussed. Sorry for the mistake if I was very I might could have used edit and fixed the problem but .......well I just posted a new post to let you know about the error of my typing.

Eternal Vision

This Tuesday night the Thousand Hills Cowboy Church is getting a new home and we are having a special guest. We are moving to the old Rodgers theater in Poplar Bluff, Mo which is located in the old downtown area. The group Eternal Vision will be with us and the service will start at 7pm. The Thousand Hills Cowboy Church was started by the folks at Emmanuel and Cape County Cowboy Church in Jackson, Mo. I want to thank everyone at Emmanuel for making a difference not only in Piggott but also in Poplar Bluff, Mo. I hope to see you Sunday as we start something new at the Old Rodgers Theater.

Sunday Reflection

Sunday was a GREAT. If you didn't make it to Emmanuel you sure missed a blessing. Some have said that they didn't think God was in Emmanuel anymore, I know at times it may have felt that way but God never left we may have left God but He sure never left us. It has been so freeing to once again preach the truth and just leave the results to God. Several folks got real Sunday morning and confessed their sins to God instead of marching around like everything was OK. Brokenness is always a forerunner to a movement of God.

I also want to say that we saw prayers answered this week. On Monday nights we have been praying for the lost to be saved and just this week we saw three people pray and ask Jesus into their life. Sunday night was just amazing. The presence of God was so real. I love it when Emmanuel worships the Lord in Spirit and truth. Unity is coming, but only after forgiveness if you are still not willing to forgive someone for the past don't expect God to forgive you in the future. God is Gonna finish what He started.

Pictures from Sikeston

Lunch at Lambert's

It has been a Fantastic day. I know it's rained about 8 inches and I know it's been raining all day but today has been Good. Johnna and I went to Sikeston, Mo and met up with her mom and dad at the famous Lambert's (home of the "throwed rolls"). It was all Great, from the shopping to the eating to the conversation. It just goes to show that the weather doesn't have to get you down. Just in case you're wondering I had the chicken fried steak with white gravy, mashed potatoes, greens, green beans, fried potatoes/with onions, fried okra, Hot rolls with honey and sweet tea. I have asked for forgiveness, for all those of you who are condemning me right now. I recommend this trip to everyone who is looking for a way to escape the gloom and doom of bad weather. God has been really good to me, Thank You Lord.

Praying with friends

We are meeting at the church tonight to pray for people to know Jesus. It is so good to know that we have several people in our church burdened about people who don't have a relationship with Jesus. Jesus said we are to Go and make disciples, let's do it.

Back Home

It is good to be home. We had a wonderful day at Emmanuel. Keep praying that God does even Greater things than He has done before.

In Revival

Hey everyone just an update to let you know that I am in Horatio, Ar (somewhere down south). I am preaching at the Horatio First Baptist Church and let me tell you if tonight is anything like last night Jesus might come back. Eternal Vision is with me leading the worship and if you have ever seen them you know what you are missing. I am enjoying myself so much. It is great to be used by God. Pray for me and Emmanuel.

Kevin

Life at the Murray house

Hey everyone hope all of you are doing fine. Life is cruising right along for all of us at the Murray home. Tanner broke his hand in two places last Friday night and had to have a little surgery on Tuesday but he is doing fine and will miss several football games. We had back to back trips to the Emergency room. Logan got his chin busted open the night before Tanner broke his arm and had to be glued back together. It's Ethan's turn next. They have given us our very own wing at the emergency room. For those of you who may not know my mom has lung cancer and she is taking radiation treatments. They say her tumor is about the size of a golf ball and they say they can shrink it with ten to twenty treatments, so she goes every day to Jonesboro to take her treatment. Mom has great attitude and she is a fighter so cancer better look out. Keep us all in your prayers we know God will more than just get us through He will get us Victoriously through.

I am looking forward to this Sunday as we will be talking about doing what God created us to do.
There is nothing better than seeing someone or something being used for what they were created to do. You can tell the people who are doing what God intended for them to do.

Before I go I just want to say thank you to everyone who is a volunteer worker at Emmanuel. Keep up the good work and keep your eyes on Jesus because He is doing some Great things in our church. Awana workers you are hitting the ball out of the ballpark. For the last few weeks over a hundred kids have come to our church and you were prepared for them. Way to go!

Great Weather

Wow the weather in Piggott has been incredible for August. Monday the high had to be in the low 70's it felt like October. Isn't it amazing how just the weather can effect how you feel. Feelings are something that everybody has to deal with, sometimes we feel Great and other times we feel like not SO great. I am so thankful that my salvation isn't based on my feelings but based on the promise of God that He will never leave me nor forsake me. I may not always feel saved but I know because I confessed my sins as a teenager and ask God to forgive me I AM Saved! Now back to the weather I love cool afternoons today I had 12 kids in my back yard playing wiffle ball and I just sat and watched about 5 innings and it was soooo much fun. O to be wiffle ball age again. (wait I am wiffle ball age you never out grow wiffle ball, I'm playin tommorrow) I hope all of you find time to just stop and enjoy some of the cool things going on all around you. It's time well spent for me considering 2 of the twelve players belonged to me and the other 10 are basically adopted.
Live life to the fullest it's gonna end one of these days!

Back on the bus

Well we are all back in school . I started back driving the school bus yesterday and I am glad to be back on a schedule and sure it won't be long before I will be ready for a break. Ethan made it thru the first day of Jr high without any major issues, now if we can just make it thru science. Tanner started his Jr. year and Logan is a freshman. Johnna got her teaching certificate this summer and we are all real proud of "Ms Johnna" she hasn't been able to get a job, but we know she is going to make a Great teacher.

I am real excited about our AWANA program this year there seems to be lots of excitement among our leaders and lots of new ideas. If you would like to be apart of AWANA in any way we have a place for you. The fall is a fun ministry time with back to school events, fish fry, revival, and several other things I hope that you will join us this fall at Emmanuel.

I want to say a big thank you for everyone who has been serving in different areas lately. Thanks to the men who did carpentry work on the Oasis church in St. Francis, AR, also a big thank you goes out to all those who helped with our back to school bash last Sunday night it was Great. We past out over 40 back packs in all!

Emmanuel is a Great place to serve the Lord.

Great Worship

Hey I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed being at church this morning. It was Great our praise team did an outstanding job in leading us in worship. I could just sense a Great spirit in the church. When you start the service with people giving the Lord a lot of praise it just sets the tone for a Great service. If you were not able to attend we missed you and hope that you will come and join us again real soon. I love Emmanuel!

Kids Gone Wild

Hey everyone I am way down south near Eldarado Arkansas. Ethan and myself are speaking at a camp with lots of energetic students. Tonight we are at a water park! If you want a challenge just trying speaking to a group of students that know they are going to a water park as soon as the preacher gets done. It was a short service, I am now the most popular man at camp. It has been wonderful to see students come to Christ. Pray for us as we travel home late tomorrow night. See ya Friday!

Kevin

Back to School

Can you believe it school is just around the corner. I hope everyone will make time to spend time together as a family before the routine begins all over again. Summer is a great time to travel and enjoy yourself and I hope all of you have been able to do all you wanted.

Starting on August 2 we are going to be emphasizing " Back to School" with 5 Special Sundays.

August 2 " Supplies Sunday" bring school supplies for all ages

August 9 "Backpack Sunday" bring backpacks for students

August 16 "Back to School Bash" during the evening service

August 23 "Bless our Schools Sunday" A time of prayer

August 30 "Back to Sunday School Day" High attendance Sunday

Help us make August one of the best months we've had in a long time. Get involved and see what kind of blessings you will receive.

Kevin

Summer Time

I love summer time! Even though we have been to busy to get to the Lake. It has been a lot of fun so far. Tanners Legion team finished 3rd in the state tournament and Logan's team just won the district tournament last night. Way to go teams!!!

Summer time can be stressful because there is so much to do and we can all get pulled in so many different ways . Recently I received an anonymous letter that was anything but flattering, it reminded me of all my "many" failures and I have had a lot of time to ponder on some of the things it had to say. I have since asked God to help me get better in the areas in which I need improvement and help me stay strong in the areas that are unwavering. I must say that God is growing me. Summer time seems to be a time for things to grow and I suppose that he is giving me the opportunity myself to grow. I love fresh vegetables that have matured on the vine, you know now that I think of it I just bet there is nothing that pleaseds the Lord more than Good "ripe" mature Christians.

How ripe are you?

Kevin

Update

I don't know where to begin, I'll start by letting everyone know that all the Murray family is doing very well. My mom is doing well she is having a good summer. Mom has even been able to attend one of the boys baseball games, we didn't think that would ever happen. Johnna has just started a 3 week nontraditional teaching program, she is just almost a licensed elementary teacher and we are all so proud of her. She spent a couple of weeks in arkadelphia this summer taking some classes. All boys in the house ......PARTY

Tanner and Logan have been real busy with baseball and Ethan has been busy mowing yards and bailing hay, which one do you think pays the most? I am really proud of my family. I just had to post this picture of Tanner his Legion team upset Jonesboro to win the District tournament. Way to go team.

As for the church I really believe God is moving and stirring some people to step up and go to higher ground. I am not sure what it is yet but I can just since IT. We are in the middle of bible school and there is lots of energy around here right now.

One thing I have learned lately is that whatever you are be the best whatever you can be until you become something else!

Celebrating 42

Hey everyone I finally found my own blog. I am not very good at this but I just thought I would say hello to all of you. I am celebrating my 42 birthday today and it is a beautiful day. I can't wait until 5 pm I am going to watch our oldest son play baseball. Going to be a very relaxing evening? My life really is Great!


Kevin

Revival Update

Hey Folks, we just finished our spring Revival and it was WOW. It was Great to see people get saved and commit their lives to Christ. It was also Great to see people drawn back to the Lord. I don't know all the numbers but I do know that we only like about 68 people getting saved to reach my goal of 100 and we are going to see it happen real soon. The group Eternal Vision was with us to lead our worship and Coy Arnold from Horatio, Ar did the preaching. I am exhausted it's 2 am and I just can't sleep. Tomorrow could be a long day I better get to bed.

Kevin

Praying for 100

I am praying for 100 people to be saved ! The sooner the better. I don't care who leads them to Jesus just so lost people are being saved. I know of 14 people since Sunday morning from all over and I am looking for 86 more. If you lead someone to Jesus let me know about it. There is nothing more exciting to me than people giving their life to Christ. This past Tuesday night at the Thousands Hills Cowboy Church in Poplar Bluff, Mo. 3 adults gave their lives to Jesus. AWESOME!!!!!! Easter weekend is just one week away and we have praying for a harvest of folks during our Revival that will start on Easter Sunday Morning. You do not want to miss any of these services the worship is going to be off the chart and the preaching is going to be life changing. I hope everyone will make an effort to come and bring a lot of friends. I am soooo excited.

Kevin

Mom update

Just wanted to let everyone know that mom is doing so much better. This past Sunday she was able to come to church and walk up front and shake the preachers hand. It was Great to see. God has healed my mother and I am thankful for the miracle. Do you need a Miracle? I would love to talk with you about what God can do in your life.

Seeking

Hey everyone I hope all of you are surviving winter 2009. We have just about seen in all here in Piggott. Spring is just around the corner and that means warmer weather, baseball, soccer, fishin, motorcycle riding and many other warm weather activities. One of the activities we look forward to every year is our annual Easter Egg Hung the Saturday before Easter and this year is no different. I love to see all the kids and families out enjoying the day. The kids love the egg hunt there's just something about finding that something special. I have been thinking about that alot lately and that's not only true with Easter eggs it's true for God's plan for our lives. The happiest people I know are the people who wake up everyday and seek to do what God wants them to do. Here are a few tips on how you can be as happy as a kid at the Easter Egg hunt.

1. Begin your day with prayer and morning devotion (scripture)
2. Look for ways to be used by God
3. Don't worry about failure (your not doing it God is)
4. Give every day your best effort

Have a great day ya!

Back to School on Wednesday

That's right a little bit of normal starts tomorrow when school starts back. Thanks to the Air Force National Guard the Piggott Schools will be up and running on Wednesday morning. It has been two weeks today since the ice storm hit and we still have no cable tv and not a single person has gone crazy in our house. I did hear the steelers won the super bowl and someone said there's a pretty big nascar race this weekend, I WOULDN'T KNOW BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE CABLE. I really haven't missed it much can't you tell.

We did finish up our work at the community center today and it was wonderful to be able to serve others along side my family and friends. I am so proud of my family!!!!

Mom is doing good and seems to be getting stronger each day. There might be a chance of her coming home pretty soon. Thanks for praying for her and all the calls and cards. Pray for her because she don't have any cable at the hospital either. Life can be tough....i think we'll make it!We will have services this Sunday at 10a.m. so I hope all of you can make it to the service.

See Ya

Serving Meals at Community Center

We just finished serving 250 meals at the Community Center and it was so much FUN!! The scripture tells us that even Jesus didn't come to be served but To Serve. It is such a Joy to be able to help others at this time of need. The people have all been so appreciative of everything we have done for them. I want to encourage all of you out there that if you are feeling a little down and depressed find you a place and volunteer to help the needy and it should be just the medicine that you need to get the joy back in your life. Can't wait until supper and serve another 250 meals. I would also like to say thanks to the Arkansas Baptist State Convention and the Red Cross along with the National Guard for there help during our time of need.

Troubling times can bring us together or divide us as a community, those who survive are those who pool resources and work together. Thank you to all who have pulled together worked so hard to help others. You are never more like Jesus than when you serve others!!!!!!!

Mom is doing wonderful, she is back at the Piggott Hospital and we are so thankful. Keep praying for us.

Love all of you,

Kevin

Power is on at the Murray home!!!!

It is a Great day we do have power and hot water at the Murray house. That's not all, Mom is moving back to the Piggott hospital today as well. Can life get any better? Mom is doing so much better, it is a Miracle and we are all so thankful for all your prayers and support through all the sickness and bad weather. God is showing Himself to be faithful as usual. I am on my way to help serve meals at the shelter that is set up at the Piggott community center so if you are looking for something to do they need volunteers to help with meals, call me (870) 598 7211

There will be no Awana's or Adult bible study tonight at Emmanuel>

Love ya,

Kevin

Just a sample of how much ice is in Piggott, Arkansas.

Found a picture on the internet! I'll post more later.

Weathering the storm

The ice storm of 2009! Today is day 6 of no electricity. We are all doing fine at the Murray home. God is providing for us. We have gas heat and a nice generator and right now those are two things that not everyone in Piggott and surrounding towns have. There are several people having to live in shelters. We do have power at the church and it is so nice to be in the office this morning. I don't know if anyone will show up for church, but I am here ready to go. We are going to be feeding the folks at the shelter today so it will be a Great opportunity to minister to those in need. If you are reading this blog and are in need of anything please call 870 598 7211 and ask for some help and we will do our best to help you and your family.

Update on Mom:

On Wednesday we had to move mom to the Paragould hospital because they had to shut down the Piggott hospital due to no electricity. Her breathing has improved so much she is still not well but she is much better. She asked me to please tell all of you that she loves you and she is thankful for all of your prayers, cards, and flowers. We are thankful to God for all He has done for mom.

Need your prayers

I am sorry it has been a few days since I have informed everyone on mom's condition. On Friday we moved mom back to the Piggott hospital. Mom requested we take her home (Piggott Hosp) There was nothing more they could do in Jonesboro that they couldn't do for her in Piggott. Since moving her she has had so many visitors and she has loved it. Today is Sunday and her condition is critical. Only God knows when she will leave this earth but she is very weak and on lots of medication. All of my family has been with her today and she has been loved on by all the grand kids, family and friends. Nothing can really prepare you for the loss of a mother but knowing that she is saved gives us Hope. Today at church I sang her favorite song "The Midnight Cry". We recorded it and took it to the hospital for her to hear. As soon as she heard what song it was she lifted her hands to the sky and began to worship the Lord, it was almost more than I could handle. I just thank God that my mom is born again and will be given a brand new body real soon. Keep us in your prayers.

Update on Mom

Mom rested well last night. All of my brothers along with my dad and my youngest son Ethan spent the night with Mom. Dr. says that her heart may be contributing some to her shortness of breathe but mostly her lungs are just in really bad shape. We have continued to have several visits and calls which makes moments like this tolerable. Mom has been blessed to have her dearest friends by her side. As weak as she is her face always lights up when someone who loves her walks in the room. Last night I had the opportunity to spend about 5 hours taking care of her and I can only hope that it made her feel as good as it made me. Mom has loved her family all her life and she's just getting a little of it back in return. Please pray for us as we take each day one at a time.

Kevin

In need of your prayers

Well I am in the waiting room of the hospital again only this time my mother is the patient. Mom was airlifted to St. Bernards Hosp. this morning and she is really struggling to breathe the Dr. told us that she has severe COPD disease. It has been a very emotional morning and afternoon but we have gotten lots of calls, visits and emails and they have all been very encouraging. It is so wonderful to be the pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church and I want everyone to know how proud I am to be your pastor. Thank you for all of the love and support that we have felt not only today but over the last several weeks. Please continue to pray for our family.

Kevin

In Little Rock, AR

Hello everyone from a waiting room in Little Rock, AR. I am visiting Mr. Leonard Fuller who is very sick and I ask that all of you pray for the Fuller family. We are waiting. This family is having to make some incredible difficult decissions and I know that they would appreciate your prayers. Thank you.