Cowboy Church Trail Ride

Today we had our first Cowboy Church get together. We had 24 people show up for a morning trail ride just outside Poplar Bluff. It was a lot of fun, we had us a little picnic around noon and then the rain set in. We had a few people who hadn't been to church but they showed up to ride and that's what we wanted. I also think that we are real close to having our first Baptism. We have a young man coming who has been saved but not baptized yet. Pray for him to follow the Lord and be baptized. It was really an exciting day to see some of the folks take ownership in the church and start reaching out to others. Thank you Emmanuel for starting this brand new ministry, God is gonna bless both of these churches.

I am really looking forward to tomorrows service. We will be taking the Lord's supper so please don't miss this very special time to remember and praise the Lord for what He has done for us.

• I look forward to seeing you all at church!

Hot Rolls!!!!

Let me tell you about Thursday! That's right it started at Hardee's with Rudy and Ethan. Yes Ethan, he wanted to go see what all the excitement was about. I think Rudy was glad to see him, he told Ethan he would be old some day and maybe some young boy would come eat breakfast with him. I love life and I love starting my day off with my Lord and Rudy and this morning I even got to start it with one of my boys. How about this weather! We had to break out the shorts on Thursday. It was a busy day around the house, we cleaned vehicles, mowed the neighbors (2) yard, (Penny Bradshaw, we love her a bunch) washed the house, cleaned the driveway, washed clothes, folded clothes, cleaned the bathroom, you get the point. It was a Great day and the night got even better.

I was asked to preach Thursday night at the Cape County Cowboy Church because the pastors mom had passed away. It is always a privilege to worship with those wonderful folks. Me and Logan and Ethan left Piggott about 3pm and headed that way. Along the way we made a detour in Sikeston at Lambert's restaurant. Need I say any more. Hot Rolls get your Hot rolls. I understand why they call them hot rolls, because after you eat a few you have to be rolled out of there. We enjoyed it so much, it great to have some time with boys and watch them have fun. By the way we were 6 for 6 with no errors. (no dropped rolls)

Cowboy Church was Great they had over 250 people at the service. The music was incredible as always. Every time I go I think to myself it is worth a 2 hour drive one way to go to this service. The boys said I did a good job, Logan told me after the service "I think they really liked you dad" now that's some encouragement.

Well it's Friday and Spring Break is almost over but that's o.k. because we have so much to look forward to. This Sunday we will be taking the Lord's Supper during the morning service and I am really looking forward to remembering the death of Christ. I know that you are, but we should never stop thanking God for the extreme sacrifice that He made for our sins. As we prepare to take the Lord's Supper begin now examining your heart and cleansing it so that when you do take the Lord's Supper you will be taking it with a pure heart. It's the only way to take it biblically. Seek God's forgiveness for the sin that may be in your life and turn from it.

Life is so good, and it's even better when you share it with friends, thanks for being my friend, love all of ya!

Spring Break!

Hey everyone I'm sorry I've been a little lazy but I'm on Spring Break! That's right no school bus driving. I haven't opened my computer in a few days but I thought I would catch you up on what's been happening. Well Saturday night was the Youth Rodeo that we go to each month. I always have a great time because I am the announcer and I get to talk all nigh long and play music like a DJ. The boys always have a great time. Ethan won second place in the team roping, he got beat by 2 seconds by Colton Poole and his partner. I was Colton's partner and just before we started to rope Ethan whispered to me "hey dad miss". It was alot of fun. We just have the Finals left and the series will be over. We have made many new friends this winter and look forward to next season.

Monday and Tuesday of this week has been spent Spring cleaning. We have been working really hard around the house. We have made time for a little fun like riding horses, 4 wheelers and a little golf. Today we are going to clean up the camper because we may go camping before the week is over. Last night we went to Cowboy Church and had another wonderful service. God is blessing our efforts in this new church start. Please pray for us this Saturday, we are having a trail ride and hoping to reach some new people.

O.K. that catches you up on the Murray family I'll try to keep you up to date! But we are on Spring Break and you never know when I'll get back to this computer. Hey don't forget Easter Services are just a week away I hope that you have already invited several folks to come and be with us you never know what God will do so don't miss it! You folks are the GREATEST I love you. Hey how about commenting some Good News.

I needed that!

What a Great morning we just had at Emmanuel. You folks are wonderful. Our choir was outstanding today. I love to see people enjoy worship and we did this morning. I just knew that today was going to be a Great Day and it was! How AWESOME is it to see a young man com mitt his life to Christ. (VERY) Let's just stay on our knees for the lost and those who aren't in church. Stay faithful I'll be back later.

Spring Cleaning started Today!

Well I didn't finish but I did get a good start on cleaning up around the house. After a winter of piling things in the shed, like old clothes, baseball equipment, old furniture, everything from the garage, drums, tools, toys, etc., it was time to make a path into the shed. Yes, you can now walk in the shed and find some things. It took just about all day but it feels good to have made a little progress. Isn't it amazing how much junk just shows up at your house, or it does mine. If you drive by the house it looks a little like Fred Sanfords place because I have some junk out by the road. Some of it's already been picked up and I'm waiting for the rest to be taken off soon. I hope somebody wants it soon or I'll have to throw it away I'd rather give it away.

We ended the day by burning a big brush pile. It was so nice out after dark. I pulled me up a chair and listened to the kids run around having a big time. The neighbors kids came over and had a great time with Ethan and myself as we just watched the fire burn into the night. I just love Spring time. I don't even mind the spring cleaning.

You know, not only does my shed need a spring cleaning, my heart needs a daily cleaning. I don't know about you but if I'm not careful filth can get all in my life. I need to be cleansed by God's forgiveness everyday. I hope that you will not allow sin to build up in your life because if you do it will be like my shed, hard to walk in. You can not walk with God and have a life filled with junk. You may need to do what I did, just stop everything and make time to clean out the junk. Love ya.

Easter Celebration coming soon!

It won't be long now! That's right our Easter Celebration is just around the corner. This year is looking to be the BEST EVER. We need your help to make this Easter Weekend a Success. It is going to take so many people serving others in order for us to do all that needs to be done. I hope that you have already made plans to help. The work has already started and it's time to get involved. We are expecting over 2000 people to find over 17,000 eggs. Sound EXCITING, it is.

The great part about the weekend is that we get to share Jesus with so many people. Please pray that we will do our best to please God and make Him proud. Pray for nice weather, sweet spirit, and the safety of everyone. I know that this is going to be a Great year! Please help us make it the BEST EVER! We will be having a meeting this Sunday afternoon for all those who will help. Thanks.

I still can't believe that what started out so small has grown into one of the biggest days of the year for our church and town. What I love about the Easter Celebration is the fact that everything we do is free to those who come. It is a great way to let our community know that we love them and care about them. I am praying for a harvest of people to come and get something else free, Salvation. Join me in praying everyday between now and April 7 for many people to come and be blessed.

Smile God wants to use you today!

Good Morning everybody. I hope that all of you have a Great day or had a Great day depending on when you read this. It promises to be a beautiful day. Please keep me in your prayers, I will be preaching 2 funerals over the next 2 days. Today at 2pm is the funeral of Phillip Bridgeman and tomorrow is the funeral of Angie Bonds mother. Keep these families in your prayers please.

Last night at Cowboy Church we had a Great time. We had over fifty in attendance which is super. We are planning on having our first outreach event on Saturday March 31. Come join us for our spring trail ride. The trail ride will start at 9am and will include lunch. We will meet at the R bar H arena around 8:15a.m. and leave from there. If you know of anyone who would be interested in going send them my way. If you are not interested at all just pray for us.

Don't forget to be expecting God to do something today. What you expect is often times what happens, good or bad. God is wanting to take us to great places He is just waiting to see if we really want to go. Please for our services between now and Easter, I am asking God to save many people. I am really burdened for people to be saved. I am expecting people to be saved soon.

Maybe today will be the day that God uses us to share the Good News with someone who is ready to accept Him as Savior. Let me know if He uses you!

A day with Logan

I never thought I would say this but I am enjoying going to the orthodontist. Today I had to take Logan to Jonesboro to see the orthodontist. Since we have to go to Jonesboro (1hour 15 minutes) it just about takes all day. This was the second time we have gone together and I told him today after all the fun we had that I want to take him every time. After we got out of there we headed to look for a new xbox game that he had been saving up for from his birthday money. Well we found out they didn't come out with this particular game so we headed home. Lunch was a Sonic burger and onion rings and diet cherry coke. I know I have been eating much better but it was Logan's day and I didn't want to ruin it for him. It was delicious! We laughed and talked all the way home. We took our brand new dent in the door, door won't open, push button starter, broken windshield 1991 Chevy s10. Every time we stopped somewhere we just hoped that nobody stole our wheels. Ha It was a great day, it just goes to show you that you don't have to have all the nicest things to enjoy life. You can even have good day at dentist office. We did! Take time to spend with your kids and make memories, they'll last forever. Oh yeah we took the gravel road home and Logan drove. He's pretty good with a stick shift.

Expect something good to happen.

Hi everybody, last night I talked about how our faith affects how and what we expect to happen to us. It's true when my faith is strong my expectations are high. Just look at the church when is the expectation of church members really high, it's when they are seeking God and following close behind Him. It is then that churches experience Great revivals and Great harvest of lost folks. The reason is because they expect God to great things. It's time to start expecting God to do Great things. The only we it can start is if our faith is increased. Do you need a Faith lift? Start today get in the bible and let God increase your faith. Somebody tell me what you are expecting God to do. I am expecting God to fill His church again!

Emmanuel is a GREAT church to call HOME!

I am so thankful to be the pastor of Emmanuel. This morning was wonderful for me as God spoke thru me and TO me. That's right I said to me, I hope that everyone at the services heard from the Lord. We have a task at hand and it is a Large one. The task is to tell folks that Jesus Saves. There are so many who have given up and walked away from God but what they don't know is that God hasn't given up on them. Emmanuel needs to be a place where the two can reunite. How wonderful it is when people who have been away come home. We need more family reunions at Emmanuel. You can help make it happen by being a voice from the Lord inviting others to come home to Jesus. Has it been to long since you were used by God to fill the house of God. We have so much to offer at Emmanuel and people need to know all about it, so please start now telling others about a place where everyone is welcome and that place is called EMMANUEL. I look forward to seeing what God does thru us this week. Everybody come back next with expectations of what God will do. See you then. Praise the Lord.

A day of Memories!

Well if I could figure out how to post a picture again, today's picture would be me standing in the middle of a pond. That's right on a day when it is Snowing I decide to take a swim. Sounds kind of foolish I know but when you are raising 3 boys expect the unexpected. I can't help but laugh as I type this story. Saturday started just like most days with me eating breakfast with Rudy and then heading back home to work around the house. Well I need to tell you that sleep was a little scarce the night before because Logan had 7 other boys spend the night for his belated birthday party. They were AWESOME! After breakfast I was at my dads working on my little truck, fixing the brakes. We had just about finished when I got a call that will be talked about forever. It was Logan on the phone and he was very upset, I had a hard time understanding him but when I did he said something like this "DAD THE FOUR WHEELER IS IN THE POND!" that's right in the pond. I hurried to the house to make sure everyone was O.K. and Logan met me with a look of fear on his scared little face. I'm not sure how it all took place but when we arrived at the pond I found boys looking at a floating object that had 2 wheels. The only thing to do was go in and rescue the floating object. I had my good britches and boots on so they had to come off, and all I can tell you is that it was not a good day for a swim. Are you laughing, I thought so. I know it's hard to believe but this is a true story. I stepped off into the pond and just before I did Logan said don't do it dad I will. I appreciated the offer but I was already in my swimming suit so I went in and pulled the 4 wheeler to safety. After we hooked it to the truck we pulled it to shore and eventually home. I do want to say that no one was hurt putting the 4 wheeler in the pond or getting it out. (or after we got it out) Raising boys is a GREAT ADVENTURE! God always seems to give me personal examples for my sermons. Today's sermon is "You can always go home". What I love about the story is that when Logan and his buddies got into trouble he knew to call his daddy. Logan wasn't sure what would happen when I arrived or even after everything was taken care of. But the last thing he expected was for us to be laughing about it shortly after it happened, but that's what we did. I hope that Logan knows that no matter what ever happens whether it is something he shouldn't have done or just something he couldn't help he can always come home. I know some of you reading this know what I mean because you either have children or you have been a child in similar situations. What I have learned is that I also have a heavenly father who says to me that no matter what I do I can always come home. Do you need to go home today?

Speaking of going home, the reason I am up in the middle of the night is that Phillip Bridgeman just went home to be with Jesus. I got a call at 12:30a.m. from the hospital and when I got there Phillip had passed away. Ms. Mary his wife of 43 years said that Phillip had gotten up in the middle of the night and told her that his chest was hurting. She talked him into going to the hospital but he said he could drive himself. When Phillip got to the hospital he had a massive heart attack and they could not revive him. Phillip was such an encouragement to me he always was so complimentary to me as a preacher. He is going to be missed at the golf course, the card table, and Emmanuel Baptist Church. Please pray for this family. Phillip and Mary have 3 daughters and they have lost their daddy. I'm sure they have stories that they will tell that go something like what happened to me today.

Happy Friday everybody! No school today so I didn't have to drive the little children to school. Wouldn't you know it though the day I could sleep late I woke up at 4:15AM. That's just crazy. I know what some of you are thinking, what am I doing sleeping so late. Well anyway I made it to Hardees and Rudy and myself enjoyed getting our day started off watching the city of Piggott come alive. I just love watching everybody getting there day started. Piggott isn't a perfect place but you got to admit it sure ain't bad when it comes to traffic.

Every morning at Hardee's, Rudy and I have been watching this beagle dog. The dog has been showing up every morning around 8a.m. just like clock work. The manager came over and said why don't you take that dog home, we told her that the dog looked pretty happy right there. She told us that they had been feeding the dog every day for some time. No wonder the dog looks so happy, have you ever had breakfast at Hardee's it's not to bad. That dog would be disappointed if it had to eat some where else. I got to thinking about that and thought about why people show up at Emmanuel and why others don't. It has to be either one of two things, people aren't hungry for God or we aren't serving a very good meal. I have been on my knees in prayer all week seeking God for an Awesome Meal to serve you this week please come this Sunday morning and bring someone with you and expect to get a Great Meal! Bring your appetite! Let's start filling our church like Piggott fills Hardee's.

Dr. Dad!

The flu has come to 698 Ann St. No, I don't have the Flu but Ethan (our youngest son) does. He has been on the couch since Friday night. If you know Ethan he is so down about having to stay in the house. Johnna and Ethan watched 9 movies on Saturday and Sunday and I took over on Monday and today. He has been running a fever so he can't go back to school until the fever breaks. The doctor gave us some medicine so we hope things get better soon. My mother also has the flu and they had to put her in the hospital Monday afternoon. Please keep the sick Murrays in your prayers. Mom is really weak and has had a tough 3 months, she is in the Piggott hospital.

While at home I have had plenty of time to think and pray for our church and the upcoming Easter services. I hope that you are making plans to be at church on Easter and bring lots of people with you. They are putting carpet in the balcony this week so it will be ready to fill up with people. It is going to take all of us to fill the church. We all know people who need to be in church so lets get busy inviting them and letting them know we want them at Emmanuel. Something that you also need to know is that on Easter Sunday night we are going to be showing the Movie "Facing the Giants" it is one of the best movies of 2006 and the message is wonderful. This would be the perfect opportunity to bring someone who needs some encouragement because they will be encouraged. It's going to be a wonderful Easter weekend when you think about the children's celebration at heritage park and then the food and clothes distribution at the church on the Saturday before Easter. If you haven't yet brought food or clothes to be given away there is still time. Well I have got to get back to the patient, I love all of you and I look forward to hearing from you.

Ready for the weekend

Hi everyone sorry I missed you most of the day on the computer and didn't take time to post a new blog. I am having some struggles posting pictures and I don't like it. I think I am going to spend the day outside because it is suppose to be so nice. I am about to leave and go check on Cotton Smith he is home from the hospital. After that I think I will spend sometime working with a big paint horse that has not been ridden all winter. Pray for me, I'll let you know how it goes. Have a Great day and weekend. I hope to see many of you at church on Sunday. Don't forget to tell some one about the Good News.

Gonna be a beautiful day.

Hey everyone I just thought I would let you know that we had another wonderful time at Cowboy Church last night. We had over 60 in attendance with about 10 new faces. It's just great to see God moving in such a different setting. It looks like it is going to be a Beautiful day I hope all of you enjoy it to the fullest. I am on my way to the Hospital in Jonesboro to visit with the Royce Williams family. Royce is having open heart surgery today so please keep this family in your prayers. Tonight is going to be a fun night because I am going to watch the Malden Green Wave play Charleston in the Missouri State Tournament. One of our church members happens to be the voice of the Green Wave. Dave Green is the man, if you can't go to the game catch it on the radio at 6:30. (i forgot what station) Dave does a Great Job I'm thinking about having him do play by play for our church services he is so good.

I've just got to throw in how thankful I am to be a live. God blesses me everyday and I don't deserve it. I am thankful for my Wonderful wife and Great kids I am a blessed man! Hey ya have a Great Day and live the abundantly life.

One of my favorite family pictures.

I just love this picture of the Murray family even ol' yeller is smilin'! I thought this was a good post since today is Cowboy Church Day. Hope it makes you smile.

It' Cowboy Church Time!

Well it's Tuesday and that means a trip to Poplar Bluff to get ready for Cowboy Church. My day started off like it does most every day and that is by driving the school bus and then meeting my dear friend Rudy Busby at Hardees for breakfast. Now before you draw any conclusions I just want you to know that while Rudy is eating his sausage and egg biscuit that always looks delicious I have been drinking water and this morning I had a banana. I am trying to look like him and he is trying to look like me. I think our chances of catching one another are very slim. I love meeting with Rudy every morning it is a high light for me! It reminds me of when I would meet with Bro. Charlie for breakfast. You know we all need friends in our lives that encourage us and make us happy I hope you have some one like that in your life, if you don't show up at Hardees and we will try to make you smile.

Today is Tuesday and that means that it is Cowboy Church night. I will be leaving sometime after lunch to go up to Poplar Bluff and get things read for church. We meet at the RbarH arena every Tuesday night at 7pm. After today I am sure I will appreciate my dad much more because he always goes up early and gets everything cleaned up and set up for church but with mom just getting out of the hospital last night he needs to stay home and care for her so I am left to pick up the slack. Pray for us tonight that we will have a good crowd and maybe have some lost people come to the service and hear the good news. God is doing a mighty work at the Cowboy Church and I am so glad to be a small part of it. I also want to thank all the volunteers from Emmanuel who come and are so faithful THANK YOU!

I also want to say thank you to the men's bible study group for feeding me and my oldest son last night. The men had a cookout and it was Great. Don't forget that every Monday night at the church there is a Men's bible study that takes place. We have several men who are faithful to this bible study. Godly churches are always filled with Godly men. Thanks again fellows for inviting me maybe someday I'll come when you are not eating.

Well I hope all of you have a Great day! I have plenty to do so I better get started, love all of you!

Kevin

P.S. Thanks for the comments! If you would like to email me the address is kevin@eblovesyou.com

Good News!!!!

Yesterday as some of you know I started a new sermon series called "Good News". It was so cool to be able to talk about good news instead of having to bring up bad news. In the world that we are living in it's not hard to find bad news, just turn on your tv or computer and it doesn't take long to find it. That's why I am excited about the next few weeks leading up to Easter because I am going to be preaching various scriptures that provide us with Good News. Yesterday was a Great beginning for us, many of you commented that you enjoyed both of our services very much. It is always wonderful to leave the services knowing that God has used that service to make a difference in people. If you missed yesterday it was on "The Gospel" which means good news. In a nut shell the Gospel simple means that Christ died for our sins that we might be forgiven and have a relationship with The Lord. Some might say well why is that so great? Well you really can't appreciate the Gospel (the good news) unless you know the bad news. The bad news is that we are all born sinners and we are all going to die, and if you die without being forgiven of your sins the scripture says that you die and go to hell. Now when given the bad news isn't the Gospel a wonderful thing.





I am already looking forward to next week, bring a friend who needs some Good News in their life and lets see what God does for them. Please continue to pray for my mother as she is still in the hospital in Jonesboro. She has pneumonia and fluid on her lungs. I will be leaving the office in just a little while to go and be with her and dad. She sounded better on the phone this morning so we are encouraged that she is getting better.





Don't forget that Easter is just 4 Sundays away and we want to have a great gathering of people so start now inviting your friends to come and be with us on Easter Sunday. I hope all of you have a Great week. I will be in Poplar Bluff tomorrow for Cowboy Church starting at 7pm come join if you can if you can't come tell someone about the Cowboy Church. Wednesday night I will be going back to Poplar Bluff to support some of our church members and the Malden Green Wave basketball team that is competing for a State Championship. Go Green Wave, get your MOJO on and beat Charleston. It looks like it's going to be a fun week. Don't forget to comment I love hearing from you as much as you love hearing from me. Until tomorrow!



I just put the picture in to show you what happiness looks like.


Kevin

Great Atmospehere!

WOW! Last night I attended the Arkansas 5a state basketball tournament in Paragould, Ar. The tournament is being held at the Greene County Tech High School. The gym was packed to OVER capacity, it was crazy in there. The atmosphere was unlike anything I had seen in some time. (well since Marmaduke played Cross County in the 1985 semi- finals of the regional tournament in Marmaduke, we lost). Both the girls and boys teams from Tech played in the 2nd round of the state tournament. I got to the gym at 5:30 and the gym was already full as we waited thru a boys game until the lady eagles from Tech took the floor followed by the boys team. The energy level was high and it was contagious! Isn't that amazing that you can go to a place and really not have any interest in either team but just get caught up in the excitement of those around you. I had a Great time, it was so refreshing to have my blood pumping with adrenaline again. It did remind me of when I was in school and all the Great times we had except for the times that Troy and the CRA Falcons beat us! (we did beat you once Troy) The picture is from my Sr. year at Marmaduke. It took me a while to find it but when I did I was flooded with memories of years gone by. Last night just made them even more special. On my way home from the game I was talking to a friend and we talked about how we had been in similar situations on the basketball court and how we remembered having all of those wonderful feelings and just how great it was to hear the roar of the crowd and the smiles on every ones faces. I thought about all that on the way home and I realized that the last time that I felt the way I felt at the ball game wasn't all the way back in 1985 it was right here at Emmanuel Baptist Church just a little while ago. I wish I could say that it's every week that I come to church wouldn't that be Great. Well I really do believe that should be our goal is to create an atmoshpere in our churches that would cause other people who don't even know the Lord to want to just because of the energy and the excitement that everyone else has about their own relationship with Jesus. We serve a risen savior, A REAL WINNER if you would. Let's go to church this Sunday and worship Jesus like others worship basketball!

Yeah Jesus!