PRECIOUS MEMORIES


Friday, January 30, 2009

NBC rejects this Super Bowl ad because it contains pro-life message



This wonderful pro-life commercial was supposed to run during the Super Bowl on Sunday. NBC television has rejected a pro-life advertisement which Catholicvote.org bought for a slot in the Super Bowl because the ad contains a pro-life message. The 30-second ad features ultrasound pictures from a baby in its mother’s womb. After first accepting it, NBC apparently changed its collective mind, saying it wasn't going to run advocacy ads during the big game.

Brian Burch, President of Fidelis, a Chicago-based Catholic organization responsible for the commercial, says that NBC initially responded positively and he was raising money to pay for it. Watch the commercial below, and imagine the impact it could have had on the millions who watch the Super Bowl.

There is nothing either graphic or political about the 30-second ad and the word abortion is not even used. In fact, no words are spoken, only graphics that appear on-screen. Yet, the message is extremely powerful. You can view the ad here.

Call NBC Entertainment at 818-840-4444. Tell the operator that you want to urge NBC to reconsider airing the Super Bowl ad produced by Catholicvote.org. Although the ad makes a valid life-affirming statement in a powerful way, it is neither offensive or contentious.

Elections Have Consequences!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Congratulations Casey Smith - Dixie Section PGA 2008 Alabama Chapter Junior Golf Leader

The above photo is Casey Smith receiving the award for "Junior Leader of the Year" and is presented from the Alabama Chapter of the Dixie Section PGA. The plaque reads:

The Dixie Section PGA
presents to
Casey Smith
in recognition of being awarded the
2008 Alabama Chapter Junior Golf Leader

Casey was nominated by one of his peers and was selected by the Special Awards Committee of the Dixie Section PGA. His employer at Farmlinks congratulated Casey for all his hard work with the First Tee of Pursell Farms and for his impact on junior golf.

Casey Smith earned the status of PGA Golf Professional in November of 2006. Celebrating its 90th anniversary, The Professional Golfers Association (PGA) of America was founded in 1916, and is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.

Casey is Head Golf Professional at Farmlinks Golf Club near Sylacauga, Alabama. You can send Casey a congratulations by e-mail at the following address csmith@farmlinks.org.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

A Giant of a Man - Meet Nick Vujicic

A Giant of a Man - Meet Nick Vujicic

This is amazing and you'll be glad you watched it. It's worth a second viewing even if you've seen it before----a great Christian witness.

His name is Nick Vujicic and he's 25 years old. He was born without arms or legs and given no medical reason for this condition. Faced with countless challenges and obstacles, God has given him the strength to surmount what others might call impossible. Along with that, the Lord has placed within him an unquenchable passion to share this same hope and genuine love that he's personally experienced with more than two million people all over the globe. Traveling extensively to over 19 nations, he's been extremely humbled by the continuous opportunities that the Lord has given him to share his testimony along with the hope that he has in Jesus with people in so many nations and situations. His greatest joy in this life is to introduce Jesus to those he meets and tell them of His great desire to get to know them personally by allowing Him to become their Lord and Savior. For more information, visit - http://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Dr. Gary Nathan Kisner, my friend

My good friend, Gary Kisner, out ran me to Heaven this week. Carol and I met Gary and his family at an orientation event upon entering seminary at Oral Roberts University in 1976. We sustained the friendship beyond seminary days through e-mails, phone calls and even shared preaching engagements in our churches. I considered Gary a close friend and rejoice that he is experiencing more beauty and splendor than he's ever known - for there's no place like our eternal home.

To Darlene, Erin, Eric, Jonathan & Family: How could we ever begin to express how knowing all of you has so deeply enriched our lives? From the beginning of our friendship at ORU and continuing through the years, you guys have always been a source of great encouragement to our family. Please know that we love you and that Gary's legacy of faithfulness to God will always be a treasured memory. You will remain in our prayers the days ahead. Love in Jesus, Buddy, Carol, Stacey, Casey, Marion & Joan

Dr. Gary Nathan Kisner, 60, of Rock Lake Community, Fairmont, died Wednesday afternoon, December 31, 2008 at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was born October 29, 1948 in Fairmont, West Virginia, a son of Mary Kisner of Fairmont and the late Richard Kisner. He is survived by his wife of forty years, Linda Darlene Kisner of Rock Lake Community.

Gary was a native West Virginian, born and raised in Fairmont. He was a 1966 graduate of East Fairmont High School, 1970 graduate of Fairmont State College with a B.S. in Business Administration, 1980 graduate of Oral Roberts University with a Masters of Divinity Degree and a 1998 graduate of Christian Life School of Theology earning a Doctorate of Ministry Degree. Gary’s church background was United Methodist where he ministered as an ordained pastor and evangelist from 1980-1986. Since 1986, Gary had ministered as an Independent Spirit-filled pastor and evangelist. Gary’s ministry spanned 30 years of service as pastor of 4 churches and as a full-time evangelist ministering across the country. Gary also had a heart for short term evangelistic projects around the world. He had traveled extensively preaching the gospel in Haiti, the Netherlands, the Ukraine, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China and Scotland. Gary was the founder and leader of the Church of Fairmont, a ministerial fellowship in Marion County. He was the State director for CLEN (Christian Life Educational Network) in West Virginia and remained on the Board of Regents for CLEN. He continued to serve on the advisory board for the Times West Virginian and also wrote articles for the “Faith Journeys” section of the paper. Gary provided Apostolic oversight for 6 churches and/or ministries throughout West Virginia and North Carolina. He was also a founding member and active President of PrayWV Servant Leadership Team.

In addition to his mother and wife, he is also survived by:

(2) Sons: Eric Kisner of Spring Hill, Tennessee

Jonathan Kisner and his wife Stacy of Summerville, South Carolina

(1) Daughter and son in law: Erin and Kevin Loudin of Charleston, South Carolina

(2) Grandchildren: Micah and Caleb Loudin of Charleston, South Carolina

(2) Brothers: Arlington Kisner and his wife Christine of Orlando, Florida

Brad Kisner and his wife Sue of Rock Lake Community

(1) Sister: Sally Boyce and her husband Doug of Brock Hollow Community

He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call the Ford Funeral Home, Ford Chapel, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, on Saturday, January 3, 2009 from 6-9 PM and on Sunday, January 4, 2009 from 12-4, 6-9. Visitation will continue on Monday, January 5, 2009 from 10:00-11:00 A.M at the Everlasting Covenant Church, 17 Everlasting Drive, Fairmont (near Mom‘s Restaurant). Funeral services will be held at the Everlasting Covenant Church on Monday, January 5, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. with the PrayWV Servant Leadership Team officiating. Interment will follow at the Mt. Zion Cemetery and Mausoleum in Fairmont. Online condolences may be at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.

Friday, January 02, 2009

God's New Year Resolution!

One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14, NIV

Every day we depend on the memory of things we have learned about in the past. Without memory none of us could ever function. We would constantly be asking the same people what their name is, but then we wouldn't be able to remember our own name either! And we would be permanently lost, not knowing where places are - and we could never go out, because we would never be able to remember where we lived in order to get back home! Life would be totally chaotic. It doesn't take much thought to realize that memory is one of the most important facets of our God-created humanity. We cannot, literally, forget what lies in the past for, if we did, life would become intolerable.

So, in this very important Scripture, Paul cannot be telling us to forget the past by wiping our brain clean of its memories. But he is telling us not to so dwell on the events of the past, that we fail to live in the present and we miss God's best for our future.

Some people begin the New Year by making New Year Resolutions. They think of things they would like to change - such as their weight - or things they would like to do in the New Year. But most such resolutions are long forgotten within a matter of days of having made them. Soulish enthusiasm for something new will never stand the test of time.

But what would happen if all believers approached the New Year with a different question and asked God what were His plans for them? And then we spent some time with God waiting on Him so that we could listen to His still small voice? We would then have fresh vision for the year ahead - and if it is vision from Him then we wouldn't run out of soulish energy in no time at all, but we would discover His sustaining power, enabling us to press on toward the goal He has put before us.

For Paul, his days on earth were coming to an end, but even in those conditions he wanted to make the most of whatever time he had left, so that he would not be found wanting when His call heavenward finally came. What an encouragement Paul is to us to redeem all the years that are to come, not dwelling on what has been (in the past) but rejoicing in what is to come, knowing that what He envisions, He will also enable!

Prayer: Lord, above all, I need to hear your voice leading me into the year ahead. With all my heart I choose to follow and serve you and press on towards the goal you have put before me. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Peter Horrobin is the Founder and International Director of Ellel Ministries. His cutting edge teaching and compassion for the hurting have been at the heart of Ellel's ministry throughout its 22 years of development. He is the author of numerous books, most notably Healing Through Deliverance.

Thirty One Questions: To Make 2009 Life-Changing for You and Me

The first day of a new year is a good time to stop, reflect, refocus and consider where we are going. The question for today is not, “Where are you going?” but rather, “Where will you be when you get there?” This morning all of us are taking the first steps on a 365-day journey. Where will you be when you arrive at December 31? What will you do with the gift of a new beginning that God has given you? In order to help us think about this in a practical way, Don Whitney has put together 31 questions. There are 10 basic questions and then 21 more–one for each day of the month.

If you are married, I urge you to discuss these questions with your spouse. If you are in a small group, take your first session this year to go over these questions. Thinking through these questions together will help make 2009 truly life-changing for you.
  1. What’s one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
  2. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
  3. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
  4. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
  5. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
  6. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
  7. What’s the most important way you will, by God’s grace, try to make this year different from last year?
  8. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
  9. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?
In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you “Consider your ways.” Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month.
  1. What’s the most important decision you need to make this year?
  2. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what’s one way you could simplify in that area?
  3. What’s the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?
  4. What habit would you most like to establish this year?
  5. Who do you most want to encourage this year?
  6. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?
  7. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?
  8. What’s one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?
  9. What’s one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?
  10. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?
  11. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?
  12. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?
  13. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?
  14. What’s the most important trip you want to take this year?
  15. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?
  16. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?
  17. What’s the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?
  18. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?
  19. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?
  20. What’s the most important new item you want to buy this year?
  21. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?