Back to School

Summer is officially over at the Blann home! Today dawned a new day and a new season as sleepy eyed teens and tweens drug themselves out of bed much earlier than their summer routine. Today is the first day of school! Some may approach it with excitement, trepidation, or even fear. But ready or not, it is here. My prayer is that all of our children are safe in the physical, spiritual and emotional realms

As we drove past the army of other parents dropping off their children for the first day of school, I was reminded of a prayer strategy a friend of mine, Cecil Culbreth, designed for Christians to pray for our schools. It is called the Prayer Zone Partner strategy. It is explained in detail at http://yausa.com/pzp.cfm (The Assembly of God Youth Alive website.)

Basically, the strategy is this, when you drive by a school, you pray for it - the students, the administrators, the educators, etc. On the website listed above, there are even scriptures to pray over a school.

My heart's prayer today is this, let's make a commitment to pray for all of the schools in our county. If you don't have a school in your daily commute then ask God to lay a particular one on your heart. Make it part of your drive each day and pray for that school.

Prayer changes things. Prayer changes lives. Prayer changes destinies. Prayer will change our schools!

Rejoicing and spinning in this wonderful day,

Pastor Rusty

Destiny

The definition of DESTINY according to the Encarta Dictionary is: Somebody's preordained future, the predetermined and inevitable series of events that happen to somebody or something. That sounds kind of like Jeremiah 29:11 doesn't it:


Jeremaih 29:11 (AMP) For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.


(MSG) I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out--plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.

Seventeen years ago, God brought a sweet, beautiful young lady into our lives. My wife (Dorinda) and I were pastoring in South Arkansas and our church was in the midst of a great youth revival. During that revival a 15 year old little girl responded to the altar call. She poured her heart out to Jesus, and He changed her life and DESTINY. It's a LONG and wonderful story, but suffice it to say through a series of circumstances that God directed, Dorinda and I adopted Glenda and she became a forever part of our family. It is amazing how God directs our paths, and destinies to bring about HIS purposes.

Glenda went to Central Bible College, met a wonderful young man (Brad), and they have been pastoring ever since they left Bible College. We are so proud of Glenda and her family. God blessed Brad and Glenda with a beautiful daughter, Macy. She is "Big Daddy's" pride and joy!

As God continues to direct the destinies of our family, just three months ago, my wife had the great privelege of going to China with Brad and Glenda to adopt our second granddaughter...Mia. Mia had been abandoned by her biological parents and was living in an orphanage. But Thank God, she wasn't abandoned by her Heavenly Father, because God directed her DESTINY as he guided every decision that led to her being placed into our family. Just think about that for a moment. Almost a year ago a little girl was born in China to parents that, for whatever reason, couldn't raise her. So, they decided to leave her bundled up outside of a restuarant. That restaurant called the orphanage, and the orphanage came and picked her up. Again, through many decisions that were God-led, Mia was picked by someone to be THE CHILD out of literally thousands to become a part of our family. Wow! That is God directed and mandated DESTINY.

As I write this blog, I am sitting in a hotel room preparing for Mia's dedication service this Sunday morning. Dorinda and I have the privelege of dedicating her to the Lord. It will be a very emotional time, but exciting time. We are so blessed.


Romans 8:15 (AMP) For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father!

I am so thankful that God, through Jesus Christ, has adopted me into His family, and forever changed my DESTINY. At the same time, I am so thankful that God led a little girl, by the name of Mia, to be placed into our family through Adoption, and forever changed her DESTINY.

My friends, that same God has you in His hands, and is directing every decision, and every step. The Bible tells us that the steps of a righteous man are ordered of God. Trust your life and the life of your family into loving hands of God, and trust the DESTINY that He has for you!

God's blessing upon you today!

Rejoicing (and spinning) in this wonderful day!

Pastor Rusty L. Blann

Like a mother in the pain of childbirth

I am sitting in our church sanctuary just enjoying the presence of God! Wow! So refreshing. As I was reading and meditating on God's Word, Galatians 4:19 caught my attention:

Galatians 4:19 (MSG) "Do you know how I feel right now, and will feel until Christ's life becomes visible in your lives? Like a mother in the pain of childbirth."

My heart was stirred as I stared at the phrase "Like a mother in the pain of childbirth". Paul is saying that is how he feels and will continue to feel until, Christ's life becomes visible in your lives.

Paul had a passion for DISCIPLESHIP. He didn't just want people to be saved or born again, but he wanted them to grow in Christ and become a DISCIPLE of Jesus Christ. That is our commission from Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20) to make disciples, not just converts.

So the Holy Spirit asked me a couple of questions this morning:

#1 Is Christ's life visible in my life? Do my children and wife see Christ's life in me? Do my co-workers see Christ's life in me? Does my community see Christ's life in me? Does the cashier at Wal-Mart see Christ's life in me? Does the waitress at Cracker Barrell see Christ's life in me? Do the parents at my kids ball games see Christ's life in me?

As I asked myself those questions, I wasn't happy with the response that I got on each question. I want my desire to be as passionate as Paul's that not only in others, but IN MY LIFE, Christ's life becomes more visible in my every day decisions and walk.

#2 How am I doing discipling new converts?

I read Galatians 4:19, this time in the KJVR:

"My little children, of whom I travail in birth AGAIN until Christ be formed in you,"

The Greek word for formed is morphoo and means to form or shape, but originally was used by artists who shaped their material into an image. How ludicrous would it be to cast away the artists' work prematurely because of the way it looks in the beginning stages? In the same way, it is even more so ludicrous to cast away new converts when they slip and fall because of the way they look and act in the beginning stages of their salvation. Evangelism is messy at times. When sinners get saved, they still have issues that takes time and nurturing, for them to overcome. Remember, Christ is being FORMED in them.

The question that I felt the Holy Spirit ask me is, "whose travailing for them?" Who is as burdened for them as a mother in the pain of childbirth? I was convicted and asked God to help me do a better job helping Christ be FORMED in the babes in Christ.

One more thought. The greek word morphoo is from the word metamorphoo where we get our word metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is the process that causes a caterpillar to become a butterfly. Now think about this. A caterpillar is a stinky, ugly little creature. However, within that ugly creature is a BUTTERFLY just needing a little bit of time (and nurturing) to make it through the process of forming. In the same way, new converts will come to Christ and still have many hangups, habits, and problems, however, God has placed something within them that is beautiful that will take a little bit of time before it is manifested. Someone needs to travail for them, and nurture them to bring about Christ being formed within them. That is where discipleship comes in. It is a process that is well worth the travail and effort.

My prayer is, "Lord, help me to truly be like a mother in the pain of childbirth today.

Any comments? Please feel free to share your thoughts and feelings!

God bless you all!

Rejoicing (and spinning) in this wonderful day,

Pastor Rusty L. Blann
First Assembly of God
West Memphis, Arkansas

STRENGTHEN that which REMAINS

Wow! What a great weekend of services that we had yesterday. Last nights service was refreshing and encouraging. Students of all ages, as well as adults of all ages lingered in the altars for close to an hour, broken and still before the Lord!

Last week at General Council, the outgoing General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God presented a challenge from Revelation 3:1-3. It was a powerful Word from God. Verse two says, "Strengthen that which remains, before it dies." As I listened to the message, I felt God begin to speak to me about somethings that we need to STRENGTHEN in the Assemblies of God in general, and in our local church specifically. I put these in the form of an acrostic with the word STRENGTHEN. I would like to share these notes with you. We must fight to strengthen the following beliefs from God's Word, or they may not be seen or heard among us much longer:

Sacredness of the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8)

Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

The Blood of Jesus (Leviticus 17:11; Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 10:19; Leviticus 14:1-7)

Leviticus 17:11 (NLT) for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the LORD. It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible.

Ephesians 2:13 (AMP) But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near.

(MSG) Now because of Christ--dying that death, shedding that blood--you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.

Hebrews 10:19 (MSG) So, friends, we can now--without hesitation--walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body.

Real deliverances from bondage (John 8:36; Galatians 5:1)

John 8:36 (AMP) So if the Son liberates you [makes you free men], then you are really and unquestionably free.

(KJVR) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

(MSG) So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.

Galatians 5:1 (AMP) IN [this] freedom Christ has made us free [and completely liberated us]; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery [which you have once put off].

(KJVR) Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

(MSG) Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.

Evidence of Holy Ghost Baptism (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 19:1-6)

Acts 19:2 (AMP) And he asked them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed [on Jesus as the Christ]? And they said, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.

No way to heaven but through Jesus (John 14:6; Acts 4:12)

John 14:6 (AMP) Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

Acts 4:12 (AMP) And there is salvation in and through no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by and in which we must be saved.

(KJVR) Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

(MSG) Salvation comes no other way; no other name has been or will be given to us by which we can be saved, only this one."


God still Heals and peforms Miracles (Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24; Hebrews 13:8)

Isaiah 53:5 (AMP) But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.

1 Peter 2:24 (AMP) He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

Hebrews 13:8 (AMP) Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).


The Rapture of the Church (I Thessalonians 4:16-17)

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud cry of summons, with the shout of an archangel, and with the blast of the trumpet of God. And those who have departed this life in Christ will rise first. (17) Then we, the living ones who remain [on the earth], shall simultaneously be caught up along with [the resurrected dead] in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so always (through the eternity of the eternities) we shall be with the Lord!

Holiness (Psalm 96:9; Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:8; Leviticus 20:7)

Hebrews 12:14(AMP) Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord.

(KJVR) Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Ephesians 5:8 (AMP) For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [lead the lives of those native-born to the Light].

Leviticus 20:7 (KJVR) Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

(MSG) "Set yourselves apart for a holy life. Live a holy life, because I am GOD, your God.

Emphasis on Intercessory Prayer (2 Chronicles 7:14)

2 Chronicles 7:14 (AMP) If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

(KJVR) If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.


Nine Gifts of the Spirit (I Corinthians 12:4-11)

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 Now there are distinctive varieties and distributions of endowments (gifts, extraordinary powers distinguishing certain Christians, due to the power of divine grace operating in their souls by the Holy Spirit) and they vary, but the [Holy] Spirit remains the same. (5) And there are distinctive varieties of service and ministration, but it is the same Lord [Who is served]. (6) And there are distinctive varieties of operation [of working to accomplish things], but it is the same God Who inspires and energizes them all in all. (7) But to each one is given the manifestation of the [Holy] Spirit [the evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit] for good and profit. (8) To one is given in and through the [Holy] Spirit [the power to speak] a message of wisdom, and to another [the power to express] a word of knowledge and understanding according to the same [Holy] Spirit; (9) To another [wonder-working] faith by the same [Holy] Spirit, to another the extraordinary powers of healing by the one Spirit; (10) To another the working of miracles, to another prophetic insight (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose); to another the ability to discern and distinguish between [the utterances of true] spirits [and false ones], to another various kinds of [unknown] tongues, to another the ability to interpret [such] tongues. (11) All these [gifts, achievements, abilities] are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually [exactly] as He chooses.

My prayer is, "Lord help us to truly STRENGTHEN these things before they die!" God bless you!

Rejoicing (and spinning) in this wonderful day!

Pastor Rusty L. Blann

Final Election Results

After many hours (it seems) of sitting in convention center seats, all offices are filled and all but 2 resolutions passed.

I will recap the major elections:

General Superintendent: George O. Wood (former General Secretary)
Assistant Superintendent: Alton Garrison (former U.S. Mission Director)
General Secretary: John Palmer (Iowa)
World Missions Director: John Bueno (re-elected)
US Missions Director: Zollie Smith, Jr. (New Jersey)

Please log on to www.ag.org to view all the resolutions and elections.

Fine Arts News

Wow! I wish you could all be here to see our youth - they have made us proud!
Samantha and Amber (Samber) received a Superior with Honors.
Samantha made it to Round 2 of the female vocal solo.
Jason Peninger received a superior for his percussion solo.
Jasper - Jason, Amber and Christian received a Superior with Honors on their collaborative songwriting. (We are still waiting to here if they received a callback.)

I wish I could relay the sights and sounds of General Council. It is such an experience. Here are a few thoughts:
.....walking through the crowded skywalks as people are scurrying to go to business sessions, fine arts, youth convention, or a shopping break at the mall.
..... the sense of belonging and pride one gets each time you see the masses - and they all have the AG nametag on!
...... on the other hand, a sense of AAAAHHHHHH!!! when you see many of our fellow AGers looking very much like the world..... (aka - not enough clothing.....)
...... the feeling of great joy witnessing the very first African American elected to our Executive offices! The standing ovation was resounding! Then, Bro. Zollie Smith gave one of the most exciting and exhilerating acceptance speeches I have ever heard!
...... hearing the cheers and excitement as Fine Arts participants learned they advanced to the next round.
...... watching with such pride as our own youth presented themselves with great character and a sense of unity.
...... knowing that our own youth are in the capable hands of Pastor Tommy and Sis. Cheryl.
...... sitting in a worship service with thousands upon thousands of fellow Assembly of God believers, hands lifter in adoration of our Lord and Savior!
...... feeling the presence of God so powerfully in an arena filled with brothers and sisters in the Lord thinking "this is nothing compared to what heaven will be like".

Please join me Sunday in service as I preach Sunday morning and Sunday evening a message from Revelation 3 entitled "Strengthen that which Remains". I look forward to seeing each of you!

Rejoicing and Spinning!
Pastor Rusty and Dorinda

General Superintendent Wood
(The following Bio is from www.ag.org)
Dr. George O. Wood was elected general secretary of the Assemblies of God in 1993. Wood is a member of the Board of Administration and the Executive Presbytery. As general secretary, Wood oversees the credentialing of ministers, church chartering and the Flower Pentecostal Heritage Center.
The son of missionary parents to China and Tibet, Wood holds a doctoral degree in pastoral theology from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and a juris doctorate from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton, California. He did his undergraduate work at Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri, and served the college in several capacities, including being director of spiritual life and student life from 1965-71. Wood was ordained with the Southern Missouri District in 1967.
Prior to his current post, he was assistant superintendent of the Southern California District from 1988-93. He also pastored Newport-Mesa Christian Center in Costa Mesa, California, for 17 years. During his tenure, the church experienced significant growth, relocated and constructed new facilities, and gave $1 million to world missions in the last biennium of his pastorate.
Wood is author of seven books which include, A Psalm In My Heart Vol. I & II, Living Fully, The Successful Life and a college text on the Book of Acts. He also is an attorney and a member of the California State Bar.
Sermons by Dr. Wood may be heard at http://www.georgeowood.com/.

General Council News

We arrived in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Monday evening for the convening of the 52nd General Council of the Assemblies of God. Every time our family attends a Council event, I am reminded that our great fellowship is a growing and thriving church body.

With several events taking place simultaneously, there are over 25,000 Assembly of God people in Indianapolis this week! It seems we are all in a 2 mile radius- and during meal times, crawling all over each other! The National Youth Convention and Fine Arts Festival has 12,000 attendees. (Of those, about 40 are youth and sponsors from West Memphis First Assembly. ) For the business of council, around 4,000 A/G pastors and delegates registered to vote. Needless to say, there are a lot of Pentecostals in downtown Indianapolis!

In the service Wednesday night, our Fellowship Honored our General Superintendent, Thomas E. Trask as he took the pulpit for the last time as Superintendent. The standing ovation was lengthy as we all realized the great humility, integrity, anointing, and capable leadership Bro. Trask has provided us for the past 14 years. Bro. Trask preached a challenging message to our Fellowship, excerpts of which you will hear Sunday morning.

We have a great Fellowship! Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit we are changing eternity through our Foreign and Home Missions emphasis. Please, browse the website listed below to get a feel of the deep impact we make on the world as we trust and obey the Lord of the Harvest.

Business and Election News
Many of you are wondering about the election of our new General Superintendent. As of tonight, Thursday, there still has not been an election. When we left the business session today, we completed the 3rd vote, which according to our constitution and by-laws was limited to the top 3 which were - Douglas Clay (Ohio District), Alton Garrison (former Arkansas Dist. Superintendent), and George O. Wood (General Secretary). In our first session on Friday morning we will learn if there was an election from the three. Our constitution and by-laws state that the election requires a 3/4 majority.

For more information, please go to www.ag.org. On that site you will find a link to the 52nd General Council. You may also subscribe to the news update. There are also several web casts posted that you may view on your computer.

There are several more elections to be voted upon:
Assistant General Superintendent
General Secretary
Executive Director, Assemblies of God World Missions
11 Nonresident Executive Presbyters
-along with 32 resolutions

Fine Arts News!
Also of great interest to West Memphis First Assembly is the news of our 4 entrees in the Fine Arts Festival. We are so proud of all of our young people that participated this year. Four of these teens received invitations to compete on the national level here in Indianapolis. Listed below are their names and the categories they are competing in:
Small Vocal Ensemble - SAMBER - Samantha Burks and Amber Troxler
Female Vocal Solo - Samantha Burks
Group Songwriting - JASPER - Jason Peninger, Amber and Christian Troxler
Percussion Solo - Jason Peninger

SAMBER competed on Wednesday and received Superior with Honors. Samantha competed today and received a Superior with Honors and a Call Back (for Friday morning). On Friday morning Jason competes and JASPER competes on Friday afternoon.

I cannot tell you how well these young people have represented our church! We are proud of each of them. Just for your information - a Superior with Honors is the highest rating, but only those with Call Backs can advance in the competition.

If you want to follow the Fine Arts Festival ratings you can log on www.indy07.ag.org. There is a link to the ratings and call backs.

Please be in prayer for the remainder of the council and for every one's safe travel home!

I have a message burning in my heart for Sunday morning! I look forward to seeing each of you then!

Rejoicing (and spinning) in this wonderful day,
Pastor Rusty