ZelitasJournal - Trinity United Church 3054 Old Industrial Rd, McComb, MS

11/21/07. Things are still moving forward at Trinity. Plans are being put into place for paving the drive and lots of other things are taking place. But most of all, we thank God for His Holy Spirit, because He always visits us at Trinity. God is so good and His blessings continue to flow, because He cares for His own. As the holidays are closing in let's not forget what God has done for us this year. But most importantly let's not forget the reason for the season. As we sit down this Thanksgiving Day, besides enjoying wonderful food and family, let's not forget to count the blessings God has bestowed upon us. Give thanks with a grateful heart and share with each other what God has done for us and our loved ones and our friends. Sometimes it helps to make a list. You may not be able to think of all your blessings, but it will be enough to humble you and fill you with gratitude. And don't forget to thank God for life, family, friends, and provisions. Most of all express your special thanks to HIM. I pray you'll have a very special Thanksgiving day, spending it with family I hope. But remember to spend some time with God, too. Without Him in our lives, where would we be?

It has been a while since I've written about what God is doing at Trinity. One of the reasons is my heart has been broken in two because we lost two of our much loved members. The death angels came and carried them home to be with Jesus. Liz Woodall and Don Rogers are in the presence of God Almighty and enjoying every moment of it. We know they are completely whole now. I know we will miss them, but one day we will be together again if we stay on the right track, walk the right road and love one another as God loves us. We had a good day at church Sunday. Brother Hugh brought a great message on things that can cause us to get spiritual palsey, and it can cripple us and hold us down so we can't be all God wants us to be. We must submit everything to God and we must move forward in our Christian life if we are to win souls for God's kingdom. If we are upset with someone we shouldn't hold a grudge. Remember the sermon Calvin brought Sunday evening. It was a really good one. So meditate upon it--don't just forget about it. And remember this: Isaiah 43:18-19 says, "Forget the past. Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. I am creating something new." There it is! Do you see it? If we are to move forward in our lives, we must put the past behind us. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come. So we must live today and not let something we've done or something someone else has done to us in the past ruin our today. If someone has failed you or hurt you, then forgive that person and let lt it go. Because if you hold on to that grudge it will destroy you and what you can do for God. God is creating something new inside of you. You must let go and let God do His new work in and through you. He is creating a new you, but you must let go of the old you before you can see the new you. There it is! Don't you see what God has done for you? So why think about the past? What can you do about it? Nothing! So give it to God.

Sunday, August 19th, was a great day in our Lord Jesus Christ. The morning started off with great singing from our choir--then into individuals singing for our Lord. The praises were really great as they went up. After our singing was over Brother Hugh talked about the dedication of our fellowship hall. It was dedicated in memory of Paul Woodall. He was here when we started the process on the building, but before it was finished he went home to be with the Lord. It seems that God needed him to come home, but I know he would have been so happy about our finished fellowship hall. And maybe, just maybe, God let him see and be with us in spirit, and I think he smiled upon us, and we sure do miss him, don't we? I know Hugh and I were so excited about us being able to get into our fellowship hall we just wanted to get up and dance. Know what I mean, Bob? We were able to contain ourselves, but it was hard to do. It has been a long time coming, but with God in control everything went just like He wanted it to. So we give God all the glory for what He has done and we kinow there are still great things in store for us at Trinity as long as we let God do the leading. Hugh and I would just like to say, first, "Thank you, God", and then we thank each and everyone who gave to God through working on the building, giving money, and sacrificing the way we know all of you did. Without all of you the dream couldn't have come true. But because of you giving the way you did, God brought it all together. I know your labor of love won't go unnoticed by God or by God's people. So thanks again, and may God pour out His blessings on all of you. The fellowship hall is beautiful, and yesterday was just the beginning. Don't you think so?

Today is Monday, August 13th, and as I sit here and write I am thanking God for His Holy Spirit that washed over me yesterday in our worship service. I was totally embraced in my Father's love and, boy, did it feel good to be in the presence of God Almighty. Just to feel that kind of love flowing through me--there's just no way to describe it. I just know I thank God for His presence in my life. Without His presence I would be a lost soul. But because His love is so real to me, and I know He fills me to overflowing, my soul is alive in Christ Jesus. We have to be willing to let go of ourselves and let God do His work in and through us. We have to be willing to empty ourselves before God. When our vessel is empty, that is when God can fill us and use us. Is your vessel empty so God can use you or is your vessel still full of self? We have to think about that, don't we? And as I think about Nancy Riley's testimony of what she has been through, I know His presence is alive in her life also. Thank you, Nancy, for sharing yourself and what you have been through with us. It encourages us to keep moving forward no matter what life may throw at us in this world. Because we know there is a better world to come, don't we? That world is called Heaven, and Nancy, you gave us a glimpse into that beautiful place yesterday. I could see Jesus standing in the meadow with brightness all around Him, walking with the little golden-haired boy and fellowshipping with him. And Nancy, as you were walking toward Jesus with peace all around you, Jesus was smiling at you as you came. He wanted to reach out and hold you in His arms, but He knew if He did, He wouldn't be able to let you return. So He just smiled at you and said, "My child, your time hasn't come yet. So you must return, because right now they still need you down there. So, thank you, Nancy, for the beautiful picture of heaven. That picture encourages us to keep on the right path until we get to our heavenly home. That's what it is all about, isn't it? So, people, hold on, and don't let go.

Sunday morning, July 15, Brother Hugh brought a very powerful sermon to the men in our church. I just hope that our men were attentively listening to what Bro. Hugh was trying to get across to them. I think it was a wake-up call to our men and I think it is time for our men to step up and take charge of what God has for them to do in their lives and in His church. Are you ready, men? God is waiting on you. Please don't let Him down. Pray about what God wants you to do and then 'just do it!' Remember, God needs you and so does Bro. Hugh. My prayer is that our men will become warriors for God so that all our needs at Trinity will be met. Then God's work will get done. Beth Moore wrote, "So how do we find the throne of grace in our time of need? Follow the blood drops! Then come as boldly as one possibly can...upon his knees. The praying man is the one heaven sees with bloodstains on his knees."

Today, July 1st, was another day filled with surprises at Trinity. Brother Hugh presented the "Distinguished Service Award" to Jack Fortenberry for his loyalty in working with the sound board for ten years. The music wouldn't sound as good as it does if it wasn't for Jack. He has been our sound man ever since our church started. Thank you, again, Jack. Keep up the good work. I know you do it for God, but we appreciate all you do. May God bless you for your service to Him.

Brother Hugh brought a powerful Sunday morning message. I know he has to prepare and work really hard for a message like the one he preached. Sometimes it is really hard on him to preach a sermon like the one on the spirit of Jezebel, and the devil really comes against him before and after a message like that. So please pray for your pastor every day, because his job isn't easy. I don't think we really understand just how hard his job really is. So think about it....we don't need to take Brother Hugh for granted. He has to wear a lot of hats in his line of work...and he seems to wear them well. I know better. But after Sunday morning's sermon, we need to turn the search lights on in our hearts and make sure we are really where we need to be in God's sight. We must not be deceived. We must have the right Spirit within us so that God will be exalted, the devil will be defeated, and Jesus Christ will be Lord of lords. And remember, "Greater is He that is within us than he that is in the world." To God be the glory.

Sunday, June 10th, was another great day in our Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is exploding at Trinity. Don't you feel it? His presence is so very real as it falls upon His people. We must be doing something right, but we must remain obedient, keep our hearts tender and our knees bent. Only then will God continue to pour out His Holy Spirit on His children. Don't you love it when God comes? It makes you feel so free...free to worship...and worship, we should do, because it is a gift from God. And when someone gives us a gift we should use it, not set it aside and let it go to waste. I think that would be wrong, don't you? God loves it when we praise and when He feels our praise going up, that is when the Holy Spirit comes down. So sometimes I feel like David did in Psalm 63:2-5 CEV: "I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. As long as I live, I will pray to you. I will sing joyful praises and be filled with excitement like a guest at a banquet."

We are a guest at God's house and we should be excited about being there, because we are praising the King of kings and the Lord of lords. So, let's stay excited and we will see what God has in store for His children at Trinity. Are you with me?

Yesterday, Sunday, June 3rd, was another wonderful day at Trinity. The Holy Spirit was definitely with Terry Ethridge when the sung the special--you could feel the presence of the Lord. If you haven't felt the fire of the Spirit at Trinity, then I guess your wood is just wet. You'd better dry it out by spending time out with God. That is the only way to get closer to God; the closer you get to Him the more the Holy Spirit will visit you and fill your cup to overflowing. What an experience that will be. There is nothing that will satisfy you or feed your spirit like the pouring out of God's Holy Spirit upon you. We need all that God has for us, don't we? Let's keep obeying the Lord. Who knows, we could have a revival that would break out and be the best ever and souls could and would be reached for the Kingdom. So, let's get busy, because the fields are white for the harvest, but the workers are few. What about you? Will you be a worker in the field? I pray your answer will be "yes", and you will find yourself busy working in the Lord's Kingdom.

After worshipping together, we moved out on the grounds to have a picnic and spend some time in fellowship with one another. It was a hot and sticky day, but I think everyone had a great time. When Christians are eating together they are happy, at least that is what I've been told, and I think there is a great deal of truth in it, don't you? The kids played games and the young adults played a game of softball. I know they had fun, because when Ryan Temple came to sit down with both knees skinned after playing, and I asked him how it happened, he said, "I was coming home (pant, pant), my legs got to fast for me (pant, pant), and my brakes failed me (pant, pant), so I went down." I wonder how sore he is today. Ouch!

Christians aren't boring people. When we get together things start happening, because we like to fellowship and have fun together. Sharing Christ and loving one another. What more could you ask for?

Saturday, May 26, was a fun day for our children at Trinity. Kathy Jackson planned a special day just for kids. They had a great day playing games, singing, doing crafts, and eating, but most of all it was a day for them to learn more about who Jesus is and what He did for them. We had several ladies step up and volunteer to help out with the program. Thank you, ladies, for investing your day so children can come to know Jesus as their Savior. It was a day well spent with the Lord, and one day a child may step up to you and say, "Thank you. Because of you I found Jesus as my Savior." Won't that be great?

As we went into Sunday, there was quite a few people absent because of Memorial Day. Our choir wasn't as big, but it was just as powerful. As Bridget Temple sung "The Potter's Hand", down came the Holy Spirit, washing us anew and praise began to go up. After the choir sang, Miranda McKinley sung the special and you could tell the Holy Spirit was in the song and in her voice. You could tell that God was there. It is great to feel the Holy Spirit and know without a doubt He is so very real. Oh, what a feeling just to bask in the Spirit of the Lord. Brother Hugh brought the sermon and it was really good. He preached on the return of Christ, how we must truly be ready and not just fooling ourselves. It has to be a day-to-day walk with our Lord. If not, He may catch us unprepared. We may be caught up in the world and not His world, which is the Kingdom of God. It was a great day in the Lord and we thank You God for visiting us the way you do at Trinity.

Please don't forget to pray for our soldiers. Their lives may depend on your prayers. Your prayers may be what keeps them safe and brings them home. Prayer is our most powerful weapon. Don't forget to use it. Okay? Zelita

Sunday morning worship, May 20th, was great. God was there, this I know. Someone's truck burned up right up from the church as they were on their way to church. But, help was on the way. Some folks got the fire out and they came on to church. As Brother Hugh prayed, he prayed about the situation and God put it on people's heart and generousity started pouring out. God blessed the guy with another truck from someone in the congregation. The truck needed a battery and generator, so we took up an offering and God took care of that situation, too. That was before Brother Hugh brought the sermon. Then God's Holy Spirit fell again. It was a great day in the Lord. But God does visit Trinity often. All He is looking for is for people to obey Him. And the person who lost his truck could have gone home defeated, but, praise God, he gave the devil a black eye and came on to church. God took care of his needs and He always will if we just put Him first, serve Him the way we should, and always remember...GOD IS EXALTED, the devil's DEFEATED, AND JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. Zelita.