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Don’t just take my word for it … take his!
Dear Friend, God has already given you everything you need to enjoy your life. As you have already begun a New Year, I want to ask you: Do you believe it? The truth is, in either case, you have what it takes to enjoy and succeed in life, but perhaps today your vision needs a tune-up. So I want to help you look at life from a different perspective today…not just with your natural eyes but with eyes of faith. 2011 is history. So make it tha...
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Your funeral: Don’t make your preacher lie
When Joshua approached death he said, “this day I am going the way of all the earth” (Josh. 23:14). He understood that all die. The Hebrew writer states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Death is in the future of each of us. For most, following shortly after our death will be a funeral. Preachers are routinely requested to speak at these times. When preparing to “preach a funeral” one of ...
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Through the cross
In Isaiah 53:5, it says “ but he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him and with his stripes we are healed.” God still wants to heal you from this sickness that you have been dealing with lately. Notice what this verse says — “We are healed.” That means what Jesus did on the cross for you and I gives us access to healing. The Cross of Christ purchased your healing an...
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>Shelley Jennings will be in concert on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 408 College St.</p>
First Baptist hosting concert
The Christian Artist Series of First Baptist Church, 408 College St., Clinton will present Shelley Jennings in concert on Saturday, Feb. 11, at 8 p.m. This series has sponsored well-known artists through the years including Dino, Gary McSpadden, The Masters Five, Tom Netherton, and many more. Jennings grew up in a house filled with music of every kind — from gospel to pop. She began taking voice lessons in middle school and continued throug...
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<p>Billy Todd/Sampson Independent</p><p>Pictured are members of the Snow Hill Black History Celebration planning committee and pastor. Seated is Maggie Royal, and standing, from left: Gay Cooper, Diane Cousar, Muriel &#8220;Mac&#8221; Culbreth and the Rev. Dr. S. E. Bryant</p>
Snow Hill Missionary Baptist Church celebrates Black History Month
SNOW HILL COMMUNITY — The congregation of the Snow Hill Missionary Baptist Church decided to celebrate Black History Month in a manner a little differently than in the past. In an attempt to recognize the contributions of the many African-American individuals who have contributed to American culture today, the church has decided to honor the descendants of individuals who helped to move the oppressed from slavery to their proper place in soci...
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<p>Ruthie Pope/Sampson Independent</p><p>There was an estimated 950 people at the 10th Annual Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Sampson County Honor Guard Gospel Sing held at the Agri-Expostion Center last weekend. It&#8217;s estimated that $5,000 was raised for the foundation.</p>
Sing raises over $5,000 for firefighters foundation
Nearly 1,000 people filled Prestage Hall at the Agri-Exposition Center last weekend for the 10th Annual Fallen Firefighters Foundation and Sampson County Honor Guard Gospel Sing. It was a toe-tapping, hand-clapping memorial to the heroes who gave their all. Not all the proceeds have been counted yet, but the event is expected to raise about $5,000 for the foundation, according to organizer Wayne Weeks. The ViewMasters, Tim Bass, and the D...
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>Michael Lindsay and Marshall Lindsay, representing Piggly Wiggly give a donation to be a Platinum Sponsor for the Rise Up, Recount Love Conference (Feb 4th, 9am-9pm at the Civic Center), hosted by Tim&#8217;s Gift Inc. Accepting their contribution is Cameron Spell-Director, Bobby Spell-Board Member, and Becky Spell-Founder. Piggly Wiggly will cook and sell country sausage and cookies at their booth during the conference. </p>
A gift for Recount Love
Courtesy photo Michael Lindsay and Marshall Lindsay, representing Piggly Wiggly give a donation to be a Platinum Sponsor for the Rise Up, Recount Love Conference (Feb 4th, 9am-9pm at the Civic Center), hosted by Tim’s Gift Inc. Accepting their contribution is Cameron Spell-Director, Bobby Spell-Board Member, and Becky Spell-Founder. Piggly Wiggly will cook and sell country sausage and cookies at their booth during the conference.
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Are we listening when God speaks?
How does God speak to you? The Bible is filled with stories of God communicating with His children. If He did it then, why would we not believe He still speaks today? Naysayers could be waiting for a burning bush; believers listen and hear answers in different ways. Jesus spoke at a revival in Charlotte in 2008, nudging my heart to have one in Clinton and fill up the Agri-Exposition Center for Christ. Sharing the signs and sagas of the jour...
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Outreach in our churches
Ashley Chapel AME Zion Will present their Black History Program entitled Our Past, Our Present and Our Future, at 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 18. Speakers will include: Dr. Larry Bell, Dr. Theodore B. Thomas, retired magistrate Franklin Brown, and many others. Music will also be provided. Beaver Dam MBC Will celebrate Fifth Sunday worship at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Bernard Hayes leading the service . He will be accompanied by the cho...
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I am calling Jesus to help me first
In Matthew 8:5-7, it says “and when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him I will come and heal him.” My question to you this week is who do you call on in times of distress? Many of you are going to say that you call on the Lord, but if you can be real and honest about this, you call the p...
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How to win the prize
The Bible often likens living the Christian life to that of a race or some other athletic competition. Paul wrote, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (I Cor. 9:24). To Timothy, he wrote, “And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully” (II Tim. 2:5). And, the Hebrew writer says, “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which...
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<p>Billy Todd/Sampson Independent</p><p>Harmony Presbyterian Church was offically established in March 1887. The church is located in Kerr.</p>
Historical church to celebrate 125 years
KERR — To some, the small, rural community of Kerr is better known as Kerr Station, so named for the old train station that was there. Most of the buildings of the olden days no longer exist but one stately mainstay of the community is preparing to celebrate its 125th year. Harmony Presbyterian Church, which was officially organized the fourth Sunday of March 1887. The name “Harmony” was suggested by Jane Devane Newkirk because of the lack of...
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In overcoming obstacles to success we have to shake it off
Harriet Beecher Stowe once said; “When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” “Let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight)…and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us....
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<p>Ed O&#8217;Neal and the Dixie Melody Boys, Tim Bass, and Clinton&#8217;s very own ViewMasters will perform Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Civic Center in honor of our fallen firefighters. A special memorial service will be held at the beginning of the performance.</p>
Memorial service for fallen firefighters set for Jan. 28
A very special memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday as folks gather at the Agri-Exposition Center in Clinton to hear some great gospel music. It’s the 10th Annual N.C. Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Sampson County Firemen Honor Guard’s Gospel Sing. Featured singers are local recording artists Tim Bass, the ViewMasters, and special guest group Ed O’Neal and the Dixie Melody Boys. Former Marine Ilario Pantano, who was ...
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Outreach in our churches
Baptist Chapel Church will present A Night of Southern Gospel Music, at 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 22, with, The Marksmen, The King’s Way Quartet and The Precious Jewels. Free but a love offering will be received. The church is located at 2208 Baptist Chapel Road, Autryville. Bearskin Missionary Baptist Church Will observe Deacons’ and Trustees’ Day on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. The Rev. Mark D. Powell will deliver the worship message...
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How to deal with your enemies
In Matthew 26:63, it says “ But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the son of God.” I would like to share with you this week a subject that I believe God will need to show you and you and I how to handle. The subject is “how to deal with your enemies” or “how to handle people who have done you wrong.” This will happen this yea...
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>Becky Spell poses with the United Parcel representative after delivering her advanced copy of the book.</p>
Spell says God provided, fulfilling her childhood dream
Many people have childhood dreams but often they do not ever come true. For one Clinton resident, that dream will soon be fulfilled with the printing of her first book. Becky Spell is fulfilling a dream with the publication of “Rise Up Recount Love” which she hopes to have in time for the February conference which she is also promoting. “This book is filled with short love stories,” Spell said in a recent interview. “It is something that I ...
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Life’s most difficult lesson
As I was traveling on highway 24 on Thursday, Jan. 12, I noticed the sign at Immanuel Baptist Church. The sign read: “Wait On The Lord Be Of Good Courage.” It reminded me of the article that I wrote on Friday, January 06; “Timing Is Everything, Why It’s Important To Know When To Wait.” Obviously God is giving us a message concerning “waiting on Him.” Lessons are an ongoing part of life. Although an academic education comes to an end, we n...
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What’s Busyness?
Matthew 11:28 (NIV) 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” The meaning of busyness: to be full of distracting details. Life seems to be getting busier and busier instead of simpler! An overloaded lifestyle can oftentimes lead to forgetfulness. A too busy lifestyle is one that’s perhaps bombarded by distractions, cell phones, Internet, TV, radio, face book, etc. Have you ever gone to the refrigerator, ...
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<p>Courtesy photo</p><p>Jeff Shipp and Jeff Nethercutt of Star Communications present a check to Becky Spell to become Gold Sponsors for the Tim&#8217;s Gift Rise Up Recount Love Conference.Pictured left are board member Bobby Spell,president Becky Spell, Nethercutt, Shipp, board member Patty Cherry, and director Cameron Spell.</p>
Giving to Recount Love
Courtesy photo Jeff Shipp and Jeff Nethercutt of Star Communications present a check to Becky Spell to become Gold Sponsors for the Tim’s Gift Rise Up Recount Love Conference.Pictured left are board member Bobby Spell,president Becky Spell, Nethercutt, Shipp, board member Patty Cherry, and director Cameron Spell.
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An angry God
Reluctantly, I must confess that I am old enough to remember watching the Tarzan T.V. show on Saturday mornings when I was little. I mention this because in many of those shows, when some catastrophe occurred, they would often cry that “the gods are angry with us”. Indeed, for one that believed in those gods, it would be a fearful thing to believe that said god was angry with them. However, when we consider the one true God of heaven, seldom ...
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Where will you spend eternity?
Have you ever crawled under a house? Crawling under some houses would be a piece of cake; however, those with closed in foundations, small crawl spaces, and lots of critters can cause the bravest person to cringe in fear. Shiver and shake is what my son, Clint, told his kindergarten test administrator he would do if it was cold outside. He missed that question, since the test-makers decided that ‘put on a coat’ was the only correct answer. ...
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Commit to make God the center of your life
Have you decided to make commitments in this New Year that will affect your life forever? Each of us would be wise to put God first in all things; Christ centered living means ‘life is good’! Committing ourselves to God wholeheartedly will bring peace and joy to our hearts. Hurdles and heartaches will not go away, but God will help us get through all things when we fully trust and obey Him. Christ centered living includes committing our souls...
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The most needful thing
But one thing is needful.—Luke 10:42 It was a characteristic of our blessed Redeemer to go about doing good. This motive brought Him to the house of His friend Lazarus at Bethany. Mary, the sister of Lazarus, seated at the feet of Jesus in a posture of a disciple. Martha, “cumbered with much serving,” complained about Mary to Jesus. He answered her with these words, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things, but one ...
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Outreach in our churches
All Together Ministries Will have evening service Sunday, Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m.. Speaker for the evening is evangelist Linda Smith of Goshen Disciple Church, located at 880 E Darden Road, Faison. FMI, call 910-564-2948. Beaver Dam Baptist Church On, Sunday Jan. 15, the church will celebrate the 11th anniversary of their pastor the Rev. Bernard Hayes. The Rev. Mark Powell and Bearskin Baptist Church, Clinton, will be in charge ...
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