theGATHERING – A Story of Anthony Robles

March 30, 2011 gave us a platform for an incredible night that will not be soon forgotten. We hosted out first Wednesday Night worship service, theGATHERING. God helped us and allowed favor for some 13 first time guests to be in attendance. We had a total of 38 in the student worship center. Due to severe weather our April service was postponed. This week we will be able to have theGATHERING. I am beyond stoked! I’m ready for God to move once again. We are hearing reports of some 40 guests that have been invited are planning to attend. I ask that you pray for REVERB and myself as I find the mind of God and speak a life changing word to our guests and students.

Speaking of… I share with you a remarkable story posted

If you haven’t heard about the new NCAA Wrestling Champion Anthony Robles, don’t feel bad. Many have not. After all, he’s not an NCAA basketball superstar or college football Heisman Trophy winner. However, maybe you should still consider his achievement. Arizona State’s Anthony Robles won the 125-pound division of the NCAA Wrestling Championship…with only one leg.

Born without his right leg, Robles defeated Iowa’s Matt McDonough in the title match. Robles came in seventh last year and fourth two years prior. Dedicated and adamant on improving this year, amazingly, Robles went undefeated on the season finishing 36-0 and after his championship win, 17,099 people in attendance gave Robles a standing ovation.

What Anthony Robles has achieved is obviously a tremendous accolade in itself, however two things come to mind that make Robles an even bigger hero: one is the apparent disability Robles had to mentally and physically overcome, but the other is the fact that Robles represents the “ICON” athlete in a sports world that is so engulfed in NCAA, NBA and NFL superstars.

Robles showcases strength, dominance and grace and the ability to overcoming overwhelming obstacles. Robles delivers inspiration for the young athlete working hard to make a mark.

Additionally, Robles portrays opportunity resulting from confidence, superior work ethic and persistence. There are no limitations to success, only you can defeat yourself. To go undefeated for the entire season is remarkable, and to do it in athletics with a disability such as Robles against “unfair” competition is all the more powerful.

In the words of my friend, Nate Rios … “DREAM BIG OR DON’T DREAM AT ALL!”

You can do ANYTHING that you put your mind to. Scripture tells us clearly, “I can do all things through Christ which gives me strength.”

GO FOR IT!

Trust in God. He will bring you to victory!

TEARS

In Psalm 6:6 David says: “I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.” (KJV)

Some 45 chapters later we find David asking of the Lord:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 

In essence, pouring out his heart with tears, David was completely honest with God. We can be honest with God even when we are filled with a variety of emotions. However, crying releases the gentleness of man and surrenders his emotions. Because we trust in an all-powerful God, we don’t have to be victims of circumstance but rather be victorious over any and all obstacles in our lives. Go ahead. Cry!

Psalm 126:5 speaks a lie changing volume: “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” (KJV)

Again, Cry! Let the power of your TEARS speak life into you situation!

Lighthouse Church – Another Level

I remind us of the words spoken on CNN.com after an EF4 Tornado struck the church property of Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse Church building at 333 Old Humboldt Road was destroyed by an EF-4 tornado on February 5, 2008.

God turned a tradegy into a testimony. Bro. and Sis. Lance and their children and 3 other families were inside the building when the tornado hit. Everyone survived without even a scratch! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! We can replace buildings but we cannot replace people!

The “CHURCH” has not been destroyed, just the building! We will be back bigger and better and taking it to another level! God has great things in store for us! “The latter shall be greater than the past!”

Pray that God will bless us during this time or transition. We appreciate your prayers and concern.

Later on in 2008, we were blessed to break ground. Our local newspaper covered our ground breaking ceremony. I share with you this story.

Members of Lighthouse United Pentecostal Church have been displaced since the Feb. 5 tornado, but on Friday afternoon, they dug their way forward during a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of their future sanctuary.

Pastor Donald Lance told the membership that moving forward would be the church’s theme in the coming year.

“Every journey, no matter how big or how small, starts with a single step,” Lance said. “We will move forward and not only recover what was lost, but gain more than we ever had.”

The tornado destroyed Lighthouse’s sanctuary at 333 Old Humboldt Road.

The church has since been able to sell its six acres of property and purchase 31 acres on Old Humboldt Road and Passmore Lane, the site of a new church.

Jackson Mayor Jerry Gist and Madison County Mayor Jimmy Harris wished the church well during Friday’s ceremony.

Rhino Construction Group will be in charge of the construction of the 14,000-square-foot sanctuary, which will eventually expand to include a family life center, a soccer and baseball field.

According to the artist’s rendering, the front of the building will have large glass windows, which contractors said could withstand strong winds.

The family life and youth center will be individual buildings with basements. Lance said the church construction is projected to cost $2.7 million to $3.2 million. ”We will start our capital campaign in January or February,” Lance said. The church hopes to be in its new sanctuary 12 months after construction starts.

Despite holding Wednesday and Sunday services at other church locations, Lance said his membership has remained steady at 250 people. ”It’s been God who has allowed us to stay strong,” said Bridget Lance, wife of Donald Lance.

Following the storm, Lighthouse began holding services at Northside Assembly of God. Later, Lighthouse moved its services to Forest Heights United Methodist Church.

On Dec. 21, the church will return to Northside Assembly, Lance said.

“Everyone in the city has been good about taking us in,” said Gary McAlpin, who has been a member for six years. “We took care of our last church, and God blessed us with another one. We can’t wait for our new building.”

Members of the church shouted in excitement as Lance, Gist, Harris and representatives from Rhino lifted their shovels from the dirt.

“Success!” Lance shouted while the congregation clapped.

“For what does not move is dead, and we refuse to die; we will continue to move forward,” Lance said.

I am more than priviledged to tell you that God has given us great favor and miraculous healing. For the building may have been destroyed but the body has been delivered. There is no force able enough to stop what God has begun in the city of Jackson. We have moved forward, enlarged our vision and now we aim to GROW as God gives the increase.

With great joy, I am proud to announce the dedication of our brand new building to be held on Friday, May 27th at 7:30 PM.

If you are able and are in the area, please stop by and help us celebrate the great things that God has done!!! Look, what the LORD has done!!!