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Welcome to the District Officer's online Blog. Events, thoughts, journal entries or announcements are solely to encourage, edify, and equip. Thanks for reading and spending a little time with us today.
Most Recent Entries
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DOTTIE RAMBO - BUS TRAGEDY NEAR SPRINGFIELD MO | posted: 5/12/2008 at 6:29:56 AM |
Sunday morning, Mother's Day, 2008, Christian Gospel Music icon, Dottie Rambo entered the presence of the Lord. You can Google Dottie Rambo and read from tens of thousands of sites about her ministry. But, Kentucky is a home for the Rambo family and our friend and Pastor Kathy Redden, of Dawson Springs, Dayspring Assembly of God, has first-hand memories of this great lady. You see, Dottie was her Aunt. I'd like to offer Kathy's words to our KYAG family on our blog today as she writes about her Aunt Dottie following this most tragic and unexpected bus accident. Life is a precious thing. We too often take it for granted. Dottie Rambo's life ended suddently. Her Eternal Reward began SUDDENLY, also! And, we rejoice with her graduation. She has heard those powerful words, "Well done, well done, Good and faithful servant, well done."
Pastor Joe
*****
From Kathy Redden:
My aunt and gospel singer-songwriter, Dottie Rambo went home to be with the Lord Sunday morning at approximately 2 a.m. when the bus she was in left the highway and traveled down an embankment just outside of Springfield, MO. She was 74 years old.
I'd like to take a few minutes to reflect what this great queen of gospel music has meant to me.
Aunt Dottie wrote her first song at age 8 years and left home at age 12 to begin a life of full-time ministry. She married my mother's brother, Buck Rambo when she was only 17 years old and eighteen months later their only child, Reba Faye was born. Since Reba and I are only six days apart in age (Reba is the older), we spent a lot of time growing up together.
Time does not permit me to share all the wonderful memories I have of this very special lady. I remember in the early years of her ministry when she and Uncle Buck rented a very modest house from my dad right here in Dawson Springs. I remember her oyster dressing and homemade vegetable soup. I remember her sitting at the sewing machine creating and making her own stage dresses. I remember her teaching me the number system so that I could play music like the studio musicians in Nashville.
I remember her praying with me to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost in the altars of Walnut Grove Church. I remember her "making" me stand, give my testimony, and sing before a congregation larger than I had ever seen before at Christ Church in Nashville when I was just a young girl, and I remember traveling with The Singing Rambo's on their tour bus one summer after my high school graduation. I remember her midnight phone calls (she was a night owl) asking me to send her some more of my teaching tapes. I remember her advice shortly before my ordination at the 2004 KY District Council; she said, "Kathy, don't ever defend your right as a woman to stand and minister God's Word in a pulpit- you let the Holy Spirit's anointing defend that for you!" I remember how excited she was when I shared with her the news that I had just been elected Senior Pastor of Dayspring Assembly of God in Dawson Springs.
Aunt Dottie won many prestigious awards in her lifetime but none so great as the rewards she is now receiving in glory. Thank you, Aunt Dottie for touching my life, for being a role model for all women in ministry, and for being a very special aunt.
Pastor Kathy S. Redden
DAYSPRING ASSEMBLY OF GOD
P. O. Box 57
Dawson Springs, KY 42408
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Mother's Day | posted: 5/11/2008 at 8:39:19 PM |
I read that the celebration of Mother's Day is truly considered a modern thing. It was on May 8, 1914, that the Congress of the United States signed the resolution to set aside the second Sunday in May as a National Mother's Day. A white carnation was chosen as the emblem of the day. President Wilson was the first president to wear the carnation as a token of respect for all American mothers.
This was my first Mother's Day without my mom who passed away in January of this year. Jessie Juanita Chandler was my step-mother, marrying my father in the front yard of her family's Kentucky farm in eastern Kentucky on a sunny July day in 1972. It's funny how you'll remember the least of things from memories of so long ago. I was ten years old. My parents had divorced when I was seven. My father was stricken by the flaming red-head who worked at the local drug store, knew everybody in town, was a faithful Convention-attending Baptist, and drove her "bought with cash" '67 red, Ford Mustang, like an Indy 500 race car driver.
They both told me throughout the years how he proposed to my "Mom". On a first date, after a simple dinner somewhere - a Jerry's restaurant, I think - he pulled up in the driveway to return her home and said, "Jessie, I just need to let you know that I'm looking for a mother for my two children at home. If you're interested, I am. We will do this again. If you're not interested, there's really no need for us to go any further with this. I need a mother for my children." He was 49. She was 39. I think she just looked at him - overwhelmed - and said momentarily later - "Hulen, I suppose we can just take it slow and see where it goes..." And, the rest is history. A year later, they married.
On the wedding day, I clearly remember - the white 2" wide belt I wore; a stable for the 70's! And, it was the first day I called Jessie, Mom. And, immediately after the ceremony, I said, "Mom, where's the food?!" ...
NOT ENOUGH FOR HER ARE FLOWERS
HER LIFE IS SO BLENT WITH OURS
THAT IN ALL WE DARE AND DO
SHE IS PARTNER, THROUGH AND THROUGH
SUFFERING WHEN WE SUFFER PAIN
HAPPY WHEN WE SMILE AGAIN
LIVING WITH US, NIGHT AND DAY,
THAT IS EVERY MOTHER'S WAY.
Well, today, I honor my mother. And, to all the Step-Moms out there - God bless you. And, thank you for giving, loving, living life with and for another - who needs you, loves you, and ... will always remember to call you "Mom."
JSG
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Who Am I? Who Are You? | posted: 5/9/2008 at 7:48:50 AM |
I am / You Are:
Matthew-the salt of the earth, the light of the world.
John-a child of God, a part of the true vine, a friend of Christ, Chosen & Appointed to bear fruit.
Romans-a slave of righteousness, enslaved to God, a Son of God, a joint heir sharing His inheritance.
I Cor - a temple, united to the Lord, a member of Christ's body
2 Cor - a new creation, reconciled.
Galatians - one in Christ, an heir of God
Ephesians - a saint, God's workmanship, a fellow citizen, a prisoner of Christ, righteous & holy
Phil- a citizen of heaven
Colosians - hidden with Christ in God, an expression of the life of Christ, dearly loved
I Thes - a son of light
Hebrews - a holy partaker of a heavenly calling
I Peter - one of God's living stones, a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, an alien and stranger to this world, an enemy of the devil
I John - a child of God, born of God & the evil one cannot touch me
Be encouraged today.
JSG
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Pastoral Epistles | posted: 5/8/2008 at 5:24:39 PM |
Paul told young Timothy some of the greatest and wisest truths ever given from an elder to a younger man of the gospel. I'm appreciative, beyond words, for the many "elders" who have spoken into my life throughout the years. At the time you are hearing a word of advice, or watching a scenario unfold, or listening attentively to a word spoken to you, too often "we" do not realize how impacting that moment very well may be for our lives or our futures... or how even that particular person will someday "down the road" be such a vital part of your life..or will have played such a vital part" in your life then.
I encourage you to listen well, hear clearly, respond wisely, take notes attentively, respect always, and learn from even the slightest of situations, teachers, or instructions. One never knows what their future will unfold from the Lord and how it will all come back to be played out in the recordings of life.
Well, enough of that.
Paul said: (I Tim 4) Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but...in so, set an example. Paul said: Do not neglect your gift... (Too many of us try to focus on things that we're not gifted to do. Spend your time and energy on things God has designed you for. And, raise up others to fill in the other gaps.) Paul said: (I Tim 6) Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Those are each sermons within themselves for our lives. Paul said: (II Tim 2) Don't have anything to do with foolishness and stupid arguments, because they produce quarrels. (Sounds like he had been around the block a few times himself and understood practical ministry.) Paul said: those who oppose you - gently instruct. Paul said: (II Tim 4) Preach the Word; by being prepared in season and out of season; correcting, rebuking, and ...encouraging. (There's a balance to shepherding people/pastoring His flock/serving His Church).
I'll close with this today. Men and Women of God, allow me to offer you some words of exhortation.
1. Be a man/woman of integrity. Without character, you have no ministry.
2. Be a man/woman of prayer. Intercede for your family, church, the lost, and for your city.
3. Be a servant. Lead by ...serving.
4. Do the work of an evangelist. While it is trut that God has called you to be a pastor, you must not overlook the work of evangelism. A lost world demands it.
JSG
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The Righteous... | posted: 5/5/2008 at 6:57:53 AM |
Have you ever thought about the rewards of simply being...righteous? Or, on the other hand...have you ever realized the opposite...the gamble one risks of not being righteous?
Psalms 112 is a wonderful lesson on the blessings of the Righteous. Hear from this single Psalm His promises to those who live truly righteous. The spirit of man knows right from wrong. It's doing it that seems to be problem today, both without and ... within...the church.
1. His children shall be mighty on the earth (v2)
2. They shall be blessed (v2)
3. They shall be wealthy (v3,9)
4. They shall be eternally righteous (3,9)
5. He shall have light in darkness (v4)
6. He is gracious (v4)
7. He is full of compassion (v4)
8. He is righteous (v4)
9. He shows favor (v5)
10. He guides his own affairs with discretion (v5)
11. He shall not be moved eternally (v6)
12. He shall be remembered forever (v6)
13. He shall not fear evil news (v7)
14. His heart is fixed on God (v7)
15. He trusts in God (v7)
16. His heart is established (v8)
17. He shall not fear evil (v8)
18. He shall see his enemies defeated (v8)
19. He is generous (v9)
20. He is merciful and good (v9)
21. His horn shall be exalted (v9)
Be encouraged.
JSG
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Every Place... | posted: 5/2/2008 at 12:01:16 PM |
Every Place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given you, as I said unto Moses.
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee; I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage; for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
Only be thou strong and very courageous to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded thee; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success.
Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.
Joshua, Chapter 1
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Maxwell's -How To Care For 7 People | posted: 4/27/2008 at 9:25:05 AM |
Here's something I learned years ago. I've tried to follow it as well as I could; some days/weeks I've done better than others, but...I truly found it to be a power boost and a genuine and simple way to care for and reach out to people.
I encourge pastors, youth pastors, children's pastors, outreach pastors, seniors pastors, singles pastors, even administrative pastors/workers...to follow these simple steps. Regardless of how busy your ministry or life has become, you can do this...
How To Care For Seven People In An Hour And A Half
1 HOUR: Intentially spend one hour with one person
Encourage and praise them
Do not conduct church business
15 MIN: Make 3 five-minute phone calls to three people
Encourage and praise them
Tell them you simply called to tell them you were thinking about them
15 MIN: Write three short notes to three people
Four "S's" of Note Writing
1. They are sincere
2. They are short
3. They are specific
4. They are spontaneous
Encourage and praise them.
Handwritten, just two or three sentences telling them what you appreciate about them.
Norman Vincent Peale - "The Power of a Note" -
"To build others up because there are too many people in the demolition business today."
JSG
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