God’s desire is for us to walk in fellowship with him.  He does desire us to be blessed, however God never desires blessings on our behalf at the expense of good, true, deep relationship with Him.  Sad to say, as it was for me, it probably is the same for many others, that the loss of our home and dream was what I needed to began to walk closely in faith with my Lord.  Remember, without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6)  We in America have become so used to cruising along on our own strength that few of us have learned to have earth shaking faith.  And it is this type of faith that we will need to have that will enable us to properly handle the times that lie ahead. 

I believe that the America you and I once knew is gone.  The America that proudly proclaimed God as the one she trusts is the America that no longer is.  We ask God to bless us because we desire the blessing, but then remove Him from every aspect of public life.  God is not a sugar daddy.  He wants a relationship with us.  Can you even imagine the brazen pride we have to expect God to bless us after treating Him in such a way?  I believe God has lifted His hand of blessing and has removed his grace and mercy upon our land that has protected us for many years.  We are now left to man’s scheming and vain greedy attempts to solve our dilemmas.  Without doubt, they will fail.  Ultimately, we will be faced to turn to a power that is much greater than ourselves for the solution. 

As you face greater financial obstacles, consider the God who blessed you with those things.  Consider once again entering into a trust relationship with the King of all creation.  He can provide all your needs according to the riches in Christ Jesus.  But you must first recognize Him as your provider, not the worldly system.  it is your faith, trust, and belief in His ability to meet your need and turn loss into great gain that will empower you to overcome large losses in this vary difficult day in which we live.  Trust this advice from a man who has experienced it.

Restoration For Women

Restoration For Men

The Power of Prayer & Fasting

The Blood and the Glory of God

Discipleship Training

Saturday evening pot lucks with praise & worship, fellowship over the Word of God

Hebrews 11:13-16 (New King James Version)

The statement, “These all died,” is in reference to men who had lived by faith in scriptures.  The Apostle Paul is talking about people who live by faith looking forward to a new Kingdom in which Christ will be the ruler.  That is the way it should be with us who have been born again into the Kingdom of God. (John 3:16)  We look forward to the physical coming of the Kingdom of God as promised by Christ. (Luke 17:20,21; 18;29,30; and 22:2)  We are aliens and strangers on earth and are looking for a country of our own.  We are looking for a better country—a heavenly one. 

That is what motivated us to begin a Saturday night meeting with a potluck dinner, praise and worship music, and a word of encouragement regarding our future home and how to live in this land as a stranger and foreigner.  Often times we Christians give ourselves a bad name because we are so zealous about trying to make things better here in this foreign land that those who live and have this world as their possession become angry at us for attempting to make their world like the future one we hope for.  We must remember, they have not chosen to live in the Kingdom of God as we have.  As much as we desire for everyone to experience the Kingdom of God, we must remember that we can’t force it upon them.

So our option is simple.  We don’t get wrapped up in this worldly system in which we are foreigners.  We joyously and victoriously look forward to the Kingdom of God.  When this world system becomes fearful, and full of uncertainty, we will still be rejoicing and celebrating knowing that better things are coming.  That alone will bring many into the Kingdom of God.  That is the purpose of the Saturday night meetings.

In the meantime, we will pray for revelation of God and His Word to those of this world, its leaders, our family, friends, and various loved ones.  We will pray God’s promise of a world which is based upon His Word and the coming Kingdom will become a reality, and many in number will be added to the Kingdom daily as this worldly system becomes more and more uncertain and fearful.

-Pastor Herb

They offer a wonderful soothing reflective atmosphere for the diner along with delightfully and wonderfully arraigned soup, salads, pastries, and desserts as well as gourmet teas, flavored coffees, scones and handmade mints.  As soon as you enter you know there is something special about the place.  And if you ask the staff, they’re not bashful to tell you it’s the Lord.  Every bit of the experience at Tea and Thee is as if it has been bathed in prayer. Their goal was to create a dining experience that is meant to be a tranquil and relaxing; a place of comfort and rest.  They succeeded and the award is recognition of that success.

People are seeking what only the Lord can offer; peace, hope, love, and joy to mention a few.  In today’s world, people know where to go to find those qualities and attributes.  People are wising up and leaving those things that do not offer these qualities in abundance.  As times become more and more difficult, Tea and Thee will become more and more successful.  People desire to be lifted up, encouraged, and want those places that have something special to offer them that allows them to leave the stresses of life behind, even if it’s for a moment at lunch.  

Thank you Tea & Thee for offering a place that is centered around the things of the Lord.  Our community is indeed a better place because of you.  God Bless your future brightly.

-Pastor Herb

In an interview with CBS (See the original interview here), Young describes people’s reaction to his proposed week of sex: “We’ve had a few people go, ‘Man, I wonder why you’re doing this,’ or, ‘That’s kind of odd, talking about making love in church.’ But, again, I think the church has allowed the culture to hijack sex from the church, and it’s time that we moved the bed back in church and put God back in the bed, and I think we are the real sex-perts because, after all, we’re made in God’s image and he’s the one who wants us to do it his way.”

For many years I thought it has been backwards that the world enjoys that which God has made for married couples and in particular the church while the church avoids the subject.  The church should be so enjoying all that God has given us in such a way that it makes the world envious to have what we have.  Sex is God’s idea.  He designed it for the marriage and He expressly teaches about it in the scriptures (Song of Solomon; 1 Corinthians 7:1-7) 

If it would had been taught all along in the proper context, maybe we would not have such a large problem of abusing the gift from God.  We are the body of Christ and we have the answer to life’s most complex problems.  It would be interesting to hear what this pastor has to say on the subject or as Paul Harvey might say, “the rest of the story.”

-Pastor Herb

“Statesmen, my dear Sir, may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand.  The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspiried into our people in a greater measure, than they have it now, they may change their Rulers and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting liberty.”

Blessings!

- Pastor Diane