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Wowing our Lord with a fresh faith
Have you ever been wowed! There are times when the only word that fits an incredible moment is WOW! That mini word carries a mighty message. Are you remembering times you were wowed? Think of watching stars twinkle in the sky, the sun rising over the ocean, a full moon smiling down on you, snow blanketing your yard, dragonflies darting through the air, children laughing and playing, a kiss from someone who loves you, being surprised, hearing ...
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The thing about change …
Change is hard! Sometimes we don’t change because the fear of the unknown is very scary! To change requires us to do things differently, and frankly, many of us have become complacent or comfortable where we’re at. We like the way we’ve done things and we think it’s working for us, so why mess it up? Sometimes those around us see that we’re in need of desperate changes but we deny it, minimize it, blame shift or excuse our behaviors. Like a...
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Smith honored as Unity's Oustanding Older Adult Glenn Hardy Smith was honored Sunday at Unity Presbyterian Church with the Outstanding Older Adult Award. He was installed as an elder on April 2, 1978, and has served several terms since then. Glenn was a Sunday School superintendent for many years. He is currently serving on the Capital Improvements Committee and the Cemetery Committee as a Trustee. In the last few years, he has served on the Planning Committee, Pastoral Search Committee and the Pulpit Nominating Committee. He also helps with the church's Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper, mowing the church and cemetery lawns, and assistnig his wife, Betty Jo, with Communion preparation. He and Betty Jo have two daughters, Wendy and Mary, and two grandchildren, Teddy and Lauren. Wendy and Mary honored him with a song 'Daddy’s Hands.' A reception was given in the fellowship hall in his honor. (Courtesy photo)
Smith honored as Unity’s Oustanding Older Adult
Courtesy photo Glenn Hardy Smith was honored Sunday at Unity Presbyterian Church with the Outstanding Older Adult Award. He was installed as an elder on April 2, 1978, and has served several terms since then. Glenn was a Sunday School superintendent for many years. He is currently serving on the Capital Improvements Committee and the Cemetery Committee as a Trustee. In the last few years, he has served on the Planning Committee, Pastoral Se...
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Michael English is among the most powerful communicators the Gospel music industry has ever known.
The Martins, Michael English in Smithfield Aug. 10
The smooth, rich sounds of multi-Dove Award winning and Grammy nominated recording artists, The Martins and Michael English can be heard in Smithfield, on Friday, Aug. 10, at the Paul A Johnston Auditorium on the campus of Johnston Community College. The event will begin at 7 p.m. It’s a New Day for legendary vocal group, The Martins. Their three-year labor of love is complete, and the end result is a new recording, appropriately titled New...
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Dana and Prit Adams have spent the majority of their lives in service to God in Haiti. Following Prit's life changing experience the couple have refocus to raise funds for the ministry. The photo was taken at a restaurant in Fayetteville recently. (Billy Todd/Sampson Independent)
Into the Storm…
Growing up in the Taylors Bridge community, one might not think that what they will do in life will impact so many. Being born in a military family stationed in Germany, one might not think that their life’s work would be one of tribulations and miracles. But for Pritchard (Prit), and Dana Adams, their humble beginnings have been anything but small as they have spent most of their lives ministering to the citizens of Haiti. Little did this ...
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Concerning truth
What is truth? That very question was asked Jesus by Pilate (John 18:38). Truth is that which conforms to fact or actuality. It is the opposite of that which is error or wrong. When it comes to truth in the realm of Christianity, Jesus answered the question for us as He prayed to the Father. He prayed, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Paul told the Thessalonians that they had to have “the love of the truth, t...
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Red Hill pays honor to Aurora victims The Rev. Dr. Doak M. Mansfield, pastor, stands at the signs of Red Hill Universalist (UU) Church at 7031 Taylors Bidge Hwy., Clinton displaying their roadside witness to the tragedy in Aurora, Colo.: 'Love First & Last.' (Courtesy photo)
Red Hill pays honor to Aurora victims
Courtesy photo The Rev. Dr. Doak M. Mansfield, pastor, stands at the signs of Red Hill Universalist (UU) Church at 7031 Taylors Bridge Hwy., Clinton displaying their roadside witness to the tragedy in Aurora, Colo.: ‘Love First & Last.’
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During the week Illuminate youth and volunteers built 18 wheelchair ramps. (Billy Todd/Sampson Independent)
Illuminate 2012 brings light to God’s plan
Illuminate was more than successful this year, according to organizers who were in awe over the numbers that participated and the lives that were changed during the week. Many of those lives, they said, will never be the same as God’s saving grace reached out to them and brought many young people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as their personal savior while also serving as an example of the week’s theme…The Great Commission, Matthew 28...
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To whom shall we go?
Teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum, Jesus taught some things that caused even a number of His disciples to say, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” (John 6:59-60). “From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:66-68). The question asked by Peter...
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Why Israel cannot be destroyed again
Part 2 of 2 If the Jews sin then what? God clearly said they would sin and He would put them off the land, but He would not forget the covenant. Concerning their sin, He said, “And yet for all that, when they be in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly, and to break my covenant with them: for I am the LORD their God. But I will for their sakes remember the covenant of...
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Home improvement
In Leviticus 27:14, God tells Moses to speak to the children of Israel, and he says “ And when a Man shall sanctify his house to be holy unto the Lord, then the priest shall estimate it, whether it be good or bad; as the priest shall estimate it, so shall it stand.” Now that Jesus is our newly priest, the one who gave his life for mankind, I wonder if he inspected your house would he approve of what he sees? Does the sacrifice that he made ...
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It’s time we stop segregating worship
Is there joy in your journey? God’s amazing grace gives reason to live joyfully, even when situations, sadness, and suffering hang on to our coat tails, causing us to wonder ‘why’? Why do some people’s journeys overflow with blessings while others are bombarded with burdens. Joy comes for those who rise above the heartaches, hang-ups, and hurt — choosing to move forward in faith. Living closely connected to Christ brings joy on the journey. P...
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Attitude determines altitude!
Do you struggle with your attitude? Are you in a bad mood all the time? Did you know that your attitude truly affects your altitude? If you’re being negative, accusatory, blaming, critical, and in a bad mood all the time, then the battle is already lost. If your attitude is condemning and mean-spirited, then the devil has won, and you’ll soon begin to focus on what’s wrong and start to back up your list of reasons you want out of the relati...
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The Illuminate sign posted on the front of Charles E. Perry Elementary's entrance to signify the location of the 2012 Illuminate. The organizers for Illuminate are most appreciative to the Sampson County Schools for making the building available to them for this year's event. (Billy Todd/Sampson Independent)
Illuminate 2012
Illuminate 2012 has been a great success, according to organizers of the community outreach project. Although the event is not officially over until later today, those involved in the week-long event said they were pleased that over 225 young people came to participate and a total of over 260 individuals helped each day to make Illuminate possible. During the week ,the participants worshiped together, prayed together, ate together and pla...
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What’s your idol?
Exodus 20:5 says “Thou shalt not bow down (worship) thyself to them, nor serve them. For I the Lord thy God am a Jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me.” I would like to talk about the first part of this verse where God gives his commandments to Moses to tell the children of Israel not to worship any “idols” or “graven images.” The word idol means “an imag...
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In what state do you live?
Our question is not one concerning the geographical location in which you live, but in what spiritual state you currently abide. The Bible teaches that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Sin separates man from God (Isa. 59:1-2). “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), therefore man enters the lost state. If one dies in this lost state, then they will evermore be separated from God and experience everlasting de...
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Israel cannot be destroyed again
Part 1 of 2 The Bible clearly says that God gave the Promised Land to the Jews forever. It’s even an undeniable fact of history that Jews have lived on the Promised Land for centuries. Even during the Babylonian and Roman dispersions there were still some Jews on the Promised Land. Nevertheless, it’s not uncommon to hear Church leaders in mainline denominations refer to major portions of the Promised Land as “occupied territory” because ...
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Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church Ministries, Inc. invites the public to join them for their annual youth conference. This year the conference will feature The Joshua Generation. The conference will help the youth to express themselves in various forms of worship. (Courtesy photo)
Mt. Pleasant MBC holding annual youth conference
Mt. Pleasant Missionary Baptist Church Ministries, Inc. will present The Joshua Generation Youth Conference 2012 beginning Wednesday July 18 and running through Friday July 20. The conference is entitled “Rock the Word.” To begin this dynamic conference, on Wednesday July 18, a Youth Praise Party Night will be held. Special gifted and talented youth from all over the county and the youth of MPMBC will express themselves in their own unique ...
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Billy Todd/Sampson Independent The Rev. Thom Miles, pastor of Enlighten the World Ministries, enjoys spending time at Laurel Lakes Campground. The campground is where services for the church are held. Miles feels the quiet and beautiful setting is an excellent location to connect with God.
Reaching out, enlightening others
SALEMBURG — It has often been said that from small packages come big things. For a church that is just barely two years in the making, it’s certainly true. While the current congregation is still very small, the pastor and his church family are busy serving God by providing alternative worship services on Saturday evenings and assisting the homeless and disadvantaged in both Cumberland and Sampson counties. On Saturday, July 7, the Rev. Tho...
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Faithfulness
Becoming a child of God is a one time act, but rather than an end, this is just the beginning of what is supposed to be an entire life of living as a child of God. This truth can be likened to marriage. Getting married is something that can be done in just a few minutes, but a marriage is an everyday way of life. When one becomes a believer, he or she is not already the bride of Christ, but has the power to become such. John said that believe...
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Faith is an invitation more than a command
Yes, faith is indeed a command. It is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Likewise, we’re told that without faith it is impossible to please God. “If any man draw back, I will have no pleasure in him” (Hebrews 10”38). I shudder when I think of the terror and dangers of unbelief. Unbelief leads to a bottomless pit of fear, anguish and discouragement. And the consequences of unbelief are horrendous. It begins with fearing what we cannot ...
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Examine me Lord
Psalm 26:2 says “Examine me, O Lord, and prove me: try my reins and my heart.” In other words, David was speaking to God and saying “Lord show me myself.” When was the last time you ever ask God to examine you? I know you have been guilty of “examining” others, if you can be real today, but have you looked at yourself lately? It’s a shame that Christian folks will look all into the lives of others, but not examine their own. Could it be tha...
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Finding joy in the journey
Do you believe there is joy in the journey? A recent Monday morning at Tim’s Gift I stared at my desk calendar, given to me by a friend who sows seeds of joy wherever she goes. While saying a prayer for Brenda, I ripped off pages from the weekend and held them close to my heart. The words reminded me of my journey to Cedar Point Disciples of Christ Church in Newton Grove that Saturday. Eleanor Bradshaw asked me to attend and speak for 10 minu...
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Traveling together
We all need each other! Life is hard! Sometimes we just need a helping hand to lift us up and encourage us when we’re down, when we’ve lost sight of our goals and simply want to quit. These friends can help us to stay on the right track. It’s been said that we’re “as sick as our secrets.” The secrets you keep, can keep you stuck, and that thing has already mastered you, whatever it is. It could be fear, pain, grief, depression, gossip, deni...
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Senior clerk, the Rev. David Willis straightens some of the many items of clothes available at the Beatitude House in Roseboro. The thrift store is open Thursdays 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. (Billy Todd/Sampson Independent)
The Beatitude House ministers to those in need
ROSEBORO — The Beatitude House Ministry is just what the name implies. The ministry strives to live up to its motto “A Hand Up — Not A Hand Out” as it reaches out to people in need. Beatitude House has two locations, one in Cumberland County, located at 102 N. Main St., Spring Lake; the other here in Sampson County, at 212 W. Roseboro St., Roseboro. The two ministry locations are operated under the wing of the New South River Baptist Associ...
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