Rev. Hood Archive

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Singing in the presence of the Lord

– May 20, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

“You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image–any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” (Exodus 20:2-3)

My wife and son had gone out to the airport to welcome Phillip Phillips from the private jet, something spontaneous, she said. A snapshot was taken as he walked away from the plane. Phillip Phillips made in Leesburg and the Gulfstream jet made in Savannah. It was a pretty good picture of Georgia craftsmanship.

My son watched him through the plate glass window as Phillip took his nourishment. It struck him that with all of the pomp and circumstance that Phillip would do something so mundane as eat a Little Caesar’s pizza. That faded tee shirt was apropos for the Lee County ambiance. But then that million dollar smile…

And now there was to be this parade on Saturday. My family had scheduled several weeks in advance to sing in Cordele for the Abundant Faith Worship Center. We would have come out to the parade to support our latest Lee County phenom and consequently our Lee County. We were disappointed that we couldn’t do both. Then I began to embrace the opportunity as a very special meeting God had for us. I would rather sing for God in a room worshiping Him than to sing to 20,000 people hoping they would like me.

The comment was made that we had come from Leesburg where the big event was. I stated trying to make a little humor, “We’d rather be here with Jesus high than Jato!” We had a really special time in the presence of the Lord. You could sense His presence with us. If we could just realize that singing before the one God is much more important than singing before all the people in the world at one time would be even if it were possible.

We finished the concert and headed back to Leesburg. We knew the concert would probably be over but decided to head toward the event anyway. My daughter texted a friend to ask how the concert was going. “It hasn’t started yet.” That was at least two hours late! We parked over a mile away. Cars were parked that far out. We started walking. People were leaving. “Did we miss it?” “No. It started about 15 minutes ago. We’re just worn out from standing at the parade all day long.” We were like salmon swimming upstream.

Sure enough, we walked straight up to the front on the football field where the stage was and watched the concert. We weren’t even worn out like everybody else! I talked to one guy who didn’t even go to the field because the process was so drawn out before the concert. His kids had had it. We, however, were right on time.

 

 

Tags: church, Faith, Religion, Rev. Hood
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In Mother’s Days Past

– May 12, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

In Mother’s Days past, I would call my mother and both grandmothers and tell them I love them and thank them for what they meant to me. I’ve not been able to do that since 2009. Both of my grandmothers went to be with the Lord in February of 2010. I can still call my mother. Here’s a love note I wrote to her.

Since the dawning of consciousness the timbre of love envelopes me. ‘Tis the voice of comfort, of solace refined; ‘Tis the voice of my maternity.

As the light of the world broke through, the warmth of her hands did cradle me. Hers are hands of nurture, protection sublime, those hands that taught me serenity.

I’m older now, out on my own. Inspiration she still gives to me. Words of comfort, protection and charity, she asks God for me on bended knee.

Happy Mother’s Day, Momma. I only wish poetry could weave such an eloquent design revealing the wonderful tapestry you are to me.

Love all ways,

Keith

 

Tags: Faith, Religion, Rev. Hood
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Standing room only

– May 5, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

It was literally standing room only at Cross Cultural Saturday night. A five year project was completed at Damascus Road Studios with the premier happening at Cross Cultural Musique. The Faith Project has been the vision of Rich DeGray, who owns and operates Damascus Road Studios. The Lord led Rich to name his new CD “Cross Cultural.”

My wife and I operate Cross Cultural Musique every Saturday night in Leesburg, GA. Rich and I have worked on several projects together in the past and he has sent and brought groups to us. Rich has a standard question he asks when he is involved with a project: “Does it meet and exceed expectations?” I have always truthfully answered “yes”.

Saturday night, along with Jarrod, Willie, and Chris, there were 8 other people on stage. They were not only sold out for the Lord Jesus Christ, they were also anointed in their ministry. Rich explained why the Lord led him to name the Faith Project’s CD “Cross Cultural.” It is because all of their songs span a broad spectrum of musical tastes.

As I looked at the stage, I saw a blend of black and white people singing to one God. They have a song on their CD which quotes Revelation 7: “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” I thought, “Yes, Cross Cultural.” As great a picture as I’ve ever seen of Cross Cultural was on the stage that night.

This coming Saturday night, May 5, will feature none other than the Albany High Chorale. Ever since my wife heard them sing, she wanted them to come to Cross Cultural Musique. I’ve heard part of their Christmas Musical which was outstanding. You don’t want to miss this! There are 33 members of the Albany High Chorale and they are second to none! It will be standing room only again, although we will be bringing another trailer load of chairs for this event.

Cross Cultural Musique exists to “glorify God by engaging various music ministries from local congregations in a non-denominational atmosphere for the mutual edification of all in attendance.” Some of the music they will sing will help us touch the face of Jesus. All are invited and there is no charge. Opportunity will be given for donations to the Albany High Choral for those wishing to do so.

Cross Cultural Musique is located at 603 Hwy 32 East from Leesburg. We meet Saturdays at 7 PM. For more info call 229-376-3293. If you wish to schedule to be the featured group, call the same number for possible dates. We don’t meet in a church building or on church property, but we love the Church. Sound inviting to you? Come on out and join us Saturday and I guarantee that you will be glad you did. God bless.

 

Tags: church, Faith, Rev. Hood
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What is truth?

– April 28, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

Suspended. Put in timeout. What are we going to do with this trouble-maker? If we ignore him long enough, he will just fall through the cracks and we won’t have to think about him anymore. We could, however, consider his side of the story. Is he telling the truth? “Jesus answered, ‘You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.’ Pilate said to Him, ‘What is truth?’”(John 18:37b-38a)

The world is playing as God against Jesus. If you pray in Jesus’ name in public, the world will speak up and tell you that Jesus has been suspended. He has been put in timeout. All this rascal does is divide. The commission is to ignore Him in public prayers. You can say, “in your name,” or just “amen.” If you say, “in Jesus’ name,” you invoke all of the baggage that Jesus says about Himself. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me.”(John 14:6)

Those words are intolerant. That’s tantamount to hate language. Unless they’re true. If they are true, He was dying to tell them to us, which is the ultimate expression of love. There are certain people with whom you cannot associate or you, too, will be suspended, put in timeout, or just banished. Jesus Christ is the epitome of such people. Shall we observe a moment of silence?

“Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”(Revelation 19:10b) The world as we know it will end. Like it or not, there is going to be a theocracy. No one will be able to say that Jesus has been suspended. He will not be impressed with any special interest group’s collar of “timeout.”

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. (see John 1:1 and 14) And the armies of heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the wine-press of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”(Rev. 19:11-16)

Two thugs were on crosses while Jesus was suspended between them. One died mocking. The other will be riding a white horse. What say you?

 

Tags: Faith, Religion, Rev. Hood
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What you deserve

– April 21, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

“You can get that new anything that you deserve!” “You deserve!” In the 1970′s, the most over used catch phrase was “new and improved.” Well that catch phrase got so played that “new and improved” meant anything but a new way to sell. This was geared to the baby boomers who were in the business of getting as much as they could for themselves and buying off anyone who stood in the way of those aspirations, especially their children.

Now those children are grown. They have acquired the mentality of entitlement. If they wanted it as a child, those who sacrificed family time for more time to make money would share the wealth. If the child wanted something, the parent would buy if for them. Now, back to the parents’ pursuits of materialism. The children were often bought off out of a sense of guilt for not investing the time with the child that both parent and child innately knew was necessary for psychological and spiritual balance. The television became the nanny. Influence of the drug culture in music became the pimp.

“You deserve!” One did not have to be bought off by affluence. One could have been bought off by dependency. There is an instance of a grandmother telling her granddaughter that she was the bread winner. She was to go have as many babies as possible, prove she could not afford them and attain government support. The grandmother would then take them all in as a foster parent. In this particular case with all government funds drag netted, they took in $144,000 a year. Why not? They deserve it.

All of this entitlement mentality is devoid of gratitude. It demands homage be paid due to a sense of position. This is why there is such a great loathing of God by so many in our culture. Even Christians become misguided with their “mansion on a hilltop” and “wearing my crown.” It’s “In My Father’s house” that gets lost in the entitlement perception. And about that crown, let’s drop the entitlement deception and give the credit where it belongs.

“Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty four elders fell down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne saying: ‘You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.’”(Revelation 4:9-11)

Then there are those who will insist on getting what they deserve. “He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”(Rev. 13:16-19)

 

Tags: Faith, Religion, Rev. Hood
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Easter Memories

– April 14, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

What Easter memories come to your mind? There was a boy who was in third grade. The time was the early 1970s. His first and second grade years were in one school which was in the logical place—in his community. Then someone decided that that communities could not do what was best for them and started some socially activist system which was collectively called “bussing.”

Dutifully, the third grader was compelled to get on a new bus and head out to another city. Only half of the children he had once known were sent as he was to this other concentration camp. Some of the other kids he never saw again. It was deemed all for the good of those who would not otherwise act in their own best interests, let alone the interests of others. While at the other establishment, the third grade teacher was involved in an automobile accident, and a new teacher was brought in. Why not? Nothing lasted anyway.

As was the case of many others, some parents gathered their children and fled from the oppressive SS (School System), to a system where the school was still comprised of those in the community. So the third grader went from being with all of the kids he knew, to half of the kids he knew, to being the new kid in a class in which he knew no one.

The third grade boy was rerouted from the freight cars to the Gestapo. The third grade teacher there was gruff and mean. She was obese and wore high heeled shoes. If a third grade child would have his foot in the aisle, she would walk by and drive his foot into the floor with her heel. The instruction was harder than the other school for the third grader. He was behind the other brown shirts. This was too much change, and love didn’t seem to be in the equation.

In their new home, the third grader had his family and things he had known most of his life. It was Easter of 1971. Relatives had come for the Easter Dinner and the Easter egg hunt to follow. They lived in a mobile home built on to an old army barracks. They had dreams of building a house on the property.

The eggs were hidden before the dinner to be found after the dinner. All had just sat down to eat in the army barracks. The third grader noticed smoke coming from the closed door of the trailer. He opened the door to the gates of hell. It was solid black on the other side and acrid smoke assaulted from the abyss. The trailer was burning down and there was no going to in to stop it.

All of the kids were evacuated and as many things as could be were saved from the army barracks. Little was. In horror and disbelief, what little familiar things the third grader had left were rushing into the expanse in the form of a roaring hot black monster and were never to return.

But there was his mother. She had no answers, but trembling, she called them all to take hands and form a circle. She called on her God. The third grader knew Him. Through her voice, he knew God wasn’t leaving, and He hasn’t left me yet. “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, ‘I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.’”(Hebrews 13:5)

 

Tags: easter, Easter egg hunt, Faith, Religion, Rev. Hood
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Spring Fling at Jacob’s Ladder

– April 6, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

Looking for a great way to close out your Spring Break this weekend, something that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg? How ‘bout a great family outing that won’t cost you a single dime? What if we threw in free pizza and soft drinks (until they run out anyway)? If any of this appeals to you, we have just the event.

Come and join us this Saturday, April 7th at Jacob’s Ladder for a community gathering called “The Spring Fling!” from 11 AM until we run out of fun. It is for all age groups but geared mostly for the young and the young at heart. Have you or your child ever ridden a horse? Saturday will be your opportunity. Again, this is a free event. There will be horse rides from about 1:00 to about 3:00. As you know, horse riding will be a popular event so you may want to get there early to secure your place in line.

There will be other activities such as a scavenger hunt, kickball, ping pong, a pool table, and kick ball. We’ll throw in a dunking booth! For some of you older kids, there will be an archery station set up. For some of you Daniel Boone types, there will be a knife throwing station. All of this is closely guarded by strict adult supervision.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, in the building we call “Jacob’s Ladder,” there will be an open Christian Karaoke. There is a lot of talent that we have in our churches around this area. Some of it never leaves the church building they attend. We welcome you or your group to bring a sound track, plug it in and sing away! We have a house system for that. If you want to play an instrument, bring it! We will be doing some music but there will be plenty of time for everyone to sing. The event begins at 11 AM Saturday and will continue as long as people are having fun.

Beginning at 7 PM, Cross Cultural Musique will begin at Jacob’s Ladder. Jacob’s Ladder is gracious to let us use their facility every Saturday night at 7:00. They are also available for any functions you may need for your occasions. Information is available.

We will be having a rising young Southern Gospel star from our area, Mr. Brandon Hughes. Joining Mr. Hughes will be the Living Waters Quartet, also a Southern Gospel group well known in this area. An opportunity will be given for a love offering.

Jacob’s Ladder is located just about 3 miles from the courthouse in Lee County. The address is 603 Highway 32 east; just on the west side of the Muckalee Creek. You will see the sign. For more information you may contact me about Cross Cultural Musique at 229-376-3293. For more information on Jacob’s Ladder, you may call Megan Childs or Kevin Childs at 229-886-4208.

This is a great event for the community and we hope you will come out and enjoy yet one more reason why it’s great to live in Lee County! “But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.’”(Matthew 19:14)

 

 

Tags: Brandon Hughes, children's activities, Faith, free, free pizza and soft drinks, Gospel music, Horseback riding, Jacob’s Ladder, Kevin Childs, kids, Living Waters Quartet, Megan Childs, Religion, Rev. Hood, scavenger hunt, Spring Fling
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Extreme Makeover

– March 17, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”(John 14:2-4)

I was in an area the other day where someone watched three straight episodes of “Extreme Makeover.” I fell asleep during the first episode but woke up toward the end of it. By the end of the first program, I very much appreciated what they were doing. The concept is to find a deserving and needy family and totally remake their homes into functional and enjoyable dwelling places. The family is sent away on vacation during the process. The community gets involved and helps in the remodeling. The family returns and is awed by the results.

The second episode involved a man who was shot in the neck while serving a warrant with a police SWAT team. They are the commandos of the police force. His house was too impractical for his wheelchair. The staff of Extreme Makeover and the community agreed to just tear the whole house down and build him another, more spacious and of course, beautiful home. It’s a very moving experience in that the recipients don’t pay a cent for the benevolence.

Jesus shows up outside to the condition of our souls. “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father of His throne.”(Revelation 3:20-21) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.”(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Jesus is the Extreme Makeoverer (poetic license). There’s a difference in the way Jesus approaches the potential recipient. With Jesus, nobody deserves the gift. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3:23) “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.”(Proverbs 14:1)

Jesus doesn’t care what you’ve done in the past. He wants to give you a future. What do the Apostle Paul and King David have in common? They were both murderers. After David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband to keep it secret, he wrote Psalm 51. In it, he called for the Extreme Makeoverer: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin, for I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.”(verses 1-3) Paul wrote to the Ephesians who had worked with the Extreme Makeoverer: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”(Ephesians 2:8-10) Is someone knocking at your door?

Tags: Faith, Religion, Rev. Hood
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The ‘damsel in distress’

– March 10, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

Who qualifies as a damsel in distress? Could it be a certain mesdemoiselle who feels so compelled to have sex so often that she needs someone else to pay for her birth control? Not to worry! Seeing the helpless plight of this distraught soul under persecution for her “need,” the Top Knight rides in wearing the Emperor’s new clothes and inquires of the under privileged law student from Georgetown University, “How abidest thou under this onslaught of thine dignity?”

Sandra Fluke, the distressing, is demanding that Georgetown University pay for her birth control as a right. Rush Limbaugh, in calling attention to the absurdity of this situation, characterized her as a “slut.” President Obama, the great protector of the helpless born, showed the chivalrous compassion to give Ms. Fluke a personal phone call to ascertain the state of her emotional well-being. Nice outfit, Emperor Sir!

“This is the way of an adulterous woman: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have done no wrong.”(Proverbs 30:20) Sex outside of marriage is either rape, adultery, or fornication. The Bible is clear that all of these are sin. Apparently, Ms Fluke doesn’t see it that way. Apparently, she has Executive support. But who are we Bible thumpers to impose our moral convictions on those who don’t agree with us? Conversely, who are the fornicators, adulterers and those who approve of their lifestyle to insist that we Bible readers and others who disagree with them, pay for their extra biblical choices? What’s the definition of being involved with sex against the will?

There is a damsel in distress. It is the young ladies who dare to carry their “V Card.” There still are some who hold themselves to a higher standard. There are some who want to hold out until their Knight in Shining Armour rides in and together they live happily ever after. The message they are getting out of all of this is that their ideal of the sanctity of marriage died with Camelot. Very few are left. She feels the heat of the dragon.

For those out there who have already cashed in their V-Card, there is forgiveness at the cross. “They said to Him (Jesus), ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act.”. . . So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, ‘He who is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.’”(John 8:4,7) Of course, no one threw a stone. Jesus called the woman to repentance. “‘Woman, where are those who accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’”(John 8:10b-11)

Esteem the excellence of the V-Card! “Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.”(Proverbs 31:29-31)

 

Tags: Faith, Rev. Hood
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A good time was had by all

– March 4, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

We had a great time of music Friday night. The location was the Philema Road Baptist Church. The event was a fund raiser for The Voice, WWVO 90.7 FM. The radio Disk Jockeys were announcing that the building was packed. Frank Story, of WWVO was telling people Friday night and repeating it today that $40 in some studio could not have provided at more quality time than in terms of music and enjoyment than we shared the other night.

It was all done for the glory of God and to support His radio station. It was all done for free by the musical guests. The radio tower was hit by lightning and the costs of repair are exorbitant. A love offering was taken to help offset this burden.

The evening began with Grafted-In. I sing in this group. All of us attend Philema Road Baptist Church. We are a men’s quartet. While we sing mostly southern gospel, we do sing some gospel bluegrass. We will sing contemporary Christian music is the song strikes us right. We sang four songs.

We were followed by a rising young star in the southern gospel genre, Brandon Hughes. He is up for best new male voice of the year. He sang three songs. Two were from his new album. He had made these available in the back for those who wanted to take Brandon’s ministry home after the concert.

He was followed by yet another rising star in the southern gospel genre, Mandy Harrell. Mandy is known for her powerful voice and energy. Mandy is also a recording artist who made her CDs available after the concert. Many will be appearing at Cross Cultural Musique this Saturday night at 603 Hwy 32 East. We are always glad to have Mandy come back. She’s actually the second guest we’ve ever had come to Cross Cultural Musique back about 3 years ago.

After Mandy, the Spicer Family came and brought a crescendo to the evening. The stage was filled with instruments and different guests. Dennis Thompson sang a couple of songs. Frank Story then brought his Nashville experience and mixed it with the Spicer bunch on stage. It was a real blessing and a good time had by all.

The audience represented many different congregations from the area. We had this one thing in common. We are all blest by the ministry of WWVO and we want to help in any way we can to keep gospel music on a local radio station in our area. If you haven’t yet given WWVO a try, tune your radio to 90.7 FM. They truly are “The Voice” for Christian radio in our area.

If you like good music and fellowship come out and hear Mandy Harrell this Saturday at 7 PM, at Cross Cultural Musique. It’s as casual as a hay ride but we are serious about our purpose. “The purpose of Cross Cultural Musique is to glorify God by engaging various music ministries from local congregations in a non denominational atmosphere for the mutual edification of all in attendance.”

Tags: Faith, Rev. Hood
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