Rev. Hood Archive

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Their universe is expanding

– February 24, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

Emma’s cat had just had kittens. The day they were born the kitties had no clue as to what to do with their selves. They did find a life connection, which reconnected them with their mother. For 12 straight hours that day they just held on and nursed for dear life. The momma kitty looked love drunk.

The next day they seemed to be able to crawl over the momma kitty with the slightest sense of “been there; done that.” That’s when I explained to Emma, “Their universe is expanding.” Still they were blind as their eyes had not yet opened. They couldn’t see outside of their heads, let alone outside of the box in which they dwelt. They didn’t know there was intelligent life (Emma and other humans) beyond their box. Their universe, however, was expanding.

When a new freshman arrives at some classes in our liberal universities, the mantra of many of the professors is, “There is no intelligent life beyond ourselves. If you believe there is, you don’t believe in science.” So many of the freshmen will dutifully hum the party line and obey the mandate to lose one’s religion to the intolerance of the atheistic brand of nomenclature. “Shut your eyes and stay inside the box. We are all there is. Don’t you know that Sigmund Freud says that this nipple is all you really want?” It takes a lot of faith to be an atheist. One must really have to work hard at it.

Not too long ago a girl who says she was 17 years of age (the Americans say she’s only 14) was caught by Iraqi police before she could carry out a suicide bombing. She was wearing a vest of explosives as police paraded her. The girl’s name was Rania. He father carried out a suicide bombing for al-Qaeda. The officer said a relative was suspected of recruiting her. Al-Qaeda teaches children to hate from the time they nurse from their own mothers. If the child tries to get out of the box, the other kittens will execute the heretic as worse than an infidel. She must keep her eyes closed. “This box is all there is!”

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”(2 Peter 3:18) There are two words in this, my life verse that beckon attention. The first is “grace.” It means “undeserved favor.” Grow in undeserved favor and blessing of Christ. The second is “knowledge.” Your universe will never expand if you refuse to open your eyes and look “outside of the box.” That doesn’t mean to embrace heresy as truth because you want to be tolerant of someone else’s perspective. It can’t all be true! But dare to look and always be “ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”(1 Peter 3:15)

I often pray, “Lord, I want to know the truth.” I then leave His Spirit to bring me to Himself. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”(Matthew 5:8) Try that prayer. Try this one, too: “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”(Mark 9:24)

 

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Beware the blasphemers

– February 8, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

 

Have you noticed the ramping up of blasphemy in these last few years, and even months? It seems like there are cliques gathering just to see how far they can push the envelope. I’m finding them more on facebook. Someone will throw out a status denouncing God as a hater and pointing to some fringe group like the Westboro Baptist Church as their proof. The Westboro Baptist Church is the notorious church that carries billboards denouncing whoever doesn’t agree with them as the objects of God’s hatred. They have even disowned some family members for straying too far from the reservation. These are not of God.

“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ‘Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’”(2 Peter 3:3-4) As I watch this phenomenon become more pronounced with even those very close to us, I’m seeing a certain part of the passage above be brought out in relief: “following after their own lusts.”

Those who are “hell bent” on living a life the Bible clearly condemns as sin are on the forefront of seeking to discredit the Word of God.   Along with it, those who believe it is God’s Word to mankind. The Bible calls sex before marriage “fornication.” The Bible calls extramarital affairs “adultery.” These are condemned in the Bible as sin. Across the board in the Bible, homosexuality is not only condemned as sin, but as sexual perversion.

Paul was in prison in Rome when he penned the following. Many other Christians would soon be fed to the lions for sport because those in Rome weren’t very tolerant of those who acted upon God’s Word. He still wrote them. God loved enough to die to bring opportunity for the lost to escape eternal damnation. Paul loved enough to die to bring the gospel to those who would kill him. Many others faced the lions. Still there are those who persisted in mocking.

“Therefore God gave them over to in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.”(Romans 1:24-32) The remedy: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9)

 

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The true meaning of “church”

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

 

 

 

 

Everybody needs a church. Yes, even believers. The word “church” comes from the Greek word “eclessia.” That means “gathering.” We are social beings.

There are gatherings of believers which we of course refer to as “churches.” The problem with the term “church” is that it has become synonymous with a building where believers meet. A “church” as was referred to in the New Testament was anywhere there was a gathering of believers. That was usually in peoples’ homes. “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. . . Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.”(Romans 16:3,5)

Anywhere two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus, you have a church, not necessarily organized religion. Jesus said, “For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”(Matthew 18:20) Many believers gather every Sunday as a church in a temple they call a “church.” I am one of them. Even the New Testament believers met in a temple when they could.

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart. Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”(Acts 2:46-47) Remembering the thing we used to do as children with our hands, it should sound like this: “Here’s the temple, here’s the steeple, look inside and find the church.”

Those who have not been “saved” according to the above verse may attend a different church. We all need a church. Most of us will seek one out. “Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same, you wanna be where everybody knows your name. You wanna go where people know, people are all the same, you wanna be where everybody knows your name.” Cheers!

The difference in the world’s church and the Eclessia of believers is the Spirit of the living God. “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Without the fellowship of our Redeemer, the One Who wants to save us and lead us to eternal life, any eclessia is ultimately an exercise in futility. The black whole remains. Billy Joel writes of the bar atmosphere in The Piano Man: “And the waitress is practicing politics as the businessman slowly gets stoned. Yes, they’re sharing a drink they call loneliness but it’s better than drinking alone.”

If you go to an eclessia of believers, rejoice in the fellowship! If you don’t, you need to. You need the Savior. Believers need to get together and worship Him no matter what form that fellowship may take. Ask Jesus to lead you to an eclessia which would meet your deepest need. Firstly, ask Him to be your Savior. Believe!

 

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What’s so bad about Tebow?

– January 16, 2012Posted in: Rev. Hood

 

 

316 yards, 31.6 yards for the average pass, John 3:16 and Tim Tebow. That alone almost makes not being a Christian implausible. If one was to write the storyline of the Broncos vs Steelers game like it turned out, it would again fall within the context of sheer implausibility. But those are exactly the stats Tim Tebow put up against the number defense in the NFL last Sunday.

If I were an atheist, that would scare the hell out of me. Whatever works. “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.”(Jude 21-23)

Why are those of the radical left beginning to taut Tim Tebow as the most divisive person in sports? Why can’t they be tolerant of someone who dares defy their premise of social acceptability? Because not all hypocrites go to church. Because they don’t control the agenda when Christ is lifted up. You can’t look at the life of Tim Tebow without being aware of the One he loves and represents. The Jesus he presents isn’t the package they can trump.

Tebow writes in his book, Through My Eyes, “What it boils down to is that. . . if there’s someone who agrees that Christians don’t have to be weak, either in mind, body, or soul, then undertaking this project was the right thing to do, regardless of what the world thinks is the ‘right time’ to write a memoir.”(xi)

“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2:Timothy 3:12) Why? Because “He (Jesus) came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” (John 1:11) There has been a backlash against the media for its treatment of Tebow. Why? “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God, to those who believe in His name.”(v12) Tebow is championing what many of us believe and to God be the glory!

Tebow is filled with the Spirit of Jesus Christ. That’s Who the commotion is really all about. This battle is cosmic. It really is amazing that there is more going on here than just we terrestrial footballers, and they’re watching, too. It’s not about the NFL. It’s about a living Savior using a servant to bring glory to Himself in undeniable ways, regardless of a final football score.

What is John 3:16? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Believe.

Tags: Faith, Rev. Hood
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Grand Opening for Cross Cultural Musique

– January 8, 2012Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

The new grand opening for Cross Cultural Musique is finally here! Saturday night at 7:00 officially begin with the Hood Family opening for the evening. A lot of people have told me that they will be coming. We recently sang as the featured guests for the Christmas Eve service for the Venice Church of the Nazarene down in Venice, FL. A couple of the kids (they’ll always be kids to me) expressed a little nervousness because there were going to be hundreds of people. I reminded them that every time we sing, we sing for the most important Person in the universe. Not only that, but I reminded them that He is more important than all the people in the world combined. And the angels are listening, too. “God is just inviting more people to be blessed with our blessing Him.”

Speaking of that, we will open the doors at 6:30 for those who wish to come earlier. Mike Zoellick will be doing music from his dulcimer, guitar and vocals during the preliminary period. That’s all free, too. At 7:00, we will ask a prayer of dedication from Pastor Dan Harris of Philema Road Baptist Church for the new era of Cross Cultural Musique. We pray for God’s anointing. “The purpose of Cross Cultural Musique is to glorify God by engaging various music ministries of local congregations in a nondenominational atmosphere for the mutual edification of all in attendance.”

Following the Hoods will be Grafted-In. They are a men’s quartet from Philema Road Baptist Church. There may even be a surprise guest or two. The following week, we will have one of the most recognized gospel groups in our area, Southern Majesty. The week after that, a recording artist and local disk jockey, Mr. Frank Story, will be our featured guest accompanied by his wife Wanda and Rex Hackley.

You can go to our facebook site at Crosscultural other featured guests and recording artists who are slated to come. We are booked through March. If you are looking for something to do in Leesburg on Saturday nights, we have the most important Person in the universe and great musicians, too. Baptists, Church of God, Seventh Day Adventists, Methodists, and whoever else who may not care for a title. It’s free, it’s casual, and it’s a blessing. If you come, we’ll be more blessed.

We are located at 603 HWY 32 E, about two miles from the Courthouse in Leesburg. You can also come down Lovers Lane until it dead ends, take a right, go less than a mile, and turn by the Cross Cultural Sign. “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise in the assembly of saints.”(Psalm 149:1)

 

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First Day

– December 24, 2011Posted in: Rev. Hood

 

 

“Just follow the signs!” I told myself as I pulled in with my patient to the Phoebe Sumter Regional Hospital labyrinth. I had never delivered a patient to the new facility which opened in Americus on December 16th. It is on the corner of highways 280 and 19. I was transporting a patient from Webster County. Signs eventually led me to the ER Ambulance Bay. A rather distinguished gentleman asked me if I found my way in easily enough. “I just followed the signs, sir.” He seemed pleased. I had entered from the HWY 280 side, closest to Webster County. Later I was informed that the entrance from HWY 19 was a straight shot to the ambulance entrance.

AT 8:55 am, we unloaded the patient from the ambulance. Upon our entering, all of the Emergency personnel were looking at us. Everyone was moving with marked deliberation. I asked, “Where would you like our patient?” Someone asked, “Is 10 available yet?” It was. We helped our patient transfer to the hospital bed and kept the routine. We came out and continued process. Someone volunteered: “You’re the first.” “We’re the first what?” I inquired. “You’re the first ambulance to admit a patient to the new hospital.”

I thought that was really ironic. I work in Sumter County for Vital Care EMS. The hospital is in Sumter County. I’ve made many transports to the other location before the move with Vital Care. I also work for Webster County EMS. This patient requested Phoebe Sumter Regional Hospital. Different from our routine, we came to Americus. “So Webster County’s the first.” someone observed.

The hospital staff at Phoebe Sumter is a team of consummate professionals. The environment was better, but very new. They had not yet snapped to grid like they operated in the other facility. I knew it would just be a matter of time. Some of the staff was learning where things belonged and where to find other things.

Outside I ran into the Sumter County Deputy Coroner, W. R. “Buddy” Wilbanks. He was asking where the morgue was. I didn’t know but a security guard told him. We talked for a few minutes and I asked him if he would take our picture to remember this occasion. He took it with his camera.

This whole experience made me think of a person’s first day in heaven. People are brought in all the time. Are you nervous about it? What kind of facility will that be? “I can only imagine!” “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansion; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:1-3)

Pretty soon, the Coroner will find us. If you know Jesus, you’ll like the new location. “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”(John 14:6)

 

The writer with Sumter County Deputy Coroner, W. R. “Buddy” Wilbanks.

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Are the hosts assembled?

– December 18, 2011Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

“Are the hosts assembled?” This event had been in production for several months. Indeed, the script had been written for well longer than that. There was to be a lead role and his part was well rehearsed. The curtains would soon open and the audience would be breathless. The cast numbered into the thousands. There had never been an undertaking quite like this before. This was to be the world premier that would change the course of history.

“Are the hosts assembled?” asked the moderator to a key member of the cast. The cast member could hardly contain himself as he answered: “They are quite ready, sir, and the moment is peak for performance! They say the King has arrived and assumed His station. The light is fixed upon Him as that of a super nova. The audience is in place. The date has arrived and this is our moment to shine!” Breathlessly he gestured toward the curtain, the vale which held back the light from the darkened arena. The moderator was to appear first as a maestro appears before the concert. After a brief announcement, the assembled cast of thousands would give expression in the fullest measure to the role assigned each participant. With all dignity befitting, the moderator enters the theater. His audience beholds.

“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them,

‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.’”(Luke 2:8-14)

Every member of the cast can still recall where he was as if it were only yesterday. Great was that moment! Great were the contrasts. The King had assumed His station in a manger, His star announcing His deity as it reflected off the rags which covered Him. His parents were installed in a stable with live animals and unsanitary conditions. The audience was shepherds guarding livestock while people of influence slept in their inns and houses. The cast of hosts were in brightest raiment charged with ethereal particles from outer dimensions unabashedly proclaiming the glory of God, in the highest. What Child is this?

“Are the hosts assembled?” The sequel is prepared and it is also epic. “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”(1 Thessalonians 4:16-18)

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Faith and music

– December 11, 2011Posted in: Rev. Hood

 

 

My purpose for going to the Leesburg Christmas Parade was to see my son march in the Lee County High School Marchin’ Trojan Band. That alone was worth the trip. The candy falling at my feet was a bonus. I didn’t get most of it. Little kids would collect most of it. But occasionally, I would cop a piece of chocolate. Some of the kids come to the parade for the candy. Some of the kids came to the parade for Luke Bryan. Some of those kids were in their 30s. I heard one 30 year old girl say with authority, “He is going to shake my hand!”

Towards the end of the parade came Leesburg’s own Luke Bryan. There was not a kid, nor a 30 year old girl wearing a bigger smile than Luke Bryan. If you wanted to shake Luke Bryan’s hand, you were going to shake his hand. I watched him shake the hands of two pre-teen boys who immediately went to jumping and whooping and hollering. I couldn’t help but think that just a few years ago, that was Luke Bryan in those same streets growing up just like those boys. For a moment, they were all Leesburg boys. The thirty year old girl was still looking at her hand. Luke came to give back to the community but what I saw was that Luke got the biggest reward. This whole experience was a blessing to me. Thanks, Luke.

I love all kinds of music and I love God. That’s why God has led me to lead a music ministry on Saturday nights called “Cross Cultural Musique.” For those of you who do not remember Cross Cultural Musique, it helps to know our purpose. “The purpose of Cross Cultural Musique is to glorify God by engaging various music ministries of local congregations in a non-denominational atmosphere for the mutual edification of all in attendance.” We’ve had African American churches that soulfully sing. We’ve had contemporary churches that play, well, Rock music. We’ve had southern gospel and blue grass. We’ve had real Cross Cultural experiences.

We’ve moved to a new, larger location. It is at Jacob’s Ladder located at 603 Hwy 32 East, just three miles from the Courthouse. We kick off again January 7th. We already have the line-up for January. To kick it off, The Hood Family and Grafted-In, a men’s quartet from Philema Baptist Church, will be on January 7th. A premier local southern gospel group, Southern Majesty, will sing on the 14th. On the 21st, Frank Story of the Frank and Sonny Show on WWVO will be singing with his wife, Wanda. Joining them will be Rex Hackley. On January 28th, Lonesome Road, a bluegrass gospel group will close out the month for us.

It’s all free. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual. If you want to get up and move around during the songs, it’s your prerogative. Other music ministries are being lined-up. If your church music ministry wants to minister beyond the walls of your building, come join other like-minded believers. To God be the glory.

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‘I believe’

– November 30, 2011Posted in: Faith, Rev. Hood

 

 

Melancholy was the atmosphere. We entered slowly by vehicle passing those who had arrived quite some time before us. They had their places. Some were families. Some stayed alone. They had no intention of leaving. In all due respect, we didn’t come to see them. We continued to the back. No one seemed to notice.

We made the turn and then back to the right. We got out of the vehicle. There he was across the terrace. I had never before seen him with this. My mother had chosen it especially for him. She would one day share it with him. We had to meander our way through those already situated being quite careful not to invade their spaces. They didn’t seem to notice. They didn’t seem to care. Deference demanded our conciliation. We arrived to our destination. He didn’t seem to notice but we couldn’t be sure. Johnny Edgar Hood August 11, 1940 March 30, 2011.

It was my mother, sister, and I. My sister and I had not yet seen the tombstone my mother had picked out. On the back read, “Children: Pam Keith Tammy” linearly. Pam was arriving with her granddaughter, Angel. Pam came over to join us. Angel, six years old, seemed to share no melancholy biorhythms. She didn’t seem to notice the others’ not noticing although she did exhort her grandmother on the way over to not step on the graves because “You don’t want to step on their heads!”

We paid our respects. Tammy wanted to visit a couple of wreathes toward the front. They were teenagers from South Effingham High School. She teaches the nursing program there and knew the kids. A rash of tragedies struck Effingham County claiming several of their youth.

We visited other graves drifting quite away from daddy. Angel had done well in occupying herself. I looked back to daddy’s grave and there was Angel. She knew the side her Pawpaw was on. She was reclining on the ground as she figured he was, only she lay on the grass under my mother’s name facing her Pawpaw. To her, it just seemed like the perfect place to be. Angel’s watching over Pawpaw.

I walked alone for a while. I said for no one to hear but I’m quite sure that it was heard by the “unincorporated”: “I believe.” For the Scripture says, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”(I Thessalonians 4:13-14) “While I live I will praise the Lord; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.”(Psalm 146:2)

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The nature of Thanksgiving

– November 25, 2011Posted in: Rev. Hood

 

 

What is Thanksgiving? The other day I was invited to my wife’s class at Albany High School as she held the 4th annual International Thanksgiving Feast. Being language learners from such countries as El Salvador, Mexico, and China, they were asked about what they knew about Thanksgiving. Being that they were from other countries, Thanksgiving was not a tradition with which they were familiar. My wife reviewed the story of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. She told about their treacherous journey and how half of the Pilgrims died during their First winter. Thanks to the Native Americans, they were able to survive. Squanto taught them how to plant their crops, fish, hunt, etc. Thanksgiving was first celebrated in 1621 by the colonists of Plymouth Plantation and the Wampanoag Indians as they converged to celebrate what God had provided for them.

At this point, the students were asked for what they were thankful. Many mentioned family. Janice explained to them how we, like the Pilgrims and Native Americans, represent different cultures. Those days (yes, they celebrated for several days) were special as the two cultures converged, and they celebrated God’s providence. What a feast we had that day—Chinese food, Mexican food, and African sauce, and rice.

So here was the first Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims were 3rd culture people mixing with the indigenous people of what the 3rd culture people called Plymouth Plantation. God transcended the two cultures. Together they ate and shared bread. I wonder what the seating arrangements were. In the class the other day, the Hispanics sat at one table while the Chinese sat at another. You could hear them speaking their own languages among themselves. They were not shutting themselves off from the other groups. They were just being who they were and being most at ease about it. When it came time for the conversation to be centered on Thanksgiving, English was the common ground.

There’s going to be a Thanksgiving celebration that is spiced with Cross cultural variety. It will be focused upon the One Who transcends all cultures but embraces their nuances. It is personality unleashed.

“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!’”(Revelation 7:9-10)

I will be there. Those I love in Africa will be there. An bee ka Ala tanu, ka Aleluya fo! An bee ka baraka di a ma! For those of you who don’t yet know the Bambara language, it translates like this: “We all are praising God and saying hallelujah! We all are giving thanks to Him!”

Tags: Rev. Hood, Thanksgiving
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