Archbishop Gregory Holley

Next Day People

Yesterday was Palm Sunday.  The Apostle John writes in the 12th chapter of his Gospel of the events surrounding the triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Many focus on Jesus riding into town on a donkey with a euphoric crowd waving Palm branches and crying, "Hosanna!" The tumultuous people were full of joy over the entrance of the Master!

Yet the events the day before were quite different.  Jesus has visited the home of Mary, Martha and Lazarus in Bethany. A meal was cooked. Martha served while Jesus and Lazarus reclined in a restful fashion. It was peaceful!

Lazarus had developed quite a following of people as well. Since his resurrection the witness was so great that his testimony became a challenge for the religious rulers. They had conspired to kill Jesus and now the celebrity of Lazarus was too much!  So the decision was made, Lazarus would die as well!

So in this setting, Mary brings bottle of perfume that some say in our economy was worth around 35,000 dollars.  She breaks the seal, washes the feet of Jesus in the pungent fumes of wonder and sets the eternal clock to ticking.  Judas complains of extravagance even though he is classified by John as a thief.  And Jesus drops a bombshell.

His reply to all is that Mary has anointed him for his burial. Whether the gravity of the announcement weighed upon the minds of those present is not known it launches the spirits of heaven and earth into red alert.  And less than a week later all would stand in the courtyards of Jerusalem watching the proceedings of a Master in the clutches of authority, condemned to die.

The crowds kept coming to see this man at the home of Lazarus.  John records that on the next day they cut down palm branches.  Jesus sent the disciples for a donkey.  Prophecies of Isaiah were fulfilled as these "next day people"  brought glory to the Father through the life of Jesus!

The word was out. The religious leaders now moaned, "The whole world has gone after them..."  The zealots among them including the soon to be Apostle Paul know then as lawyer named Saul plotted as to how to kill all of them! But first, Jesus must be dealt with.

And thus begun what we know as Holy Week began as what I call "next day people" moved beyond their personal reasoning into the "steps of faith."  Eyes no longer blinded.  Hearts mended by the Savior.  Trust in the Father renewed. These folks were ready to move into the "next day!"

Are you one of those called "Next Day People?"

The Eighth Grade Exam in 1895

Brother-in-law Alan sent this to me. The author is unknown by revered!

What it took to get an 8th grade education in 1895 ...

Remember when grandparents and great-grandparents stated that they only had an 8th grade education? Well, check this out. This is the eighth-grade final exam from 1895 in Salina, Kansas, USA. It was taken from the original document on file at the Smokey Valley Genealogical Society and Library in Salina, and reprinted by the Salina Journal.

                                    8th Grade Final Exam: Salina, KS- 1895

Grammar (Time, one hour)

1. Give nine rules for the use of capital letters.                                                               2. Name the parts of speech and define those that have no modifications.      3. Define verse, stanza and paragraph                                                                            4. What are the principal parts of a verb? Give principal parts of "lie,""play," and "run."                                                                                                                                  5. Define case; illustrate each case.                                                                                   6 What is punctuation? Give rules for principal marks of punctuation.             7 - 10. Write a composition of about 150 words and show therein that you understand the practical use of the rules of grammar.

Arithmetic (Time,1 hour 15 minutes)

1. Name and define the Fundamental Rules of Arithmetic.                                    2. A wagon box is 2 ft. deep, 10 feet long, and 3 ft. wide. How many bushels of wheat will it hold?                                                                                                                   3. If a load of wheat weighs 3,942 lbs., what is it worth at 50cts/bushel, deducting 1,050 lbs.for tare?                                                                                              4. District No 33 has a valuation of $35,000. What is the necessary levy to carry on a school seven months at $50 per month, and have $104 for incidentals?                                                                                                                               5. Find the cost of 6,720 lbs. coal at $6.00 per ton.                                                     6. Find the interest of $512.60 for 8 months and 18 days at 7 percent.               7. What is the cost of 40 boards 12 inches wide and 16 ft. long at $20 per metre?                                                                                                                                        8. Find bank discount on $300 for 90 days (no grace) at 10 percent.                 9. What is the cost of a square farm at $15 per acre, the distance of which is 640 rods?                                                                                                                                10. Write a Bank Check, a Promissory Note, and a Receipt.

U.S.History (Time, 45 minutes)

1. Give the epochs into which U.S. History is divided                                               2. Give an account of the discovery of America by Columbus.                              3. Relate the causes and results of the Revolutionary War.                                   4. Show the territorial growth of the United States                                                    5. Tell what you can of the history of Kansas.                                                              6. Describe three of the most prominent battles of the Rebellion.                       7. Who were the following: Morse, Whitney, Fulton, Bell, Lincoln, Penn, and Howe?                                                                                                                                        8. Name events connected with the following dates: 1607, 1620, 1800, 1849, 1865.

Orthography (Time, one hour) [Do we even know what this is??]

1. What is meant by the following: alphabet, phonetic, orthography, etymology, syllabication                                                                                                       2. What are elementary sounds? How classified?                                                      3. What are the following, and give examples of each: trigraph, subvocals, diphthong, cognate letters, linguals                                                                                4. Give four substitutes for caret 'u.' (HUH?)                                                               5 Give two rules for spelling words with final 'e.' Name two exceptions under each rule.                                                                                                                                   6. Give two uses of silent letters in spelling. Illustrate each.                                   7. Define the following prefixes and use in connection with a word: bi, dis, mis, pre, semi, post, non, inter, mono, sup.                                                                 8. Mark diacritically and divide into syllables the following, and name the sign that indicates the sound: card, ball, mercy, sir, odd, cell, rise, blood, fare, last.                                                                                                                                              9. Use the following correctly in sentences: cite, site, sight, fane, fain, feign, vane , vain, vein, raze, raise, rays.                                                                                       10. Write 10 words frequently mispronounced and indicate pronunciation by use of diacritical marks and by syllabication. 

Geography (Time, one hour)

1 What is climate? Upon what does climate depend?                                                2. How do you account for the extremes of climate in Kansas?                             3. Of what use are rivers? Of what use is the ocean?                                                 4. Describe the mountains of North America                                                               5. Name and describe the following: Monrovia, Odessa, Denver, Manitoba, Hecla, Yukon, St. Helena, Juan Fernandez, Aspinwall and Orinoco..                6. Name and locate the principal trade centers of the U.S.                                      7. Name all the republics of Europe and give the capital of each.                         8. Why is the Atlantic Coast colder than the Pacific in the same latitude?           9. Describe the process by which the water of the ocean returns to the sources of rivers.                                                                                                                                        10. Describe the movements of the earth. Give the inclination of the earth.

Notice that the exam took FIVE HOURS to complete. Gives the saying "he only had an 8th grade education" a whole new meaning, doesn't it?

Faith is a Decision!

One of the founding Elders of the local church at La Porte has battled an ailment for over 30 years. This week his body's weakness caught up to his indomitable faith. Much of what is at La Porte has been sustained by the prayers and prophecies of this co-laborer in the Gospel. The phone call that required action from this preacher happened on Valentine's day.

One phone call had just ended from another Elder who had come from life's rocky roads years ago. This phone call left me with tears of thanksgiving. What seemed to be an impossibility regarding a hotly contested state license had been granted. We had carried this "faith baby" for months believing and trusting God that the past would be forgiven and the license would be granted. It was. We rejoiced. We cried a bit in thanksgiving!

The next call was a challenge. From the height of faith's conquest and victory to the heated battle of man's life hanging in the balance in ICU at St. Luke's hospital in Houston. The doctor had just left a bomb designed to cause the dear wife of the Elder to ready herself for what the medical community had decided.  The words of the Pulmonary Specialist  were, "You deserve to know the truth, we don't expect him to live through the day."

Fighting back a burst of sobbing and tears she made the phone call to Pastor Gayla. The report was given. We were sitting at the lunch table and the battle lines were drawn. Death or Life? Bowing my head the Father's mind was sought concerning the matter.

He spoke to me, "Rebuke death!" And I did as commanded. Then we kept praying. Now we know enough that at some point the praying is over and the praising of God must begin. So we obeyed. The decision had been made.

You see, praise takes the matter out of your hands and places it into the hands of God.  It is the rolling away of the stone. Yes, just like when Lazarus was raised from the dead. Before the miracle, the stone has to be rolled away.

Off we went to the hospital to support the family.  Since a small child memories of Grandpa Holley and Dad Holley heading off to the hospital to pray has branded our family and is extended into the next generation of preachers.  You just don't give up!

Upon arrival at the hospital we found the wife and repeated again.  " We have rebuked death. Death alone cannot take him. Now it is out of our hands and in the hands of God. He is a born again Christian and will never die. Whether he lives on this plane or on the next he will live eternally. Let us praise God for the Victory!"  At this point it was all or nothing!

Twenty four short hours later he has turned around. Lots of battles left but improvement is in the wind.  But one thing we know.  Just as Jesus lives, he lives and lives forevermore.  We are satisfied that faith is a decision to trust God for He knows best and works best when we cast our cares on Him for He loves us! 

"Got any mountains they say "can't tunnel through?" Got any rivers they say are uncrossable? Got any mountains they say "can't tunnel through?"  We specialize in the wholly impossible doing the things they say you can't do! " These words were the song of the Panama Canal Builders who knew that faith is a decision that must be made before the miracle can appear.

Forgiveness

Forgiving the unforgivable is the bane of the forgiver.  To forgive that which is detestable. That which is unconscious-able. That which is against the very nature of the noble. Forgiveness.

The loyalty of Jesus to mankind was such that as He hung His head, preparing to die words of forgiveness gushed from His lips before the blood could pierce the ground. "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do..." These idyllic words characterize the heart of the inveterate forgiver. The heart standing before ruthless murderers  was faithful to His mission despite the impending thrust of the sword.

Should loyalty be among the greatest of virtue is not treason or disloyalty the greatest of sins against another? We would think it is would be among those things unpardonable. Yet Jesus forgave Judas...

There is the old story told by Carl Petty that makes this thought applicable to the forgiving mind.

According to the tale the last act in the drama of human existence was over and the sons of men had all been gathered into the Father's house of Many Mansions. There was great joy among the heavenly host. Only one among the singing multitude seemed restless and unhappy. It was Jesus.

He stood at the gate leading into the mansion, his eyes fixed on the far horizon of space, an expectant look of yearning masking his loving face. One of the throng watched him for and while and then , stealing up to his side, whispered, "Master, are you waiting on someone?"  Without turning his gaze from the horizon the Master replied, " Yes, I am waiting for Judas. "

Jesus, the perfect man, could forgive Judas. But we imperfect mortals find it hard to pardon any man who would betray his friend with a slobbering kiss and sell him into the hands of his enemies for few pieces of dirty silver.   We should desire him in hell. We should desire him banished from our presence forever.

Yet Jesus said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."

Jesus forgave Judas.

Monday Morning Quarterbacks

While the Super Bowl is on everybody is intense.  All the players are all business. The senses are honed. The appetite for winning is heightened. This is the entrance to fame.

Now the Super Bowl is over. The New York Giants are the World Champions of the NFL. The Manning family adds another quarterback winner to the family roster of winning quarterbacks. The Mara-Tisch family have another win for the team they started 30 years ago. And the stadium will soon be silent.

The announcers are now discussing. The chewing apart of every facet of the game is being reviewed. The great plays of the losers are forgotten. The mistakes of the winners are forgotten.

The celebrations moved from the stadium to the ballrooms and spilled over into the offices today.  All focus is upon the winners and the losers. The Monday morning quarterbacks are in full swing.

For some only praise for the winners will leave their mouth. For others criticism will flow of those who won. And the struggle will continue for days to come. The gambling winnings will be collected. The gambling debts will be arranged to be paid or else.

Then it's back to the game of life. Just you and the struggle.  Just you and your stuff. Just you and your race against time. No one in the grandstands. No one is cheering you on that you can see. No one selling hot dogs to your fans. No parties planned afterward.

Just you against your self. Just you in the battle of the lineup and how you will play what assets you have. Yes, in the natural it is but lonely game where you are like a mountain climber climbing where there are no grandstands.

But in the Supernatural it is entirely another story. No game here. It is for real! No heroes of the flesh. It is the battle of the ages where you are surrounded by what the Bible declares as a 'mighty host of witnesses!

Jesus, the Captain of the Christian, the Savior of the individual soul, the conqueror of death, hell and the grave stands in charge. He has said he would not leave or forsake you until the battle is over and you win. He has plans for you to come to live with Him and all the faithful forever!

Yes, the Monday Morning Quarterback is alive and well. He is a deceiver. He is a mocker. He is a liar. He is a joker. He acts like he is as dangerous as a lion. He vows and declares you are a loser.

It's time to get back to my battle so I leave you with this. They are the words of Captain Jesus! With man things are impossible, but with God all things are possible! Now that's the Monday Morning Quarterback that I am listening to! Whose voice are you listening to?

In Retrospect

Looking back is sometimes a good thing.  Spending some time on the phone with a business friend tonight found us looking back at the service earlier on Sunday Morning. In both services it seemed that Heaven kissed the earth! We came to the conclusion that all was well and on the right track.

However, there have been many times when looking back has been painful and lethargic.  So with the pendulum of emotion swinging here and there on the issue the question begs answering. "Should we look back while going forward?"

Surely the scripture races to our mind, "...forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before..."  In reality this seems to press us to never look back.  In wisdom it makes better sense to decide what to forget.

The things that happen today that propel you forward become a part of your tomorrows therefore are in the present reaching toward the future.  The things that happen today that are not productive, not conducive to progress and those things which need release are to be dealt with and forgotten.  This is the decision of what to forget.

It seems simple enough to say.  "Aw, forget it..." It seems easy to say, "...think no more about it.." It seems easy to say, " Think no more of it..." But it takes a mental to decision to set a gate at the mind's entrance and refuse those things which would drag you backwards to come in and rule the mind.  Simply put, the flood of those things which bring pain as we relive them must  be brought to an end.

The Apostle gives a bit of a recipe for the proper thought pattern. It goes something like this. "...Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, if there be any virtue or praise, think on these things."  It will not be an exercise in futility! It will be uplifting as you look back in retrospect on the great victories of your past for they propel you into your future by blessing you in your present state of mind!

Tithe and Offering Covenant

A few years ago we used a collection of sayings in the time set aside each Service for the offertory. A request came some days ago for a reprint of this confession.  It was to be said daily to ready the mind to receive those things which God would be blessing the giver with.  Enjoy!

Tithe and Offering Covenant

"As I give in this offering I am believing that I will be an example of God's flowing blessing of ....

• The ability to work
• The availability of work
• Raises and Bonuses
• Benefits, Sales and Commissions
• Interest & Income
• Rebates & Returns
• Gifts & Surprises
• The ability to find Money
• Debts Demolished
• Royalties Received
• That which I have lent to be returned
• Favor upon all my endeavors

The Results will be...

• I will lend and not borrow!
• I will not withhold my hand of giving!
• I will prosper and be in health!
• I will have seed to sow when asked!
• Souls will be born into the Kingdom!
• His Kingdom will fill the Earth!

Dear friend,  I am believing for you to have the best Monday you have ever experienced today!! Drop me a line at bishop@newlifeinternet.net  to let me know your prayer requests and to report your victories!!!!

Yes, It is Monday!

Days and Nights are running a bit together.  As Sunday morning dawned little did I know that I would return to supper at 8:30 p.m.  After a Sonic salad was washed down with a glass of water my "spot" in the bedroom on the sofa was beckoning.  Having been in and out of Mexico for Thursday, Friday and Saturday my duties were piling up.  Then the request came and back to the dressing room and out the door to tend to the needs that arose.  Stumbing to bed after midnight, blog pushed away, sleep came about 1 a.m.   6 a.m. came much to early but the first prize of the day was to start at 7 a.m.

Forde Construction is doing a whole lot of work at the La Porte Airport.  Since we are building new parking lots the base that is coming up is sorely needed and at this point about 50 truckloads have come out.  Adding that to the 65 loads of shell base already stored on site we are still short.  So, Scott called and as he is managing the job for Forde, it was time to bring 20 -30 more loads to the church. 

One of the managing directors of the company is our faithful Ministry friend and brother, Don Mann. Along with his multiple involvements in Missionaries and their work worldwide we see him frequently at New Life services.  He and his wife are dear co-laborers in the cause of Jesus Christ.  His upcoming involvement in Businessman's Fellowship USA in the Gulf Coast Chapter is greatly anticipated! Thanks Don for allowing the Holy Spirit to use you in the great plan of Jesus Christ at 2104 Underwood in La Porte!

     

Closing the Door to Yesterday

"Were you born in a barn?"  "Close the door!"  "How many times do I have to tell you to close the door when you go outside?" "Gregory Lee, come back and close the door!"

Sound familiar?  It was a routine thought process as I was growing up. It seems that all children leave the door open when going or out. No one has to teach it  as the process continues with my grandchildren.

But the door does need closing. And what a valuable principle. We stand at the onset of a new year today. We awake tomorrow in whatever time zone we live in a brand new year! 

We will write the date with the old year in place of the new year quickly catching ourselves and rewriting the new in.  The new year will have to become a part of our learned process.  The new date will slowly be etched in our memory until it becomes a reflex until the new year turns again. Isn't there something to be learned here?

Today New Year resolutions will be made with most seeking to close the door on some unpleasantry of the old year.  Some will be made to seek and try new frontiers never accessed. Others will be promises to friends and families. Yet the principle remains. The door of yesterday has to be shut so the door of tomorrow can be entered.

Maybe it is true that we all need a mother or at least the awakening of our conscience to remind us not to open doors that have been closed.  To remember that should a door be open to close it quickly before the air of yesterday's temperatures rush through the door affecting the climate inside the new year's space! Like the forgetting of the date on the checkbook the memory chip in the brain has to be trained that the door has been closed!

So on this New Year's Eve are there those things you would like to put behind you?  A repentance? A failed goal? A habit demonstrated by stale routine? 

Close the door to yesterday!  Keep it shut and should it be opened again shut it quickly reminding yourself that it is a New Year and you have moved forward!

The prophet reminds us, "Old things are passed away and behold all things become new!"

Hearing God's Voice

On the www.bmfusa.com website is daily word. This word from Os Hillman is phenomenal!  Enjoy hearing God on this Monday, Monday!

Hearing God's Voice
TGIF Today God Is First by Os Hillman

Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him. - 1 Samuel 3:7

Samuel was born to Hannah, a woman who had a deep commitment to God. She was barren, but she cried out to God for a son. The Lord gave her Samuel, whom she completely gave to the Lord for His service. After weaning him, she took him to the house of the Lord to be reared by the priests. Eli was the priest of Israel, but he was not a godly leader. He had allowed much corruption, including the sins of his sons, in God's house. God was not pleased with Eli and later judged him and his household.

Samuel grew up in the temple serving God. He also grew up seeing the hypocrisy of Eli's household, yet this did not change the young man. God was with him. We learn that even though young Samuel had a belief in God, he had not yet experienced a personal relationship with Him. God called to Samuel three times, but Samuel thought it was Eli, the priest, calling him. Finally, Eli told him to say, "Speak Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Sam. 3:9b). This is what Samuel did, and God began telling Samuel important things to come.

Many of us grow up in religious environments. We go to church every week. We have a head knowledge of God, but we do not recognize God's voice in our lives. There comes a time when we must recognize God's voice for ourselves. God does not want us to have a religion; He wants us to have a two-way relationship with Him. Samuel was never the same after this encounter. He would know God's voice and would respond to Him in obedience.

Do you know God's voice? Can you recognize it when He speaks? In order to hear God's voice, you must be clean before Him and listen. Listen to God's voice today and follow His plans for you.