“Dennis Hall’s Monthly Newsletter”
“Merry Christ-mas “
December 2010
The Christmas story, recorded in Matthew and Luke, has become so familiar that I wonder if we grasp the reality of what actuality happened: An angel told a young virgin that she would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38). The angel then told her fiancée to marry her and name the baby Jesus, “for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Shepherds saw angels in the sky and were told of a Savior’s birth in Bethlehem (Luke 2:11). Wise men traveled hundreds of miles to worship the One who, they say, “has been born King of the Jews” (Matt. 2:2). Amazing!
Equally astonishing is that Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the wise men did exactly as they had been told. Mary yielded herself to God; Joseph took her home as his wife; the shepherds went to Bethlehem to find the baby in a manger; and the wise men followed the star. With no idea of the outcome, they all took the next step by faith in the Lord. Amazing!
How is it with us this Christmas? Will we trust God and follow His leading even when we face uncertainty and overwhelming circumstances?
When you and I obey the Lord the outcome is truly amazing! To follow the leading of God, to step out in faith and obey, is always the path we should take whenever we can’t see the way. Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading, (Oswald Chambers).
Dennis and Debbie’s Wedding Invitation: Sunday, December 26th, 2010 you are invited to witness another amazing act of faith. Debbie Stocking will be leaving her home of 58 years, mother and dad, sons and daughter in-laws, grandchildren, many friends, her church of over 50 years, and her career. She has taken a huge step of faith to marry a man only two years out of prison, newly appointed pastor of the new Recovery Church, first of its kind. Amazing!
The Recovery Church continues to amaze me. This is yet another step of faith that God is blessing tremendously. The Southern Baptist Convention have agreed to bless us with financial support, Billy Morgan, and our sponsor, The Freedom Biker Church, are a great source of strength and encouragement as they pray continually for us. Ray Ledbetter and the Gospel Beams church have also been a tremendous help and support. From the bottom of our hearts we thank you. We pray the Lord will richly bless all you do! The Thursday night young adult testimony and worship time was great. Adam Smith shared his story of God leading him to the outback of Australia and then China. To see his video testimony go to our web site below and click on testimony. The Boyer’s then honored the Lord with some wonderful praise and worship. We didn’t leave till 10pm. We are hoping to make this a monthly event for the young adults and to hear what God is doing in many of the young lives around the area.
The jail chaplaincy program has made a huge improvement, instead of one individual being head chaplain and making all the decisions; the jail supervisor has established a board of chaplains. They are long time Chaplains Don Beasley, Carl Herd, Jody Price, Billy Price, and short timers Jeana Meadows, and Myself. The board will meet monthly to discuss new ideals and vote on decisions concerning the chaplaincy program. Our goal as Chaplains is to help make the Stephens County jail a model jail through the power of God‘s Word, which will be a direct reflection of the dedication and hard work of F.L. Estes, Dave Horn, and the entire jail staff. Sheriff McKinney and the sheriff department are to be thanked as well for allowing such a powerful work of God to continue. They are allowing inmates the opportunity to improve their lives and use this time to develop a life changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
Steps of Christ Recovery is working with the same determination and goal for the Stephens County drug court. Sharon Cain and her staff have made our drug court program a great success and its leading the way for drug courts in Oklahoma. The recidivism rate is unbelievably low and the success rate is equally as high. This is because of the loving heart, and determination of Sharon and her staff. She would be the first to point the success to the recovery programs in the Duncan community. We are a blessed community indeed to have such loyal recovery programs and facilitators who truly care. I believe the main reason for this is because we have all been there ourselves. To each of you, it is my prayer, that the Lord will continue to richly bless your efforts and give you the blessings of Moses and Abraham, the two men in the Bible God called friend. They were also the two who interceded for the people. Dennis’ fiancée, Debbie Stocking shared her story Saturday, Dec. 11th. To see the video testimony go to www.deliveredfrommeth.com and click on testimonies. Jody Price will be sharing his story Saturday, Jan. 1st, 2011 at 7 pm, what a way to bring in the New Year honoring God. Saturday, Jan. 29th Walter Mann will share his long journey home. Greg White and Joe Horton will be sharing their stories in February, so look on the web site for dates and other activities.
A story is told about a family that went on a picnic by a lake. At one point, their 5-year old son waded into the lake, stepped into deep water, and sank out of sight. None of the adults in the family knew how to swim, so they ran up and down the shore in panic while the child bobbed up and down and screamed for help. Just then, a man happened by who sized up the situation, leaped into the lake, and rescued the boy. He climbed out on the bank with the child, who was frightened but unharmed, only to hear the mother ask with irritation, “Where’s Johnny’s cap?”
So often we focus on the small disappointments that cause us to grumble and complain rather than focusing on the wonderful things God has brought into our lives, not the least of which is His everlasting love and eternal salvation. When we complain about the small dissatisfactions of life, we’re asking in effect, “Where’s Johnny’s Cap?”
Paul wrote, “In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (1 Thess. 5:18). This season join me in giving thanks, “for behold, I bring you good tidings and great joy which is for all people. For there was born to us a Savior, who is Christ Jesus the Lord. Praise God!
Web: www.deliveredfrommeth.com E-mail:dennis@deliveredfrommeth.com
Phone: 580.606.3784
If you would like to become a partner in this ministry, please fill out the form below, clip it off and mail it to our new church, The Recovery Church. Please make out support checks in the name of The Recovery Church, P.O. Box 2117, Duncan, OK 73534 in order for them to be tax-deductible.
—————————————————————————————- Ministry of Dennis Hall Partnership Form (12/2009)
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( ) I will be in earnest prayer for this ministry. ( ) I commit $_______as a one-time offering.
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