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KVNE for Christmas

December 13th, 2012

kvneI spend a lot of time in my car; at least two hours a day. I try to fill the time by listening to podcasts, audiobooks and occasionally music. I generally see music radio as a dying medium. Only occasionally will I tune in to hear what is essentially someone else’s playlist.

For instance, when my son wants to listen to something and I’m tired of the same old tracks over and over again, I will occasionally turn to KVNE, the local Christian radio station. With the exception of a song that sounds like it could have been sung by the likes of Paula Abdul, circa 1990, I can at least trust the music will not contain anything objectionable.

By the way, I don’t know the name of the aforementioned song, or why it’s such a favorite of the morning crew, but it’s a terrible song! All sarcasm aside though, KVNE has been a staple of the Christian community in Tyler since I was a child. I’ve never been a big listener, not so much because I object to their message or ministry, but mostly because I’ve never been a huge fan of contemporary Christian music.

I do like the fact that the station is involved in a lot of charitable causes in our area. I do have to admit however, that over the last couple of weeks, I have actually enjoyed the station’s Christmas music. Every year over Advent, they play only (or mostly), Christmas music.

I prefer the more traditional songs and carols but I think the station has done a fairly nice job perpetuating the Holiday Spirit. If you’ve not already become tired of seasonal music, or you’re looking for a little Christmas cheer, you might be surprised to find yourself enjoying 89.5.

Hell House back to scare people into relationship

October 29th, 2012

Location: 14196 Hwy 110 S
Whitehouse, Tx 75791
Dates : Oct. 24-31st
Times: 7:00pm – 10pm weekdays
7:00 – 12:00 weekends
Tickets $8.00
Reservations: 903-593-1510
( There are usually very long lines so if you are coming
from a distance it would be best to make reservations early!)

I remember as a kid hearing my classmates talk about going to the Hell House. Some said they were scared by what they saw and others said they weren’t. Whether or not they were is a separate issue. I don’t think I ever went. I just wasn’t interested plus I’m guessing my parents weren’t interested in taking me and looking back I don’t blame them. The reason I say that isn’t because I think they would’ve been worried about me being scared, but quite possibly because of the theology of the Hell House.

If you’re new or unfamiliar with this annual event, it’s a Christian’s version of a haunted house which attempts to demonstrate the scary consequences of sin and scare people away from Hell. There are actors portraying different tragic scenes such as an abortion or a suicide in hopes of steering people away from that. Scenes will also include a voice which is supposed to be the voice of Satan encouraging the characters of the scenes to take part in a sinful act.

With all due respect to Tyler Metro (the church that puts it on every year) and those involved in anyway, I think we’re missing it. Many people have tried using the “turn or burn” method in evangelism but truth is, it’s not biblical. I don’t recall Jesus ever preaching that way. He showed love to everyone He came into contact with and knew just how to speak to them.

The point of Christianity is not to avoid hell, it’s to have a personal relationship with God and quite honestly, you can’t scare people into a loving relationship.

Also, I don’t see the Hell House having long term effects. When kids are faced with temptation a couple years after attending the Hell House, I just don’t want to hear them saying, “Oh, I better not because at the Hell House…”

No kids under the age of 12 are allowed in, which is definitely for the best, but I don’t think the turn or burn method will have long lasting effects on a teenager but that might just be me.

David Wilkerson killed in car accident in Texas

April 27th, 2011

David Wilkerson

Our prayers are with David Wilkerson’s family. What a great man and ministry. We thank God for him and what he did for so many people.

Mercy Ships Ministry in Garden Valley TX

April 28th, 2010

Mercy Ships
PO Box 2020
Garden Valley
Texas 75771
Phone: 903 939 7000

Mercy Ships is a charity operating hospital ships to help alleviate poverty and sickness in developing nations of the world. Mercy Ships is an international organization but it has its main operations center here in East Texas.

Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and grew out from Youth With a Mission (YWAM).

Their mission is to bring hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor. The  reason for doing it – to follow the example of Jesus, who healed the sick, helped the lame walk, brought sight to the blind and who set the captives free. Like Jesus, Mercy Ships will help anyone, free of charge, without regard for race, gender or religion.

As the name suggests, this charity provides their services using hospital ships. There have been ships of various sizes traveling to different places in the past but now the main focus is on some of the poorest of the poor – those living in Africa.

The ship in operation now – the Africa Mercy is a 500 foot vessel with a large purpose-built hospital on board – with 6 operating rooms, intensive care, labs, Xray and CT scanner and beds for 78 patients. 480 volunteer crew can be accommodated on board. The Africa Mercy is like a little floating community – there is a bank, a laundromat, a school for children of essential workers and even a Starbucks café for crew use!

Currently the ship is in Togo, West Africa. Recent port visits have included: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Benin, Ghana and the Gambia.

The surgeries performed include cleft lip and palate repair, tumor removal, cataract surgery, facial reconstruction and various orthopedic procedures. There is also a VVF program which repairs injuries sustained in childbirth and resolves incontinence for women. The need for this is so great in West Africa – due in part to the lack of availability of Caesarean sections for women in obstructed labor, that Mercy Ships started a dedicated clinic for this problem in Sierra Leone. There is an off -ship dental team providing much needed dental care too.

In addition to the surgeries, a great deal of training and education goes on amongst the patients, local medical workers and leaders in local communities. This is primarily health and hygiene related but various ship projects aim to tackle some of the underlying causes for disease – like poverty, malnutrition and water born diseases. This has included providing wells and latrines, immunization clinics, agricultural projects and partnering with locals to build homes, schools and health facilities.

Mercy Ships needs volunteers from all walks of life to become crew on the ship. Many come for a few weeks, some stay for years. The support side of the organization just north of Tyler also needs dedicated helpers to fundraise and equip the ship for service. Some of the staff at the office are paid but others raise support from individuals and churches.

Find out more at www.mercyships.org

Building Blocks in Tyler TX

March 18th, 2010

Building Blocks

1305 S Baxter Avenue
Tyler TX, 75701
Phone: 903-593-3522

Building Blocks is a program designed to help parents with the things they need most –education about childcare, support as they step into their new family role and practical help with baby items and equipment.

Building Blocks offers workshops and training, one on one sessions with a personal mentor, and a huge resource of helpful books and videos on various aspects of childbirth and childcare. Once you sign up to be part of the program you can opt to earn points by attending and learning and these can be exchanged for diapers, baby clothes etc. Building Blocks will also help their clients find larger items like car seats, cribs and high chairs if needed.

Anyone can sign up for the Building Blocks program and they don’t need to have a referral. Building Blocks has a large amount of clients who are pregnant or new Moms but others with 3 or 4 kids. Some clients have difficult family circumstances and appreciate the counselling sessions at Building Blocks while others just want to learn as much as they can in order to be the best parent they can be. Many come because they want to take advantage of the incentive program and get help with baby items.

A ministry of Living Alternatives and staffed entirely by trained volunteers, Building Blocks provides all their services free of charge. They have some bilingual staff who will help those who speak Spanish as their mother tongue.

Building Blocks has links with a local maternity home, the Pregnancy Center and an adoption agency. They will provide information and advice about lots of other local services. They have a great community support base in Tyler so are able to provide nearly new items in their ‘shop’ plus some free diapers and wipes for each client with a baby.

Building Blocks is located opposite TJC. Parking is behind the Pregnancy Resource Center next door. It is currently open 2 days a week – Monday and Tuesday from 10 am but sessions with a personal mentors may be more flexible. Large group training sessions take place once a month and include topics such as breastfeeding and first aid, tips for a contented baby and discipline for the preschool child. A free lunch is provided.

The atmosphere at Building Blocks is warm and friendly, there is a playroom and playground for the children and the staff want to do all they can to help you in your parenting role. Call Aimee if you want to find out more.