This Sunday morning we will step into a new series together entitled, "RIPPED OFF BY RELIGION."  The past few months we have been learning about our true identity as believers, then we spent nine weeks learning about how we are to live our lives out with a Kingdom perspective. Now we will learn to deal with wrong mindsets that the church has often collectively believed together. We will learn what it means to be ministers of a "new" covenant that produces life instead of religious obligations that are often burdensome. Get ready....we will be challenged through the Word to live in the true freedom the finished work of Christ has already provided for us as believers.

My sweetheart will be ministering tomorrow (Saturday) in Haleyville at an event hosted by seven churches in the city coming together to bless 80 unchurched women in the area. They will be blessing them with a 5 course meal, providing them with new clothes, and treating them like queens for the day. Mikki is the keynote speaker, so please be in prayer for her as she has this tremendous opportunity to speak into the lives of these women, as well as the women and pastors from the seven churches there. It is a major outreach ministry that these churches have worked hard to bring together.

Remember a few weeks ago, I asked our congregation to pray about a need we had to purchase a nice portable baptistry in which we can baptize people on site at Grace House. Well....God is so good. Recently, someone approached me and placed a check to Grace House in my hand for $3000.00 to buy the baptistry. Yeah God! It has been ordered and should be shipped to us within the next week or so. Thanks to the Lord and to the precious giver whom He used to supply this blessing.

I am asking our prophetic company to meet again this coming Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. at Grace House. Some of the team will minister to the Lord at Grace House and some will be sent forth with decrees to different places in the city. Please come prepared to hear and release. If you feel a desire to be part of this, then please come and participate.

Our preteen girls have scheduled an Ice Skating event for Friday, Oct. 12.  The Point Mallard rink is open to the public from 7-9 p.m. Admission is $6 and skate rental is $2.  Allison Fisher is asking one or two other parents to volunteer to drive.  We will ask for $3/student for gas for the drivers.  This will total $11 per person.  Plus we'll stop at a fast food restaurant on the way back for a quick snack, so students need to bring extra money for food.  

Preteens will begin practice for the Human Video on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 21st at 2 pm.  

Allison Fisher leads this awesome group of young ladies each Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. 

Rooted  in Christ
Ephesians 3:16-18

One of Elders, David Clark, will be in Phil Campbell this coming Sunday morning, so please pray for him. The Lord has given David a special relationship with Pastor Chris Burns and their fellowship there in Phil Campbell. You will remember that their building was destroyed by the April 27th tornadoes over a year ago. Bro. David traveled there with a group of people for their  new building dedication, and has been there for other special times with this wonderful congregation. Pray for him as he shares the love of God and uses his prophetic gifting in their midst. Following is a link of a special service that was held on the football field in Phil Campbell in which three of the local pastors spoke>

We are blessed to have Jim and Anne Bevis of CSR Ministries with us week by week. They recently returned from three months of ministry and time with family in Montana. They are treasures in our house and region and we thank God for them. They are part of a much needed ministry to pastors called Pastor Care and touching the lives of pastors in need throughout the Southeast and beyond. You can hear them each Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. on WBTG (106.3 FM) as they share "What on Earth is God Doing." Blessings to you Jim and Anne.

Please check out the OUT OF THE BOX conference for children and parents that is coming up on Oct. 5-6. This is like a revival for the family.

The picnic at McFarland Park this past Sunday was wonderful. Like ants, people where everywhere....mixing, mingling, eating, laughing, playing, loving, connecting. It was a great time of fellowship and thanks again to all who came and to all who served to make it a special time together for the ARK and GRACE HOUSE family.

 A few weeks ago at the end of a Sunday morning service I shared a need that we had been informed about concerning someone in our area who was in need of a wheelchair ramp to be able to enter and exit their home. I had visited with this family and accessed their need and then made the announcement in church. As soon as I mentioned this need in the service, two hands went up. The very next day,  Kim and Steve went to the home and built the ramp for this aging couple in their time of need. Thanks guys for your servant hearts.

I thought you might enjoy reading some of the testimonies I have recently posted on Face Book.

TESTIMONY: "Pastor Eddie!" I heard some one call out from behind me as I walked across the parking toward my vehicle as I was leaving Lowe's. I turned to see a couple coming toward me. I recognized them and stopped while they caught up to me. The lady began sharing what had preceded their arrival at Lowe's. They were facing a major decision later that day and were discussing it as they drove from their home across the river into Florence. As they talked, they agreed they needed someone to talk and pray with them about the decision. They both felt led that they should talk to me. Having only met a few times and not having my number they prayed and asked God what to do. The dear lady shared she heard the Lord say, "Go to Lowe's." ..........They drove into the parking lot, and saw me come out the front door of Lowe's. Yes, they were excited. Yes, when I heard what had happened, I was excited. Needless to say, I put fixing my garbage disposal on hold, and we had a little prayer time and encouragement time in the parking lot at Lowe's and sensed the sweet presence of Jesus in our midst as we agreed together for His wisdom. Both they and I left encouraged by God's goodness. It's amazing how good God is and the various ways He can get His encouragement to us. Just knowing you heard His voice can be so encouraging. May we all listen and obey from hearts filled with love.

TESTIMONY: Our whole congregation rejoiced as we listened Sunday to a dear lady share her healing testimony of how God had recently touched her and that an incurable blood disease she had suffered with for sometime is no longer present in her bloodstream and was confirmed by tests. We also heard a dear brother who has been in the ministry over 40 years share how the Lord had broken a deep depression off him that he had suffered with for the past five years. Thank you Jesus! God is so good and is so present to help us in our time of need. Let's all remember that with God all things are possible to him who believes.

TESTIMONY: A small group of guys met to pray. The atmosphere was rich with love and acceptance. The grace of God was obviously at work in the hearts of the men in the circle. One of the men began unloading a burden he had carried for 40+ years. Through the tears he courageously laid bare his heart and soul and the trap that had held him hostage for so long. He then informed the group, that he had never shared this with anyone. That day, the love of God, the Holy Spirit, and a group of Jesus guys worked together to see a brother set free from haunting memories and the shackles of condemnation. His shame melted under the weight of glory and his fear fled in the face of love. It was such an awesome sight to behold and I am encouraged that such sights are being seen more and more as we discover that Father is for us and not against us. The Gospel is "Good News!" and Father's House should be a safe place.

TESTIMONY: At the age of 10, He called me. I answered. He saved me. I have stood and I have stumbled. He has been steadfast. I have run to Him and from Him. He has never left my side. I have been both true and untrue to Him. He has always been true to me. I have believed and I have doubted Him. He has always been faithful. I have rejoiced and I have repented. He has never failed me. I have been confident and I have been confused. He has never wavered. I have loved Him and I have betrayed Him. He has always loved me. What a wonder.... I am His child. He is my God.

TESTIMONY: A couple of days ago, a believer whom I know received a phone call from a man whom he recently met who lives in Montana. As they talked, the Montana friend shared how he had been down in his back and neck for four days and that it was keeping him from work. He also stated he had been for a few adjustments and was none the better. At that point, the believer listening to the conversation interjected, "Let's pray about that right now!" "Sure!" the man in pain consented. Prayer was offered in the name of Jesus with both men agreeing. As the "Amen" was said, the man receiving prayer shared, "Wow, as you prayed I felt the discs in my neck and back popping and it feels better now!" Don't you just love the way God loves on people? Be open to use your phone to launch some prayers to bless somebody. God is more likely to answer the prayer that is actually prayed that the ones we just think about praying.