Visit my new blog/website @ www.pauljhoover.com

God's Word Changes Lives

Today, I was able to break away from finals to go home and be a part of my church's Urban Burden Preaching Conference. Tonight, we were blessed by a powerful message preached by Steve Currington! I am looking forward to the Pastor's luncheon tomorrow with more great preaching by Pastor Dan Klaus and Bruce Miller. Tomorrow night, Dr. Currington will preach again!

I would like to share some powerful words from a terrific song with you.

God's Word Changes Lives

Those who know the Savior will gladly testify
How God's Word brought conviction the hour they met Christ
It may have been a still small voice but they heard the Master's call
Learning in that moment when they surrendered all

Chorus:
God's Word changes lives
Its power cannot be denied
The lost find salvation, the foolish become wise
God's Word changes lives

The essence of its message, the truth has never changed
God so loved He gave his Son that sinners could be saved
And whether read or preached or sung, once it has been heard
The authority of Scripture will leave no heart unstirred

Chorus

So changed of God proclaim His truth till every soul has heard
The power of the Gospel in God's unchanging Word,
Unchanging Word

Chorus

God's Word changes lives
God's Word changes lives
God's Word changes lives!

Empower Me!

We had a GREAT week of preaching here at Fairhaven Baptist Church. It was absolutely needed in my life. I am so glad I was able to go to every service!

Isaiah 40:28-31 - "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

I Peter 4:11 - "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

I was listening to this song today and wanted to share the words with you! I am still learning the amazing truth that I am weak and I will always be weak, but He is strong and He will always be strong!!!

Empower Me - Cloninger/Clydesdale

VERSE 1: Nobody knows how weak I am, better than You;

Nobody sees all of my needs, better than You.

And nobody has the power to change me, from what I was born to be.

Jesus be strong in my weakness, empower me!

CHORUS: Empower me, like a rushing river flowing to the sea.

Lord, send Your Holy Spirit flowing now through me.

Till I'm living as Your child, victorious and free,

send the power of Your love, empower me.

VERSE 2: Nobody's eyes see through my soul, better than Yours;

Nobody's love can make me whole, no one but Yours.

And nobody has the power to lift me, to reach for eternity.

Jesus break through all my defences, empower me.

No Demerits & College Work Party

Wow, it is great to so that "white glove" is over, and I didn't get any demerits! Yesterday started off by scurrying around trying to finish those "last minute 'white glove' details". All dormitory students had to be out of the dorms by 7:30 a.m.. Well, we all meandered up to the dinning hall, some later than others, and commenced eating (or serving) breakfast. All those who were on the losing team for Volleyball Marathon had to serve the winning team (the I happened to be on... I really feel guilty, because I only played about 10 minutes of volleyball).

After breakfast, we started the college work party which lasted until about noon. All morning, I cleared off sand and gravel from the roads and parking lots on the church property. At about 11:30 yesterday morning, I was busy "sweeping" a road when a big gust of wind came up and blew the pile of sand and silt that I was moving, right into my face. After the dust settled, I was left standing there blinking my eyes trying to clear the debris out. Nothing new, I've gotten dirt in my eyes before... after a few blinks its gone, right? Eight hours later, after rinsing my right eye under the water for a grand total of 4 times (5 minutes each time) and having my eye water and itch and still feel a piece of sand (or who knows what) irritating my eye... I decided to throw in the towel and head for the doctor (I really don't like to go to the doctor).

Julian (my roommate - thank goodness for him) and I drove to the hospital in Valparaiso (a small city 15 minutes south). The funny thing was... on the way, whatever was irritating my eye came out. Well, I decided it would be best to at least have them look at it. After a relatively short wait, the doctor examined my eye and gave me a good report. No debris and no scratches.

Well, I felt justified in going to the E.R. since I haven't been to the doctor in four years, and this was only the second time I've gone to the hospital for myself. You meet a lot of interesting people and hear some "peculiar" stories in the E.R. waiting room. Maybe I'll write a post about that some time.

White Glove

Tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., we will once again be having a "white glove" inspection of the dorms at our college (demerits are always handed out liberally...). We have been feverishly working on our assigned duties on top of our busy schedules. Thankfully, I was able to have everything finally finished before church tonight!

We had the Lord's Supper service tonight. The service was great... we even sang my favorite hymn. - And Can It Be.

Well, I look forward to tomorrow (college work party - 8:30-12:30) and the rest of this week. One more week until Preaching Conference!