Preparation for trip to Cambodia

Today I was busy with preparations for the trip to Cambodia (March 31-April 9). The Lord willing I am to fly out of Atlanta, along with Elder Bobby Poe, at 9:45 AM. The flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia will be through San Francisco and Seoul, Korea. We will hold two ministers' conferences and be able to visit the orphanage for several days. I am really appreciative for the prayers of the Eureka brethren. They also made a collection of helpful medicine to take to the folks and children there. Hope to give you updates when possible. God bless you all.

Zebedee's Top 3

Zebedee gave me his top 3 preachers today.

1. His dad, Jamey Tucker
2. Lasserre Bradley, Jr.
3. Abraham Fulmer

Zeb informed me that Bro. Bradley received the number 2 slot simply because he has been preaching longer than Bro. Abe.

Trip to Cambodia

I will be leaving on Tuesday for Cambodia. The Lord has opened a door of opportunity to preach the message of Christ to the poor people of that nation long embedded in false religion. Too, I will be able to spend several days with the orphanage at Stoung that is supported through Pure Religion Ministries (purereligionministries.com). Pastor Bobby Poe from TN and I will travel together and depart the Atlanta airport March 31 and are returning April 9. I hope you will pray for the effort to preach and minister to the people in Cambodia. We will attempt to give updates when possible during the trip and a more complete report after we return.

"O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"

As we near the end of our study through "The Gospel of Mark" I am awe-struck with appreciation at the depth of Christ's sacrifice for us. The Lord willing our focus Sunday (3-29-09)will be from chapters 14 and 15 on Christ's sufferings and death as the culmination of all redemptive history. My meditations from Christ's death on the cross has directed me to the hymn "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded" by Bernard of Clairvaux (1153). Below are the words to the hymn and a link to Fernando Ortego on YouTube.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98LcbCkhqJs

O sacred Head, now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down,Now scornfully surrounded with thorns, Thine only crown;O sacred Head, what glory, what bliss till now was Thine!Yet, though despised and gory, I joy to call Thee mine.


What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered, was all for sinners’ gain;Mine, mine was the transgression, but Thine the deadly pain.Lo, here I fall, my Savior! ’Tis I deserve Thy place;Look on me with Thy favor, vouchsafe to me Thy grace.


Men mock and taunt and jeer Thee, Thou noble countenance,Though mighty worlds shall fear Thee and flee before Thy glance.How art thou pale with anguish, with sore abuse and scorn!How doth Thy visage languish that once was bright as morn!

Now from Thy cheeks has vanished their color once so fair;From Thy red lips is banished the splendor that was there.Grim death, with cruel rigor, hath robbed Thee of Thy life;Thus Thou hast lost Thy vigor, Thy strength in this sad strife.


My burden in Thy Passion, Lord, Thou hast borne for me,For it was my transgression which brought this woe on Thee.I cast me down before Thee, wrath were my rightful lot;Have mercy, I implore Thee; Redeemer, spurn me not!

What language shall I borrow to thank Thee, dearest friend,For this Thy dying sorrow, Thy pity without end?O make me Thine forever, and should I fainting be,Lord, let me never, never outlive my love to Thee.


My Shepherd, now receive me; my Guardian, own me Thine.Great blessings Thou didst give me, O source of gifts divine.Thy lips have often fed me with words of truth and love;Thy Spirit oft hath led me to heavenly joys above.

Here I will stand beside Thee, from Thee I will not part;O Savior, do not chide me! When breaks Thy loving heart,When soul and body languish in death’s cold, cruel grasp,Then, in Thy deepest anguish, Thee in mine arms I’ll clasp.


The joy can never be spoken, above all joys beside,When in Thy body broken I thus with safety hide.O Lord of Life, desiring Thy glory now to see,Beside Thy cross expiring, I’d breathe my soul to Thee.

My Savior, be Thou near me when death is at my door;Then let Thy presence cheer me, forsake me nevermore!When soul and body languish, oh, leave me not alone,But take away mine anguish by virtue of Thine own!


Be Thou my consolation, my shield when I must die;Remind me of Thy passion when my last hour draws nigh.Mine eyes shall then behold Thee, upon Thy cross shall dwell,My heart by faith enfolds Thee. Who dieth thus dies well.