Author: Brian Morgan

Several years ago, I was attending a city council meeting in the small community where I lived. Most of the posted agenda had been accomplished, and it was time for an open microphone for the community.

At Caesare′a there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion of what was known as the Italian Cohort, a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave alms liberally to the people, and prayed constantly to God. About the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius.”

Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I call to you,
when my heart is faint.

Today, as we continue to read through the Bible, we encounter one of the most stunning and powerful moments in the Bible. This story was the recent scripture for Rev. Linda Harker’s sermon on the prophet, Ezekiel. In the book of Ezekiel, we encounter the powerful visions of the prophet as the people of Judah experience deportation after Jerusalem falls to the mighty Babylonians. It was a time when hope was lost, and no one knew what the future would hold for God’s people.

Summer is ending and school is back in session. This year, my youngest daughter has become a middle school student. This transition has given me pause to think about my time in school.

Kennedy Coke is a strong and courageous young lady. Kennedy is a 10-year-old girl who is currently battling cancer. When she was only two years old, doctors discovered a tumor in Kennedy’s lung. She would later be diagnosed with DICER-1, a rare genetic disorder that prevents her body from fighting tumors. Kennedy has battled many health issues and has overcome so much in the past eight years.

Jason DeFord has lived a difficult life. Jason battled drug and alcohol addiction from an early age. His first encounter with the police was at age 14. From age 14 to 39, Jason was in and out of jail. He was in a jail cell when he learned about the birth of his daughter. That moment opened his heart to change. He said it was like the moment “when Saul turned into Paul on the Damascus Road.”

Labor Day is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It is often celebrated as the “un-official end of summer.” Today, people all over the United States will spend time at the lake, grilling their favorite foods, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and simply relaxing and enjoying a long weekend.

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me round among them; and behold, there were very many upon the valley; and lo, they were very dry.

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
before the “gods” I will sing your praise.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
and will praise your name