Happy Birthday Chloe Jean Crockett

Four Years ago God gave us Chloe Jean Crockett - our youngest grand-child. Yesterday we were invited to help celebrate that birthday with a party in Chloe's honor. She is such a special child! She loves everyone - and loves Jesus most of all. Her spirit is so up-beat...always. If you are down she will sense it and try to encourage you with a smile and/or hug. This blonde headed little bombshell will pray for you to be healed if you are sick - and testimonials are that Jesus answers her prayers. Last night, February 12th, she was so excited when she opened the box containing a bike helmet, knee pads, and gloves from her Memaw and Poppaw. While holding them up proudly, she said, "NOW Daddy! I'm gonna need a bicycle!" To which her Daddy replied, "Well! We'll just have to see what we can do about that!" So saying, he turned and went in the next room where he and our daughter had hidden the bike. Wish all of you could have seen her face when he re-entered the room!!!

Our friend and book writer, Irma Williams, had sent her newest book and companion CD as her gift to Chloe. The new book is the sequel to "Mama Said" and it is called, "Grandma Said". Others also brought gifts - but my poor mind can't remember them all. God is good. Life is good.

C-H-U-R-C-H

This morning my Mom called with a new acrostic for preaching purposes. She said she had been preaching it in a dream and awakened from sleep with this thought:

C - Christ's
H - House
U - United
R - Really
C - Can
H - Heal

Brother, Lowell, said, "Reaches Common Homes"
I really cannot remember what My first response was. But when I called her back to ask what she had said the first time, she came up with a new one again -- Reaches Children's Hearts.
I thought of posting this here and getting some input from some of you good preachers! Just jump in here and lets build a sermon outline.

Retirement Activities

Here is one of the few things I'm involved in as a retired person!

2008 -- A Wonderrful Year

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

I am thankful to God for the most wonderful year of my life, 2008! In August I retired. It is wonderful to be retired and to know that (if the bottom does not fall out of our economy) we will have a decent check for the next 19 years from our 401K retirement plan through the Church of God. I started to work for the church in 1961 and built 47 years of un-broken service. The first few weeks my pay was in the single digits per week. Frances graduated from UT and started teaching in the fall after we were appointed. Of course that helped us get by. While we were missionaries the salary was always very low but for the last ten years it was much better. (to say the least.) During these years I was privileged to serve at one of the highest appointed officers in the entire COG World Missions Department, which was called Field Director. What a wonderful journey.

First I served as evangelist and did the required "two successful revivals" necessary to receive Exhorter's credentials, the first rank of ministry in our organization. After pastoring my first church at Tellico Plains, Tennessee beginning on March 1, 1961 where I served for five years, I was appointed as overseer for our churches in the nation of British Guiana in 1966.

I enjoyed the strong support of the Superintendent, Reverend T.R. Morse who became a part of our family. I was honored to be asked by his family to be one of three speakers at his funeral last year. Our children still refer to him as "Poppa Morse" and to his widow as "Granny Morse". When I finally reached the age of 30, Brother Morse came to our home in Guyana and left me a blank copy of the Ordained Minister's (Bishop's) exam with instructions for me to "take Bible and Minutes Book and fill it out before he came back in a couple of months." When he sent the test results and application to headquarters the offices sent the results to the overseer of Tennessee. That's why, instead of being ordained in Guyana, I was ordained by proxy at the Tennessee Camp Meeting. I've been told by two different men that they stood in for me when I was ordained.

The journey has not been without it's difficulties, especially during the last ten years while I served the Church as Field Director for Western, Central and Eastern Africa. There are only 8 Field Directors in the entire Church of God denomination at any one time, so I felt honored to have been selected by our leadership to be one of them. I was a member of the International Council. I was a member of a special African Committee composed of Church of God and Full Gospel Church of God persons. My area covered 32 countries, close to 5000 churches, and close to half a million members of the Church. I was a member of the Ordained Bishops Council for 40 years. As I told the Missions Board the last time I met with them, "God and the Church of God has been good to me!"

A few nights ago I ran into a much respected fellow minister while out shopping. He has served in a much higher position than I and was elected by his peers more than once to high office in the church. This brother is still working and still drawing a full salary as far as I know. When I enquired as to how his Christmas holiday had been, he replied, "Brother! It has been a tough time - but we finally made it through! I'm so glad it's over." I was thrilled inside as I smiled and said, "Brother, I believe that this has been the best Christmas we have ever had." Then, as an afterthought, "Well, if not the best, then one of the best!" Now, please know that I was not rejoicing in the pain of my brother - but was rejoicing that God has given me a sense of peace and satisfaction and I no longer struggle with some of the things the men on "active duty" struggle with. If this is a carnal thought on my part, just forgive me.

Another thing - my family has been blessed in their journey. We have three daughters, 7 grand-daughters and 1 great grand-daughter plus 1 great grand-son! Our oldest daughter and her daughters have joined the South Cleveland Church of God and both sing in the choir. This daughter is also a Sunday School teacher at their Church. Plus, she teaches 2nd grade at a respected elementary school in this city. Her husband is the son of a preacher and is a trusted security guard. Our second daughter has joined Grace Assembly of God and she and her husband and their baby daughter actively participate in the life of that church. Her husband is a skilled craftsman in the house-building trade. Ruthie's firstborn daughter is the mother of our great grand-son and they live in our city. We have a loving relationship with them and get to see our great grand-son frequently. Our youngest daughter is the wife of the pastor of an Independent Church called Hope Outreach in Jefferson City, Tennessee. This is a Pentecostal Church with a ministry to the less-fortunate in Jefferson and Hamblen Counties. Many of the converts to Christ come out of the housing projects. I feel honored and blessed that my children have this kind of love and compassion for people regardless of their race and/or social status and are sharing their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the God of the Bible with them. In addition, we have two more step-grandchildren and 8 step great-grandchildren whom we love very much. They were all with us for Christmas on December 20, 2008. In addition, Mom is here in Cleveland, TN and enjoying relatively good health. I have a brother and two sisters who live in this area. The other brother has bought a place and plans to move here upon his retirement. We have a great relationship with each other. Also my wife's brothers and sister with their spouses frequently get together with us. What a blessing to have family close and to have a close relationship with one's family.

Another Blessing is the fact that we have good friends. This may be the subject of a future blog.

I'm also blessed to be a citizen of the United States of America. I lived in Africa for ten years and for the last ten years (while living here) have worked in Africa. I have seen there that nations who are ruled by dictators (even the benevolent ones) operate in uncertainty. Corruption among leaders leads to corruption at every level. Yesterday, here in America, we saw the peaceful installation of our 44th president, Mr. Barack Hussein Obama. What a privilege to live in a land where leaders are not chosen because of their name nor race but because of their leadership abilities. I think one of the most important principles of democracy was expressed by President Obama in his speech yesterday when he said, "We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you."

This expresses some ideas that I certainly believe in:
1) Don't meddle in your neighbor's business as long as he does not harm you.
2) If you do things that create crisis for us, we will work tirelessly to stop you.
3) We are concerned about the space around us (our environment) and want it to be orderly and conducive to living well.
4) Believe in the way you live; live in the way you believe.
5) Make a strong public declaration of your faith in the outcome of your lifestyle.

In conclusion: This has become a more lengthy blog than I intended it to be. Still I have not covered all of the reasons that 2008 was a wonderfully blessed year for me nor have I adequately covered the few things mentioned here. My prayer for you is that you will be blessed with God's great mercies as I have been. May you have assurance today that God is God; that God is Good; that God is in control of your life.

The Fred Brannen Christmas - 2008

Hailey listening as her Mom (Kimberly Lawrence) was doing the devotions. Don't you think she's cute?


Colby, our Ruthie's grandson, was dressed in a suit and tie because he was going to a church program after the party.

Great-grand-son Julian Atticus Cartwright was being fed by his Dad and Mom, David and Lydia.

Mom was here and held the kids spell-bound with her recitation of a lengthy poem that she has quoted each year for Christmas. It is called "Little Annie and Willie's Prayer." I video taped it and as soon as I can learn how I'll download it for all of you to see.

Kimberly, our grand-daughter who did devotions for us this year, used her "Ge-paw's" Bible. For those who don't know Ge-Paw was my Dad.

"Frankie" and Rick Durham our #1 daughter and her husband came early to help with preparations for the annual Fred Brannen Christmas Party.

Tabitha (our "baby"), her husband Rev. Phil Jaycox, their daughters, Rebecca, Hannah, and Gracie. Rebecca's friend is at the left. This daughter gave her Dad 10 pounds of butter as a Christmas gift. It was so fun - because since she was very little the girls have all noticed that their Dad eats too much butter on his bread, or potato, or pancake, or pop-corn, or whatever. Frances, my faithful wife, was/is so watchful of my health that she would/will caution me about using too much butter. Tabi, being the sensitive child, constantly tried to find a way to make people feel better in such circumstances. So her come-back was, "Dad, I'll buy you ten pounds of butter for Christmas - then you can eat all you want."

I would title this picture "Anticipation"!

This is middle daughter "Ruthie" and her husband Curtis with some of their family. Left to right, Chelsea, Crystal, Chloe (In Daddy's arms), Caitlin (in her Mom's arms), and Colin in his Dad's arms); Back row (l to r) Colby, Ruthie (who identifies herself as the "fayvrite one"), Curtis, Amy, and Terry.

All the kids and grands and great-grands got a hug from their "Memaw" when they came in the door. It was fun - but Memaw was worn out after it was all over.

Why Missions?

Why?

Why should anyone sell out everything, leave family and friends and things behind, travel to a foreign country, establish residence in a totally different culture in order to tell others the story of Jesus? We go - for Jesus has said, "Go Ye into all the world". We go because we believe that Jesus is the only means of salvation. We go because we believe that hell is real and those who are not trusting in Jesus for their salvation will die and go there. We go because we believe that heaven is real and those who embrace the message of salvation will live eternally with Him in Heaven.

The Hardshell Baptists are on record that they do not believe in foreign missions. Their theology does not permit them to interfere in what may be the punishment of God on a nation because of the sins of the fathers of that people group. Also, their view of pre-destination is so extreme that they feel that those in foreign countries who are predestined to be lost will be lost whether they hear the gospel or not. They also feel that those who are pre-destined to be saved will be saved whether we help or not. Check them out on Wiki-pedia by "googling" for "hardshell baptist".

Some are motivated by a mis-understanding of Matthew 24:14 which says, "And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." This verse does not mean the gospel has to be preached unto all the world in order to hasten the coming rapture of the church. In fact we are going to rule and reign with Christ for a thousand years on this earth before "the end" comes. (Revelation 20:6) After the thousand years Satan will be loosed for a short season and will go out to deceive the nations. (Revelation 20:3;8) Another reason I do not believe that we become missionaries in order to hasten the return of Christ is that the day of his return has already been decided by the Father in Heaven. Jesus said, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." (Matthew 24:36) Again, Jesus said, "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." (Matthew 25:13) I believe that this and other eschatological passages means that the date is already forever settled in heaven and nothing that you nor I do will change that date. The Bible says, in Mark 13:32, "But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father." The Father knows what day He will return. He will return on that day regardless of what you or I do - or do not do - about world missions. We cannot slow the day of His return; neither can we hasten it.



This is all the more reason that we must be diligent in telling the story to those who have not heard. Jesus could come today. We must go and tell the story before the end of the day.

Where Do We Go?

Where Do We Go?

Anywhere - Matthew 28:19 Our field is “the world”. One may go anywhere there are lost people and “do” missionary work. 2 Tim. 4:5 “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." Because of these considerations I have often stated that one does not need a "call" or does not have to "feel led" to go to the field. Jesus has called us all to go into all the world.

Where do you feel led to go?
My call is first “Into All The World”. While I believe that it is legitimate for any saved, born-again, Holy Ghost filled individual to say at any time that he is going to the missions field to do something for the Lord, I also believe that God does call certain individuals for certain tasks at certain times to certain places. Indeed, "God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform". So how do we receive our call?

Dreams and Visions
I'm somewhat skeptical of dreamers because I've seen dreamers attempt to manipulate others through their dreams. I've also seen visionaries put people under financial bondage. However, despite my not wanting to accept every dream or vision as from the Lord, Holy Scripture teaches us that God does reveal things to his servants through dreams. God showed my wife, Frances, a picture of a map of Kenya in a dream. God allowed my mother, Bonnie Jones Brannen, to see herself in an airplane, flying over the Ngong Hills into the Airport in Kenya before she was certain that there was a place called Kenya. She said that in her dream she spelled it, K-E-N-Y-A. When she had awakened she asked my Ordained Bishop father whether there was a country anywhere in the world called Kenya. When he said, “Yes. It’s in Africa.” She said, “Well, I’m going there someday.” All of this happened at least two years before I ever considered going to Kenya with my wife to live and work as a missionary for almost ten full years.

Another way that God speaks to people is by showing them a need.
I really feel that this is how my calling came. Through circumstances that made me feel I needed to go as chaperone for my wife and mother, I visited Kenya for 3 weeks in 1987 and saw several needs there in our churches where I felt if I were there I could make a positive difference. Out of that (and the request from the people on the ground there) I did pray for God to meet that need and to show me if he wanted me to go to Kenya in person. I sought the Lord's guidance. In two weeks time the leadership in World Missions called me and asked me if I would pray about going to Kenya and becoming the overseer of our churches in that country.

God also speaks to us through our leaders.

We must also deal here with the issue of submission. Submission is to God first. Like the disciples, we will “obey God rather than men”. However, we are also told that we are to submit to those who are over us in the Lord. More strongly – we are told to “obey” spiritual leaders in the church. Hebrews 13:17 “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Compare also, 1 Peter 5:5 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

My experience has been that when a man or woman gets to the point that they will not submit to the church leadership they are soon destined for personal failure. As Gene Rice often said, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” James said, “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted – but he that exalteth himself shall be abased.” So when the leadership of your church sees a need and invites you to help in an area because they know some of your skills you can go with confidence.

This idea of discipleship and obedience can be deceptive. The whole shepherding movement fed of the idea that there was a person who had extra special insight and the disciples must get advice from that leader before doing anything. They would seek his input on the car they would buy, the home they would live in, the person they would marry, and many other items of personal choice. For me that is extreme. But let us look at it with great care. Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world and make disciples, and to teach those disciples whatever Jesus had taught them. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I am not a disciple of other men – although at least one wanted me to be his personal “disciple”. That particular individual came to Kenya (and the rest of Africa) saying that “from today, we no longer have “members” of the church. We are now all “disciples”. Now – please understand that men can teach me, and have taught me many things about the work of God, but when I reach a certain point in my relationship with my fellow minister he has to know he is not my final authority. Jesus is my Master!

I’ve had missionaries under my supervision who refused to do what I asked them to do. It is o.k. with me - as long as they are sure of themselves and conduct themselves with honor and in a respectful manner when they disagree with me. It is my sincere desire for them to follow Jesus. I will never knowingly ask another person to do anything contrary to His will. However leaders do have the right and responsibility to give direction to missionaries. Maybe this point will be better understood through one example. A young missionary couple had learned Spanish and wanted ernestly to be assigned to a Spanish speaking country in Latin America. The director of missions saw a need in Africa that he wanted them to meet. That missionary told me she did not want to go to Africa, but went out of obedience. As a result one of the greatest ministries to orphans and street kids in Africa was birthed in Zambia by Rodger and Saundra Wikelund. It is called Emma's Kids.