Parade for Jesus

Citizens say walk the walk, stop the violence

The parade for Jesus which took place in Fort Deposit Saturday was considered a big success with vehicles displaying various messages ranging from stop the violence to Bible quotes lining the streets for two city blocks. 

Fort Deposit’s First Lady, Mrs. Geraldine Fountain, followed by the Calhoun Marching Tigers, led the procession from the Lowndes County Middle School to the city park. Once at the park, the Tigers performed once again, followed by a performance by the Clover Hill Baptist Church Praise Team, a solo by Rachel Porterfield and an inspiration poem recital by Mrs. Eric Scott. Various pastors and local citizens rounded out the program with inspirational messages, testimonies and prayer to stop the violence and heal our communities and our bodies. Everyone then enjoyed some light refreshments.

Mrs. Ethel Porterfield, parade organizer and stop the violence local coordinator, wishes to thank everyone who participated in the parade, made donations, prepared the food, provided entertainment and shared various messages and testimonies.  And most of all she wanted to thank God through whom all things are possible.

A battle rages between good and evil

“God is alive and well in Lowndes County but He is not alone thus creating a battle between good and evil” Porterfield said. “We have all been given free will and it’s up to us to choose which path we are going to take in determining who and what we become as a person.”

 “The question is what to do if you know a friend or family member is committing a crime?” Porterfield asked. Do we turn them in or look the other way? Do we become part of the solution or do nothing and be part of the problem. Some would say turn them in and let them face the consequences. Others would say it’s not their problem and stand by and do nothing. Neither are comfortable choices so what’s one to do?  If you know the person to be a friend or family member, we have the responsibility to do the right thing and to talk with them about there being a better way. Give them the opportunity to make restitution and feel better about themselves for doing so. I know of no one who felt evil of a person for returning something that was stolen and apologizing for their action,” Porterfield continued.

“No one is perfect so we don’t have the right to throw any stones. What we can do is share God’s message of love and hope and share what can happen if we just give Him a chance. If you know you are going down the wrong path and don’t think there’s anything God can do to change your situation then you are believing a lie of the devil, Porterfield explained.” She said all things are possible through Jesus Christ but if after giving a person every chance to turn a wrong into right, and nothing happens, that person made their choice leaving us no choice but to turn them in and let that person learn a lesson the hard way. “

In II Chronicles 7:14 we read, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

“God has a plan for all of us but he can’t help if we don’t ask,” Porterfield continued.  “It’s also up to each of us to not only talk the talk but walk the walk as often times we are the only bible people see. 

Two receive miraculous healings at event

Most of us have heard that God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. So when people of faith gather, and the power of the Holy Spirit is revealed, you can expect a miracle. This was the case here.  When Pastor Jim Helms from the Call to Life Church in Greenville prayed and asked those present who were experiencing pain to place their hand there and claim healing in the name of Jesus Christ, something miraculous happened. Not one but two people received miraculous instant healings.

Dan Therrien said he sprained his back a month ago and has been experiencing severe pain ever since. He said he had difficulty sleeping or standing for more than a couple minutes at a time. While at the park he said he had to keep sitting down to relieve the pressure and pain. “I knew the power of prayer because I’ve experienced many healing miracles so when Pastor Helms said to place a hand over the spot we were experiencing pain and claim healing, that’s exactly what I did and was instantly healed which just happened to be a month to the day from when I sprained my back. I immediately noticed the pain was gone and when I got home I was able to do certain household chores and more which I’d been unable to do for a month. And the next morning I noticed I got a full night’s sleep and woke up without pain. Praise the Lord!”

Mrs. Porterfield said she received a call from Edith Hale the following day to tell her that she too received a healing. Edith said she had pain in her knee for over a year and she kept waking up at night in pain. She explained that she placed her hand on her knee and claimed healing during the prayer and realized about 15 minutes later that the pain was gone but that it didn’t sink in until the next day when she was able to get a good nights sleep and woke up for the first time in a long time without pain.

“This just goes to show that where two or more gather in the name of Jesus, there will He be also,” Porterfield said. “It was obvious that God was sending a message. If we ask for forgiveness, then ask Jesus to come in and take control of our life then God can step in and help us through any difficult situation. All we have to do is ask.  (Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. -  John 16:24)