IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH

I recall that all of my life, my momma was saved. I was reared in the church by her.
Nonetheless, early in my years under Pop, and the Gospel of God’s Free and Sovereign Grace, we didn’t see eye to eye. She couldn’t get past the teachings of the church that she’d attended for the better part of her life. She believed it a sin for her to speak, wave her hands @ God, or praise him openly in any way.
I talked her into coming by the Main Church one Sunday morning.
She came in and took her seat beside of Elder Kevin Jackson’s wife. Church started and ended without a peep from momma. After church Elder came and met my mom. Elder invited her to come home with Chess anytime. She said on the way home, “Elder’s one of the most strange men I’ve ever met. I could feel the power of God in his greeting and hug.”
Mom kept visiting for quiet some time (even after I was licensed to the Ministry.)
But she was always quiet, and she was somewhat always in pain as she had open heart surgery and never recovered fully from it.
Well, the evening of my initial sermon came. Elder, was presenting me and in the presentation Pop, wanted my family to stand that had come to support me. He asked who they all were. When he got to mom he said, “Sister Woodrum is on the end, and this is Chess’ mom. She’s no visitor, we waiting on her to join anytime now.” And he laughed with that great laugh of jovial love that you just can’t mistake.
Time went on, and mom kept dragging her aching body to The Main House. (Strange how God will make you Go, even when you don't feel like it.) One Sunday morning as the Holy Spirit blew through: We heard, HOLY. HOLY, HOLY, GLORY…
And it was loud! Elder and the preachers were looking over to the right of the church. I was on the left of Pops’ chair getting ready for the preaching. Pop pulled on me. When I stood up he pointed me in the direction of the loud praise. The Gospel of God’s Free and Sovereign Grace had loosed the shackles of the false teachings of man. My mom, stood in the midst of The Most High, and openly praised for the first time in her life in The Main House. After Church mom told me that she’d never knew any feeling on earth like the feeling of being caught up in praise.
Pop, had took the time to love my mom and after Church and Bible Study he would answer her questions. Always Preaching, and Teaching and being a Pastor. Even to those who were not members of The Main Church. (MY MOM)

He Could Quiet and Cast Out Demons

I was still yet a baby in the gospel ministry, and my Pastor was very protective of me.
My family and friends in my home life had not been supportive of the Church that the Master decided for me to attend.
I had been crying in earnest to Pop, because of the things that my Brother and Father and some of the extended family members would say to me. The whole race thing came into play for me at a young age.
Finally, I came in to the office after Sunday school and Pop immediately said, “What’s wrong son?” I told him that home life was hard. I remember saying, “Pop, I don’t want to Honor my dad. He doesn’t honor my Father.”
Elder hugged me up and son I’ll take care of this problem. I didn’t know how he’d take care of it, but I knew he would.
My mother listened to the radio broadcast live every Sunday, and would tune in to the delayed television broadcast the next Sunday. I was glad that Pop was going to take care of the problem, So before we went out for Church I called mom and told her that Elder was going to take care of my problem.
Church started and it came time for Pop to make his Pastoral Observations. He finished and waited to go live on the radio and said, “Chess is having some problems with his father, and siblings.” He is young saints, and he’s faithful. We need to pray for his family, and let me tell you Chess’ dad, brother, sister and anybody else in his family that tells him to leave this church because he don’t belong here. “Chess is with his people this morning, or he is with the people of God.” He is as much my son as any preacher at the Main House. He is my baby! Leave him alone. I hope that’s enough said. Along with some other things that he said, I think it was enough.
You know, when I got home momma said, Elder loves you. I turned the radio up so your dad and brother could hear Elder I knew he had something to say. They couldn’t believe that he said that about them. I told them they’re blessed that he didn’t broadcast their names.
From that point on I had fewer problems with those in my family that would cause me great hurt. His voice had Godly authority, that he could quiet and cast out demons.