Sir, I Wanna Buy These Shoes...

"... for my mama, please." I'm tired of that song already. So cheesy. I know guys at work that cry when they hear it and i'm thinking, "Really?"

Thanksgiving: (essentials for the skimmers)

• New photos! Album: All Hallows Even
• Fisher is healthy and giggles a lot.
• Racheal has started a new handmade jewelry business, Instead of Ashes.
• I'm a coach Reagan High School Wrestling again. Check us out on Facebook.
• A few NC churches have given us the opportunity to speak before them about overseas missions. We've already spoken with Enon in East Bend. On December 6 we were with Hyde Park in Lumberton and Riverview in Lincolnton. Then on December 20 we hope to speak with Great Marsh in Saint Pauls. Please pray with us.
• Congrats to my wife who is graduating from the Baptist College of Florida tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 11). If you're near Graceville, come on over.
• This is the last year for WWLMD? shirts. I have several left in S and M, but L and XL has yellow only. Get ya some of them apples.
• PrayeRequests below.

Turkey: (extras for the readers)

Dear prayer partners,

The last update i had sent out, we had just found out that we'd been invited to the Candidates Interview Conference in Richmond. Now that is just around the corner. So Racheal and i are taking a week and a half off work (A few days for her graduation in FL and a few more in VA for the conference). That conference will be pretty much the final step in the one and half years-long process of applying to be missionaries. Please join us and the Board of Trustees at the IMB as they decide when and how we'll get to West Africa.

Racheal is finally graduating from the Baptist College of Florida! She's getting her four-year degree (her four years took a couple of victory laps) in Biblical Studies. Congratulations to my wife!

PrayeRequests:

• Praise God for allowing us to apply to the IMB.
• Pray for the "S" people. They need Jesus whether we'll be the vessel that brings the Gospel or not.
• I've got the priveledge of having some deep conversations about the the Lord. One guy inparticular who i've got to know well over the past year confessed to me his struggle with internet p-rn. It broke my heart to hear it, but i know that the vast majority of my boys probably view it often. Despite that, i was able to talk with him about how Christ had freed me from it. At the end of the conversation of tears and smiles and walked away and thought to myself, "This is why i'm a coach. Thanks God." Pray for my boys. Pray for me.
  

†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass

Happy Reformation Day!

To whom it may concern,
Thanks for your prayers regarding the IMB's decision to advance our application process at this time. Two days ago we heard from the Board that we have been invited to the Candidate Interview Conference in December in Richmond!
This is great. However, it still does not mean that we are for-sure headed overseas in June 2010 (which is the earliest we could go). It doesn't even mean that we've been appointed by the IMB for overseas service. It simply means that we can potentially do both and that we have a "job request" reserved in our name in west Africa.
So, please continue to pray for our application process and for the vast lost among the "S" people.
There are a few things that could happen that would prevent us for reaching west Africa by June.

1. Inadequate funds - Please be praying for the upcoming Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the annual offering that represents over half of the IMB's sending funds. They have had to turn down more applicants in recent months than ever before because of the recession. There is a "cap" on how many missionaries can go during a given amount of time. We've already been told that we will likely be pushed back to the September 2010 or November 2010 Field Personnel Orientations (FPOs, which last two months before overseas deployment). This would be heartbreaking.
2. Moral failure - We know we are not above temptation. Please be in prayer for our stamina against the Enemy as there are some sins that would forfeit us from taking the great commission to the "S."
3. Incomplete paper work - So far we've done everything up to par, but it's a lot of paperwork and documentation. Please pray for us as we get forms submitted on time and for the IMB as they process those forms in an organized manner.

Above all please pray that God would bring the Gospel to the "S" how He wants to and when He wants to. Obviously, we would leave next weekend if the Board would let us, but that's not God's timing. We hope we can attend the FPO in April 2010 and go to west Africa in June 2010. However, God may desire that that spot on the roster be filled by someone else going to a people group in more need at this time. If so, we will wait... patiently.

Thanks again for praying,
'til the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass

PS. For more info on Reformation Day, click here. Thanks for having some gumption this day in 1517 Martin Luther.

What WOULD Lottie Moon Do?

2500 shotgun shells fired: (essentials for the skimmers)

• New photos! Albums: Fisher's first week, Dates and such, Fisher's 1st vacation, and SHOOT DOVES
• Fisher is growing like kudzu.
• We chose a people group to work with for next 3-4 years! At this point, we will call them "S" since we were asked not to share their name for security purposes, but it is an unreached people of over 1,100,000 in west Africa. PRAY FOR THEM.
• After submitting everything to the IMB we are waiting to hear back from them. We have not secured a job yet but we are faithful that God will work in this. We should hear something by October 30.
• Last week Racheal took Fisher to Key West to visit Gramps and Nonna. My dad took me to Argentina to dove hunt for a few days.
• Check out SMOi's newest missionary, Anne Tully.
• I read/heard a cool blog entry a few weeks ago by Abraham Piper about parenting like God. You may want to read or hear it too.
• We were given the privilege of speaking with a Sunday school class of Brookstown Methodist Church. Thanks for inviting us!
  
• PrayeRequests below.

1507 dead doves: (extras for the readers)

Dear prayer warriors,

Thank you all for praying with us over the decision of where to go overseas and with what people group to serve. We've finally made that decision after reviewing various IMB "job requests" from around the world. For security reasons we'll refer to this people group as "S" for now. Please be praying for these people of west Africa who have less than 0.02% born again. Compre that with the 35% of Americans that claim to be evangelicals. Now we wait a few days while the IMB "matches" us to that job request and decides whether or not to send us there. We should hear something by October 30. Please join us in prayer!

Several months ago my dad won a dove hunting trip for two to Cordoba, Argentina at an auction. Therefore, we made a "bucket list" venture down to South America for a few days. We enjoyed the rich culture of Buenos Aires for a day and then proceeded to a lodge in the country. We hunted for 3 days, and together we dropped some 2924 doves. It was like a video game. They just kept coming and coming. Thousands of them.

Don't think for a minute that Racheal was going to let me leave her alone with our son for a week while i scooted off to South America. No! Thanks to my in-laws generous gift of a plane ride her and Fisher spent several days in Florida. I missed them. A lot.

In any event, it's that time of year for chicken stews and fall colors. I missed this in Peru. I hear west Africa has a chicken stew, but it's not the same. Fisher is growing so stinkin' much! He's already mobile and can shove himself around with his legs. Not bad for 4 weeks old! Also, we are very grateful for all the gifts we've received thus far on Fisher's behalf, including clothing. But, in case you get the urge to buy us baby clothes, know that he already has about 40 outfits. If you really want to send something, call Racheal to find out what we need (336.978.1740).

PrayeRequests:

• Praise God for allowing us to apply to the IMB.
• Pray for the "S" people. They need Jesus whether we'll be the vessel that brings the Gospel or not.
• Pray that the IMB would process our application asap. If we are appointed by October 30 then we'll go to the 2-month orientation in Richmond in April followed by deployment in June 2010. If not, then we've been told that we will have to wait until the next orientation. That would be at least 3-4 months longer to wait while more "S" die without the opportunity of hearing the Good News! PLEASE PRAY DAILY UNTIL THE 30TH OF OCTOBER.

Quote of the Month:

Upon arriving to our hotel in Buenos Aires i announced, "There's a bidet! I hope i have to poop before we leave!" Alas, we left before i had the chance, but when we got to the hunting lodge it was evident that our God is a God of second chances.

In the words of Casting Crowns...

"Sing un-
†il the whole world hears,"
corey reid pendergrass

Welcome Fisher

I don't know what to say: (essentials for the skimmers)

• New photos! SMO8, Tattoos + Moto Class (recently found long lost photos from before we were wed), Bible Study Campout, Happy b-day Granny and Abel, In-laws Visit, and the one you've all been waiting for: Welcome Fisher.
• Fisher Stone Pendergrass was born 11:54am at 8 lbs 9 oz and 21 in.
• Thanks for your prayers! Keep 'em coming.
  
• PrayeRequests below.

I still don't know what to say: (extras for the readers)

Dear cheek-pinchers and their husbands,

As many of you have already heard the news, Racheal and i are the greatful parents of one Fisher Stone Pendergrass. If you remember, Racheal and i were planning on having an induction early last week. The doctor suggested we push that back, and so we rescheduled for Thursday, September 24. But alas, Fisher would not wait. On Tuesday night at 11:15pm Racheal's water broke and she began contractions within the hour. Racheal wouldn't let me have my fatherly right of driving her to the hospital so i sat shot gun. Nevertheless, we arrived and were promoted immediately to the delivery room and about 10:30 we learned that Racheal was fully dilated. For one hour fifteen minutes Racheal pushed as my mom, her mom, my sister, a nurse, and myself were screaming along with her. The doctor came in at the last minute to catch my son and gave me the honors of cutting the cord. What a thrill! Minutes later, after they cleaned him off, i presented Fisher to my wife, Racheal, and he looked her in the eyes for the first time.
They discharged us a couple days later and now we are at the Penderosa once again.
Please come by and see us.

PrayeRequests:

• Praise God for such a smooth delivery! Praise Him for our son. Praise Him for giving us His Son.
• Fisher has been so-so on nursing. Pray that we would be able to feed our son without having to supplement with formula.
• Pray that God would not let us be proud, but thankful. We have nothing to boast in except the cross of Christ (Gal 6:14). Fisher is a gift to us from the Giver of Life; relatively speaking, we have done nothing.
  

Quote of the Month:

I called Ma-maw, my 91-year-old great grandmother, to tell her the news. She inquired, "Is he white?"

Love,
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass

PS. If you're going to be in the south side of Winston-Salem this Wednesday evening, see you at the Derek Webb concert at the Confluence Coffee Shop!

Almost

Birth: (essentials for the skimmers)

• New photos! Fisher's 2nd photoshoot (a 3D ultrasound) & Aniversario #1.
• We have just a few days left with the pregnancy! As you know, he's due Sept 20. Here's a countdown. (Only 454000 seconds left! I can't wait.)
  
• We joined a different church.
  
• PrayeRequests below.

Inducement: (extras for the readers)

Dear rest of the Body,

Racheal's folks and a friend are coming up from Florida on the 20th to see Racheal push our son out. So... if Fisher Stone hasn't shown himself by then, we're going to try to induce. He's just getting fatter in the womb nowadays anyway. Stay tuned... Oh, and yes. We will post pictures.

As many of you know, the mission board we're applying to requires us to be members of a church that is affiliated with their convention. The Spanish-speaking church, Sin Fronteras, decided not to go that route, so we had to move. We sadly said adios to Sin Fronteras and hello to The River. Some of her members are old friends of mine and they are affiliated. Even though we have to jump through man-made hoops, we're exciting to see how God is going to use it for His glory. Check out The River at www.RiverChurchLive.com.

PrayeRequests:

• Fisher
  

Quote of the Month:

I was watching my dad rub some seasoning on a pork he was about to smoke and he commented, "You could put Joe's Stuff on a dog turd and it'd taste better." -Butch Pendergrass

When we arrive at eternity's shore
Where death is just a memory and tears are no more
We'll enter in as the wedding bells ring.
Your Bride will come together and we'll sing,
Your beautiful...

Amor,
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass

As i went down to the river to pray...

The Blood of Christ: (essentials for the skimmers)

• New photos! Since the last update we've added Fathers' Day Campout, Jungle Room, Independence, Baby Prizes, Baby Shower,
• Fisher's due date is so stinkin' close! September 20 = 7 weeks away!
• Our interview with the IMB guy went great. We are still a few months out before we know anything. Keep praying.
• Racheal got a part-time job with People Helping People (a government-endorsed agency that partners mentors with children with special needs).
  
• Racheal and i chaperoned at Snowbird last week for the Renegade Wrestlers and God did some amazing things! Please read on...
• I wrote a blog entry a couple weeks ago to explain what God's teaching me.
  
• PrayeRequests below.

The Waters of Baptism: (extras for the readers)

Dear slaves of freedom,

I know, i know. It's been a while, but i figured y'all have had better things to do than read my murmurings. We have not been still hardly at all since the last update.

We're flippin' excited about the baby. He'll be here any second now, it seems... truly so in the grander scheme of things, eternity considered.

Here's the deal with the IMB. We don't know where we're going or what we'll be doing or when we'll get there, but here are some things to help you pray for us:

1) We have a sincere burden on our hearts for the unreached people groups of this world and we hope to be involved in taking the Gospel where it is not. We'd also prefer to be in a rural culture of oral learners.
2) We'll have to attend a 2-month orientation in VA before we go. Possible orientations are in January, April, and June 2010. We want to go as early as the IMB will let us.
3) The IMB is getting a complete reorganization and is only hiring for there top priority missionary positions. Therefore, they are hiring a lot less new people, but they are focusing their limited resources where the most need is.

Do you ever feel like there are points in your walk with Christ where you try to share your faith with others be they simply reject the Gospel or put it off? This would describe the majority of my witnessing ventures over the last few years, including Peru. Don't get me wrong, God did some awesome things in those years, but last week tops it all for me...

We made it near Asheville, NC on Friday, July 24 and spent the night with some old friends, Justin and Rebekah Rhodes. We accompanied them to Bele Chere on Saturday for a couple hours to share our faith with strangers. Pray for the Unitarian lady we spoke with that gave us the cold sholder after she confused herself.

After that we went to SWO and hung out with old comrades for the weekend. Then Monday rolled around and brought 20 wrestlers from Forsyth and Davie Counties from the Renegade Wrestling Club. God did a special work in them. Many of them are unchurched so they didn't have any fears of asking questions most youth in churches fear asking. "Where did Cain get a wife?" "Why is mast-rbation wrong?" "What about people who have never heard of Jesus?" "Why is it wrong to look at p-rn?" God broke so many of them. I'm not in the numbers game of tallying converts (1, because so many have a religious experience and their "conversion" of faith is not genuine, and 2, Jesus told us to make disciples, not converts), but because i was very convinced of the work of Christ in some, i baptized the boys that asked me to. Please pray for your new brothers.

PrayeRequests:

• Please pray for us as we prepare to go overseas (see above description 1, 2, and 3 for details).
• Pray for Fisher's growth in these final stages of incubation.
• August 9, 2009 will mark our 1st anniversary! Please praise God for Racheal's and my marriage. It has been an amazing year, full of ups and downs. We praise God for all of it.
• Pray for your baby brothers in Christ: Seth, Trip, Jack, Paul, Drayke, Austin, Bijan, and Harrison.
  

I see Your there hanging on a tree
You bled and then You died and then You rose again for me
Now You are sitting on Your heavenly throne
And soon we will be coming home!
Your beautiful...

Love never fails,
†il the whole world hears,
corey reid pendergrass

The Gift of the Torah and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

After the first Passover the Israelites were freed out of slavery in Egypt and began to encamp in the wilderness of Sinai (in the year 1441 BCE; see 1 Kings 6:1; Solomon began to build the temple in 961 BCE.). Exactly four weeks later (see Exodus 19) on Shavu'ot (aka. "Feast of Weeks" or "Pentecost" in Greek) the Torah (Law) was given by God to Moses.
Around 33 or 36 CE (1470-some years later) the Messiah fulfilled the Law on Passover. Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." -Matthew 5:17 (*note: When you graduate from school or college you have fulfilled your requirements. When you receive your diploma you don't tear it up because you're done with your classes and so abolish it. Your studies mean something to you, but you don't go to class anymore. In the same way, we don't have to follow the Law anymore because Christ fulfilled the requirements to graduate from it. We take what we've learned and move on into life walked in the Spirit.) The Messiah freed us from the Law through His death. Fifty days ("Pentecost" means fiftieth day) after His death on Passover the Holy Spirit was given in Jerusalem (see Acts 2). If you study the two events associated with Pentecost, the giving of the Law and the giving of the Holy Spirit, they are very similar. One is at Mount Sinai; the other is at Mount Zion (symbolic name for Jerusalem). The people of God had gathered on both events. Fire descended from heaven during both events. There was very loud wind or thunder during both events.
But, go back and read Exodus 19 and Acts 2. The two Pentecosts are very different in how the people received the gift of God. During one the people trembled and were afraid so much they disobeyed God when He commanded them to ascend the mountain; during the other tongues of fire rested on the people. During one the people received the Law as a result of their disobedience (see Galatians 3:19); during the other the people received the Spirit because of their faith.
At Sinai, even though God told them to come up the mountain they didn't want to meet with God, but they told Moses to relay what God wanted him to say to them. Instead of communing with the Almighty directly, they settled for a middle-man (see Exodus 20:18-21). This is one of the saddest stories in all of Scripture. For 1470-some years the people were imprisoned to the Law by their disobedience (see Galatians 3:23). Since 33 or 36 CE (the death of Christ), Jews who have still clung to the Law are still in bondage to sin. It's like a prisoner who has been declared free to go still clings to the walls of his cell for fear of the outside world that he has not known for so long. So, since their captivity by the Egyptians after the death of Joseph (around 1805 BCE) the Jews have actually only experienced 50 days of freedom (between Passover and Shavu'ot, 1441 BCE). That's over 3800 years of captivity!
At Zion, the church of God was established. All believers commune directly with God the Holy Spirit. Every Christian gets to be a priest in Zion (see 1 Peter 2:5, 9), not just the Levites after Sinai. All of us get to enter the Temple of God because we are the Temple of God (see 1 Peter 2:5). If you are a believer, praise God this day because you can communicate with the Almighty and no longer need a middle-man.

"For you have not come to what may be touched, a blazing fire and darkness and gloom and a tempest and the sound of a trumpet and a voice whose words made the hearers beg that no further messages be spoken to them. For they could not endure the order that was given, 'If even a beast touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.' Indeed, so terrifying was the sight that Moses said, 'I tremble with fear.' But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. ...Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire. Let brotherly love continue." -Hebrews 12:18-24, 12:28-13:1