Greetings Aspen Grove Church Family,

I pray this letter finds y’all well. It’s hard to believe but Thanksgiving is just around the corner. This year has really flown by. It’s been an awesome year so far as we continue to grow in our Faith and Walk with Christ. We started October 5th off preaching a message titled, “The Cry of the Watchman,” coming out of the Book of Ezekiel 3:16-21 & 33:1-9. We spoke on the recent events from the trucking crashing through the Mormon church in Michigan, three people murder in Southport waterfront restaurant, the young Ukrainian woman murdered in Charlotte, the riots in Chicago & Portland, and to the murder of Charlie Kirk are very concerning. GOD has appointed watchmen over His people—spiritual gatekeepers, intercessors, and heralds of warning. These are men and women who are awake in the spirit, positioned to watch, to pray, and to speak for GOD. Today, the Holy Spirit is stirring the church to return to this call—to take our place on the walls and cry out to GOD for revival, protection, and restoration. A watchman is more than a title—it is a divine assignment to remain spiritually alert and responsible over people and territories. Being a watchman requires deep commitment, spiritual discipline, and a burden for souls and the destiny of the land. True watchmen carry a divine burden—they are sensitive to GOD’s heart and grieved by spiritual decay in the world. Though often unnoticed by men, watchmen are remembered by GOD and rewarded for their labor in the spirit. The watchman's cry must be heard again in our generation. GOD is calling His church to rise and take our place on the walls—to watch, to pray, to warn, and to weep until revival breaks forth. Are you willing to be GOD's watchman? Will you bear His burden and refuse to rest until His kingdom is established in your family, your church, and your nation?

On October 12, we spoke out of the Book of Matthew 24:36-44, with a message titled, “Are We Really Ready?” This message is from what Biblical scholars’ call “The Olivet Discourse,” mainly because when Jesus spoke these prophetic sayings… they were on the Mount of Olives across the Kidron Valley. Jesus began to explain how Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed, and of His second coming on the Day of Judgment. The Day of Judgment… yes, it really is that scary, especially if you are not truly Born Again. We learned that this day is a Secret Day because Jesus told everyone there that no one knows when GOD the Father would make the call. Not even Jesus nor the angels knew when according to verse 36. In verses 37-39, we learn that the Day of Judgment is also a Surprising Day. When Jesus compared the Second Coming to like Days of Noah, HE was referring to it as like it was just a normal, everyday life. HE refers to the Flood because the Day of His return will be just like the day of the Flood—it will come as a complete surprise. There was no indication that anything was going to happen, no terrible premonitions, no dark ominous signs in the sky or rumblings of nature. But Jesus, also, alluded to this day as a Day of Separation in verses 40-41. There was no indication that anything was going to happen, no terrible premonitions, no dark ominous signs in the sky or rumblings of nature. Two people will be working in the fields, one taken and one left behind, so therefore we need to be ready for His return. Even though you cannot know when this Day is coming, beloved, you can know you are ready for it! Let’s make it our aim, Christian, that when that Day comes and the Son of Man returns in Power and Glory that He will find us all hard at work for the Kingdom of GOD!

On October 19, Deacon Kenny Windham preached a message about “Faith… Even If,” from the Book of Daniel 3:17-18,25. How is your Faith? When your Faith is tried from worldly pressures, is faith strong enough to withstand it? Take Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego… 3 young Hebrew men showing the world that their faith truly lies in GOD. Don’t take my word for it, take theirs: Vs. 17-18, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. 18But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.” The king was enraged and demanded the fire be even hotter, and yet… when push came to shove, when the young Hebrew men was in the fire, the king saw that they were alive and well and even most astonishing… there was a fourth in the fire. The king stated something truly remarkable: vs 25 b, “and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” Can you imagine that? Nebuchadnezzar knew who was in the fire with those boys. So, do you have “Even If” Faith? In the Book of Matthew 8:5-10, we see again someone who is not a Jew believe in the power of GOD. A Roman centurion had more faith in Jesus than all of Israel, but don’t take my word for it… Take Jesus’, “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” (Vs. 10) In Vs. 13, “And Jesus said unto the centurion, ‘Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” Faith… it’s so easy to say but is it strong enough to get you into Heaven?

On October 26, we preached a message titled, “Do We Really need to See the Handwriting?” coming from the Book of Daniel 5:25-31. GOD is always at work, and His desire is for every person in the world to believe in Him. GOD will humble the proud and arrogant, but before HE does… He gives warning signs, and He’ll judge with Righteous judgment. WE spoke about how King Belshazzar loved to party it up, as it were, and make a mockery of GOD and HIS people. Belshazzar paid the price for abusing the gifts that GOD had given for specific purposes, but I wonder… are we using GOD’s gifts to us as HE has instructed for us to? Belshazzar saw the Handwriting on the Wall, and it cost HIM for his unbelief. So, the question of the day is this, “Do we really need to see the Handwriting” to get our attention? Christians should know the handwriting on the wall by God! It’s all in the Bible! There will be final judgment for all who does not believe in Jesus Christ! We need to conclude by asking ourselves, what’s our role as Christians today? What’s the condition of our hearts and spirits towards God who will judge? Always humble yourself before God! Remember, every time you drink something, think of H2O – Holiness, Humility, and Obedience! Are we telling people about this final judgment? Always look for opportunities so share God’s judgment of sin BUT ALSO His amazing love!

I hope these letters help you continue to grow your Faith in GOD Almighty. Friends, I believe Jesus will be coming soon so I hope and pray for us all to draw closer to GOD and get HIS Word out into the world. Together, let’s make Heaven crowded. I love you all but more importantly, GOD loves your so much more. Have a great day! Love Always,

Pastor Sonny

 

 

Hello Aspen Grove Church Family!

               I pray this finds y’all well. It’s hard to believe that it is October! September seems like it has flown by. September 14, 2025, we had our homecoming service, and it was a good service! We remembered sister Kay Grifffin, sister Liz Gay, sister Kathleen Warren, and brother George Moore, all who have graduated on to Heaven this year. On September 15 through 17 with had our fall Revival service with Pastor Tony Parrish. On September 15, Pastor Tony spoke on “Even the Dogs Qualify,” coming out of the Matthew 15:21-26. On September 16, 2025, Pastor Tony spoke on “None of us are Perfect,” and came from the Book of Proverbs 3:5-6 and Isaiah 55:8-9. On September 17, 2025, Pastor closed out our Revival services with a message titled, “The Cost of Salvation,” from the Book of Matthew 27:36. What a great encourage for this day and time.

               On September 7, we spoke on Matthew 26:321-57 with a Message titled, “Go… No… Oh?” We covered 4 areas that the Disciples suffered with, and to be honest, the modern church in America is repeating the same issues. The First problem we addressed was that the Disciples were Boasting instead of Listening (vs. 31-35). Peter is a prime example of this when Jesus was telling the Disciples that all would leave him when HE was betrayed and Peter boasted that he would rather die than to run away. Jesus calmly told Peter that he would deny him 3 times before rooster crows. Next issue we encounter is we see the Disciples were Sleeping instead of Praying (vs. 36-46). Before Jesus was betrayed, Jesus took three Disciples with to go with HIM in the garden. He asked them to sit, watch, and pray with HIM. However, as the night wore on, the disciples grew tired and kept falling asleep. Then when Jesus was betrayed by Judas, we see the Disciples were Fighting instead of Surrendering (vs. 47-56). As the head guard came forward to seize Jesus, Peter drew his sword in defense of his Master, and we see the last miracle that Jesus performed was healing the Priest’s ear, well at least before the Cross. As guards took Jesus to the head priest’s home, we see the Disciples were Following instead of Leading (vs. 58). Peter, for whatever reason, decided that he would follow them to see what was going to transpire… but he kept his distance, as to not draw attention unto himself. How often do we, as the church, do the same thing? 

               On September 14, 2025, we had our Homecoming Service and spoke from the Book of Daniel 12:1-3, with a message titled "A Tale of Two Homecomings.” The first Homecoming is that of the believer. In verses 1-2a, we see Daniel prophesize about the resurrection and the rapture to come.  We encounter for the first time the Role of Michael the Archangel. We see that when he shouts out, the dead in Christ will rise up first, and then those who are truly Born-again will be raptured. We all will have new bodies! No more “Snap, Crackle, or Popping!” How awesome is that? On top of all that, we’ll get to share the Bridegroom’s Supper with the KING of kings, and the LORD of lords! But then Daniel addresses a second homecoming and that is for the nonbeliever, for those who reject GOD’s greatest gift. In vs 2b, Daniel is speaking about the final judgment when the second resurrection comes, and all will be judged for their rejection of GOD’s will. In Dante’s Inferno, he imagined that hell would have a sign above the entry way. And in his book that sign reads: "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." The folks who are in the second resurrection have no more hope, no more chances to repent, forever bound in the eternal pits of hell. And before we closed the service, we travelled down the Roman’s Road of Salvation.

               On September 21, 2025, we preached a message titled, “Are you prepared for Winter?” from the Book of Genesis 1:14, Ecclesiastes 3:1, and II Timothy 4:13. The Apostle Paul was scheduled to be executed, but he didn’t know when. He knew that the season of Winter was coming, and he wanted to be prepared just in case he was going to live through it. From the very beginning, GOD was preparing us for our season of “winter.” When Jesus was born, GOD was already preparing for the end. The Magi brought Gifts, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Gifts and Gold were gifts for royalty, as were the Frankincense and Myrrh were ointments used for royalty funerals. All throughout Jeus’ ministry, HE was preparing the Disciples, as well as us, for the oncoming of season of winter. Jesus went through the seasons of life just as mankind does, yet unlike mankind… he did so sinless. Jesus said, “Come, Follow Me.” In other words, He was saying to us to be like Him, forsaking our imperfect lives and embracing the perfections of His Grace. Are you prepared for the coming of the Lord?

               On September 28, 2025, we came from the Book of Hebrews 6:11-20, with a message titled, “The Hope of All Christians.” Some people are, by nature, optimistic. It is their natural temperament. Others are, by the same token, pessimistic, and you often get what you expect. One man sees a rose bush as in terms of thorns; another sees only the roses. One man sees the dark side of every cloud, while the other looks for the silver lining. As we dug into the Word, we learned that Christian Hope grows out of Faith. Hope is said to produce full assurance that in turn stimulates eager discipleship (6:11), but faith is the mother of hope. For example, the woman who had a bleeding condition, had enough faith in Jesus, to place her hope that if she could only touch the hem of his garment, that she would be completely healed, and it was so. Christian Hope is the Anchor to which our Faith relies on. Because Christian Hope is a person… and that person is Jesus Christ. But this living hope must be claimed. It is set before all men, but possessed only by those who, forsaking all other offers of hope. That concludes the month of September for us. I love each and everyone of y’all, but more importantly, GOD loves you so much more! Have a great day. May the LORD bless you and keep you; May HIS face shine upon and bring you peace… the peace that surpasses all understanding. 

 

Pastor Sonny