Christmas Update

One Voice Ministries would like to wish each and every one of you a happy and safe holiday season. From Thanksgiving to New Year and every day in between, we hope that you will remember our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as you decorate your homes, fight the retail crowds and participate in plays and musicals. There is no single event in the history of the world more important than the birth of Christ. Let's remember to keep Him at the center of this holiday season.

As 2007 dawns, Angela and I face a decision that will greatly impact our entire family. I do not anticipate this decision effecting any of the services of OVM other than a lack of personal finances that have covered most of the expenses of the ministry. We believe that God will continue to provide through this transition time and ask that you lift us up in prayer as we seek God's will and guidance in this matter.

Also, I would like to say that I am sorry for the lack of newsletters over the past two months. We have been VERY busy, but have two postings that should be up shortly after the first of the year. We will do our best to keep both OVM Online and OVM Tech News updated throughout the upcoming year.

In closing, let me thank you all for your support in our online ministry. In the past 12 months we have had over 45,000 hits and continue to grow. Correspondence has been received from all over the globe and we have even been recently recognized by a local web development company for our online ministry. It has been an exciting year, and we look forward to expanding our online ministry in 2007. If you have any suggestions or would like to help us in the maintenance or cost of OVM, feel free to contact us at admin@ovmonline.com.

Until next time

Shawn & Angela Howell

Shattered Innocence

There I was floating off the coast of Tybee Island. I didn't have a care in the world. I watched as ships passed by and kept an eye on my boys carrying buckets of sand and ocean water up the beach a little ways to make a castle. My wife was beside me enjoying the day as well. . .until. . .

someone shouted "Jellyfish"!!!!!!!

One moment I was in paradise - the next I was so cautious that I couldn't enjoy myself in the ocean. I was there for several days after this happened and never did relax as I had before that one moment.

After I returned to the beach house I couldnt' help but think about Adam and Eve. One moment life was wonderful, literally in paradise . . .until. . .

~~~~~Crunch~~~~~

God comes by for their daily walk and finds them hiding. Why where they hiding? Why were they ashamed of being naked? They had been naked every other day, during every other walk, but something had changed. They gained a knowledge that changed their outlook on life. No more was being naked natural, it was dirty.

Much of my life I've watched as people lost their virginity, started drinking, taking drugs, etc. It's amazing how a face one's countenance can change once their innocence has been lost. The way they walk, talk, act, smile, etc. is forever changed because they experienced sin.

The Bible clearly tells us that if we want to be happy (blessed), we must not befriend the world and it's pleasured, but stay in God's word (Ps. 1:1). Once you start walking (walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly)to the world or advice, you get comfortable with them and sin becomes easier an easier. You soon find yourself acting like them (standing in the way of sinners), and over time defending your sin (sitting in the seat of the scornful).

It's just not worth it. If you want to be happy, steer clear of sin. Once your innocence has been shattered you can never get it back.

~Shawn

An incounter with the President

Today I am writing from Atlanta, where only hours ago I was in the same building as President George W. Bush. Like him or not, it's always a neat experience to be in the same place as a President, I even went up to the stage after everyone left to get a good look around.

The security was awesome. I was told by Galleria Staff that the Secret Service had comed the building for three days previous to his arrival, examining every inch of the building - just to make sure everything was safe for his arrival.

When I first arrived at the Galleria, I walked past the fire trucks and Secret Service vehicles blocking the doors and into the lobby where dozens of Secret Service Agents, Galleria Security, Local Police, Deputies, Capitol Police (State and Federal) and other agency representatives eyed my every move. The Galleria was locked down for several hours as Mr. Bush and the Govenor spoke - elevators turned off, Deputies and Local Police (some with bomb dogs) swept the halls constantly, every exit had multiple agents and police officers blocking them and every move anyone made was closely watched. Cameras were everywhere as the press tried to get every word and movement of Mr. Bush on film. It was a pretty cool day to say the least. But something troubled me.

We take such amazing steps to protect the President of the United States, yet when it comes to protecting even the name of our Lord, we are too ashamed. While we do everything in our power to make sure that the message of or President is heard, we fail to tell the world about the most important message of all. Yes, I have to admit that I have been guilty of sins of Omission as well, but it doesn't mean I have to like it.

Won't you join me in giving our God the glory, fame, respect, security & publicity He deserves?

Until next time,

~Shawn

A Changed Heart

I don't know how it happened, but somehow it did. After several years of verbal abuse I found that I had grown cold in my heart towards her. She was constantly pushing my buttons and said the meanest things. My greatest hope was that she would fall off the face of the planet, but then it got worse. No longer did she live hundreds of miles away. She purchased a home less than a mile from my own. The sickness in my stomach was constant. My heart was wounded. I blamed every problem in my life on her and the trauma that she left in her wake. I had prayed diligently, but to no avail. I just could not get over all of the mean things she had done and said to me. Suddenly something in my heart changed. I found myself driving by her home every day. At first I didn't know why I felt so compelled to do this. It wasn't the shortest route to work, but for some reason I had to drive past her house. One morning I realized that I was praying for her as I stopped in front of her house. I didn't even do it on purpose, it was almost instinctive. Somehow my cold heart was gone. I didn't hate this woman anymore, I feared for her lost soul. I still haven't talked to her in over two years. She hasn't replied to my letters asking for forgiveness, but that's ok. I have forgiven her. As I now drive by that little house evewry morning I stop at the corner and look in that direction as I say a small heartfelt prayer for the soul of Patsy.

The Unexpected Encounter

Today I received an email that threw me off just a little bit. I get dozens (if not hundreds) of emails every day, but one in particular stood out.

It all started last week when I decided to purchase a light switch cover for my son's Mickey Mouse bedroom on Ebay. I am a regular Ebay nerd and usually find pretty good deals online. This time, it seems, that I found more than I bargained for.

I received confirmation that my product shipped and then another email from the vendor. It read:

"Hello, I just felt moved to say HI and thank you for being in the Ministries. I am so fearful for those that will be left behind and believe that will be very soon.

I don't know why I needed to write this to you. I just felt led to and I hope that you know that I get excited when I cross paths with fellow Christians. "

I purchased a $5 light plate and received a blessing. Sometimes it seems that we are alone in the battle, but then God reminds us that there are many out there fighting alongside us - although we may never meet in person in this lifetime. Thank you, God, for this little reminder.

Until next time,

~Shawn

The Davinci Code

I just finished listening to the audiobook for "The Davinci Code" and have to admit that I was somewhat surprised. I am not sure exactly what I was expecting, but I found the book to be basically an analytical version of "Raiders of the Lost Ark". The big secret of the book was that Jesus Christ and Mary M. were married and had children together. While I do agree that this viewpoint is heresy, I didn't find the content of this book to be nearly as bad as other books (or movies). I don't know why this book was targeted so strongly by the Christian population while others were left alone. In my oppinion, Harry Potter is a bigger threat to our society. Funny how the Christian community just refuses to say anything against that series - isn't it?

Anyway. . it is a good mystery, but wouldn't recommend it due to the teaching of false doctrine. It could have been better had he focused the story on another subject. Watch National Treasure instead. It's pretty much the same thing minus the blasphemy.

~Shawn

How Big Is God

There's an old song that I have loved for many years that I'm sure many of you are familiar with. "How big is God" is such an awesome description of the vastness and wonder of God.

One of my greatest fears over the past several years has been the teaching of the friendship theology and humanization of God by many churches today. Yes, I believe it is important to teach that Jesus became man in order to pay the debt of our sin, but we must not forget the fact that He is still an amazing and Holy God!

This afternoon as I took some time to float in the waves of Tybee Island, Georgia, I layed looking out to the vastness of the ocean and, as I always do when at the beach, thought of how far it is to the next peice of land. It is quiet an amazing thought. . . and ever greater still is to think about the God that created this huge ocean. "He's big enough to rule the mighty universe, yet small enough to live within my heart."

Until next time,

Shawn

How to grow a happy child

1. Be a good husband/wife.
If you are married, have a more active relationship with your spouse than you do with your children. Spend more time in the roles of husband and wife than you do as mother and father. Nothing causes a child greater insecurity than sensing that his parent's marriage is not the most solid, permanent thing in his life, and vice versa.

2. Have an active life outside of parenting.
If you are single, do not be married to your children. Have an active life outside of your role as mother/father. Be an interesting person to your kids. The well-being of a single parent is essential to the well-being of his/her children.

3. Expect your children to obey
Expect this calmly as you take their obedience for granted. Who is the happier employee: the one who frequently attempts to get away with breaking the rules or the one who obeys the rules? Substitute child for employee and the answer is the same. Disobedient children are not happy campers. Said another way, the most obedient children are the happiest.

4. Expect your children to be responsible.
Expect your children to be responsible citizens of your family. From the time they are 3 years old, assign them chores to do around the home, chores that mean something. You may find yourself surprised when you see your children actually take pride in their tasks.

5.Teach your children that happiness is not a matter of how much you have.
It is so important that our children understand that material things are not what is important in life. They need to know that family, spiritual closeness with God & helping others is where the true riches in life lie. This MUST be done from an early age, and must be reinforced over and over by parents, because everything in this world tells them otherwise.

6. Let television and video games have very little impact in your children's lives.
Am I saying that they should have NO contact with this type of media? Not at all, but both should be screened, monitored and limited.

7. Help your children develop hobbies.
Whether it's as simple as working on a train set or as complex as learning a musical instrument, it is very important that your child get involved in something that will help them define their talents. Experiment in different areas to allow the child to find something that really excites them. Most importantly, do it TOGETHER!

8. Teach your children good manners.
There is nothing as impressive and respected than a person with good manners. In a world where everyone is concerned with what they can get out of everything, manners teach your children to respect the thoughts and feelings of others, and is greatly sought after, even in secular jobs.

9. Stay rooted in Scripture
It is so important that your children know from BIRTH that the Bible is not just a historical book, a collection of stories, a book of morality or even A way to God. You must teach them by reading AND LIVING God's Word regularly and consistantly.

What's the big fuss about Narnia? (Updated)

I just finished reading the "Narnia" series, and have to admit that it has changed my outlook on life. I would never have imagined that a series of children's books could have this impact on me, but it did.

From the moment I began reading about Lucy's first entrance into the great land, I was captivated and engrossed into this story. It wasn't long until I realized I was halfway through the series, and felt as if I was living out the adventures myself.

I had read the first book, but barely remembered the story line. When the movie was released, my Pastor decided to read the book the children in the church, watch the movie with them, and then discuss the spiritual aspects of the book. We spoke of this on the way to Nashville last year and my mind became intrigued with the series. I didn't understand why he was so excited about the books.

Finally, a few months ago, I decided I would download the audio book and listen to it as I traveled to Savannah on business. I started the long drive with "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" and had nearly finished it by the time I arrived at my motel. I was so excited that I took my Ipod in the room that night and finished the book. I then rented the Pay-Per-View movie the next night. I was hooked. Aslan,. . .even the mention of his name demands respect in my mind now. What an awesome picture of our Lord and Savior.

If you haven't read this series of books, or haven't read them in years, I encourage you to pick them up and let these words fill your heart with gladness and revitalize your Christian walk. As exciting and moving as the book is, the greatest moment is in the last chapter of the last book - I won't ruin the story line, except to say that I was shouting on my way over the mountain as I listened to this audiobook. As the story finished, I could do nothing but pray for the rest of the journey home. WOW!

My favorite book remains "The Magician's Nephew", partly because it explains where the witch, the lamp post, and even the warddrobe come from, but my favorite part of any of the books was in "The Horse and His Boy". As the boy walks in the darkness, hearing someone beside him, he trembles with fear. There is no communication for some time, he can only hear the breath. He finally speaks to the one that is beside him and learns that it is, in fact, Aslan. At this point, he doesn't know Aslan, and is terribly afraid of lions, but this lion is different. It silently walked to the boys right on the journey. Later, when the boy returns to this area during daylight, he learns that he was walking beside a great cliff and that Aslan was walking beside him in the darkness to keep him from falling. What an amazing spiritual picture.

I did some research after reading the first book on which order I should read the series. While many arguments were found on whether to read in chronological order, or by publishing date, I found my own order and suggest it strongly.

I recommend reading in the following order:

1. The Lion, The Witch, & the Wardrobe (introduction to Narnia and the characters)
2. The Magician's Nephew (The origin of Narnia, the witch, etc. - but not to be read first)
4. The Horse and His Boy (This book will make Prince Caspian more understandable)
5. Prince Caspian (The last adventure in Narnia for Peter and Susan)
6. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Edward & Lucy's last adventure, introduction of Eustice)
7. The Silver Chair (Adventures of Eustice & his friend, Edward & Lucy's Cousin)
8. The Last Battle (The last book - AWESOME!!)

ENJOY!!

Visitors

When Angela and I married, I was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, NC. It was (and always will be) the church of my dreams, but the long drive to church (around an hour) made it difficult to stay involved around both of our schedules, so we decided to look around for something a little closer to home.

I began thinking back to all of the churches I had visited in my travels as a singer/preacher. My memories always reflected a church full of smiling people meeting me at the door wanting to help carry equipment, shake my hand, or give me food. It seems, however, when we walked in the door as just another person (and not a guest preacher or singer), nobody acknowledged our existance. it was almost as if we were invisible as we walked into many of these churches. In many cases, not even the Pastor shook our hand. Let me tell you that my oppinions of some of these churches changed drastically in this period.

It's very easy to want to treat a visiting minister or singer with respect and give them special treatment, but we have to remember that they are no more important than the poor man that walked in at the last minute on the back row. Our hand of fellowship just may be the thing that keeps someone from going to Hell. Join OVM this month as we make a special effort to notice every visitor, not just the ones that are being featured in the service.

Church Volunteers

Every church depends, at least in some capacity, on volunteers. In most churches you can find volunteers in the nursery, media booth, choir, etc. These special people usually put more of their lives into the ministry of the church than the church staff - especially considering that the time they give is in addition to their jobs.

As a minister it is often easy to take advantage of these people and treat them as part of the church staff, but we must remember that their giving is a sacrifice unto God. When volunteers find themselves without the tools they need to do the job required - or they are treated without the respect they deserve,the will most likely find another place to go and another church to serve in.

I urge you to love your volunteers. Don't just tell them you appreciate them, show them. Give them the tools they need to do the job right, remember, the job they do is for the King of Kings. Treat them as His servants. Help them to do their jobs to the best of their capabilities - and listen to their needs.

OVM News - May 2006

Shawn's Two Cents
I hope everyone is enjoying the new format. It is a great deal easier to manage and pulls in a whole new audience. I have received correspondence from folks that normally would not visit our web page and believe that this new format is an awesome new opportunity of ministry for OVM.

Please continue to keep my friend in your prayers as she fights to get away from her abusive husband. As threats and irrational behavior have come into play from him over the past several days against anyone that knows her, she is once again scared for her well being and that of her family. After all, he is a well trained and decorated marine. I guess they aren't that picky over who that honor now days.

Oh well, have a great weekend and hopefully you will hear more from us next week.

Devotion of the Month
I am a busy man. I live a busy life. I have a busy job, a busy church, and a busy family life. I feel at times that if I stop, the universe will fall apart. While I know this is not so in my heart, I have been going full power for so long that life tends to brainwash me to believe this.

While visiting Tybee this month, I took some time just to walk and listen to what God had to say to me. No deadlines, no prayer requests, no family to tend to - just me and God. As I walked the entire length of the island twice (from and then back to my motel), I enjoyed the time of silence. I could see the world living around me, but somehow I just felt like I was no thing more than an observer. I saw children chasing the waves, teenagers flirting with each other (I'm sure I was never that obvious), couples enjoying their time together, and parents putting their babies in the water for the first time. In the distance I could see people working their jobs, trying to earn money to take care of their families. I saw the world going on, but me - I just didn't feel a part of it.

Dr. Dobson of Focus on the Family once spoke of his daughter's hamster. He said that he would watch as the little hamster would try dilligently to escape the little cage while the family dog sat below the cage licking it's lips. The hamster was living it's life, trying to get what he could out of it all, not thinking about the unseen dangers that lie before him.

This pretty much sums up how I felt as I walked along the beach. For once, I was the one that was simply watching life go by. In that moment, God spoke to me as he hasn't in a long time. Maybe it was because for once I was silent. I didn't try to do all the talking, all I did was listen. Won't you try this month to spend some quiet time with God. Don't talk, just listen.

Web Page of the Month
www.fbcvision.com

We have been working on a new web page for our home church (First Baptist of Blairsville, Ga) for some time now and are proud to finally be able to present it to the public. Featuring sermon transcripts & powerpoints, an audio sermon podcast, updated church news, ministry information, and private items for members, we believe it opens an awesome new outreach opportunity for our church. Please check it out and let us know what you think.


OVM News is an outreach ministry of One Voice Ministries and OVM Online. For more information on our ministry and outreach projects, please visit us online at www.ovmonline.com.

Harry Potter and Satan's control over America's Schools

Anger filled my heart as I watched the Atlanta news tonight. A 15 year old girl spoke out about her experience with Harry Potter and how she was sucked into the Wiccan religion due to her school teaching from the Harry Potter books. She asked that the books be removed from the school , yet all of the teachers and many parents spoke out against her. "These books make children read." was spoken over and over again.

When Angela and I first moved to Blairsville, I witnessed the grip of Satan over the school system as I worked part time as a substitute teacher. As teacher after teacher began telling me that my remarks against the witch books were not appreciated and that there was nothing wrong with the books because they make kids read I was HORRIFIED. How could these "Christian" people teach such material?

Let's look back at the news report. What ifthis child had been converted to Christianity from Islam or any other religion that is accepted by our society by teachers using the Bible as reading material in class - making the statement that it ruined he life? It would be immediately banned from the classroom and nobody would dare stand up in defense. After all, the Bible shouldn't be in school anyway (isn't that what they say?).

Don't be confused by the rambling radio announcers. . . the books are not just in the library, THEY ARE TAUGHT FROM IN THE CLASSROOM and TEACHERS ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO READ THESE BOOKS WHICH ENDORSE WITCHCRAFT!! I have seen it myself. OUR SCHOOLS ARE INFESTED and TEACHERS ARE BRAINWASHED. . even many of the ones you sit next to in church. I have seen classrooms decorated with Harry Potter junk, many teachers even have Harry Potter screensavers and themes on their computers, and yet we do absolutely nothing. Oh, we will stand against those who try to take God out of the constitution and remove the Ten Commandments from the courthouse, but we don't do anything to try to remove Satan from the schools. We are a sad people.

I preached against Harry Potter once in my own church. When I made the statement that Witchcraft was being accepted in our schools, a gasp filled the church. You could hear a pin drop. Most people turned me off then. Brainwashed!

What is the hold that Harry Potter has on our schools, our teachers. . our children? Satan is in charge and witchcraft is alive and well. It isn't a game, or a fun fantasy . . it is real, and it is taking over the next generation of children. Many of our children will go to Hell because of these teachings and the teachers that defend them. Is it enough that children are reading? Does content make any difference? It does to me. Maybe you are a teacher reading this, angry at my post. My only question to you is how many children have you sent to Hell? God help us all!

shawn

Domestic Violence up close and personal

Every day I deal with battered women - and every day my heart breaks at how much damage can be done by a man trying to compensate for his inadequacies. Every day I watch women who have battled abuse for years, some who have even watched as they were powerless to stop abuse of their children. I've seen broken jaws, arms, legs, and most of all, spirits.

I have always had a heart for Domestic Violence, and have always been very careful in counseling these broken souls - trying to make them understand that they are special, beautiful, deserving and capable of living a happy and prosperous life. It is very hard to convince a woman that the man that she loves, and that she THINKS loves her, is really just using her to fufill his need for control, but I have seen so many come through.

This month all of my training, experience & education in this area became personal as I watched a dear friend that I love dearly escape from a tyrant. I had felt that things were heading in this direction, but it had progressed much faster than I had even imagined. Hearing the things that he had done were no different from what I hear everyday, except that it was someone I cared about being abused. Even as I write this, I must fight back the tears that have plagued me for around a week now.

If you are a woman or man living in an abusive relationship, I beg of you to protect yourself and your family from the agony that you are going through. You can live without him, it isn't your fault, and there are people out there with resorces and the heart to help you get started on your new life. If you have any questions, email us at admin@ovmonline.com. Stop the cycle before it passes on to another generation!

I love you all,

~Shawn

Welcome

As a test to the changing times and to make life a little easier for a time-short guy, I have decided to try something new for a change. Instead of a monthly newsletter, OVM will now be utilzing BLOGSPOT as a place that devotions, news and ideas can be shared. Let us know what you think about the changes, and visit us anytime at www.ovmonline.com.