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The Cause Was from The Lord

”And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:” | Hebrews 11: 32

The reason Rehoboam rejected the wise counsel of the elders and followed the foolish counsel of the young men was this… “The cause was from the Lord” (1 Kings 12: 15)

God is completely sovereign over all of the free and un-coerced actions of men.

How thankful we are for that!

~ Pastor Todd Nibert

Click here to listen to the message “Jephthah’s Vow”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 14 March, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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Mechanics of Grace?

”Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” | 1 Corinthians 1: 20-24

Where can I go this Lord’s Day and hear the mercy of God, not the mechanics of grace?

Where can I go and hear the love of Christ and not the law of God for saints?

Where can I go and hear of the righteousness of God fulfilled by Christ and not the righteousness of the creature to be rewarded by God?

Let us say, by God’s grace, this will be the place and I will be the preacher.

The message will not be flowery but full of grace; it will not be with enticing words of man’s wisdom but the sovereign mercy of God to helpless sinners in a language all men understand.

Let the scholars, theologians and authors go elsewhere to have their intellects “challenged.”

Lord make me Thy voice to thy people!

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “We Preach Christ Crucified”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 2 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Where Does Grace Lead?

”And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,” | 2 Thessalonians 1: 7

Some people would have us believe that if we preach pure grace it will lead people to licentious living.

They say if we remove the law as a guide or motivation for Christian living, people will have nothing to keep them faithful.

They say to tell a person to just follow Christ doesn’t provide enough structure and will lead people to careless living.

Is that where the gospel of God’s free grace in Christ Jesus leads?

Grace preachers have always been, and always will be, falsely accused of this devilish lie.

The apostle Paul spent much of his time defending the gospel of grace against this lawmongers view of self- righteousness. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.” (Romans 6: 15)

Grace does not lead to sin.

“For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:” (2 Corinthians 5: 14)

Grace leads to Christ.

“The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.” (1 Corinthians 15: 56)

Truth is ‘the strength of sin is the law.’

Show me a man preaching the law, and I’ll show you a people with no hope for their sin; its penalty, power, and ultimately its presence.

~ Pastor Greg Elmquist

Click here to listen to the message “Rest For The Troubled”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 14 March, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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Demand And Supply

”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” | 2 Timothy 4: 2-3

Paul predicted that the time would come when people would not receive the gospel of grace.

Motivated by their carnal desires, they will, therefore, seek out, find and listen to those preachers whose objective is to tell folks exactly what they want to hear. Surely the time about which Paul prophesied has arrived. The philosophy of consumerism has been carried over from the marketplace into the church building.

The rule of the day among false religionists is demand and supply.

Whatever the congregation demands, that’s what lying prophets are ready to supply. The average preacher today may be likened to a clever businessman. He is consumer oriented and motivated by personal success. His job is to find out what religious consumers want and then provide it for them.

That is the secret to success in the business world, and that is the secret to making it big in the religious arena.

There are multitudes of preachers saying virtually anything anybody would want to hear. The demand creates the supply. The hearers determine what their preachers will say and do. As one of the old writers said, “If the people desire a golden calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found.”

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2 Timothy 4: 2)

Though most preachers are ready to supply the demands of the multitudes, the Lord still has His servants who are faithful to their commission which is summed up in Scripture: “preach the Word.”

God’s men boldly proclaim the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.

God’s men seek the approval of God, not the applause of men.

God’s men have no selfish ambitions; they have set no lofty, personal goals.

God’s men seek the glory of God in all things and, as Paul told the Corinthians, they are “determined not to know anything among you save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

God’s men faithfully set forth God as being absolutely sovereign in all that He does.

“But I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” (Jonah 2: 9)

God’s men proclaim that “salvation is of the LORD”

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12: 1)

God’s men proclaim man’s total depravity and his utter inability to save himself or make himself acceptable before a holy God.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12: 2)

God’s men proclaim the successful, redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ for His people.

“But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Corinthians 8: 6)

God’s men proclaim the regenerating grace of the Holy Spirit. Boldly and unashamedly they declare that “Christ is all.” He is all to be known, all to be seen in the Bible and all to be preached from the pulpit.

“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” (Romans 3: 26)

God’s men proclaim how God can be Just and justify the ungodly through the doing and the dying of the Lord Jesus Christ.

When their hearers are amening the sermon, they preach Christ crucified.

When their hearers are ready to stone them to death because of the gospel they proclaim, they just continue preaching the Word of the Lord in obedience to their Master.

The world’s rule of demand and supply means nothing to them.

The message God has supplied and demands them to preach, that is what they proclaim.

~ Pastor Jim Byrd

Click here to listen to the message “A Promise That Ought To Revive”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

FreeGraceRadio.com Bulletin Article date: 1 February, 2008 | Previous post date: n/a | Danville, Kentuky

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Contemporary Religion

”Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.” | Song Of Solomon 1: 4

NEVER in the history of the world has there been so much religious activity.

Religious men and women, young and old, are actively involved in political, social, and moral issues in the name of God (and for the good they do, I am truly thankful).

In the matter of “soul-winning,” evangelists, missionaries, pastors and personal witnesses “compass sea and land” (Matthew 23: 15) in their efforts to “win” sinners to Jesus (and for the success they have, generally speaking, I am truly sorry!).

The true “soul-winners” are those evangelists, missionaries, pastors and witnesses whose chief endeavor is to set forth the Lord Jesus Christ and him crucified before sinners as He is revealed in the Word of God, leaving the results to God the Spirit.

”O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?” (Galatians 3: 1)

The Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of Glory, is not standing by someplace waiting for “soul-winners” to bring sinners to Himself.

”For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2: 2)

The Christ of God comes to the sinners He saves.

Where they are, as they are, through the preached Word, opening their hearts and taking up residence there by the Holy Spirit.

Sinners cannot come to the Lord Jesus, nor can they be “won” to the Lord Jesus by the wiles of some alleged “soul-winner.”

”Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.” (Psalm 110: 3)

The Lord Jesus Christ came into this world to SAVE sinners, and He is doing just that!

He pursues, subdues and renews whom He wills. ”For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.” (John 5: 21)

“Salvation is of the Lord.”

”No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6: 44,45)

“Lord Jesus, come quickly.” Come to your saints here today. Come to lost sinners here today. “Draw us and we will run after Thee”

~ Pastor Maurice Montgomery

Click here to listen to the message “The Words of The Preacher”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 April, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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A Believer Wouldn’t Do That

”What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:” | Psalm 8: 4-6

Let us never again be guilty of saying, “A believer wouldn’t do that.”

Oh yes they will!

When we say such a thing we are trying to take some credit for our righteousness.

A believer will commit any sin an unbeliever will commit with the exception of apostacy (and only because God keeps them from it).

David, the man after God’s own heart, committed adultery and murder and didn’t even feel guilty about it for a time.

“Just Lot” (2 Peter 2: 7) chose to separate from Abraham and live in the well watered plain of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Peter who confessed all of his hope was in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, also denied he even knew the Lord Jesus and later, by his actions, denied salvation by grace without works when he quit eating and fellowshipping with the Gentiles when some Jews arrived at the dinner.

Yes, the strongest of believers will commit any kind of sin.

So rather than say, “A believer wouldn’t do that”, let’s say “I am nothing but sin but Christ is my righteousness and He will never fail me.”

~ Pastor Frank Tate

Click here to listen to the message “Why Would God Think On Man?”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Hurricane Road Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 14 March, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a | Cattletsburg, Kentucky

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Worthy Is The Lamb

”And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.” | Revelation 5: 11-12

Let us arm ourselves, above all, with clear, sound views of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of the salvation that is in Him.

He is “the image of the invisible God,” “the express image of His person,” and the true preservative against all idolatry, when truly known. Let us build ourselves deep down on the strong foundation of His finished work upon the cross. Let us settle it firmly in our minds that Christ Jesus has done everything necessary in order to present us without spot before the throne of God, and that simple, child like faith on our part is the only thing required to give us an entire interest in the work of Christ. Let us not doubt that, having this faith, we are completely justified in the sight of God; that we shall never be more justified than we are now if we live to the age of Methuselah and do the works of the Apostle Paul; and that we CAN ADD NOTHING to that complete justification by any acts, deeds, words, performances, fasting, prayers, giving to those in need, attendance on ordinances, nor anything else of our own.

Above all, let us keep up continual communion with the person of the Lord Jesus! Let us abide in Him daily, feed on Him daily, look to Him daily, lean on Him daily, live upon Him daily, draw from His fullness daily. Let us realize this, and the idea of other mediators, other comforters, other intercessors will seem utterly absurd. “What need is there?” we shall reply. “I have Christ, and in Him I have all. What have I to do with idols? I have Christ Jesus in my heart, Christ Jesus in the Bible, and Christ Jesus in heaven; and I want nothing more!” — J.C. Ryle (1816-1900, English Preacher)

Martin Luther said in effect that if a man was ashamed of the one truth that was under attack in his own day, then he was ashamed of the truth period. It seems that one truth under attack today is God’s right to determine what is morally right and what is morally wrong, what is sin and what is not. A teen ager just told me this week that there was no such thing as filthy language; it’s only filthy to you if you deem it to be filthy. Yet God says, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth.”

God has determined what is filthy and what is not. Many in our day want unfettered liberty to live in open and profane sin and they are offended when they are told that God gives no such liberty. This is a truth we must not be ashamed of in our day.

~ Pastor Bruce Crabtree

Click here to listen to the message “Worthy is the Lamb”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 27 April, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Sun Of Righteousness

”But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” | Malachi 4: 2

This is one of the many promises found throughout the scriptures that proclaim and declare unto us the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and salvation accomplished by HIM.

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (2 Peter 1: 4)

This promise is given to those that fear and reverence His name.

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3: 18)

We know the scriptures describe the ungodly as, “having no fear of God before their eyes”.

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.” (Colossians 3: 11)

However, those that are humbled by Almighty grace, do have a saving and loving knowledge of God in Christ Jesus and truly worship and confess that Jesus Christ is all and all.

Notice several blessings that are given in this scripture:

1). The Sun of Righteousness shall arise. The Lord Jesus Christ is the very power and glory of the righteousness that every believer desires to be found in. “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” (Philippians 3: 9)

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” (Jeremiah 23: 5)

It is only through the obedience of our Saviour unto death that fully answers to the demand of God’s Holy Law. “O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Galatians 3: 1-3)

“The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” (Isaiah 42: 21)

As there is but one Sun, so also there is but one Righteousness that justifies the ungodly, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,” (Romans 4: 6)

2). There is healing (salvation) in His wings (person). Our Lord Jesus Christ is known as, Jehovah Rapha: the Lord that healeth thee.

“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” (Exodus 15: 26)

Our Redeemer declared He was sent to heal the broken hearted.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” (Luke 4: 18)

Pardon of our iniquities and the cleansing of our sins are only through His blood atonement.

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin; Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 1: 7; 4: 10)

3). You shall go forth. (Set at liberty.)

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” (John 8: 32-36)

Believers have been set free from spiritual death and made new creatures in Christ.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5: 17)

Set at liberty to serve the Lord as a loving bond slave and given spiritual life to honor and worship.

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4: 24)

4). Grow up as calves of the stall. Every believer, upon whom the Sun of Righteousness shall arise, shall grow in grace and the knowledge of Christ. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (1 Peter 2: 2)

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:” (Ephesians 1: 3)

God has commanded that the Light should abundantly shine in us. “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4: 6)

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23: 1)

Believers are like the calves of the stall, that are lavishly fed; comfortably housed. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46: 1)

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” (1 Corinthians 1: 30)

Regularly attended with much concern.

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13: 5)

Assured of full growth.“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3: 18)

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:” (Colossians 2: 9-10)

Even so, the elect of God are blessed in Christ Jesus with every spiritual blessing and are assured of complete salvation.

~ Pastor Tom Harding

Click here to listen to the message “How Great Things The Lord Hath Done”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Zebulon Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 3 April, 2022 | Previous post date: n/a | Pikeville, Kentucky

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Overcoming The World

”For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” | 1 John 5: 4

To have no interest in the wisdom or philosophy of the this world.

To have no interest in the approval or recognition of this world.

To have no anxious care about the materialism and prosperity of this world.

To have no interest in the glory or fame of this world.

To be conscious of the fact, that, every relationship in this world will end.

To have no interest in, but only disdain for the religions of this world.

To believe God’s Word only and to believe Christ only in spite of all in the world, for: “This is the victory that overcometh world, even our FAITH”

~ Pastor Paul Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “This Is The Truth – All Else Is A Lie”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 11 May, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia

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The Fellowship Of Believers

”And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” | Acts 2: 40-47

I know that most of you are faithful to the Sunday worship services, and you tarry after services to visit and talk with one another.

But what about the other six days of the week?

Do you have much fellowship with those whose conversation is seasoned with grace and who are a good influence on you and your children?

The people of the world (religious world and social world) are not an influence for good or spiritual growth. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” (1 Corinthians 15: 33)

But our brethren comfort us, encourage us, instruct us, and regular fellowship with them and their families will be a great blessing to you and your children.

Do not spend your social and family time with these who do not know God (86% of the week) and expect to correct the effect with a couple of hours on Sunday.

As much time as you can devote to good fellowship in Christ with other believers will reap great blessings to you and your family.

~ Pastor Henry Mahan

Click here to listen to the message “The Fellowship of Believers”

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Visit our primary website at www.ksgctn.org for more information about Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church, watch our livestream (when available) and access our previously recorded messages.

Central Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 11 May, 2014 | Previous post date: n/a | Rocky Mount, Virginia