Carey 1st Baptist

HOW MUCH I COULD HAVE DONE

2011-03-23T06:46:00.000-07:00

Best of all, they went beyond our highest hopes, for their first action was to dedicate themselves to the Lord and to us for whatever directions God might give them.

2 Corinthians 8:5 (NLT)

Before the judgment seat of Christ my service will be judged not by how much I have done but by how much I could have done. In God's sight my giving is measured not by how much I have given but by how much I could have given and how much I had left after my gift. The needs of the world and my total ability to minister to those needs decide the worth of my service.

Not by its size is my gift judged, but by how much of me there is in it. No man gives all until he has given all. No man gives anything acceptable to God until he has first given himself in love and sacrifice....

In the work of the church the amount one man must do to accomplish a given task is determined by how much or how little the rest of the company is willing to do. It is a rare church whose members all put their shoulder to the wheel. The typical church is composed of the few whose shoulders are bruised by their faithful labors and the many who are unwilling to raise a blister in the service of God and their fellowmen. There may be a bit of wry humor in all this, but it is quite certain that there will be no laughter when each of us gives account to God of the deeds done in the body.

A.W. Tozer That Incredible Christian

EXCUSES

2011-02-23T12:57:00.000-08:00

When you start to make excuses for our walk with God, soon, any excuse will do.
But when you really get serious about your walk with God, when He becomes the most important person in your life, you no longer make excuses, you just produce fruit.
Randy Wilson

WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND?

2010-09-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hey I'm doing a survey, I want to know what concerns you. What kind of things are going on in your life that concern you, the things that you would like to talk about or need help with. Tell me about them. You can post them here or e-mail them to me at careybaptist@gmail.com
Thanks and I hope to here from you soon.

MISSIONS

2010-09-14T10:55:00.001-07:00

When I say missions, what do you think? Do you think about the Cooperative Program that we give money to so that our missionaries around the world can tell others about Jesus? Or maybe you think about the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, or the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, or maybe even the Reach Texas Offering that we are in right now, the money raised for this stays here in Texas for mission projects here in our state, all of these are worthy causes. Or maybe you think closer to home and you think about CONNECT, our own outreach from CBC, maybe you connect this with Desert Reign coming every year in the fall and the money we raise for that. Maybe when you think about missions you think about going to Cloudcroft NM with our team to work on that camp, or maybe you have thought about going to Namibia Africa to reach an unreached people group and tell them about Jesus. What do you think about when you think about missions? Did you know that our mission closest to home is Carey Baptist? As a group that is our closest mission, the work we do as a church. As an individual your closest mission may be right next door, or around the corner, or down the road or street, it may be your family or friends. We must always be thinking about missions and what we can do to further the Kingdom; we must be mission-minded. Just saying we are in not enough, just giving money to a missions offering in not enough, we must be mission-minded. If we cannot go on a mission trip we need to be raising money for those who do go, for the Cloudcroft trip or the Namibia trip, those who are lead to go don’t always have the money, and we all can help. We must be mission-minded to the needs around us.
Lord, I pray for those in our church, I pray Lord that you will make us all mission-minded. Let us become aware to the needs that are around us everyday, show us how we can be involved in missions, those that our church are involved in and those that our Southern Baptist missionaries are involved in. Amen.

MISSING SHEEP

2010-09-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

110, that’s what we had for our 5th Sunday Singing, 110. It was good to have a full house and to worship with other churches. 110 people, 7 different church, well over 2 hours of singing, what a great time! It was great to have a full house, to hear all of the voices singing together. Do you know what would be even better, if we had that many in church on Sunday mornings. We could you know, real easy, how you may ask. Well, it’s like this, if our members who live right here in town would come to church we would have at least that many every Sunday morning, probably even more than 110. So how do we get them here? Did you know that Carey 1st Baptist Church has 238 members? Did you know that we have 193 resident (those who live in the area) members? And yet we averaged only 57 in Sunday School during the past year, why is this? How do we get our resident members to come back to God’s house? How do we get from here to there? Number one; we pray! We pray for our members, those who are committed members, those who are working for the Kingdom and coming to church, we pray for God to bless them in every way, we pray for God to make them a great witness for Him. Then we pray for our members who come, but not real often, we pray that God will increase their desire for more fellowship with the church. Then we pray for our members who have not been here in a while, we pray for God to put a desire in their hearts to come back to His House, to get involved again. And last, we pray for all of our members to grow into a deeper relationship with Christ. Number two; we send cards to our members who have not been coming letting them know that we miss them and want them to come back. And number three; we go and visit. We go and knock on their door and pleasantly invite them back to church, we let them know that we miss them. After all they are part of our Carey Baptist Family, if we follow this it will work, maybe not on all, but on most. Sometimes things happen and people miss church and then they get out of the habit of going to church and then they think that no one misses them, but we do and we need to let them know it. Let me ask you something, how would you like to be on the missing sheep team, the team that prays, sends cards and visits members? Pray about it, I will be forming this team soon!!

LAUGH OUT LOUD

2010-08-31T09:45:00.000-07:00

Bloopers, people making mistakes, and of course we would never laugh at their expense, right? Or would we….
From the Yeovil, England, Western Gazette: "The first swallow has arrived at Devizes. It was spotted by Police Constable John Cooke, of Seend, whose hobby is bird watching, sitting wet and bedraggled on telephone wires." (How does that constable do that while he’s all wet, I tried it and fell off three times?)
Classified ad: Man wanted to work in dynamite factory; must be willing to travel. (How far up?)
From the Tulsa, Oklahoma, World: "It is permissible to spank a child if one has a definite end in view." (Always keep your eyes open!)
The Harrah, Oklahoma, News ran an article about the Folderol String Band, which was to entertain at a barbecue. The story explained, "These true sons of the Southwest have twanged their music all over Oklahoma and have been asked more than once to leave the state." (And don’t come back!!)
Society note in the Denver, Colorado, Rocky Mountain News: "She looked like the belle of a court ball with the gown and her hair piled high on her head." (Someone should tell her that the dress goes lower)
Sign spotted in Jacksonville, Florida: Pool is open 24 hours. Please do not enter the pool at any other time. (Like during the 25th hour?)
In a letter from a summer camp director: Dear parents: We are pleased to announce the opening of registration. We are working hard and looking forward to the ultimate bummer experience for everyone. (I think I’ve been to that camp)
A classic of its kind was this sign in an army mess hall in Britain. Printed in big black letters across the exit, it read: Kindly Let Those Who Are Going Out First.
That sentence drove us crazy, and I thought it would never be topped. But it was, in a San Francisco bar. I overheard a guy who was being pestered to death by a frightful bore snap, "If you don't get out of here and leave me alone, I'll find somebody who can!" (So there, if that didn't make you laugh I’ll find someone else who did.)
Did you have a good laugh? These are all things that I found, and no I was not in a bar, really!

SPECTATORS OR PARTICIPATORS

2010-08-17T14:48:00.000-07:00

How would you say our spiritual maturity, godliness and commitment as a church compares to other churches? Paul compared the Macedonia church’s commitment to Corinth and challenged them to MATCH it. Corinthians 8:1-8. 2 Corinthians 8:8 says I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. (NIV) Rick Warren says that he challenges any church in America to match the spiritual maturity, godliness and commitment of any 500 members of Saddleback Church. How do you think we would match up? Whatever excuse we could use comes back on us. I personally don’t know about their spiritual maturity, godliness and commitment but I do know that they have had over 10,000 Saddleback members serve on missions overseas. How have they done this and how have they grown like they have? They have turned spectators into participators, consumers into contributors and an audience into an army. All too often we think that if we come to church it is enough, or if we serve on a committee or teach a class, don’t get me wrong, those are good, but can we do more? Are we spectators or participators, consumers or contributors; are we an audience or an army? One way for you to get to the point of being participators, contributors and an army is for me to turn more things over to those who are willing to take responsibility for them and then do something with them. I have turned our outreach, Connect, over to Jimmy, Jerry H. and Tommy and I am expecting great things from them in our outreach department. But the only way that this can happen is when God leads them into areas of outreach; we must get behind them and be part of it. I want our W.M.U. and Brotherhood to be active, not inside the church but outside, I want our teachers on Sunday morning and Wednesday night to decide what they want out of their class, how much they want it to grow and then get out and work it and make it grow. It’s time that we the people of Carey Baptist took the responsibility for the growth of our church and not just leave it up to the paid staff. It’s time that we stepped out into the community and made a difference, it’s time that you stopped just reading and listening to my words and started asking God what He wants us as a church to be doing; and then do it!!

ONE DAY

2010-06-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

“One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I'd rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. 11 All sunshine and sovereign is God, generous in gifts and glory. He doesn't scrimp with his traveling companions. 12 It's smooth sailing all the way with God of the Angel Armies.” Psalms 84:10-12 (MSG)
Dr. J. Vernon McGee says, “He says, "A day in Thy courts is better than a thousand days anywhere else. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness,'' and that's what the sons of Korah were -- doorkeepers. He says, "I would rather have my job than to be a rich man living far from God.'' There are some folk who look at their watches on Sunday morning to see if the preacher is going overtime. The psalmist says, "I'd rather spend one day in God's house than a thousand anywhere else.'' What a glorious psalm this is, and what a rebuke it is to many of us.”
How often do we come to church and then think about being somewhere else? Or, how often do we just go somewhere else instead of coming to church, but the psalmist is saying that one day in God’s house is better than a thousand days anywhere else, wow, what a way to look at being in God’s house. Oh that we would have that same attitude, just one day in your house in your presence is better than a thousand days at the lake, or race track, or park or game or anywhere else you can think of. When we learn to worship God that way it will enhance every area of our life. When we choose to really put God first, when we choose to serve God with our whole heart not holding anything back, the when the enemy attacks, when the enemy does us harm, God can turn it around and use it for good. What Satan meant for harm God means for good means that God is still on His throne and no one can remove Him. God may not do it the way that we want it done, but then, He is God and we aren’t. We may not understand it all, but we must trust Him and have faith. When we can come to this point in our life, then we will truly understand why one day in His house is better than a thousand anywhere else.

FATHER'S DAY

2010-06-22T09:42:00.001-07:00

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!! Just in case no one has told you yet today dad, let me be the first, HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!! We are really glad that you are here for our 3rd Annual Father’s Day Cook-Out, we hope to do our best to honor you today dad. When God made the family He made man to be the head of the household, but all too often in our society dad is made out to look like an idiot. In this age of the absentee dad, the fatherless home and the abusive fathers, we tend to forget about the men out there who are good husbands and great dads. Are they without fault, no, but then neither are you. We as men and dads need to remember our role and our calling to be Godly men because we represent Christ who is the head of the Church, and the way that our kids look at us is the way they see God, our Heavenly Father. I think that is one reason that some people have tried to feminize God. In the very popular book The Shack, God is portrayed as a woman. Why, I’m not sure, but I do know that Jesus said Father, Our Father who art in Heaven… Today there are so many children being raised by mom, and dad is nowhere in the picture and this may make it hard for people to understand God as Father. But God said that He is a father to the fatherless, He has not abandoned us, He is still right here. So dad, I’m glad that you are here in church today, a day when you could be off anywhere, but you chose to be here, may God bless you richly for that.
I want to ask you something, have you taken time to honor your dad today? If you are able to, in some way, honor him today, I’m not going to tell you how to do that, but please make an effort to do it. In this day and age when all too many men think that all you have to do to be a dad is to have a kid, (even goats do that) take time to honor those who are truly fathers. A little appreciation goes a long way, it doesn’t take an expensive gift, just love. Men are simple creatures, (not simple minded), just simple and easy to please. Real fathers just want family close, to cook out or to be with friends...and look we have all three here today. So, Happy Father’s Day. Remember, God honors dads and here at Carey, so do we!

God & Country

2010-06-01T10:23:00.000-07:00

I want to take just a moment to welcome you here on Memorial Sunday, the Sunday before Memorial Day. This day was first enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I. On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend. Memorial Day has been set on the last Monday in May since 1971. Memorial Day was first Remembrance Day, a day we have set aside to remember and honor those who have fought to make and keep us free and those who have died for the same cause. It was, and is still used by some to decorate the graves of those loved ones who are lost and the military men and women of our nation. All too often we just see it as a day to be off of work, a day to cook out, be with family and friends, which is good, but if were not for those who have fought and died, those who would not quit, refused to give up, continued to push on regardless of the conditions or the enemy, we might very well be living under the British flag, or the German, Japanese or Russian. But we live under the stars and strips, in the land of the free and the home of the brave. Where we are still free to go to the church of our choice, where we are still free to tell others about Jesus, where we can still have a manger scene in our front yard, where we can fly the flag, but these very freedoms may all go away if some politicians get their way. We need to be pro-active as Christians in politics, voting for God fearing men and women, voting out those who vote in an anti-Christian way, making phone calls, writing letters and e-mails to those who represent us. That is our responsibility! Did you know that the U.S. House Judiciary Committee of Congress in 1854 wrote; “Had the people, during the Revolution, had a suspicion of any attempt to war against Christianity, That Revolution would have been strangled in its cradle...In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity… That was the religion of the founders of the republic and they expect it to remain the religion of their descendants.” What has happened since then?

KINGDOM & MONEY

2010-05-18T13:41:00.000-07:00

I was watching an auction the other day, the auction took place at Christy’s in New York and they were auctioning off memorabilia from Star Trek. These were items from the very first pilot in the 60’s through all of the TV shows and movies. Uniforms, all of the gadgets that were handheld, make-up props and even 6 foot models of all of the ships used in filming. What got me was the amount people were willing to spend to have something from the show. The cheapest bid was $800 for some small something; the next lowest bid was $2800, those 6 foot ships sold for between $85,000 to $500,000; for this 6 foot thing that the buyer will have no room for. I’m sure that those who bought thought that they got something great, but I have to wonder what could have been done for the Kingdom of God with the money spent. But then I have to think about the money we waste and what could be done for the Kingdom with it. As you well know it takes money to spread the Gospel, and it takes money to keep the doors open on the church, but if these are the only reason that we give, we give for the wrong reasons. We should be giving back to God from what He has given us, we give because God said to, and when we do we will be blessed. Thank You for your giving and for being obedient. When you give tithes and offerings for VBS or missions you enable the church to go forward, thank you again.

Master Mechanic

2010-05-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

I was walking through the park one day, in the merry merry month of May, looking at all of the flowers brought on by April showers...no wait, those are weeds, and they are all in my yard. Can you believe the way everything is growing? On Monday I worked in my yard, I ran the edger, cut tree limbs, ran the trimmer, and then worked on my riding mower, and worked and worked, and it did not want to start. I had to put the jumper cables on my truck and it still would not start. Finally I broke down and went and bought a new fuel filter, air filters and a new spark plug. Put all of this on and guess what. It started and ran better than it has in a while. The old spark plug was so gummed up that it couldn’t fire if it wanted to. I think that sometimes that’s the way we get, we go and go until we get so gummed up that we have to get a new spark plug or a fresh fire from the Lord. In our daily walk with the Lord we need that fire from the Holy Spirit everyday, but sometimes we get bogged down and need that boost. Ask God to give you that boost today, we don’t need to be just going through the motions; we need that fire that only God can give. Ask Him and He will give it to you.

P.S. The mower had to go to the hospital (shop), do you need to be in the hospital (church)? We all need to visit with the Master Mechanic, do we as often as we need to?

PASTOR'S PEN 4-25-10

2010-04-27T11:11:00.000-07:00

Remission is still a good word, no...it’s a great word. Becky is still in remission, we saw her doctor in Denver and she said that Becky was to continue her treatments twice a week, so we continue on. And we saw my doctor on the Tuesday before we left and everything is looking good there also. So….PRAISE THE LORD!!
Did you know that next week is Senior Adult Sunday? Well it is, and our senior adults will be involved in our service and it will be a very special service. But I have a favor to ask of you, we will be honoring our senior adults next week with a potluck dinner after church. Now I don’t know if you know it or not but they bring a lot of food when we have fellowship meals, so for next week can we who are not senior adults bring lots of food so they don’t have to? They may wish to bring a dish but they should not have to bring as much as they do most of the time. So can you help me honor our senior adults next week? Let’s all show up in force and stay and eat lunch, our senior adults are worth it, they are the ones who have kept things going for many years and we can take time to honor them. So one more time...be here next week, bring lots of food, stay and eat, honor our senior adults, and, and tell them how much you love and appreciate them. Next Sunday, Senior Adult Sunday!! Be here!!

PASTOR'S PEN 4-11-10

2010-04-14T12:37:00.000-07:00

This the last week of our Annie Armstrong Easter Offering which is used to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in North America, that means right here where we are. So far we have not reached our goal, but we are getting close. Our goal is $700 and so far we have brought in $616. Every penny given to this is used for missionaries in North America; all we need to reach our goal is $84 more.
Well what did you think about last Sunday? We started off with the Sunrise Service and then we baptized two, had a great service, and ended it with communion and an Easter Egg Hunt. After church Amy, Zach, Zoe, Becky and I went to Amarillo to spend some time with Jody, Sarah and the girls. We watched the girls hunt eggs together and then went to church with them as they were having Resurrection Week. We had a great time with them and at church, and got home way, way, way late, but it was worth it.
Have you received your census yet? I don’t mean to sound political, but does this seem like a big waste of money to you? First we receive a letter telling us that the census will be mailed soon, this cost money for postage, paper and envelopes, plus someone to write the letters, copy them and send them. And then we get the census in the mail, and then we get a second census in the mail and I’m told that we will be getting a third. Does this sound like overkill? Now I’m finding out that census workers are being told to slow down, stall, waste time and stretch out their work unnecessarily, they are being told that in order to make unemployment look better they need to be slower. They are being sent to soup kitchens, parks and shelters to count people, not talk to them, just observe their race, sex and approximate age, 2 or 3 times. It just seems to me like a lot of wasted money at a time when our government is out of money, but what do I know? The census is also being used in ways that it wasn’t meant for but the information that it asks for is just about the same as was asked for in the Madison administration, how it’s used though is another matter. But, I have filled out our first census, thrown the second in the trash as I will the third. My beef isn’t with the census, but the waste and misuse. Isn’t this why Jesus was born in Bethlehem, because of a census?

PASTOR'S PEN, 3-28-2010

2010-03-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Palm Sunday Everyone! Is this an appropriate greeting on such a day? This is a day when Jesus rode into the city of Jerusalem among shouts of acclamation, much as a king would, and He was heir to the throne of King David, but then again so were a lot of other people. He was a very popular man, feeding thousands, healing the sick, raising the dead, doing miracle after miracle, gaining in popularity. When he topped the hill over looking the city He wept for the city, not for the bricks and streets, for he knew that in forty years the temple would be destroyed, but He wept for the people He loved because He knew they would betray Him and reject their one true Messiah. Their only hope for salvation was and is Jesus Christ, but they couldn’t see it; they wanted a warrior-politically savvy king who would led them out from under the Romans, although they never realized that every time they were given their freedom they stopped serving God and then fell back into bondage. It was a vicious circle, freedom - turn from God - bondage - cry for mercy - prayer heard and answered - freedom given back by God - turn from God……. Do you ever find yourself falling into this trap? The Jewish people could not stay out of it because they let other gods; other things come between them and God. Have we as a nation fallen into this trap? We are the land of the free and the home of the brave except now we have lost more of our freedom to politically savvy politicians. This isn’t the first freedom we have lost, we have been losing them for a while and we have accepted them, now we have lost in a big way. I don’t mean to get political but I have to wonder if we are ready to cry out to God for mercy for our nation, if we as a nation are ready to turn back to Him yet and I don’t think so. Too many people believe that they are still as free as their parents and grandparents, but with 1,600 more I.R.S. agents coming on board to watch you and me, I don’t think so. It’s time that we as a church, city, county, state and nation began to fall on our faces before the one and only true living God and cry out to Him. But then maybe these things are happening to bring us to that point.
On a brighter note...Next Sunday is Easter...Who will you bring to church? If you begin asking today, you will be surprised how many will come with you. Try it and see.

Pastors Pen 3-21-10

2010-03-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

Wow, Thank You to everyone who helped with the Vietnam Veterans Run Sunday evening and Monday morning, we had a great turn out and served about 100 bikers. If you missed it you missed out on a blessing. We had adults and youth working to feed and bless the riders, and as always they could not say thank you enough and neither can I. One of the riders, Myron Peterson, the president of the Chapter 404 of the Vietnam Veterans of America in Borger wrote us a note. He said, “Thank you all for your unselfish service. I’ve been enjoying your hospitality here in Childress since 2005. May God bless you all richly. Thanks Again, Myron.” He is just one of many who told us thank you. And I want to add my thank you to theirs, Thank You everyone for the way you step up, Morris and Carolyn, the food was great as usual, Ladies the pancakes were awesome and the fact that you were here at 5:30 am and cooking by 6:00 am made it work. Thank you to everyone who moved chairs one way or the other, set tables up or put them up, cooked food or served food, vacuumed the floor or picked something up off of it, greeted a biker, shook a hand or hugged a neck, without you Carey Baptist Church could not and would not show the love of Christ the way we do, you will never know what this means to me as your pastor. You make my heart swell up and my eyes fill with tears, you truly are the best. I love you and God loves you even more.
On a different note; Have you checked out the new web-site for the church? Its www.carey1stbaptist.com and it looks great, there is a page for all kinds of things, like Kidzone, reFuge, staff, photos, our ministries, the church calendar and for prayer. This is the page that I want to talk to you about. On the prayer page you can request prayer for someone; you just add in the info and send. It lets me know when a new name is added, when you write in the comments section, let me know if you want this name added to our church prayer bulletin or the web-site prayer page. Also I need to get anyone’s e-mail address or phone number who wants to get an update on these prayer requests. With this it will send you an e-mail or a text on you phone. So if you want to be added, please let me know.

THE SOLID MARRIAGE, pt. 1

2010-02-16T11:56:00.000-08:00

It was fun being a baby boomer...till now. Some of the artists of the '60s are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers. They include:
Herman's Hermits - Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Walker
The Bee Gees - How Can You Mend a Broken Hip
Bobby Darin - Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash
Ringo Starr - I Get By With a Little Help from Depends
Roberta Flack - The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face
Johnny Nash - I Can't See Clearly Now
Paul Simon - Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver
Commodores - Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom
Marvin Gaye - I Heard it Through the GrapeNuts
Procol Harem - A Whiter Shade of Hair
Leo Sayer - You Make Me Feel Like Napping
The Temptations - Papa's Got a Kidney Stone
Abba - Denture Queen
Tony Orlando - Knock 3 Times on the Ceiling if you Hear Me Fall
Helen Reddy - I am Woman, Hear me Snore
Willie Nelson - On the Throne Again

Leslie Gore - It's My Procedure and I'll Cry if I Want To

“THE SOLID MARRIAGE”

I want to begin talking about marriage this morning, and what I am using this morning is based on personal study and 31 years of marriage. I will be the first to tell you that I am not an expert on marriage, if you don’t believe me you can ask my wife, and I also know that there are those in this church who have been married longer that we have, but… I am the one preaching. Maybe, just maybe during this series we will get to hear from some of the others in our church who have been married for a while and hear what they have learned about marriage.
Now you may think that this sermon series is only for people who are married, or for couples who haven’t been married long enough to figure out whose boss. But I believe that it is for everyone who is married, has been married or may get married in the future. Many people have ended up divorced or in a miserable marriage because they did not learn what I will be sharing. Much of what I will be sharing is good for every person to learn, married or single.

“IF I HAVE NOT LOVE ...”

Now, I know that the origins of Valentine's Day may have a pagan feel since it was established in Rome centuries ago, but the main emphasis of Valentine's Day today is filled with expressions of love and appreciation. And we all know what today is…, many people throughout the world celebrate this day with flowers, candy and cards with meaningful messages. Many of you were here last night for our Annual Sweetheart Banquet. Poems will be read and new commitments made to one another. Valentine's Day is a wonderful thing.
Remember the old 1965 song by Jackie DeShannon:
"What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of ...No not just for some, but for everyone."
The song went on to say, we don't need any more mountains or meadows, but lots more love. Makes sense to me.
The Apostle Paul had a similar idea when he wrote to the Corinthians that I can possess all the characteristics of a Christian, "but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Cor. 13:2). In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Paul wrote about what love is;
1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Read this out loud with me, let’s all stand.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (Don’t look at your wife). Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always perseveres. LOVE NEVER FAILS.”
Stay on your feet because I want us to read this again, only this time we are going to do something a bit different. We are to be the love of Christ to a lost world, we are to love our spouse, and we are to be love! But do we practice love? We are going to read this again, but this time we are going to put our own name in the place of love, ready? Everyplace there is a blank add your name, are you ready, now this mat get a little confusing but concentrate.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“______ is patient, ______ is kind. ______ does not envy, ______ does not boast, ______ is not proud. ______ is not rude, ______ is not self-seeking, ______ is not easily angered, ______ keeps no record of wrongs. ______ does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ______ always protects, ______ always perseveres.
LOVE NEVER FAILS.”
You may sit down.
We have seen it, we have read it out loud, but, do we truly live the message of 1 Corinthians 13? Are we truly love? Do we live it?
John wrote about this topic in his first epistle. "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:18). And, again in chapter 4:20, 21: "If anyone says 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar ... Whoever loves God must also love his brother." It would seem to me that the church has a whole lot of self-examination to do, some valentines to send, some more love to pass around.
Note: The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year world-wide. Yet, in spite of all those that are exchanged, the valentines that really matter are the ones we receive and give where love is unconditional, that say, "No matter what ... I love you!"
"... but the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor. 13:13).
1 Corinthians 14:1 says, “Follow the way of LOVE”.
BUT WHAT IS LOVE?
We all want a marriage that lasts, before we get married we are giddy with love, everything is good and everything is right and this is the marriage that will last through eternity. Then we get married and 6 months down the road this is not the person I married. But how many of you realize that you are not the person they married either? We need to know what real love is.
1 John 2:4-6; “The man who says, “I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, GOD’S LOVE is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”
Before we decide if we love someone, if we want to marry them, we need to watch and see if they love God, their life will show it, they should be bearing fruit, we should be seeing fruit.

1 John 3:11 says, “This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another”.
There must be love in that person, real, true love.

2 John 6, “And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.”

John 3:16

Jack Kelly is the foreign affairs editor for USA Today and has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. He tells the story of a boy’s sacrificial love:
We were in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, in East Africa, during a famine. It was so bad we walked into one village and everyone was dead. There is a stench of death that gets into your hair, gets onto your skin, gets onto your clothes, and you can’t wash it off.
We saw this little boy. You could tell he had worms and was malnourished; his stomach was protruding. When a child is extremely malnourished, the hair turns a reddish color, and the skin becomes crinkled as though he’s one hundred years old.
Our photographer had a grapefruit, which he gave to the boy. The boy was so weak he didn’t have the strength to hold the grapefruit, so we cut it in half and gave it to him. He picked it up, looked at us as if to say thanks, and began to walk back towards his village.
We walked behind him in a way that he couldn’t see us. When he entered the village, there on the ground was a little boy who I thought was dead. His eyes were completely glazed over. It turned out that this was his younger brother. The older brother kneeled down next to his younger brother, bit off a piece of the grapefruit, and chewed it. Then he opened up his younger brother’s mouth, put the grapefruit in, and worked his brother’s up and down. We learned that the older brother had been doing that for the younger brother for two weeks.
A couple of days later the older brother died of malnutrition and the younger brother lived. I remember driving home that night thinking, “I wonder if this is what Jesus meant when he said, and “There is no greater love than to lay down our life for somebody else.”

BLESSED

2010-02-16T11:55:00.000-08:00

Can I tell you how proud I am of you? I am. I am extremely proud of you. We had our annual youth dessert auction last week, and by the way, if you missed it, you missed a good one, and we raised over $2000 for the youth, wow, thank you. Also if you saw the financial report for this last month you saw that for the first time since I have been here we went in the red in our account. We were steadily taking in less than we were spending every month last year, and then January came along and giving was down, we had a 5 Sunday month but we had an ice storm and only had income for 4 Sundays. So January we spent over $2200 more than we brought in and ended up $59.45 in the red. I have never seen a negative balance in our checking account, but now I have. And then last Sunday you gave, and as you can see from the report on the back of this bulletin, our offering last week was over $6200, WOW!!! But don’t quit on us now, this isn’t enough to carry us for the entire month, let’s keep on giving with a cheerful heart as it says in 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (ESV)
Something else I want to brag on you about, it seems that our numbers are up some in worship, Bible study is still floating around 50, but it seems that some are coming in for church. Did you know that 82% of the people you invite to church come? 82% are pretty good odds, that means that 82 out of every 100 will come if they are asked. Did you also know that when someone is invited it makes them feel wanted? And everyone wants to feel wanted, so keep on inviting and bringing and we will keep on loving those who come.
I want you to consider something; I need some people to volunteer to visit our visitors. When we have people come and visit us for the first time we need someone to go and visit them. All you need to do is go and tell them that we enjoyed having them with us. Very simple and easy visit, takes about 5 minutes but it means so much to our visitors. Did you know that we are losing visitors because our people do not go to see them? Sad but true! Will you help?

BLESSING OR CURSE?

2010-02-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

What is the responsibility of a church member?
We all know that the church has certain responsibilities to her members, like praying for you, providing spiritual leadership and guidance, biblical teaching and preaching, fellowship, friendship and love. But what are the responsibilities of the members of the church? Well Sunday morning Bible Study and Worship Attendance, a Public Testimony, to be involved in the ministries of the church and giving. Why do we give our time and money to the church? It is real easy to say, “This is my money, I worked for it and I will keep it.” Robert Morris said in his book, The Blessed Life, “There are over 500 verses in the Bible concerning prayer; nearly 500 verses concerning faith; but more than 2,000 verses on the subject of money and possessions.
Jesus talked about money in 16 of his 38 parables. Clearly, from the Bible’s standpoint, we need to understand money and how to handle it. Why? Because money is actually a test from God.
How you handle money reveals volumes about your priorities, loyalties and affections. In fact, it directly dictates many of the blessings you will (or won’t) experience in life.”
Did you know that the Bible says that we are not to test God, except when it comes to money. God tells us to give our tithes (10% of our income) and offering to the church. He says that if we will, we’ll be blessed, and if not we won’t be. God says in Malachi 3:10, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!” (NLT) There it is, a challenge from God Himself! He’s not only saying, “I dare you.” He’s saying “I triple dog dare you, go ahead and do it and see if I am not a God of my word.” Did you know that God takes pleasure in blessing you? Let me ask you a question, if you are a giver and you miss a week, say we have an ice storm and don’t have church, or you are gone or sick; do you still give for that week or do you feel like it’s yours to keep? If we do not give all of the tithe to God, He says that we are robbing Him in Malachi 3:8-9, He also says that because of this we are under a curse. Now let me think, Blessing or Curse, I choose Blessing, how about you?

FRUITFUL

2010-01-31T07:27:00.000-08:00

This is the second in the series on being fruitful, it was preached on January 24, enjoy...

“WATCHING THE SEED FALL”
MATTHEW 13
Matthew 13:1-9
“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, 6 but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.” (ESV)

Jesus starts off in chapter 13 with a parable, what is a parable? A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Now Jesus gives several parables in this chapter, but He only interprets two and we are going to take a closer look at these two this morning. So let’s take a look at verses 18-23. Now I want you to notice that the seed fell on 4 types of soil, I want you to see that there was nothing wrong with the seed, the seed was not the problem, it was the soil, ¾ of the seed did not grow – they died.

1. THE PATHWAY CHRISTIANS

Matthew 13:18-19
“Hear then the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path.”
Now remember Jesus said in verse 4 that some seed fell on the path and the birds came and ate it. Now when Jesus told a parable He used things that were common around Him, so here He is talking about a farmer sowing his crop, and in this day and time farmers used a very crude method to sew his crop. First off every field had a pathway through it so that people did not have to walk around it, so this is the path Jesus spoke of. Next, when the farmer plowed his field his plows were not as we know them, they would just scratch the top at best, and the ground Jesus described here was not rocky as in a lot of rocks, but it was a thin layer of soil on bedrock. So the farmer would scratch the top of the ground and then he would go out and scatter the seed by hand. He did not have a grain drill like we do; he did it all by hand.
So the farmer would scatter his seed by hand and the birds would come along and pick up the seed on the path. Jesus tells us that the birds represent the devil. Now let me tell you something, this should cause everyone of us to examine our own heart. Don’t look around at anyone else, look at yourself.
It’s like this poem;
When you get to heaven
You will likely view,
Many folks there
Who’ll be a shock to you.

But don’t act surprised,
Or even show a care,
For they might be a little shocked
To see you there.
The path represents church members, professing Christians. They heard the Word of God, but it wasn’t a hearing of faith. The Word was not mixed with faith, or if it was, it was a formal, intellectual faith; it was a head salvation and not a heart salvation. To people like this belonging to a church is like belonging to a lodge or a club. It’s something you do because you are supposed to; after all we are in the Bible Belt. These people are in a spiritual deep freeze. Not only do we find them sitting in our churches, we find them sitting home on Sunday morning, or we find them falling out of church and getting into some other activity, or a cult, or an “ism.” You know, Mormonism, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism or into something like Islam or New Age or Wicca or whatever. Why? Because they “tried” Christianity and it just didn’t work for them. They didn’t try Christ; they tried the man made version of Christ.

2. THE ROCKY CHRISTIANS
Matthew 13:20-21
“As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away.”

Now these people are just the opposite of the first group, the people in the first group had the seed stolen by Satan, the people in the second group have only themselves to blame, it is the flesh that keeps the seed from producing. These people are not in the deep freeze, they are in the oven – they are warm, emotional, crying, and just really moved. They are like Alka-Seltzer, just a lot of fizz. Like a rocket on a launching pad, making noise but never quite getting into orbit. They have great zeal and energy during special meeting and like a burned out roman candle after the meeting are over.
They are like paper on the road, lying there, and when you run over it, it flies up in the air and then settles back on the road again, waiting for the next car. This is the way it is with a lot of these so-called Christians, when there is a sensational meeting going on, they get really excited, but they have no relationship with Christ, it’s just an emotional high. They are the rocky Christians.

3. THE THORNY CHRISTIANS
Matthew 13:22
“As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.”

With the thorny Christians, the world crowds out the Word of God. The Devil got the Pathway Christians, the flesh got the Rocky Christians, but the world chokes out the Word of God for this group. The cares of the world move in. Sometimes it’s poverty; usually it’s the deceitfulness of riches. It’s interesting that the people at each end of the social spectrum – extreme poverty and extreme prosperity – are the people that are the hardest to reach for Christ. I find that a lot of people have let the cares of this world crowd out the Word of God. Now I have used the word Christian to describe these three types, but I have used it tongue in cheek because I don’t believe that they are Christians at all. They have heard the Word and have only professed to receive it.

4. THE BUMPER CROP
Matthew 13:23
“As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (ESV)

These are the ones who hear the Word and receive it, understand it, believe it and live it. Some don’t produce as much fruit as others, some only 30 fold but some produce 100 fold. There must be an understanding of the Word.
Do you remember in Acts 8:26 when the Ethiopian eunuch was riding along in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah and God put Philip in his path so that he could tell the eunuch about Jesus? The eunuch was reading the Word but he didn’t understand that it was about Jesus.
Philip was sowing the seed of the Word of God. This is a kingdom-of-heaven situation as it revels that the Sower, the Lord Jesus Christ, is sowing the Word of God in the world and that the Holy Spirit applies it to the hearts of those who want to believe.

Now Jesus tells another parable, He has already told us that only ¼ of the seed got into good ground, I think that His average is far better than mine, I think for me it’s about 1 in 10 at best, which is about average, some of the big evangelist will say about 3% of theirs can be considered true converts. Jesus had ¼ averages, but now He picks up where He left off.

Matthew 13:24-30
“He put another parable before them, saying, "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.”
Notice who is asleep? While his men were sleeping, the enemy came. Remember the sower is the Lord, and He neither slumber nor does He sleep. Satan is the enemy, and he sows weeds among the wheat. The weeds are false doctrine, false teachings. There is a lot of that type of sowing going on today.

26 “So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' 28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them?' 29 But he said, 'No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.'” (ESV)
When wheat and weeds first begin to grow it’s hard to tell which is which, but when they head out you can always tell, when they get some growth on them you know. A lot of these other religions sound good at first but when they begin to grow you realize that it isn’t Jesus they teach, it isn’t Grace.
You will also notice that the sower, Jesus, knew who was responsible for the weeds, Satan! You will also notice what happens to those who are not of Jesus.
Now let’s hear it in Jesus’ own words.

Matthew 13:36-43
“Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field." 37 He answered, "The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 The field is the world, and the good seed is the children of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40 Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, 42 and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.” (ESV)

The time in which Jesus is talking about is now!

1/24/2010

FRUITFUL

2010-01-31T07:16:00.000-08:00

I am going to post my last two sermons....the first one I preached on January 17, the first in a series, enjoy....

Before I begin today’s message, I need to explain how this came to be. During my down time, after having my prostate removed, I was doing my bible reading, and I was reading Luke chapter 13. And as I was reading, God stopped me and had me reread the verses that I am about to share with you.

“FRUITFUL”
Luke 13:6-9
“Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7 So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 8 "'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.'” (NIV)

After God had me to reread these verses 2 more times, He said this to me, He said,

“2010, LET THIS BE THE YEAR OF FRUITFULNESS.”
Now He did not say, “2010, The Year of Fruitfulness”, He said “Let this be the year of fruitfulness.” He said that it is a choice; that we must choose to be fruitful.

Let’s take a closer look at these verses. I want you to see how this relates to you. I want to show you today what God is saying to His Church, what He wants us to understand.

Jesus is talking and He says that “a man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard.”
Now the fig tree represents the human soul, it represents each one of us, and three years represents an ample amount of time.
The man went to the tree to pick some fruit off of it, but he found none. He said, “For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?”
The vineyard owner expected to get good fruit off of the tree, but instead he received nothing, he turned to the man who actually took care of the vineyard and said, “For three years I have tried to get fruit off of this tree and I have received nothing, cut it down, it just sits here and soaks up water and sunshine and nutrients and gives nothing in return. I am sick and tires of looking at it; cut it down and burn it. It isn’t worth the space it takes up.”
But the vinedresser, the man who took care of the trees and vines said, “Master, let me try harder, I will feed the roots and prune it and water it and do everything that I can to get it to produce, and if it doesn’t produce fruit this year, then you can cut it down and throw it into the fire.”
Now we could say that the man who owned the vineyard represents God and the gardener is Jesus or maybe even pastors. We know that Jesus is our mediator, and we know that pastors are to shepherd the flock, so it makes sense. But more on that in a minute.
Let me ask you this;
Did you know that Jesus expects fruitfulness? Did you know that God expects fruitfulness?
Do you know that Jesus expects us to be fruitful, to be productive for His Kingdom?

There are 3 things I want you to see.

1. God Will Not Tolerate Unfruitfulness!
Matthew 21:18-19
“Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.” (NIV)

Do you know why so many Christians are not happy, or live lives that are so empty? It is because they produce no fruit for the Kingdom of God! When we refuse to be productive for the Kingdom, when we refuse to produce we are miserable.

Matthew 3:8
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” (NIV)
We need to produce fruit, time is short. If you don’t believe me take an honest look at what is going on in our world.
We have been warned.

Matthew 3:10
“The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” (NIV)
How long do you think God will give you to become fruitful?

2. God Wants You to be Fruitful!
John 15:1-8
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Jesus expects fruitfulness!
3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Now He tells us how to be fruitful! 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (NIV)
Why does Jesus want us to bear fruit? For the glory of God!

3. You Can Produce Fruit!
We are back in Matthew 21, Jesus has spoken to the fig tree and it has withered.
Matthew 21:20-22
“When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. 21 Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (NIV)

So How Do We Become Fruitful?
Well we just read in Matthew 21 to have faith in God, we need to have faith that we can be fruitful, that God wants us to be fruitful, and we need to take action.
Matthew 7:7-8
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
So we need to ask God to help us be fruitful, or if you are producing fruit to be more fruitful. Did you know that it is impossible to be fruitful the way that God wants us to be fruitful if we don’t ask God to help us? If we are not willing to ask, then we are not willing to be fruitful.
Then after we have faith that God wants us to be fruitful, and we ask Him to help us be fruitful, we need to seek ways to be fruitful for Him. If we have faith that God wants us to be fruitful, and we ask Him to help us be fruitful, but we never look for ways to be fruitful, will we be fruitful? NO!
It’s like a cartoon I saw once; these 4 guys are pushing this hotrod into the gas station. This car has been built to run, big motor with headers and a blower and an air scoop on top, a full race cam, torsion bars, wheelie bars, wide tires in the back for drag racing, beautiful paint and wheels.
And these guys push it up to the gas pumps and they start checking the air in the tires, oil in the motor, cleaning the glass, shinning the chrome, doing everything they can do, except put in gas.
The owner of the gas station is watching and he asks, “Aren’t you going to put in any gas?”
They say, “No, we spent so much on building the car, we can’t afford any gas.” And they push the car away. They looked good, but didn’t do anything!

If we believe that God wants us to be fruitful, we have faith, we ask Him to help us, but we never look for a place or a way to be fruitful, it’s like having the hotrod and no gas.
And then we need to knock on the door of service. When we have the faith, and we have God’s help, and we have found a place to be fruitful, we need to do it! We need to be involved, be active. A great way, is to teach, or be involved in our outreach, go with us to knock on doors. We need to put our fear behind us and walk in faith.
Ask, seek, and knock show a continuance action, showing that we are to keep it up.
We continue in verse 9; 9 "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (NIV)

Do you know another reason we will not be fruitful? When we try to mix the ways of this world with God’s ways. Too many Christians today are trying to please their carnal nature and please God, it won’t work.
Last week we learned that the thing God is most concerned about in us is Obedience!
When we are obedient to God and His Word, everything else will fall in line.
Two weeks ago we talked about prayer. I want to close with this verse.

Matthew 18:19-20
“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (NIV)

To be fruitful we must be obedient, and we need a prayer partner or group that will really fervently pray, that will not just say words but will pray until they get through.

1/17/2010

STATE OF THE CHURCH ADDRESS, 2009

2010-01-10T08:04:00.000-08:00

Today is the day that I do my State of the Church Address, for those of you who are new to this, I started doing this in 2002, after watching our President’s State of the Union Address. And at that time we were without a physical house of worship, the fire had taken our church building, the Church, the ecclesia, was of course still in tact. We had just broken ground in December and were in the process of moving dirt. I watched the President’s address that night and the Lord showed me that our body of believers needed to know what state we were in. It had been an unusual three months; we were meeting every week in the City auditorium, having to carry everything in and out every week. We were excited that we had finally agreed on what to build and that we were starting to do just that, build. But we were uncertain about what the future held, so the Lord showed me what to say, He said that I was to report on the past year and give plans for the new one. And so I called it the “State of the Church Address.” I continued to do these every year and then I believe it was 2006, I thought that everyone was getting tired of these so I didn’t do one. I was asked towards the end of January that year why I hadn’t done one yet, so I did. So here is this year’s “STATE OF THE CHURCH ADDRESS.”
During 2009 we saw presidential history; we saw history made when Barak Obama was sworn in as our president. We saw the war in Afghanistan and Pakistan increase as the war in Iraq decreased. We saw the economy go into the tank as the recession grew worse and as our elected officials pushed through healthcare reform that will cost the taxpayers billions and sign a stimulus package the we will never got paid off. We lived through all of the swine flu hype and fact and then watched as it wasn’t as bad as any other flu in the U.S. We listened to all of the Climategate people as they tried to tell us how doomed our planet is if we didn’t agree with them, even as they themselves ignored scientific facts that global warming is a natural cycle that the planet goes through, and as a matter of fact we will be in global cooling for the next 50 years.
We saw Edward Kennedy and Michael Jackson die, and we saw a radical Muslim gun down military personal at Fort Hood. And we also saw how a very courageous pilot of a commercial airliner hit a flock of birds and the set his plain down in the Hudson River, sparing all of his passengers and crew. We also saw how another Muslim tried to blow up a plane with explosives in his underpants, making airline travel even more stressful for law-abiding people.

Personally, 2009 was a rough year for our family, we started off driving over 500 miles a week taking Becky to have cancer treatment, and then as she went into remission, we found out that I had cancer, and then that my mom’s cancer had returned. We had our ups and downs during 2009, but we ended on a high note, Becky is still in remission, mother’s treatments are going well, my cancer has been removed and we have another grandkid on the way!!

In our church in 2009 we saw 6 Salvations, 5 Baptisms, 6 New Members and 2 rededications.
As you know I set goals, why? Because numbers are important! People who try to tell you that numbers are not important are just making excuses. Why are they are making excuses, some of them may be too lazy to go out into the hiways and byways and tell people about Jesus, or bring people to church. Or they may be comfortable with things just as they are, or maybe they are trying to cover up for whatever, or it may be many other excuses. Whatever it is, Numbers Do Matter!!

I want to share with you some concerns that are on my heart concerning our church;
1. CORPORATE PRAYER
We need to have more corporate prayer going on in the church, not only do we need to have our personal prayer time, we need to be meeting in prayer groups for the church. We need to get back into the habit of praying with each other for the life and health of this church, this body of believers. If we don’t make this church a matter of priority and concern we will lose it.
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (ESV)
This is a very power packed verse; it starts off saying if we will humble ourselves. If we will not humble our selves it means that we have a pride issue.
Proverbs 11:2
“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom.” (ESV)
Proverbs 16:18
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (ESV)
We cannot not let our pride get in God’s way; we must humble ourselves before Him.
And then it says that we are to pray and seek His face, but it is impossible to do that unless we humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways. Did you know that the person who is not willing to humble himself is also not willing to turn from his wicked ways? Why? Because when pride is in the way we are not only unable to see our wicked ways, but we are unable to really pray.
If we are willing to humble ourselves, and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways, then God says that He will hear us from heaven; He will forgive us of our sins and heal our land.
But we must get ourselves out of the way. And a good way to start is with corporate prayer, praying with each other.
2. EMPTY CLASSROOMS
I look around and I see 3 empty classrooms where we used to have no empty rooms and we were looking for more space, and some of the rooms that we do have being used, some weeks no one shows up for class. Our Kidzone classes we have had to combine, going from 6 rooms to 4 because we had some teachers who had to step down and we had no one to replace them.
Acts 5:21
“At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people.” (NIV)
We must be willing to teach the people, no matter if they are children or adults, and if we don’t teach, we need to make it a priority to be here.

3. EMPTY CHAIRS
Do you realize that when we fill our classrooms we will also fill our empty chairs? And when we fill our empty chairs we will also fill our empty classrooms?
Colossians 3:16
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (NIV)

4. APATHY
A teacher asked her students one day, “What is the difference between Ignorance and Apathy?” No one answered so she asked little Johnny, little Johnny really didn’t like school, it was a wastes of his time, he never gave the right answers and was always in trouble. So the teacher says, “Johnny, what is the difference between ignorance and apathy?”
Little Johnny looked up and said, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”
And the teacher said, “Correct.” Because ignorance means that you don’t know and apathy means that you don’t care.
What is apathy; lack of interest in anything, or the absence of any wish to do anything, indifference, lack of concern, lack of interest, boredom.
The worst thing that we can do as far as our church is concerned is to not care. We need to fall in love again with Jesus, with God and with the church; we need to get excited again.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (NIV)

What have we grown apathetic in? What in our church do we not care as much about as we once did? Maybe it’s coming to Sunday school, or worship as we should, or in our giving or some other area. If you were here for business meeting last week, then you saw that giving was down last year

HOW DO WE CORRECT OR IMPROVE ON THESE THINGS?
Hebrews 5:7-8
“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.” (ESV)
Let me ask you something, what have you learned from what you have suffered?
Do you know what God is most concerned about in your life? OBEDIENCE!
How do we improve the things in our church that need to be improved? OBEDIENCE!
How do we improve the things in our own life that need to be improved? OBEDIENCE!
What does OBEDIENCE mean? It is the act or practice of following instructions, complying with rules or regulations, or submitting to somebody's authority.
What does Obedience mean? Submission, respect, agreement, compliance.
2 Corinthians 10:6
“And I am fully prepared to punish every act of disobedience, when once your submission has been put beyond question.” (Montgomery NT)
We must be obedient in everything God says, we must humble ourselves before God, we must be praying. Do you know one of my favorite prayer times? On Sunday mornings before anybody gets here, that’s when I come in and walk through this church praying for you, for the message today, for this church and for the vision God has given me for this church.
Going back to 2 Chronicles 7:14; We must humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways.

Romans 16:25-27
“Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” (ESV)
2 John 1:6
“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (NIV)

So what happens when we decide to improve or to do better or to try and do better? Do you think it will be easy? Anytime that you decide to improve any area of your life, it is really easy to slip back into the way that you were doing things. But we cannot improve by doing things the way we always have, we can only improve by doing them better.
What is insanity? Doing things the way we always have and expecting different results.
We only get better things by doing things better.
When I was a kid, I would gather the ashes out of our fireplace and mix them with water and pour them into a hole. The water would go away and the ashes would be hard, so in my mind I was making concrete. I wasn’t because the ashes would break real easy. Now if I am going to build a house and I decide that I can save money by going around gathering ashes from everyone’s fireplaces, and I mix it with water for the foundation of the house, will it work? NO, because it is just ashes, not concrete.
We cannot do things with apathy and expect excellent results.
Now I want to ask you, what can you improve on? How can you be more obedient?

REVIVAL

2009-11-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

Well the date is set, pre-op done, co-pay paid and now all I have to do is wait. Have you ever had to do something that you didn’t look forward to? Well, that’s the way that I am, I’m really not looking forward to this at all. I’m not looking forward to the operation, to the recovery process or to anything that is or could be connected to this, although I know that it is necessary and that everything will be alright, but I’m just ready for this to be over with. I am scheduled for surgery Monday, November 30 at 7:00am in Lubbock. Just be praying for us, pray for the surgery, which will take about 3 hours, pray for the recovery and the recovery time. Your prayers are something that we need and cannot do without. We love all of you.
Speaking of prayers, we have some very important dates coming up, November 18-22. Desert Reign will be here for Revival. Please be in prayer for this, pray that the Holy Spirit will have freedom to flow, pray that the lost will be brought in and convicted of their sin. Pray for our church to be revived and rejuvenated, pray for the member of Desert Reign that God will use them in a mighty way. Pray for good offerings to come in and bless Desert Reign, when you come on a love offering it is a risky thing, but we need to give as the Lord leads. This is the first revival that we have had in several years and we need to have a great turnout, be here, be present and bring family and friends, invite everyone that you can. Remember Revival starts this Wednesday at 7:00 pm, services will be Wednesday through Saturday at 7:00 pm, and Sunday Morning at 10:45 am. Make an effort, not excuses; I’ll see you here for revival!!
We will continue to look at intimacy with Jesus this week. I will attempt to finish my sermon from last week, I got a good start on it, began to explain it but just ran out of time, this week I will recap last weeks and get into the rest of week one. This is an exciting and eye opening study, I just pray that you get as much out of it as I am.
In HIS Service, Bro. Randy
P.S. We really need help on Wednesday nights, if we don’t get some help quick we may not be able to continue having Kidzone, and that would be a shame. We have had a number of children saved because of Kidzone and the efforts of the adults involved. Please pray about it. Thank You.

JESUS & GENGHIS KHAN

2009-10-28T13:18:00.000-07:00

While we were in Denver for Becky’s check-up, which by the way went very well. She is still in remission and the doctor cut her treatment time down and if everything holds, it will be cut down even more in three months. Praise the Lord!!
While we were there we went to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to see the Genghis Khan exhibit. Genghis Khan is called the world’s greatest conqueror; he lived in the 13 century and conquered half of the known world. While he is known as a ruthless Mongol warlord, he is also revered as an innovative leader and statesman who brought unity, stability and much more to his people. When he would conquer a people, he would kill their leaders, kings and those in control and then incorporate the fighting men into his own army. He would let them worship however they wished, treat them well, divide the spoils of war with them and in return they were loyal to him. His advisers were made up of men from many religions, including Christian. He would also take a wife from every land that he conquered; as a result he had a lot of children. They estimate that one in every 200 men have DNA from Genghis Khan, his sons and grandsons ruled for century’s after his death. Genghis Khan insisted on everything being written down, he understood the importance of a written history. Also all of his laws were written down, including his rules for living, including “love your neighbor as yourself,” sound familiar?
While Genghis Khan conquered lands and people, Jesus conquered sin and death, He never married or had children, therefore his DNA isn’t sprinkled all over the world, and yet He is known all over the world, and had been for over 2000 years. He never attacked other people or countries, conquered lands or cut any ones head off, but He did, and has, and does touch countless lives everyday. While Genghis Khan thought it was his destiny to rule the entire world, Jesus knew it was His destiny to die for the entire world, to die for your sins and mine. Jesus knew without a doubt that He was to die so that we may live; He knew that it was God’s will. Jesus said in Mark the He would be killed, and on the third day be raised again. Jesus knew, Genghis Khan just thought. Do you know that you are saved, or do you just think you are?

OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

2009-09-30T12:20:00.000-07:00

It seems like every month this is a health update column, but that’s ok. There are those who receive this who want to hear the updates. We are still in a wait and see mode with my prostate, so I decided that while I was waiting I might as well get my carpal tunnel fixed, so I did. The stitches are out now and things are looking good, the pain is gone and as soon as the soreness is gone everything will be good. I am still working on losing weight, so far...drum roll please...30 pounds!!! I am well on my way to being a smaller version of myself. Becky is still doing good, still doing her treatments at home. We will be going to Denver this month for her 6 month checkup.
Hey we have something exciting coming up called “Breaking The Barrier”. This will take place in November, watch for all of the details.
This is for all of the men, we need to get rid of the old slab on the North side of the church. Brotherhood will meet out here on Saturday, October 10 at 9 am to break it up and drop it in the pit. We will have some heavy equipment to help with the heavy work, but we still need you to help. Come on guys, let’s ALL come out to work at God’s house. Who knows, maybe the ladies will come and cook us some lunch, you just never know.
I hope that you will attend the Red Fork Annual Meeting, it is in Quanah this year. The early session is at 4:00 pm, supper is at 5:30 pm and the Evening session is at 6:15 pm. This is always great and I hope the you will make an effort to attend.
I haven't said much about the Namibia Mission Effort lately, but I want to remind you to be in prayer for the Mbalantu people. We need to be raising more money for mission trips, and I need you to be praying about going to Namibia Africa to tell these people about Jesus. There will be 4 trips in 2010; Feb. 2-12, June 7-18, Aug. 2-13 & Nov. 1-12.
Please pray about going, raising more money for those who will go, for those who do go and for the Mbalantu tribe.

MARRIAGE

2009-09-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

You know marriage is what you make it. I read a story about a man whose lawn mower broke, instead of repairing it and mowing the lawn, he always found other things to do. Watch a game on TV, play golf, go fishing or whatever. One day he came home to find his wife sitting in the middle of the yard with a pair of sewing shears clipping the grass, obviously trying to make a point to her husband. He went into the house and came out and handed her a toothbrush and told her to be sure and sweep off the driveway when she was finished mowing.
The doctor told him that he would walk again, but he would always have a limp.

OK maybe that wasn’t true, but here are some Actual Classified Ads...
• From Minnesota: "Adolph, please come back home. The children miss you, the lawn hasn't been mowed in three weeks, and the garden needs a worm like you. Your loving wife, Gretchen."
• From North Dakota: "Wanted: Husband for beautiful eighteen-year-old blonde. Must have income to support her in style she believes she was born to-including minks, caviar, and diamonds. Applicant please write 'Desperate Father, Box 44.'"

You know that marriage is when a man and woman become as one; the trouble starts when they try to decide which one.
Ephesians 4:26 says, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger…..”
Following an especially angry argument, Uncle Ted and his wife went to bed not speaking to each other. Needing to arise early the following morning, Uncle Ted left a note on his wife's bedside table that said "Wake me at six."
An exasperated Uncle Ted awoke at ten the following morning and rolled stiffly out of bed to see a note on his bedside table: "It's six! Get out of bed!"

Maybe this is a humorous look at marriage, but we can all use a laugh.

50 & A HEART CATH

2009-08-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

Tuesday, August 11. As I am writing this, it is my birthday. I know that we all have them, some admit it more readily than others, but we all have one every year. Not only is today my birthday, but I am also turning 50, now there is something that you only do one time, at least I’m pretty sure that’s right. So here I am thinking about turning 50 and I feel like it’s no big deal. It’s just another day, another year, nothing to worry about. All I have to worry about is….is…..well the phone rang and I lost my train of thought. I guess that whatever it was I thought that I had to worry about; I don’t have to worry about now. They say that the memory is the second thing to go; I don’t remember who they are, or what the first thing is. All I know is that my memory is as sharp as….as...a...Well Friday I have the heart cath, they are going to go in and look to see if I have a heart. Becky wasn’t happy with just the pictures, she wants them to go in and look (does he really have a heart?). By the time that you are reading this it will all be over and done with. Thank you for your prayers and love. Continue to pray for us, this is just one hurdle in this race we have been running. Continue to pray for Becky, her cancer continues to rear its ugly head and say hello, she continues treatment, as she will for the rest of her life.
Wednesday, August 12. Well I survived, my birthday that is, all’s well that ends well. We had Amy, Zach, Zoe and my mom over and I got to cook outside. Had a good time and I didn’t blow my diet too bad. Turning 50 didn’t hurt too much.

You may have noticed something new. We decided to name our outreach program CONNECT. We believe that this will draw more interest and people than Outreach in the Park. This is one of our biggest outreaches of the year, and we need you to be using this fantastic outreach tool. Invite all of your friends, family, co-workers, classmates, people you don’t like and don’t know. Please invite everyone you can to the park on September 5th, for free music, food and fun.

For more info om my heart cath, check out my blog; www.randalwilson.blogspot.com

TURNING 50!!!

2009-08-11T07:54:00.000-07:00

A medical update for those of you who are concerned, my stress test showed that the lower part of my heart is not getting enough blood flow, so on Friday I will have a heart cath and if necessary a stint put in. This must be done before they can do anything on my prostrate. Over the next couple of months or so I may be missing some Sunday’s, just so you know I will not miss anymore than I have to. I want to ask you to be faithful to coming to church when I am not here. All too often when the people of the church know that their pastor will be gone they make no effort to be in church. Please do just the opposite. Make every effort to be here and continue supporting the church. Let whoever is filling in for me see what kind of people we have here at Carey, let them be amazed how many people we have. And continue to pray for Becky and I, remember, she still has cancer and some days it is more than she can take. And now with me having cancer also it will be extra hard on her, so say an extra prayer for her. I want to say thank you to everyone who gave to us in the love offering. It was totally unexpected and a blessing. I pray that God will bless you 100 fold, you are the best!
Well I turn 50 on Tuesday, and I have heard people talk about falling apart when they turned 50. Well at 49 I was diagnosed with cancer and possibly a blockage. 50 will be the year of better health and less weight. 50, now that’s going to be the year when I’m thinner, healthier and better looking….well I’ll be 50 anyway. A half a century old, good thing Paul Harris isn’t on the radio anymore I never would here the end of it. Just think, 50 isn’t old if you’re a rock. Well enough of me making fun of myself. Turning 50 doesn’t bother me, I SAID, TURNING 50 DOESN’T BOTHER ME!! (I’m not sure I heard that!) Just think 50 is nothing compared to Methuselah, or a turtle, or eternity. It’s just a drop in the bucket.
“But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8 (ESV)
When you read this verse you see that 50 years in God’s eyes is not much time, I’m only getting started good.

Storms of Life

2009-08-05T11:16:00.000-07:00

The storms of life come quickly! They are unexpected most of the time, coming with little or no warning. Even when we do see them coming, it always seems to be more severe than we thought it would be.
That’s the way it was Wednesday evening, we heard it thunder, heard it beginning to rain, heard the wind pick up, then we heard the tornado sirens going off. We thought that we might leave but the wind was so strong we knew that we couldn’t. The wind at the airport was recorded at 102 mph, straight line winds. We lost out TV and the internet so we couldn’t check on what the storm was doing. We called Jody in Amarillo and he said that channel 10 was saying that police cars were being pushed around, tornado sirens were being blown over and a motel roof had collapsed. It turned out that the roof of the Childress Inn blew off and hit El Sombrero and then hit and damaged the Days Inn. Not only did the roof blow off but the front wall on the same rooms fell in, trapping some people inside, hurting several. Damage was reported all over town, no one prepared for this storm, no one said, “O I know that this storm will hit on Wednesday evening and do all of this damage so I better go and cut these tree limbs off so that they won’t break and work on my neighbors roof so that it won’t blow off in my yard. That way I’ll be prepared when this storm hits. Nobody knew that that storm would hit at that time on that night and be that bad. Some experts might have given warning right before it hit, but that still did not give time to prepare for it.
Nobody knew, except God! This did not take God by surprise, He knew who would be without power and who wouldn’t, He knew who would have damage and who wouldn’t, He knew that my roof was going to leak, even if it is only a year old. He knew!! He also knows what storms you are going through in your life, and just like last night, He will see us through.
When the storms of life are raging, Stand by me (stand by me); When the storms of life are raging, Stand by me (stand by me);When the world is tossing me, Like a ship upon the sea, Thou Who rulest wind and water, Stand by me (stand by me).
“Thou art with me.” Psalm 23:4

AUGUST NEWSLETTER PASTOR'S PEN

2009-08-05T11:14:00.000-07:00

Is it August already? It is hard to understand, but the older you get, the faster time goes. We just started summer and now it’s almost over, school starts back on Monday, August 24. We are about to enter into all of the fall activities, didn’t we just have all of those, have we had Easter yet, wait, this is August, see what I mean? We will have another Ice Cream freeze-off on the 2nd and let the 35 and under crowd compete, of course anyone can bring ice cream. We are also having a sandwich supper before the ice cream. And then on the 9th we will be showing Faith Like Potatoes, an inspiring true story of a rugged South African farmer, Angus Buchan.
We have our service at the Childress Healthcare Center on Sunday the 16th, Jimmy McClain spoke in July and did a great job, thank you Jimmy. By the way, if you would like to speak just let me know.
As most of you know, I have prostate cancer and as I am writing this, I am not sure what is in store for me. As I am writing this I have not seen the surgeon yet so I don’t know when my surgery will be, but it should be some time in August. Keep Becky and I in your prayers, there are a lot of things to consider with this surgery and none of them sound like much fun. But there is one thing that I know, God still sits on His throne and none of this took Him by surprise. We are still in His loving care, He watches out for us. He is our shepherd; He leads us to the quite waters to drink so that we will remain calm. He beds us down in fields of green grass so that we will have plenty to eat and be able to sleep in comfort. His rod and staff are there to help show us the way and to protect us from the enemy. And when we walk through that cold dark valley called the shadow of death, we don’t have to have fear because He is there. Why does He do these things? Because He loves us and because He wants to restore our soul for His name’s sake. Amen.

FAITHFUL

2009-07-29T13:58:00.000-07:00

One of the most tragic events during the Reagan Presidency was the Sunday morning terrorist bombing of the Marine barracks in Beirut, in which hundreds of Americans were killed or wounded as they slept. Many of us can still recall the terrible scenes as the dazed survivors worked to dig out their trapped brothers from beneath the rubble.
A few days after the tragedy, I recall coming across an extraordinary story. Marine Corps Commandant Paul X Kelly, visited some of the wounded survivors then in a Frankfurt, Germany, hospital. Among them was Corporal Jeffrey Lee Nashton, severely wounded in the incident. Nashton had so many tubes running in and out of his body that a witness said he looked more like a machine than a man; yet he survived.
As Kelly neared him, Nashton, struggling to move and racked with pain, motioned for a piece of paper and a pen. He wrote a brief note and passed it back to the Commandant. On the slip of paper were but two words -- "Semper Fi" the Latin motto of the Marines meaning "forever faithful." With those two simple words Nashton spoke for the millions of Americans who have sacrificed body and limb and their lives for their country --
those who have remained faithful.
J. Dobson & Gary Bauer, Children at Risk, Word, 1990
Are we “forever faithful” or conveniently faithful? Are we faithful to God no matter what or just faithful when it’s convenient? Do we remain faithful when temptation strikes, when we are alone, when no body will know but us? Do we remain faithful when our friends or coworkers are around and we think that we have to save face? Or do we find ourselves doing the same things that we promised ourselves and God we would not do? We must be faithful all of the time, no matter what. No matter what someone else says or does, we must put Jesus first...always. Revelation 14:12 says, “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” (NIV)
We must remain faithful to Jesus!!

BEING FAITHFUL

2009-07-22T08:00:00.001-07:00

Fred Craddock, in an address to ministers, caught the practical implications of consecration. "To give my life for Christ appears glorious," he said. "To pour myself out for others. . . to pay the ultimate price of martyrdom -- I'll do it. I'm ready, Lord, to go out in a blaze of glory. "We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking $l,000 bill and laying it on the table-- 'Here's my life, Lord. I'm giving it all.' But the reality for most of us is that he sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $l,000 for quarters. We go through life putting out 25 cents here and 50 cents there. Listen to the neighbor kid's troubles instead of saying, 'Get lost.' Go to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in a nursing home. Usually giving our life to Christ isn't glorious. It's done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at time. It would be easy to go out in a flash of glory; it's harder to live the Christian life little by little over the long haul."

When does it seem to be the hardest to be faithful? It is in the everyday living for Christ; in our everyday walk with the Lord is when we tend to let things go. When we get tired of the grind, when we start feeling put out or left out, when it seems that others have a glorious walk with the Lord and all we have is struggles. Everyday, every moment of everyday we are required to be faithful, not following religious rules, but looking for opportunities to put a quarter or fifty cents down here or there. Looking for ways to be a good and faithful servant.
This doesn’t happen by accident, it has to be intentional, it has to be something that we watch for, and it will not happen just on Sunday morning, as a matter of fact it happens very few times on Sunday morning. But it will happen the rest of the time; it will happen a lot more often than you think if you are looking for it.
Look for times when you can show Christ to others, to your wife, your husband, you kids, family...total strangers.
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'
Matthew 25:40 (ESV)

VACATION

2009-07-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

Summer time is such a great time, kids are out of school, more daylight hours, and a chance that you might get to go on a vacation. My idea of a vacation is a cabin up in the mountains, away from everyone, just the mountains, creek, fish, cool days and cold nights. A place that we have always enjoyed going is the Continental Ranch up on the Continental Divide above Creede in Colorado. The cabins only have electricity for a couple of hours in the evening and then the generator is turned off. After that it's coal oil lamps, you have a wood (and coal) cook stove to heat and cook on. The cabins have 2 beds, a table and chairs and the stove, complete with the outhouse out back. Have you ever had someone throw rocks at the outhouse while you are inside?

The cabins aren't rented any more, and it's a shame, it was a great place to go to rest, relax, go trout fishing. One of the interesting things about this place is that Becky and I both went there as kids. Becky's parents were good friends with John Albert and Margie Dabney who owned the ranch, and it was a real working ranch. I'm not sure how my parents found out about the place, but we went there, and Becky and I think that we may have played together as kids. She says that she remembers playing with some kid from Texas, and his mother had church on Sunday morning....could be, seems to fit. Anyway, this was one of our favorite vacation spots as kids and as adults, our kids love it as much as we do.

A vacation is supposed to refresh you physically, emotionally, mentally and even spiritually. All too often we have to return home from vacation so we can get some rest. So I have to ask...

What is your ideal vacation? Let's hear from some of our readers.

FAITHFUL

2009-07-14T12:00:00.000-07:00

Sunday's @ 10:45 am

An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. “Pastor,” said the man, “something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There’s been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he’s just a boy.”
The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. “I feel it all,” he replied, “but God knows I’ve tried to do my duty.” On that day the minister’s heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign.
After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked, “Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher—perhaps a missionary?”
Again tears welled up in the minister’s eyes. “Ah, this heals the ache I feel,” he said. “Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher.”
Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa’s most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish kirk.
Lord, help us to be faithful. Then give us the grace to leave the results to you.

What does it take for us to be faithful to the Lord in every area of our life? For most of us it would be easier to go out in a blaze of faithful glory than to be faithful day in and day out. To be faithful in all of the small areas, the small things in our life, seems like a huge challenge. But if we look at it day by day, moment by moment it isn't so big. It’s like playing baseball, when you are up to bat; you are watching one pitcher throw one ball. But if you are trying to bat and you have 50 pitchers throwing 50 baseballs all at once...you will get hurt. Live for Christ right now, be faithful right now.

BEING FAITHFUL

2009-07-14T09:26:00.000-07:00

Sunday's @ 10:45 am

“His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”
Matthew 25:21
What do you think Jesus meant by “good and faithful servant”? What does it mean to be good? What does it mean to be faithful? What does it mean to be a servant? Was Jesus just talking about money here, or was there something else, some other meaning in this? And what does He mean by “Come and share your master’s happiness”? This month we are exploring all of this and much more. We began this last Sunday and we will continue fir the next few Sunday's.
Faithful, is it a word that we use too freely or a word that we don't use enough. I think that it means more than we thing it does. Be here every Sunday at 10:45 am, let's discover God's Word together!!

I understand that during the summer we do things with the kids and we are gone from time to time, but I believe that we all need to be here for these messages.
By the way, when you do get to get away for those few Sunday’s with your family to do some fun things, let me know what fun things you did. It’s always more fun when you get to tell someone. This is Summer, make the most of it, spend time with your family, go to the park, go fishing, go on a picnic, whatever it is that you can do as a family, do it, have fun, be refreshed. Come to God’s house, be really refreshed, body, mind, soul and spirit. Remember, I love you and God loves you, that makes two who love you. How many more can you think of?

“WHAT IS FREEDOM?”

2009-07-07T12:51:00.000-07:00

As I prepared the sermon for this week, and I looked up all kinds of really cool scriptures on freedom, and I researched the freedom in our own country, I had to stop and ask myself if I really knew what freedom was.
2 Corinthians 3:17
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (ESV)
Galatians 5:1
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (ESV)
What freedom? We will answer that in a moment? But first I have another question for you.

What is Freedom?
Well this being July 5th, it’s only right to start with this.
Freedom; a country's right to rule itself, without interference from, or domination by, another country or power.
Psalms 119:45
“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” (NIV)
We are free because God made us free!

What is Freedom?
Freedom; a state in which somebody is able to act and live as he or she chooses, without being subject to any undue restraints or restrictions.
If we are truly free in Christ, are we free to live and act as we choose?
1 Peter 2:16
“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” (ESV)

What does a servant do? Anything that the master tells them to, they do whatever the master says. This verse says do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil, or as a cover-up for sin. Before we are saved we live in sin, we do things that God says are sin and we don’t worry about it, but after we are saved we should be conscious of sin. If we are truly in tune with God and His Word, the Holy Spirit will prick our hearts when we are doing things we should not be doing. But the trouble is that way too many Christians want to be saved and still live like the lost world. They have convinced themselves that it is alright to run around doing the same things and acting like those people who are not saved, and it doesn’t work.
If we are truly free, then what are we free from and what are we free to?

What is Freedom?
Freedom; release or rescue from being physically bound, or from being confined, enslaved, captured, or imprisoned.

John 8:34-36
“Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (ESV)

So if Freedom is release or rescue from being physically bound, or from being confined, enslaved, captured, or imprisoned. Then we must know what bondage is, we must know will enslave us. Jesus said that everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.

How do we become enslaved to sin after we are saved?

2 Peter 2:19
“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” (ESV)
They who? The ones who are not saved, the ones who are lost and going to Hell, and they want you to go right along with them. These people are the very ones who will tell you how wonderful their life is and how much fun they are having, what the honest truth is they are in bondage to sin.
“For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”
You know that Lord told me something a while back, He said, “It’s what we get used to that we accept.”
What does that mean? If we hang around something long enough, no matter how bad it is, no matter how repulsive it is, we will begin to look at it in a more and more approving way. And soon we will be trying it and doing the very thing that we disapproved of. Why? Because we got used to it and accepted it, and now we try to justify it and we will use God’s holy Word, even if we have to pervert it, to show that we have the freedom and the right to do as we please.
One of them that I hear a lot is, “Well I don’t thing that God will sent me to hell for it, do you?”
Let me ask you this, Do you think that this is something that God will allow into His perfect Heaven? Look at the consequences of you actions.
How do we become enslaved to sin after we are saved?
“Are you staying sober?” “Most if the time.” That means “When I’m not partying.”
“Are you staying clean?” “Pretty much.” That means when you can’t find a fix.
“Are you staying faithful to your spouse?” “Yeah, sure.” That means only when there is a chance of being caught.
“Are you still cheating on your taxes?” “Not so anyone would notice.” That means you are hoping that the IRS doesn’t notice.
Are you getting the drift? “For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.”

What is Freedom?
Freedom; the ability to exercise free will and make choices independently of any external determining force.
People believe that they should be free to do whatever they wish, and God should’nt interfere, that nobody should ever tell them that they are wrong. Did you know that many people who call themselves Christians, would rather have a pastor who will make them fell good, than one who will point out sin. But when you stand before God, and are judged by God, which one would you rather have?
James 2:12-13
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” (NIV)

Galatians 5:13-15
“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. 14 For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. 15 If you bite and ravage each other, watch out— in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?” (MSG)

Jesus said in
Luke 4:16-21
“He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." 20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, 21 and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (NIV)

FREEDOM

2009-07-07T12:50:00.001-07:00

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
Did you know that this is the first line of the Declaration of Independence? Do you know what the second line is?
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Do you know what the last line of the Declaration of Independence reads?
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
Now did you notice what these three lines have in common? Let me give you a hint; Nature's God, Creator, protection of divine Providence. All three on these lines mention God, when people talk about the separation of Church and State, what they mean is that they don’t want the Church to influence anything that the nation does. But it’s too late; God has been influencing our country from the very beginning. Most of our founding fathers were Godly men. Did you know that the preamble to every state constitution mentions God? 56 delegates signed the Declaration of Independence knowing that by doing so meant high treason against the crown. Signing it did not mean that we were free; we were still in war with Great Britain. After the Declaration was written and approved it was sent to the printer, many copies were made and sent out, including to General George Washington who read it to his troops with the British troops not far away. Every where it was read crowds in many cities tore down and destroyed signs or statues representing royalty. An equestrian statue of King George in New York City was pulled down and the lead used to make musket balls. Our freedom wasn’t free, Thank God for it.

FATHER'S DAY

2009-06-23T12:10:00.001-07:00

Linda Anderson wrote An Open Letter to Family Men in Daily Bread, in 1989. It is worth sharing worth you.
An Open Letter to Family Men: She was blond and beautiful, with azure eyes and a tumble of tawny curls. At three years of age, she would climb into her daddy's lap, snuggle up with a wide, satisfied smile, and purr, "This is my safe place!" And so it was. Dads, husbands, YOU are the "safe place." You are our protector and provider. And when you gather us for a time with God, we need a safe place. A safe place, not a lecture. A safe place, not a sermon. A very human dad/husband who simply cares about God and us. We don't need or even want a "spiritual giant." We just want you. And we need a gathering time (phone unplugged) where it's safe to say to each other, "How are you and the Lord getting along?" "How can we pray today?" We need a safe place to cry laugh, sing, rejoice, challenge, share, and sometimes not to share and have it be okay. We need a time with you that's relaxed--unstiff, when we can pray honestly, in simple sentences, from our hearts. Unfixed. Unrigid. Unroutine. Unshackled. We need a place where irregular opinions are respected, and where God has the last word. We need a gentleman leader, not a general. Gracious. Relaxed. Human. A family shepherd who exhibits not infallible authority, but a thirst for God. Every day? Not necessarily. Often? Yes. Long? No. Where? Anywhere. How? Sense where we're at, and zero in. We may need heavy-duty confessing to each other and to God...silent prayer...exuberant praise (try sing-a- long tapes)...Bible study. But not every time. Thanks for listening, Dad (Husband). Remember, we need you. Your family.
Today we are honoring our dads, we are also having a Baby Dedication Service, this is another way to honor dads. We learn so much from our dads, children learn what a man is, boys learn what they are supposed to act like, girls learn how a man is supposed to treat them. A dad’s role is very important and the best thing that we can do for our children and grandchildren is to show them what a Godly man looks like. What do you say guys, are you up for the challenge?

ICE CREAM FREEZE-OFF 09

2009-06-20T06:48:00.001-07:00

We had our Ice Cream Freeze-Off on Sunday Evening June 14.
Only those over 35 could compete, in August those 35 and under will compete,
maybe in September we will have a Freeze-Off Championship,
taste good to me...I mean sounds good to me.

Thank You Amy and Zach for opening up your newly remodeled home for this.

Good Ice Cream for all

Eat that ice cream

And the winners are...Kay 1st, Becky 2nd and Juanell 3rd....

maybe we were the real winners!!!
Open your eyes Becky!!!

Hello Colt

RELAY FOR LIFE 09

2009-06-20T05:56:00.001-07:00

Relay for Life

We held the 2009 Relay for Life on June 5, here are some pics...
The first one is Mary Jane and Becky carrying the banner for the Survivors lap.

The Carey Baptist booth, thanks to Morris and Carolyn Daniel

Great Food, enjoyed by eveyone!!

Bouncers by Buncha-Jumps of Childress

Jerry, Mary Jane and Zoe

Carolyn & Morris

Slinky????

Zach ran the race....fought the good fight....finished the race.

Another successful Relay for Life. Thank You Carla and Kristy for all of your hard work. You are great Captains.

FATHER'S DAY COOK-OUT

2009-06-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

Father's Day is Sunday, and here at Carey Baptist Church we honor our dads.

So we are having our second annual Father's Day Cook-out following morning worship.

As always make sure that dad is comfortable, let him wear his t-shirt, shorts,

flip-flops and bring his lawn chair, whatever it takes.

We will be cooking in stlye
Be here on Sunday, June 21 for hamburgers and hotdogs, food, fun and fellowship.
Father’s Day is June 21st, and we will be honoring our dad’s in a special way again this year. As always this is “Bring Your Dad to Church Day,” but we are making it even more special. Let dad come to church in his t-shirt and shorts, bring his lawn chair, kick back and relax. And following church we are having a cook-out honoring dad. There is no charge and there will be plenty of food for the entire family. So join us on Father’s Day and “Bring Your Dad to Church.”

See you on the 21st!!!!

9:45 am for Bible Study and 10:45 for Worship & Food Following

PASTOR'S PEN

2009-06-16T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Pastor’s Pen is back by popular demand!!!! OK, so it’s only been gone for a couple of weeks, and only 2 people asked me about it, but it’s back. Now what shall we talk about? We could talk about Father’s Day next week, we need to be collecting some money for the food, just like we did last year, we will have hamburgers and hotdogs, just like last year. We need to be inviting family and friends, just like last year, we are expecting a large crowd, just like last year, we fed well over 100 last year. What’s new this year? We are having a Baby Dedication Service on the same day, so it will be an even more special day. And just like last year, make sure that dad is comfortable, t-shirt, flip-flops, shorts, lawn chair….comfortable!
What else should we talk about? How about prayer, it will be one of the points in my sermon today.
How important is faithfulness in prayer? Dr. Wilbur Chapman often told of his experience when, as a young man, he went to become pastor of a church in Philadelphia. After his first sermon, an old gentleman said to him, "You're pretty young to be pastor of this church. But you preach the Gospel, and I'm going to help you all I can." Dr. Chapman thought, "Here's a crank." But the man continued: "I'm going to pray for you that you may have the Holy Spirit's power upon you. Two others have covenanted to join with me in prayer for you." Dr. Chapman said, "I didn't feel so bad when I learned he was going to pray for me. The 3 became 10, the 10 became 20, and 20 became 50, the 50 became 200 who met before every service to pray that the Holy Spirit might come upon me. I always went into my pulpit feeling that I would have the anointing in answer to the prayers of those who had faithfully prayed for me. It was a joy to preach! The result was that we received 1,100 into our church by conversion in three years, 600 of whom were men. It was the fruit of the Holy spirit in answer to prayer!"
Martin Luther said, “Pray as if everything depends on God, then work as if everything depends on you.”

Kwai Chang Caine Dead

2009-06-04T14:47:00.000-07:00

For those of you who remember the 70's, you know who Kwai Chang Caine was. He was the character that David Carradine played in the series Kung Fu. When David first got into the role he knew nothing about kung fu or the Shaolin, Kwai Chang was a Shaolin priest.
While filming the series his interest grew in these, he learned kung fu and studied to be a Shaolin priest, although the temple was long gone. He immersed himself in this form of Eastern religion.

David Carradine hung himself in his hotel room in Bangkok Thailand, and is believed to have committed suicide. It said Carradine was in Bangkok to shoot a movie and had been staying at the hotel since Tuesday.

David was looking for something more than himself, he thought that he had found it in Eastern religion, which left him empty and longing.

Jesus is the only one who can fill that longing in our souls. I wish that he had turned to Jesus, I'm sure that he was devoted, I'm sure that he was committed, I'm sure that he was sincere, but He didn't know Jesus.
Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. John 14:6-7 (ESV)
Anything else leads to a sinners hell.

What are you following?

SPRING-TIME IN TEXAS

2009-05-19T11:23:00.000-07:00

Spring-time in Texas, unlike any other. You see things in this part of the world that you don’t see any where else. The different colors of trees, mesquite and cedar, make a pretty mix in the fields, these same trees make it hard to gather cattle. Where a hot day can mean a just a hot day or severe storms that afternoon or evening. In our part of the world you are as likely to see storm chasers as tourists, kids going to prom in a tractor as a truck, car or limo. You are as likely to see cowboys with spurs on as you are kids wearing jerseys. You are as likely to see a frog as you are a snake, weeds as grass. You may see a drought and a flood in the same week. What I’m saying is that in many ways we are just like any other part of the United States, but in some ways we are unique. We may have more churches per capita than some big cities, but that doesn’t mean that sin is extinct here. Satan is very much at work here, in ways that we cannot even imagine, messing up peoples lives, killing, stealing and destroying everything and everyone he can. We still must face the onslaught of evil everyday, just when you think that you are special you find out that you aren’t. The sin may be subtle and it may be in your face, but know for sure, it is there. We can whitewash it all we want to, but it doesn’t change it, it is still sin. The world calls it exaggerating the truth, God calls it a lie. The world calls it an alternate lifestyle, God calls it homosexuality, a sexual perversion. The world calls it having an affair, God calls it adultery. The world calls it living together, God calls it fornication. The world calls abortion a choice, God calls it murder. The world calls it partying, God calls it drunkenness.
It doesn’t matter how the world tries to whitewash it, sin is sin, and sin is offensive towards God. It is up to us to stay away from and out of sin. We are the ones who must remain righteous before a righteous God, He will not excuse our sin nor will He make excuses for us. We must make a conscience effort to stay away from sin, to keep ourselves pure before a holy God, no one else can do it for us. We must stay in His holy Word, be in prayer, and be in church where we can be fed and encouraged.

A.A.A.D.D.

2009-05-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

Here it is! Thank goodness there's a name for this disorder. Somehow I feel better, even though I have it!! Recently, I was diagnosed with A.A.A.D.D. - Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder. This is how it manifests:I decide to water my garden. As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide it needs washing. As I start toward the garage, I notice mail on the porch table that I brought up from the mail box earlier. I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car. I lay my car keys on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage can under the table, and notice that the can is full. So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the garbage first. But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first. I take my check book off the table, and see that there is only one check left. My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house to my desk where I find the can of Coke I'd been drinking. I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. The Coke is getting warm, and I decide to put it in the refrigerator to keep it cold. As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the counter catches my eye--they need water. I put the Coke on the counter and discover my reading glasses that I've been searching for all morning. I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to water the flowers. I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water and suddenly spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the kitchen table. I realize that tonight when we go to watch TV, I'll be looking for the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table, so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll water the flowers. I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the floor. So, I set the remote back on the table, get some towels and wipe up the spill. Then, I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do. At the end of the day: the car isn't washed, the bills aren't paid, there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, the flowers don't have enough water, there is still only 1 check in my check book, I can't find the remote, I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember what I did with the car keys. Then, when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really baffled because I know I was busy all day, and I'm really tired. I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for it, but first I'll check my e-mail.... Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!!

OK, I don't really have A.A.A.D.D., but some days I think that I might, I just can't remember for sure. Truth is this was just for fun. Hope it made you laugh. Have a grat day.

REMISSION!!

2009-04-29T10:05:00.000-07:00

REMISSION!!
Well, Becky and I went to Denver to see her doctor and get a 6 month check-up on her cancer. We flew to Denver on Friday in the middle of a blizzard, long rough flight, in Denver it was snowing heavy, large wet flakes, but in Greeley it was only rain. Denver actually had a large amount of snow fall. By Sunday it was clear and warm. Ellen told us to bring our winter clothes, but Monday and Tuesday it was in the 80’s, sure am glad I had my warm winter clothes on. ;)
We saw the doctor on Tuesday and she said that Becky was in remission but she would have to continue treatment twice a week. Remission, what a good word, remission with maintenance treatment, that's OK. We must do the maintenance treatment because this cancer returns easily and the doctor said that it could return in 3 days, 3 months or 13 years, but that it will return. So we are alright with maintenance treatment. The doctor also wrote a letter for the insurance company to see if we can get a treatment box in our house, that would save us 500 miles a week. But whatever, I do know this, I thank God and REMISSION is a great word!!!!!!
This month we have been giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, our goal was $650, and as of Sunday we have given $800. All of this money goes to our missionaries to help them in their work. I love it when we go over our goal. Today is Cooperative Program (CP) Day. The Cooperative Program is what the Southern Baptist Convention uses to support it’s missionaries. There is no other program like it in the world. When you give to the church, we send 20% of all undesignated offerings to the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention (SBTC), our state convention, in turn the SBTC sends 55% of all undesignated money to the CP. It all works because we all work together. Read the insert, it explains it all better than I can. Today's sermon is on giving, the suggested topic for CP Day. See if you can learn anything new about giving today.

HOME SECURITY SYSTEM

2009-03-24T08:46:00.000-07:00

How to install a home security system...
1. Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used size 14-16 work boots.
2. Place them on your front porch, along with a copy of Guns & Ammo magazine and your NRA magazines.
3. Put a few giant dog dishes next to the boots and magazine.
4. Leave a note on your door that reads: "Hey Bubba, Jim Bob, Duke and Slim, I went for more ammunition. Back in an hour. Don't mess with the pit bulls - they attacked the mailman this morning and messed him up real bad. I don't think Killer took part in it but it was hard to tell from all the blood. Anyway, I locked all four of 'em in the house. Better wait outside till I get home."

Billy

I guess this is one way to secure a house. Jesus said in Matthew 12:29-30 “Or how can someone enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” (ESV)
We need to make sure that Jesus is Lord and Master of our house, our physical and our spiritual house. We need to make sure that we are working to gather with Him, gather the lost by telling them about Jesus, gathering together with other believers, doing God’s work. Right after this Jesus said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:34-37 (ESV) Let’s make sure of our deeds and our words.

reFuge

2009-03-17T08:22:00.000-07:00

Greeting Church Family!!! For the past 6 weeks on Wednesday nights we have been talking to our students about purity in all areas of their life. This month we are taking 9 students to Dallas for a Saturday night conference, which hits on purity and then in the middle of the month we are wanting to do a purity ceremony with our students. Please be in prayer, as this decision to remain pure for teenagers isn't one that is easy to keep or one to be taken lightly. We have an amazing group of kids, and know that these will be incredible events!! Thank you for your prayer!! Amy & Zach

THE STRESS DIET

2009-03-10T11:40:00.000-07:00

Do you ever find your self under a lot of stress? Well if you do, I have found a diet that is supposed to take the stress away, try it, I’m sure it works.
THE STRESS DIET
BREAKFAST
½ grapefruit
1 slice of whole wheat toast
8 oz skim milk

LUNCH
4 oz lean broiled chicken breast
1 cup steamed zucchini
1 Oreo cookie
Herb tea

MID AFTERNOON SNACK
Rest of package of Oreos
1 quart of Rocky Road ice cream
1 jar Hot fudge

DINNER
2 loaves garlic bread
Large pepperoni & mushroom pizza
Large pitcher of Coke
3 Milky Way candy bars – Snickers (optional)
Entire frozen cheesecake eaten directly from the freezer

Now I’m not too sure that this diet would work for me because I don’t like grapefruit...or cheesecake. OK, maybe this isn’t a real diet, but this is the way that some people are with their spiritual life, they start off with good intentions, but because they don’t devote every part of their life to Christ, it becomes too difficult for them and they fall back into their old lifestyle. I know that you do great in this area of your life, right?

THE CENTER OF OUR FAITH

2009-03-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-2:5
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (ESV)

A collage drama group presented a play in which one character would stand on a trapdoor and announce, “I descended into hell!” A stagehand below would then pull a rope, the trapdoor would open, and the character would plunge through. The play was well received. When the actor playing the part became ill, another actor who was much heavier took his place.
When the new actor announced, “I descended into hell!” the stagehand pulled the rope, and the actor began his plunge. But as he plunged, he became hopelessly stuck half way down. No amount of tugging on the rope could make him descend any further. One student in the balcony jumped up and yelled: “Hallelujah! Hell is full!”

Do you remember the old “Peanuts” cartoon in which Lucy says to Charlie Brown, “I would have made a great evangelist.”
Charlie Brown answers, “Is that so?” She says, “Yes, I convinced that boy in front of me in school that my religion is better than his religion.”
Charlie Brown asked, “Well, how did you do that?” And Lucy answers, “I hit him over the head with my lunchbox.”

4 Things Everyone Needs to Know About Salvation;
1. We are one in our need of Salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:18-21
“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”

Romans 3:23
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (ESV)

2. There is just one means of Salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
“For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.”

John 3:3
“Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." (ESV)

3. There is just one way to be Saved.
John 14:6
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father" except through me.” (ESV)

4. There is just one Salvation. (The Cross is the center of our faith.)
1 Corinthians 2:2,
“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

2 Corinthians 5:15
“and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (ESV)

Robert Ingersoll was a noted infidel from the state of Illinois. He would preach all across the Midwest on subjects such as, “Why I Am So Sure There Is Not A God,” “The Mistakes Of Moses,” “Why Only A Fool Would Believe In Hell.” In turn he would build up straw men and proceed to tear them down. One night in a midwestern city after Ingersoll had supposedly exploded any possibility that there might be validity in the Christian faith, he offered a challenge to his audience. He spoke something like this, “I am aware that many Christians come to hear me speak. I would like to ask who in this audience tonight after I have spoken would still claim to be a Christian. After hearing what I said tonight, is there anybody here who will testify, ‘I still believe’?” not a soul stirred. Ingersoll put his hands on his hips and laughed uproariously. He offered the challenge the second time. “Isn’t there even one Christian here who will stand tonight and say, ‘I still believe after hearing the great Ingersoll’?” nobody responded. Again, Ingersoll laughed. He offered the challenge a third time. This time from one of the back rows of the theater two teenage girls stood and began to move out of the row and slowly down the aisle singing, “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross, life high his royal banner, it must not suffer loss.” As they walked, others slipped out from their rows and followed them until ultimately almost the entire audience was standing as one great throng in front of the stage singing in Ingersoll’s face, “Stand up, Stand up for Jesus.”
Romans 9:27
“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”.
Luke 13:3
“But unless you repent, you too will all perish”.
Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me”.
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out”.

LEADERS AND LAUGHS

2009-03-01T13:19:00.000-08:00

To be a good leader you must learn how to deal with difficult people and resolve conflict constructively. And there is often more than one way to do it. Former basketball coach Bobby Knight, who is less than a stellar example of public relations, told that a few years ago when Indiana was playing Michigan State, a man sat behind his bench and heckled Knight all game long—chewed him up one side and down the other. At the end of the game, Knight turned around and said to the lady who was sitting next to the man, “Does he belong to you?” She ducked her head and said sheepishly, “Yes.” Bobby then responded, “You could do so much better than him.”
The next year when the two teams were set to play again, Knight checked on the heckler and discovered that he was an economics professor and a one-time interim president of the opposing university. Knight invited the man to visit with the team prior to the game. After the visit, Knight handed the man several pieces of candy and said, “Here, chew on this rather than me. That way we’ll both enjoy the game better.”
Remember, some people are like sandpaper, the more they rub on you, the smoother you get, and the more worn out they get.

And now, just for laughs; Bloopers...
In an Ohio paper: "The operator of the other car, charged with drunken driving, crashed into Miss Miller's rear end which was sticking out into the road."
The Harrah, Oklahoma, News ran an article about the Folderol String Band, which was to entertain at a barbecue. The story explained, "These true sons of the Southwest have twanged their music all over Oklahoma and have been asked more than once to leave the state."
From the Jacksonville, Florida, Times-Union: "The sewer-expansion project is nearing completion, but city officials are holding their breath until it is officially finished."
And finally…
Real estate ad in program of The Barn Playhouse, New London, New Hampshire: "For Sale. Business site in large city. Busy intersection with traffic light out of order. Just the right spot for doctor or lawyer."
It’s always good to laugh.

“MONDAY MORNING CHURCH”

2009-02-24T15:18:00.000-08:00

Acts 2:41-47
“So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (ESV)

Bruce Larson wrote a book about missions in his church, and the first person that he mentioned was a woman who sacked items in the grocery store. She said that she prayed for everybody who walked through the line and whose groceries she sacked. She took this as a ministry for God and an extension of the kingdom of God. Too many times when we think about ministry, we think about the people we pay at church, or the person who hands out bulletins, or teaches a class; in a sense, that is ministry, but it is in-house. What we need is to get people to say and be, in reality, God’s people out in the marketplace. Every Christian needs to feel that he or she is a missionary and has a calling to the place where they work or live or spend their leisure time.
As we begin tonight to adjust our aim for visitation, we are joining in with FBC and Calvary to reach every home in Childress by Easter 2010. We will start our part on March 8, when we will do a blitz with as many people as we can going from door to door. But we need everyone who can to meet at Donny and Trica’s tonight so that we can all know what we are doing and how. All too often we have the attitude that it isn’t our job; that it belongs to someone else, but if you read the pastor’s pen this morning, you know different.

Lloyd Ogilvie tells of going to the First Presbyterian Church in Hollywood, California, and finding that inwardly the church was strong with lots of people coming, but no real vitality. He took his leaders on a retreat to answer his four questions:

1. WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE DOES IT TAKE TO CHANGE THE WORLD?
Verse 42, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

1 Timothy 4:6-8
“If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (ESV)

Romans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (NKJV)

Romans 8:2
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (NKJV)

Romans 8:3-4
“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (ESV)

Romans 8:5-6
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (ESV)

Romans 8:7-8
“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” (ESV)

Romans 12:1-2
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (ESV)

2. WHAT KIND OF CHURCH DOES IT TAKE TO PRODUCE THOSE KINDS OF PEOPLE?
Verse 46-47, “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people.”

1 Corinthians 1:10
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (ESV)

3. WHAT KIND OF LEADERS DOES IT TAKE TO PRODUCE THAT KIND OF CHURCH?
Verse 43, “And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.”

Who are the leaders? The leaders are the deacons, and those who are in a possession of leadership.
It takes leaders who are not afraid to make the tough decisions, to do the things that may not be popular.

4. WHAT KIND OF STAFF DOES IT TAKE TO PRODUCE THOSE KINDS OF LEADERS?
1 Timothy 6:11-12
“But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (ESV)

These four questions changed Lloyd Ogilvie’s church, answering these four questions can change our lives and our church.
One of the problems with American Christianity is that we have come to think too much of the church as an institution. That is, it is something I go to with a leader to listen to. But the church needs to be seen as a mission. It is a body of Christ working out in the world.
The question is, “Where is the church on Monday?” It is down on the car lot, it is at school, it at the store, it is wherever you are, wherever you are working.
“And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

Sermon outline on 2/24/2009

"GO AND TELL"

2009-02-24T15:16:00.000-08:00

How important is it that we tell others about Christ? Jesus said in Acts 1 for us to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, that means here at home, and in all Judea, that means here in Texas, and Samaria, that means in the United States, and to the end of the earth, this means, well you know what this means. Did you realize that the Great Commission given to us by Jesus is not a request? If it were a request then we could just say no thanks. Did you realize that he did not say that some have this gift and some don’t? If He did then we could just say, it’s not my gift. He didn’t say if you feel like it, go; or if you think about it go, He simply said GO. He said in Mark 16:15, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (ESV) Jesus said to GO into all the world. It is every Christians job to tell about Jesus and what He did for us on the cross. Maybe you are being called to go to Africa on one of the mission trips during the next 5 years, maybe God is calling you to go somewhere else in the world on a mission trip, maybe you are being called to do mission work here in the United States, but one thing that I do know, you are being called upon to tell others about Jesus. And I also know that the best place to begin is with your family and friends, why is this the best place to start? Because these are the ones that you care for the most and if you can talk to those who know you the best about Christ, you can talk to anyone. This may sound strange but our loved ones are sometimes the hardest ones to talk to, we don’t want them to think less of us, or we don’t want them to laugh at us. But if we allow them to go to Hell without telling them about Jesus, they will think less of us and they won’t be laughing. I want to encourage you to tell others about Jesus, by the way, we have visitation tonight. We will not be going out tonight to visit, we will however be getting ready for our big push, on March 8, time changes and we will begin to a big push to reach every home in Childress. On March 8th we will go to one of the apartment complexes and knock on every door, and we need you help to do this. Our goal is to reach every home in Childress county, along with the help of First and Calvary, by Easter 2010.

“WHEN LIFE GETS TOO HEAVY”

2009-02-24T15:10:00.000-08:00

GALATIANS 6:1-5 & PSALMS 55:22
Galatians 6:1-5
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.” (ESV)
Psalms 55:22
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (ESV)

A seminary professor used to say to his students, “Young men, be kind to everyone because everyone is having a bad time.”
Hard times are a part of life. We all have burdens and heartaches; we need to learn what to do with them. The scriptures tell us:

1. SOME BURDENS ARE TO BE SHOULDERED.
Some burdens we must carry, some we are responsible for.
Galatians 6:5 says, “For each will have to bear his own load.”
Some loads we must carry alone.
But the mistake we make all too often is that we try to carry all burdens alone.

2. SOME BURDENS ARE TO BE SHARED.
Some burdens are too much for us to carry alone.
Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another's burdens”

3. SOME BURDENS ARE TO BE SHIFTED.
Some we cannot begin to carry.
Psalm 55:22 says, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.”

Some say Christianity is nothing but a crutch – yes, but who not limping?

I don't believe that we have to carry any burdens alone, Jesus said in Hebrews 13:5
"I will never leave you nor forsake you." (ESV)
He is always there to help us, to help carry our burdens or to carry us if He needs to.

Cast your burdens on Him today.

Sermon outline for 2/24/2009

BURDENS OF LIFE

2009-02-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

We all face burdens, heartaches and hard times in life. But what do we do with them, how do we face them, how do we respond to them? We as a church and as individuals are having to deal with the death of a young man, this is a heavy burden to bear. You expect your children to grow up, get married and have children, the last thing you ever expect to do is to have to bury them. We are all saddened in this loss. We all have things happen to us that burden us down, so what should we do with those burdens? Sunday we are going to learn what the Word says as I preach a sermon titled, "WHEN LIFE GETS TOO HEAVY."
Be here Sunday, I believe that this is sermon that will help all of us, no matter how heavy our load is.
See You Sunday!!

MARRIAGE & ROMANCE

2009-01-28T09:57:00.000-08:00

If you were to ask men and women what it means to be romantic you would get a number of different answers. I am sure that you would get more blank looks from the men than the women.
If you asked the married couples here what the most romantic thing that they have ever done (honeymoon doesn’t count), the wife can tell you, the husband will think about the monster truck rally, or the tool exhibit, or whatever.
So often marriage partners start out sizzling with passion and then dissipate into mere roommates. A loss of romance doesn’t need to occur, yet in so many marriages, it does. The heat of passion and all displays of tender giving seem to vanish, and we accept it as normal, saying, “That’s just the way it is.”
Does marriage have to degenerate into such a sad state of affairs? No! God has a much different desire for marriage. In His plan, the romance continues throughout marriage. In fact, it builds and grows into a loving and passionate marriage that is even more wonderful in its latter stages than in its beginning.

You know there are several things that can kill romance in a marriage.
Sin
Romance dies when one or both persons become so wounded and disillusioned with a spouse that they become calloused. Sin and harsh actions are unrepented of until the wounds of sin have removed all feeling.
Proverbs 18:19
“It's harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars.” (NLT)

Age
Romance dies when a person focuses on the outer beauty rather than on the inner beauty of his or her spouse. Outer beauty degenerates over time; age takes its toll on every person. It doesn’t matter how many face or body lifts a person has, or how much a person attempts to keep in shape through proper exercise and diet, age causes fading of physical beauty. Unless you continue to see past the wrinkles around your beloved’s eyes and gaze into the full depths of your mate’s soul, you will feel less attracted to your spouse, and with a lessening of attraction, you are likely to express less romance.

Forgetfulness
Romance dies when couples forget the preciousness of their mates. Spouses all too often come to take each other for granted, and they lose sight of just how special they are to each other. Romance requires intention, care and focus. It requires that each person remembers why you feel in love in the first place.

Laziness
Many people recite vows to “love, honor and cherish” a spouse, and then they proceed with their marriage without a good knowledge of how to keep them. Love must be shown. Honor must be expressed. Cherish is an attitude that must be displayed. Passionate marriages are so by design and intent. Romance is a discipline.

So how do we keep the romance alive in our marriage?
Song of Solomon 7:11-12
“Come, my lover, let us go to the countryside, let us spend the night in the villages. 12 Let us go early to the vineyards to see if the vines have budded, if their blossoms have opened, and if the pomegranates are in bloom-- there I will give you my love.” (NIV)

1. Men are expected to be Romantic.

2. Men are capable of Romance.

3. God desires for men to be Romantic.

Remember guys, be Spontaneous and do the Unexpected

SPECTATOR SPORT

2009-01-28T09:54:00.000-08:00

Did you realize that Christianity is not a spectator sport? If you call yourself a Christian, you are expected to be in the game doing your best. If you ever played a sport then you know that you must do your best or you could cause the team to lose. I was on the wrestling team in high school, the only way that the team could win was if more people on your team won their matches than the other team. Wrestling is a one on one sport, if you win you get the credit, if you lose, you get the blame. That is the way that Christianity is, while we are part of the Church, we must be ready to go one on one. When I look at our church, I see those who are in the trenches working for the Kingdom, and then I see those who seem not to care. If you expect Carey Baptist to still be around in 10, 15 or 20 years, then you need to decide to become more active in church. More active in church attendance, church ministries and church activities. If you are not sure how to do that, just watch our older saints in the church. Without them Carey Baptist would have closed the doors many years ago.
If this has offended you, ask yourself why. Could it be because you saw yourself in a way you didn’t like? Do something positive about it...see you in church!!

HEAVENLY REWARDS

2009-01-28T09:51:00.000-08:00

As I watched the Presidential Inauguration last Tuesday, I had to wonder if President Bush, as he watched on, thought that the last 8 years went by fast or slow. You know the last 8 years have been hard on him, the way that the media has portrayed him, the things that he could have told to make himself look better, but couldn’t because of national security. And now we have a new president, the 44th, President Barak Obama. Love him or hate him, care or don’t care, he is our president and we must pray for him, pray that he will have wisdom and know how to use it, for what he does effects us. As I watched I saw the masses of people in attendance, there to see their hero being sworn in, or there to see the first black man sworn in, or there just to be able to say that they saw history being made. I always liked that phrase, “History being made.” Do you realize that everyday we see history being made, maybe not the history that will be written in the history books, but if we are alive we are seeing history being made everyday. If we are alive we are writing history everyday, every minute that passes becomes history, so you are writing history everyday, good or bad. Some say that Bush leaving the White House is the end of an era, some say the end of an error. Some say that Obama coming into office is the beginning of an era, some say that it is the beginning of an error. What will people say about you when you are gone? Will they say that the legacy you left was a good one, the end of an era, or that your life was one mistake after another, the end of an error. If we are like the Apostle Paul, and our goal in life is to tell as many people as we can about Jesus, and to see as many as we can come to a saving relationship with Christ, then at the end of our life not only will we receive rewards in Heaven, but we will leave a rich legacy here on earth.
Rick Warren prayed in Jesus name in front of the entire world, if we have the nerve to speak in Jesus name to our family, friends, co-workers and to people we don’t even know, we will have the heavenly rewards and leave a rich earthly legacy. Make it a habit this year.

LOVE & MARRIAGE

2009-01-11T08:16:00.000-08:00

Conflict Busting
(Tips for Building Bridges Rather Than Walls)
Every Married Couple has disagreements, how do we get past them when we do? Here are some tips, ideas and helps, see if it helps. Some think that you should only have a top 10, or 7 or better yet best 3, but sometimes we need more, here are 27 helpful hints for a happier marriage.

1. Get Started.
Someone said that getting started is half the job. This holds true more in solving conflict that any other endeavor. Let’s admit that it is hard to get started, but once the ice toward reconciliation is broken, it is downhill all the way from there. Sometimes just one gesture does the trick. Go ahead and swallow your pride, reach out and touch, extend a hand, give a hug, just make the first move and see what follows! Usually the loved one is just as anxious as you to put things to rest, but no one is willing to make the first move.
Don’t allow conflict to become a power struggle because power struggles don’t move relationships any where but downhill. Walls will begin to fall when we are willing to make the first move on the road to reconciliation.
2. Fantasize — Don’t Criticize.
Envision good things between you and your partner. Remember the good experiences of the past and understand that it can be that way again and soon. Try not to throw darts because darts only hurt and escalate our partner’s defenses. Being logical and reminding yourself and your partner what is happening lowers the tension level. Remember some wonderful experience you have had together and make that experience the subject of conversation. Even fantasize about some future happy experience together.
3. Reach Out and Touch.
Reach out and touch, so the phone company says. Great advice, especially when two people are experiencing conflict. Go ahead and do it literally! It’s really difficult to speak harshly to someone when we are touching them or they are touching us. Touching has a calming effect. Touching expresses love and care. Touching diminishes tension. Touching lowers the defense bar. Touching does work wonders when it comes to communicating feelings of love and desire for healing.
4. Lower Your Voice and Speak Slowly.
Typically, the raised voice and rapid speech are telltale signs that we are out of control — that super-heated emotion is taking over. In those frames of mind, we usually come across as angry, hostile, controlling, but not in charge even of ourselves and our own emotions. A cool, calm low voice sends the message that we are not only in control, but that we have something of significance to offer the stressful situation.
5. Open the Door.
You may open the door by saying what you wish to say in a positive and non-threatening way. Usually people hear us when we speak in this manner. We need to remember that put-downs, abuse, and badgering will close the heart of the one we are trying to reach more than anything else.
6. Be empathetic.
Try to understand your partner by putting yourself in their shoes. Make a serious attempt to see things from the other’s position rather than simply scoring points for yourself. Try to get inside your partner’s mind and heart and experience the issue from their perspective. Feel what they must be feeling.
7. Talk.
Yes, just allow yourself the privilege of talking. Sounds simple enough, but when there is conflict, talk, the one thing that can settle differences, is the last thing couples want to do. The temptation for one or both partners is to “clam up,” or “go inside the shell.” While it may feel good to go inside the shell and not have to talk, nothing is being resolved and, in fact, the silence is escalating the tension. Remember to use “I Statements” and not “You Statements.”
8. Take Turns.
When there are differences, they usually exist from both vantage points. No one is 100% right or 100% wrong. No one should have complete command of the conversation. This only deepens the wound and escalates the conflict. Give each other two minute episodes to say what is on the mind and in the heart. Use a stopwatch if necessary. Even the humor of this will break the ice.
9. Recognize the Problem.
Don’t try to ignore or minimize the problem. Recognize it. Get it on the floor of conversation. Both try to identify and analyze it. Both think of solutions. Try to be specific. Even write out what the problem is and what each thinks is the solution.
10. Change Locations.
Sometimes conflicts occur in certain settings and once the setting is changed, a new feeling may emerge. Couples may be captives while riding in a car or in a room or in a crowd. Getting away from that location may change the mood of one or both and break down resistance to an open flow of dialogue and mutual exchange of feelings. It is even wise to say, “Why don’t we go have a cup of coffee?” Making an appointment to talk allows both people to come to the talking table with a new calmness and expectation. New and intentional environments mean new feelings and new expectations.
11. Listen to the Heart.
Conflicts develop when feelings have been hurt or egos stepped on. Behind the spoken words are damaged hearts that stand in need of repair. Make a concerted effort not to listen to the words, but to get behind the words to the feelings that are being expressed. Just listening is in itself salve on the wound. Once your loved one has had the time to speak and be heard at the heart, their heart is already well on the way toward mending.
12. Push the Right Buttons.
Couples who have known each other for any amount of time know which buttons to push to make things better or to make them worse. There are sore and sensitive spots which grate on the nerves, spots that draw immediate reflexes and reactions, spots which raise the hackles. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know where these buttons are once we have known a person for a period of time. But pushing the hot buttons will not only raise the emotional temperature, it will further polarize the relationship. Just as everyone has hot buttons, they also have soft buttons, buttons that when touched have a calming and soothing effect on the one who is touched. Couples also know the soft buttons. Soft buttons are conflict busters for sure!
13. Say You Care.
Conflict arises when needs are not being met or when wants and desires are at cross-purposes. The underlying message is that the offending party “really doesn’t care.” One is not concerned about how the other feels. It’s “My way or the highway.” “He/she never considers what I would like to do.” “He and I never seem to be on the same page. He always gets his way!” The conclusion drawn from such statements is that the other doesn’t care. Conflict is moderated when there is affirmation that one is truly loved and cared for.
14. Never Draw a Line of Demarcation.
Drawing a line in the sand is the best way on earth to challenge another. Such lines set limits and draw boundaries, and once drawn, such perimeters are difficult to fracture. Demarcation lines are almost certain to be seen as challenges, and accepting challenges only escalates open verbal warfare. A spirit of openness and desire for communication will erase threats and destroy needs for perimeters.
15. Communicate Commitment.
Conflict may arise when one member of the partnership feels their position is threatened. The most basic of human needs is the need to be loved and the security that goes with the feeling that one is loved. When that security is threatened, gyrations of fear and uncertainty permeate the emotional system. Defenses come into play. The most basic need stands at risk. Conflict emerges. Even when differences are being expressed, and they can be without doing damage the relationship, care should be given to communicate commitment. Such language offers space to explore differences without fear of rejection or alienation.
16. Be Flexible.
Rigidity or inflexibility are the bugle boys for conflict. When a person is unwilling to bend, he/she is sending the message that it is more important to be right than to mend the brokenness felt in the relationship. Flexibility sends the right message that the one loved is far more important than any rigid position one might hold within oneself. Flexible people are viewed as problem solvers who think and act with sober judgment.
17. Look for Doors of Opportunity.
The resolution of conflict usually comes with baby steps rather than giant steps. Partners should look for the baby steps, the little nuances which are telltale that the guard is coming down and there is openness to reconciliation. A change of body language, a faint smile, an ever-so-slight alteration of demeanor, a pause in the exchange, subtle suggestions, are all signals that the doors of resolution and reconciliation are opening. Recognizing these baby steps seizes the moment and ultimately leads to the giant steps of resolution and renewal.
18. Know When to Say When.
If things are not going well, simply call a truce. Put it on a back burner for a while. Even under the best of circumstances and with the best of intentions, things may go south for a spell. Feelings are still raw and nerves frayed. If things are deteriorating and tempers flaring, it may be a good idea to admit that this is not the best time to try to resolve this. Just postpone it until later, but be sure there is a definite time set so that both parties know the conflict has been taken seriously and will be addressed when emotions are more settled.
19. Write Down the Concern.
If it’s important enough to cause conflict, it’s important enough to write down. Putting it on paper enables each partner to view the concern more clearly, but also elevates the importance of resolving the issue. Like diagramming a sentence or working a puzzle, getting it out where it can be seen enables each party to get a better view of the whole picture. Putting it on paper also sends up a red flag that this is definitely one of the hot buttons not to push. Once resolved, seldom do couples revisit such sites.
20. Say You Are Sorry.
Remember that famous quote from Love Story when the two young lovers had their first quarrel and an overture is made toward reconciliation. The never-to be-forgotten response is “Love means never having to say you are sorry.” While it sounds good in novels and movies, love means being able to say you are sorry and that you do, in fact, want to say it when there has been a breach in the relationship. If there is a balm in Gilead for healing the wounded soul, it is the desire to heal what’s broken through a reconciling heart. Dare to repair!!
21. Don’t Rewash Dirty Laundry.
Continuing to focus on issues of the past is usually counterproductive toward resolving conflict. It is important to hear concerns and seek to understand areas that are sensitive, but once they have been addressed, it is best to move on. Dirty laundry is just that: Dirty Laundry, and bringing past issues to the surface will add fuel to the fire and complicate the healing process. Lingering resentment is a sinister force in the arena of putting differences to rest. Couples sometimes need to agree that certain past subjects are simply off limits.
22. Forgiving Means Forgetting.
When someone has expressed remorse over an issue that caused a conflict, if conflict over the hurt is to be resolved, the injured party must have a forgiving spirit. What is past is past and cannot be redone. An overture for healing the conflict has been extended. Digging at “scabs” will only infect the wound. Once the concern is addressed and the concern is forgiven, it is best to bury it never to be exhumed again.
23. Be Optimistic!
A firm belief that conflict can be resolved is the launching pad for ultimate restoration. Believing the best about the love of one’s life and believing not only that one is loved by that person, but that the loved one also wants resolution will bring results. Pessimism toward resolving differences will only tailspin the healing process. No fissure in relationships is ever mended by believing it can’t be resolved. Believing the best brings best results.
24. Don’t Play the Blame Game.
Casting blame will only corner the one with whom one has the conflict. Humans are akin to other species: when cornered, most people tend to strike back. Rather than blaming the other, assuming some responsibility for the breach in the relationship will lower defenses and usually put the conflict on the road to resolution.
25. Express Gratitude.
The expression of appreciation for the one that is loved can be like magic in the healing process. Gratitude is positive. Gratitude focuses on the good qualities of the one who is loved. Gratitude is remembering the pleasant and not rehashing the offensive. Gratitude enhances rather than diminishes. While gratitude may be difficult when relationships are under stress, the presence of mind to include gratitude in the course of exchange will work wonders.
26. Be Willing to Give in.
Resistance to reconciliation will only prolong the conflict. If neither partner is willing to give in, there is no opportunity to pour oil on the troubled waters and the stand-off continues, sometimes with even deeper entrenchment. Reconciliation is not about winning and losing. It is about healing and mending what is broken. It is about reaching out to the one that is loved. It involves making oneself vulnerable. A willingness to give in will break the alienation barrier and set the relationship on the course of understanding.
27. Turn Your Scars into Stars.
The very source of hurt and conflict may prove to be the very place a relationship finds renewal and the capacity to grow again. By processing the conflict, understanding the hurt, reaching for reconciliation, and finding forgiveness and restitution, the downer may prove to be the upper, and an ailing relationship may be restored to health and wholeness where love, trust, and respect are freely given and freely received.
(Preparing Couples for Marriage written by Les. C. Wicker)

REACHING OUR GOALS

2009-01-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

So how do we reach our goals?
Last year I said that we need to
1. Pray
2. Tell people About Jesus
3. Invite people to Church
4. Work for the Kingdom
This year;
1. We must choose, what we want for ourselves, and our church in 2009!
Do we want to remain as we are for the coming year, or do we want to improve? We must choose who we will serve. Now you may be sitting there saying, “Well I got saved, ain’t that good enough?” and I say to you, “NO it isn’t!” That is just step one, if that is the best that you can do then you are still slobbering milk and wearing diapers. You know Zoe is still drinking milk and wearing diapers and that’s ok because she is only 4 months old, Eisley is 14 months, she is eating real food in small bites and she is still wearing diapers which is ok because she will be out of those soon. But Mia at 3 years old, if she were still in diapers and drinking from a baby bottle it wouldn’t be so cute or ok. But you know one thing I know for sure; all three of my granddaughters have been learning since they were born, they are active and learning. What’s our excuse? Are we spiritually growing and learning? Maybe we aren’t because we think that we are good enough just the way we are, maybe we don’t think we have to; maybe we are too lazy or too stubborn. I want to take a look at Joshua 24:15.
“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (ESV)
Before you can choose what you want for yourself and for our church, we must know who we serve. What god do we serve? Do we serve the god of our own making, the god of this world, the god of possessions, or the God of all gods, the King of kings? We must choose who we will serve. When we can truly answer who we serve, then we can begin to move forward, but not until then.
2. Get Excited!
Romans 12:11-12
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (NIV)
Did you know that God wants us to be excited about Him? Remember in the book of Nehemiah, after the wall was finished and the Temple was cleansed, the people brought gifts, Ezra read the Word of God, the people confessed their sins and the people celebrated. They had choirs, and singers and they had gladness and thanksgiving and singing and cymbals and harps and the people were excited and made a new commitment to God and dedicated themselves to Him.
Remember the Prodigal son? His Jewish father ran to him when he saw him coming down the road, he was excited that his son was home. We need to get excited, we need to show EXCITEMENT!!!
3. Use our support system.
Our support system is our family and our church. Our support system is not those unbelieving people we work with who want to run down God and His church, our support system isn’t the ones who want to drag us down to their level. Our support system are the ones who want to build us up. We need each other!
1 Corinthians 12:24-27
“But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (ESV)
We are all a part of the body of Christ; we all need help once in a while. Now if you find yourself always being the one taking and never the one giving, you need to find out why.
4. Be Flexible!
“Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.”
Philippians 3:12-16
“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” (ESV)
We need to learn to listen to other peoples ideas, if we have been upset with someone, we need to forget it and continue on.
5. Take small steps.
To make your goals more achievable, come up with small goals you know you can meet each day to keep yourself on track and feeling positive. Not everyone takes as big of steps as you do, sometimes we need to allow others to take smaller steps, and sometimes we need to encourage them, mentor them.
Titus 2:3-5
“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” (ESV)
We need to be teaching others, teaching them the way of God.
6. Work as a Team in building the Church!
We need to be working as a team in building up the church.
Psalms 122:1
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD." (NIV)
Now I want to look at Nehemiah again.
Nehemiah 2:17-18
“Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision." 18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.” (ESV)
The people had to rise up and build, the people had to decide to do it. It is time for us to rise up and build the church back. It is time that we decide what we want for our church in 2009, what do you want?

DIETING & 2009

2009-01-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

2009?

2009-01-06T09:34:00.000-08:00

As 2008 came to a close, and 2009 kicked off, did you make any New Year’s resolutions? Did you promise yourself that you would do better in some areas of your life, or be a better person, or treat someone nicer or just try harder? What New Year’s resolutions have you made for the church and your church life? Are you satisfied with your commitment to Christ and church, are you satisfied with your level of commitment to the things of God, to the work of God? Now any of us who sit back and say that we are satisfied and we don’t think that we can improve, we need to take a long look at ourselves, including me. We can all improve the way we serve Christ, we can all improve on our commitment to His church and His work. That’s what I’m asking of myself this year, and that’s what I’m asking of you also. I am asking you to make a promise to the Lord and to yourself to be more committed to His work, His will, His Word and the church this year. I feel that we are on the threshold of something great this year here at Carey, I am not alone, others feel the same way. But it will take more than just me and a few others to make it happen, it will take you. I have heard people say, and I know that you have too, “If it’s God’s will, it will happen.” do you realize that this statement is always made by people who want to sound religious, they want to sound religious and not do anything. They think that by saying that they have done their part, what they are really saying is, “You can do it, but I’m not going to help.” then of course, you always have the “Whatever” crowd. These are the ones who sit and listen to what is being said, and then they say “Whatever.” They either say this to themselves or out loud, but what they are saying is, “You go right ahead, I’m not going to help either. Unless it begins to look really fun and easy, then I might show up.” I don’t need the religious crowd, I don’t need the “Whatever” crowd, and I don’t need the “I hope it works out for you” crowd. What I do need is you to become more involved and committed, I need you to bring people to church, friends, family, co-workers, even your enemies. I need for you to get excited like you have never been before.
What say you? Are you committed??

NEW YEAR

2008-12-29T08:18:00.000-08:00

So now that Christmas is over, what are your plans for the New Year? 2009 will be here in a few days. I will turn 50 in 2009, now while this doesn’t really bother me it is a milestone, a half of a century. If I live this long again I will be 100. What major things do you think will happen in your life this year? We all make plans for a better year than the one we just finished, but do we do anything to make it better? Or do we just keep on doing the same thing the same way and hope that it turns out better. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing, the same way and expect different results. It just doesn’t happen. Something must change in the process in order to obtain different results. So what will we change to make this a better year? Let me ask you, how much time did you spend with the Lord this past year? Can you improve? Yes, we all can. How much time did you spend in His Word? Can you improve? Yes, we all can. How many people did you invite to church this past year, of those that you invited, how many did you go by and pick up and bring to church? How many people did you witness to this past year? Can you tell more people about Jesus? Can we improve? Yes We Can! Let’s use 2009 to build His Kingdom, Let’s spend more time with Him and His Word, let’s invite and bring more people to church and let’s share Jesus with more people who are lost and going to hell. Let’s make 2009 a banner year here at Carey 1st Baptist Church. Are you with me? Let’s do it!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
2009, Wow, can you believe it, what great things will you do this year? Have you made plans for 2009 yet, you know, the plans to improve your life and make it better. All of the self-help books tell you what’s wrong with you and how you can make it better. I always have to wonder about those people that write the self-help books, are their lives that great, or will they be after they make a million off the book. Do you remember who Dr. Spock was? He was the parenting expert who messed up a whole generation of kids by telling the parents how to do their jobs. He didn’t know what he was talking about, but we still see remnants of his expertise today (don’t spank you child, it will damage him later in life, just talk to him...). By the way, Dr. Spock didn’t have any children, he wasn’t such an expert after all. Before you take that self-help book to heart, remember, self is what got you into this mess, your human self, and it will take someone better than yourself to help. That someone is Jesus, that someone is God, and His book, the Bible is the only book that can really help. This year, 2009, when you decide to improve your life, begin by improving your Bible reading habits, prayer habits, sharing your faith habits. Let’s make 2009 the best year ever for our church and for you, let’s truly put Jesus first and everything will improve, everything. Happy New Year!

GIFT 2

2008-12-22T06:28:00.001-08:00

Last week I talked about buying that special gift for that special someone, knowing just what to buy.
Of course when you do buy that special gift that you know they will just go crazy over, you want to give it right away because you want to see that look on their face. Don't you just hate having to wait to give that gift, I wish that I had enough money to give Becky a special gift every day of December, but I don't, and even if I did I don't have enough ideas. To think of one makes my brain hurt. But Christmas will be here soon and then we can all give that special gift to that special someone.
Have you ever wanted something so bad that you just ached for it? Have you ever wanted something so bad that you ached for it but you didn’t really know what it was that you wanted, you just knew that you wanted something? What do you give a person who has everything? Or a person who thinks they have everything? Do you ever ache to give a gift to someone, a gift that they really need, but they don’t know that they need it? As a believer we possess a gift like none other in the entire world, a gift that is impossible to understand until you have it. A gift that people are aching for and they don’t even realize it. A gift that we should be wanting to give so bad that we just can’t wait. You know, that special gift for that special someone. That special gift is Jesus, that special someone is the person God puts in your path, how bad do you want to give that gift? Are you willing to go and tell?
We have that very opportunity, as an association we voted to become an engaging association, and to adopt a people group in Africa. We have adopted the Mbalantu people in Namibia Africa. You will have the opportunity to go there and tell these people about Jesus, if there is just no way that you can go, maybe you can help others go. There is one thing that I know you can do, PRAY! For the Mbalantu people in Namibia Africa, they are a forgotten people who are lost and without Jesus, without hope. I am planning on going in 2009, are you? Begin praying about it, get your passport ready, if you don’t have one, get one, and above all, pray!

GIFT

2008-12-16T08:13:00.000-08:00

Have you finished all of your Christmas shopping yet? Have you bought that special gift for that special someone? It always makes you feel good when you know what you are going to buy for that special someone, and then you go out and get it, of course it always helps when they give you a lot of hints. The best is a list written out and given to you, it’s only fair, that’s what they want from you. Of course if you wait until December 24th it’s a lot easier, you just pick up whatever is left. The selection isn’t as vast, but the decisions are easier, “Do I get her a snow shovel or a water hose, ice melt or a skateboard, mittens or flip-flops? Snow shovel, ice melt and mittens, then she will be all set for….” Maybe this isn’t the best way to do it but when you wait until the last day, this is what you get, trust me I know. It’s times like this that you really push that “it’s the thought that counts” thing. Maybe we should put a little more thought, a little bit earlier into it. Of course if you are like me, I go to buy Becky that special gift that will just make her day, and I go to the store, and since I don’t have a list, I forget what it is (snow shovel, ice melt, no no that’s not it, now what was it). But those times when I do come through it makes me feel great to know that I did good.
Of course when you do buy that special gift that you know she will just go crazy over, you want to give it right away because you want to see that look on her face. Don't you just hate having to wait to give that gift, I wish that I had enough money to give her a special gift every day of December, but I don't, and even if I did I don't have enough ideas. To think of one makes my brain hurt. But Christmas will be here soon and then we can all give that special gift to that special someone.
So what is the most special gift that you have ever given someone? Let me know.

A DATE WHICH WILL LIVE INFAMY

2008-12-10T08:21:00.000-08:00

"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of the Senate and the House of Representatives:
Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.
The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.
Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese Ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And, while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.
……..
No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.
I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.
Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.
With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph. So help us God.
I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."

These were the words spoken by President Roosevelt on December 8, 1941. This is the event that propelled us into World War II. We need to learn about this important date and remember it. Just as we were attacked on September 11, 2001, we were also attacked on December 7, 1941. we were not at war before, but we were after. Pray for our men and women who fight to keep us free.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was not an isolated incident, but was rather one thrust of an overall Japanese offensive in the Pacific. Ninety minutes before the first bombs were dropped in Hawaii, Japanese forces invaded British Malaya, which is today the country of Malaysia. Hong Kong was attacked eight hours later, as were the Philippines. At peace the day before, the United States now found herself on the defensive in a war she was not prepared to fight.

Also did you know that on On December 8, 1941, at 12:35 P.M., 196 Japanese Navy bombers and fighters crippled the largest force of B-17 four-engine bombers outside the United States and also decimated their protective P-40 interceptors. The sudden blow allowed the Japanese to rule the skies over the Philippines, removing the only effective barrier that stood between them and their conquest of Southeast Asia. This event has been called "one of the blackest days in American military history."

If we don't learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. We did repeat it on September 11, 2001, we did not attack, but we were attacked, we were not at war, but we are now. Pray for our men and women in the military, pray for our nation.

SILVER BELLS

2008-12-03T10:00:00.000-08:00

Christmas makes you feel emotional
it may bring parties or thoughts devotional
whatever happens or what may be
this is what Christmas time means to me;

Silver Bells, silver bells
it’s Christmas time in the city
ring-a-ling, hear them ring,
soon it will be Christmas day.

City sidewalks, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style
In the air there's a feeling of Christmas
Children laughing, people passing
Meeting smile after smile
And on every street corner you'll hear

Silver bells, silver bells
It's Christmas time in the city
Ring-a-ling, hear them ring
Soon it will be Christmas day

Which Christmas song do you hear that takes you back to that special time in your life, that time when Christmas was still magical and it took forever to get here? When you hoped and hoped that you would get what you wanted, and you rip the presents open and you got clothes.
Now that you are all grown up, Christmas seems to come around a lot more often than it used to. And you hope at Christmas that you will get clothes that fit. But most of all you hope to just have everyone together, safe and sound.
Christmas is a time when you can feel emotional, thinking of years gone by and loved ones gone on. But we need to remember to live in the present, not the past. These are the days that are making memories for others. Let’s do our best to make them special.

An ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE

2008-11-24T09:12:00.000-08:00

What does Thanksgiving mean to you? I didn’t ask what are you thankful for, or what Thanksgiving do you remember most? But what does Thanksgiving mean to you?
In 1621 the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is now known as the first Thanksgiving. While cooking methods and table etiquette have changed as the holiday has evolved, the meal is still consumed today with the same spirit of celebration and overindulgence. The first feast wasn't repeated, so it wasn't the beginning of a tradition. In fact, the colonists didn't even call the day Thanksgiving. To them, a thanksgiving was a religious holiday in which they would go to church and thank God for a specific event, such as the winning of a battle.
All of this is well and good, but what does Thanksgiving mean to you? Is it just a day of family, eating and football? Or is it something more? We should be giving thanks every day, not just one day a year.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in everything,
for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (HCSB)
We need to remember to always give thanks, even when we don’t feel like it, even when we don’t understand, even when we are mad or sad, give thanks.
We need to be careful what we say, a heart of gratitude shows up in the mouth.
Psalms 35:28 says, “And my tongue will proclaim Your righteousness, Your praise all day long.” (HCSB)
Psalms 107:1-3 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good;
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord proclaim
that He has redeemed them from the hand of the foe
3 and has gathered them from the lands—
from the east and the west,
from the north and the south.” (HCSB)
This Thanksgiving, let’s all try to have an attitude of gratitude, let God hear it, let man hear it, let yourself hear it.

HARVEST PARTY 08 Pictures

2008-11-05T10:46:00.001-08:00

This is part 2 of the Harvest Party, I had trouble loading pictures last time. So here are some pics. This could be the best turn-out we have ever had.

If you missed it, you missed a great one.

A NEW PRESIDENT!!

2008-11-04T21:22:00.000-08:00

Well, we have a new president in our nation tonight, President Elect Obama. For better or worse, if you voted for him or not, it is what it is. What's in store for our nation? I don't know, I hope and pray for the best and fear the worst. One thing I do know, we must pray for him as we have for President Bush, more than we have for President Bush. And we must continue to pray for President Bush, his days in office are not up yet. There are those who have made threats against Obama if he was elected, pray for his safety. When a president is shot, it is always bad, no matter who it is. In my lifetime I have seen two presidents shot. Reagan who recovered, and Kennedy who didn't. It is never good for our nation when a president is shot, pray for his safety, pray that God will draw Obama close to Him and give him wisdom to do our country no harm.
Always remember that no matter who sits in the White House, we know who sits on the throne. It is God's throne, always has been and always will be. Pray for our nation as never before, I feel that time is short and Jesus will return soon. We need to be an active witness for Him who set us free.

HARVEST PARTY 08

2008-11-04T09:52:00.000-08:00

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas….about a month after Thanksgiving, which is almost a month away. But if you go into Wal-Mart you can go from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas in about 2 isles. You can decide what kind of Halloween candy (it’s on sale now), which Thanksgiving decorations and what size Christmas tree to buy in just a few steps. Amazing isn’t it? I keep looking for the Easter eggs on the next isle, but that won’t come out until they have made all they can on Christmas.
Wow, did you come to our annual Harvest Party? I believe that this may have been one of our best. All of the booths were great and all of them were busy the whole night, we had a church full of kids and everyone had fun. Did you try your hand at the basketball shoot, or the cake walk, or the pin the nose on the pumpkin, or the ring toss, the cup stack, pick up ducks, tug of war or the drag races? Or any of the other 4 or 5 or 6 booths that I didn’t even mention? Like the target shoot, or the ball toss or...well you just had to be here.
Did you know that we had drag races inside the church, one of the booths was drag racing. It was a two person team, one pulling the sheet and their partner riding on the sheet (drag racing...get it?). We had some great races with the kids, youth and adults. We even had a monster pull, I know that it was because we had two wives pulling their husbands (monster being pulled). It was a great night.
Why do we do the Harvest Party every year? This is a great way to minister to kids and parents. We had several adults here that do not go to our church, some that I talked to don’t go to church at all. But they all got an invitation from me and I hope from you also to come to church here. You see they got to see us having fun, and they realize that we are just people like they are. Sometimes the unchurched look at us like we are something strange or like we don’t want to associate with them. Something like the harvest party puts us side by side with them, loving on their kids. It works.

IS GOD CONCERNED

2008-10-31T07:09:00.000-07:00

I believe that God is concerned about every area of our lives, and I believe that He wants to be actively involved in our lives if we will let Him. Why would He say that He knew us in the womb, why would He send His Son to die for us and then not be concerned about us and what happens to us? I was asked once if it was OK to pray for a car if a person had no way to get around, or was this just trivial prayer. I said that I myself had prayed for a car, not having a car was a hardship on me and my family and we could not afford to go out and buy a car. so we prayed about it, and someone gave us a car. It wasn't new, it had a lot of miles on it, but it ran good and it provided a way to get to work. we have had to put some money into that used car, but it is a good car. And we have loaned it to others from time to time.
Gos does care about you and your daily life, He loves you and He wants the best for you. Take your daily cares, concerns, joy, needs and thanksgiving to Him everyday, this is what He wants, and you will be better off if you do.

WHAT DOES GOD THINK??

2008-10-16T10:37:00.000-07:00

Do you think that God is really concerned with the things that concern us? When we pray for our everyday needs, do you think that God really is concerned with them? Does God consider these things to be petty, does He expect us to have enough faith not to bother Him with these trivial things. Or do you think that God wants us to talk to Him about everything??
Let me know what you think about what God thinks.

SOUTH AFRICA

2008-10-08T08:08:00.000-07:00

We were happy to have Susan Stokeld with us on Sunday; Susan is a Southern Baptist Missionary with the International Mission Board (IMB). She has been working in the Pacific Rim. She was here for our On Mission Celebration which were are doing in conjunction with our Red Fork Annual Jubilee.
I always love to have a missionary in our service, we need to be reminded of whom and how the message of Christ is being carried around the world. We as adults, youth, and children need to learn about missions. And the best way to do that is to hear from missionaries, this is the best way for that spark to be put in our hearts for missions. We give about 30% of the money that comes in to missions, that includes 20% to the Cooperative Program. The Cooperative Program is what enables our missionaries to stay in the field. It is great to give the way that you do, but when we meet someone who is on the receiving end of our missions money and hear about what they do then we have a better understanding of how it all works. Through the International Mission Board (www.imb.org), Southern Baptists support approximately 5,100 missionaries who are engaging more than 1,170 different people groups around the world.
New churches numbering over 1,458 are planted through the efforts of more than 5,153 North American Missionaries, whose efforts are coordinated through your North American Mission Board (www.namb.net) and individual state conventions.
Working together, Southern Baptists saw 836,898 new believers baptized in 2006!
If you missed hearing Susan, you missed a treat!!
Sunday night at Calvary Baptist in Vernon we had our Annual Jubilee and all of the missionaries that were at Red Fork churches were there with tables set up so that you could see things from all over the world. We also had a missionary speak during the 6:00 service, I had the honor to speak during the 4:00 service. If you did not go because you did not see the importance in it, shame on you. We as an Association to begin going to the Mbalantu tribe of the Owambo nation in the South African country of Namibia.
I will be sharing more about these people soon, but begin praying about going, and get your passport ready, if you don't have one, get one.
Let me know what you think about going to Africa.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
In HIS Service, Bro. Randy

SCHOOL PRAYER

2008-10-01T13:44:00.000-07:00

Now I sit me down in school,
where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God,
finds mention of Him very odd.

If Scripture now the class recites,
it violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow,
becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene.

The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.
For praying in a public hall
might offend someone with no faith at all.

In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.

We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's "inappropriate: to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such "judgments" do not belong.

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed.
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen.

This was written by a teen in Arizona.

TOP OF THE WORLD

2008-09-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

There is the story of a youth pastor in California by the name of R. Kent Hughes who went on a hiking trip with some of the High School students. They hiked to the top of Mt. Whitney in California, the highest spot in the continental United States at 14,495 feet above sea level. They exulted over the wonderful panorama of the Sierra Nevada and the Mojave Desert. What a spot, with its rare field, crystal-clear air, its indigo and turquoise lakes-vista giving way to vista as far as one could see. As they gazed together from what seemed to be the top of the world, one of their party pointed out that only eighty miles southeast was Death Valley, the lowest spot in the United States at 280 feet below sea level and the hottest place in the country with a record 134 degrees in the shade!
What a contrast! One place is the top of the world, the other the bottom. One place is perpetually cool and the other relentlessly hot. From Mt. Whitney you look down on all of life. From Death Valley you can only look up to the rest of the world.

Sometimes it seems as though we are on the top of the world looking down, and sometimes it seems that we are in the valley looking up. When I was in high school we lived in the San Luis Valley in Colorado, my brother and I went to the top of Mt. Baldy, a big mountain on the west side of the valley. We drove as far as we could, stopping to move fallen trees, driving around some and finally we had to get out of the truck and walk the rest of the way to the top. What a view from the top, we could see for miles, looking down to the valley floor we couldn’t see anybody, but we knew they were there. As great as it was to be on top, we had to come back down, you see, we didn’t live on topof the moutain. We seem to think that we should always be on top of the mountain and never in the valley, but the valley isn’t such a bad place to be. It’s in the valley that we listen to God as never before, in the valley we can get still, quite and really listen to God. When we are on that mountain top we are too busy looking around, going from this side to that, thinking about what we are going to tell others. Mountain tops are great, but valleys are great also, get quite this week and really listen to God. As the song says, If the blessings are in the valley, then in the river I will wait.

WHAT TO DO ABOUT SIN

2008-09-23T09:21:00.000-07:00

What should the church do about sin? Should we confront it in hopes that the person who has committed the sin will repent or just ignore it in hopes that it will just go away? I believe that for way too long churches have been afraid to confront sin, they preach about, talk about it, even teach about it; but when it comes to confronting a brother, or one that calls himself a brother, who is intentionally doing something that will bring himself and maybe others harm, and gives the Church a black eye, all too often the church is not willing to confront it. It’s almost like a parent that wants to be a buddy instead of a parent. We must be willing to do the hard things in the church as well as the easy and fun things.
Did you know that when you join the church you enter into a covenant relationship with the church? You are a covenant member; this is for your protection as well as the churches. How is this protection for you? As a covenant member you know that you have people, including myself, praying for you, also as a covenant member you know that if I feel that you have stepped out of line too far I will come to you in love and talk to you. Jesus was always rebuking Peter in love, it isn’t wrong to be rebuked in love; this is one of the ways we learn. We all need someone to help us in this way; I have the deacon’s to help me. I have on many occasions gone to a member of the church and talked with them in love. Most of the time I am met with a sense of gratitude, but once in a great while anger or resentment and even a threat or two.
So what should we do? Should I just keep my mouth shut and let you believe that whatever it is that you are doing is alright. By doing that we are giving that person the seal of approval from the church, and by rebuking them in love maybe a stronger Christian will be serving the Kingdom.
Now weigh your answer carefully, because what if, by some strange twist of events, it was you approached by me or even one of the deacon’s, what would your reaction be? Think about it, pray about, what would your reaction be? It should be our desire to have stronger Christians, a stronger Church and a stronger Kingdom. What should the reaction be of a Christian??
In HIS Service, Bro. Randy

COMING EVENTS

2008-09-16T07:55:00.000-07:00

Did you know that we go from the laziest days of the year, Summer, now I know that we have been busy around here this summer with VBS, Father’s Day Cook-out, Youth Fish Fry and Fund Raiser, Youth Habitat for Humanity camp, Open House & Fish Fry and vacations, to the busiest? Summer is called the lazy days, kids are out of school and things seem to be more relaxed. So we have gone from the lazy days of summer right into possibly the busiest time of the year, that being fall and all of the holidays. Looking at the calendar I am thinking of all of the things coming up in October, November and December; September just seems to getting us ready for it all.
A quick rundown; we have our On Mission Celebration (OMC) on October 5, we will have a missionary here on Sunday morning and then we will all go to Vernon that night for the Annual Red Fork Jubilee, and I will actually have the honor of speaking during the 4:00 pm session. Also in October we have the Teachers Banquet and Harvest Party. November we will host the After Game Fellowship for the High School students; church-wide Thanksgiving Dinner, Thanksgiving and of course the Hanging of the Greens. We will need to have all of the Christmas decorations up and in place and everything cleaned up on that night because on December 1st we will host the Annual Red Fork Staff and wives Christmas Dinner. We will need people to help with this as we host all of the pastor’s and staff of the Red Fork, we need to all work together to make Carey Baptist shine. Also in December we will have our Carey Christmas program (begin practicing now), do our food baskets (we need to begin bringing canned goods for this) and our Christmas Eve Service.
Just so you know, in September we are doing the Reach Texas offering, all of the money raised for this stays in Texas and goes directly to mission work in Texas. I am also forming new 4 X 4 groups that will begin in October. If you would like to be in one of these please let me know, I need your names, address and phone numbers. Also if you are in a group and do not wish to be again let me know. Also this month is See You At The Pole for our students, and the Brotherhood work day at the church on the 27th. Let’s all get involved, see you there.
In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

ONE OF THOSE WEEKS

2008-09-09T08:41:00.001-07:00

Do you ever have one of those weeks when everything happens at once? You know what I mean, you have all of those things that you need to be doing, all of the things that have to be done by a certain day, you are under the gun, feel the pressure, have the responsibility, these things must be done. But then everything else happens that keeps you from doing them. This seems to be a weekly event in my life. I have learned that the bulletin will get printed and my sermon will still be ready, even if I am still working on it at 3am Sunday morning. God has never failed me just because I felt too pressured or too busy. He always comes through, always has, always will. Jesus felt this kind of pressure from people also, only worse. He had people pulling Him in several directions at once, heal my son, come and heal my daughter, touch me and I will be healed, teach us, feed these people… I’m glad I’m not Jesus. Even Jesus felt it, and sometimes He had to get away, He had to be alone and let God talk to Him. Sometimes we also need to get away and have some alone time with God. What is your alone time, or quite time? Time when your brain can unwind, it is important that we all do this. Find your alone place, it doesn’t have to be a far away exotic place, it can be your bathroom, bedroom, yard, garage or wherever. Find a place for yourself.
Next week is going to be a great week, we will have a Gideon with us in church, telling us what all the Gideon’s are doing. And then Desert Reign will also be with us in church, it will be kind of like Desert Reign unplugged, they will be doing some music and sharing what God had laid on their hearts. You may see Desert Reign like you never have before.
And then on Sunday night at 6:00 pm we will be doing the free food and free concert with Desert Reign in the park. Why am I telling you this? Because all of this takes money. The man from Gideon International will take up an offering at the door to help buy the bibles they give away. We need to give Desert Reign a generous offering and we need to give Morris and Carolyn money to cover food expense. I know; give, give, give. But you do it so well. Let’s show everyone what we are made of, and make this the best outreach ever. What do you say??
In HIS Service, Bro. Randy

NEW BABY

2008-09-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

Isn’t it amazing how much you can love someone you just met? It would seem that you would need to get to know someone for a while before you love them so much. After all isn’t that the way it was when you fell in love and got married (if indeed you are married or ever have been). You saw that special someone, found out who they were, hit them in the back of the head with a snowball, (that’s what happened to me), began dating, fell in love, got married, and all of this takes time. But on Tuesday I fell in love at first sight...again. It’s happened 5 times in my life, 2 times with my kids, 3 times with my grandkids. When a man has a son he walks tall with his chest stuck out, knowing that someday this little boy will learn to play catch, wrestle, hunt and fish with him. He can teach his son to be a man, how to love and how to work. When a man has a daughter she immediately takes his heart and wraps it around her little finger, and he doesn’t even mind. Granddaughters are much the same way, and now we have 3 of them. When you have a baby, grandbaby and I’m sure great-grandbaby, you fall in love with them immediately, and you wonder how you can love so completely, but you do. You know that you will do whatever you have to do for that baby, even die. That’s the way it is with God, as a matter of fact, He loves you even more than that, He loves you so much that He let His Son die for you. What on God’s green earth makes you worth that? Absolutely nothing! There is no way that you or I are worth the life of God’s only begotten Son. It doesn’t matter how well you can sing or dance, or how handsome or pretty you are, how much money you have, what kind of car you drive, who your mother is or anything else you can think of, we are not worth the life of Jesus. But there it is, the fact that His life was given for you and me. So what are you going to do with it? Will you live for Him, sacrifice whatever needs to be sacrificed, give up whatever is in your life that keeps you from being close to Him, worshipping Him, from having a personal relationship with Him, you know, really living for Him?
After all, He really does love you that much!
In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

FOR MORE PICTURES GO TO MY BLOG; randalwilson.blogspot.com

DESERT REIGN & FREE FOOD

2008-08-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

Why do we spend money on things like the Father’s Day Cook-out, the Fish Fry, Swim Party, and the Desert Reign Concert (Sept. 14)? Why would we want to buy food to cook and give away to people who don’t even come to our church? Why would we want to spend our time and money on them? After all, a lot of people we come in contact with never darken our doors, so why should we be wasting money on them. And further more, why should we waste our time even if some others are helping with it?
It’s called Outreach. I believe that we need to always be trying new ways to reach the lost and unchurched. Our Father’s Day Cook-out was great, we had over 100 people here, people that came to church, heard the Word, felt the love. The Fish Fry, we had over 110 people here who also heard the Word, felt the love, saw what fellowship is all about. Our Swim Party was a success, we had a good number of young couples come, some who are active in our church, some who will be and some who want to start coming to church here. We also had a lot of Kidzone kids present, getting ready for Kidzone to kick off. Our people had a good time and we had contact with a number of unchurched.
Maybe you believe that church isn’t about having fun, and that if the only way we can reach some people is to give away food or have a swim party, then maybe those people are not worth reaching. Jesus thought everyone was worth reaching. He went to the Pharisee’s house to eat, the Pharisee’s were religious bigot’s, he talked to the Samaritan woman, Samaritan’s were hated by the Jews. He went to the tax collector’s house, they were hated by everyone. He showed the woman who was caught in the act of adultery mercy, and he paid the ultimate price for you, His life.
So is outreach worth it, is it worth spending you time and money on? YES!
By the way, if you think that we should be doing outreach that doesn’t cost any money be at my house tonight at 6:00 pm for Visitation. See you there!!
In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

NEO-NAZI FOUND FREEDOM IN PRISON

2008-08-20T11:50:00.000-07:00

This is an artic that Russ Rankin of Lifeway wrote about Steven Neil, Paul Harris and myself concerning "Share Jesus Without Fear." It has been in many publications, enjoy.

By Russ Rankin

MINERAL WELLS, Texas—Seventeen years of prison and a lifetime of hate, violence and racism is mapped on Steven Neill’s body. Druids, swastikas, skulls and symbols of the occult circle and mesh darkly up his arms and disappear into his shirt; the letters “skinhead” are tattooed across the knuckles of both fists. Friedrich Nietzsche’s famous phrase – “God is dead” – stands defiantly in black, inked into his wrist.

But God is very much alive to Neill, pastor of Northside Baptist Church in Mineral Wells, Texas, and his markings weave a visible testimony of a life transformed.

“These are the roadmap of my life-story,” he said unashamedly, running a rough hand up his arm. The tattoos are an easy way to share Jesus, just like Share Jesus Without Fear – the witnessing method that stopped Neill in his tracks and led to his salvation.

The hate and resentment came at a young age for Neill, festered in a broken, abusive home and reinforced in Houston’s dangerous 4th Ward district. After a violent conflict with Hispanic gangs, a 13-year-old Neill found brotherhood with a group of American neo-Nazis. The abuse and neglect crystallized into hate as Neill studied the teachings of radical supremacists.

“We were extremely violent and militant,” he said. “We wanted to wage the racial holy war that Nietzsche spoke about.” Needing paramilitary training to advance in leadership, Neill joined the Army. The white supremacist attachments weakened in the discipline of the military until another altercation changed Neill’s life forever.

The fight started as an argument, but “I stabbed him,” Neill said. “Punctured a lung, severed the small intestine. He died four hours later. Aggravated murder with a deadly weapon gave me a 40-year sentence.”

Going to prison catapulted Neill back into his past. “It was a fight for survival,” he said. “I fully embraced my past and became violently racist.”

Following the teachings of Nietzsche, who blamed Christianity and Christians as the cause of all ills, “I was going to do anything I could do to eradicate Christianity,” Neill said. “In prison, society is organized into predators and prey. I was a predator. I could sense without a doubt who was prey.”

Neill said religious lines in prison were also obvious. Groups would organize based upon what particular ministries had come in and won converts. Converts were weak prey-types, he said. Some would become embolden and share their faith, an exercise Neill relished.

“If I couldn’t verbally convince them their faith was wrong, I’d beat them up,” he said. “But I didn’t have to do that very much because I knew every bit of anti-Christian philosophy – and I enjoyed a good argument – so I would utterly crush them.”

Faced with the Truth

Against his will, Neill was signed up to attend a prison ministry weekend. With his attendance now mandatory, Neill decided to be as offensive as possible.

“I’m rude, belligerent and I go off on how hypocritical everyone is at this thing,” Neill said. “I cussed everyone out and stormed off the stage. Then this guy jumps up into the aisle and jabs a finger in my chest.”

Up until that moment, Paul Harris had begrudgingly endured the prison outreach. His pastor made him come to the prison. Harris had only recently recommitted his life to God after years of charting his own course. But sitting in the prison yard listening to man after man speak about how much they loved God, feelings of condemnation and hypocrisy overwhelmed him.

“And all of a sudden I’m hearing this guy on stage calling us all hypocrites, and I’m agreeing with him,” Harris said. “As he’s stomping out, I jump out of my seat and stick my finger right in his chest and say, ‘You’re the reason I’m here!’

“As a former atheist, I had dabbled in everything he’d been in,” Harris said. “We locked horns that first night. We were both determined to win.”

Neill said he knew he was in a place of heavy discontent. “I came in unhappy, knowing I needed to change. But I went in with a combative attitude and Paul met me on that ground.

“It was intense,” Neill grinned. “Everything he threw at me I had an argument for.”

After an entire day of arguing, Randy Wilson, Harris’s pastor, stepped in and changed the game plan. “I hadn’t read all those books,” Wilson said. “Steven and Paul are both so intelligent. They sat there arguing and contradicting each other with humanistic philosophy. I told Paul it was time to present the Word.”

Wilson is a longtime fan of the Share Jesus Without Fear, produced by LifeWay Christian Resources. The resource offers three simple steps for sharing the Gospel: Five questions to determine where God is working, seven verses to let the Bible speak for itself – which the unbeliever reads for himself – and five questions that lead to the point of discussion.
“What’s so appealing is that it’s not about memorizing a thousand verses and quoting them all,” said Wilson, pastor of Carey Baptist Church, located outside Childress, Texas. “It’s easy. You ask five simples questions; the last is a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer.

“Steven Neill could argue all day against [the Bible], but he’d never read it,” Wilson said. “And so we walked him through this simple process – with him reading the Scripture for himself. At the end, it’s a simple question: according to what you’re read, are you a sinner? Steven wouldn’t answer.”

That night back in lockdown, Neill said his life came into view. “I saw my life as it really was. But I saw everything as God would see it. I saw that I had gloried in active rebellion against God.

“There was no relief that night,” he said. “There was no hope. If I was prone to suicide, I would’ve have done it that night.”

Freedom

Neill said he walked back into the meeting the next morning a broken man. Harris and Wilson could only stare at what was a literal physical transformation. “The darkness was dropping from his face,” Wilson said.

“Randy pulled out his Share Jesus Without Fear Bible and had me read the Scriptures,” Neill said. “By the end, I was bawling like a baby.”

“We didn’t lead Steven to the Lord. We just witnessed to him,” Harris said. “That’s what is so good about Share Jesus Without Fear. When I first used it, it triggered something in me – it wasn’t about me or what I knew anymore. It was up to the Lord, His Word and the Holy Spirit.”

Neill knows it was the Holy Spirit that opened his eyes that day, but “I think the [SJWF] method is the only way I would’ve gotten there,” he said. “Instead of arguing, I was sitting there reading the Scripture. I’m honest enough with myself to reach for the truth.”

Unable to counter the Truth, Neill gave his life to Christ and immediately began a journey of growth. After beginning a Bible study with two other prisoners, the group grew to 26 as lives change and people began to come to Neill for spiritual matters.

“God wanted something more from me than just going to church,” he said. “He was calling me to something bigger. I was studying Scripture 14-16 hours a day and some amazing things happened. I would dream Scripture passages rolling through my head. I would wake up refreshed, often praying even as I woke up.”

Neill earned a Diploma of Pastoral Ministry through Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s extension program and a Diploma in Biblical Studies through Amherst College. After 17 years in prison, Neill was paroled, and he immediately submitted himself to further discipleship under Wilson. A short time later, Neill was ordained into the ministry.

“I want to see this church walk in freedom,” he said, speaking of Northside Baptist, the small West Texas congregation that accepted him with open arms. “I want them to know they can walk with the vilest of sinners because they have in them He who is stronger than the world. Then, lives will change.”

On June 29, Neill, along with Wilson, ordained Harris as associate pastor of Northside to serve alongside the former prisoner he introduced to the Lord. The foundation of the two men’s ministry is grounded in their mandate to share Jesus with boldness and confidence.

“Bill Fay (the writer of SJWF) truly had a great vision,” Harris said. “I believe it’s probably the best way for witnessing. And Share Jesus Without Fear has affected the mindset of our entire church. I believe it’s going to be a catalyst as we look outward.

“The radical power of God to transform lives is what amazes me,” Harris added. “Jesus was a radical man. And that’s why I love to share the Gospel.”

Pastor's Pen 8-17-08

2008-08-20T11:48:00.001-07:00

I received this e-mail from Derrell Monday, our Director of Missions, pray about this and see if this is something you might be interested in.
“We have the possibility of doing a construction project (a duplex or housing work) in Haiti for a seminary there. We would be looking at January and February, ideally with two or three (or more) teams staggered to go in and do the project or as much as possible. We would need builders, plumbers, electric, good "Indians" and all. We could have some that would be able to do prayer walking or other things if not able to do construction, but construction would be the focus. I do not have costs yet, but when the missionary returns to Haiti next week he will send me sample plans for the building needed and other information.
I am sending this now for you consideration as if we plan to try to respond we will need to make a commitment and get started enlisting workers and getting a staggered schedule of folks to go. We would not need large groups, but 10-15 or so in each group.
Please pray about this and let's discuss it at the board meetings. Thanks. Derrell”
All I can say is, pray about it, we have some in our church who have a specialty, and we have a good group of Indians, after all we can only stand so many chiefs. Anyway, pray about this and if God lays it on your heart to go and build in Haiti, you will need a passport and money, but the good news is, we have time for both. Time to get your passport (apply now) and time to raise some money. We can do some church fund raisers and you can raise some on your own. If God opens this door, and if He leads you to go, I can guarantee you that this will be a mission trip you will never forget.
So start praying now, please don’t just dismiss this and say that there is no way you can go, with God there is. Remember, prayer is the key.

In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

Gossip, An Enemy of Unity

2008-08-12T08:24:00.000-07:00

Did you know that there are 5 forces that can tear the unity of a church apart? Poor communication, gossip, unresolved disagreements, lack of a shared purpose and sanctioned incompetence. I want to take a closer look at the destructive nature of gossip.
It’s impossible for people to be comfortable working around or worshiping with each other, let alone enjoy each other, when gossip is present. Gossip is inherently degrading; it will divide and destroy a church or an organization.
What is gossip? It is delivering negative information—any negative information about anyone or anything—to someone who cannot do something about it.
Our motto here at Carey should be: negatives go up; positives go all around. We are, after all, the real beneficiaries of that policy. We need to know what we can and can’t do with negative information; there is no gray area. Of equal importance, we can point to that rule with pride and cut gossip off before it has a chance to do any damage.
Negative stuff will happen. That’s inevitable. The negatives may be about a person or a process. Either way, they need to be handed to the pastor or a deacon, (these are the leaders in the church), someone who can do something about them. If you’re mad at a leader, talk to another leader about it. But complaining to anyone else is disloyalty, and it fosters a negative spirit that will trash the church.
If a person needs to be counseled or educated or reprimanded, that’s a leader’s job. If a process needs to be changed, that’s also a leader’s responsibility. If the situation is really none of the communicator’s business, then a leader will let him or her know that, too.
However, if someone delivers the same negatives to a peer or tells someone below them on the chain of command, then that’s gossip. It’s that simple.
Passing along negative information for the sole purpose of telling someone is gossip. That should never be tolerated in a church that strives for unity. Remember, negatives go up; positives go all around.
In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

ARE YOU READY?

2008-08-06T10:54:00.000-07:00

You never know from day to day, hour to hour, moment to moment how you life will be changed. That is the way it was for Becky and I on Wednesday, July 16. She has had this type of rash on her foot for years, and it is trying to spread. Now we have been to many doctors with it over the years and all of them just kind of blew it off as nothing, but a dermatologist in Amarillo did a biopsy on it and sent it in. Well her foot wasn’t wanting to heal so she went to see Dr. Green who did a culture on it. We flew into Denver for our few days off and her foot began hurting really bad so she called Dr. Green who put her on a half of a dose of antibiotics and told her when we got home to come in and see him. So she did and while she was there Dr. Green called the dermatologist to see what the test results were. This is when he told Dr. Green that Becky has cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, cancer. So we went to see the oncologist on Tuesday, July 22 not knowing what to expect. He did some tests and will do more but in his own words, “If there is a cancer to get, this is it.” Basically, this is the type of cancer that shows on the skin and will most likely never show on the inside and that is what these tests are for. Most likely it will be treated with a steroid cream or pills, worst case maybe some radiation or chemo but he did not expect it. We are now waiting on the blood test and pet scan results.
So we never know what life will throw us, but regardless, we know who still sits on the throne and we know who still saves us from our sins and we know where the redeemed of the Lord will spend eternity. Are you ready?
In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

TO GOATEE, OR NOT TO GOATEE

2008-07-29T07:59:00.000-07:00

On the 10th of August we will be having an Open House and Fish Fry here at the church. Morris had some fish left over from the Youth Fund Raiser and wanted to do this for the church. Now when we did our Father’s Day Cook-out we fed over 100 people, so could we possibly have 125 here for the Open House and Fish Fry? And just to make it interesting I am putting my goatee on the line. I tried to get Jimmy to put his moustache on the line but he wasn’t willing, so he is growing a goatee also. So for 125 here on Sunday, August 10th we will lose our goatee’s. but how many will it take to lose our moustaches? 135...145...150 sounds like a good number, but you really don’t want to see us without any facial hair do you? Do you??
Keep praying for Becky, we got a favorable report from the oncologist Tuesday, she went back on Thursday for a pet scan to check the inside. This scan is to look and see if there is any cancer on the inside of her body, the doctor didn’t think there would be but he doesn’t know until he gets the results back from this scan. It might be 3 or 4 weeks before we know anything so please continue praying for her.
August is often referred to as the dog days of summer, it is seen as a month the is hot and drags by, but here at Carey we don’t accept that and to prove our point we have several things lined up for the month of August, S.N.I.P., Crafty Creations, a baby shower for Zoë (Amy), Open House & Fish Fry, Swim Party, Softball game, Nursing Home Service, Visitation, Family Night, and just in case that isn’t enough, school starts on the 25th. We have some opportunities to have some fun and worship God this month. Let’s have a great August, make it a point to tell someone about Jesus, show someone Jesus, invite someone to church, bring someone to church, after all, do you have anything better to do in August?
By the way, have you asked someone on the Nominating Committee what place of service isn’t filled, a place where you could serve? And do we have a Nursery Group yet? It is important to fill these areas, it is important to the life and growth of our church. talk to Linda Moore, Lori Duffield and Becky Wilson, they will help you find a place to serve the Lord! Thank you.
In HIS Service, Bro. Randy

AUGUST NEWSLETTER PASTOR'S PEN

2008-07-29T07:55:00.000-07:00

You never know from day to day, hour to hour, moment to moment how you life will be changed. That is the way it was for Becky and I on Wednesday, July 16. She has had this type of rash on her foot for years, and it is trying to spread. Now we have been to many doctors with it over the years and all of them just kind of blew it off as nothing, but a dermatologist in Amarillo did a biopsy on it and sent it in. Well her foot wasn’t wanting to heal so she went to see Dr. Green who did a culture on it. We flew into Denver for our few days off and her foot began hurting really bad so she called Dr. Green who put her on a half of a dose of antibiotics and told her when we got home to come in and see him. So she did and while she was there Dr. Green called the dermatologist to see what the test results were. This is when he told Dr. Green that Becky has cutaneous T-cell lymphoma, cancer. So we went to see the oncologist on Tuesday, July 22 not knowing what to expect. He did some tests and will do more but in his own words, “If there is a cancer to get, this is it.” Basically, this is the type of cancer that shows on the skin and will most likely never show on the inside and that is what these tests are for. Most likely it will be treated with a steroid cream or pills, worst case maybe some radiation or chemo but he did not expect it.
So we never know what life will throw us, but regardless, we know who still sits on the throne and we know who still saves us from our sins and we know where the redeemed of the Lord will spend eternity. Are you ready?
In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

Pastor's Pen 7-20-08

2008-07-23T11:48:00.000-07:00

FEEDING THE MULTITUDES IN THE WILDERNESS
We’ve all read about how God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. The problem is that the narrative in the Bible just doesn’t bring it down to where we can get the picture of the scope of the miracle of feeding 3,000,000 people every day. What do we know about manna?
Instead of manna, suppose it was three million cheeseburgers with fries and a drink? Consider the logistics for three million meals every day:
¼ lb. of meat for each: Total 750,000 lbs. (It would take 200 railroad cars to haul the meat and would require 10 locomotives to pull it).
Buns: 250,000 Dozen
Mustard: 11,000 Gallons
Dill Pickles: 12,000 Gallons
Tomatoes: 50,000 Gallons
Cheese: 200,000 Lbs
Onions: 175,000 Lbs
Lettuce: 150,000 Head

Potatoes for French fries: 750,000 lbs (7 = freight cars)
Cokes: 750,000 Gallons (75 freight cars)
Ice: 375,000 lbs (4 freight cars)
Did I mention that a freight train of 100 cars would be about a mile long?
If it took ten minutes to cook a batch of 10,000 quarter pound patties, that would produce 60,000 cooked patties per hour. 3,000,000 cooked patties would require more than two days and nights of preparation - not to mention peeling and cooking the French fries, slice the onions, slice the tomatoes, chop the ice and pour the cokes.
That’s what we would expect today if we found ourselves in the wilderness. We need to get a grip on the size of this miracle and it occurred every day for forty years!

God gave them manna to eat every day for 40 years. The word manna means "What is it." The people looked at this stuff that fell from heaven and said "What is it?" I think hat it must have been a bread type food that gave them all of the vitamins and nutrients that they needed to stay in good health. God took care of every need that they had, everyday. f they tried to take enough for the next day it would mold and worms would crawl out of it. God wanted them to have faith in Him everyday. By gathering enough for today and tomorrow they were telling God that they did not trust Him for tomorrow.
I wonder what we tell God by the way we act and live, do we trust Him for today and tomorrow?
Food for thought!!!
In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

Youth

2008-07-16T09:39:00.000-07:00

Well the Youth Fund Raiser Fish Fry went very well, and the youth are off today going to Amarillo to work at Habitat for Humanity fr a few days. I know that the youth who went will have a great time and come back changed. some of our youth did not go, some had to work, some didn't want to go and work, and yet some other decided to go at the last minute but they had not helped raise the money to go, and still some others could not go for whatever reason. I just hope that next time all of the youth go, and I hope that the parents will help support Amy and Zach in their efforts and talk it up to their kids. Things always go better when the parents support and help.
When they get back we will have some pics.

"Come and Get It!!"

2008-07-08T09:58:00.000-07:00

“YOUTH FUND RAISER”
Carey 1st Baptist Church Youth
will be sponsoring an all you can eat
“Fish Fry”
@ the Rotary Bowl
Saturday July 12 at 6pm
Tickets are $10 a plate, $5 for kids under 8, and are on sell now.
Contact Zach, Amy or any of the Youth or the Church Office
All money raised will help send our kids on their mission trip.

This year the kids are going to work at Habitat for Humanity in Amarillo.

This is a great opportunity for our youth, come out and support them.

Tickets can be bought from any of the youth and at the Fish Fry.

Pastor's Pen 7-6-08

2008-07-08T09:49:00.000-07:00

Friday was Independence Day, a day that we celebrate our freedom. A day that marks our separation from England, a day that we celebrate as a day that marks our freedom. But this freedom didn't come cheap, it was fought for, people died for it and we must fight to keep it. In 1776 they could have stayed the way they were, under the bondage and tyranny of the King of England, or they could choose to make a change. They made a choice to change, made a choice and let everyone know about it. I want you to read something;

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
And then it ends like this;
That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

Then in an act of defiance and high treason, 56 men signed their names on this document, knowing full well that it meant their lives. But with this we broke way from England and fought for our freedom.
Freedom is not cheap, and it cost even more to keep.
Did you know that there are over 200 countries in the U.N., and only about 50 of those could even remotely be considered politically free?
What does the word Freedom mean? “To be released from captivity or slavery, to be out of bondage.”
If we are not saved, then we are in bondage to sin, but the good news is that Jesus paid the price for our freedom.
Jesus wants us to be free, people think that if they turn their life over to Jesus there is a whole list of don’t to follow. But let me tell you something, if you try doing all of the do’s you won’t have time for any don’ts. As a matter of fact, when you truly turn your life over to Jesus, you will be living in such freedom that you will not want to go back to that dark bondage again.
Remember what it means to be free.

In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

Pastor's Pen 6-29-08

2008-07-01T13:14:00.001-07:00

Hey, next week is our Fellowship meal after church on Sunday morning. This is always a great time of fellowship with each other. Bring some food and invite some friends to come along with you.
By the way, have told you how great you did on Father’s Day? Well you did, you invited people, handed out tickets, brought people and made it a great day and we feed over 100. Thank You for being eager to serve the Lord.
Speaking of serving, we still have some positions unfilled for the 2008-2009 year. Positions like Nursery Director, Nursery teacher and assistant, Kidzone teachers and assistants, Van drivers, Blessings committee, Greeters, Brotherhood director, and others. Pray about it and then step up and serve. We need you, we need everyone to be serving in some area of the church. When you are serving you are happier and more in tune with what God wants you to do. And when we are doing what God wants us to do we find that we are truly happy and at peace. All too often we are serving in some area that we may not think is important. But we must be faithful in the small areas in order to be put into more important areas.
You see when we start telling ourselves that we are too tired to serve we soon find that we are too tired to get up and come to church. When we start thinking that we are too busy to serve we start thinking that we are too busy to read our Bible and pray. When we start believing that we are not smart enough to teach anyone anything we start feeling like we are not smart enough to understand God’s Word. When we start feeling like we are so unimportant that no one wants us to work in the church then we start thinking that no one will miss us at church. When we start saying that someone else will do it we rob ourselves of a blessing and overload others. When we start acting like our only job in the church is to sit in church on Sunday morning we get lazy in other areas also.
The time for excuses is over, now is the time to step up. What area will you serve in?
In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

Building Back

2008-06-24T08:16:00.001-07:00

Saturday, we went over to Calvary Baptist Church to help them get a roof back on their church. We worked all day and made a good showing. We got the roof back on the main part of the santuary but not all of the roof is on, we will go back this Saturday to finish. As you can see we had a good group of men from at least 3 different churches. We had 12 from Carey Baptist, thanks for coming out guys, see you this Saturday to finish the roof.

Everything had to be removed including carpet.
One picture, 1000 words

Jerry Henderson and Rick Elliott working to rebuild wall so that the roof can be put back on.

Slinky helping to get the 2x8's on.

Rick Elliott on hands and knees, a long way off of the ground.
Cliff Johnson, interim pastor cooking lunch

and the inside looking better

"It has to be perfect", Jerry and Tim rebuilding the outside wall, getting ready for the last of the roof, (next Saturday).

All in all, we are very pleased with the way things turned out.

Come on out this Saturday and help.

Pastor's Pen 6-22-08

2008-06-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

Wanted: Hundred Men

John Wesley said, “Give me a hundred men who fear
nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I
will shake the world. I care not a straw whether they
be clergymen or laymen; and such alone will
overthrow the kingdom of Satan and build up the
Kingdom of God on earth.”
—The Preacher’s Magazine

Let us enlarge the Kingdom with Boldness..

Why is it important for us to be willing to serve? What would the Church be like today if no one would have been willing to serve, or if only a handful of people would have been willing? Without the people of the church the Church does not go forward. Did you know that the Nominating Committee is looking for people to fill some key roles? Every position must be filled by the August business meeting, that is just over a month away. They have positions open for teachers, nursery, Kidzone, van drivers and others. We have a new committee this year called the Blessings committee, what this committee will do is make sure meals are lined up for church members when they are sick or have surgery. They will also find out if they need anything else done like the yard mowed, sheets changed or maybe the house cleaned. So we will need someone to head this committee up, but we will also need people to serve on it.
Jimmy and Jerry H. are heading up our visitation and outreach, this includes our Sunday night visitation, but we need some people who are willing to go and visit those who visit the church for the first time, this is a simple 3 minute visit. But it is a very important visit, when we as a church go and visit these people within 36 hours it lets them know that they are important and that we want them back.
It is important they we be willing to serve, Let the Nominating Committee know where you would like to serve. The committee consist of Linda Moore, Lori Duffield and Becky Wilson.
In HIS Service, Bro. Randy

Triumph & Tragedy

2008-06-18T11:41:00.000-07:00

TRIUMPH
Sunday was Father's Day and what a great day it was, we had over 100 in church Sunday morning. The service was good, I used the prodigal son story from the father's point of view. Our cook-out was a success, and over all a great day, until later that is.....

TRAGEDY

On Sunday evening we had a bad storm come through with Tornadoes, straight line winds in excess of 85mph and lots of hail. The entire city was hit, nothing was sparred. Below are a couple of pictures of a sister church here in town, Calvary Baptist Church. They lost part of the roof on their sanctuary and as a result of that and the blowing rain and hail will have to rebuild their entire sanctuary, plus repair their new building and some class rooms. Be in prayer for them and help if you can.

FATHER'S DAY

2008-06-11T08:03:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to be a father? There is proof walking around that it doesn't take much to father a child, but to be a dad, a real dad is different. A real dad loves their children no matter what, he may not approve of what they did, but he always loves them. I always told my kids that no matter what they did to be honest with me about it, otherwise I could not help them. Being a father of two grown children who are married and having their own children I see the importance of being involved in their lives. My wife and I were involved in everything that our kids were, we were a part of their lives, their teachers knew us, their friends knew us, some bad things were avoided because of this. When our kids were in high school they came home for lunch, and brought friends, we had extra kids at our house all of the time and I loved it. That is the way my wife and I both were raised, with parents close at hand. My kids never thought weird of it and neither did their friends.

As a dad we must be involved with our kids, they need to know who we really are and what we believe in, we need to really know our kids. Sunday is Father's Day, I hope you will be with your dad if possible and I hope you will bring him to church for our Father's Day Cook-out.

Se you Sunday!

RELAY FOR LIFE

2008-06-10T11:26:00.000-07:00

We had our annual Relay for Life in Childress this past weekend.

It was held at the City Park for the first time. Here are some pics of the event.
Cancer survivers getting ready for the survivers lap, my mom is the one wearing the hat.
Saying the Pledge
Trey Morgan (Church of Christ pastor) saying the opening prayer
This is in memory of Tom Whitaker, Tom and Jerry Henderson always made the first round together, Tom in his wheelchair and Jerry pushing. We miss you Tom.
Now there's a face anybody can love.

The luminaria service is always good, the bags are to remember those who lost their fight with cancer, those who have won or are still fighting, and for the care givers. Candles are placed in the bags and the effect is grand. I had the honor of doing the luminaria service this year.

Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back

We will continue to raise money until cancer is only a bad memory.

Pastor's Pen 6-1-08

2008-06-03T13:22:00.000-07:00

“I never worry about what I will do if I win a battle, but I know exactly what I will do if I lose one.” Napoleon
I found this to an interesting quote, Napoleon didn’t worry about his actions in winning a battle, why? Because he was used to winning them, but he was not used to losing them. The Apostle Paul told Timothy to “Fight the good fight of the faith.” 1 Tim 6:12 (NIV) In order to fight a good fight we must be willing to put ourselves on the line for Jesus, no matter what. We must be willing to go and tell, even at our own expense. We may think the price is way too high, even if we don’t know what the price is. A year ago I was honored to go to Belize and share Jesus, it is a trip that I think about daily, the people I met, the country I saw, but most important the ones I led to the Lord and the ones I helped lead to the Lord and the seed I helped plant for the Kingdom of the Lord.
When I watch the news and see the things that are happening around the world I know that time is short, Jesus is coming soon. Now you know that I am not a doomsday prophet, always talking about all of the bad things that will take place in the end times, but anyone with a Bible and an open mind for the Lord and His Word can see that we must be telling everyone we can about Jesus. If all we are concerned about is our own salvation, and our own mansion in Heaven then we have failed. Jesus told us all, everyone, to “go and tell”, that isn’t a request, it is a direct order. What will you tell God when you stand in front of Him and He asks you why you didn’t tell people about Jesus. What is the best excuse that you can think of? Guess what, it isn’t good enough, whatever your excuse or reason for not sharing your faith with others, whatever your best argument is, it just doesn’t measure up. Jesus gave His life and you can’t see your way clear to give 5 minutes telling someone going to Hell about Jesus when you know He is the only way to prevent that lost person from spending eternity in Satan’s Hell.
Let’s not make excuses, let’s make positive results. Who will you share Jesus with today?
In HIS Service,
Bro. Randy

Vacation Bible School

2008-06-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

We had VBS this past Saturday, and it went great. We had a one day VBS this year instead of a week long, we like it much better. We had all of the chairs moved out and tents set up for the groups to have lessons in, Community Corner where we had different people come out and tell the kids about their jobs, our youth took care of rec time and all of our adults pitched in and we had a great time learning,about service.

Here are just a few pics.

This is a treehouse Jerry Henderson built on one of our basketball goals

Zach & Amy were our VBS directors, did a great job. Zach and the youth did the decorations inside the church, Zach can make a large tree in just one day!!!
Tim cooking hotdogs for lunch

Some pics of some of our Community Corner, Dee brought his FedEx truck for all of the kids to see and climb in.Jimmy the Farmer
Jason the EMT

Sheriff Mike Pigg

and Pam the 4H leader

If you missed VBS, you missed a great one, hope you can join us next year.

reFuge

2008-05-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Greetings Church Family!! This past month the youth have been some of the strongest muscle behind V.B.S. They have worked on Wednesdays & Sundays helping us get prepared for this year's V.B.S. In June, we are planning a few events and we are looking at going to Amarillo this year for our camp. The youth will be helping serve at City Church. Please pray for safety for our youth as they begin their summer!! Thank you as always for being such a supportive and loving church!! - Z & A

Youth at Western Bowl