Billy Graham in his book, The Cradle, Cross and Crown, written to help us stay focused on what is important as we journey through the Christmas season, shares this story. May it encourage us this Christmas!

            On that first Christmas night the Bible tells us about the angel coming to those fearful shepherds and saying, “Fear not, I bring you good news.” What is the real meaning of that good news?

            During World War II, many a mother would take her son and try to keep the memory of the father who was away at war in the memory of that boy. And one mother I heard about took her son every day into the bedroom and showed him a large portrait of the father who was away. One day the little boy said to his mother, “Mom, wouldn’t it be great if Dad could just step out of the frame?”

That’s what happened that first Christmas.

            For centuries man has looked into the heavens longing for God to step out of the frame, and at Bethlehem that’s exactly what God did.  Incredible and unbelievable as it may appear  to a modern man, the Bible teaches that Jesus Christ was a visitor from Heaven itself. He was God Incarnate.

            And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” — Luke 2:8-12

* * *

No Ordinary Sheep

Those were no ordinary sheep...no common flocks, huddled in sleep among the fields, the layered rocks, near Bethlehem That Night; but those selected for the Temple sacrifice: theirs to atone for sins they had not done. How right the angels should appear to them That Night. Those were no usual shepherds there, but outcast shepherds whose unusual care of special sheep made it impossible to keep Rabbinic law, which therefore banned them. How right the angels should appear to them That Night.

—Ruth Bell Graham’s Collected Poems (also from the Cradle, Cross and Crown)

This is from Max Lucado's book, "In the Manger." It is a great compliment to our Christmas Series, "How to have a Mary Christmas." May our response to Christmas be like that of Mary!

Let it be to me according to your word. - Luke 1:38

The virgin birth is much more than a Christmas story; it is a picture of how close Christ will come to you. The first stop on His itinerary was a womb. Where will God go to touch the world? Look deep within Mary for an answer. Better still, look deep within yourself. What He did with Mary, He offers to us! He issues a Mary-level invitation to all His children. “If you’ll let Me, I’ll move in!” All through Scripture we see this preposition in. Jesus lives in His children.

To His apostles, Christ declared, “I am in you” (John 14:20, emphasis mine).

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians was “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Ephesians 3:17, emphasis mine).

“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27, emphasis mine).

Christ grew in Mary until He had to come out. Christ will grow in you until the same occurs. He will come out in your speech, in your actions, in your decisions. Every place you live will be a Bethlehem, and every day you live will be a Christmas. You, like Mary, will deliver Christ into the world. God in us!

You are a modern-day Mary. Even more so. He was a fetus in her, but He is a force in you. He will do what you cannot do. Imagine a million dollars being deposited into your checking account. To any observer you look the same, except for the goofy smile, but are you? Not at all! With God in you, you have a million resources that you did not have before.

Can’t stop drinking or worrying? Christ can. And He lives within you. Can’t forgive the jerk, forget the past, or forsake your bad habits? Christ can! And He lives in you. Paul knew this.

To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. - Colossians 1:29, emphasis mine

Like Mary, you and I are indwelt by Christ. Find that hard to believe? How much more did Mary? The line beneath her picture in the high school annual did not read, “Aspires to be the mother of God.” No one was more surprised by this miracle than she was.

And no one was more passive than she was. God did everything. Mary didn’t volunteer to help. She offered no assistance. She offered no resistance. She could have said, “Who am I to have God in my womb? I’m not enough.” Or, “I’ve got other plans. I don’t have time for God in my life.”

Instead, Mary said, Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word. - Luke 1:38

If she is our measure, God seems less interested in talent and more interested in trust.

Unlike her, we tend to assist God, assuming our part is as important as His. Or we resist, thinking we are too bad or too busy. Yet when we assist or resist, we miss God’s great grace. We miss out on the reason we were placed on earth —To be so full of Him that we could say with Paul,

It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. - Galatians 2:20

December is upon us... and the Christmas season is in full swing! Christmas day will be here before we know it! As you prepare for and reflect on Christmas this year here is something I received several years ago in an email. I share it with you as a reminder of what this season is really all about.

Jesus is better than Santa Claus

Santa lives at the North Pole...JESUS is everywhere!

Santa rides in a sleigh...JESUS rides on the wind and walks on water!

Santa comes but once a year...JESUS is an ever present help!

Santa fills your stockings with goodies...JESUS supplies all your needs!

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited...JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited!

You have to wait in line to see Santa...JESUS is as close as the mention of His name!

Santa lets you sit in his lap...JESUS lets you rest in His arms!

Santa doesn't know your name and has to check his list to check up on you...JESUS knows our name, our history and our future. He even knows how many hairs you have on your head!

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly...JESUS has a heart full of love!

All Santa can offer is Ho-Ho-Ho...JESUS offers health, help, hope and eternal life!

Santa says, "You better not cry"...JESUS says, "Cast all your cares on Me for I care for you!"

Santa may make you chuckle...JESUS gives you joy that is your strength!

While Santa puts gifts under your tree...JESUS became our gift and died on a tree...the Cross!

Keep Christ in Christmas as you journey through this Christmas season...HE IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!

"When the time had fully come, God sent HIs Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons..." Galatians 4:4

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

A Word from our Pastor...

I trust the week of Thanksgiving has found us spending some time thanking God for all He has done and committing to be much more faithful in the area of gratefulness in the year to come. I thought you might like some after Thanksgiving laughs so here are a couple of things I hope put a smile on your face.

After-Thanksgiving Poem - I ate too much turkey, I ate too much corn, I ate too much pudding and pie. I’m stuffed up with muffins and too much stuffin’ I’m probably going to die. I piled up my plate and I ate and I ate. But I wish I had known when to stop, For I’m so crammed with yams, sauces, gravies, and jams that my buttons are starting to pop! I’m full of tomatoes and french-fried potatoes, my stomach is swollen and sore, but there’s still some dessert so I guess it won’t hurt if I eat just a little bit more!

You Know You Overdid Thanksgiving When....  Doctor tells you your weight would be perfect for a man 12 feet tall. ~ Paramedics bring in the Jaws of Life to pry you out of the EZ-Boy. ~ The potatoes you used set off another famine in Ireland. ~The "Gravy Boat" your wife set out was a real 12’ boat! ~ You receive a Sumo Wrestler application in your e-mail. ~ You set off 3 earthquake seismographs on your Friday morning jog . ~ Pricking your finger for cholesterol screening only yielded gravy. ~ A guest quotes a Biblical passage from "The Feeding of the 5000." ~ You consider gluttony your patriotic duty. ~ Representatives from the Butterball Hall of Fame called twice.

                I heard of a man who wished to sell his home. He called a real estate agent and said, "I want to run an ad in the paper to sell my home. I want to get rid of it as quickly as possible. I'm tired of this old place."

                The agent said, "Tell me about your home so I can run a good listing on your house."

                The man told him how many rooms it had. The rooms were carpeted and the kitchen had a nice tile floor. There were expensive shrubs in the yard. He told about some fruit trees in the backyard and many other advantages. He described the home in detail. When he finished, the agent told him, "Listen as I read it back to you and you tell me how it sounds."

                The agent read the ad- about this beautiful three bedroom home with two baths, a good stand of grass and beautiful shrubs, fruit trees in the back yard, new roof, central heat and air, a remodeled carport for two cars. He kept reading until the owner stopped him. "Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Stop! That house is not for sale. All my life I've wanted a place like that, but I did not realize I had it until now!"

                As we approach Thanksgiving this year--- may this story serve as a reminder to us that we need to take some time to sit back and think about what we have and be thankful! I bet if we do we will realize, like this man in the story above, that we have things we have always wanted, we just haven't taken the time to recognize it!

                Here is another thought on being thankful- We need to be like the little old lady who was getting ready to enjoy her Thanksgiving meal. Everybody that was gathered around the table was asked to share one thing for which they were thankful. As she shared, she said, "I thank the Lord for two perfectly good teeth, one in my upper jaw and one in my lower jaw that match so I can chew my food."

                Take time this Thanksgiving to focus on what you do have and how God has provided for you! Read Psalm 136 or Psalm 100 or any number of other Scriptures that will help you focus on God's activity in your life! Doing so will give us cause to be thankful not just around Thanksgiving but every day of the year!

                Here is a Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Story for you this week. It's incredible to think that by packing just one shoebox a person could potentially impact an entire family and community. May this story inspire you to help pack a shoebox this year.          

                In December 2011, 80 children in a desperately poor village in the Vunika region in Labasa, Fiji received a shoe box through Operation Christmas Child. In this village were many Hindus, Muslims and native Fijian people of other faiths. Soon after the distribution, 30 children enrolled, with the consent of their parents, to do The Greatest Journey, our 12 lesson, children’s discipleship program.

                By the end of the program, 15 of the children had given their lives to Jesus. One of them was Melvin, a 10 year old boy who lived with his grandparents. Melvin’s grandfather was known as a religious leader and witchdoctor by the local villagers. Amazingly, Melvin’s grandfather agreed to have The Greatest Journey classes at his house.

                Pastor Waisea from a neighboring town came and taught the classes and some of the children’s parents came along to see and hear what their children were learning. The children completed The Greatest Journey in 14 weeks. They asked Pastor Waisea if he would keep teaching the classes so that they could learn more about Jesus and so a Bible study group was established in Melvin’s grandparents’ home.

                The Bible study group grew steadily over the next three months and 5 of the adults accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, including Melvin’s grandparents, to the astonishment of many neighbors.

                Melvin’s grandfather then asked Pastor Waisea to start a church in his home. The church grew with 25 people attending regularly over the next seven months. Melvin’s grandfather and Pastor Waisea approached a local landowner to buy some land so that they could build a church and on Sunday, 16th September, 2012 the first church service was held under temporary shelter on the land with forty people!

                In 2013, Melvin's grandfather went to be with the Lord. Today Melvin is growing into a fine young man and a bright student. He faithfully attends Sunday school and prayer meetings every week and his young sister is also involved in the activities of the church.

                Melvin is doing his best to get his Dad to come to church and is sure that God will bring him.

Operation Christmas Child is a part of the ministry of Samaritan's Purse. If you would like more information about this ministry please visit www.samaritanspurse.org and look up Operation Christmas Child.

                This week we as a nation honor our Veterans and deserving of our honor they are! To say I am proud of my brother would be an understatement! To honor him, today I share a letter he wrote a couple years back. It truly catches the heart behind Veteran's Day! Brother, thank you for your service and your words!

                July 4th, 1776.  Independence Day!  People dancing in the streets, the Redcoats defeated and hostilities ended.  Right?  Absolutely not.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  You might envision that day as a celebration of victory but history would prove you wrong.

                Did you know British troops did not leave New York City until November 25^th of 1783?  More than 7 years after our founding fathers had the courage to declare our independence even as the British fleet and army were arriving on our shores.  7 years of battle, blood, sacrifice and suffering.  7 years of determination, loyalty, faith and belief. 

                Our independence was declared in the face of what seemed to be insurmountable odds.  We were engaged and ready to battle the most dominate navy and army in the entire world at that time for what we believed in – “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, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government…”

                Signed copies of the Declaration of Independence were not sent to the states until January of 1777.  The ideal of freedom began to spread and the words of this document began to penetrate into the hearts of the citizenry. Numerous battles were fought from Princeton, NJ to Savannah, GA, in the dead of winter and the sauna of summer – over 10,000 dead or wounded soldiers were recorded during our Revolutionary War.

                Independence.  Freedom.  Country.  It came with a cost.  The cost to preserve those ideals has been tremendous in the wars fought during the intervening years to our present day.  Those men fell in love with the idea of our country and then fell, in love for our country.  Love never fails.  So this Veteran's Day, remember those who displayed courage of conviction and a vision for a better tomorrow.  May God through His son Jesus Christ and the working of His Holy Spirit continue to bless the United States of America.

STEVE A. YARBROUGH, Lt Col (Retired), USAF

                Normally the flight from Nassau to Miami took Walter Wyatt, Jr., only sixty-five minutes. But on December 5, 1986, he attempted it after thieves had looted the navigational equipment in his Beechcraft airplane. With only a compass and a hand-held radio, Walter flew into skies blackened by storm clouds.
                When his compass began to gyrate, Walter concluded he was headed in the wrong direction. He flew his plane below the clouds, hoping to spot something, but soon he knew he was lost. He put out a mayday call, which brought a Coast Guard Falcon search plane to lead him to an emergency landing strip only six miles away. Suddenly Wyatt's right engine coughed its last and died. The fuel tank had run dry. Around 8 p.m. Wyatt could do little more than glide the plane into the water.
                Wyatt survived the crash, but his plane disappeared quickly, leaving him bobbing on the water in a leaky life vest. With blood on his forehead, Wyatt floated on his back. Suddenly he felt a hard bump against his body. A shark had found him. Wyatt kicked the intruder and wondered if he would survive the night. He managed to stay afloat for the next ten hours. In the morning, Wyatt saw no airplanes, but in the water a dorsal fin was headed for him. Twisting, he felt the hide of a shark brush against him. In a moment, two more bull sharks sliced through the water toward him. Again he kicked the sharks, and they veered away, but he was nearing exhaustion. Then he heard the sound of a distant aircraft. When it was within a half mile, he waved his orange vest. The pilot radioed the Cape York, which was twelve minutes away: "Get moving, cutter! There's a shark targeting this guy!" As the Cape York pulled alongside Wyatt, a Jacob's ladder was dropped over the side. Wyatt climbed wearily out of the water and onto the ship, where he fell to his knees and kissed the deck. He'd been saved. Nothing less than outside intervention could have rescued him from sure death. How much we are like Walter Wyatt.
                Do you need to be rescued? Are you in need of outside intervention to save you from your present situation? Know that Jesus is the Rescuer! He is the One who died on the cross in your place and if you call out to Him, He will rescue you!
                Do you need to share this message with someone in the coming days? Who do you know that needs to be rescued by the Rescuer?

As I am committing time each day to pray for the lost I am getting more excited about seeing God's activity on display in the lives of those that do not have a personal relationship with Him! Let's pray with power and expecting God to work! Here is another method of prayer that might prove helpful to you as you commit to praying for lost family, friends, co-workers, neighbors and acquaintances.

The "Six Questions" Method of Prayer Evangelism is designed to help you intercede for the lost through a series of questions. These questions deal with the most basic issues of life. By praying for these things, the lost person can be prepared to hear and receive the gospel of Jesus Christ.

(1) Why: Ask God to cause this person to wonder why he or she rejects Jesus Christ and His salvation. Call on Him to show this person the foolishness of rejecting Christ and of living life without Him.

(2) What: Ask God to cause the person to start asking the question, "What is the purpose of my life?" Plead with God to plant in his or her heart an urgency concerning this question.

(3) When: Pray that God will grant this person an emptiness of heart. Ask God to show them that sin and selfishness will not satisfy. Call on God to cause this person to start asking the questions, "When will I really be free? When can I find true peace and hope?"

(4) Whom: Pray that God will cause this person to doubt all the lies that he or she has concerning Christianity. Call on God to cause the person to ask, "Whom can I trust? In whom can I find hope?"

(5) How: Plead that God will plant this question in the heart of the person, "How can I cope with my problems?" Pray that God will grant hopelessness in the heart of this person. Ask God to show this person that he or she cannot cope in his or her own power or strength. Pray that he or she will be forced to look to God.

(6) Where: Call on God to cause this person to contemplate the question, "Where will I go when I die?"

                Last week during our worship service each of us were challenged to commit to pray for the next 30 days for 3 lost friends, family members, work associates or neighbors. Specifically we are praying that they will admit that they are a sinner (recognize their need of a Savior) and that they would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior (surrender their lives to His control). During the commit time of our service there were over 130 different names brought to the altar to be prayed for this next 30 days!!!

                As you pray this month (and for the rest of our lives for lost people) let me share some ways to pray for the people on your salvation prayer list.

1. Pray that Satan will not be able to blind them to the truth of Christ- Matthew 13:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4

2. Pray they seek to know God- Acts 17:27; Deuteronomy 4:29

3. Pray that they believe the Scriptures- 1 Corinthians 1:18

4. Pray that God draws them to Himself- John 6:44

5. Pray that the Holy Spirit works in them to turn from sin and to follow Christ as Lord- John 16:8,13; Acts 3:19

6. Pray that God sends someone to lead them to Christ- Romans 10:14-15; Matthew 9:37-38

7. Pray that they believe in and confess Christ as Savior and Lord- John 1:12; Romans 10:9-10

8. Pray that they make, take root, and grow in Christ- Colossians 2:6-7

                Pray specifically by name for the people on your list. Pray expecting God to answer your prayer. Get ready to see results-- not because of us and our prayers, but because of God's power and saving grace being on display!

                How are you doing in the area of Trusting God? What area do you need to surrender to Him? May this story about the song "Trust & Obey" encourage you today to trust the Lord in all things!

                Daniel B. Towner, who wrote the melody to the song 'Trust and Obey', inherited his love of music from his father, a beloved vocalist and music teacher. While growing up, Daniel studied with some of the finest musicians available and began his career as a worship leader in a Methodist church in Binghamton, New York. He later served churches in Ohio and Kentucky before being tapped by evangelist D.L. Moody in the fall fo 1885. For several years, Daniel traveled with Moody, singing and doing personal work.

He once explained how this hymn came to be written:

                "Mr. Moody was conducting a series of meetings in Brockton, Massachusetts, and I had the pleasure of singing for him there. One night a young man rose in a testimony meeting and said, 'I am not quite sure- but I am going to trust, and I am going to obey.' I just jotted that sentence down, and sent it with the little story to Rev. J.H. Sammis, a Presbyterian minister.

Sammis wrote a poem based on the phrase 'trust and obey,' and sent it back to Towner, who went to work on the music.

                Alfred Smith, in his Treasury of Hymn Histories, adds that while working on the music to "Trust and Obey," Dr. Towner grew discouraged. That evening in his home, he crumpled up the paper and threw the manuscript into the wastebasket. The next morning, as his wife was straightening his office, she retrieved the crumpled paper and sang over the words and melody to herself. She left it on the organ and encouraged her husband to work on it some more, telling him, "I feel the melody you have written is just what is needed to carry the message." With that encouragement he finished the melody and for years this song has challenged people to trust and obey the Lord.

                The chorus to the song says, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey." God's Word says in Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths." Decide today to trust Him more!

                I received an email this week from a pastor friend and thought I would share part of it with you. Pastor Andy Anquoe, from FBC Sperry wrote...

                "I don’t know if you’ve heard but this Sunday, September 21 at 9 PM in the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, there will be a satanic black mass held. Some satanic followers from New York have legally rented the venue & will perform this ritual to a sold out audience. Thus far, nothing has been able to stop this event legally because it is in essence a free speech issue. But during this black mass, it will mock a traditional catholic mass, desecrate the Lord’s Supper, and the devil will be summoned. Messing with the spiritual realm is a very scary thing.

                A new church plant, OKC Community Church, will meet in the same building, as it does every Sunday morning, before the mass happens that night. OKC Community Church has prayerfully decided to respond in love in order to try to be salt and light to the Satanists instead of responding in anger and fear. Catholic churches in the area are holding prayer vigils during the event also.

                Mark my words, more incidents like this will happen as our culture moves farther away from God. This is the world that we live in now. It will get worse. Yet somehow, someway, we must learn to effectively minister & engage people in the midst of it for the sake of the gospel.

                What can we do to counteract such things when they happen? Prayer is first and best place to start. As we pray we must:

·         Rely on God’s Power – We have no means within ourselves to win this battle for it is a spiritual battle. That’s why we must turn to God. Let us remember that we’re not fighting against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12) and the battle is the Lord’s (2 Chron. 20:15).

·         Rebuke in Jesus’ name – If Heaven’s mightiest angel, Gabriel, rebuked the devil in the Lord’s name (Jude 9), we must do the very same thing.

·         Recite God’s Word in prayer – Every attack that the devil brought against Jesus in His temptation was thwarted by Jesus’ use of Scripture. God’s Word is powerful! That’s why we must use it as a double edged sword (Heb. 4:12). It’s our major offensive weapon.

·         Retrieve our Spiritual armor – God has given us all the armor we need to engage in Spiritual battles (Eph. 6:10-18). We just need to put it and keep it on every day.

·         Remember the devil’s fate – No matter what the devil may do, he will be defeated and cast down into the fiery pit one day (Rev. 20:10).

                A similar event was abruptly cancelled at Harvard earlier this year as local area churches got together and prayed. Maybe the very same thing will happen here. If there was ever a time our great state needed us to pray, it is now." 

                I received this story by email this week and thought I would pass it on for your enjoyment and consideration. What are you going to do this week to spread the love of Jesus to others?

Reaching People Who Need Christ….

                Once there was a little old lady who would come out onto the steps of her front porch every morning, raise her arms to the sky and shout, “Praise the Lord”.

                One day an atheist moved into the house next door, over time he became irritated with the little old lady’s little ritual, and to make his point, every morning he would step out onto his front porch and yell in response to her shout, “There is no Lord”.

                Time passes with the two of them carrying on this way every day. Then one morning in the middle of winter the little old lady stepped onto her front porch and shouted, Praise the Lord! I have no food and I am starving. Please provide for me, oh Lord”

                The next morning she stepped onto her porch and there were two huge bags of groceries sitting there. “Praise the Lord,” she cried out. “He has provided groceries for me”.

                The atheist jumped out of the hedges and shouted: there is no Lord. I bought those groceries”.

                The little old lady threw her arms into the air and shouted, Praise the Lord! He has provided me with groceries and He made the devil pay for them”.

Reaching the people who need Christ;

Requires taking the gospel beyond the walls of the church!

God will open the door for you-

What are you going to do when the door opens?

God is looking to see what you are doing today –

Don’t miss the Blessing God wants you to have -

Share Jesus with someone this week

“Praise The Lord” and be all God wants you to be!

                In 1972, NASA launched the exploratory space probe Pioneer 10. According to Leon Jaroff in Time, the satellite's primary mission was to reach Jupiter, photograph the planet and its moons, and beam data to Earth about Jupiter's magnetic field, radiation belts and atmosphere. Scientists regarded this as a bold plan, for at that time no earth satellite had ever gone beyond Mars, and they feared the asteroid belt would destroy the satellite before it could reach its target. But Pioneer 10 accomplished its mission and much, much more. Swinging past the giant planet in November of 1973, Jupiter's immense gravity hurled Pioneer 10 at a higher rate of speed toward the edge of the solar system. At one billion miles from the sun, Pioneer 10 passed Saturn. At some two billion miles, it hurled past Uranus; Neptune at nearly three billion miles, and on it went. By 1997, twenty-five years after its launch, Pioneer 10 was more than six billion miles from the sun.

                And despite that immense distance, Pioneer 10 continued to beam back radio signals to scientists on Earth. "Perhaps most remarkable is that those signals come from an 8-watt transmitter, which radiates about as much power as a night light, and takes more than nine hours to reach Earth," writes Jaroff. The little satellite that could was not qualified to do what it did. Engineers designed Pioneer 10 with a useful life of just three years. But it kept going and going. By simple longevity, its tiny 8-watt transmitter radio accomplished more than anyone thought possible.

                So it is when we offer ourselves to serve the Lord. God can and does work through someone with 8-watt abilities and they accomplish far more than they ever thought possible. Let's continue to Advance the Gospel through Ministry and Service and watch what God does through our availaility!

                A dairy farmer went to buy a new pickup truck. He had seen an ad in the paper about discounts and factory rebates, so he decided to trade in his old clunker. He chose a new model and was ready to write the check for the full amount when the salesman said, "Wait, I haven't given you the final cost yet." The farmer said, "Isn't it the price I saw in the paper?" The salesman said, "No, that's for the basic model, all the options cost extra." So after the options were added, the farmer reluctantly wrote a check and drove off in his new pick-up.

                A few months later the car salesman called the farmer because he needed to buy a cow for his son's 4-H project. The farmer assured the car salesman he had several good milk cows for sale for $500. The salesman drove out and selected a cow and took out his checkbook to pay when the farmer said, "Wait, I haven't given you the final cost yet." Then he handed the salesman a bill that read:

                BASIC COW- $500

                Two-tone exterior- $45; Extra Stomach- $75; Milk storage compartment- $60; Straw recycle compartment- $120; Four handy spigots @ $10 each- $40; Leather upholstery $125; Dual horns- $45; Automatic rear fly swatter- $38; Natural fertilizer attachment- $185

                GRAND TOTAL- $1233

                I don't know for sure but I bet the salesman reluctantly wrote the check and loaded up his 'fully-loaded' cow and went home . My guess is that the farmer had a pretty big smile on his face after the transaction was complete.

                Many Christians are only interested in the basic model of Christian living. They don't want to pay the total cost of fully surrendering to and following Christ. May God find us willing to 'pay the price' as we commit to advancing the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus Christ! 

                Last week in our church service I shared pieces of our church's statements that guide us as we seek to advance the Gospel and fulfill our mission here at Glenpool's First Baptist Church. This week I share them here so you can read, reflect and remember  them.

We are more than a church we are a family! A family of faith located in the heart of the city with a  heart for the city! We are all about working together to reach Glenpool and the World for Christ!

We are here to make disciples that make disciples. Said another way, we work to produce fully devoted followers of Christ that produce fully devoted followers of Christ!

Guiding Scriptures- Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 22:36-40, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:42-47

We are...

Driven by a commitment to make disciples that make disciples --- Matthew 28:18-20

Motivated to do so by our love for God and our love for others --- Matthew 22:37-40

Focused with a passion to be witnesses for Him wherever we go --- Acts 1:8

                Our HOUSE Plan-                                                             Our Personal WORLD-

-          Hometown (Glenpool)                                          -    Workplace

-          Oklahoma                                                                   -    Organizations

-          United                                                                          -    Relatives

-          States                                                                           -    Live Next to (Neighbors)

-          Ends of the Earth                                                     -    Daily Contacts

Purposed to function well as a family- Acts 2:42-47

-          Evangelism- To introduce others to Christ- We are Messengers of His Love

-          Discipleship- To instruct others in the faith- We are Models of His Character

-          Ministry- To incorporate others into service- We are Ministers of His Grace

-          Fellowship- To include others in our family- We are Members of His Family

-          Worship- To inspire others to encounter God- We are Magnifiers of His Name

-          Prayer- To intercede for others and to determine where God is working and join Him there

                Almost 3 years ago God brought me and my family here to serve alongside and lead this church family. What an awesome privilege! This week the ministry of Louie and his family begins with this church family as the new youth pastor! Exciting times are upon us here at Glenpool FBC!

                The truth is--- We are making an impact in our community for the Kingdom and yet there is so much more to do. We are providing opportunities for life change to take place in the lives of individuals and families and yet there is more that we can do. We are involved in mission work outside of our community and yet there is more that we can do.

                Some may remember our vision dinners we did right after Vickie and I came. This was a time for us to see how much each of us knew about the church and to dream together about what might be in store for our church's future. As we prepare for the days ahead I believe it is time we do something like this again.  That is why I want you to make an extra effort to be a part of our dreaming/ visioning time that will take place next Sunday, August 17th, at 6pm! We want to spend some time hearing from you, sharing with you how God is stirring our hearts and most importantly seeking the Lord and His plans together!

                Here are some verses that speak to the reason for us to spend time together dreaming about the ministry here at FBC Glenpool!

Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Psalm 20:4- "May He give you the desires of your heart and make all your plans succeed."

Proverbs 20:18a- "Make plans by seeking advice."

Proverbs 19:21- "Many are the plan's in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."

Proverbs 29:18a- "Where there is no vision the people perish."

            At the time it was completed in 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. During the first phase of the project 23 men fell to their deaths in the icy water. Things were going from bad to worse because there were very few safety devices and the workers were becoming more and more afraid to work. And so, when it was halfway completed, they decided to take another look and make some changes.
                Do you know what they did? They built the largest net ever made and attached it under the area where the men were working. Was it worth the cost and the time it took to do this? Ask the ten men who fell into it without being injured! Not only did it save those ten lives, folks say that the work was completed in three-fourths the time because the workers no longer lived in fear of falling. The net provided them with the courage to continue.

                We need to know that we have a great safety net in the Lord. He is always with us to protect us, provide for us and to catch us when we fall. Having the knowledge that Jesus is there for us and with us should give us the courage to step out of our comfort zones and the confidence to go to work for Him! There is work to be done and there is a time frame to complete the task so step out in faith and do your part, knowing all the while that Jesus is with you ready to help you and to catch you when you fall!

                Pray for your mission team this week as they are on the field encouraging our mission partner, Pena de Horeb, in Acapulco. Pray for them to know that the Lord has His safety net all around them, protecting them in all they do for Him while they are away! Pray for yourself this week as you take the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and go to work for the Lord! May we all have a great week knowing that as we serve, wherever we are, that we can serve with confidence knowing that Jesus is with us!

            This weekend we celebrate our independence as a nation. It is a great time to pause and think about all that has happened in years past to secure the many freedoms we enjoy as a country. It is also a great opportunity to make a commitment to do whatever we can to continue to make sure the freedoms we enjoy remain in place for all who follow after us! May these quotes, stories, sayings help you pause and pray for your country and praise God for the freedoms we enjoy!

The American Creed, by William Taylor Page, was adopted by an act of Congress, April 6, 1918.

            I believe in the United States of America, as a government of the people, by the people,

for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy in a republic; a sovereign nation of many sovereign states; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

            I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.

William Arthur Ward wrote this among many of his inspirational writings.

            I believe in America. I believe it became great because of its' faith in God, its' hope for independence, and its' love for freedom. I am grateful for America's glorious past; I am awed by its' unbelievable present; I am confident of its' limitless future.

            I am not ashamed to take my hat off and to stand at attention when Old Glory passes by. I do not apologize for the lump in my throat when I repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. I am not embarrassed by the tears in my eyes when I hear "The Star Spangled Banner."

            Like millions of Americans, I want a free choice, not a free handout. I prefer an opportunity to prove my abilities on the job rather than a license to demonstrate my frustrations in the street. I am an old-fashioned American with a new-found determination to do my part to make democracy work.

Old Glory
             "Some people call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner or the Stars and Stripes, but whatever they call me, I am your flag. I remember some time ago people lined up both sides of the street to watch the parade and naturally I was leading every parade, proudly waving in the breeze. What happened? I'm still the same old flag, but now I don't feel as proud as I used to. When I come down your street you just stand there with your hands in your pockets. Then I see the children running around and shouting. Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have you forgotten what I stand for and where I've been?"

                As we approach the celebration of our independence as a country I'll share another hymn story from the book, "Then Sings My Soul." God uses men and women in incredible ways, one of which is the writing of great songs that challenge and inspire us. As you celebrate your freedom this week take some time to reflect on some of the great patriotic songs written through the years.

              'My Country, 'Tis of Thee' is a patriotic hymn written by Samuel Francis Smith. He was a native of Boston, born there in October of 1808. After attending Boston Latin School, he enrolled in Harvard and then attended Andover Seminary. While in seminary he became fascinated by the work of a guy by the name of Adoniram Judson. This guy was America's first missionary and helped develop in Samuel a lifelong passion for world evangelism.     

            It was during his first year of seminary that hymn publisher, Lowell Mason, sought his help. Mason had a stack of German songs and materials needing translation. Having learned that Samuel was proficient in German, he recruited the young student to translate them. One February afternoon Samuel was in his room translating the materials. He was struck by the words of "Gott segne Sachsenland" ("God Bless our Saxon Land"), set to the tune we know as "America" (used in Great Britain for "God Save the Queen").       

            "I instantly felt the impulse to write a patriotic hymn of my own adapted to this tune," Samuel later said, "picking up a scrap of paper which lay near me, I wrote at once, probably within half an hour, the hymn, 'America' as it is now known."

             A friend, William Jenks, took a copy to the pastor of Boston's Park Street Congregational Church. There "America" was first sung by the Juvenile Choir at a Sunday School Rally on July 4, 1831. Samuel went on to become a powerful Baptist preacher, pastor, professor, hymnist, writer and missionary advocate. He lived to a ripe old age, staying active until the very end of his life.  Thank you Samuel Smith for sharing this wonderful song with the world. 

                It is hard to believe that we will soon find ourselves half way through 2014. Time flies when you are having fun! Life is very busy right now for many of us. Life around the church sure is...We've just finished Kid's Kamp, Black Gold Days is winding down, Vacation Bible School is here (like it starts tonight), Falls Creek youth camp is in 3 weeks, our mission team leaves in just over a month for Acapulco, our youth pastor search team is working diligently to follow God's direction to bring our next staff member on board, and the list could go on. In the midst of the busyness we must be careful to not lose sight of God and why we are doing what we are doing in the first place. If we lose focus the stuff we are busy with is just activity-- it fills our time, drains our energy and depletes our resources. When we realize what we are busy doing is God's business it is ministry-- we are giving our time, using our energy and investing our resources in Kingdom Work! So in the busyness--- understand why we are doing what we are doing--- we have a mission to fulfill!

                Let me encourage you to add one more thing to your already busy schedule.... exercise your right and responsibility and go to the polls on Tuesday. There are many key decisions before us when it comes to elected officials. My desire is not to tell you who to vote for but to encourage you to vote. Take some time before Tuesday and educate yourself on the candidates and where they stand on the issues and consider their convictions and biblical worldview.  Know what all is on the ballot and be prepared to exercise your right and responsibility! Don't be too busy to vote! God is still God, this is still One Nation Under God and this is Kingdom Work! Make it a point to get to the polls this Tuesday!