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Pastor talks about giving to the new Children’s building
Psalm 33:11 says, “But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.” This is our church’s prayer. We trust that God has laid a great plan on our hearts. The Turner family has prayed just as you have about what we are to give. We still have not decided on an amount, but are listening to the Lord.
There were two scriptures which spoke to me during the Spiritual Preparation Weekend. The first one I identified with because the people were being brought out of slavery from Egypt. They were slaves with slave habits. They would have had nothing except the Lord provided for them everything they needed, even providing for an extensive worship center in the wilderness. Right now, I feel that our family does not have much extra to commit. Like most families, we have committed money to school, insurance, up keep on houses and vehicles. Still I know that the Lord will provide. The second scripture is 2 Corinthians 8:9 “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he be came poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (NIV)
Lea Ann and I have prayed about the amount we are to commit for these three years. We anticipate that whatever it is, God will provide because this is the project he has laid on the heart of his people at Canyon Creek.
Pictures from the AWANA’s Back to School party!
Click here to see pictures from the AWANA’s back to school party!
Perspective Matters
Two mothers were talking about their sons. The first said, “My son is such a saint. He works hard, doesn’t smoke, and he hasn’t so much as looked at a woman in over two years.”
The other woman said, “Well, my son is a saint himself. Not only hasn’t he not looked at a woman in over three years, but he hasn’t touched a drop of liquor in all that time.”
“My word,” the first mother said. “You must be so proud.”
“I am,” the second mother replied. “And when he’s paroled next month, I’m going to throw him a big party.”
How we choose to see things matters. Not sure what God has been doing in your life lately, but remember His perspective allows for Him to know the entire outcome. There is so much going on in the families of The Creek, some “off-the-chart” exciting and some so tragic as to cause your heart physical pain when you hear about it. I encourage you in either circumstance and every one in between, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message).
“I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. “When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I’ll listen. “When you come looking for me, you’ll find me. “Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I’ll make sure you won’t be disappointed.” God’s Decree. Jeremiah 29:11-13 (The Message).
“Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.” I Peter 5:8-11 (The Message).
“My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in. And I ask him that with both feet planted firmly on love, you’ll be able to take in with all followers of Jesus the extravagant dimensions of Christ’s love. Reach out and experience the breadth! Test its length! Plumb the depths! Rise to the heights! Live full lives, full in the fullness of God.
God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us.
Glory to God in the church!
Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus!
Glory down all the generations!
Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!”
Ephesians 3:14-21 (The Message).
In greatest joy or deepest fears, like Paul, my prayer is that God’s Spirit will be at work “deeply and gently within us.”
Ministries that go to work
Sunday we saw a video about how the Mary Hill Davis offering goes to help churches begin the Christian Men’s and Women’s Job Corps ministries. I wanted you to be able to see some more and visit links to the program. I know we have some people for whom this kind of service is their passion. Tell me what you think.
Tom Henderson’s Note about Ministry Opportunities in Bell County
Dear Pastors, Staff, and Church Leaders;
First I want to thank the Lord for His protection for our area during Hurricane Ike. As you know, the southeastern part of our state sustained a lot of damage. We also have a lot of evacuees in shelters in Bell County from Brazoria County. As you may know, after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Texas Emergency Preparedness Team linked up coastal counties with inland counties in the event that evacuations were implemented. This was the first time that this plan was used. I have received a Situation Report from Brazoria County and the following section gives information regarding the evacuees in Bell County shelters:
The Bell County Evacuation Shelters reported that their guests appeared to be in good spirits. There are 988 registered evacuees in Bell County. They report 925 were transported by bus and 63 went by private vehicle. Of those, 20-30 of the private individuals have left the shelter. There are no plans yet to return the evacuees due to the fragile infrastructure
We appreciate all that FBC Belton and Miller Heights BC are doing to provide shelter. I also want to thank Randy Carder and the FBC Salado family along with Lowell Coates and the Immanuel BC for assisting with meals and ministry over the weekend. There were others involved as well and many have been praying for the safety and encouragement of the evacuees and volunteers.
The devastation was widespread and the evacuees will not be able to go home anytime soon. We have had one estimate that they may not be able to return until September 28th. This gives us opportunities to minister to visitors to our county for two weeks. We have several opportunities for you and your church family to help;
1. We need people who would be willing to help the Salvation Army prepare food for the evacuees in Temple. They are serving 1,200 meals three times a day. We need people who are willing to help prepare meals and clean up in three shifts. We need people from 10am to 1 pm; from 1 pm to 4 pm; and from 4 pm to 7 pm. This can be youth and adults from your church. It can be Sunday School classes, small groups, youth groups , committees, teams, etc. Even if you can only staff one shift once a week, this will be a big help. You can also make monetary donations to the Salvation Army for the food. They are asking for people to send money and not food since they are buying the food in bulk. The address to send you checks is: P. O. Box 1884 Temple, Texas 76503. The Salvation Army is the only national organization providing food in our county. I have worked with Captain Martha Burtchett and the Salvation Army in our area and know that this group does a great job and is deserving of our support.
2. FBC Belton has asked for small groups to come and work with the children. They have approximately 10 children and need help providing activities. They have approximately 80 evacuees in their shelter. They also need either two married couples or two men and two women to stay and assist the evacuees during the evening shift from 10 pm until 6 am.
3. Miller Heights BC has approximately 40 in their shelter and needs two couples or two men and two women from 6 pm to 10 pm. They also have needs for others to assist at various times.
4. We have also been asked to help at First Methodist Church in Belton. They have 80 evacuees and need help at night.
I appreciate Nan Shannon calling to help coordinate this list of needs. Our Good Neighbor Team will be coordinating our response. Please call Wayne Spinn from FBC Holland at (cell) 718-5329 or (home) 657-2462. He is our Good Neighbor Team representative.
The Lord have provided an opportunity for us to share His love in very tangible ways over the next two weeks. I want to challenge each of our churches to get involved with this ministry. I keep thinking how I would feel if the tables were reversed and I was in a strange place wondering when I would be able to go back to my home. I know I would appreciate someone ministering to me and showing me God’s love in tangible ways. Let us know how you can help.
I look forward to hearing from you. If you would like to help coordinate the effort, we are meeting with Wayne Spinn and the Shannons on Tueday morning at 8 am here at the BBA Mission Center.
In Christ’s Love;
Tom Henderson, DoM
Bell Baptist Association
1-254-493-0545
I Thess. 1:2-3
New Way to Tell Old Old Story
What can I say to James Choung except, thanks. I am much more happy with the opportunities that the Four Circles presentation gives me for sharing the gospel with people. My opportunities to share Jesus sometimes involve a revulsion of the church establishment. People are polite with their, “Thanks but no thanks” responses. I have to admit that I am often not creative enough to make the leap from people’s disinterest (at least) with the established church to a presentation of, “Don’t you want to be a part of it?” The Four Circles help me to address what is wrong in the world while inviting people to be a part of the solution. If you are interested in learning how, here is a link to how to present the Four Circles.
Wednesday Evenings at the Creek
Wednesday nights in adult Bible Study we will start a new focus called The Jesus Prayer. It will be a close look at his prayer in John 17. We will also be back in the Fellowship Hall to share space between cleaning and the special friends class. The transition to the choir room was not as good an idea as hoped… you understand…
Below is a sample of the types of questions we will ask and the discussion of Jesus Prayer in John 17.
In John 17:4, Jesus says the work the Father gave him is completed. What work was completed when he had yet to go to the Cross? Could it be that he was speaking of God’s will in his own life as though it has already happened? Do we determine that we will obey God to that great degree. When we get a glimpse of what God is doing we are obedient so that it is a an accomplished fact. Lord, let my obedience be swift and total.
AWANA This Wednesday
This Wednesday marks the beginning of another AWANA year. What an exciting time in the life of the church! Kids from all over will be here this Wednesday, along with their parents. Consider your part in the AWANA ministry. Even if you do not hold an official title, you can have a smile and a handshake to welcome those you do not know. It takes each one of us to make a good first impression.
AWANA begins at 6:00 and lasts until 7:30. If you have not yet registered your child, it is okay. Just come by a little early this Wednesday and one of the AWANA secretaries will be ready to help you through the process.
See you Wednesday at 6:00!
Bible Study Fellowship
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) is a non-denominational Ladies Bible Study for all women ages 18+. They meet each Wednesday at Canyon Creek Baptist Church from 9:10am-11:10am. This year they will be studying the life of Moses. The Bible Study runs from September through May, with a several holiday breaks. If you are interested in joining or would like to get more information on this group, every month (ususally on the first Wed. of the month) they have an Introduction class at 9:10 am that meets in the Sanctuary. To join BSF you must first attend the introduction class and then you would be placed in a small group if available (if groups were full then you would be placed on a waiting list and be contacted as soon as an opening became available).
Really? Jesus not the only way?
Isn’t it a definition of Evangelical that people who call themselves Christian believe the words Jesus spoke? “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6; NIV) Still, Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reports that 57% of evangelical church goers said they believe many religions can lead to eternal life. 70% of Americans with any religious affiliation hold that view. What do you believe? Why do you hold that view? 68% said there are different ways to interpret the teachings of their religion. (adapted from On Mission Magazine)Only way
I Double Dog Dare You…
Our students are headed back to school last week…many of them with renewed passion for Christ. They are going to face opposition, frustration, and even defeat. One student encountered this experience even before school started.
“Today I had a volleyball tournament, and well as me and my friends we’re having a good time… talking, and joking around, somehow we got on the subject of reading the bible. Sadly one of my friends doesnt read the bible, so the rest of us tried to explain it to her so she would be able to understand what we were talking about. All she had to say was ” dang why is the bible so bossy?” wow really makes you think about this generation, doesnt it? As the day went on i sat and watched everybody buying chocolate bars, and i was reading the labels to see the brands. My friend had got a mars brand bar. So i got the nerve to tell them ” you know.. um that chocolate isnt free trade, its slave trade” she took a bite and said ” well i think the forced labor makes its all the much better” it made me want to cry. Another friend replied saying ” ….shutup, your so depressing” im thinking to myself.. no your the depressing ones, how could you not care? your the people i thought i could talk to about this because all i ever hear from ya’ll is ” man i want to go on a mission trip to africa one day” and ” i think you should support invisible children, its the right thing to do” Ya i guess its true that people can be deceiving.”
Make it a point to begin praying for them if you don’t already. We have a great group of students. They exist in a world that most often sees things differently than you or I. They are doing their best to be light in a very dark place…to be different in the midst of indifference. What would it be like if maybe thirty or forty of our adult, seasoned church members agreed to pray daily for our students for the entire upcoming school year? In the old days this might be considered a double dog dare…so I double dog dare you… Choose to make a difference on a global scale because you never know where these students will go and who they will encounter in the coming days. And one day, they may tell stories of the 2008-2009 school year and how it lead God to use them to influence the world.