Learning To Be More Persistant Than The Enemy

To make this months meeting (March) happen has been a challenge.  When we adjourned the last meeting we had set the date for the next; 16 Mar.  Before we left the building one person was going to be out of town so we dropped the meeting to the next week; 23 Mar.  Turns out I was scheduled to work a second shift that weekend and was not able to switch.  So we set our sights for 30 Mar.  Four days before the meeting I get an upper respiratory infection!!!  By Sunday I was feeling better and was determined to make this happen by the power of God!!!

The meeting went well.  We took care of some major items and had a good time in the process; to be of one mind in the spirit of Christ much can be accomplished.  Thank you for your prayerful support' blessings to you.

Oh, the football theme?  INJURIES: injuries can take out key players and change the dynamics of how a team plots their strategies.

The Christian Life Is Not Like A Football Game - Maybe, Maybe Not

So, to continue with this theme (I'm not making this up.  Something really happened to keep this going) life would have that I can call a "delay of game" penalty.  Upon finishing our meeting in Feb we set the date for the next meeting to be Mar 16.  Before we had left our separate ways one member of the mission team said they would be out of town that weekend; so we dropped it back a week to the 23rd (that's not the delay part).  Last week I take a close look at my work schedule.  Anybody want to guess what weekend I'm working!  Yes, Mar 22/23; so it looks like our next meeting will be the 30th of Mar. (that's  the delay of game part).

The challenge now is to use the technology available to us to get some work done and not let this "penalty" set us back.  Go Team!!!

The Christian Life Is Not Like A Football Game - But It Can Be Close.

A number of times I've heard pastors talk to a congregation and compare our need to be excited about Jesus to the way people get excited in a football game.  I think this an inappropriate comparison.  Should we be excited and enthusiastic about Jesus - of course!  But to compare the two...sets up false expectations.

I believe I can share some things that show how the two do compare.

A key "injury":  Have a star player get injured and see how it changes the game plan.  I got off the phone today with one of our group and find they received news from their doctor about a medical condition they will have to deal with.  My first thought was the enemy (you know who I'm talking about).  I can see this playing out in a way where this person would not be able to go.  Well, our God is the creator of all things and is sovereign over all things - so we prayed and in Jesus name forbade the enemy from using this to keep our team member from serving the Lord. 

Interference:  So the plan is for us to have monthly meetings to get our trip planned.  At the end of our first meeting we set the date for the next one.  Before we were out the door one of our team members said they would be out of town; so we dropped it back a week.  Well, I look at my schedule at work and find out...I'm working that weekend!!  Drop it back another week???  Not yet, I'm trying to work a switch.  We'll see how it goes.

I hope I've made my point.  Let's be careful about the comparisons we make.  We should be excited and energetic about the Lord.  We have a very real enemy who hinders us when we put forth effort to glorify the Lord; but, praise the Lord, He is greater than the enemy and has over come the world.

Peace be with you.

Kick-off Complete - Run Back Commences

Our kick-off went well.  We addressed critical issues and laid the foundation for future meetings.  We pray for the Lord to guide us in this process of preparation.

Our Mission Prep Kicks Off

It is that time of year again (praise the Lord).  Football season has ended, but we're getting ready to kick off.  We will meet this Sunday at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church to start our preparations.  The chuch is located at 8980 Old Beulah Rd in Kenly, NC.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

We wish to thank all who have supported us in the Lord's work.  We wish you all a Merry Christmas.  Our trip to West Virginia to deliver Christmas dinners went well; praise the Lord.  I look to have a summary posted by Friday night.

Coming Up For Air to Give Thanks

WOW!!!  Ever go under water to hold your breath - see how long you can hold it.  Then as your lungs burn you burst upward for air.  That's what the past few weeks have been for us.  My apologies for the neglect.  We draw close to our December mission and seek prayer that all will go well and we can even do some prep work for the coming summer.

We take this moment to give thanks.  There are many things to give thanks for, but let me top the list with the opportunity we've had to serve the Lord as a family in this mission work.  The blessings and the spiritual growth have been invaluable and great joy.  We thank all of you who have been lifting us and this ministry in prayer to our heavenly Father.  May you all have a blessed Thanksgiving holiday.