Brian F.

Where are you looking?

2010-04-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone its been over a month since my last blog. We've been so busy around our house with getting ready for weddings, grandchildren,livestock shows, prom; I could go on but I think everyone knows what I mean. I beleive our children are the greatest blessing, other than salvation, that the Good Lord gives us!
I've always loved this time of year. Everything is getting green and blooming, fishing is going good, spring turkey season for some is here, just a great time of year to be outside and enjoying what GOD has made for us to enjoy! Another reason to enjoy a beatiful day like yesterday for some is Easter Egg hunts. I think this is another area we've put commercialism in front of what is Holy,thats another subject for another time.
As I've meditated on the scriptures of the "season" the last couple of weeks what really struck me was the verse:
1On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' " 8Then they remembered his words.

"why do you look for the living among the dead" with all of the false religions,prophets and so forth out there I think this passage rings true! We have longing in us as humans that can only be satisfied by GOD. Day in and day out we see our fellow man chase (and us as well!) money,hobbies,religion,careers, all these differant things to fill our soul. In other words we are searching for the living among the dead!
We as Christians can also be as guilty when we put tradition and religion before Christ! He is the only way and only reason for salvation, His Blood! We hear alot of "ways" to get to Heaven but scripture correctly states JESUS is the ONLY way! To pursue any other way is "looking for the living among the dead"
If you are reading this blog and do not know Jesus as your personal savior there is no time like now to accept HIM. Its not hard, we see John 3:16 and it tells all:

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
It's that simple! Accept HIM as your Savior! I promise you'll NEVER regret it!
It's been wonderful getting back in the swing of things and taking up writing again!
Remeber to pray for everyone in your life, whether it's because of death, salvation, sickness etc... ALWAYS leave it with GOD!

As Always, I Love You and the LORD surely loves you!!!!!!!!!!!

In HIM, BrianF

Title or Testimony?

2010-02-24T05:28:00.000-08:00

WOW! It's been an incredible couple of weeks! Things have been crazy at work but we have finally got things on track(praise the Lord)! His blessings are everywhere.
It has been my honor to be appointed men's minister at my home church. We look forward to this responsibility and the blessings the Lord has in store for us.
One of the duties is to have a speaker at our 1st Saturday of the month men's breakfast. It is called "My Brothers Keeper" and it is a community wide movement, all churches are invited and many differant ones are represented. Instead of having a preacher every month I felt lead to have men share their testimony. I think we need to get back to our testimonies, remember where we came from! Saying that brings me to a person I work with that has one of the most powerful testimonies I've ever heard.
I work in a prison and I've come to know all kinds of men, not all bad, some have found the Lord and work for His kingdom everyday. There is one man I've gotten to know that humbles me a great deal. This man will probably be in prison the rest of his life and he amazes me the attitude of pure joy he has every day. We should take a lesson from this man, if he can find such joy in the Lord in prison what does that say for us? He tells me that prison was the best thing that ever happened to him because he found Jesus here! I could go on but it would overwhelm me to try and tell his complete story. Anyway that's his testimony not mine!
I guess this brings me to my point or why I picked this title. Several years ago I heard sermon with the same title:"Do you have a title or a testimony". In todays society with all the stress put on success and doing well financely, I think to much is put on your title you achieve and not your testimony in life. If we wonder what is really important or how a person could find joy in prison I believe the Bible has the perfect example: Philippians 1:12-14

12Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. 13As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Here the Apostle Paul tells about being confined and all he does is praise God for the opportunity to advance the Gospel, now that's a testimony! I think we can all take a lesson from these powerful accounts of what God can do in any circumstances!
I hope and pray you enjoy this blog as much as I enjoyed writing it. In the meantime;
I love you and the LORD surely loves you!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In HIM, BrianF

2010-02-12T13:19:00.000-08:00

Well friends here we are at the end of the week. It has been a week full of blessings and also our share of problems, that's how it is. The first of the year I asked for growth and this is how one grows; through trials! Be careful what you pray for! I would not change anything, GOD has taken care of my family and me as HE always will! I realized last week that you don't go to bed 5 ft. tall (spiritually) and wake up 6'8", don't work that way!
This will be a short blog, I'll get back in the swing of things in the next couple of weeks. We are going through some major changes at work so my blog may miss a couple of weeks, bare with me please.

Philippians 4:4-7
4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I end as always, I Love You and the LORD surely Loves You!!!!!!!!!
In HIM, BrianF

Serving

2010-02-01T08:18:00.000-08:00

Good Morning All!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's great to be back in the swing of things, I've been ill for about two weeks,nothing serious.
This past weekend I finally started feeling good so I decided to do a little project that needed doing and would help others. A friend and fellow minister had the same idea so we pitched in and got the job done. This little project reminded me of a time in my life when I was blessed to take a child that had been very ill fishing. O.K. this would be to long of a story to go into, so take my word for it please, it was a blessing of a life time to take this child and her friend out in my boat! It was awesome!
We need to remember that our Master and Savior came as a servant! You see the thing is when we serve WE get a huge blessing! Why is it so hard to remember that? You think about it and I'll bet everytime you've helped someone, with the right motives, you have been blessed beyond measure. Let's take a look at what Jesus had to say:
Luke 14:12-14 12Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (NIV)
Read verse 14a again "and you will be blessed" my friends this comes straight from the mouth of our Lord and Savior!
Meditate on these things in the days ahead and remember while lending a hand or helping out, you may end up with the greatest blessing of all!

As always I love you and the Lord surely loves you!!!!!!!!
In Him, BrianF

Filling Someone's Shoes

2010-01-18T11:26:00.000-08:00

Good Monday! I truly hope everyone had a blessed weekend! We (my wife and I) had a wonderful time both going to thrift stores and a wonderful day of worship yesterday! I feel truly "blessed and highly favored"! That's what GOD will do for you, not can but will do for you!
While looking at the Thursday night "disc. 101" material and scripture last night, I was hit with a powerful message for this week that I'll share a bit here.
I know we have all seen instances where someone had to step up and "fill" the shoes of a person that had left a great legacy. I think there is probably plenty of us that has been in that situation in our lifes, I know I have! Sure I've never had to follow a Joe Montanna or Nolan Ryan but there have been times I have felt "not up" to the task at hand. I think at times like this we must meditate on God's Word for what He would have for us! There was a time in my life when I had to follow one of the best Bible teachers I've ever heard. One day as I was praying the Lord laid this verse on my heart I would love to share with you: Joshua 1:1-5
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
WOW! re-read the last line again "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you" Jesus makes the same promise to "be with us always".
You see these are the challenges in life that can grow us spiritually! I love to say what doesn't kill me is bound to make me stronger, that can be true if we lean on the Lord during these challenges of life! I truly believe that's how to become better, more mature Christians! Then we are more than able,through GOD, to face any challenge- no shoes will to big to fill as long as we let GOD fill'em!
I hope anyone who reads this takes comfort in the Lord-enjoys reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! As always remember;
I love you and the Lord surely loves you!

In Him, BrianF

UNCERTAIN TIMES

2010-01-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

I wonder as I hear everything from a New World Order to global warming to our bad economy, what will be the next helping of bad news. The truth is there have always been both good times and bad, that will never change. It seems as though the bad times are always worse when they are happening to us! Do the good times seem the best ever when they are happening to us? We are covered every day with information from news sources, preachers, freinds, relatives, etc... some tell us how the economy is recovering and times are bright, others tell us of war, economic reccesion, bad things. They can't both be true, I think it's the "spin" we put on such things that influence us.
We can interprit events how the world does or "spin" them with Christ that lives in us! Spin seems to be one of the buzz words of the last few years. Mainly used in politics, to cast the perception of a story the way certain parties would like it to sound or appear. One popular journalist even has a program known as the "Spin Zone". Lets look at this concept in a totally different light.
As Christian people we should always look at the bright side, for the blessing,what God is trying to teach me. Through out the Bible we see example after example of God's children in hard times and always see the reason or lesson in it. I guess that's true unless it's happening to us, that's just a human response! We must learn this lesson that God is always there for us.
Anyone who knows me knows that I am always looking for the straight,simple,easy answer. I'll always find it in the Word of God! Take the 115 Psalm 13-14:
13 he will bless those who fear the LORD— small and great alike.
14 May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children.
This is a promise from above; the Bible is full of promises the Lord has made to us! ME! Someone even took the time to list them in a book; scriptures called "God's Promises" you can find it in any Christian book store.
So the next times it seems the chips are down, finances are bad, war and terror everywhere remember we are children of the King, a royal preisthood-our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills! Put the Christian spin on it or no spin at all, it's just plain ole truth! He is risen! He lives!
We are starting our winter Bible class this Thursday night and again anyone in the Pauls Valley area is welcome! "Growing Through Lifes Challenges" If you are in need of a church home we would love to have you at Bethlehem Missionary Baptists Church!
I end as always; I love you and the Lord surely loves you!!!!!!!!

In Him, BrianF

GROWING

2010-01-04T11:15:00.000-08:00

Well, Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a safe New Years Eve. Ellen and I spent the evening at church from ten o'clock till midnight. We enjoyed a great message and a wonderful time of prayer! I can't think of a better way to ring in the new year than to be talking to our heavenly Father! Praise GOD!!!!!!!!!!!
Since it is the first of the year alot of folks make what we refer to as "new years resolutions". In the past and maybe even this year we've all been guilty of this. It always amazes me that people think to make a pledge to oneself at the first of the year might make it easier to keep. At the start of the New Years Eve service our pastor ask the question has anyone made a "new years resolution"? It truly warmed my heart that all most everyone there wanted more of GOD, to walk closer, to grow, to experience Him more deeply.
In the next year my prayer for myself is to grow and mature more in Him. If I am ever to become the preacher God has called me to be, maturity and growth in His word is essential! We could all use more of God in our lives. Prayer and Bible study is where its at!
We are getting ready to start our winter discipleship study. I prayed and looked for what God would have for us in this time of study. I think with all I've witnessed lately that a study on growth is where the Lord is leading. So, a week from this Thursday night (14th), we will begin our study "Growing through Life's Challenges". I'm very excited about leading this study!
At one time in my life I spent a great deal of time and money trying to be a pro fisherman. One time I had my boat at a marine mechanics shop and noticed a sign on the wall "problems to everyone are opportunities with God". How many times do look at difficulties as areas to grow? I don't like I should. So with all that being said we are very excited on this new study. It will start at six o'clock and last around 0ne hour to an hour and a half, starting Jan. 14th. This will be a twelve week study and we would be glad for any and everyone to attend!
We are starting a new year at Bethlehem "Live It Out" is our slogan. If you havn't a church home everyone is welcome at Bethlehem! I've been priviledged to study at several churches under some excellent Bible teachers but I enjoy the spiritual food here at Bethlehem more than I have anywhere in my life!
I'll leave you with a scripture Pasor Eaton used Sunday morning in his sermon text. Joshua 1:8
" Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
If you are in the Pauls Valley area Bethlehem Missionary Baptists Church is located at 311 N. Dunbar in Pauls Valley and everyone is always welcome!
I leave you as I always do: I love you and the LORD surely loves you!!!!!!!

In HIM, Brian F.

End of the Year

2009-12-28T06:58:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, I know we did! In Pauls Valley we had a white Christmas, in sothern Okla. we don't get many of those. It was a wonderful time to stay in and reflect on how truly blessed we are. Ellen and I enjoyed a more calm Christmas, not as much trying to run all over the world.
Well as a person who loves to reflect I have spent some time looking back at 2009. I think it's always a good thing to evaluate your life and its contents. In the Christian life we can always find areas in life to grow, become more mature.
I also think on all the blessings God has given Ellen and me this year. Our children are healthy, Dustin got married, Cheyenne went to Wales on a mission trip, Cole is finishing his masters degree not to mention we had one wedding (Dustin) and are looking forward to another(Cole, not Cheyenne!) I could go on and bore you all with so many blessings to numerous to mention! Our whole family would agree how wonderful God has been this past year!
As I reflect on 2009 and blessings the one thing that jumps out in my life is that this year the Lord has blessed me to call me into the ministry. It is something I had struggled with for a while now and this year I finally surrendered. All praise to God!!!!
I think no matter what happened this past year or might in the next year we must look to God. He is always there for us. When the hard times come (and they will) take comfort God is always there for us. "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt. 28:20
Take comfort friends when the chips are down He is always there! A friend of mine told me yesterday he was alone on Christmas Day, after my wife and I both scolded him for not coming to our house (he more than knew he was welcome) he shared how he worked on a sermon and reminded me he was NEVER alone because God is always there! Praise the name of the Lord!
In this next year remember this passage of scripture; Lamentations 3:22-23
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I hope in some way this passage will give you comfort,hope,and strength, it does me!!! Always remember that as Christians we are not perfect and neither is life-when the storms come(not if but when) God is there!

Happy 2010

I love you and the Lord surley loves you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Him, Brian F

From the mouths of babes

2009-12-21T05:32:00.000-08:00

Good Monday Morning;

It truly is a beautiful day, just like yesterday was! If one can tell anything about weather forecasts we may be in for a white Christmas. My wife is so excited at that prospect, we havn't had one in several years, I've only seen a few in 50 yrs.
O.K. enough of that.
Well Christmas is upon us I hope everyone has their shopping done and everything ready to go. If you are traveling be very careful and if you are not, pray for those traveling! My stepson and his fiance will be flying to Wyoming so we'll be in prayer for them.
I think I'll keep this blog short this week. I would like to share my experience from last night. The Youth of Bethlehem MBC put on a Christmas program that was one of the most awesome musicals that I have ever witnessed! Am I biased since I am on the pastor's staff at Bethlehem? Sure but I'll tell you this anyone who could've sat through that and not have been moved I feel for them! I think of through out the Bible how God has used children in His work and I am brought to this passage: Mark 10: 13-16 NIV
13People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it." 16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
I think most adults including me could learn alot just from observing children. That child like faith is what the Lord truly wants from us! I have a daughter and I can remember when she was learning to walk, she would start off knowing and without worry that me or her mother was there to watch and protect her from harm. There was no questioning that! she knew we were there!
That's how it is with God. We need to just step out in faith without any worry, no question of the outcome, He's there for us to never let us fall! Isn't that enough to praise Him for?
Give yourself a gift of a renewed faith in the Lord this Christmas; if you don't know Him step out in faith and accept Jesus as your personel savior! John 3:16 BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!
If you don't have or are looking for a church home please give Bethlehem Missionary Baptists Church a prayerful consideration.
Well from my wife Ellen and myself we would like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and remember the greatest Christmas gift of all was Jesus, He saved us!

Always remember I love you and the LORD surely does!
In Him, Brian F

Art of Prayer

2009-12-17T06:09:00.000-08:00

GOOD MORNING; I truly hope everyone is having a wonderful time preparing for Christmas, it should be a happy time. I heard my wife tell someone a couple of days ago that it was almost like a job anymore to get ready for Christmas, she's right in a lot of ways. We put to much on ourselves this time of year, things that on the grand scale don't really matter! That's enough!
In the past few months the Lord has placed on my heart that we need to get back to prayer. I know we all pray before we eat, at church,family gatherings etc... but I mean getting back to a scriptural prayer life, a way of life!
In the modern church I also believe we must see the need to be a praying body of believers, not just at the regular times but a way of life. We need to learn how first!
Mattthew 6:5-8 NIV
5.
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
6.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
7.
And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
8.
Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Here we have our Lord give His very instructions on how to pray. After these verses Jesus goes into what we call the "Lord's Prayer" (I think it should be known as the model prayer, the Lord's prayer is in the garden of Gethsemane). Never the less, Jesus Himself gives very clear instructions on how to pray. In later blogs we'll look more into these instructions.
I, along with my wife Ellen are praying about doing a class at Bethlehem MBC in Pauls Valley on prayer. It will be on a week night so if you feel lead we would love to have you. Please pray for us not only in this class but our entire ministry and for Bethlehem where we attend, I truly believe the most loving church anywhere!!!
Remember the key is PRAYER!!!!!!
I close as always; I LOVE YOU AND THE LORD SURELY LOVES YOU!!!!!!

In HIM, Brian F

Tradition or New Law?

2009-12-08T12:14:00.000-08:00

I was sitting at my desk this rainy afternoon and thought I would read the book of Galatians. I will admit it is one of my favorite books of the Bible. It gives me real hope that we live by faith and nothing else!
I have been troubled the past few months with the subject of "tradition". We as the modern day church, and this seems to be all churches I have ever seen, have so many rules and regulations on church. Is this just another form of Law? We seem to be still enslaving ourselves to a new law. Jesus did not come, live, and die to establish a new law. I thought He came and died to bring in Grace by Faith!
25Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.
Gal. 3:25
Why put more burdens on ourselves when it's not the way of scripture?
6For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Gal. 5:6
I beleive that we should show respect in all aspects of life, our elders, leaders, and yes most definetly the church facility, I truly don't see it as law.

13You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature[a]; rather, serve one another in love. 14The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 15If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. Gal. 5:13-15

I think as Christians we need to "mellow out" a little. We need unchurched coming through the doors and getting saved. Hopfully this will happen and when it does, these dear people will not know the "rules" we have in our flesh established. The new circumcision as I like to call it. If a new Christian does not know our customs they should be approached with kindness, or maybe we could just start right now doing away with tradition, stuff that is not in the Bible any way! I know we think if grandma or aunt & uncle so and so did it that's the way it should be done, but that don't make it Gospel!
This was alot more difficult to write than normal, but I truly felt lead. With that I will end the same way I always do:
I Love You and I know the Lord Loves You!!!!!!!

In HIM Brian F

Strange Days

2009-12-07T06:07:00.000-08:00

Well two things have happened that make me see these days as strange. 1. Tiger Woods scandal, 2. an article I just read directly from the U.N. summit in Copenhagen,Denmark. It read as follows;
"Participants at the Copenhagen global climate summit opened talks Monday at the start of the holiday season, but they won't be surrounded by festive Christmas decor, according to Denmark's Foreign Ministry.
Since Christmas is a religious holiday, it has no place at a United Nations event, said officials planning the event."
I guess one could say the old expression "no such thing as Santa Claus" really applies this year! We now live in a world that has gone so far as to say that an old holiday (alot older than the U.N. or global warming) should be ignored to keep fron offending the people that do not observe it.
I wonder how many people caught the small article (scandal) on how some scientists held data away from other scientists that did not agree with them, by the way they were people in the the sky is falling camp that would not share data.
I was also dismayed at the fall of one of the most celebrated athletes of our time. Tiger Woods wasn't only a great golfer, he had a squeaky clean image like no other athlete in recent years. I'm not throwing stones at this man! What happened to him could happen to anyone. Perfect lives are not what they seem at all.
Truly the only perfect life the world has ever known is that of a carpenter about 2,000 years ago. We gather this month to celebrate His birth! In an age of believing any and everything that comes along I am reminded of the scripture John 14:6: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Just as true today as ever!
In todays society it would appear that we are being deceived at every corner. It is great to know we still have a freind in Jesus! Just always remember how this blog is always signed off;

I Love You and more importantly the LORD Loves You!!!!!! God Bless You

In Him, Brian F

A or F?

2009-12-03T08:42:00.000-08:00

I read this little note on Google this morning, thought I would share.

Reader's Digest, 1949]
Just before Christmas a college professor read the following on an examination paper: "God only knows the answer to this question. Merry Christmas."
Across the paper the professor wrote: "God gets an A, you get an F. Happy New Year."

Remember He is the only perfect one; I love you and the Lord loves you!!!!!!!

In Him Brian F

Tis the Season?

2009-12-01T05:39:00.000-08:00

As my wife,Ellen and I sat and watched tv last night I was again amazed at all the fine "new" stuff for Christmas this year. I say new because who would have ever thought of giving sweaters,coffee makers,jewlery,games,toys-well I think you know where I am heading. We give the same ole thing year after year, things we don't need, stuff we all can do with out! Yet we do it anyway in the "spirit of the season".
Christmas is a Christian holiday, one in which we should reflect on the birth of our Savior,Jesus! We have become so PC as to let it be known as "winter festival"; you can't be serious. This is a Christian holiday, maybe if we that call ourselves by HIS name treated it like a Christian holiday (by the way the word holiday comes fron the words holy day) the "world" might take note and not even try this notion of winter festival.
I'll tell one thing, if the PC crowd can't do Christmas, let them have their own holiday. They are more than welcome to work on the 25th of December! Yes they do have their own holiday; April 1, (April Fools Day) "the fool has said in his heart there is no God" Psalms 14:1 Psalms 53:1 KJV.
Let's all try a new approach this year and celebrate CHRIST! I'm not saying to not buy presents(not to worry Ellen,Chey) lets just remember the "reason for the season". We hear that every year but still get caught in the commercial side of it. I'm the worlds worst!
It's great to be back from vacation (ya right)!
I love you all and the Lord loves you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In Him, Brian F.

Blessed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-20T06:07:00.000-08:00

Well to anyone that knows me or my wife you are aware today I turn 50! It really warms my heart the way family and friends show love and concern for me, I don't say it enough but THANK YOU!!!!!!!!
I have never been one to believe in luck, there is no such thing. I am not a lucky person-I am blessed. I have had so many great things come along these 50 years, Ellen-my wife,Cheyenne-my daughter,parents that are still healthy and zillions of other things to numerous to mention. Luck's got nothing to do with it. I think of the passage "I was once young and now I'm old and have never seen the righteous forsaken" I don't think of myself as righteous, just blessed!
If for no other reason we should be able to look up and thank God for Jesus the greatest gift of all! Salvation-WOW! doesn't get any better than that. Let's all try to remember that Christmas is for celebrating Christ-not winter festival or whatever PC handle some would put on this wonderful season.
Another reason today is so good is that I start my vacation, YES!!!!! I havn't taken a vacation in about 3 years (Grant Hatfield says I'm always on vacation). PRAY FOR ME ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IN HIM; Brian

Two Mites

2009-11-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

As I sat here @ lunch I read a daily devotional on Mark 12:41-44. We all know the story of how the poor widow gave all she had. We always use this passage to illustrate how to give $$$$$. I was thinking on this and what eats at me is "she gave all she had" the comparison to me here is Jesus, He gave all He had to save us-God gave all He had-His Son. I wonder how much I am willing to do without? I doubt if any of us would give one of our children, I probably couldn't. I doubt if anyone would, we don't have that kind of love. God does have that kind of love, it was demonstrated on the cross! I do believe if you want to see how much someone cares see what they are willing to give up.

FAVORITISM

2009-11-16T06:11:00.000-08:00

Well another weekend has come and gone. Even though most of us hate Mondays I've always liked reflecting on the Sunday we were allowed to enjoy. It truly is a joy and privilege to gather and worship with those we love and to do it unmolested. My wife and I love our fellow Christians were we worship(Bethlehem Miss. Baptist Church) and it is truly the high light of our week to see everyone and worship GOD!
Our Sunday School lesson yesterday came from the 2nd chapter of James. I bring this up because 1. we have the best Sun. School anywhere 2. we studied the subject of favoritism.
It's pretty clear what I think of my bros. and sis., as I think most Christians do, but what about welcoming new people? How do we look at people we as society call "different"?

1My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. James 2:1

We have no right to give special treatment to anyone, good or bad. Jesus loves everyone! There are no big sinners or little sinners, HE died for us all. Let's all try to remember that not only at church but everyday. How we treat others is how the world sees Christians!
If you are in need of a church home Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Pauls VCalley, OK is for people just like me and you! Visit our website-heargodswordatbethlehem.com.
In HIS Love, Mins. Brian

REJOICE

2009-11-12T07:50:00.000-08:00

I sit at my desk this morning thinking even with all the problems we have how grand this life is! I have so much to be thankful for. When you have a family that loves you and a wonderful church home; what more could one ask of this life.
The real source of joy for the Christian should be Christ. I love my wife,daughter,step sons and their wives and the rest of my family, most people do. Jesus himself said that.
To carry true joy to a lost world people have to see the true "joy of being a Christian" in we that name His name! In this "rat race" of a life our generation wants something that will do something for them. As a people we look to TV, sports, work, all types of activities to fill that GOD sized hole in us, only GOD can fulfill our lives!
Allways remember Phil.4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

IN CHRIST ALWAYS BF

PRAYER LIST

2009-11-11T11:54:00.000-08:00

PLEASE CHECK THIS POST FROM TIME TO TIME AND JOIN US FOR THESE REQUESTS; Family of Bill Carr, Rita N. Bethlehem MBC, Nancy M. always pray for our leaders whether you agree with their politics or not.

HELLO!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-11T11:10:00.000-08:00

Well this is my 1st entry to my new blog. The main reason for this is to help spread the GOOD NEWS OF JESUS!!!!!!! I truly hope to touch base and contact alot of people. The world is full of pain and suffering, I beleive HE is the only way to cope with the problems we face today. If I can be of any help drop me a line.
14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"[g] Romans 10:14-15