Sunday's Coming

Greetings from the RGV (Rio Grande Valley).

Good morning.  I pray you had a safe and enjoyable Christmas. We were busy but had a great Christmas. Now we are gearing up for New Year's, you know, all the parties, Ha, Ha. Seriously, we have no plans except the normal everyday business.

My sermon this week is on the New Year and resolutions.  As I was reading today, I came across this:

DECIDING TO JUMP

A boy told his father, "Dad, if three frogs were sitting on a limb that hung over a pool, and one frog decided to jump off into the pool, how many frogs would be left on the limb?"

The dad replied, "Two."

"No," the son replied. "There’s three frogs and one decides to jump, how many are left?"

The dad said, "Oh, I get it, if one decides to jump, the others would too. So there are none left."

The boy said, "No dad, the answer is three. The frog only DECIDED to jump."

Does that sound like last year’s resolution?
Application

I tell myself, "This year I’m going to turn over a new leaf. I’m going to exercise regularly & lose weight. I’m going to do all kinds of things to improve myself physically & spiritually." But then somehow I forget. Maybe you have that problem, too.

So this year I have a suggestion for a New Year’s resolution that we ought to be able to remember. It is kind of broad & very general, but here it is - let’s promise ourselves & God that we will make a change for the better. This year, as God’s people, as His church, let’s make this one simple resolution - we’re going to make a change for the better.

Happy New Year!

LaVon and l are thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.

Don

Sunday's Coming

Greetings from the RGV (Rio Grande Valley).

Good morning!  We are experiencing balmy, tropical weather this week.

God is providing energy for me and I have felt good enough to visit a few people in their homes here in the park.  There have been two deaths here since last week and I will be doing a memorial service Sunday afternoon in the Main Hall for Janet Graham, who passed away on her husband Bill's 90th birthday.  Please pray for her family and for me as I share Jesus Christ with them and comfort them.

We were very saddened by the news of the passing of our friend, Ray Poyer.  We met Ray and Linda in Arizona our first seaon in the RV ministry.  At that time, Ray was unsure of his salvation and asked me to pray with him.  I know beyond a doubt that he is with our Lord Jesus right now and this assurance gives much comfort and joy to his family and us.  We look forward to seeing him again one day.

We visited a lady yesterday who said she did not know "whose arms she would wake up in" if she died and she didn't seem the least bit interested in learning about knowing for sure where she would spend eternity.  Pray for her (God knows her name) and pray that God will soften the hearts of those here who don't know Him.  Pray for the 'boldness in love' of those who do know Christ as they reach out to their neighbors.

We pray all is well with you and yours. We hear from some that are having troubles and we pray for you then and often. If you have a prayer need please let us know so we know how to pray with you.

Sunday School ChristmasA little boy returned from Sunday school with a new perspective on the Christmas story. He had learned all about the Wise Men from the East who brought gifts to the Baby Jesus. He was so excited he could hardly wait to tell his parents.

As soon as he arrived home, he immediately began,

"I learned all about the very first Christmas in Sunday school today! There wasn’t a Santa Claus way back then, so these three skinny guys on camels had to deliver all the toys! And Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer with his nose so bright wasn't there yet, so they had to have this big spotlight in the sky to find their way around!"
Application

I urge you to keep Jesus at the center of all you do. May you have a Merry Christmas!

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continued support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, cards, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

We don't ask for money, generally.  We ask for you to pray for us and ask God how He wants you to be a part of this ministry of reaching those precious souls who are nearest (statistically) to eternity and the hardest to reach spiritually, the RV community. 

If you are wondering... 
Why support?

Because:

...you believe Matthew 28:19. That is the Great Commission, where the Lord told us to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person. That is our mission.

...you care about those who are lost. You care about those who do not yet know Jesus Christ. And so do we.

...you value the teaching and encouragement you receive every week through Sunday's Coming.  I read letters and emails and receive phone calls from friends just like you who tell me how much the teaching of the Word of God means to them.

...you understand the value of the ministry work God has called us to.

...you understand what it takes to spread the gospel. It takes many people, giving what they can, to reach as many as possible, using every means of technology available, with the only message that can change their lives for time and eternity: the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Can you send a gift of $35, $45, or more today, to help us and Christian Resort Ministries, International?  At this secure link, you can choose where you want 100% of your gift to go.  (Note:  the site states that we are serving at Sunscape in Casa Grande, AZ.  That was where we were last winter.  This winter we are serving in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas at the Tip O'Texas RV Resort in Pharr.)

 

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.   

Don

Sunday's Coming

Greetings from the RGV (Rio Grande Valley).

Good morning,

Like you, our days are being filled, but we do enjoy the busyness. We pray all is well with you and yours. We hear from some that are having troubles and we pray for you then and often. If you have a prayer need please let us know so we know how to pray with you.

My sermon this week is What Christmas Means.  As I was reading this morning I read the following:

Teaching Children About Christmas*
The Season of Advent was beginning, and I wanted to inform the children that, according the Bible, Jesus is coming twice, once as the baby in the manger, and then as King.

So I asked the children, "How did Jesus come the first time?"

One child answered, "Down the chimney."
Application

If your Christmas celebrating has begun to feel a little harried, step back for a moment and see whether something other than Jesus has taken center stage. Determine to make Him the focus of everything, and ask God to show you what a "successful" holiday season would look like for you. Then, rest easy in God's peace and His plans.

Jesus really is the reason for the season. So let's make sure we keep Him as the centerpiece.

(Adapted from It's Not About Me by Max Lucado)

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.

Don

Sunday's Coming

Greetings from the RGV (Rio Grande Valley).

Good morning!  Like you, our days are being filled, but we do enjoy the busy-ness and getting to know those in this park. We pray all is well with you and yours. We hear from some that are having troubles and we pray for you immediately and often. If you have a prayer need please let us know so we know how to pray with you.

My sermon for Sunday will be on forgiveness.  As I was reading this morning, I read the following.

Road Rage

Fighting rush-hour traffic from suburban Maryland to Washington D.C. can cause its share of near misses and irritating moments. One morning, a young lady darted her compact car from a side street into the stream of traffic immediately in front of a driver just a few car lengths ahead of me, forcing him to brake sharply. He avoided hitting her by inches and was obviously furious. Within seconds, traffic stopped at a red light, and I watched him pull up behind the offender, leap from his car, and stride angrily toward hers. Clearly, he intended to give her a royal bawling out.

Seeing him coming, the very attractive young lady jumped from her car and ran to meet him--a big smile on her face! Before he could say one word or know what was happening, she had thrown her arms around him, hugged him tightly, and planted a passionate kiss on his lips! Then she was back in her car and driving away, leaving her antagonist standing in the middle of the street still speechless and looking somewhat confused and embarrassed--but no longer angry!

—B.R. Holt, "Lite Fare," Christian Reader

Read Mathew 5:21-26

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.

Don

Sunday's Coming

Good morning,

Greetings from the RGV (Rio Grande Valley).

Finally, I am feeling closer to normal after battling bronchitis for more weeks than I should have. Praise the Lord for good meds and doctors.

While reading in "Seeds From the Sower," this morning, the following really spoke to me:

MAKE SOMEONE HAPPY

The famous comedian, Jimmy Durante, was doing his best to meet the deadlines in a tight schedule. While traveling from one location to another, someone asked him to visit a Veteran's Hospital. He agreed to do so, however, he emphasized that he would only be able to spare a few minutes.

He began his visit with a short monologue. The vets were thrilled and applauded loudly. The more he entertained, the louder the applause. He was thoroughly enjoying himself and forgot about the time. He stayed much longer than he had intended. Finally, he took his last bow.

Knowing of his schedule, someone asked, "What happened?"

"I was supposed to leave much sooner," he said, "But look at those two vets in the front row. I couldn't let them down."

One of the men had lost his right arm and the oter his left. Left to themselves, they were incomplete. But together they were able to clap. And this they did wildly and happily. It was a moment of great happiness for the comedian and the vets. Unfortunately, it did not last.

For the Christian, however, it can be a permanent condition if our hearts are right with God.

Real happiness is ours when we have a right relationship with God. Regardless of what we may be facing, we can be happy in the Lord knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us, and that one day we will be with Him, forever.

Psalm 68:3 But let the godly rejoice.
                  Let them be glad in God’s presence.
                  Let them be filled with joy.

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual support and interest in our ministry by investing yourself in many ways as partners with us: by prayer, e-mails, phone calls and your financial gifts. Without any of these we could not continue what God has called us to do and that is to share the living water with the world through the RV ministry.

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.

Don