Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We continue in prayer and outreach and we ask you to HELP us by prayer and gifts. We gave out 23 food baskets Saturday in the park and neighborhood. Please be in prayer that God will use these to bring people to Him.
We want to thank all of you who pray for us for the Lord answered yesterday when I took LaVon to the hospital with symptons of a heart attack. She didn't have a heart attack, P.T.L. She is still sick so continue praying, thanks.

In my reading I want to share this:

Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.Colossians 3:17

Life is a celebration. Don't postpone it. Grasp the hour! Today is the first day of the rest of your life. I came across a list of possibilities to make your day a brighter one:

Seek out a forgotten friend.
Write a love letter.
Share a treasure.
Encourage someone with a kind word.
Keep a promise.
Give to a needy cause.
Forgive an enemy.
Listen.
Apologize if you were wrong.
Try to understand.
Read your Bible.
Pray for your family.
Examine your demands on others.
Appreciate a friend.
Be kind, be gentle.
Laugh a little.
Laugh a little more.
Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth.

We appreciate so much your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial gifts of love.

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

http://donrbaker@blogspot.com/
sycamoreschapel.blogspot.com/
http://www.sanctuaryoutpost.org/

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We continue in prayer and outreach here in this area from The Sycamores Community Chapel and we ask you to HELP us by prayer, gifts and words of encouragement. We are making plans for the upcoming month. We have Christmas trees to sell to help buy food for our first food give away on the 14th of December. We will also have our first Christmas Eve service. What a wonderful time!

My reading this morning from The Sower struck a nerve. May it inspire you as well.

QUIET CHRISTIANS
For many years two neighbors rode the same train to work in downtown Chicago. George went to church regularly and if pressed, would admit to being a Christian. But he never allowed being a Christian interfere with his life. On the other hand, Will never went to church and had no use for godly things. As they rode the train each day, they discussed business strategies, sports, politics, religion and current events. They rarely mentioned God.
One morning Will became violently ill and was rushed to the hospital. After a series of tests his physician informed his wife that he could not live longer than a few days - if that long. Frightened, his wife said, “Perhaps we’d better call George and talk about God.”
“George? Talk about God? Why George? He rarely mentioned God to me or that he knew Him. So I doubt that he would be the right person to call,” said Will. Without saying another word he passed into eternity - lost.
When George heard the news, he was stunned and filled with guilt. There was nothing he could do for Will now but go to God and ask for forgiveness and promise to become faithful. The words of the Psalmist echoed loudly in his ears: “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!”

Unfortunately, the Kingdom of God is filled with too many citizens like George. They know the Lord from a distance but are unwilling to speak as His ambassadors. They believe that they have “theirs” and that’s all that matters. But there is no denying that if indeed God has redeemed us, we will present Him faithfully to others!

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for our silence and refusal to be faithful in presenting Your message to the lost around us! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: 
Psalm 107:2 
"Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe..."

We certainly Thank You for your faithful support through your prayers, phone calls, e-mails and financial gifts and we pray for God to richly bless you above and beyond what you can ever imagine.

Randy Alcorn said, and this is a favorite quote:
"You can't take it with you, but you can sure send it on ahead."

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

The Son Is Coming!!

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We continue in prayer and outreach and we ask you to HELP us. We made a visit to the brand new town in Oklahoma yesterday and met with the owner and builder. We had a great visit, heard his heart and offered to help start a church outreach there. It is just down the road from us so we can help. 

We also made a visit to a local Christmas Tree Farm and it was a great visit. We are going to sell Christmas trees this year, PTL. 

Saturday, we will all meet and start forming our food give away for this community. We urge you to be in prayer for this and if God leads you to give to help in this, again PTL.

Give Thanks to the Lord,You are my God, and I will praise you; You are my God, and I will exalt you.Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 118:28-29

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances. You are greatly appreciated.  God bless you abundantly.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We pray that each of you are doing well.  You are in our prayers often. May our God Bless and Keep you this week. 

My sermon this coming Sunday is on encouragement. While I was reading, the following got my attention:

God Knows Your Name

by Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

Have you ever wanted to change your name or wondered who you would be without a name?

Names are important. It is by our name that other people identify us and that we identify ourselves. In biblical times, parents gave their children names with descriptive meanings such as strong, trustworthy, and leader, in hopes they would embody these traits when they grew up.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 states, “A good name is better than fine perfume.”

The words we use to describe other people can either hurt or encourage them. There was a teacher who asked her students to tell what they wanted to do when they grew up.For the most part the students gave the usual responses—doctor, lawyer, policeman, nurse, pilot, and firefighter.

Then the teacher asked Billy. He said, “I want to be possible.”

“Possible?” she asked.

“Yes,” he replied, “because my mom tells me all the time that I’m impossible. So I want to grow up to be possible.”

As believers, we are adopted into the kingdom of God. We are given a new identity, a new name, and a life filled with possibility. We are called the children of God. No matter what our past is and regardless of our mistakes, the Lord knows our name and desires our worship and praise.

Hebrews 3:13 (ASV) 13 but exhort one another day by day, so long as it is called To-day; lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin: 

 We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial gifts. 

Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We pray together every Tuesday morning, for the work here and in the parks across the country. We also pray for request we receive from all of you. I hope, if you have a need, please let us know.  There is nothing greater for us to do but take it to the Lord in prayer.

1 Timothy 2:1 (ASV) 1I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, be made for all men; 

Grandpa's Prayers
Our son had only heard his grandfather pray at Thanksgiving, Easter, and other special occasions; when he, typically, said a long prayer over thefood. One night, after a fun camp-out and fishing trip, grandfather (to our son's surprise) asked a very brief blessing on the food.
With a gleam in his eye, our son grinned at his Grandfather and said, "You don't pray so long when you're hungry, do you Grandpa?"

 We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances. 
Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."

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



Permanent address:
Chaplain Don & LaVon Baker
Rt 2 Box 2131
Checotah, OK 74426/
http://donrbaker@blogspot.com/
sycamoreschapel.blogspot.com/
http://www.sanctuaryoutpost.org/
http://www.theblessedlife.com/series/blessed-life

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We had a great week joining with so many friends and praising the Lord. This is the Day the Lord has made. 

We had 40 in attendance Sunday to dedicate this property and ministry to the Lord. What a day we had Praising God in Prayer, Song and Brother Dan Griffin's blessings in the Word.

In my reading this morning this was an inspiration
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.

God’s glory is revealed in the praises of His people. When we lift our voices of praise to God, He is honored, and we are blessed.Praise was a hallmark of David’s life. As a young man, he learned to worship God through songs of praise that expressed his deep devotion to the Lord.
King David wrote:Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast (Psalm 139:7-10).
Christ knows when we rise in the morning and when we lie down to sleep at night. He is the revelation of our heavenly Father—the one person who knows us completely and loves us unconditionally.
Perhaps you feel as though you have come to a dead end in your career, a relationship, or your spiritual life, and there is no way for your life to make a turn for the better. Maybe you think that God has forgotten you. Lift your eyes up to the Lord. Praise Him! He is your salvation, and He indwells the praises of those who love Him.
“Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands” (Psalm 63:3-4).

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances. We praise God for you.

Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."  After reading The Blessed Life by Robert Morris, this quote takes on new meaning!

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


Permanent address:
Chaplain Don & LaVon Baker
Rt 2 Box 2131
Checotah, OK 74426


http://donrbaker@blogspot.com/
sycamoreschapel.blogspot.com/
http://www.sanctuaryoutpost.org/

Every step I take Lyrics

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning, 
 
We are preparing for a conference to be held here this weekend and also a dedication of the property. This is the Day the Lord has made. I have been thinking of all the great friends God has allowed us to make since we have been on this journey and how you have made this day possible.

In my reading this morning this was an inspiration from The Sower:

GOOD REASONS TO REJOICE!
Centuries ago, there was a legend that mystics would share with their followers. “The Lord, at one time,” went the legend, “colored all the flowers green. But one day He dipped His finger in the pot at the bottom of the rainbow and when He took it out it was covered with many different colors. When He saw how beautiful the colors were He decided to paint each of the flowers a different color and give each of them their own name.”
“One morning,” the legend continues, “a beautiful flower with small blue, pink and white flowers was asked, ‘What’s your name?’” Hanging its head, the flower sighed and said, “Oh my, I forgot.”
In shame the flower confessed to the Lord, “I’m so sorry, but I have forgotten my name.” And the Lord said, “That’s all right. Some are likely to forget. But I have not forgotten you.” Then He added, “Whatever else you do, For-Get-Me-Not, for I am the God who created you!”
From that day until today, this lovely little flower has been called “For-Get-Me Not.” Whenever we see it, we need to remember the words of David, “Praise the Lord, all my soul, and forget not all - or perhaps better stated - forget not any of His benefits.”

We seldom think of the extensive range of His benefits: Every beat of our hearts, every breath we inhale, every sight we see or noise we hear, every step we take, every taste we enjoy, every friend we have, every gift we receive, every promise of His that we claim - and mostly our salvation - are only the beginning of His benefits to us.
Prayer: Lord! How gracious You are to give us so many gifts. Most importantly, though, give us thankful hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Psalm 103:2b and forget not all his benefits— 

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances.

Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." 

Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
http://youtu.be/EwKSXvB61iM

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We continue the work here. The progress at The Sycamores Chapel is still slow but, all things are possible with God. 

In my reading this morning this was an inspiration fom Adrian Rogers. 

This is the Day the Lord has made.

Humbly Grateful, Not Grumbly Hateful

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” - James 1:2

Sometimes we have to admit that it’s hard to “count it all joy.” Sometimes we complain and rather than being humbly grateful, we become grumbly hateful.
Oh, how I wish that, beginning today, we would emulate the faith of the saints that have gone before us—saints like Fannie Crosby, the great hymn writer.
For most of her life Fannie Crosby was blind, and yet, at the tender age of eight, Fannie wrote:
“Oh! What a happy soul am I, although I cannot see,
I am resolved that, in this world, contented I will be.
How many blessings I enjoy, that other people don’t.
To weep and sigh because I’m blind, I cannot and I won’t.”
And do you know what? .... She didn’t.
How can you apply this truth to your life today?
How can you share this truth with someone else?

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We continue the work here... it's still slow, but all things are possible with God. 

In my reading this morning, this was an inspiration from The Sower.

This is the Day the Lord has made.

BE HAPPY!
A deacon was asked by his pastor to meet a guest speaker at the local airport. He stood patiently waiting and looking at each traveler as they claimed their luggage and then left the airport. But he was not comfortable in approaching any of them and asking, “Are you the one who is scheduled to speak at the First Baptist Church?”
Finally, he noticed a gentleman who was wearing a dark blue suit, red tie and carrying a brief case. Ah, he thought, that’s our guest.
Approaching him he asked, “Pardon me, Sir, but are you the minister who is to speak at the First Baptist Church tomorrow?”
“No,” came the reply. “It’s my indigestion that makes me look like this.”

How sad it is that people associate gloom and doom with godliness and not happiness and gladness. If there is anything that should separate the born again from those who do not know Christ as Savior it is the sign of joy! We who have been released from the power of sin and the grip of Satan ought to always have a smile on our faces and thankfulness in our hearts.

God’s Word does not say, “Be careful not to smile. The world is in terrible shape. The end will soon be here.”

Rather, “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship Him with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs.”

Prayer: Father, if we cannot find a reason to be filled with “joyful songs” please open our eyes to Your goodness! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 100:1-2 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances. We appreciate you more than you will ever know.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We had people come to Bible study last night. Praise the LORD!
(The Sycamores Community Chapel Mission and Outreach blog)

In my reading, this morning, this was an inspiration from Adrian Rogers:

Don't Try to Hurry the Harvest
“. . . the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.” - James 5:7
Sometimes the things that count the most seem to take the longest to get here.Some giant sequoias in California are 300 feet tall. That’s the height of a thirty story building! Yet each one began with the smallest of seeds that began growing and maturing since before the time of Christ! That’s a long time.You may say that you’re going to serve God. Then you start to do something for Him, but when you don’t reap a harvest immediately, you get discouraged. Don’t try to hurry the harvest. In due season, you will reap.Have you shared Christ with people and yet they haven’t been saved? Read Isaiah 55:11

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, phone calls, emails and gifts.

Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We had our Grand Opening at church Sunday and no one from this community came. We keep going forward knowing God has used us already and will use us more in the days to come. In my reading, this morning, was an inspiration from Adrian Rogers.

 Seizing Opportunities to Serve

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” - Galatians 6:10

Do you remember the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37? He was on a journey but stopped and helped a bruised and broken man. He didn’t make excuses saying, “It’s none of my business.” It was a golden moment, and he took it.

All around you are people who need the compassion of Christ. They need you to see their pain as a golden opportunity to serve them in the name of Jesus.
The chief enemy to kindness is busyness. We have our priorities, our jobs, our duties, our responsibilities, and we’re too busy. But if we’re too busy to be kind, we’re too busy.
What’s on your schedule for today? If someone had a flat tire, could you fix it? If someone called and needed a ride to the hospital, could you take them? Clear the way for Jesus, my friend.

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, phone calls, emails and gifts.

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

PS
Many thanks to Ron Jarman for coming and blessing us with his songs and leading us in worship. We did have two visitors who came to see Ron! They were a blessing, also!

Here is a song Ron wrote and recorded. You may recognize the tune.

My Hope is You, Lord.

There are no penalties for using Ron's music. He just wants to be used to bring Glory to God and encouragement to others. Enjoy!

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We had our first service last Sunday. No one showed up, except our ministry partners, Dennis and Sally Maloney and our guest worship leader, Jane Carroll and her husband, Dennis.

 

 Keep us in your prayers as we distribute flyers and encourage people to come.

It's not just where you end up that's important; it's how you get there. - Mark Batterson

SHOWING HIS SALVATION (From The Sower)

“Brother,” said St. Francis of Assisi to a young monk who had just entered the monastery, “let’s go to town and preach.” They left the monastery and walked to the town and did not say a word to each other or the people they passed in the marketplace. After several hours they retraced their steps and returned to the monastery.
The young monk wondered what was going on and after waiting for what seemed like an eternity he finally broke his silence and asked, “I thought we were going to town to preach. When are we going to preach?”
“We have been preaching,” replied St. Francis. “As we walked, we were observed: people watched our manners, our faces, our behavior, and our clothes, what people thought we stood for. We have been preaching.”

All of us preach all of the time. Our behavior is our message and our places of interest, our pulpits. Our lives become lectures and our pursuits are examples of our priorities. People watch us even as we watch them. And each time we pass from view and our words can no longer be heard our sermon ends and a decision about the value and importance we place on being like Christ in all we do and whatever we say is made.

The problem we face today is not the quantity of Christians but the quality. And if we want to win more, we must be more. How different would the world be if when we “declared God’s glory,” we also lived God’s glory. How we live is more important than words.

Prayer: Give us courage and strength Lord, to live as we ought to live and show the world Your glory and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 

Scripture for Today: Psalm 96:2b "...proclaim his salvation day after day."

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We spent the last two days in Norman with our granddaughter while she had knee surgery. She had several friends come over after surgery , and being around all these young people made me fill OLD. Then I read the following:

Not Finished Yet!

 
We need a new button, t-shirt, bumper sticker or cap that reads...NFY! It stands for Not Finished Yet!
Regardless of the label people put on you (senior, baby-boomer, retired person), regardless of the number of birthdays you've celebrated, you are still here. And as long as you are here, you are not there, and as long as you are not there, it means God still has a purpose for you here.
When Jesus was on the cross, the last thing He said was, "It is finished." After He made that statement, He died. When is God's purpose for you on this earth finished? It is finished when you die... until then, you are not finished yet! 

NFY!
Does the thought of getting older discourage you or make you fearful? Consider these words the Lord spoke to Isaiah: I will be your God throughout your lifetime--until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. Isaiah 46:4
-Devotional excerpt by Roy Lessin, from his blog Meet Me In The Meadow.

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances.  For those of you who knew about Lydia's knee surgery, we thank you so much for your prayers and are rejoicing that the situation with her medial meniscus was repaired  and she was able to put weight on it almost immediately. Pain has been present, but not as bad as it could have been.

Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We started a new Bible study Tuesday night on The Parables of Jesus. Part of the study talked about the mustard seed which made me think of the following verse.

Matthew 17:20
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

"The issue of faith is not so much whether we believe in God, but whether we believe the God we believe in." -  R.C. Sproul

What are some mountains in your life today? Is it a health issue, finances, relationships, or like us, as we begin this new work, is it all the uncertainties that lies before us. Let us claim this passage and believe that nothing is too big for our God!

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances. God reminds me every day that He is still here and that each of you are here with us.  So Thank You.

Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."

"You can't take it with you, but you can send it on ahead." - Randy Alcorn

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning, 

We continue the work here and it is getting closer to being ready for our first service. We have a target day of September 8th, with grand opening on the 15th. I thank you for your prayers and thank God daily for His amazing blessings. We plan on feeding those in need and doing whatever we can to help people in need. Your gifts help us to carry out this ministry.

If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn't help the poor, either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we've got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don't want to do it. -  Stephen Colbert

Matthew 25:40 (ASV)
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances.
Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."

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

Click on the following link to seek The Happy Mowing Preacher:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201577642940263&l=7783448369714572072

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We continue the work here; it is getting closer to being ready for our first service. We have a target day of September 8, with grand opening on the 15th. I thank you for your prayers and thank God daily for His amazing blessings.

Yesterday I read this passage from....Day Spring cards

Rejoice & Be Glad Today

With God, every day is full of simple delights & unexpected joys.
Just thinking about you today, and wishing you a moment that makes you smile too.

This is the day the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances.
Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." 

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

Update:
$500 toward the matching fund of $3500 has come!
Others have pledged gifts. Praise the Lord!
A new lawn mower for Don to ride and mow the church property, has been provided!! And God even helped us get it out of the back of the truck!  No problem.  Don was so excited to get up early this morning, while it was still not so hot, and mow the property, which was in bad need of mowing.  We are praising the Lord for His provision.

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning, 
We have prayer every Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM. There are five of us and we pray for the requests we receive from you and for the ministry here at The Sycamores Chapel and Community Church. Yesterday, I read and shared this passage during our prayer time....

Philippians 4:6   (NLT)
"Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done."

One particular request we laid before the Lord Almighty was for funds we need to finish the renovation work here at the chapel.

Last night was our Bible study night at the chapel and just as we began Dennis received a call but let it go to voice mail until afterwards when he immediately called the gentleman back.  The gentleman of God on the phone has issued a challenge for others: for every dollar you give to our ministry he will match it,up to $3,500! WOW! What an awesome God we serve. Is God urging you to give to help us match this challenge and double $3,500?

Do you believe in prayer? Do you believe our God cares about our needs? Do you believe our God cares about your needs?  WE DO! And we thank God for His provision and for people like this generous man who loves the Lord and understands the value of reaching the lost and encouraging followers of Jesus Christ.

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances. Even now when we have lost some of our support God reminds me He is still here and that each of you are here with us and other people are going to give. So Thank You.

Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."
Randy Alcorn stated in The Treasure Principle: "You can't take it with you, but you can sure send it on ahead!" 

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

UPDATE:
The carpet is scheduled to be laid tomorrow, August 1.
The 10'x20' building has been delivered and placed. This building will be used for food preserving, food storage and laundry. We are waiting for God to provide the appliances and funds to connect water, sewer and electricity to this building.
If you have not read the last report or seen the pictures, click on this link: http://bakersblessings.blogspot.com/2013/07/sycamores-chapel-update-from-crm.html

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning, 

We have had a fun time with family the last week.  Bro. Dennis held down the fort and had Bible study, with three new guest, with Richard McCool leading the study. We still covet your prayers that this continues to grow and lives are saved, healed and encouraged.


In my reading this week, the late Adrian Rogers wrote the following. It is my heart, as well, and I pray it is yours, too.
 
Mountains Need Moving
 “Jesus answered and said...if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.” - Matthew 21:21
When a nation loses its ability to discern morality, it embarks on a slippery slope toward self-destruction, especially when it comes to basic sexual morality.
When a nation turns its back on the commands of God, He will say, “That’s the last step. I wash My hands. You asked for it. You got it.”
America is in a crisis, and unless we have a moral rebirth, we will join the graveyard of the nations—it’s time to wake up.
Time is passing—it’s time to look up.
Jesus is coming—it’s time to sober up.
Satan is working—it’s time to pray up.
Mountains need moving.
Ask the Lord to heal our land, forgiving the iniquities of the wicked by bringing salvation to their souls.

Lord, send a revival and let it begin in me.

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails, gifts and offerings. You are all such an encouragement to us.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We have prayer every Tuesday morning as a group. If you have a prayer need, please let us know.  In our personal prayer time, we also pray for each of you and our work here and beyond. We also have a Bible Study every Tuesday evening.

He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find Him the rest of the day. ~ John Bunyan

Live from the heart
Love from the soul
Praise from the spirit.

God delights in you... just because you're YOU.

I will praise You,
for I am fearfully
and wonderfully made.
Psalm 139:14

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and gifts.

Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." 

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning, 

We have prayer every Tuesday morning as a group. If you have a prayer need, please let us know. We also pray daily, individually, for each of you and our work here and beyond. We also have a  wonderful time of Bible Study every Tuesday evening; there was six attending last night, but I know it is going to grow.

Our identity is not in our joy, and our identity is not in our suffering. Our identity is in Christ, whether we have joy or are suffering. ~~ Mark Driscoll

We choose our attitude for the day whether positive or negative. As for me I, choose to be positive. What about you?

1 Peter 1:8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and love offerings. Even now when we have lost some of our support God reminds me, He is still here and that each of you are here with us and new people are going to give. So Thank You.
Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." 

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning, 

We continue in prayer and ask each of you to pray with us for the funds to complete the building and the people to fill the house, Thanks.

Why Do You Love God?

During a visit to the children's Bible class, my preacher friend looked into their serious faces and asked, "Why do you love God?" After a moment a small voice came from the back: "I guess it just runs in the family."

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 

At this time of ministry transition for us, we sure do appreciate your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails, gifts and offerings. Even now, when we have lost some of our support, God reminds me, He is still here and that each of you are here with us and new people are going to give. So thank you for praying for us as we continue to work on the Sycamores Chapel here and consider how the Lord might have you participate in growing His Kingdom.

Our door is always open and we would love a visit from every one of you.

"You can't take it with you, but you can certainly send it on ahead." Randy Alcorn (The Treasure Principle)

Happy Fourth of July!

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,
 
We continue in prayer and ask each of you to pray with us for the funds to complete the building and people to come. Thanks.

If God is good, why do the godly have grief? If God is fair, why do the faithful fail? If God cares, why does He allow Christians to have cancer? If God is powerful, why are innocent people murdered?

And why are the ungodly prosperous? Why are the ungodly happy? Why are the ungodly recipients of any good thing? After all, they are ungodly!

The writer of Psalm 73 had a problem with bad people living godless lives and receiving earthly rewards. He was a bit angry when he saw their lavish lives.
They appeared to have everything their hearts desired, lived lives of ease and were healthy. Their riches multiplied even though they scoffed God and threatened His children. What’s up?

So the writer of the Psalm became vain. He avoided evil and when he sinned he immediately confessed and asked God to forgive him. He read God’s Word, in prayer and tried to live a godly life. But all he got from God was trouble: all day, every day! Finally he asked God, “Am I wasting my time? Why should I bother to be godly?”
Fortunately, he went to the right place for an answer. “Finally,” he concluded when he went to the sanctuary to worship, “I understood their end!” Wrongs in this life will be corrected in the next! 

The ungodly leave their treasures at death but the godly only begin to enjoy theirs with their Father.

Prayer: Give us a strong faith, Father, to look beyond what is to what will be when we are at last with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Psalm 73:12
This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. 

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances. Even now when we have lost some of our support God reminds me He is still here and that each of you are here with us and new people are going to give. So, Thank You.
Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."
 
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Our friend, Norm Agan, standing in front of the new door and alcove he installed in place of the double doors that were not tall enough for Don and I to walk through without ducking. Thank you, Norm!!

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning, 

We continue to meet people here in the park as well as in the community and invite them to Bible Study. We continue in prayer and ask each of you to pray with us. We appreciate more than you know, your faithfulness to pray with and for us regarding the ministry work God has for us here.

Your Middle C 
by Max Lucado
When author Lloyd Douglas attended college, he lived in a boardinghouse with a retired music professor who lived on the first floor. Douglas would stick his head in the door and ask, “Well, what’s the good news?” The old man would pick up his tuning fork, tap it on the side of his chair and say, “That’s middle C. It was middle C yesterday; it will be middle C tomorrow; it will be middle C a thousand years from now. The tenor upstairs sings flat. The piano across the hall is out of tune, but, my friend, that is middle C!”

You and I need a middle C. A still point in a turning world. An unchanging Shepherd. A God who can still the storm. A Lord who can declare the meaning of life. And according to David in Psalm 23—you have one. The Lord is your shepherd! He is your middle C!

 We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial. When I am down we receive one of the above from one of you and God reminds me He is still here and that each of you are here with us. So Thank You.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,
We continue to meet people here in the park as well as in the community and invite them to Bible Study. We also ordered a small sign to put in front of the church giving day and time of Bible Study. We continue in prayer and ask each of you to pray with us. Thank you.

Just Visiting Heaven
Our former pastor would occasionally go on a personal retreat to pray and seek God's direction for his ministry. During one retreat, someone called the church office and asked,
"May I speak with the pastor?"
The secretary replied, "I'm sorry, he's gone to be with the Lord."
There was a long silence on the other end. Then the secretary realized what she had said.
"But he'll be back next week."

The Power of Prayer
By Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
There is no power over temptation nor victory over sin without spending time with God in prayer.
Prayer should be our first option rather than the final effort. When trouble approaches, we need to run to God in prayer. If you are weary and feel heavy-laden, take time to pray. When life is joyful, take time to praise God for His goodness through prayer.
Moses prayed, and water flowed from a rock. Joshua prayed, and the sun stood still. Hannah prayed, and God gave her a son.
David prayed, and Goliath fell. Elijah prayed, and fire rained down from heaven. Daniel prayed, and God closed the lions’ mouths. Jesus prayed, and 5,000 people were fed and satisfied with a little boy’s lunch.
When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, the demons shook with terror. Heaven’s boundless power and strength are ours when we pray and align our will with His perfect plan.
Are you discouraged and despondent? Pray.
Do you feel defeated by sin? Pray.
Does it seem as if your life and personal relationships are falling apart? Your greatest needs can be met through prayer.
Therefore, pray, knowing that when you draw near to Him, He will draw near to you.

“Come near to God and he will come near to you. . . . Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up” (James 4:8, 10).

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and finances. Even now when we have lost some of our support God reminds me, He is still here and that each of you are here with us and new people are going to give. So Thank You.

Winston Churchill wisely said, "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give."
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don

Hebrews 13:5-6

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

Our work continues on the building to ready it for use. We are having Bible Study, even in the clutter and will put up a sign and start inviting people to join us this coming week. We are planing a Fourth of July Celebration as the official opening of the facility with church services beginning the following Sunday. I urge you to keep this work and us in your prayers. Sunday IS coming!

This week as I read and prayed, this touched me. I pray it will be a help to you as well.

Two Cans and a String
By David Jeremiah

And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the LORD and wept in anguish. (1 Samuel 1:10)

Remember playing with two cans and a string? The science behind that children's toy really works. When you take two cans or paper cups, punch holes in the bottom of them, and stretch a string between them, you've recreated a primitive phone. The sound of your voice vibrates the bottom of the cup at 1,000 times a second, and the vibrations run along the string, making the bottom of the second cup vibrate with sound waves. The early telephones worked the same way, except the wires were electric.
Whenever we pray, God is on the other end of the line with His ear to the cup, hearing every word and listening to every vibration of our voices. He hears even the faintest sigh. The prophet Daniel prayed regularly all his life and history was changed. The apostle Paul prayed, and cities were opened to the Gospel. Hannah prayed and God lifted her burden.
If you're in anguish or distress, you don't need two cans and a string. Two bent knees and a broken heart will do just fine.
Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer.
R. A. Torrey

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial. We are encouraged when we receive one of the above from one of you and God reminds us: He is still here and that each of you are here with us. So, humbly and sincerely, Thank You.

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

A few pictures to show you "our" lake and where the Q is parked. We are blessed with a beautiful view and I have even put my hook in the water!

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We began our work here with the first Bible study in our building with our church family last night at Sycamores Community Chapel. Small in number but big in heart. Pray that we continue to grow when we open this to this community. As you can tell by the pictures, there is still much work to be done in the fellowship room and then there is more work to be done in the sanctuary portion beyond.

The sermon Sunday got me to thinking what we really should look like as a Christian.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
You Are the Only Jesus Somebody Knows By Jim Burns

There was a soldier who was wounded in battle. The padre crept out and did what he could for him. He stayed with him when the remainder of the troops retreated. In the heat of the day, he gave him water from his own water bottle, while he himself remained parched with thirst. In the night, when the chill frost came down, he covered the wounded man with his own coat, and finally wrapped him up in even more of his own clothes to save him from the cold. In the end, the wounded man looked up at the padre. "Padre," he said, "You're a Christian?"
"I try to be," said the padre.
"Then," said the wounded man "if Christianity makes a man do for another man what you have done for me, tell me about it, because I want it."*

You are the only Jesus somebody knows. Christ lives in you and will use you to help heal this hurting world if you'll let Him. The priest was willing to become uncomfortable for the sake of a dying man. Sometimes I don't feel like going out of my way to reach out to someone and sometimes I close the door. There are other times when I realize that I represent Jesus to the world around me and that I touch someone not with my love but with His love. And it makes a difference in their life and mine.
We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial. When I am down we receive one of the above from one of you and God reminds me He is still here and that each of you are here with us. So Thank You.

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

Sycamores Community Chapel, mid-remodel.

 

 

The front fellowship hall. 

 

The kitchen area beyond the fellowship hall. 

 

The guest bedroom. 

 

The front door. Color is much more pastel than this picture shows. 

The Sycamores Community Chapel is located about a half mile from the RV park we are staying in and surrounded by many homes.

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,
 
Thank you all for the phone calls and face book inquiries on our safety during the storms here in Oklahoma. We are fine. The storms went by us to the north and south; all we had was rain and wind.

I was reading Adrian Rogers this morning and I felt compelled to share.

Grateful—for We Are Blessed!

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” - Philippians 4:6

Sometimes we complain when we shouldn’t.
I remember one time driving across the country with a gentleman. At the time, all of our children were in private schools and Joyce and I were “dying of maltuition.” I began complaining a little bit to the man about the great cost of sending a son to college.
He looked at me and said, “I’d give anything in the world if my son would go to college.”
I thought, “Oh, what an ungrateful spirit I have!”

Do you ever complain about dirty dishes? There are lots of folks in Oklahoma that would like to have some dirty dishes. We are to be thankful in all things. Today remember how good you have it and then pray for those that have lost so much.

Rejoice in God’s blessings in your life. Nip that temptation in the bud to complain and grumble about your life today.

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial gifts. We are so grateful for your encouraging words and God reminds us that He is still here and that each of you are here with us. So Thank You.


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

SUNDAY'S COMING

Good Morning,

We have made it back from a visit to Tulsa and the graduation of a granddaughter we are very proud of. We have now seen all the family and it is time to settle down and go to work. We decided last night to begin a Bible study on Tuesday night. We will move on from there to a Sunday morning service, so keep this and us in your prayers.

I was reading this morning and I felt compelled to share the following: by Adrian Rogers, a dear pastor who is now with the LORD:

True Peace and Satisfaction

“With long life will I satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” - Psalm 91:16

I was witnessing to a man one day in front of his house. He said, “I’ve got a good income. You see that house? It’s paid for. You see that car? It’s paid for. My wife is in that house. She loves me.” He seemed completely satisfied.
I said, “Sir, I want to ask you a question. Will you be absolutely honest with me? Do you have peace in your heart?”
His chin started to quiver. His eyes brimmed with tears. He said, “No, I don’t have peace in my heart. How did you know?”
I said, “Because the Bible says, ‘There is no peace, sayeth my God, to the wicked.’ These things cannot fill the longing of your heart. You need Jesus.”

Pray for an opportunity to share today the peace you have in Jesus with someone who is lost and searching.

 We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial gifts. We are so grateful for your encouraging words and God reminds us that He is still here and that each of you are here with us.  So Thank You.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We have made it back from a visit to the kids in the Houston, Texas area. As we begin this new work we appreciate your prayers and support.

Encourage Others Like Jesus
by Ron Walters
Keith Miller, in The Taste of New Wine, relays the story of a busy executive who, during his private devotions one morning, prayed, “Lord, let someone see Jesus in me today.” Then, seeing the clock on the wall, he took his last gulp of coffee, jumped into his car and sped to the train station for his commute into the city. He couldn’t afford to be late to work … again!
Standing on the train platform was a young boy waiting for his commuter to school, his arms loaded with books, pens, papers and a small lunch pail.
It was morning rush hour and the platform was jammed.
As the train approached, the commuters began jockeying for position. As the doors opened and the crowd stampeded to get aboard, the schoolboy was pummeled and lost control of his supplies, spilling them to the cement—kicked away in every direction by the boarding masses.
The busy executive saw it and wanted to help, but he couldn’t miss that train. One more late arrival would jeopardize his job—a job he couldn’t afford to lose.
Then quickly, his prayer returned, “Lord, let someone see Jesus in me today.”
As guilt battled duty, the man gritted his teeth, laid down his briefcase, knelt to all fours and began gathering and reassembling the boy’s belongings … as his commuter train left the station.
The little boy stood in amazement, watching the man’s every move without saying a word. Carefully and neatly, the executive replaced the items in the boy’s arms. With glassy eyes spread wide, the bedazzled child finally asked, “Sir, are you Jesus?”
The busy executive, in telling the story later, said, “For that one moment, I was.”
As Christ’s ambassadors we represent Him in everything we do, even the things that can’t possibly benefit us. So go and be Jesus to someone today.

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial gifts. We are so grateful for your encouraging words and God reminds us that He is still here and that each of you are here with us. So Thank You.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We are in Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma set up and almost ready to start this new work. Yesterday was my birthday and God blessed me with so many great friends: some called, many of you sent a message on face book and some were here to celebrate with us. Let me just say my cup is overflowing. Thanks!!

I am told about this newspaper in England giving a reward for the best definition of what is a friend?
Thousands answered; the winner?

"A FRIEND IS ONE THAT COMES WHEN EVERYONE ELSE GOES."

They’re Cheering for YOU!
By Adrian Rogers

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” - Hebrews 12:1

A soft-spoken woman went to a high school football game. She’d been quiet the entire game until there was a fumble on the field. The substitute quarterback, a little scrawny kid, picked up the ball and started running past the other players toward the goal.
And this little lady exploded! She jumped up and said, “Run, baby, run! Run, baby, run!” He was her son.
That’s what the saints are saying, as they watch us on the playing field of life. They are cheering us on from the heavenly grandstand to “run with patience, the race that is set before us.”

Do you need a lift today? Imagine a grandstand the size of heaven cheering you on to victory!

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial gifts. We are so grateful for your encouraging words and God reminds us that He is still here and that each of you are here with us. So Thank You.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

Thank you for your prayers and support. We are on the road headed to Oklahoma. We made it to Van Horn, Texas, but because there will have strong winds today, we have decided to stay put and move on tomorrow..

Trusting His Love to Provide

 

“And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.” - Psalm 9:10

 

After World War II, a group of humanitarians placed orphan boys in tent cities to care for them. But the boys would wake up in the night from nightmares. A psychiatrist surmised that their fear was because they had such an uncertain future.
He decided to feed the boys a big meal each night, then give them each a piece of bread. He instructed them to hold the bread in their hands so it could be their breakfast. Somehow just holding in their hand a piece of bread helped them to sleep all night.

When you go to bed tonight, I want you to have bread, not in your hand, but in your heart. He is the Bread of Heaven and His name is Jesus!

Take a walk with the Lord today. Tell Him your fears. Confidently place them before the Lord. Trust in His love to provide.

We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial. We are so grateful for your encouraging words and God reminds us that He is still here and that each of you are here with us. So Thank You.

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

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

Thank you for your prayers and support. We are in Sunscape Park in Casa Grande, Arizona and will be here until the 22nd of April, then off to Oklahoma to begin a new work.

Have you ever felt like God is not listening to you? You pray and nothing happens. You feel like David in the following passage:
Psalm 22:1-2
1.My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?
2. My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

Then you come to realize He was there all the time, but it was you who wasn't listening.

Verse 24 says, "For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help."

I think we all need a lesson in listening.

Prayer: Teach Me to Listen
Now the Lord came and stood and called as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered, "Speak, for Your servant hears." —1 Samuel 3:10
Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, "Speak, for thy servant heareth." Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking voice. Amen. {The Pursuit of God, pp. 82-83 "Speak, for Thy servant heareth. Amen."}
We want to thank you for your support through your prayers, calls, e-mails and financial. When I am down we receive one of the above from one of you and God reminds me He is still here and that each of you are here with us. So Thank You.

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