Good morning from Arizona
We pray all is well with you on this eve of Thanksgiving. LaVon and I have much to be thankful for: a place to serve our Lord, food and shelter, but the most important is YOU. We thank God daily for each of you, for praying for us and just loving us. Today instead of thanking God for things in your life stop and thank Him for the people He has brought into your life. May God bless you and you have a great day.
Have you ever heard someone say have a great Turkey-day?
So why do some call Thanksgiving-day, Turkey-day?
The answer is simple and clear. Satan desires to remove all reference to God from any thing that is for the purpose of worshiping God. Satan wants to divert all worship to him alone, therefore, he begins by chipping away at the stones that seem less important. Yet the holy Scripture warns: “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Ps. 11:3) The Devil slowly takes away some here and a little there and the Christian fails to see the importance of such building blocks. The fact is we seem to be “ignorant of his devices” (II Cor. 2:11), we willingly refuse to see the impact of his deceptions.
Satan doesn’t want people to realize that they are supposed to be worshiping God by giving thanks unto Him. Instead the devil desires to make humans worship the creature more than the Creator. Think about it! Just look at the difference in the meanings of the words.
1. Thanksgiving - to give thanks.
2. Turkey-day - popularizes the feast and times that are spent edifying the flesh (the enemy of God).
So we see that Thanksgiving tells us to remember to worship God and the term Turkey-day tells us to only think about the feast.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
Humor for the day:
A large family sat around the breakfast table one morning. As the custom, the father returned thanks, blessing God for the food. Immediately after, however, as was his bad habit, he began to grumble about hard times, the poor quality of the food he was forced to eat, the way it was cooked, and much more.
His little daughter interrupted him,
“Dad, do you suppose God heard what you said a little while ago when you were giving thanks?”
“Certainly,” the father replied with the confident air of an instructor.
“And did he hear what you said about the bacon and the coffee?”
“Of course,” replied the father with a note of caution in his voice.”
Then his daughter asked, “Dad, which did God believe?”
Our prayer for you this Thanksgiving: http://www.blessyoumovie.com/if/.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Sunday's Coming
Good morning,
I pray all is well with you. I'm a little discouraged, have not heard from anyone this past week. Are you still there and are you still praying for us. We need your prayers, calls, emails and financial support.
I have started a preaching series on the "I Am of Jesus," from the Book of John. You can listen to this on our web page at Christian Resort Ministries, http://www.crmintl.org/
As I was reading this morning I came across this sermon illustration:
Can’t Get Rid of the Holes
Someone tells the story of a boy who was rebelling against his dad constantly. This boy was destroying his own life by his rebellion, but he refuse to heed his father’s words. One day, the dad said to the boy, "I want to show you what you’re doing to your life. I’m going to put a wooden post in our front yard. Every time you rebel, I will put a nail in this post. Every time you obey, I will pull out one nail."
The first thought from the boy was, "I’m going to do everything I can to fill that post with nails." And he did. In two months’ time, he filled that post with nails. But he also began to feel the damage he was doing to his own life and to his parents’ lives.
With true remorse, the boy began to obey his father. One by one, the nails came out. When the last nail came out of the post, the boy broke down in tears. The dad asked, "Son, why are you crying?"
And the boy replied, "I got rid of the nails, but I can’t get rid of the holes."
God the Father saw the nails and the posts of our lives, and He saw our helplessness against sin. So He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to gather the nails and the posts from those who would let Him. And because of His love for us, Christ allowed Himself to be nailed on the posts, where He willingly paid the consequence of our sin. Romans 6:23 tells us, "For the [consequences] of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." And this gift comes with God’s Spirit to train us to live holy lives.
May God Bless you and we thank you for being there with us so we can continue serving the Lord.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
I pray all is well with you. I'm a little discouraged, have not heard from anyone this past week. Are you still there and are you still praying for us. We need your prayers, calls, emails and financial support.
I have started a preaching series on the "I Am of Jesus," from the Book of John. You can listen to this on our web page at Christian Resort Ministries, http://www.crmintl.org/
As I was reading this morning I came across this sermon illustration:
Can’t Get Rid of the Holes
Someone tells the story of a boy who was rebelling against his dad constantly. This boy was destroying his own life by his rebellion, but he refuse to heed his father’s words. One day, the dad said to the boy, "I want to show you what you’re doing to your life. I’m going to put a wooden post in our front yard. Every time you rebel, I will put a nail in this post. Every time you obey, I will pull out one nail."
The first thought from the boy was, "I’m going to do everything I can to fill that post with nails." And he did. In two months’ time, he filled that post with nails. But he also began to feel the damage he was doing to his own life and to his parents’ lives.
With true remorse, the boy began to obey his father. One by one, the nails came out. When the last nail came out of the post, the boy broke down in tears. The dad asked, "Son, why are you crying?"
And the boy replied, "I got rid of the nails, but I can’t get rid of the holes."
God the Father saw the nails and the posts of our lives, and He saw our helplessness against sin. So He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to gather the nails and the posts from those who would let Him. And because of His love for us, Christ allowed Himself to be nailed on the posts, where He willingly paid the consequence of our sin. Romans 6:23 tells us, "For the [consequences] of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." And this gift comes with God’s Spirit to train us to live holy lives.
May God Bless you and we thank you for being there with us so we can continue serving the Lord.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday Is Coming
Good morning again,
It is that time of the week. I pray all is well with you. If you want us to pray along with you, please let us know.
Today is a special day, one in which we honor those in uniform, past and present. We hope you had a special celebration ceremony to attend as we did here at Sunscape RV Resort. It was tremendous and very moving.
Our servicemen and servicewomen are our friends, laying their lives down for us. They know what they face going in, they know what they have to do. They are heroes to save us all.
“Don’t be a hero!” we say? These guys and gals who wear the uniform of the U.S. are heroes. Not only if they get medals. They are heroes because they go for us. Like our missionaries. We call them heroes because they go in our place, sacrificing all for a great cause! They know what they have to do.
So did Jesus...and He Rose to save us all!
John 15:13-14 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.
May you remember those in uniform, past and present. The Veteran's Day parade float built here in our park said it all: All gave some; some gave all!
Thanks again for your support of our ministry, without your encouragement there are days we would want to quit and return home.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
The Origins of Veteran’s Day
In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor... These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day".... Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.... A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date...
Source: VFW: The Origins of Veterans Day.
May God bless American and may America bless God.
It is that time of the week. I pray all is well with you. If you want us to pray along with you, please let us know.
Today is a special day, one in which we honor those in uniform, past and present. We hope you had a special celebration ceremony to attend as we did here at Sunscape RV Resort. It was tremendous and very moving.
Our servicemen and servicewomen are our friends, laying their lives down for us. They know what they face going in, they know what they have to do. They are heroes to save us all.
“Don’t be a hero!” we say? These guys and gals who wear the uniform of the U.S. are heroes. Not only if they get medals. They are heroes because they go for us. Like our missionaries. We call them heroes because they go in our place, sacrificing all for a great cause! They know what they have to do.
So did Jesus...and He Rose to save us all!
John 15:13-14 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you.
May you remember those in uniform, past and present. The Veteran's Day parade float built here in our park said it all: All gave some; some gave all!
Thanks again for your support of our ministry, without your encouragement there are days we would want to quit and return home.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
The Origins of Veteran’s Day
In 1921, an unknown World War I American soldier was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. This site, on a hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, became the focal point of reverence for America’s veterans. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an unknown soldier was buried in each nation’s highest place of honor... These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I fighting at 11 a.m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as "Armistice Day".... Realizing that peace was equally preserved by veterans of WW II and Korea, Congress was requested to make this day an occasion to honor those who have served America in all wars. In 1954 President Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day.... A law passed in 1968 changed the national commemoration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. It soon became apparent, however, that November 11 was a date of historic significance to many Americans. Therefore, in 1978 Congress returned the observance to its traditional date...
Source: VFW: The Origins of Veterans Day.
May God bless American and may America bless God.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Sunday Is Coming
Good morning from Arizona,
I pray all is well with you today. We continue to have a busy ministry here. A lot of sickness, surgery and even deaths(fifteen in this park since May)has followed us to the land of the sun. I have often referred to what Jesus said,"we are to love one another" and to do that we need to follow in His footsteps by having compassion for others. Pray for us as we reach out and encourage others to do the same.
Matthew 9:35-36 “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Jesus’ ministry was centered on helping hurting people. And when He saw people, he was quick to discern their hurts and helplessness. What do you see when you look at people? Do you look at the outer person only (the hair, the face, the clothes, etc.) or are you quick to perceive they’ve got a problem of some sort?
Jesus is the greatest example of all when it comes to compassion and sympathy. WE NEED TO FOLLOW IN HIS COMPASSIONATE STEPS!
Thanks again for your prayers, emails, phone calls and financial support; without these, we could not continue doing what we feel God is leading us to do.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
The “Discerning” Cowboy
Vacationing in Arizona, a group of British tourists spotted a cowboy by the side of the road with his ear to the ground. "What’s going on?" they asked.
"Two horses, one gray-one chestnut, are pulling a wagon carrying two men,” the cowboy says. "One man is wearing a red shirt and the other a black shirt. They’re heading east."
"Wow, You can tell all that just by listening to the ground?" says one of the tourists.
"No" replies the cowboy. "They just ran over me."
Contributed by: A. Todd Coget
I pray all is well with you today. We continue to have a busy ministry here. A lot of sickness, surgery and even deaths(fifteen in this park since May)has followed us to the land of the sun. I have often referred to what Jesus said,"we are to love one another" and to do that we need to follow in His footsteps by having compassion for others. Pray for us as we reach out and encourage others to do the same.
Matthew 9:35-36 “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”
Jesus’ ministry was centered on helping hurting people. And when He saw people, he was quick to discern their hurts and helplessness. What do you see when you look at people? Do you look at the outer person only (the hair, the face, the clothes, etc.) or are you quick to perceive they’ve got a problem of some sort?
Jesus is the greatest example of all when it comes to compassion and sympathy. WE NEED TO FOLLOW IN HIS COMPASSIONATE STEPS!
Thanks again for your prayers, emails, phone calls and financial support; without these, we could not continue doing what we feel God is leading us to do.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
The “Discerning” Cowboy
Vacationing in Arizona, a group of British tourists spotted a cowboy by the side of the road with his ear to the ground. "What’s going on?" they asked.
"Two horses, one gray-one chestnut, are pulling a wagon carrying two men,” the cowboy says. "One man is wearing a red shirt and the other a black shirt. They’re heading east."
"Wow, You can tell all that just by listening to the ground?" says one of the tourists.
"No" replies the cowboy. "They just ran over me."
Contributed by: A. Todd Coget
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sunday Is Coming
Good morning!
Fall has finally made it to the Arizona desert. The high the next two days is going to be in the 60's.
I pray all is well with you. We have received several prayer needs and be assured that we pray when we receive them and then often until we here back from you.
The gentleman that took off a couple of weeks ago in his motorhome with the slides out and all utilities connected, is in the hospital with very little hope of making it. In fact, he was moved to hospice yesterday. Please add Art and his family to your prayer list.
Last sunday I preached on building Christian character. As I was reading this morning, David Jeremiah had this to say on that subject:
Two Newspapers
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. I Peter 1:13-16
On his way to work one morning, a man purchased his usual newspaper and went on his way. To his dismay, he discovered that he had accidentally taken two newspapers instead of one. He immediately got in his car, drove back to the store and returned the extra paper. About a week later, someone stole money from that same store, and when the grocer thought through the patrons who frequented his store, he immediately dismissed the man as a suspect, saying, "That man is really honest. He came all the way back here just to return a newspaper he took by mistake."
Everything we do in life becomes evidence of who we truly are. What does our life's evidence say about us? Does it say that we merely profess to be a follower of Christ or does it reveal our love and true devotion to Him? While our goal should not be a morally perfect life, we should strive to have a walk with the Lord that is consistently growing and changing to resemble the One whom we serve.
"A man's life is always more forcible than his speech. If his life and doctrine disagree, the mass of onlookers will accept his practice and reject his preaching." C.H. Spurgeon
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
Fall has finally made it to the Arizona desert. The high the next two days is going to be in the 60's.
I pray all is well with you. We have received several prayer needs and be assured that we pray when we receive them and then often until we here back from you.
The gentleman that took off a couple of weeks ago in his motorhome with the slides out and all utilities connected, is in the hospital with very little hope of making it. In fact, he was moved to hospice yesterday. Please add Art and his family to your prayer list.
Last sunday I preached on building Christian character. As I was reading this morning, David Jeremiah had this to say on that subject:
Two Newspapers
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. I Peter 1:13-16
On his way to work one morning, a man purchased his usual newspaper and went on his way. To his dismay, he discovered that he had accidentally taken two newspapers instead of one. He immediately got in his car, drove back to the store and returned the extra paper. About a week later, someone stole money from that same store, and when the grocer thought through the patrons who frequented his store, he immediately dismissed the man as a suspect, saying, "That man is really honest. He came all the way back here just to return a newspaper he took by mistake."
Everything we do in life becomes evidence of who we truly are. What does our life's evidence say about us? Does it say that we merely profess to be a follower of Christ or does it reveal our love and true devotion to Him? While our goal should not be a morally perfect life, we should strive to have a walk with the Lord that is consistently growing and changing to resemble the One whom we serve.
"A man's life is always more forcible than his speech. If his life and doctrine disagree, the mass of onlookers will accept his practice and reject his preaching." C.H. Spurgeon
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sunday Is Coming
Good morning from Arizona,
I pray your week is going smoothly. LaVon is feeling some better. Thanks for your prayers and phone calls; you are such an encouragement.
This week, I have encountered the-love-your-neighbor issue several times, so let me share this with you:
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. --Matthew 5:44-45
There may be someone in your life who has hurt you, someone who has disappointed you. And you think because of that, you don't ever want to talk to them again, much less share the gospel with them. But as Believers, we are to overcome our personal prejudices and hang-ups. And instead of saying, "Never, Lord," we need to say, "Yes, Lord!" Be willing. See what God will do.
Maybe there is even someone right now whom you regard as an enemy. What can you do? You can share the gospel--and leave the results in the hands of God.
Nowhere did the Law teach hatred for one’s enemies. Passages like Exodus 23:4-5 indicate just the opposite! Jesus defined our enemies as those who curse us, hate us, and exploit us selfishly. Since Christian love is an act of the will, and not simply an emotion, He has the right to command us to love our enemies. After all, He loved us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:10). We may show this love by blessing those who curse us, doing good to them, and praying for them. When we pray for our enemies, we find it easier to love them. It takes the “poison” out of our attitudes.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
Permanent address:
Chaplain Don & LaVon Baker
3334 W. Main St., PMB 300
Norman, OK 73072
http://bakersblessings.blogspot.com/
I pray your week is going smoothly. LaVon is feeling some better. Thanks for your prayers and phone calls; you are such an encouragement.
This week, I have encountered the-love-your-neighbor issue several times, so let me share this with you:
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. --Matthew 5:44-45
There may be someone in your life who has hurt you, someone who has disappointed you. And you think because of that, you don't ever want to talk to them again, much less share the gospel with them. But as Believers, we are to overcome our personal prejudices and hang-ups. And instead of saying, "Never, Lord," we need to say, "Yes, Lord!" Be willing. See what God will do.
Maybe there is even someone right now whom you regard as an enemy. What can you do? You can share the gospel--and leave the results in the hands of God.
Nowhere did the Law teach hatred for one’s enemies. Passages like Exodus 23:4-5 indicate just the opposite! Jesus defined our enemies as those who curse us, hate us, and exploit us selfishly. Since Christian love is an act of the will, and not simply an emotion, He has the right to command us to love our enemies. After all, He loved us when we were His enemies (Romans 5:10). We may show this love by blessing those who curse us, doing good to them, and praying for them. When we pray for our enemies, we find it easier to love them. It takes the “poison” out of our attitudes.
Have a great day, love you, pass it on.
Don
Permanent address:
Chaplain Don & LaVon Baker
3334 W. Main St., PMB 300
Norman, OK 73072
http://bakersblessings.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Sunday Is Coming
Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Mark 10:51
Good morning,
It is that time of the week.
We finally took LaVon to the doctor yesterday and was told she has severe allergies. We acquired several prescriptions and after taking them they made her even sicker. I'm praying that today she will start to feel better.
As we were driving and listening to KLOVE on the radio and they are having their fund raiser, it made me think maybe that's what we should be doing for our ministry. I am not good at asking for help but the scripture at the begining says "what do you want me to do", my reply is to take care of our needs while we serve you. Several of you have helped us this past year and without your help we could not continue. My prayer is that even more of you get involved.
We are reaching people for the Lord. For example, just Monday, I went to the hospital to see one of our residents and met a young lady that worked there. She asked if I needed help and when I told her the room number she told me that she would take me, as we were walking she said something and my reply was , "Praise the Lord." She asked if I was a Believer. When I said "yes" she said "I wish I could be." Well, she is now. We parted with her commitment that she is coming to church with us next Sunday. Pray for Janet.
Thank you for your support, your encouraging words by email, phone and visits, and for your prayers.
Have a great day,love you, pass it on,
Don
During the dark days of the American Revolution, when the Continental Army had experienced several setbacks, a farmer who lived near the battlefield approached Washington’s camp unheard. Suddenly his ears caught an earnest voice raised in agonizing prayer. On coming nearer he saw it was the great General, down on his knees in the snow, his cheeks wet with tears. He was asking God for assistance and guidance. The farmer crept away and returned home. He said to his family, “Its going to be all right. We are going to win!” “What makes you think so?” his wife asked. “Well,” said the farmer, “I heard General Washington pray out in the woods today—such fervent prayer I have never heard. And God will surely hear and answer that kind of praying.”
Good morning,
It is that time of the week.
We finally took LaVon to the doctor yesterday and was told she has severe allergies. We acquired several prescriptions and after taking them they made her even sicker. I'm praying that today she will start to feel better.
As we were driving and listening to KLOVE on the radio and they are having their fund raiser, it made me think maybe that's what we should be doing for our ministry. I am not good at asking for help but the scripture at the begining says "what do you want me to do", my reply is to take care of our needs while we serve you. Several of you have helped us this past year and without your help we could not continue. My prayer is that even more of you get involved.
We are reaching people for the Lord. For example, just Monday, I went to the hospital to see one of our residents and met a young lady that worked there. She asked if I needed help and when I told her the room number she told me that she would take me, as we were walking she said something and my reply was , "Praise the Lord." She asked if I was a Believer. When I said "yes" she said "I wish I could be." Well, she is now. We parted with her commitment that she is coming to church with us next Sunday. Pray for Janet.
Thank you for your support, your encouraging words by email, phone and visits, and for your prayers.
Have a great day,love you, pass it on,
Don
During the dark days of the American Revolution, when the Continental Army had experienced several setbacks, a farmer who lived near the battlefield approached Washington’s camp unheard. Suddenly his ears caught an earnest voice raised in agonizing prayer. On coming nearer he saw it was the great General, down on his knees in the snow, his cheeks wet with tears. He was asking God for assistance and guidance. The farmer crept away and returned home. He said to his family, “Its going to be all right. We are going to win!” “What makes you think so?” his wife asked. “Well,” said the farmer, “I heard General Washington pray out in the woods today—such fervent prayer I have never heard. And God will surely hear and answer that kind of praying.”
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