Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We had 36 in church Sunday. God continues to be faithful. Our thanks to each of you for your prayers and support.

Yesterday held such a blessing for us. We went to Arizona City and met with a Bible study group we have been a part of in past years. What joy to see old friends once again. Later, we were invited for dinner at Sunscape RV Resort and as usual we saw several people and were blessed once again. We never have time to see all there that mean so much to us.

In my reading this week was this, from The Sower:

A THANKFUL HEART

Mary Jo was unable to attend school because of her mumps. Realizing how uncomfortable she was, her mother wanted her to forget her pain and think of something pleasant. After reading a story from the Bible, her Mom said, “What shall we thank Jesus for this morning?”
“My mumps!” came the quick reply.
“Your mumps? Why thank God for your mumps?” wondered her mother.
“Because now He can heal me,” Mary Jo said confidently.

Every problem we encounter, every fear we face, every pain we have and every obstacle that comes into our lives provides an opportunity for God to show His power. It does not matter what it is, where it came from or how long we think it will last, we have His Word that His power will eventually
deliver us and set us free.

Paul said, “How we thank God who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

What a loving God we have. Here Paul wants us to express our gratitude to a God Who gives us victory over sin and death. It does not say that He might or could or would if we never disobey Him. No, indeed not. It says He gives - and there are no strings attached.

Here is our God - standing with outstretched arms, open hands and listening ears ready to respond to our every need. He is worthy of our thanks and praise.

Prayer: We take great comfort, Lord, knowing that whatever concerns us concerned You first. We thank You for giving us victory over sin and life everlasting. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:

But thanks be to God, who gives us
the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
                             - 1 Corinthians 15:57

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,

We had a guest this week so I am running behind, but our visit was so good. Our little church grew by 3 again this week. I ask you to continue to pray for us. We are so thankful for each of you, for your prayers, visits, phone calls and your financial gifts; without these we couldn't do what we do.
 
Keeping theme with this blog title, in my reading this week was this from The Sower:

THE GIFT OF ADVERSITY

A botanist once said that trees need the March winds. When asked why, he replied, “It is the winds that cause the trunks of trees to ‘flex’ and the branches to  ‘sway.’ As the tree is ‘shaken’ it draws the sap up to nourish the new growth and sprouting leaves.”
James must have wanted us to understand that “trouble” in the life of the Christian has its value. He wrote, “...whenever trouble comes your way let it be an opportunity for joy!” He did not say, “If trouble comes your way...” And he did not say, “Should you happen to encounter any trouble in life...” No. He
most assuredly says “whenever trouble comes your way” as though it is certain to happen. No doubt each of us can verify the fact that “trouble” comes with life!
However, along with the promise of “trouble” coming into our lives, James tells how we are to respond: “Let it be an opportunity for joy!” In other words, take advantage of the troubles in life and maintain a positive attitude!
So, instead of pouting and asking why, James would encourage us to ask, “Lord, how can I take what You have brought into my life and use it to help others?”
How, after I have endured a great loss in my life, I can more easily understand the pain of one who is grieving and truly grieve with them. If my family and I have experienced the pain and anguish of cancer, I can walk and weep with those who are traveling this valley.

Prayer: Father, whenever we experience problems give us optimism and a cause for joy knowing that what comes into our lives is a gift from You to serve others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today:

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete,lacking nothing.

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 this thirsty world through the RV ministry.

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

Don

Sunday's Coming

Good Morning,

We had 25 people there this past Sunday.  May we continue to grow and reach this community. May we not lose site of who we are and what we are to be doing.

In my reading this week was this from The Sower

BACK TO THE BASICS

     A once successful football team experienced several successive losing seasons. The fans were unhappy and many stopped attending their games. So the owner decided it was time for a new coach. After a lengthy search, he located a leader whom he felt was up to the challenge - one who could inspire the players.
     At the team’s first meeting he stood before the players and said, “Gentlemen, we are going back to the basics. We are going to start at the beginning.”
“This is a football,” he said forcefully - making certain that each of them knew how serious he was.

“Basics” are important for any endeavor in life. They provide the foundation for growth and expansion. They assure stability in times of distress and doubt and direction when the path seems uncertain.
They enable one generation to pass on a heritage of guidance and hope to another and give structure to families and institutions.
Paul passed on a “basic” to young Timothy. He gave him a “solemn warning before God” to be faithful in his responsibilities to Christ.
“Preach the Word!” he wrote. “Be persistent whether it is convenient or not. Patiently correct and encourage your people with good teaching,” he concluded.
That “warning” has never been more important than it is now. We who are His disciples must be willing to listen, hear, obey and follow His “basic” teachings.

Prayer: It is so easy, Father, to forget what matters most in life. Help us to accept and follow the “basics” of Your Word and live lives that are pleasing to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all long suffering and teaching.- 2 Timothy 4:1-2

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,

We had 22 people there this Sunday. I pray the church here continues to grow and reach this community. My sermon this week is on prayer. I urge each of us to be in prayer for our nation, for loved ones and those that are hurting.

In my reading this week was this from The Sower:

THE VALUE OF A “DEAF EAR”

Matt came home from school with a note from his teacher. He had misbehaved in class and the teacher wanted his mother to know what he had done.
After reading the note his mother said, “Son, why did you trip James as he was walking to his desk?”
“It wasn’t my idea, Mom. It was Donald’s,” he responded quickly.
“Now, Matt, you know that Donald can’t make you do anything,” replied his mother.
“Well,” he said after a moment’s thought, “it must have been the devil that made me do it.”
“Son, shame on you. You know that when the devil tempts you, it is important to turn a deaf ear,” she admonished him.
He put one finger in his left ear and listened to the sound coming from the TV and shook his head. Then he put a finger in his right ear and listened to the sound once again. After a moment he looked up at his Mom and said smilingly, “Mom, I don’t have a deaf ear.”

Temptation comes at us from every direction all of the time. It could be something we see or hear or think we would enjoy eating. But James had the best way to end being tempted: “Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw close to God and God will draw close to you.” Such a simple solution that it is amusing!
But it is neither simple nor amusing. Getting close to God takes time and the devil cleverly sets our priorities.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to take control of our time and our lives by “seeking first the Kingdom of God.” May each day begin with Your Word and prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: James 4:7-8 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

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,

We had our first service Sunday with 15 people attending. I preached on encouragement, how to encourage others. After the service a man came to me and said “Well pastor that was a warm sermon.” I thought that was a strange thing to say but I said “thank you but what did you mean?” He replied “ not so hot.”

I couldn't help but smile.  Maybe he didn't get what the sermon was about.

I want to thank you for your support, by your prayers, calls to encourage us, and your gifts that make it possible for us to be here to share Christ with this park.

In my reading this week was this devotional:

Grow Spiritually through Ministry
As a young boy growing up on a farm in rural Mississippi, my mom taught me to minister in simple ways. On the occasions that we would go to the small town nearby, she would always have me gather a bouquet of flowers to take to a widow, or a sick person, or just to say "thank you" for being my teacher, leader, or pastor.

This practice became a joy as people decades older than I gave a genuine smile, words of appreciation, and spoke words of encouragement into my life.

We make ministry so organized and methodical...even laborious. God blesses the acts of kindness in His name. He can use informal personal touch ministry and formal structured ministry for His glory. He wants to use you as a missionary in ministry.

Give a cup of water in His name, and go ahead, make disciples.

Matthew 28:19 - 20 (ASV) 19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: 20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

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,

We are in back in Apache Junction, Arizona. We had a great week with LaVon's family celebrating the wedding of her great-niece in Seattle, Washington. Now it is time to get to work; we start church this Sunday. Thank you for your prayers.

In my reading this week was this:

NO ENEMIES YET, PASTOR

Six-year-old George listened very attentively to his pastor’s sermon. As he and his father were leaving church he said, “Pastor, I heard you say that I should love my enemies. I’m only six and I don’t have any. But I hope to have some next year when I’m seven.”

Individuals tend to become enemies when they cannot agree on an issue or a course of action or a goal. The differences become insurmountable, positions harden and opinions become set in stone. We might well say that enemies are “made.” Unfortunately, it is easy to make them and they usually last a life time. On the other hand, friendships are formed when individuals have common likes and dislikes, goals and values. There are “common denominators” that draw them together and a sense of mutual trust.

And we read in Proverbs, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in times of need.”

Perhaps the greatest part of friendship is loyalty - standing with or along side of someone when they are enduring times of distress or disappointment, sickness or struggles that never seem to end. When there are “calm seas and gentle winds” carrying us along life’s journey, we can pretty much make it on our own.

But when the waves are crashing and the winds are howling - that’s when we discover the true meaning of friendship and loyalty. There seems to be nothing as valuable as a friend. We need to make more of them!
 
Thank you for being our friend.

Prayer: Help us, Lord, to reach out and make friends with those who are our sisters and brothers in Christ so that we may grow together in loyalty and service. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 17:17 "A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity."

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,

We are in Apache Junction, Arizona. We told them in Monday morning meeting that Church services will begin on the 21st of October at 10:00 a.m. and are still in need of someone to play the piano and people to sing in the choir. Please, keep us in your prayers.

In my reading this morning:

AN ATTITUDE FOR GRATITUDE
          NOW OR NEVER

A soldier was assigned the responsibility of driving a senator from the airport to a military installation. Between the baggage claim area and the vehicle he noticed an elderly lady struggling to pull her
suitcase behind her. He immediately went to her rescue and pulled the suitcase until they met her waiting family. He then paused to help a young mother secure her child in a stroller. After that he
helped a man who was having a difficult time opening the door to the restroom.

Impressed, the senator asked, “How is it that you see so many people who need help and immediately go to their rescue?”
After a moment of silence he replied quietly, “During my tour of duty in Vietnam it was my job to clear minefields. I never knew if my next step would be my last. It was there that I learned to get the most out of every moment because, in life, it’s now or never.”

Paul summed it up this way: “Share each other’s troubles and problems because if you do so you will obey the law of Christ.”

We, as Christians, have a responsibility to God and to anyone we know who is faced with a difficult situation that is beyond their ability to manage. It can be as simple as opening a door or as complex as helping them through the loss of a loved one. The size of the problem does not matter to God. It is the willingness of His children to help those in need.

Prayer:
We pray, Lord, for eyes that see the needs of others, ears that hear the cries of others, a heart that is open to others and hands that are willing to help others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
Scripture for Today: Galatians 6:2 - Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
 
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