Sunday's Coming

Good morning again,


I pray all is well with you today. I have heard from many of you who are having trials in your life or your family. Thanks for sharing and know we are praying for each request.


We continue to seek God's direction for the summer months and we ask you to keep us in your prayers. Thanks again for your encouraging words by phone calls, emails or in person. I also want to say thanks to those of you who help us financially. Your gift, I know, is from the direction of God who knows our needs.

This morning, as I was reading, this caught my attention since the title of my blog is Count it All Joy:


Joy in Everything (by David Jeremiah)

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials." James 1:2
Recommended Reading1 Thessalonians 5:16-18


No small amount of harm has been done by well-intentioned Christians who misquote a particular Bible verse when attempting to comfort the grieving: "Don't forget that Scripture says to, ‘Give thanks for all things.'" Actually, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 doesn't say, "For everything give thanks;" it says, "In everything give thanks." And there is a world of difference between those two small words.

The Bible doesn't say we should rejoice and give thanks for the event that has caused our grief, suffering, or impatience—a lost job, the death of a loved one, or an unmet expectation. But it does say we should give thanks in (in the midst of) that situation. And why should we do that? Because giving thanks to God is an expression of our confident faith that He is aware of our situation and our need. The Bible is filled with expressions and promises that give us reason to trust God in the midst of trials and tribulations (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 11:11-13; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19).

Joy and thanksgiving in the midst of troubles are not normal in this world. But that is why we are exhorted to express them. Joy in the midst of trials is another sign that we are in, but not of, this world.

"Joy is the serious business of heaven." ( C. S. Lewis)

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/

Sunday's Coming

Well, it's that time again. We have been busy catching up with family. We went to Tulsa to see our oldest grandson graduate from high school, woohoo! My prayer, not only for my grandson, but all the others is they trust in the Lord and live their life according to the word of God.

We continue to pray for many of you, the ones who have called or emailed us as to the trials you are facing. I know God listens and He will meet our needs, just believe.

We still are not preaching anywhere, but I know God has something in store. Until then, we will pray and trust him for the outcome.

Thanks to all who email, call, pray and help us financially. Without any of these we couldn't continue this ministry. So thank you, have a great day, love you, pass it on. Don

The Perfect Mistake

My mother's father worked as a carpenter. On this particular day, he was building some crates for the clothes his church was sending to orphanages in China. On his way home, he reached into his shirt pocket to find his glasses, but they were gone. When he mentally replayed his earlier actions, he realized what had happened; the glasses had slipped out of his pocket unnoticed and fallen in one of the crates, which he had nailed shut.

His brand new glasses were heading for China! The Great Depression was at it's height and Grandpa had six children. He had spent $50 for those glasses that very morning. He was upset by the thought of having to buy another pair. "It's not fair," he told God as he drove home in frustration. "I've been very faithful in giving of my time and money to your work, and now this."

Months later, the director of the orphanage was on furlough in the United States. He wanted to visit all the churches that supported him in China, so he came to speak one Sunday at my grandfather's small church in Chicago. The missionary began by thanking the people for their faithful- ness in supporting the orphanage. "But most of all," he said, "I must thank you for the glasses you sent last year. You see, the Communists had just swept through the orphanage, destroying everything, including my glasses. I was desperate. Even if I had the money, there was simply no way of replacing those glasses. Along with not being able to see well, I experienced headaches every day, so my co-workers and I were much in prayer about this. Then your crates arrived. When my staff removed the covers, they found a pair of glasses lying on top."

The missionary paused long enough to let his words sink in. Then, still gripped with the wonder of it all, he continued, "Folks, when I tried on the glasses, it was as though they had been custom made just for me! I want to thank you for being a part of that." The people listened, happy for the miraculous glasses. But the missionary surely must have confused their church with another, they thought. There were no glasses on their list of items to be sent overseas. But sitting quietly in the back, with tears streaming down his face, an ordinary carpenter realized the Master Carpenter had used him in an extraordinary way.

There are times we want to blame God instead of thanking Him! Perhaps it is something we ought to try more often, "Thank you God for not allowing my car to start this morning." He may have been saving your life from a car accident. May God bless your day today. Look for the perfect mistakes.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Permanent address:
Chaplain Don & LaVon Baker
3334 W. Main St., PMB 300
Norman, OK 73072
http://bakersblessings.blogspot.com/

Sunday's Coming

Good morning,

It is that time of the week again.

We have been catching up with our mothers and some of the family.

It is rainy and cool, quiet different than Arizona.

I still haven't heard what God will have us to do this summer but, what I do know is He wants us to do something. You see, I'm to be like Jesus, so each day I ask, "Lord, where are you at work , let me join You there." My life is not my own, I'm being transformed every day to be more like Jesus. I, like you, am but an ordinary person, but Jesus can use ordinary people.

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. "—Acts 4:13

Jell-O is amazing. It can be made into almost any shape and comes in almost any flavor. Spending time with Jesus has a way of turning the ordinary, common, everyday life into one that is dangerous, bold and courageous. Just as Jell-O takes the shape of whatever mold it is poured into, our lives begin to take the shape of the One in whom we pour ourselves. In all honesty, most of us are pretty ordinary. But, when we regularly spend time with Jesus, others will take notice, for there is no doubt that time with Jesus transforms us.
Today, maybe you feel like just another ordinary person living an ordinary life. The good news is that your life has the potential of being extraordinary. Spend time with Jesus and let him remold your life into something extraordinary.

Ask, "Where are you going, Lord, I want to go with you, change me to more like you today."

Thanks again for your prayers, emails, phone calls and financial support. Remember...
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/

Sunday's Coming

Good morning from Newcastle , Oklahoma.

We made our trip without any problems.

Even though we couldn't park where we normally do when we arrived, God said, "Not to worry." He had a plan and we will wait and see how He uses us where we are for His glory.

It's a pretty park, quiet and peaceful, not far from my mother and a short drive to LaVon's (about 15 miles).

I still dont know what we are going to do this summer. We still need income to live, but we will trust in God to provide what we need as He has done faithfully since we have been doing this ministry.

I want to thank each of you for your prayers, emails, phone calls and financial support. Oh, how you encourage us. A special thank you to all who wished me a happy birthday. You truly made it a special day. And, also, to those who sent us happy anniversay wishes, thank you.

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

Don

The Reason We Are Stressed
"Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall He not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?" Matthew 6:30

Do you know the reason we're stressed? Because we think our needs are not going to be met. We say, "Oh my goodness, I'm not going to have what I need!"

Jesus tells us not to worry about what you are going to eat. And don't worry about what you are going to wear. He's saying only one thing is important -- His righteousness. These things don't even take significance until your deepest needs are met. You are to find your satisfaction in Him. If you don't find your satisfaction in Him, you're going to be stressed.

Are you stressed out about something today? Turn it over to Jesus and turn your focus to Him. Let Jesus meet your needs and transform your heart today.
By Arian Rogers

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

Our Permanent address:
Chaplain Don & LaVon Baker
3334 W. Main St., PMB 300
Norman, OK 73072
http://bakersblessings.blogspot.com/

Sunday's Coming

Good morning,

We are still in Arizona, but we are sight seeing on our way home. We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we travel these next few days.

Our season at Suncape RV Resort was a great experience can't wait to share with many of you in person how God used us and how this great park blessed us. I didn't feel good (physically) most of the time there, but God in all his glory strengthened me. Many times He used one of you when you called or sent an email to encourage me. I was able to continue God's work. This reminds me of a story. I know, that shocks you. It follows below.

Thanks for your prayers, emails, phone calls and your financial support.

Have a great day,

love you,

pass it on,

Don

How Much Music Can You Make?

Imagine this. A concert violinist is performing a difficult piece in front of a large audience.

Suddenly there is a loud snap that reverberates throughout the auditorium.

The audience immediately knows that a string has broken and fully expects the concert to be suspended until another string, or instrument, is brought to the musician.

But instead, the violinist composes herself, closes her eyes and then signals the conductor to begin again.

The orchestra resumes where they had left off and now the musician plays the music on three strings.

In her mind she works out new fingering to compensate for the missing string.

A work that few people can play well on four strings, the violinist with the broken string plays on three.

When she finishes, an awesome silence hangs in the room. And then as one, the crowd rises to their feet and cheers wildly.

The violinist smiles and wipes perspiration from her brow. When silence returns to the great room, she explains why she continued to play in spite of a broken string.

"You know," she says, still breathless, "sometimes it is the artist's task to find out how much music you can still make with what you have left."

We know what she means, don't we? Maybe we've lived most of our lives and we have only a little time left.

Can we still make music?

Maybe disease has robbed us of our capacity to work.

Can we still make music?

Perhaps a financial loss has left us impoverished.

Can we still make music?

Or maybe a meaningful relationship has ended and we feel alone in the world.

Can we still make music?

There will come a time when we all experience loss. Like the violinist, will we find the courage to discover just how much music we can still make with what we have left?

How much good we can still do?

How much joy we can still share?

For I'm convinced that the world, more than ever, needs the music only you can make.

And if it takes extra courage to make the music, many will applaud your effort.

For some people have lost more than others, and these brave souls inspire the rest of us to greater heights.

Just how much music can you make with what you have left?

Let the Music Begin.....

With thanks to KH Marolia

Sunday Is Coming

Good morning for the last time from Arizona....

This is our last week here. We have one more service on Sunday, then we head out Monday. I urge you to keep us in your prayers as we travel the next two weeks. We are going to do a little sight-seeing and visiting on the way home.

The time here has been great. God has used us in several ways. As the scripture says, we have finished the race here for this season and we kept the faith. We also shared our faith every day with all to see and hear.

Thanks for your encouraging words, prayers and your financial help. Without these we couldn't keep doing this.

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

Don

This is from David Jeremiah:

Faithful to the End

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
Recommended ReadingHebrews 12:1-2

During the 1992 Olympics, British runner Derek Redmond posted the fastest time of the first round of the 400 meter race and won his quarter-final. In the semi-final race, he started out well, but about 250 meters from the finish line, his hamstring tore, sending him to the ground in agonizing pain. When stretcher bearers came to carry him off the track, he refused their help and determined to hobble to the finish line. Soon after, his father pushed past security, joined him on the track and helped him finish the race. Despite a crushing disappointment and a dream lost, Derek Redmond, with the help of his father, finished; and that's all that mattered in the end.
Sometimes we get crippled with distraction by all that's going on in the world; injustice, sin, materialism and war. But if we are faithful to the end, it doesn't matter what trials and tribulations the world experiences because we have a Heavenly Father who is always beside us, helping us run the race. Through Him, the race has already been won; all we have to do is remain faithful until the finish line comes into view.

"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure. These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur." Vince Lombardi

Sunday's Coming

Good morning, once again, from sunny Arizona,

I pray all is well with you and your families. Please, tell us how we can pray for you today.

The ministry here is still very rewarding. We had a tremendous service on Easter. Even with so many gone back to their homes, we still had 166 in church.

We have two more services, then we are off to Oklahoma for the summer and looking forward catching up with so many of you.

Please keep us in your prayers as we travel and that God will use us even as we are on the road.
Thanks again for your prayers, phone calls and especially for your monetary support... without either of these we could not continue.

Have a great day,
Love you,
Pass it on,

Don

Making the Most of Today

This devotional was written by Jim Burns

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. —Psalm 118:24

Today you were handed from God, 24 hours to live life to the fullest. That's 1440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. Sometimes we get so busy and distracted we miss the fact that each rising, sun brings new opportunities and adventures on this planet we call Earth. God gives us one new day at a time so that we aren't distracted by the future or paralyzed by the past. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make the most of today. Enjoy God's gift to you. You can accomplish a great deal with the 1440 minutes in a day. Today, stop and take advantage of all that God has provided for you. Here are a few suggestions:

Tell someone you love him/her.
Write a kind note to a friend.
Stop and enjoy the sunset.
Take 20 minutes of the 1440 you have today and talk to God.
Memorize this verse: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24