Sunday's Coming!

Good morning again from Pharr,Texas.

My sermon last Sunday was on Encouragement, with Ephesians 6:20 and Hebrews 3:12-14 as the text.

I was reading this week and read the following:

Back in 1980, Cheryl Prewitt Salem became Miss America (<<click here to find out what she overcame to be Miss America). Cheryl is a beautiful person on the outside but more importantly, her inner beauty radiates God’s love in her life. When she was four years old she often hung around her father’s small country store. Almost daily the milkman would visit, and she would follow him around as he lined the display cases with shiny bottles of milk. He always greeted her in the same way: “How’s my little Miss America?” At first she giggled, but by about age 11 she became very comfortable with this idea of becoming Miss America. Before long it was her childhood fantasy and teenage dream. It became a prayer and a solid goal. Later she did become Miss America. She traveled the world spreading goodwill and, because Cheryl is a deeply committed Christian, the gospel of Jesus Christ. It all started because God used a milkman to speak a word to this young and impressionable mind. It was embedded in her subconscious. Her prayer became a reality.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. —Proverbs 18:21

Can God use your tongue to offer an affirming word to someone?

May God be blessed in your life today! Start each day by choosing to be an encouragement to others.

LaVon and I are truly thankful to God for each of you. Thank you for your continual encouragement, 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

PS. For our friends in Arizona, Cheryl Salem will be in Mesa, AZ, Dec. 7th and 8th at the Living Word Bible Church.

We have never heard her, so this is not a recommendation, but if you're curious here are the:

Event Details

Living Word Bible Church Date: 12/7/2011 Time: 7:00 pm Location: Mesa, AZ Details: Living Word Bible Church 3520 E. Brown Rd. Mesa, AZ 85213 Contact: 480-964-4463

Sunday's Coming

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We are so thankful to our LORD for every blessing, whether it came in the valley or on the mountaintop.

We are also very thankful for each family member and every friend we have made along this journey.  In your own way, you have each enriched our lives so much.

Today, we are blessed and delighted to wish you a very

Happy Thanksgiving.

Just one of the blessings of this Thanksgiving season:

God Bless You and Yours!

Lord, so often times, as any other day
When we sit down to our meal and pray

We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen. Now please pass the dressing

We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold

But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more
To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for

For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head

I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know

Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure

That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace

So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided
And bless each and every person invited

Amen!

Sunday's Coming

Good morning again from Pharr,Texas.
It is getting back to normal around here. Many are coming back and the hospital visits are stepping up. There is always something to do, that is why God has placed us here and in this ministry.

My sermon last Sunday was on finding the strength to stand against the evil one. We start by appling all of God’s armor, Ephesians 6: 13-17.

I like the story about a teacher who injured his back and had to wear a plaster cast around the upper part of his body. It fit under his shirt and wasn’t noticeable at all. On the first day of the term, still with this cast under his shirt, this teacher was assigned to the toughest students in school. But he walked confidently into that rowdy classroom, opened a window, and then got busy with his work.
Soon a strong breeze made his tie flap. That’s when the teacher picked up the stapler from his desk and stapled his tie to his chest. He had no trouble with discipline that term.

That teacher had invisible armor, but so do we, and our armor is a whole lot stronger! And with these weapons, we can resist the devil, we can win over him, so, James says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
 
May God be blessed in your life today! Start each day by putting on the whole amor of God.

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, from Pharr,Texas.

We had our first service Sunday and we had a great day, with a good turn out. Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words.

The Power of Your Words

A group of frogs were hopping contentedly through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions. When they saw how deep the pit was, the rest of the dismayed group agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead.

Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless, and that the two frogs wouldn't be in that situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more responsible. The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as dead. The two frogs continued jumping as hard as they could, and after several hours of desperate effort were quite weary. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellows. Spent and disheartened, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died as the others looked on in helpless grief. The other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had, although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted. His companions began anew, yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and just die. The weary frog jumped harder and harder and -- wonder of wonders! Finally leapt so high that he sprang from the pit. Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom and then gathering around him asked, "Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?" Reading their lips, the astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and that when he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds. This simple story contains a powerful lesson. "There is life and death in the power of the tongue." Your encouraging words can lift someone up and help them make it through the day. Your destructive words can cause deep wounds; they may be the weapons that destroy someone's desire to continue trying. Speak life to (and about) those who cross your path. There is enormous power in words. If you have words of kindness, praise or encouragement -- speak them now to, and about, others. Listen to your heart and respond. Someone, somewhere, is waiting for your words.

May God be blessed in your life today!

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 waterwith the world through the RV ministry.

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

Don

Sunday's Coming

Good morning, from Pharr,Texas.

We have made it back to the Valley and it feels like we have never left. I guess that's a good thing. Thanks for your prayers and encouraging words. Just a few words this morning.

"Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game."

Here is today's illustration:

Moment Actions of the Faith

Happy moments, praise God.

Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God.

Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God.

"Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7

May God be blessed in your life today!

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 waterwith the world through the RV ministry.

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

Don

P.S.  Please take a minute to read the Christian Research Ministries, International >>newsletter<<.  Just click on the word "newsletter." This is a great way for you to be informed about CRM and be better equipped to pray for us.  Thank you for your interest and your prayers.

Sunday's Coming!

Good morning, from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

We are in the last few days here; we leave Monday.

God is good, all the time and all the time God is good! Thanks for your prayers for our grandson, Logan. The heart procedure went great and he is doing good today.

I remember a poem that I want to share.

"It's in the Valleys We Grow"

Sometimes life seems hard to bear,

Full of sorrow, trouble and woe

It's then we have to remember

That it's in the valleys we grow.

If we always stayed on the mountain top

And never experienced pain,

We would never appreciate God's love

And would be living in vain.

We have so much to learn

And our growth is very slow,

Sometimes we need the mountain tops,

But it's in the valleys we grow.

We do not always understand

Why things happen as they do,

But I am very sure of one thing.

My Lord will see me through.

The little valleys are nothing

When we picture Christ on the cross

He went through the valley of death;

His victory was Satan's loss.

Forgive me Lord, for complaining

When I'm feeling so very low.

Just give me a gentle reminder

That it's in the valleys I grow.

Continue to strengthen me, Lord

And use my life each day

To share your love with others

And help them find their way.

Thank you for the valleys, Lord

For this one thing I know

The mountain tops are glorious

But it's in the valleys I grow! - Unknown

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world. ~ John 16:33

 

May God be blessed in your life today! Thank you for being there with us in our valley.

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 waterwith the world through the RV ministry.

 

 

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

Don

Sunday's Coming

Good morning, from Tulsa, Oklahoma.

We are visiting daughter Stephanie and family. Our youngest grandson, Logan, has been diagnosed with a heart problem (SVT). They are going to do surgery either Friday or Monday. So please keep him and our family in your prayers.

We were talking last night about all the friends they have and how they all want to be there and help in anyway they can. So my mind went to what is a friend?

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."

Friends Encourage and Help each other.

1. Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.

2. Proverbs 27:9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.

3. Job 6:14 “To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.

4. Friends encourage one another in the Lord; they draw one another closer to the Lord. They do not draw each other down and away from the Lord.

5. “True friends are those who lift you up when your heart’s wings forget how to fly. They know the song in your heart and sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” ~author unknown

6. In the Peanuts comic strip, on one occasion, Peppermint Patty said to Marcie: “I’d like to read this book, Marcie, but I’m kind of afraid. I had a grandfather who didn’t think much of reading.”She continued by saying, “He always said that if you read too many books, your head would fall off.” Marcie responds, “You start the first chapter, and I’ll hold onto your head!” - copied

7. Ecclesiastes 4:9 - 10 (NKJV) Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.

Thank you for your friendship.

May God be blessed in your life today!

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 waterwith the world through the RV ministry.

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

Don