Dedicated To Our Faithful Missionaries

SCRIPTURE

Happy are those who think about the poor. When trouble comes, the Lord will save them. The Lord will protect them and spare their life and will bless them in the land. He will not let their enemies take them.

~Psalm 41:1-2, NCV

QUOTE

Give me a heart for the poor, for the needy, for a lost world.

~Hudson Taylor

Hudson Taylor

James Hudson Taylor was a British missionary to China and founder of the China Inland Mission (CIM) (now OMF International). Taylor spent 51 years in China. The work he began was responsible for bringing over 800 missionaries to the country who began 125 schools which directly resulted in 18,000 Christian conversions, as well as the establishment of more than 300 stations of work with more than 500 local helpers in all eighteen provinces.

Hudson Taylor was not appointed by the IMB with the support of millions of Baptist; he went to China without any visible means of support. People thought he was crazy but in reality, he was a man of faith who believed in an awesome God. Over and over he claimed Philippians 4:6,  Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks. He told prospective Missionaries: “If you do not believe God speaks truth in His word, don’t come.” He quoted Psalm 84:11, For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. Then he would say, “If you don’t intend to walk uprightly, stay at home.” Regarding today’s verses in Psalm 41, Taylor believed that God would protect and provide for those who gave consideration to the poor. I love the third promise, He will not let our enemies take us.

I am currently reading Taylor’s 30 day devotional called “Spiritual Secrets.” I am challenged to say the least.

• Today we pray for FAMILY. There is an orchestrated attack on the family which is built on the husband/wife/dad/mom relationship.
• Our printer is down: don’t look for any bulletins Sunday. I put a good 30 minutes into the Pastor’s Page and all for naught.
• Uncle Floyd’s [89] surgery was overwhelming success. They expected him to be in surgery 6 hours and he was out in three. I got there at 11:00 am and the doctor was talking to the family. I took the scenic route coming back: I wouldn’t advise it: took me an extra hour and a half. I did find a place that I did not know existed. Some day when I don’t have anything to do, I am going back {Lord willing}.
• Today March 13, which begins at 9:00 pm on March 12 in terms of blog posting, is my daddy’s birthday. He would have been 104. He was 15 years older than Uncle Floyd. Daddy was 16 and Uncle Floyd was between 1-2 when Granddaddy was killed at the age of 37. This is also the week that Mother was promoted in 2010. Time flies down here but in heaven, there will be no time. In heaven you can’t be late or early; you can be young or old but we can be happy because we will be with Jesus.

God Doesn’t Play Trivial Pursuit

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SCRIPTURE

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid.

~Luke 12:7, NLT

QUOTE

Fear is False Emotions Appearing Real.

~Zig Ziggler

We all feel intimidated by larger than life situations such as cancer, divorce or a family member addicted to drugs, it is easy to give in to doubt, fear, discouragement and sometimes despair. During these difficult times, the most stabilizing factor in our lives is the assurance that Jesus loves us and that He cares about the tiniest detail in our life. He even knows how many hairs we have on our heads and that includes nose and ears. Too much detail, right!

Big and little are a part of our vocabulary and thinking but not God’s. To HIM nothing is big or small which means nothing going on in your life is  trivial to Him. This is why Paul said in Philippians 4…Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

• Well folks, you did it again. We had enough food to feed an army. I appreciate it and I know the Holladay family appreciates it. I want to thank those who prayed for us. I did not think I could do the service without at least one emotional breakdown but God’s grace was sufficient. I will miss Kenny dearly but I cannot tell you how relieved I am that he is not suffering anymore. No more pain for Kenny, no more, ever!
• A special thanks to all the ladies who prepared food, to Jennifer, Mandy, Sheila and June for serving. The ladies from Friendship were a tremendous help and they also helped with food and drinks. We want to thank Matthew Tyler Vest for running the sound and Sylana for lining him up. Joe and I were about to panic.
• Today we pray for a troubled world: Islam has raised its hideous head once again. ISIS murdered an airline pilot. Islam is a religion of darkness [ignorance] and hate which glorifies murder and violence. How intelligent do you need to be to know that murder is wrong?
• THE GATHERING TONIGHT at 6:30 with supper at 5:30 and AWANA at 6:15.
• GOLDEN GIRLS this Saturday at 9:00 at Cracker Barrel in Hartselle.
• Kane Hogan is in the picture below, see if you can find him. When you do, say a prayer for him.

The Peace Of God

SCRIPTURE

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.

~Philippians 4:6b-7a, NLT

QUOTE

Peace is such a precious jewel that I would give anything for it but truth.

~Matthew Henry

While Jack Taylor was serving as pastor he had a female member to be diagnosed with terminal cancer. The woman was a widow of a few years but not that old. She did not take the bad news well. She became so embittered that no one could stand to be around her. Finally, her friends came to Dr. Taylor and told him the problem; he agreed to pay her a visit. He knocked on her door and she invited him in; for the next hour or so he listened as she poured out her complaints. When she ran out of steam, Dr. Taylor asked: “Have you given thanks to God?” She erupted with second diatribe….“Give thanks to God, are you crazy. Do you actually expect me to give thanks for cancer?” Dr. Taylor responded, “I did not ask you to thank Him for the cancer; the question is, have you thanked Him for all He has done in the midst of all you are suffering? The bible says, ‘In all things, give thanks’…it does not say, ‘for‘ all things give thanks. Don’t thank Him for the cancer but thank Him for what he has done for you.”

Suddenly she saw the truth that is expressed in today’s scripture…Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Paul said, once a believer has done these two things, the peace of God that passes all understanding will become a reality. Don’t expect to receive His peace until you are willing to thank Him for what he has done. By the way, the woman in the above story died with cancer a few months later but she died in peace. She became an avid witness for Christ during the remainder of her life.

• Today we pray for the Holladay Family. We will give the teachers a day off.
• Kenny’s CELEBRATION OF LIFE SERVICE is a 1:00 pm. Visitation from 11:00-1:00. We are feeding the family after the service. Call Jennifer Garner or Mandy Bowling if you have questions.
• THE GATHERING Wednesday night at 6:30. Supper at 5:30 and AWANA at 6:15.
• GOLDEN GIRLS meet this Saturday at Cracker Barrel at 9:00 am.
• See how many you can identify out of the picture below?