10
April
2006
FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART,
Can you take a moment to write to a young man today serving in prison? What a helpful ministry! You may encourage him, help him grow in the Lord; share your faith with him. You can be a friend.
One man in prison wrote me “a prison letter is like gold. They’re priceless. People on the outside world don’t know how much a letter can brighten up a person’s day. Since I have been in prison I can count on one hand how many times I’ve received mail. And that’s kind of sad. It’s as if once you’re behind bars, no one cares.” As Christians, we care. Here is a ministry that involves little time and great spiritual rewards.
Bernard L. Sadler # 31870 Wallen’s Ridge State Prison
PO Box 759
Travis D. Dailey # 326205 Big Stone Gap, VA
24219-0759
Joseph Dick # 276709
Wallen’s Ridge is located about an hour from our church. These men listen to our church services on the radio. You may want to write a letter to one today. Remember that all Christians are ministers. Find a ministry and get involved today. I love you and pray for you.
Bro. Tony Brown
Posted: Articles
10
April
2006
FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART,
Would you like a new word to add to your vocabulary? Here’s a great word: UBIQUITOUS. Are you kidding? Is that really a word? Yes – and there are many forms of it. It is a word used most often in business and computer language. It means omnipresent; present everywhere at the same time. Have you ever thought of God as ubiquitous?
It is an humbling thought to realize that God sees all and knows all – all at the same time. The Psalmist declared that there is no where he could go to flee God’s presence. Ask Jonah. God kept his eyes on Him in the middle of the ocean. Ask Hagar. God followed her deep into the woods by a spring of water. Ask David. God saw all his sinful deeds, although David managed to cover them from everyone else.
But ubiquitous is not a negative word. It’s a good word. You may send a ubiquitous message on your computer that will be received everywhere at the same time. God’s eyes run to and fro throughout the earth. His presence not only sees us – but protects us. God watches over and cares for His children day and night everywhere we go. The Psalmist tells us that God never slumbers or sleeps.
We live in an often cruel and evil world. Sin is rampant. Christians are hated and persecuted in every country. Isn’t it assuring to know that God is in control? He records all the evil that is done to His people and holds the culprits accountable. At the same time He watches over His children. Even in death, “Thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” To be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord. We cannot lose.
If you don’t know the Lord as your Savior, call on Him and know Him today. He can be your strength and your shield in this troubled world. If you already belong to Him, then take comfort and hope in your Ubiquitous God. You may not see Him, but He is always with you, even to the end of this world.
BRO. TONY
Posted: Articles
7
December
2005
FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART,
I suppose the custom of giving presents at Christmas originated with the magi, who offered willingly the most valuable treasures they owned – gold, myrrh, and frankincense. Their giving, as recorded in Matthew’s gospel, is described as an act of worship. Our giving to the Lord and to His Kingdom’s work is also an act of worship.
But there is another reason we give – out of love. We give through eyes of compassion, with tender hands of mercy. We also give for a third reason – because it feels good. There are windows of blessings waiting to pour out upon those who give joyfully and obediently.
Recently I heard about government cuts to some of our local social programs. This places a greater burden on the churches. Already our Letcher County Food Pantry and our Letcher County Ministerial Association, both of which we support, are setting records in the number of families we serve. The needs are great.
But what an opportunity! God has indeed given government the duty of caring for people. But that responsibility also falls on the church. I am convinced, totally persuaded, that God has given us the vision for our Family Ministry Center to meet needs and win people to Christ. It will be a “center”, literally, for all these ministries…like food, clothing, crisis pregnancy, financial assistance, and many more.
You will receive a blessing, I am sure, if you give to these community ministries and to the Family Ministry Center fund. It is not a problem for the church to be faced with so many needs like these. It is an exciting opportunity, an avenue of worship, and a vehicle by which we may advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I Love you all.
Bro. Tony
Posted: Articles
16
November
2005
FROM THE PASTOR’S HEART,
Our Letcher County Ministerial Association Community Thanksgiving Service will be held Tuesday night at 7:00. We will meet up on the hill at the new County Extension Office. For those who do not want to drive, we will run the bus from the church parking lot at 6:30 PM and bring you back to the church after the service.
We are fortunate to have our new bus and will to use it to transport those who want to ride. This will be just one of many ways we can use the bus to meet needs. I hope you will make the effort to attend. We will receive an offering to use in our ministry fund. Remember, this will take the place of our mid-week service; so there will be no prayer meeting on the 23rd.
Sunday the 27th ushers in the advent season. December 4-11 is the week of prayer for international missions. The Lottie Moon theme this year is “that all peoples may know Him”. I have personally challenged our church with a goal of $2500.00.
Let me take this time to thank you church family for your love and support to me as pastor and to my family. You are a great church family. We love you and pray for you continually. We thank God for you. I am thankful for the spirit of cooperation and unity we enjoy here at our church. I ask for your continued prayers for us. As your pastor, I am available. If you have a visit you wish me to make to a home, in the hospital, or where there is a need, please let me know. That’s why I am here!
From Carol, Robert, Bethany, and your pastor, we love you and – Have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Bro. Tony
Posted: Articles
9
November
2005
GETTING PERSONAL ABOUT LOVING PEOPLE
Ephesians 4:25-32
Do you have a difficult time loving some people? Are there some people with whom you find it impossible to get along? What can you do?
There are two basic approaches when learning to love people. First, you can spend a lifetime trying to change everybody you know into lovable people. Or, second, you can learn to change yourself and the way you relate to them.
The Top Ten Ways to Get Personal About Loving People
10. Be truthful in all your relationships verse 25
9. Control your anger so that it doesn’t control you verse 26
8. Give the devil only what he deserves verse 27
7. Work hard at something worthwhile verse 28
6. Use your mouth to lift up others and impart grace verse 29
5. Please the Holy Spirit with your actions and attitudes verse 30
4. Put away everything that is hurtful to yourself and others verse 31
3. Be kind to everyone you meet verse 32
2. Show compassion verse 32
1. Forgive other people as God in Christ has forgiven you verse 32
Posted: Articles