This month, all month, is a “Season of Refreshing – Toward a New Start With New Hearts” A fitting song, verse 1, “There Shall Be Seasons of Blessing,” says, “There shall be seasons refreshing, Sent from the Savior above” and the chorus: “Showers of blessing, showers of blessing we need, Mercy drops round us are falling, But for the showers we plead.”
We are so blessed! Beautiful flowers were placed in church by Sue Downing in honor and appreciation of our church choir. We are indeed blessed by the choir and the orchestra and Jim has a time with them and all of us – he wants “Smiley Faces” – and he said Mark wanted to direct their special, “Over in Glory Land,” which he did.
Our preacher Sunday was Pastor Loy W. Reed of Macclenny (and wife Glenda) and his message in John was really about God’s plan for how Jesus came and why and that we really are adopted into His Family and have been specially chosen. We are to go and tell so that others may come to love Him in order for us to be together forever in His Family.
As we studied in Sunday School about Elijah as he said to God’s people: “How long will you halt between two opinions? If God is God, follow him” and the people answered him not a word. There is a time to speak and there is a time not to speak and we need to be wise.
In looking for one of Marjell’s books to give to our special friends, Bryan and April Phillips, as he was ordained Sunday, Jan. 9, at Midway Baptist, I found 6,000 Sermon Illustrations by Elon Foster, a book I gave him long ago, I think. In it was an article by Charles Spurgeon, “Exhortation to Action”: Let not your exertions and, in tears, mere weeping will do nothing without action. Get on your feet: ye that have voices and might, go forth and preach the gospel; preach it in every street and lane of this huge city; ye that have wealth, go forth and spend it for the poor and sick and needy and dying, the uneducated, the unenlightened; ye that have time, go forth and spend it in deeds of goodness; ye that have power in prayer, go forth and pray; ye that can handle the pen, go forth and write down iniquity – every one to his post; every one of you to your gun in this day of battle; now for God and for His truth; for God and for the right; let every one of us who knows the Lord seek to fight under His banner.” Amen, I say!
Bryan’s ordination was Preacher Jeff Bailey’s first ordination, and it was very touching. “Nail it down,” he said over and over as he used Isaiah 41 for his message. Much love and many prayers were prayed for both of them as they are new “Preachers of the Word” with all that entails. And to say again, Midway Baptist is part of my family history as Mother’s oldest sister, Aunt Lola, and Preacher/Teacher Uncle James Conner was preacher there and teacher at Enterprise School. He died Dec. 8, 1924 of pneumonia.
Prayers of comfort for all the family of Mrs. Dot Pridgeon. She was such a smart, loving, lovable person and friend; for Sabrina Graves Hammock; for those who lost lives in Tuscon, all those “bad-hurt” and their families; plus all others in so many other situations, all over the world; comfort for Mikey Wilson and family in the death of her brother, Mr. Conley and family.
There are ill ones among us and we pray for them and their families: Preahcer Manning Hicks with bad back and also losing his brother, Chatman; Gina Rutherford’s mother, Sheila Denson; Damon Fico, appendectomy; Mary Lou Surles; and on and on and on the long list goes – each person very important and loved.
Such a blessing to talk with Billie Hamrick and Yvonne Plain at ASCS on Monday.
We pray for the Lottie Moon offering of $3,609.80 as it is used in God’s work; for the Ladies’ Bible Study Group; for realizing the Sanctity of Life and gifts of money for the pregnancy center; for SAM’s collection of items for the Florida Baptist Children’s Home; for the brotherhood supper meeting Jan. 18 at Pinetta; and all that is done to reach those in need! Amen!
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