Busy! Busy ! Busy!

Don't look now but our already busy schedule is getting busier!

Spring sports...UIL competition...proms... spring break...graduation...on and on and on. Not to mention preparation for VBS, summer camp, mission trips, D- Now weekend, splash bash, and then SCHOOL AGAIN! When will it ever slow down? Almost makes me tired just writing about it.

As busy as it is I LOVE IT! It sure does make the day pass. Of course if you aren't involved in all or at least some of these activities you probably have some time on your hands.

In busy times or in our spare time we all need to take time or make time for God. After all, He took time out of His busier than ours schedule to create for us a beautiful world for us to enjoy; gave us the gifts and talents we have that we might show forth His praise and glory in our lives. He even took 33 years and set them aside just for us, to prove His love by both living and dying for us.

So, the next time you check your watch or your calendar, remember that time, once it is used up...is gone, never to be regained. And always remember, "Just one life, will soon be passed, only what's done for Christ will last."

Attention Bargain Hunters!

The smart shopper is always looking for a bargain. The best possible product for the best price. Included in that price we want warranties and most of all guarantees. Assurance that whatever product we choose will bring full and complete satisfaction, won't wear out wear down or show any signs of erosion.Some call it "more bang for the buck."

Have I got a deal for you! It's found in the 91st Psalm.

"If you make the LORD your refuge ...and your habitation" (Psalm 91:9), there are some guarantees that follow that decision.

Living "IN" the LORD brings:

• protection - "no evil will conquer you, no plague will come near your dwelling", angels will protect you wherever you go. vs 10-11
• victory - "lions and poisonous snakes will be trampled under your feet" vs. 13
• deliverance - "When they call...I will answer...I will be with them...I will rescue them" vs 15
• satisfaction - "I will satisfy them and give them long life...and My salvation." vs 16

WOW! A lifetime guarantee!

And the best part, the price is exactly right. Oh it was very costly to the original purchaser; cruel mockings, scourging, the thorns, the nails. the cross, the blood. Then the offer: "whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

Are you thirsty for a real bargain? You can't beat this offer!

Religion Relationships and Roadmaps

Have you ever been accused of trying to force religion on someone? It seems that when we talk to others about faith in Christ we are misunderstood and the one we are talking to thinks we are talking about "Religion." So, immediately we make an attempt to shift the conversation by saying "I'm not talking about Religion, I'm talking about Relationship."

After all, isn't a close relationship with Jesus what we desire?
But, how do we get to that point without having some religious practices?
Doesn't our spirituality need and depend on worship, prayer, Bible reading/study, and fellowship? And aren't those things "religious" in nature?

Jesus seemed to hate religion when He condemned the Pharisees for the way they "practiced" theirs; the rituals of giving, fasting, and praying to be seen of men. But, He taught His disciples how to pray, encouraged fasting, told them to search the Scriptures, spent much of His time fellowshipping with them and others, and eventually shed His blood for the "church" which is religious in its very nature.
It is true that our spirituality is totally based on our relationship with Christ, but "Religious practices" can be "Roadmaps" that lead to a "Relationship" that is not only fulfilling but rewarding as well.

I hope to see you in church so we can worship, pray and study God's Word together.

Religiously in a Relationship,
Bro. Bob

DEADLINE! DEADLINE! DEADLINE!

Registration fee for camp is due this week.

This summer we will be going ot Camp WOW (Walk On Water) in Oklahoma. Checkout their web site www.campwow.com Camp dates are July 7-11. It is still WILD WEEK, just a different location...6 hours closer! Ken Freeman and Kacy Benson will be speaking and Nick Thurmond will be the lead worshipper. I am looking forward to another tremendous week.

You can start praying now that God will do again what He has done before...souls saved and hearts set on fire with the message of salvation found only in Christ's blood.

If you haven't signed up...there's still time.

LET ME KNOW THIS WEEK!

Not So Friendly Fire

In times of war the battlefield can be absolutely crazy. Bullets whistling through the air, bombs being dropped, everywhere you turn there is another enemy to face or a battle to be fought. Casualties are inevitable and most are a result of enemy fire, but occasionally there are those who fall from being wounded by someone who is supposed to be on their side. It can happen from being so close to the battle that they get in the line of fire of someone who is taking aim at the enemy. But there have been cases where an ally has be shot down intentionally. In either case the term used to describe it is "friendly fire."

In our everyday walk as soldiers of the cross we are in a constant battle and there are casualties. Satan's attack is so strong that some fall as a result of his many devices and temptations. Sadly enough, sometimes he uses one believer to attack another. In some cases it can be as simple as a comment made jokingly, but many times those comments are malicious and are intended to bring hurt and/or harm. Many is the believer who has fallen victim to gossip or deceitful criticism. Those bullets and bombs are called, "not so friendly fire"

A song we learned as children says it best. "Oh be careful little lips what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love so be careful little lips what you say."

Let us not be ignorant of satan's devices by allowing him to take advantage of us.
(Bro. Bob's paraphrase of 2 Corinthians 2:11)

Exciting times!

Here and now!

In case you haven't been there...Wednesday nights have been incredible; tremendous crowds, awesome worship and the life group studies have been fantastic! Don't wait to get involved. You will be blessed.

Sign up for camp if you haven't already, deadlines are approaching. The $50.00 registration fee is due no later than March 4th.

Summer mission plans are in the final stages. There are still openings for the trip to the valley July 18-25. If you are interested, please contact me at my office or on my cell. I talked with Pastor Pollo in Edinberg and they are as excited as we are about our visit. The church is already making plans for our arrival. I personally can hardly wait to see our friends there. Please pray for them.


In the news: Playoff bound! GO OWLS & WILDCATS

Reflecting back when as a new born babe in Christ, (many many years ago,) God allowed me to attend prayer meetings in a small country church in Arkansas. It was there that plain and simple men, many of whom were cotton farmers, some with very little education, would pour out their hearts to God. They put into practice what we read in James 5:16 ..."the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." At times God's presence was so real that I wanted to peek to see if He was standing right there.

When we enter into our prayer closet something miraculous happens. We are immediately in the very presence of our heavenly Father, who by the way is the creator of the universe, who knows no limits or boundaries, and we have His undivided attention.

Yet at the same time we enter into a huge and ongoing prayer meeting where countless millions of blood bought believers are praising Him and making known their requests.

It is with both of these thoughts in mind that my faith is strenghtened and causes me to want to linger more and more in His presence.

Our God is an awesome God!