February

2012

2011

The Church Spotlight On The First Baptist Church of Vestaburg

Special Interest

Articles:

From the Pastor’s Desk

by Pastor Pete

Random Memories

by Lois Green

Bits from Betty

by Betty Guthrie

Ivan’s Point of View

by Ivan Palmer

Inviting people to love God and others...

by Pastor Pete Carlson

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin, 5, and Ryan, 3. The boys began to argue

over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, 'Let my

brother have the first pancake. I can wait.' Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, 'Ryan,

you be Jesus.'

It has been 20 years since Mary Jo and I have moved. 20 years is a long

time to form relationships and gather possessions. Genesis 12:5 also says that

Abraham and Sarah “took all the possessions they had gathered and the

people whom they had acquired.” We are taking most of the possessions we

have acquired (that’s why it’s taking us a month to move) but unfortunately

we can’t take the people. There aren’t enough bedrooms in the parsonage for

that.

Unlike Abraham and Sarah, we do know some things about where we are

going. We know we are moving into a newly remodeled (new kitchen,

bathrooms, paint and flooring) home. Wow – thank you! We feel so blessed.

During the process of candidating we met many of you in the congregation and

have begun to form relationships. We look forward to meeting many more as

we get settled in and to forming deeper relationships.

Back to Abraham and Sarah, Genesis 12:8 says that as they began to

settle in to their new location “he [Abraham] built an altar to the Lord and

called on the name of the Lord.” I’m sure Sarah was in on it too. We purpose

to do that as we settle in Vestaburg. Actually though, the altar is already built.

Jesus is our altar of worship. First Baptist Church of Vestaburg was founded on

that altar (Ephesians 2:20). We count it a privilege to join you and have a part

in leading you to build on that foundation. As we do, let’s not neglect to follow

Abraham’s example to continually call on the name of the Lord. Let’s be a

praying church.

With love,

Peter Carlson, Pastor.

Dear Church Family,

I am writing this from my office in Berkley just

before packing my computer up to take it to my

new office in Vestaburg. Over the past few weeks

while packing I have thought often of Abraham and

Sarah – about their move from Ur to Canaan.

Hebrews 11:8 says “…he [Abraham] went out, not

knowing where he was going.” Genesis 12:5

tells us he knew the location because it says after

the Lord told him to leave Haran he went to Canaan. What he didn’t know is what he would find

there when he arrived.

Happy Birthday 3rd -- Michelle Feldpausch 5th -- Emma Johnston 7th -- Walt Tereschuk 13th – Ed Palmer 15th – Evodie Bernard 16th -- Valarie Johnston 19th –Scott Marshall 24th --Paul Malek 25th --Pastor Pete Carlson 29th -- Dan Suprise

The Church Spotlight

bits from Betty by Betty Guthrie

Senior version of Jesus Loves Me Here is a new version just for us who have white hair, or no hair at all.

For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of "Jesus Loves Me". It is quite cute, so read, sing and enjoy:"

JESUS LOVES ME Jesus loves me, this I know,

Though my hair is white as snow. Though my sight is growing dim,

Still He bids me trust in Him. (CHORUS)

YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow, With my hand in His I'll go

On through life, let come what may, He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS) Though I am no longer young, I have much which He's begun.

Let me serve Christ with a smile, Go with others the extra mile.

(CHORUS) When the nights are dark and long,

In my heart He puts a song. Telling me in words so clear, "Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS) When my work on earth is done,

And life's victories have been won. He will take me home above, Then I'll understand His love

(CHORUS) I love Jesus, does He know?

Have I ever told Him so? Jesus loves to hear me say, That I love Him every day.

Apple Pie in a Cup 1 medium apple (peeled,

cored and chopped into ½’

cubes)

12 to 15 red hot cinnamons

½ sheet of Cinnamon

Graham Crackers

2 TBLS whipped cream

Put the chopped apple into a

cup, add the red hots, cover

and microwave for two

minutes. Stir and microwave

and additional 1-2 minutes

until the apple is softened.

Mix and allow to cool. Top

with crushed graham

cracker and garnish with

whipped cream

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!" His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means? The son replied, "I do know!" "Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?" "That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.'

E N J O Y

The Church Spotlight

Thank you for praying for us and this ministry. The first wall is standing, praise the Lord! Even though yesterday was a

rainy day, quite a bit was accomplished. Today has been a very productive day. We praise the Lord for wisdom in decision making and for safety in the work. We praise the Lord for the churches who are working out bringing groups to help. We look forward to working with them. We praise the Lord for all of you

who pray for us and those who support us financially. We have the privilege of having a young couple, an evangelist and his wife, join our "compound" or "campground," however you choose to look at it. He will be speaking here at the church on Christmas Eve, so they are staying in their camping trailer along side of our group. Please continue (I risk sounding like a broken record) to pray for safety, for

wisdom, for boldness in witnessing opportunities, for homeschooling, and for spiritual growth. Please also pray as the Lord uses us in the church ministries as He sees fit. We’ve included this next part to ask you to pray for us financially. It

is very easy to lose a supporter, but really hard to get new ones. We know that the Lord owns the cattle on a thousand hills and knows our needs. Below is an excerpt from a recent letter from a (now former) supporting church: Last Sunday we, New Covenant Church, (formerly Faith Baptist Church of Edwardsville,

Ill) voted to stop supporting you. Several years ago we pulled out of the GARBC, and the

thought was "why are we supporting a missionary who builds churches for what we

came out of?" Obviously, this has no reflection on you. We wish you the best as you

continue to serve our Lord in this way. Just to set the record straight Continental Baptist Missions is an Independent Fundamental Baptist Mission which assists Independent Baptist Churches that agree in name, doctrine and practice—some of which are GARB churches.

Missions Corner Update from the Genung’s

JOHN DEARMORE AND BLACK MAMBA IN CONGO

"How God Cares For Us From Day To Day, Often In Ways Unknowable to Us"

In the early days when my husband, Jim, surrendered to go to the Mission Fields of Africa we traveled to Wichita Falls to one of our churches to speak, seeking missions support. We (that is myself, Georgia, and our three children, Jamie, Becky and John) did not travel very much on long trips with my husband, because it cost so much more to travel that way, and because the children needed to be in School. But because we were not so far away I took the children with me, and went with Jim on a speaking trip to Wichita Falls, Texas. Several of the Ladies at the Church there asked me - "How can you take these little children to the troubled country of Congo, Africa. Are you really going to take these little children into that dangerous part of the world?" I answered quickly and plainly, "Yes, I am." This was in the days when there was much trouble in Africa . . . . especially during the time when the memory of the Mau-Mau uprising in Kenya was very strong. There was a lot of killing, burning houses, mutilating domestic animals and mutilating white people in the most horrible ways possible, assaulting women, pillaging, etc. I replied to our friends: "God has promised He would take care of us, even our children. We and they, will be safer there in God's will, than to stay in "safety" here in the USA, out of God's will and way for our lives." And with this assurance and His leading, after Jim had finished deputation, we were soon packed and flying across the Ocean to the shores of Africa. We landed in Leopoldville, the Capital city of Congo, a large city on the banks of the Congo River. Most of this story is about our youngest son, however. Both of our sons picked up the language quickly and became friends with the young African boys. John, our youngest soon became friends with the young boys and was often out hunting with them for birds. They were not "hunting for fun" but were hunting for food for the little Africans. John and his friends were walking single file down a trail through the bush, hunting for meat for his little African friends. They had spotted some birds in a tree off to the side of the trail, and they were walking along on this little, narrow footpath slowly, slowly, quietly trying to get closer to the birds, all the while watching the birds in the tree, instead of watching the narrow pathway they were creeping along, to get a shot at the birds with a "slingshot." While creeping along like this, and watching the bird he was hoping to shoot, John stepped right on a deadly Black Mamba snake, one of the most deadly snakes in the Bush. The Black Mamba was sometimes called the "African Two-Step." It was so deadly poisonous that sometimes just a few steps and you were down, or so it seemed. However, God's promises are true, and His loving care and protection of His own is endless, and always sufficient. Just before John stepped on the snake, the Lord had sent along a bush rat. God had also made the snake hungry at the right time, and the snake had just caught the rat and was slowly swallowing it when John stepped directly on the deadly snake. The rat was only about half way down the snake's throat, and about half of the rat was still hanging out of the snake's mouth, so that when the snake reared up and struck our son John on his leg near the knee, (the rat being still in the mouth of the snake) the snakes fangs could not pierce our sons skin, and therefore our son was safe. John and his little African friends quickly killed the snake, of course. And our son was not harmed. So here in this true story, we have an example of how God cares for his own, when they are in his will and doing his work

Why do we have a leap year (as in this year) and why is it in

February?

The issue of leap year and the weirdness of February is always

worth looking at because, coming so infrequently, who can

remember the explanation for it from the last time?

The earth revolves around the sun every 365.24 days, not an

even 365. That produces an extra day's worth of hours every four

years. We could distribute them as a bonus to everyone--a one-day

time-out every fourth year in which the clock is stopped and we

stay in bed all day. But we don't. Instead we add an extra day onto

February.

Why February? It was originally the last month on the Roman

calendar and a logical place to stick the extra day. But Julius

Caesar changed the first month to January, stranding February and

its little peculiarity in the second spot.

Faith does not struggle; faith lets God do it all. CORRIE TEN BOOM

Faith draws the poison from every grief, takes the sting from every loss, and quenches the fire of every pain; and only faith can do it. JOSIAH GILBERT HOLLAND

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety. GEORGE MUELLER

The Church Spotlight

Kid’s Page

A Sunday School teacher began her lesson with a question, "Boys and girls, what do we know about God?" A hand shot up in the air. "He is an artist!" said the kindergarten boy. "Really? How do you know?" the teacher asked. "You know - Our Father, who does art in Heaven... "

People want the front of the bus, the back of the church, and the center of attention

A mother was teaching her three-year-old The

Lord's Prayer. For several evenings at bedtime, the

child repeated it after the mother. Then one night

the child was ready to solo. The mother listened

with pride to the carefully enunciated words, right

up to the end. 'And lead us not into temptation, but

deliver us some e-mail'. A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, 'The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his

wife looked back and was turned to salt.' His son asked, 'What happened to the flea?'

On any important truth the

devil tries to get you to stop too

short, or go too far.

The boy listened closely as the rabbi read the Bible. 'May I ask a question?' he asked. 'Sure. Go ahead. Ask your question,' replied the rabbi. 'Well, the Bible says that the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea-the children of Israel built the temple-the children of Israel did this and the children of Israel did that. Didn't the grown-ups ever do anything?'

The Church Spotlight

Pancake Supper!

How many different animal-themed teams can you

name? (Bears, Lions, Bengals, Ravens, Colts, Jaguars,

Panthers, Falcons, Dolphins, Eagles, Cardinals, Broncos, Sea Hawks, Rams…)

Where to find these teams in Scripture:

Bears: 2 Kings 2:24 Lions: Psalm 57:4

Bengals: Proverb 26:13

Ravens: Luke 12:24

Colts: Mark 11:2 Dolphins: Exodus 25:14

Rams: Psalm 114:4

Hawk: Jeremiah 12:9

FOOD FOR THOUGHT -I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous! -I don't suffer from stress. I'm a carrier.

-Warning: Dates in the Calendar are closer than they appear.

-A flashlight is a case for holding dead batteries.

-Lottery: A tax on people who are bad at math. -If "con" is the opposite of "pro," what is the opposite

of "progress?" -A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is

where a train stops. On my desk I have a work station...

-I get enough exercise just pushing my luck.

-Budget: A method for going broke methodically. -Shin: A device for finding furniture in the dark.

The After Party

How To Be Strong In Your Faith Do you find it difficult to act on principles in which you believe or to share your beliefs in certain crowds and situations? Even Christ's own disciples were hesitant at times until they actually saw the risen Lord and, in the case of Thomas, felt the scars in Jesus' hands. Once they had experienced being with Christ after the resurrection they were all so bold in their actions, testimonies and ministries that they were willing to even die for their beliefs. Most of them were martyred for their beliefs. How far would you go to defend your faith? How far would you go to act on the principles that you believe in? Jesus along with the New Testament writers have indicated that all of us who follow Him should not be fearful or timid about what we believe and we are to "BE STRONG IN THE LORD." The Holy Spirit within gives us as Christians that power. There are three ways to gain that strength. 1. We can pray for God to fill us with His Spirit. 2. We can spend time daily in God's Word. 3. We can spend time with other Christians who are strong in faith. These are simple things we can do that will work, but each requires a strong commitment on our part. If you would like to be stronger in your faith, let me make a suggestion. Write a letter to yourself committing to these three actions. Put it in an envelope and address it as MY COMMITMENT TO GOD. Place it somewhere where you will see it often. Writing it out will actually get you started on the road to a stronger faith.

The world is divided into two classes,

those who go ahead

and do something and those

who sit and

inquire, "Why

wasn't it done this

way?"

The Church Spotlight

Empathy Have you ever played a softball game against a small child? Have you ever allowed them to get on base, make a basket or score in some way? Have you ever witnessed a six or seven year old hit a ground ball back to the adult pitcher and see such a great overthrow to first that the right fielder catches and clumsiness continues until the child has giggled their way all around the bases to score? Why can we show such empathy toward the young, the injured or the mentally retarded but have little towards others? It’s true that many people have put themselves into stupid situations. It’s true that there are those who should not be given financial assistance. It’s also true that there are people who seek to take advantage of us. But it is also true that empathy is free. You will not get an empathy bill at the end of the month. John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. I feel that this verse means everything, from dying in battle to giving of your time to help others. Money can represent pieces of your life you give in tithes or assistance. Galatians 5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Do you see the command? We are to be empathic. We are not to provoke others. A couple other verses to think about are: John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

The Son

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.

They had Everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.

They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He

was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another

soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only

son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at

the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in

his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier

for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and

he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart

and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for

art." The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much.

I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted

you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son,

painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier

had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father

was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.

He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait.

"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a

gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors

came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before

he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The

man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his

paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing

the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for

their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding

with this portrait of the son. Who will bid for this painting?" There

was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We

want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer

persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the

bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't

come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the

Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer

continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the

long-time gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the

painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have

$10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the

masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the painting

of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their

collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice,

SOLD for $10!" A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now

let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is

over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a

secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that

stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be

auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire

estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets

everything!"

God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much

like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll

take the son?" --unknown--