May 10, 2009

Photographic Memory

Happy Mother’s Day!

“There is nothing that is so calculated to promote holiness as the realization that we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, that our destiny is certain and secure, that nothing can prevent it. Realizing that, we purify ourselves even as He is pure, and we feel that there is no time to waste. That is the way to live the Christian life!

Do not turn it into a law, but realize that you have received the Holy Spirit. Then work out this theme. Your Father is watching over you. He is looking after you – yes, let ms use scriptural language – He is jealous concerning you because you belong to Him. You belong to Christ, you are His brother. The Holy Spirit is dwelling in your very body and you are destined for glory.” —Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Remembering His Grace, Begging His Mercy

We have come to the end of the first major section in our study of the book of Isaiah, “the book of harangues,” as Pastor Rigsby calls it, chapter 35. A more positive note on what happens after God completes His judgment.

Thank you Lord for our moms. Happy Mother’s Day!

As you vote in the special election on May 19, ask God to have mercy on us whether or not these propositions pass.

Carol Mead was hospitalized last week to have fluid removed from her lung. Tests revealed there is no cancer but she will need some oxygen at home.

Teri Lopez had a follow-up appointment with her foot doctor. She has put too much stress on her foot and is again wearing the special boot.

Caden Edwards is 2 1/2 years old (grandson of Scott and Marie Edwards). Wednesday he had surgery to remove a tumorous malignancy (about the size of an orange) and one kidney that was affected by the cancer. Chemotherapy will also be needed. Caden is now recuperating and the surgery did not reveal more signs of cancer. Please continue to pray for Caden’s healing and for God’s peace and comfort for all of his family.

A friend of Shirley Fryer, Tammy, was hospitalized last week and put into a coma for the medicines she needed. In that time the doctors did not observe any brain activity. The latest report is that it is believed her kidneys are shutting down. Other friends have asked to be able to speak with Tammy and again share the Gospel with her. Would you pray as God works?

Mark Sheets continues to persevere with his cancer. However recently he was put on oxygen and is very weak. Continue to pray for Mark and Nidia and the Sheets family.

We rejoice with Pam Ozmon and Dr. David Price who will be married this next Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 2:00 PM (ET) in Manchester, Kentucky at New Prospect Baptist Church. Please ask God for His strength as all the preparations are made and His blessing on David and Pam’s marriage.

We pray for the physical safety. emotional stability, and spiritual awakening of the men and women of our military forces who are engaged in fulfilling their responsibilities.

• Marvin Funkhouser—deployed to Iraq for 18 months
• Coleen—a friend of Woody and Barbara Blalock
• Tony Loving—flying troops in and out of various areas
• Bryan Miller—in Guam, will be in Iraq soon
• Sam Im
• Steven Henning
• Jorge Avalos
• Ryan Bareng
• Jeremy Peters—currently in Iraq
• Jeremy Thomas—currently in Afghanistan
• Jason Kiser—currently in the Gulf
• John Kiser—currently in Iraq

Hear God’s Word

Browse the audio sermons preached by Pastor Rigsby (or download for later listening).

Exposition of Isaiah

The Millennial Kingdom, Isaiah 35.

The Resurrection

This special series is an exposition of 1 Corinthians 15, which is the most complete teaching in the Bible on the resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of Christians.

Paul’s Testimony, 1 Corinthians 15:9-11.

Read the Bible

In April, May, and June our Bible reading centers in Hebrew History, from Joshua to Esther. In May we’ll read I Kings (22), II Kings (25), I Chronicles (29), II Chronicles (36). The chapter totals are listed to help set your reading pace. Remember to include 3 Psalms and 1 chapter from Proverbs each week.

The suggested 2009 Bible reading guide (1 page) can be downloaded here.

“Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservations.”

Arvalee Palmer

May 2009

Dear Ones in Christ, at Bell Gardens Baptist Church,

At this time I am writing from Waukesha, Wisconsin. The Lord made it possible for me to visit again to attend Emily’s harp performance on May 9th. She will be the soloist with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) accompanying her on this wonderful occasion. What a special privilege this is for me.

A few days ago I received good news from Jeff and Naomi. The Lord enabled Jeff and one of his partners to complete another successful survey into a tribe. The Lord is showing them more definitely the area in which they will labor to spread the gospel. Much dedication and hours of hard work lies ahead as they apply themselves to learning the language and culture of the people. First, they will have to move, with their families, into the tribe. I know they will appreciate your prayers as they move forward.

More good news! My editor, Greg Melendes, has been busy critiquing “God Plus Nothing”. He has returned about half of the manuscript, for me to check over. This progress hastens the day when the book will be completed. I am grateful to all of you who have prayed for and encouraged me in this endeavor. Thank you.

A special thank you for standing with me in prayer and for your continued financial support. I praise the Lord for his goodness to me. He meets my needs in so many wonderful ways. “For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 100:5).

Yours in Christ,

Arvalee Palmer
New Tribes Mission

Sergio & Miriam Ramirez

May 5, 2009

Dear Brethren,

Thank you for persevering with us in this work of eternal results through your faith, love, prayers and offerings.

PRAISE

• Several years ago we asked prayer for AINOA, then two years old. She could not sleep due to nightmares of demons molesting her. You prayed and the nightmares ceased. About a month ago she came to our church in Santander and prayed inviting Jesus into her heart.
• Friday May 1st 28 brethren from the church in Santander traveled to Navarra to celebrate the anniversary of the Evangelical camp there. We received the news that the previous year, on the same celebration, JOSE ANTONIO, an about 40 year old Spaniard form Estella, Navarra, received Jesus into his life after Sergio’s preaching.
• MARINA, mother of Abel, a key brother of our church in Santander, expressed her desire to be baptized during a recent visit to her home in Asturias. We have discipled her mainly through evangelical books.

PRAYER

• For peace for NOELIA. She will not come with us in our trip. Her attitude is good, but she is still in the process of digesting it.
• With our Lord’s favor, in May 18th we start our 6 MONTHS TRIP to visit 35 churches and many supporting families in USA, Mexico and Guatemala. We trust we will be able to see most of you.
• For a change of heart in VICTOR and INMA and desire of a greater commitment to our Lord on the part of ANABEL, DANIEL and EVELYN.
• For JAVIER, CARMELO, CARLOS, ABEL, FRANCISCO, MARINA, MARIAN and NOELIA. They will be in charge of the different ministries of the church in Santander in our absence.
• For JERRY Parkerson y CARLOS y BARBARA Prather. They will assist the church in Santander for several weeks during this time.
• For PROVISION from our Lord for all the extraordinary expenses.

Thank you. Not even a glass of water given in His Name will be in vain. In the love of Jesus Christ to whom we belong, to whom we love and to whom we serve,

Sergio and Miriam Ramirez

CAM International,
Evangelismo en Acción
Nestares, Cantabria, Spain

“The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.”

Turkey, Greece, Rome Trip Summary, part 6

Hello Everyone,

Happy Mother’s Day! The history of Mother’s Day begins earlier than Julia Ward Howe (1872) or Anna Jarvis and President Wilson’s 1914 national proclamation for observance in the Unites States. In the country of Greece, Mother’s Day (February 2) has long been associated with the Eastern Orthodox Church feast day that commemorates when Jesus was presented at the Temple because their belief is that it was the “Mother of God” who brought him to the Temple. The ancient Romans developed a custom of giving gifts to mothers on a day (“Matronalia”) dedicated to the veneration of Juno (the goddess of protection and counsel). Prior to the Romans, ancient Greeks in Asia Minor developed a kind of mother worship, with Cybele (mother of Greek deities) as the central figure. I am not aware (at this time) whether even earlier civilizations, including Israel during the Bible times, had a special holiday for all moms, with one exception. Adam named his wife “Eve” and Moses carefully notes why, “because she was the mother of all living.” I like that our “Mother’s Day” is not in conjunction with any other celebration or a ruse to honor some man-made deity. Our custom is one day in the year to remember (and express) there isn’t one day in the year that Mothers aren’t special. Happy Mother’s Day!

Here is the next portion of our trip summary. Can you tell we are near the end? Enjoy!

Sunday, January 18; Athens
We had an entire day in ancient Athens and the National Archaeological Museum! With a quick spin to the Olympic Stadium we were headed to the Temple of Zeus. At the acropolis there are many buildings dedicated to the mythological gods, like the Nike Temple, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion. On Mars Hill we read Paul’s defense of the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the agora we looked for the inscription dedicating a statue to the “unknown god.” Who remembered we had already seen the inscription at the Istanbul museum? The reconstructed stoa in the commercial agora is as impressive as the artifacts in the museum. The changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was observed when the transition from Sunday daytime to Sunday nighttime uniforms was made. The decorative shoes weigh twelve pounds each.

Monday, January 19; Corinth, Cenhrea, Isthmia
Because of the Corinthian Canal the Peloponnesus is technically an island. A road-bridge keeps the two connected. The drive to the Byzantine, Venetian, and Turkish gates of the Acrocorinth is awe-inspiring. From the top the view of the Gulf of Corinth is impressive. A tour of the museum was accomplished with haste but not without seeing the mantle with menorahs, the inscription that says “synagogue of the Hebrews,” and a bust of Nero, who was Emperor about the time Paul was in Corinth. In the agora there is a view up to the Acrocorinth. The 2500 year old monolithic columns of the Temple of Apollo are the oldest in Greece and still standing. Paul appeared before the Roman governor Gallio at the historic bema seat. The harbor at Cenchrea was ideal for wading and rock skipping. We couldn’t run fast enough to reach Isthmia on a Monday so we headed back to Syntagma (Constitution) Square in Athens.

Tuesday, January 20; Ostia Antica, Catacombs
Departure from the hotel was ahead of time. Arrival at the airport was on time. Our flight was delayed and our arrival in Rome late requiring an adjustment in the schedule. After gathering our luggage we drove the short distance to the port city of Ostia Antica. Our guide reconstructed the entire city piece by piece with vivid explanations and readings from ancient texts. Here, to the bones of the ancient times was added sinew and flesh, and a little “garum.” Time didn’t permit us to get all the way to the synagogue but we saw it from the bus on the road that was once the coastline. We walked a two mile portion of the Appian Way that is wide and flat, lined with imposing walls that guard large estates and farmland. Exploring one of seven miles in the tunnels of the San Sebastiano Catacomb we saw mosaics, mausoleums, and ancient graffiti. We slept through an historic moment in American politics tonight.

Jim Covington