Thank You, Father!

Thu, 3 Nov 2011 15:08:48 -0500

“What are you going to be thanking God for this November?” I heard that question asked and the first thoughts to reach my lips were, “I’m thankful for my salvation, that Jesus died for my sins, that God called me out of the darkness…” But the next thought that popped into my mind was, “What are those seemingly ordinary things that God has done for me, things I’ve taken for granted, things for which I’ve forgotten to say ‘Thank You, Father,’ things for which I can focus on this month?” I’m amazed at how quickly God began to fill my mind and remind me that He gave me my husband, He chose the in-laws, He put me in my family. So here’s the beginning of my list: I’m thankful that my husband is sane as a balance to my insanity. I’m thankful that the family to whom we gave our kitten, returned her. I’m thankful for a father-in-law who taught my husband by example how to vacuum, wash dishes, cook, root-feed trees, and to never rush or forget the prep and cleanup part of a project. I’m thankful for the friend who sends me a “friendship” card with two old and unattractive women on the cover and tells me she is the one with the cute scarf and I’m the one using a plastic sack for a purse. I’m thankful for parents who loved me unconditionally and made it easier for me to understand the unconditional love of God. I’m thankful for a friend who can call or email me with an urgent or important prayer request and trusts me to actually pray for her. I’m thankful for 3 sisters with whom I can laugh on a road trip all the way from OKC to Guymon and back. I’m thankful for a friend who keeps up with my train of thought as I frequently flit from one subject to the next. I’m thankful for a husband who will work crossword puzzles with me while we eat at City Bites. I’m thankful for a friend to whom I can say, “I don’t care about that!!!” – and she’s still my friend. I’m thankful for a mother and father-in-law who took the boat and camper to the lake EVERY weekend and “burned out” my husband so we don’t have to do that. I’m thankful for a friend who has agreed to fix my hair every morning before visiting hours – should I ever go to the hospital. I’m thankful for 3 older sisters who still love and want to spend time with me - the baby (and possibly spoiled one) of the family. I’m thankful that I had polio as a child – yes, you read that correctly. Having had polio keeps me aware that I can’t do it all on my own and I must look to God and others for help and the older I get, the more I want to go to Him…
Do you have a list of ordinaries for which you need to say, “Thank You, Father”? ~Bobbie Stotts

Grief Share

Tue, 1 Nov 2011 16:07:50 -0500

GriefShare
With the loss of your loved one you are probably thinking that there are not many people who understand the deep hurt you are feeling. Perhaps you may be finding that it is difficult to feel optimistic about the future right now. Please know we hurt for you and want to offer you comfort and support. This is the reason we are beginning GriefShare, a special support group sponsored by people who understand what you are experiencing. The first session begins Wednesday, November 2, 5:30-6:30 pm in the Education Building, Room 412. If you have any questions, please contact Pastor Jimmy Jackson at 720-1449 or jim@delightinGod.org. There is no cost, but please let us know you are coming.

Is Your Marriage in Need of a Tune Up?

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:06:50 -0500

The truth is everything in life needs a tune-up, marriage is no exception. Anything to do with relationships can get in a rut, lose closeness and develop distance. It takes diligence
and intentionality to keep loving relationships fresh and sweet.

Over the years Sherry and I have attended marriage seminars, read books, gone on anniversary weekends; we have enjoyed and, at times, walked through some deep
waters together in our 30 years of marriage. Of all the books that I’ve read and benefitted from concerning marriage, The Love Dare featured in the movie “Fireproof” (awesome if you haven’t seen it) is by far the most practical.

The Love Dare is a 40-day devotional reading; you can get it at Life Way or Mardel or even download it on your iPhone. Here is an excerpt from the opening pages:

Receive this as a warning.
This forty day journey cannot be taken lightly.

It is a challenging and often difficult process,
but an incredibly fulfilling one.
To take this dare requires a resolute mind
and a steadfast determination.

It is not meant to be sampled or briefly
tested, and those who quit early will
forfeit the greatest benefits.
If you will commit to a day at a time for forty days,
The results could change your life and marriage.
Consider it a dare, from others who have done it before you.
~Pastor Jim Jackson

For the Sake of the Next Generation . . .

Thu, 1 Sep 2011 14:47:55 -0500

Equipping and encouraging families to take in and live out God's Word.

A. Food for Thought
B. Family Fun
C. Holidays
I. Lessons Learned
____________________________

September 2011

A. Food for thought
The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.
Psalm 33:11.

How ironic that Irene is a name that means peace, yet now brings to mind eroded shorelines and homes destroyed by floodwaters. It reminds me of Jesus' teaching about a house built on rock and another built on sand. Both experience the storms of life. One house is washed away, but one stands firm.

Foundations don't just happen; they are intentionally prepared. Christ honoring families don't just happen either! Graciously, God doesn't leave them up to chance. He has given us practical counsel through His living and active Word! Our homes and families will stand firm in the storms of life if they are built on the counsel of the LORD.

B. Family Fun
As school starts and we turn the corner into the last lap of the year toward the holidays, let's remember to think eternally in some way each day. Gloria Gaither shared that when her days were full of errands and lessons and practices for the children, she would look back over the day to see what would really last in eternity.

Even with all of the beauty of creation, it will not last for eternity. God created people and relationships to last for eternity. Jesus’ summation of the commandments was simply to love God and to love others. With all of the busyness of life that clamors for our time and attention, it is worth the effort to carve out time with God and our families.

One of my favorite childhood memories is enjoying the end of day turn to a star-filled sky on a blanket in the back yard. My grandparents would treat us to a bowl of cereal or popcorn. We would listen to the crickets as we watched God put His signature on the day with pinks and purples and oranges. Stories and giggles, time to reflect and just be. God turns the day into night gradually; why not enjoy it His way one night this week? Building memories with unstructured time is so worth the effort!

We also have a rare and unique opportunity this month to see an exhibit about the history of the Bible. It is in OKC through mid-October, and then will be traveling to other parts of the world. Go to www.explorepassages.com to learn more.

C. Holidays
Labor Day – a day to honor the American worker's contribution to our economy and prosperity as a nation. It's a great time to:
‣ do a home project as a family (Yes, it may take more time to do it together, but you are teaching them a work ethic by working alongside them. Take time to answer the “whys” and explain the value of doing our best.
‣ Look up a few verses to see what God says about work; it is a gift to be creative and productive!
‣ Thank those who work to serve you; your mailman, the trash collector, firemen, police, doctors, nurses, etc.
‣ Listen to Steven Curtis Chapman’s new release, “Do Everything”
song: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=F9B20CNU
story behind the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NOMv90r9xM&feature=related

Grandparents' Day – a day to honor and appreciate grandparents.
‣ Do you have grandparents close by? Make time to spend together, helping them, listening to stories about their life when they were your age, or your children's age.
‣ If grandparents are long distance, Skype or call or write a letter, thanking them for their investment in your life and your family.
‣ If no grandparents are here, go to a neighbor or an assisted living center and ask what residents do not have family; adopt one for a meal or just to enjoy some conversation. If you approach this time as an opportunity to serve and not just something to do, you will not only be a blessing, but you will be blessed as well!

D. Lessons Learned
Ecclesiastes reminds us that there is a time for everything, and this is a truth that we must take to heart and live out practically, or pay dearly for ignoring it. There was a missionary, Isobel Kuhn, who prepared for years to go to the Lisu people in southwestern China in the early 1930's. When she finally arrived, she quickly connected with the people; it was a dream come true! She was so busy that there just wasn't time to plant a garden or prepare a proper home for the winter. Time passed and her family was forced to leave the Lisu people for several months because as a family they had not grown the necessary food and they did not have a warm shelter. We cannot neglect the basics of life, presuming that what we choose to do is more valuable.

Ask God in prayer to reveal any areas of your personal or family life where basics are being neglected (health, exercise, rest, one-on-one time with God). Do whatever is needed to care for the basics; it will be an investment in the quality of your life.

More about Isobel Kuhn, check out her books in our Mission Library or go online:
Overview of her life: http://www.thetravelingteam.org/node/407
Books: In the Arena, By Searching, Green Leaf in Drought Time.

September Family Worship Calendar click here

Camp Barnabas ~ “Kid’s Being Kids”

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:51:04 -0500

You may have heard about Camp Barnabas through HBC, but I would like to share how this amazing place has impacted me. For those of you who may not know, Barnabas is a summer camp for kids and young adults with special needs. Each camper is paired with a counselor to assist them in any way they may need help. These campers get to have a summer camp experience that their needs would normally prevent them from having. It is a place where God's love is shown to people who probably don't get to see it a lot from the world. As a counselor, it is our job to help the camper and to simply love on them. Which may sound easy . . .

Camp Barnabas is a place that is completely removed from
your typical comfort zone. Here, there is no such thing as "personal space". Many times, campers expect you to do everything for them, and often demand it. A very wise person once told me "No one minds being a servant until they are treated like one". Within the past six years, I've often caught myself thinking "What am I even doing here?". But each year, graciously, God always finds a way of showing me. I am there solely for one purpose: to bring glory to His great name. You can ask anyone who has been to Barnabas, and they will most likely agree with me that there is always a "breakdown point" sometime during the week. While working there, you can get so frustrated and
realize that you do not possess the strength to do everything. God has broken me time and again to show me that I have to rely on Him. He is my strength.

The campers at Barnabas are some of the most amazing people I have ever met. While I would like to boast that I have taught them something, inevitably, I always come away being the one to have learned something. They have a certain joy about them and courage for overcoming different obstacles. Camp Barnabas is impossible to describe accurately to those who have never been. There is such a unity among counselors and campers; a unity formed through Christ in helping and loving one another. God is most definitely working in Barnabas. He is working through the staff, the volunteers and through the campers. If you have never been, I encourage you to go...no matter your age. There is always a need for volunteers. Throughout the past six years, this place has taught me so many lessons and has helped me grow in my relationship with God and with others. It has taught me joy, patience, endurance, and reliance; but most of all it has taught me love. It has taught me the love of Christ to sinners, and how we can pour out His great love to others. I hope this gives you a view into
Barnabas and how heavily involved our church is with it. If you have any questions, or if you simply need the encouragement to go, please feel free to ask me or Kicker or anyone else who has gone! Once you've been to
Barnabas, you will always want to go back!

Macy McGee

This Fall ~ The Truth Project

Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:22:00 -0500

You have the opportunity this fall to see a transformation in you! Through the use of home groups scattered around the OKC area, leaders from Heritage will take us through 12 life-changing sessions of The Truth Project. We expect many of our folks who went through this curriculum last year will want to participate again. It is rich in content, encouragement and equipping!

These groups are designed to equip the believer and provide wonderful biblical community as well. The Truth Project curriculum is designed for small groups of 10-12 people. This size is intentional as it will help to foster personal relationships and allow for individual growth to occur within the framework of an authentic Christian community.

The Truth Project is a DVD-based curriculum taught by Dr. Del Tackett and produced by Focus on the Family. Only 9% of Christians in America today see life and live from a Biblical perspective; what we truly believe is evidenced by how we live. A personal sense of significance is rarely experienced, we spend our money and time on things that fail to satisfy and we begin to wonder what life’s ultimate purpose really is. We are, in short, losing our bearings as a people and a nation. This home study is the starting point for looking at life from a biblical perspective. Each lesson discusses in great detail the relevance and importance of living the Christian worldview in daily life.

Many of the groups will meet on Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 pm from August 21 through November 20. Excellent equipping and biblical fellowship all rolled up in one! Sign up in the Commons or contact Gregg Koehn (gkoehn308@cox.net) or www.thetruthproject.org for more information.

Building Update

Wed, 29 Jun 2011 16:00:45 -0500

Many of you participated in the "walk through" of our new children's wing a few Sundays ago. For some, it was the first time to step into this new addition to our facility. More than a few were surprised at how spacious the new area is. Since then, the bathrooms have nearly been completed and cabinets installed in each room. It is exciting to have classes meeting there already!

Progress is being made daily on the remodel of the original children's wing. Those halls will be widened and everything
updated. As is our policy, we will not go into debt for the financing of this project. On June 5 we presented our goal of $150,000, which will be used for the following: $70,000 to remodel the old wing, $20,000 for the gym floor, and $60,000 for the brick exterior on the north side. We have
already received $20,000! Thank you for your prayers and gifts in order to finish this project. If you would like to contribute to the building fund, please make your check payable to Heritage Baptist Church with "building fund" on the memo line. We look forward to having our children in one safe, single location.