Vision!

I returned last night from the Maple City Baptist Church vision conference in Monmouth Illinois. HBF sent a team of folks up to work with the children so all the adults and teens could be in the service. We had a great time throughout week and look forward to eternity to measure the results. Many made decisions to lay down their lives in the perfect will of God.

 

The main theme of the conference was based upon Proverbs 29:17-18. We had a great time allowing God to open our eyes and develop our character concerning our obedience to our Heavenly Fathers vision.

 

Just before I left, I saw Tammy, JR and Barb Hatman off. Tammy is returning to Canoes to be with Harold and the ministry there. JR and Barb will be visiting for a couple more weeks then be returning back to the ranks of HBF.

 

While I was away a couple from our church named Oren and Shelly lost their home to fire. HBF has responded intuitively to the needs of Oren and Shelly. We trust the Lord will show his kindness and provision both physically and spiritually during this time.

 

Tonight is our Harvest Party! It should be a great time for our Kingdom Kids!

 

It’s good to be home!

 

A Good Word!

Proverbs 12:25

  Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

 

Please allow me to brag on God a bit! Last night I was absolutely blessed during our last Sunday evening baptism service. All but one of the folks getting baptized offered up a testimony without me even asking! It was sweet to hear the sincerity, diversity and see the reflection of Christ in each of the folks that submitted to baptism. It was absolutely awesome to hear and see.

 

Jade Edward’s dramatized video testimony was most excellent too! To top it all off Kevin Mathis, who as absent Sunday Morning, shared his testimony and touched point by point on my Sunday morning sermon including the use of Matthew 6:33 as a key verse! God is always at work but those who attended knew God was blessing our gizzard last night! The word was fresh and clear last night and it made may heart rejoice!

 

Remember we will have Sunday Prayer Service every Sunday night and move our baptisms to the morning worship service. We tested that format last month and it worked out really well.

 

Also remember to pray for the team heading to Monmouth this Saturday! Jamie Davis and his crew will be compressing the Avalanche Ranch VBS curriculum into Maple City Baptist’s four day Vision Conference. Please join me in trusting the Lord to bless the trip and the conference in Monmouth this coming week.

 

Brian

 

 

 

 

Touching Base

It has been a long, busy day at HBF but it has been great! It is awesome to see what God is doing in the lives of people all over the planet. I am amazed at how technology has allowed the world to become so small. This week I have had substantive conversations with people in Brazil, India, Florida and Mexico. My contacts in these locations were very routine and nonchalant. Fifteen or twenty years ago it would have taken time or hefty premium to connect with folks around the world in real time.

 

It just reminds me of the believer’s responsibility to cross rivers without bridges. We must take the gospel everywhere because we can! However it still takes prayer and doors of utterance to deliver the goods!

 

Colossians 4:2-6

  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;  3  Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:  4  That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.  5  Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.  6  Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

 

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