A Muzzled Pulpit?

For years there has been a movement against having God mentioned in any
fashion when connected to the state. No prayer or Bible reading in school was
the beginning. Crosses being removed from public ground is common place.
Christmas is given very little space if a manger is involved. But this week
America changed.

Our nation took a dangerous step down a slippery slope. The US government
walked right into the pulpit of Army chaplains and told them what they could and
could not proclaim regarding abortion and the health care debate.

When the government begins to silence the pulpit you can know America is no
longer seeking neutral ground. The state wants to control the church and its
message.

An unfettered pulpit has always been a hallmark of religious liberty in this
country. I realize many will think this over the top. But in Germany the pulpit
was muzzled when Hitler came to power. We cannot stand for such behavior. Some
will be called on to speak when told to be silent.

May God give us boldness to speak, persistence to stand and courage to count
the cost. God help America.

Bro. Ron

Giving In The New Year!

Imagine what your life would look like if you only committed 2.56% of
yourself to what you do. Marriage? Career? Recreation? Think about this during
this New Year.

The average church member only gives 2.56% of his/her
income to any church or charity. The church will never get all of its assignment
accomplished with that low financial investment from the membership.

As we begin this New Year, we need to evaluate our giving as well as
planning our 2012 giving. Here are 4 things to ponder:

1. Give at least the first tenth of your income to your local church.

2. Give over and above the first tenth of your income.

3. Leave a legacy of at least one-tenth of your estate to your local
church.

4. Leave a legacy of at least five percent of your estate to Great
Commission ministries, or enities of our state: Children's Home, ALCAP, etc.

You are never more like Jesus than when you are giving. Think about
it!


Bro. Ron

Personal Renewal Days

As we are vacationing in Florida, I have been thinking about "Renewal." In just a few days, (July 24-27) we will be having our 16th Annual Revival Celebration at NPBC. I pray they will be "renewal days" for us as a person, couple, and church.

• First, I pray a fresh time of renewal in my love for Jesus. Reading and praying the Scripture has impacted my life for many years especially in these days. The teachings there are so refreshing every day.

• Second, I pray for a fresh time of renewal in my love for Renee. She is my partner and friend as well as my wife. We have been together almost 32 years. And I believe the best is yet to come.

• Third, I pray for a fresh time of renewal in my love for New Prospect. We have much to do. And I am dreaming new dreams and seeing new visions. For all of you who are part of that faith family, let’s get prepared to be used of the Lord.

Renewal time is coming! I pray that we will be prepared to receive it and not miss out on God's best for us.

Bro. Ron

Love is Spelled TIME~

"By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him, but I did not find him."

(Song of Solomon 3:1)

A couple decades ago, Christian publishers released waves of books on marriage, family, and childrearing from a biblical perspective. Many of them countered a popular cultural notion that championed quality of time over quantity of time in relationships. Not so, Christian authors said: "Quantity of time spent in relationships is just as important as quality of time, if not more so. Love, some suggested, could be spelled t-i-m-e."

It won't come as a surprise to modern married couples that the first spat in the marriage of King Solomon and his Shulamite bride was over the issue of time. Shulamith expected Solomon home at a certain hour and he showed up in the middle of the night. And Shulamith was too offended to get up and let him in. They patched things up in due course, but the tension they experienced is a warning to anyone in any relationship: "There is no substitute for time spent together."

Whether in marriage, childrearing, a relationship with God, or just good friends, growth and intimacy grow over time.
Consider your relationships today: Are you giving the people you love the time they deserve?

Bro. Ron

Merry Christmas from our House!

Renee and I would like to wish all our church family and friends a very Merry Christmas! God came to us in the form of a baby born in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. This birth changed the course of history and changes lives each and every day! May this Christmas be a wonderful time for each of us to recommit ourselves afresh to His love and grace.

Renee and I are looking forward to having our daughter and son-in-law with us a few days from Texas. Ashley and Justin are living in San Angelo while stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base. I thank God for his service and ll our service men and women serving our great country. May these families that are apart during these days be comforted with the presence of our Lord.

Bro. Ron

16 Years as Pastor

On Wednesday November 2, 1994, New Prospect Baptist Church voted to call me as their pastor. I remember the night just like it was yesterday. Renee and I heard a knock at the door. After opening the door we found 4 people standing outside: W.E. & Helen Batchelor and Terry & Billie Ruth Fannin. They came to inform us that the church had just voted to call me as their new pastor.

The former pastor, Bro. Jack Woodall had retired. Bro. Jack was a dear friend that I loved as a father. He and Mrs Ann were a blessing to all that knew them. But with Bro. Jack's health failing, he wanted to go ahead and retire and move back to his home in Pell City. Of course, we accepted the call to be their pastor and I resigned my church, at Bethel #2 that Sunday. It was very difficult to do because I had never resigned a church before since it was my first. I shared with our deacons that I had been called to NPBC and I would be leaving in 30 days. When I shared it with our church at the close of the service, it was very difficult to do. I was very emotional and most everyone else was as well. The Lord gave me a group of people that loved me and supported me at Bethel. Many of those dear saints of God are gone now. They have crossed over on the other side. They have "entered into the joy of the Lord..."

The Lord has blessed our church at NPBC. I have been able to be in two churches since being called to preach. Each church have been nothing but supportive to me and for that I am thankful. I have been able to be their pastor and they have supported and prayed for me. These past 16 years have truly been great times for me and my family. We have some of the best people to work with! My prayer would be to finish strong and stay focussed and faithful to our Lord. May God help me to continue preaching His Word and sharing Christ here and around the world. Number 17 is just around the corner!

Bro. Ron

Happy Thankgiving!

Centuries before Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving an American holiday by official proclamation in 1863, the apostle Paul was calling Christ-followers to a daily life of thankfulness.
In fact, Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians contains what we could call one of the most dramatic proclamations on giving thanks in the Scriptures: “to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

Now, I know it isn’t always easy to give thanks. In fact, it’s tempting at times to throw up our hands and say, “This is just too hard!” But take heart. Paul knew a thing or two about difficult times. He knew the pain of prison and persecution, and unspeakable hardship.
So when Paul, the greatest Christian who ever lived, tells us to “give thanks in ALL things” this is no ivory tower proclamation. No. It’s a bold statement of trust.

You see, when you give thanks in all things you acknowledge that God is in control of everything!
I can assure you that whatever you are facing, God is still in control. Assure your family and friends of this today when you give thanks for the blessings in your life!

Bro. Ron