Merry Christmas from our House

Jesus He came not to a throne,but to a manger.

He lived not as a king,but as a servant.

He chose not a kingdom,but a cross.

He gave not just a little,but everything.

May you have a blessed Christmas Day

Pastor Ron Horton

*Words by Holley Gerth

Our Steps are Ordered by the Lord

A friend of mine was telling me the other day that runners now can have tracking devices implanted in their shoes. And with these little chips, race officials can track them wherever they are in the race.

That same chip will send a computerized message to a select group of friends so they can keep up with the runner’s progress. It’s amazing. A tiny chip tracking every step!

Now, if man can figure out something like that, don’t you think God knows where you and I are at all times, what we’re doing, and where we are going? Of course, he does, and he doesn’t need a chip! That’s because “The steps of a man are established by the lord, when he delights in his way.”

But you see, God is not just tracking your steps. He is orchestrating them as well. So when you veer off course, he gently helps you make adjustments, giving you opportunities to get back on track. God directs your steps… as well as your stops!

If your heart takes joy in pleasing God, seek his will daily. Then you can rest assured that your steps are ordered by the Lord.

You are right in his center of vision. God is literally keeping track of you because of his love for you. This is his promise!

Bro. Ron

Is It A Crime To Pray At School?

America is the greatest nation on the planet. However, some things are changing. I am 50 years old and the nation is vastly different now than when I was a child. Illegal immigrants, secularization of public schools, and Muslims living here in numbers which make them a religious percentage of the population are just a few of the things that have changed. This list could be very long. I often hear people say, “This nation is in trouble.” And I must agree. We are in need of a revival of God’s people and a fresh boldness to stand.

I recently read an article about Pace High School principal Frank Lay. His case is now being handed over to the criminal court. Of what crime is he accused? He asked Athletic Director Robert Freeman to pray before a meal where a small group of boosters came together on campus to celebrate the completion of the new field house. Someone in attendance was offended and reported the “prayer crime.” The recent ACLU suit left the school district with a court order that prohibits any religious expression. So the principal and athletic director were in violation. Here we are in America. A 30+ year worker in the public school system is going to court in September for asking a blessing before a meal on school grounds. I am telling you this is not America. This is not what the forefathers risked all for. This is not what young men and women bled for defending this country. To quote the Commander in Chief on another issue: this is acting stupidly. But, this is the America we live in today. Socialism is next. Then comes communism. If we do not stand with Mr. Lay, they will come and take us away next.

Pray for these men as they stand for what is right and may their tribe increase!

Bro. Ron

We had a wonderful mission trip in Romania this year with 16 team members traveling to Bucharest and Cluj. Our Lord gave us a great harvest of 144 souls saved and encouraged the churches and saints of God. We are greatful for Bro. Mike Goforth for leading us for several years and making a difference there. The people of Romania are such a blessing to our team and we have made lasting friends. We are thankful to the churches we serve, families and individuals for their prayers and support. We are already making plans for 2010.

Here We Go Again!

I am looking forward to traveling back to Romania in a few weeks with our team from 4 states. The Lord has truly blessed our efforts the past several years as I have been part of the mission teams. I thank God for our church at New Prospect Baptist, that has allowed me to minister around the world. They have helped financially, prayed and supported wherever they could to be involved. What a blessing it is to be able to share the gospel and see people come to faith in Christ.

As our team prepares spiritually and mentally for the trip, may the Lord give us a safe and fruitful trip back to our brothers and sisters in Romania. May He lead us to be on mission each day of our lives as we prepare for His soon coming!

Bro. Ron

Does The Church Need To Repent?

The Christian Science Monitor carried an interesting story last week. Michael Spencer wrote the article that was headlined, “The Coming Evangelical Collapse”. He says an anti-Christian chapter in Western history is about to begin. He writes of a coming apostasy and predicts millions of evangelicals will quit.
He bases the column on the recent study, the American Religious Identification Survey. Conducted by researchers at Trinity College of Hartford, Connecticut, he cites the findings that those calling themselves Christian is down 10% since 1990. The number is now 76%.

We cannot deny that the American church is in trouble. And the troubles are ours. The need of the hour is repentance within the body of Christ. We need to return to our first love and be open to the fresh leading of the Holy Spirit and to His manifestation of Bible faith in our culture.

Tuesday March 17 was St Patrick’s Day. Many know of the day as wearing green, having a parade, drinking beer and eating corn beef. However, if you go back and read of Patrick you will find him a Gospel preacher calling people to repentance in Ireland. He died March 17, 461 A.D. We would be wise to look at history and ask God to raise up others to call us to repentance.

Bro. Ron

Where Are The Encouragers?

Well, the time change is officially here. We all set our clocks forward the other day and now we are in full "Spring Forward" motion. I usually get up, shower, shave, get dressed, have devotional time and study time, have my coffee and read the Birmingham News paper.

For the first fews days, I felt rather sluggish. I told Renee that I felt like I was "Jet-lagged" even. But now, I feel almost back to normal and things are about the same.

Mornings are important. Bible reading, prayer, coffee or tea and the morning paper seem to have a regular place for many people. Psalm 5:3 says, “In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; in the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.” As you settle in to the new time structure I encourage you to remember your time with Jesus each day. Then walk with Him every step of the daily journey.

In the coming weeks, let me encourage you to send cards, emails and share words of encouragement to others. The scripture says to encourage one another. Never underestimate what a note means. Take time and mail or email one today. Forget about sending the forwards that you think will be a blessing. Instead take time to write a personal note of encouragement and exhortation. It will work!

Bro. Ron

Parenting Our Children

I enjoyed our "Baby Dedication" this past Sunday with Chris and Emily Mims. I shared this Scripture with you, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.” (Deuteronomy 6:6)

What are your children exposed to in their daily lives? Children mimic what they see. They become what they are taught face-to-face, heart-to-heart, and life-to-life.
According to Scripture, we should teach our children values, faith, and biblical truths personally. Unfortunately, many parents leave the teaching to television, music, peers, schools, or even church.

While Sunday school, and church activities are all great tools to help instill faith, none are meant to be a substitute for anyone.
So I want to encourage you today to live every day loving God, fearing God, and obeying God. There’s no “time out” for parenting. Every day, every hour, and every moment is important. Why? Because you can’t plan the best teaching moments.

Have you ever noticed that the best family moments are when you’re hanging out, talking, and just being together? You can’t put your children on hold while you fulfill your own life. You must be engaged. May the Lord help us to be the best parents possible.

Someone said, "Being a parent is an awesome responsibility. It's one of those jobs that when you learn how to do it, you lose it..." Lord, help us to do it well!

Bro. Ron

Stand Up For Jesus

The order has come down in the case of two minors in Florida who were offended by prayers and other religious practices in Santa Rosa County schools. The ACLU paper "The Torch" tells of their Religious Freedom Project Director Glenn Katon bringing this suit. The school system has agreed to being silenced. No prayers are allowed to be planned for graduation and it seems religious baccalaureate services are to just form out of thin air if they happen at all. Or maybe the wording allows for a secular baccalaureate service.
If you are a teacher or student in a public school I want to encourage you to be courageous. This is no time to say we cannot talk about Jesus at school. Be creative in your proclamation of Christ.
As I Peter 3 :14-15 reminds us, "But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.”

There remains a strong voice in America led by the ACLU that wants no hint of religion outside of church property. They will say that is not so but their actions indicate a different thought. The wall of separation between church and state is leading us to a secularization of America. A nation that is not “under God” will be a nation that is soon gone under.

Bro. Ron

Purpose Driven Prayer

Rick Warren has been asked to offer the invocation at Barak Obama’s inauguration on January 20, 2009. The Southern Baptist pastor has drawn fire for his stance against Proposition 8 in California. The people voted for it and defined marriage as being between a man and a woman. Now gay rights activists have said they are feeling betrayed that Warren was invited to pray.
However, very little ink has been given to the man asked to deliver the benediction. The Rev. Joseph Lowery is a retired United Methodist pastor. He is called the Dean of the Civil Rights movement. Ebony magazine calls him one of the 15 greatest black preachers. If you have ever heard him you will agree he is a powerful speaker. After marching with Dr. Martin Luther King he was a founder and later president and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference from 1977 until 1998. He led the Cascade Methodist Church to great things during his days of pastoral leadership in Atlanta.
Dr. Lowery believes marriage is a civil right and should not be denied to gays or lesbians. He has also called for the ordination of gay clergy in the Methodist church. Along with over 51% of voters in California and over 60% in Florida, I disagree with his stance. Both states voted for marriage to remain as defined being between a man and a woman. This is a moral issue. It is a Bible issue. While you can count on Dr. Lowery praying a soul moving prayer to close the inauguration, he is wrong on this marriage issue. Rick Warren has it correct. If a man can marry a man then the logical next step is toward polygamy and then allowing a man to marry a child. On and on the slippery slope falls. Without a doubt it is time for America to pray.

Remember to pray for Rick Warren as he gives the opening prayer on January 20. Pray he will be a bright light for Jesus and will be used of God for the Christian faith.

Bro. Ron