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

Unstable Times A Coming

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The First Amendment is a cornerstone of America. Free speech and free exercise of religion is at the heart of country. Yesterday National Public Radio fired Juan Williams for stating his feelings of fear about seeing Muslims on airplanes. Being politically correct is a growing requirement in our country.

I have no doubt the pulpit will soon be in the target of the PC police. If one preaches what could be deemed as an offensive message, he will catch the wrath of those who disagree. That is okay. But when that wrath turns legal and seeks to silence the preacher, we are in big trouble.

America is on the verge of sinking. Pastors need to be courageous and biblical. When the heat comes, the church needs to stand and the preacher needs to preach what "thus saith the Lord."

Bro. Ron

Remembering a Fallen Hero

Air Force Senior Airman Mark A. Forester, HHS Class of 1999, was killed in action in southern Afghanistan Wednesday. Forester, the son of Ray and Pat Forester of Haleyville, was an Air Force Combat Controller operating with an Army Special Forces unit. His remains are scheduled to arrive Thursday evening at Dover Air Force Base, where his family will be present. Arrangements have yet to be announced. Forester was assigned to the 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.

I did not know Mark personally, but he was the first soldier killed in action from our city since the war began. I would like to thank Mark for his service to our great country. He is a true American Hero that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

To his parents and family, our prayers are with them in these difficult days. I know the citizens of our area and the city of Haleyville Alabama, will be a great support to the family and will lift them up in prayer.

May God bless the men and women that serve our country! It's only because of the grace of God and your service that we enjoy freedom in this nation.

Bro. Ron

To Burn or Not to Burn....

A Gainesville, Florida pastor has received international attention with his announced plans to burn several copies of the Koran today on 9/11. The concern is that Muslims around the world will use this display as an opportunity to recruit radicals to strike out against Americans. The issue is the First Amendment protects the right to burn a Koran.

Let’s be clear: just because you have a right to a certain action does not mean the action is right.
The plan to burn the books was foolish. The pastor announced today that the church will not burn the books. He said his church wanted to expose the threat of radical Islam and that they accomplished there goal. No good could have come from this. There are better ways to stand against radical Islam.

Our Bible, has been attacked and burned for many years. But we know it can never be destroyed. Isa. 40 says, "The grass withers and the flower fades but the word of our Lord abides forever..."

Bro. Ron

Just Because We Have A Right; Is It Right?

The plan to build a mosque two blocks from Ground Zero has been a hot topic in the press. Even President Obama has now weighed in with two different comments. Zeal and fervor abound.

America has always been a land of religious liberty. Baptists have championed the cause. But the location of the NYC mosque appears to be the issue. It is in the face of many who are tender about the towers site and those that who died there.

Let’s be clear. The law permits a place of worship to be built on the land two blocks from the September 11th attack. However, rights must always be coupled with responsibility. The only way for our kind of government to work is for people to be responsible and free. Having a right does not always make something right to do. This not only applies in the mosque issue but in various rules of law in America.

As we lose our heart we will have a more difficult time making democracy work. God give us common sense and decency. Some hills are worth dying on. However, Islamic leaders are not being wise to place the mosque in the shadow of the fallen towers and remains of loved ones.

Bro. Ron

Missions From Texas and Beyond

As I write this blog today, Renee and I are in San Angelo Texas where we just moved our daughter Ashley. Ashley and Justin were Married on May 28 and now she is where she needs to be, with her husband. Justin is stationed here at Goodfellow AFB and is in Tech school. They will be moving from here to another base when he graduates.

As we have been here I have been reminded once again of how big our world is! Texas has the name of being BIG of everything! After all, it is our largest state in the USA. The population here is around 100,000 people. I was driving down one of the roads here the other day and was thinking about all those that live here that do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

There are several churches here and many of those churches are Baptist churches. My conviction is that the Lord needs all churches, not just Baptist churches to join in the Great Commission of reaching people with the gospel.

Pray for Ashley and Justin as they find their place of service here in San Angelo. As Justin serves in the Air Force and as Ashley works in the OTA field. I know the Lord wants to use them in this process of being a witness for Jesus right here!

Bro. Ron

National Day of Prayer Ruling

http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=32729

The article I share today is a good one regarding the recent ruling against The National Day of Prayer. I cannot believe this ruling will stand. However, it shows where we are as a nation. We resemble Israel in Nehemiah’s day. We have become disobedient and rebellious against God. We have cast His law behind our back. We dismiss the prophets who call us back to God and then we go out and commit great blasphemies (See Nehemiah 9:26).

I encourage you to add the Baptist Press to your favorite list. They do an excellent job informing us of current events which affect believers.

Bro. Ron

"When The Saints Come Maeching In!"

The Saints did it. They are not the Aint’s anymore! What a great story and uplift for the city of New Orleans. The party is on. Of course, when you visit New Orleans, the party is always on, but it is now in high gear. Congrats to the Super Bowl Champions!

Few realize that New Orleans was the original location of the Southern Baptist home mission work. Why New Orleans? Because the party is always on. It is a wonderful city in many respects. However, the debauchery and drunkenness is reason enough for mission to be a priority in the city. New Orleans needed the Saints. And New Orleans needs biblical saints to come marching in with the Gospel.

Pause and pray today for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and local churches to be a light in the New Orleans region.

Bro. Ron

As an avid life-long Alabama fan, I was thrilled with the outcome of the Crimson Tide's National Championship game. The testimony that UT quarterback Colt McCoy gave in a post-game interview was also thrilling to my heart. This young man entered the game with hopes of winning the game and ending his college career on a high note. His shoulder injury five plays into the game ended that dream. What was his response when he was asked how that felt? After composing himself, Colt gave glory to God and expressed that he knew this was in His plan. He boldly proclaimed that he stands on The Rock. God used a disappointing circumstance to allow a national testimony to be given for Him. Thank God for athletes who use their platforms to share their faith. May we all be so bold.

Looking forward to a great day in worship tomorrow. We are observing Sanctity of Human Life Sunday and will have Bro. Steve Sellers from the Alabama Baptist Children's Home as our guest speaker. We will receive a special love offering for the Children's Home. Our church is collecting food for the Children's Home as well until March 2. Let's all make a difference in these young people's live while supporting our Alabama Baptist Children's Home.

Bro. Ron