Open House, June 22, 2008
It is our joy and privilege every year to open our doors wide to our friends, community, and our public servants. If you are visiting with us, welcome and thank you for being our guests. Our doors are open wide to you. If you have any questions about us or if we can serve you in any way, please be sure to ask.
Today we recognize our fire and police departments. We’re so blessed to live in this Tri-valley area and to be protected and served by our friends. The Bible says, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). With that great truth as a backdrop we know we have true friends in these public servants who risk their lives daily for us. Lighthouse Baptist Church wishes to honor these folks. Join me in warmly thanking them for their selfless service. Too often, these fine people are, at best, simply ignored, and, at worst, vilified and criticized. We owe them much. Let us not forget to thank their families as well. They too must sacrifice along with the officers. To them also we say, “Thank you.”
At the Lighthouse we often speak of displaying an attitude of servant leadership. And so we should. As Christ’s ambassadors, we should seek to serve those around us. Truly these men and women in uniform on our streets serve as great examples of what servant leadership is about. It must be more than a job in order to make such demanding and sacrificial work a vocation. Lighthouse Baptist Church is thankful to be able to express our appreciation to these fine folks in uniform on this special day.
Thank you again for coming to our Open House. If you do not have a church home, please consider making the Lighthouse your regular place of worship.
Pastor
The Greatest Batter in the World
“I’m the greatest batter in the world,” said the proud boy as he tossed the ball into the air and swung his bat. He missed.
Undaunted, he threw the ball up again and said, “I’m the greatest batter ever!” He missed again.
He looked at his ball and then his bat. Once more he tossed the ball up into the air. “I’m the greatest batter who ever lived!” He swung hard and missed.
“Wow!” he exclaimed. “And I’m an even better pitcher!”
The Marshall Family - Australia
Joe & Melissa Marshall send their thanks from Australia for the special love gift we were able to send them. They are rejoicing over this as Brother Joe had to take on a job recently to help with finances. Meanwhile, the Lord’s work continues there for the Marshalls. They just held their annual Ladies Brunch with 10 ladies present, four being visitors. It was a great day of fellowship, food and Bible study. Pray for a lady that expressed interest in meeting with Melissa in the near future. Also pray that as they follow-up with the visitors that they might be added to the church.
The Marshalls are thankful God has sent them a helper from Ambassador Baptist College. They are planning to have their “Winter” Vacation Bible School and have placed invitations and Gospel tracts in over 400 homes! Their goal is to invite 1200 people in homes and local shopping centers, as well as placing newspaper ads. Pray for this outreach opportunity that many children will come and hear the Gospel!
Let the Marshalls know you’re praying for them at joe@thatalltheearthmayknow.com.
My Son!
My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways. —Proverbs 23:26
Here, Solomon puts out two pleas to his own son. He asks him for his heart, and he asks him to observe his ways. Let us take these two pleas in reverse order.
First of all, Solomon is calling for his son to pay attention to him. He wants to be observed, for he knows that he is providing proper leadership to his son. I wonder—are we are living in such a fashion that we want our children to watch us, so that they can grow up to be like us? When Solomon asks his son to observe him, he is implying that the direction that he as a father is heading is the right way, and a way worthy to be followed. This is very important. We, as parents, are setting an example and a pattern for our children. Good or bad, intended or not, our children will mimic us. We must therefore be living in such a way that when they imitate us they will be doing what God desires and intends.
Secondly, and perhaps more important, Solomon opens the verse by asking his son to give him his heart. He wants his son to trust him, love him, and desire to be with him. Personally, I believe that Solomon never could have successfully asked his son to observe him if he did not first have his son’s heart. People follow after that which their hearts desire. If a young man loves baseball he will watch it every chance that he gets, and he will want to learn everything he can about it. If a man loves cars, he will watch races, visit garages, and read magazines so that he can know everything about the automotive industry. When a child gives his heart to his father (or mother), he will desire to be with them, and ultimately be like them.
Do you have your child’s heart today?
Think about it. —Pastor
The Butler Family - Philippines
The Butlers say “thank you!” from the Philippines for the special gift we sent to them from which the Lord has bless us with financially. It will help them greatly as they are preparing to leave on June 24th for the States on furlough. Pray that the workers will be prepared to take on the work at their departure.
Meanwhile, they praise God for the two salvations and five baptisms in Davao City! There were also 18 salvations and three baptisms in Roxas City!
Brother Butler had the privilege of preaching at the 25th anniversary of the first church service in Roxas City. What a blessing it was for him to see the progress of their ministry there under the leadership of Pastor Edwin Casipe. Praise the Lord there were over 300 people in attendance and several decisions were made.
They also had the blessing of having Brother Jim Preston and his wife, Betty Jo, as their special visiors. They took the Prestons to Marbel where he preached that evening. The next day, they went up into the mountains west of Marbel to see their two tribal pastors and their works.
Send Brother Butler an email at edbutler@mozcom.com.