168 Colonial Drive, Jackson, MS 39204
Senior Adult and Education Ministries
JUNE 1, 2020
I am horrified and disgusted.
What in the world was that police officer thinking when he had his knee on the neck of George Floyd, who was handcuffed, and the man wasn't breathing?
And now the rioting and burning of stores, vehicles and police precinct offices in our cities by the worst of our population?
Some of my dearest friends have a different skin color than mine and I love them dearly. I find it sad that so many were trying to peacefully express their anger and frustration (and they have every right to) and others have not been allowed to express their sympathy and remorse and respect to Mr. Floyd's widow and children, because of the fury of the anger and the blatant disrespect for law and order by a few. May God help us all!
God says, "If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
I ask every decent American to pray for those in leadership positions in our government, whether national, state or local, that they will seek God's face and His wisdom and show the love of God toward one another.
Church Leaders met Tuesday, 5/19, to discuss church plans. The consensus among the 12 present was to be safe and wait a little while longer before we reopen for corporate services. Our desire is to meet again in June. Considering the average age of our church members, we agreed to wait until July to reopen, unless things change dramatically for the better.
Perhaps in the midst of this terrible crisis you find yourself afraid that you might die because you don't know where you will go after this life is over. There are only two places.
But my dear friend, there is good news! Great news!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"For Christ hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18
"Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, by which we must be saved." Acts 3:12
Perhaps God is calling you this day to trust Him completely. He sent His Son Jesus to die so that you might live forever in heaven. Your decision to trust Jesus as God's only begotten Son is a private decision between you and God, but God requires that you seal the matter with a public confession... with your mouth.
"If you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10
"Whoever will confess me before me, him will I confess before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Romans 10:13
If you are sincere and mean it, God will save you and Jesus will prepare a place for you in heaven. John 14:1-6
Today you can have the assurance to know that if you should get the corona virus and die, you will go to heaven.
Nell Rose and I have found a great excuse to get out of the house and safely see many of our church members. We delivered May Mature Living magazines in early May, then last Wednesday and Thursday we delivered the June ones. Got caught Wednesday in the storm and had to finish on Thursday. Safe distancing, wearing our masks. Most of the time putting literature in mailboxes. While we were out, one of our church members said "why didn't you bring our summer quarter Sunday School books, too?" Duh, great question. So we came to the church Friday, got the Sunday School books and delivered them Friday and finished on Saturday. It was so good to briefly see so many of our people that had ordered a Mature Living magazine or had a Sunday School book. I put pictures of the early May delivery on the website. Too many to take pictures of all the Sunday School members Friday and Saturday and post them.
I pray you are staying safe and will be ready to return to church when it is clean and safe. You can call me anytime. I am always available to you.
May 24, 1970, 50 years ago, Fairhaven Baptist Church in Demopolis, Alabama, ordained me to the gospel ministry. I had served them as their Minister of Music and Youth my senior year at Livingston University, in Livingston Alabama. I was graduating college and about to begin as fulltime Minister of Music and Youth at Ferris Hill Baptist Church in Milton, Florida, where I had served as summer Youth Director in 1969. I would enter the seminary at New Orleans in the fall and commute each week. It was such a wonderful time for me. I loved Jesus more than anything and still do and wanted everyone to know Him. I knew I was growing in God's grace because I couldn't study the Bible enough and was willing to talk to anyone about Jesus wherever I met them. God bless those dear people at Fairhaven for taking a chance on a 22 year old Virginia transplant "green music and youth minister." I cherish their faith in me and pray that I have not disappointed them too badly. I certainly am not perfect, but I have continued to serve our Lord wherever He has led me. So today I say thank you to the dear folks at Fairhaven for seeing in me things I didn't see in myself.