Work Day

For the past 10 weeks and 3 days (as of March 9) Judy and I have been remodeling our house. We've lived in this location for 22 years without doing much to it during that time. An amazing thing happens to dwellings over time, and it's not good. Without constant attention a house will begin to deteriorate and show wear. Our house was showing signs of wear.

Such is the case with our church house. We've done some major work at times and are preparing for another major construction project, pending church final approval. But this project will add more space but not deal with most of the existing structure.

Jon Kjosa, our Facilities Manager, is a gifted individual who does so many different things around here. However, he's only one man and this is a large facility. Over time small "blemishes" appear on the building. If ignored long enough, they become major. Many of these small blemishes can be taken care of by folks like you and me.

We also know that Easter is a time when unchurched people are most open to visiting a church. We want them to come and have a good experience when they come. WE'VE GOT COMPANY COMING FOR EASTER.

At my house we get ready for company, even if the "company" is family. Judy insists the house be as neat and tidy as we can make it (and it sure will look better once the remodel job is completed).

Bacon Heights has company coming for Easter. Therefore, we are planning a workday on Saturday, March 26, at 9:30 in the morning to get our (church) house ready for company. Come help us, even if it's only for 30 minutes. We'll have a list of projects that need completing and you can work as long, or as short, as you are able. Even a small amount of help will still be help.

Reality Check!

During my Bible study today I read from Acts 12 where the angel freed Peter from prison. Herod had placed him in prison with sixteen soldiers in squads of four to guard him. Here’s the narrative: The night before Herod was going to bring Peter to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers. His hands were bound with two chains, and guards were in front of the door. They were watching the prison.

Get the picture? Herod was intent upon holding Peter in prison. His ultimate goal was to bring Peter to trial in front of the people before Passover.   But God had other plans. Back to the narrative: Suddenly, an angel from the Lord stood near Peter, and his cell was filled with light. The angel nudged Peter’s side, woke him up, and said, “Hurry! Get up!” At that moment the chains fell from Peter’s hands.  I’m not sure how soundly Peter was sleeping when the angel awakened him. How soundly could one sleep on a prison bunk, hands bound and between two soldiers? But he was asleep, an indication of either his fatigue or his peace with the Lord or perhaps some of both.

The angel told him, “Put your coat on, and follow me.” Peter followed the angel out of the cell. He didn’t realize that what the angel was doing was actually happening. He thought he was seeing a vision.  So maybe he had been sleeping more soundly than I first thought. Even though in a “trance,” Peter obeyed. They passed the first and second guard posts and came to the iron gate that led into the city. This gate opened by itself for them, so they went outside and up the street. The angel suddenly left Peter.

A couple of observations:

1.       Our perception does not always/seldom match God’s reality. Peter thought he was in a trance but God had actually sent an angel. Peter could only see the guards and bindings and cell; God saw release. How many times have my perceptions been totally different from God’s reality?  I believe it is vital for us to remember things are not always as they appear, especially in these days of terrorist attacks and ISIS victories. God is still in control.

2.       The angel didn’t leave Peter UNTIL he was safely outside the prison. The angel didn’t stay a moment longer than he was needed. God won’t short-change us when He begins a work in our lives.

3.       The more difficult the circumstance, the more God seems to delight in proving us wrong. Herod thought he had secured Peter in such a way he could not possible escape. He was wrong.

Today I’ve been considering how many times my perceptions have been wrong; how many times I’ve worried when God was trying to tell me, “I’ve got this.” I’m trying to grow—hope I’m spiritually mature by the time I die. 

Need a handy man?

Bacon Heights Baptist Church is blessed to have a number of “seasoned saints.” These are folks who have invested years and years of service to our Lord through our church. Now they are in a position to benefit from ministry to them.

The deacons of BHBC are committed to following the biblical pattern established in Acts 6 by providing care to those who are no longer able to do what they previously could. Our deacons are divided into CARE Groups and each has a staff liaison to work with them. I’m privileged to work with the Repair/Respond group.

If you have some light repairs that are beyond your ability, please contact me or one of the members of our Repair/Respond group:

            Wes Creacy, Team Leader

            Ray Duncan

            Marc Applewhite

            Mike Harendt

            Larry Viaille

            Paxton Rautis

            Keno Martin

Little things, such as changing light bulbs or replacing batteries in clocks or smoke detectors, can become the cause of a major disaster if one of our “seasoned saints” falls off a chair and breaks a hip. Please allow our deacons the opportunity to give back to those who have given so much for so long.

Parkridge Anniversary

We recently received this note from Holly Duncan, CEO of Parkridge Medical Pregnancy Center. '

     Thank you so much for being such an important part of the history of Parkridge, and such an integral part of our present opportunities for ministry. Even after 22 years, we continue to see the Lord work in mighty ways. Your long-term partnership allows us to have a significant impact in the lives of those we serve.
     With Much Gratitude,
     Holly


Bacon Heights has a history of starting, and supporting, significant ministries. This is one of our best ministry efforts ever.

We also extend congratulations and best wishes on Parkridge's 22nd anniversary, and look forward to many, many more years of Christ-center ministry to people in need.

Deacons to the Rescue!

Deacons to the rescue!

That can be your statement starting now. Our deacons have created Care Teams to better serve our church and community. One of these teams is the Repair/Respond Team. It is my privilege to serve as the staff liaison to this group. Among the responsibilities assigned to them is to assist those impaired or in crisis by providing maintenance and clean up.

We are approaching time change Sunday (November 1) very soon. Along with moving clocks back one hour we are also encouraged to change the batteries in our smoke detectors.

Our deacons realize that some of our folks shouldn’t be on ladders or chairs trying to reach the smoke detector to change the battery. They would love to help.

If you would like a deacon team to come to your house to help with some basic maintenance tasks, like:

·                   Changing the batteries in smoke detectors

·                  Changing clocks back to Central Standard Time

·                  Changing light bulbs

·                 Changing the air filters in furnaces

·                 Checking outside faucets to prevent freezing

then please call the church office (795-5261) and let us know you could use a little help. We’ll schedule a time for some guys to come to your house and take care of these maintenance items. They’d love to assist you but need to be asked.

Perhaps you know of someone needing assistance that won’t see this in our e-newsletter. Please let them know of our desire to help and give us a call. Our deacons are servants and love to serve others. Please let them have the opportunity to assist those who could use a little help. 

Is it fixed?

There's a remote possibility we have our phone fixed. It was working when we left the office for the day after 5:00. Here's hoping/praying the fix holds and we have phone service when we arrive Wednesday morning. I LOVE TECHNOLOGY--when it works.

I Love Technology--When it Works!

We have trouble with our phone system at church. (Such a simple statement.)
We've been having phone trouble at church for nearly a week. (Statement of unresolved issues.)
We've been unable to get it fixed. (Statement of extreme frustration.)
We've been unable to determine who needs to fix our phone system. (Statement of exasperation.)
We've learned our phone system is connected to our internal internet. (Statement of anxiety.)

We have an I.T. person working on our system this very minute. Hopefully (PRAYERFULLY) he will be able to get it fixed.

Bottom line is there's an explanation as to why you've not been able to contact us by phone. We've been here diligently working and seeking a resolution to our phone system. Technology--love it/hate it, but it's here to stay.