Wonderful Week and Weekend

Well, we are all tired to say the least!!

We had a wonderful week of services and some very good sermons. I enjoy Bro. Bobby Roberson and his "down-to-earth" wisdom. What can be said about a man that has been at the same church for almost 50 years, I think.

Bro. Sam Davison is a highlight for me. I really enjoy his style of delivery and his very practical tips for living the Christian life.

The music and preaching of Bro. Lonnie Moore was a blessing. I love to hear someone sing that puts everything into it and that gentleman does that for sure. I believe he could sing in The Coliseum and be heard by everyone.

Then Thursday and Friday we enjoyed Bro. R. B. Oulette. He really preaches hard and doesn't hold back anything.

On Wednesday night, we had a 21 year old man saved. Tonight he was baptized. It was so exciting to watch him as Bro. Garber was explaining to him the act of baptism before they introduced him. He was so intent in listening to him. It reminded me of a little child that was filled with wonder and awe when they first hear about Jesus.

We had so many visitors in the services throughout the week and then again today we had a good number. A couple that visited with us for a while a couple of years ago came all through the meeting and were back today, along with his grandmother. They all joined the church tonight; he by statement, her by baptism and the grandmother by moving her membership from a church in Garland, Texas. So God is sending more workers onto the field.

It was pretty cold as we boarded the bus this morning! We got about 2-3 miles from the church and a buzzer sounded that alerted us that there was a problem with the motor or something. We finally figured out that the anti-freeze was leaking out. We had not picked up anyone and decided that we should turn around and drive back to church and pray that we made it, to avoid a towing charge. We argued with ourselves about whether to get the back-up bus and start back out late. We decided that if the first bus made it back with no more problems so that we weren't too late we would give it a try.

Thank goodness for modern conveniences. The cell phone was a very handy tool. I called all the children ahead and let them know that we were running behind but would be there soon. We ended up with 37 (actually 36 on the bus--one girl had thought she missed the bus and got her mom to take her) and 2 of those children were first time visitors. The two visitors were children that did not live in our area but might ride on one of the other busses so we shared that information with the respective bus captains and hopefully we will see them again.

Bro. Himes preached some good sermons from the book of Ecclesiates today and there was a very good spirit among the people.

Bro. Himes used this verse at the Bus Breakfast Saturday and I thought it was very thought provoking:

Ec 4:13
¶ Better is a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish
king, who will no more be admonished.

Worship (in spirit and in truth)

We listened to a very profound sermon yesterday. Bro. Himes used the text in John 4 concerning the Samaritan woman.

One verse in that passage has always stood out to me: vs. 23 "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth; for the Father seeketh such to worship Him." The bold words have always fascinated me. What does it mean to worship in spirit and in truth?

I looked up the passage on my Sword Searcher program and this is what I got from it. Jesus was confronting the woman about her soul's condition. Bro. Himes pointed out vividly yesterday how she changed the subject. That is exactly what happens today when the Spirit is dealing with a person. Many times they will try to change the subject. They won't change it to something completely unrelated. They will keep it on a spiritual level but any Christian who has studied their Bible at all will be able to quickly tell that they are talking apart from the Holy Spirit! Jesus quickly brought her back to the only thing that was going to make a difference in her life--a change in her spiritual condition.

She questioned him about his views on the best place to worship; afterall, the Samaritans didn't worship in Jerusalem and the Jews were very firm that they should worship in the temple in Jerusalem. Then Jesus makes the statement in vs 23. The hour was coming and now was that TRUE worshippers would worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Barnes concordance on the Sword Searcher commented that worshipping in spirit meant a worship that came from the inside and was not regulated by outside sources. So He was telling her that she had been caught up on all the rituals and outward show of religion but He was there and His purpose was to fulfill every ritual and outward show of religion by his voluntary death on the cross to save us from the penalty of our sin. HE was the fulfillment. Hebrews spoke of the fact that the rituals performed in the tabernacle were simply types of what was to come, types of Jesus and His future work. But Jesus was there before her, ready to be offered and He was searching for someone to trust Him and worship him on a personal level(in spirit) and understanding that HE was the truth.

Such a blessing to know that our eternal peace is bought and paid for and all He ask in return is that we accept Him as truth. Our worship will then be an internal worship of the spirit, giving Him the proper, preimminent place in our lives.

WHAT A SAVIOR!

Guimon Article

Here is a touching article about Dr. Guimon.



http://www.thetd.com/viewpoints/frankly.php

Frosty Tootsies, Foul Mouths & Forty Minus Ten

Wow, what a title. Today it was 4 degrees when we left on the bus and to be honest my tootsies almost broke off.(which is really not all that bad for an old woman who stays hot all the time) Even Buddy and David moved back farther on the bus so their feet could warm up by a heater vent.

Bus 5 was the number one bus again with 30(Forty Minus Ten) and 1 first time visitor. It was a much more manageable group than the fifty from last week; although Bro. Odom thinks the larger crowd is better because all the seats are full and people can't be up moving around so much.

I was surprised that we had the number we had since I did not go out to visit Saturday. Our car had to have some work done on it before it could pass inspection for license this month and we didn't need to have it done on a workday. It was also so cold, I just decided to call everyone. I don't want to make a habit of that and it is the first time I have done it in 5 years so I guess that wasn't too bad.

Now, for the "Foul Mouth" part. I had a girl come from the back of the bus to report that Mikael had made a perverse statement to one of the teen girls. I called him to the front and "counseled" with him. I think when I finished that he understood that we don't talk like that on the bus. He also knew that I love him very much and want him to be a good boy. After he got off the bus, I went to the back and had some time with the girls that had reported the statement and been the victim of the statement. We talked about how to NOT respond to someone making a statement like that and why that was a wrong thing to say. We had to talk about some pretty touchy things but I am determined that those children know that the bus is not the place to talk bad. I want them to feel like the bus is a safe place and it is ok to be nice and curb your desires to act and talk dirty on there.

I couldn't help but watch the 13 year old boy who was the first time visitor. He had gotten on with two teen girls. I think he was totally amazed at the way the kids on there sang and said the books of the bible and had a good time. I just couldn't keep from thinking that these girls would probably never have been bold enough to witness but they aren't afraid to bring their friends on the bus and show them that they like church things.

Next week is the Bible Conference and we have a good schedule. We have Bro. Bobby Roberson, Bro. Sam Davison, Bro. R. B. Oulette, and Bro. Lonnie Moore. I am sure there is more info on the church website: www.2ndbaptistchurch.com

I know one thing....there will probably be little time for blogging next week and we will be REAL tired when the week is over.

Psalm 27:4
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple."

A Mighty Warrior is Home!

We first became acquainted with Dr. Kyle Guimon in 1997, just before Shawn, our oldest, graduated from high school. Bro. Guimon was on deputation at the time to go to Uganda as a missionary with BIMI. He was a professor at Missouri Baptist College. I spoke with him about the school and he encouraged us to send Shawn there. With his recommendation, Shawn went and graduated.

Before Shawn's graduation from college, the Guimons were on the mission field and working hard to help start an orphanage for the many children left parentless due to civil war in the country. www.tellafrica.org

I helped out in our church office one summer and one of my jobs was to file all the missionary letters. There were quite an abundance of them but one missionary stood out to me.....Bro. Guimon. He was so good at keeping the churches abreast of everything going on there. He would write little personable stories about the things happening there and I loved it. As a result, I requested that they add me to their mailing list. For the past two years I have kept up with them through their emails and have corresponded personally a couple of times.

I have been impressed with their hearts for God's service. They have been through MANY situations that would have put a lot of people out of the ministry and yet they have held their heads up high and continued the fight.

That fight came to an end this Monday as Bro. Guimon's body finally succumbed to the call of his Lord. Please pray for his sweet wife, Debbie and their son, Matthew, who is 15.

Here is the last personal message from Dr. Guimon before his open heart surgery. It is fitting!

"I want to thank all of you who have been praying for me. All of your prayers have felt like a warm blanket wrapped around me. It is really neat when God gives us situations where we have no choice but to totally rest in the love and peace that only God gives. In fact, that is what he wants for us all the time if we would only allow Him to do it in our lives. I am not very excited about being cut open by a saw and having people dig around on my heart, but I know that I will be in the center of God’s will laying there on that table on Monday morning. I will be just as safe there as in Uganda or Sudan.



John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.



Thanks for caring,

Kyle

Study, Study, Study

I am trying to do a lot of studying on the counseling books. I am learning so much and realizing how I may have just needed to be counseled myself.

Yesterday I learned that it is impossible to know God's will if you are not studying His word. God's word is all He has given us to refer to and if we truly want to please Him, we will read and study His word.

One thing I have always struggled with is making decisions. It seems so hard. I have done all the things that the book says are examples of a christian living by "external to scriptural" principles. Have you used the flip and point method, putting out the fleece,casting lots, trusting feelings(I have peace about it) or looking for open doors to make decisions. All of these are a dead give away that you do not study enough to know the scriptural principles that God clearly spells out in His word. OUCH!

Here is a very convicting sentence: "Circumstances---often referred to as open and closed doors--only provide occasions (not guidance) for basic decision-making: they do (however) often provide help for making preferential decisions among several "goods" when you are in God's option box. But circumstances won't help put you there; only biblical principles will do that."
This is going to be hard to work through for me but I have wondered about this for a long time. There seem to be so many ways to interpret a situation. For instance, my husband is a very cautious person. We struggled with the decision about schooling EVERY year. Financially we were not really able to do what we did but we FELT it was the right decision. Mikes way of interpreting our financial decision about school was that it couldn't be God's will because there was no money for it. I, on the other hand, am a more trusting person and spontaneous. My way of interpreting that is to say that God just wanted us to trust Him. We never went hungry and we never had a child that didn't have his basic needs met but we have certainly had financial struggles as a result of it. I am very anxious to get the interpretation question resolved.

The "holding principle" was introduced yesterday. I am still struggling with this. It deals with holding back until you are certain you are not sinning when making any decision. Holding back is NOTHING I EVER want to do. So, Lord, please teach me this lesson!!!!

It deals with Romans 14:23 "And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." Now that scripture was dealing with the eating of meats offered to idols. The problem was that the mature christian understood that the idols were nothing and so therefore felt free to purchase, in the market place, the cheaper meats that had been offered to the idols. But Paul is trying to point out that the weaker brother may be led into sin because of your freedom. Another may be troubled in his heart because he isn't sure that the meat is right to eat or not and he may follow your lead and thereby sin because of his lack of faith about it.

Listen to this explanation of the verse: "What Paul is saying is that a Christian may never do anything that he thinks is (or suspects may be) sin. And the point is--it is sin (and he is condemned by doing so) if he does eat in doubt. Note, he is not condemned because eating meat is wrong (Romans 14:14a), but because he went ahead and ate while thinking his act was (or might be) sin. It wasn't the eating that was sin, but his faithless act. His attitude toward God, expressed by that act, was rebellious. He thought, "This is (or might be) sin, but I'm going to do it anyway." That is where the sin enters the picture. "

THIS IS GOING TO BE HARD!!! Anotherwords, in all I do, I must be sure in my heart, by biblical principle, that I am not sinning. "Many good results flow from a faithful application of the holding(or "if it is doubltful, it's dirty") principle."

Well, more tomorrow!

One Touch

Bus stories come to my mind over and over through the week and this one was a good one. If you have been reading my blog for long, you will remember Ciara. She is my 8 year old who got saved and baptized along with her mother recently. I called her "Miss Manipulator" as I was trying to point out to her that it was a sin to act in a sweet way just to get something. I think that we have corrected some of that behaviour. The last few weeks I have tried to be lovingly firm with her and give her an opportunity to obey me. You know, my mom used to tell me that my oldest child was good because I always gave him what he wanted. That really wasn't the truth but I do realize that I try my best to step around and issue and avoid conflict. So, I have tried not to do that with Ciara. She knows I love her and I think that is the most important thing before making demands.

She ended up beside me at some point in the ride to church. It wasn't long until I had to go to the back of the bus to make some corrections and then I had to stand up and lead the singing. So there she was right there on the front seat staring up at me. I can not remember who it was or why I wanted someone on the front seat but I asked Ciara to scoot over and let this person sit with her. She refused. I said "Ciara, remember, you must obey. This is what Jesus wants you to do." She still refused and I admonished her again. Soon enough, she gave in and scooted over. I was so busy that I barely complimented her about it.

In the afternoon, I remembered to give a few well-deserved praises to several children who had obviously done well in Junior church and on the bus. Ciara was standing in the aisle and she said, "Mrs. Cozart, I have been thinking about that this week. Sometimes when I don't get my way I throw fits and kick my feet, but when I was doing that this week I thought that Jesus would not be happy." I assured her that was right and that all she needed to do was tell Him she was sorry and she would be right back in fellowship with Him once again. I explained that she was still a baby christian and it took some growing up before she would be able to correct those problems.

Soon enough, I heard my name again. It was Ciara. She said "Mrs. Cozart, I heard something in my class today!' I questioned her further and she began to tell me the story that some Sunday School teacher had so diligently studied and told in a very memorable way. The story had been about the healing of the "death and dumb boy"! LOL I had to correct her and explain that deaf meant that he could not hear. But, do you know what stuck out in her mind more than anything else? This teacher had explained that Jesus healed that boy with just ONE TOUCH! Ciara looked at me with wondering eyes. "How did He do that with just one touch?" she asked. "Why, Ciara, Jesus is God and He has ALL POWER!"

Yes, Ciara, there is a God. His name is Jesus and He has ALL POWER. And if the touch you received was truly from Him, there is healing power in that touch---for the body, mind and soul!!!

Fifty is Nifty!

Well, today Bus 5 had our goal of 50! It is amazing that they all came since we had snow flurries all day and I had a couple of calls to make sure we were running the bus. Sure enough, there were no slick roads and most everyone who promised me on Saturday they were coming came. There were a few exceptions so I have to get busy and work on them next week.

We had three first time riders and I believe two of them will continue to ride. Those two were neighbors of Shawna. She had told me a couple of times that they wanted to ride but she would tell me on Sunday morning when they didn't have time to get ready so on Saturday this week, after knocking on her door and not getting an answer, I decided to try the neighbors door. Sure enough I was met by a very gracious grandmother who told me that the 5 year old had wanted to ride the last two weekends and had cried and begged her mother to get to come. The grandmother had promised herself that she would try to call the church when I knocked on her door and caught her before she got the chance. She was very happy to let the children ride and I do believe they will continue. The little girl is 5 and her brother is 8. I can't wait to see what the Lord does in that situation.

The other visitor was a 12 year old friend of Christina. She didn't seem to be impressed too much. She lives on another bus route so I promised I would give her information to the other bus captain just in case she decides to ride again.

Another exciting thing that happened was that Chris, one of the new riders from several weeks ago got saved today. He is a sixth grader and seems to be very thoughtful. Praise the Lord that another soul has been rescued. I just pray that we can be instrumental in training him to be ALL that God wants him to be.

I had many opportunities to be a mom today!!Haley hadn't been on the bus very long until she said "Mrs. Cothart(she is only 5) my tummy hoowts." I thought....."OH NO....I sure wish I had gathered all those barf bags off the plane before we got off!!!" I just hugged her and asked if she thought she could make it just a few more minutes and she assured me she could. We were close to church so as soon as she got off she got a drink and seemed to recover nicely.

Caleb was on again and he and his sister allowed me to give them hugs and were very cooperative. They even both won prizes in junior church for being good!!!! Now that was very hard work for them.

One of the older girls slipped as she was coming out of the building to go to the bus after church and really skinned up her palms and a knee, which tore her jeans. She was pretty upset about it but we got to use the "Handy Dandy First Aid Kit". She didn't act too happy with me when I told her I had had worst scratches on my eyeball(An old saying that my dad used to tell us when we got a scratch).

I got to sit down and converse with a couple of the "Katrina" victims. Little Mikeal told me in his "N'arlens" lingo that someday he's moving back. He is only 7 so I guess he has a while to wait. He told me about having to go up in his attic when the storm was rising and bringing his puppy up there in his cage. If I understood him, he had to leave his dog there. How traumatic for a 7 year old. His cousin said they had to leave everything there.

The big girls were having their problems today. It was very hard to get their attention but I am very glad they were all on. We sang soooooooooooooo many songs! Though it was snowing outside, it was steamy in the bus with all the talking that was going on.

We are still getting prepared for the Bible Conference on Feb 20-24. The ensemble is learning and relearning several songs. Lord, please help Mike and I remember our words!!!!!

Bro. Himes preached a great sermon on the love of God this morning. I see that his young couples class is growing these days. Praise the Lord!!!

All in all, today was a GREAT Sunday. My cup is full!!!

Busy Day

It was good to be back to the bus again this weekend. We had no new riders but still came in 1st place with 30 regulars. We have to get busy because my goal is to maintain 50 for a while.

The sweet little faces made me fall in love with every one of them again. I was able to pick up one teen girl that has been missing church for a few Sunday's and take her with me on visitation so that I could find out if something was wrong with her. Sure enough she broke down and unloaded her burden. Such tender hearts we have! She is still missing her youth pastor that has been gone for 2 years. She knew she was special to him. He visited in her home many times, was there when she got saved, talked to her family when she needed permission to get baptized. He did the same with her brother. He also encouraged her family to come several times. She is from a broken home and I suppose she had put all her emotions into the friendship she had with the Willises. She has had so many hurts in her life and this was just one more crushing blow. I assured her that I cared and needed her on the bus to help me. She is very good help and will do anything you ask her to gladly. She is also upset because she has no friends at school with the exception of two other girls from church who ride another bus. She said things are so bad at her school and she really wants to do the right thing. She needs so much prayer!!!

There are so many broken hearts and homes when you begin to deal with people! I am happy to be able to tell them there is hope!!!

I was thinking last night as we were practicing for our ensemble and for choir about all the songs we are singing. SUCH HOPE! Just read these words:
I carried a burden, a staggering weight,
And struggled for freedom but could not escape;
I trembled and cried at the thought of my fate,
What must I do to be saved?
I desprately searched for release from my pain
But found that man's wisdom was useless and vain,
Is there not a powr that can break every chain?
What must I do to be saved?

Jesus blood flows from Calvary,
Breaking Satan's power setting captives free,
Greatest gift of the greatest love,
Heaven paid the price with Calvary's blood!

And then there is this wonderful song:

The Bible stands tho the hills may tumble,
The Bible stands tho the earth may shatter and crumble;
I will plant my feet on it's sure foundation,
Tho all around is sinking sand, the Bible stands.

Like a mightly rock undaunted,
Mid the raging storms of time,
The Bible stands eternal,
And it glows with a light sublime,
Like a mountain high it towers,
Far above the works of men,
It has never been refuted,
Forever it shall stand.

Heaven's book will stand forever
When this world has passed away,
The lips of God have spoken,
Ev'ry word I will obey;
It will stand each test we give it,
For it's Author is divine,
God will give me strength to live it,
And to prove it and make it mine!

And then the newest ensemble song is such a blessing:

Deep within His loving heart,
God knew that sin would have to die.
Out of love for me and justice's plea,
a perfect lamb was His reply.

He lay aside His royal robe
To rescue my eternity;
Walked the dust of earth to die my death,
Driven by His love for me,

The Perfect Lamb from heaven's throne
Endured a death that was my own,
Almighty God, the great I AM,
Became my ransom as a perfect lamb.

Stained by sin, at a cross I stood,
Deserving of his judgment cry,
As a perfect lamb, King Jesus came,
And lay upon my cross to die.

With outstretched arms His blood flowed down,
His eyes of love invited me,
To enter in and live for Him,
Forgiven for eternity.

The Perfect Lamb from heaven's throne
Endured a death that was my own,
Almighty God, the great I AM,
Became my ransom as a perfect lamb.

What hope!!!!

We have a Bible Conference coming up Feb. 20-24 that will be so good. It is always very tiring but the preaching is such an uplifting to your soul.

I am still reading on my counseling books and learning so much.

II Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and FAther of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Worms

Here I am at 11:27PM sitting up watching an anti-virus program download. Once upon a time I was protected on every side...I had McAfee and I had Norton....but now....search as I might...there is no anti-virus program on my computer. It seems that I had Norton until June of this past year. Don't know what happened to it.

Anyway with the threat of worms that will clean your harddrive, I expect that a little protection couldn't hurt.

I can't even imagine my life without a computer these days.....of course, you all know that it is going to be the "ruination of the world"!

Still waiting.......95%..........96%................................................97%...............................................98%.............
.............99%....100%....there it is! Hopefully I will get it installed in time!

Counseling Quandry

The vacation is over and it's back to the regular grind. I am feeling very refreshed and excited about the future.

I know myself well enough to know that I really NEED to have challenge in my life. I do not discipline myself if I have too much time to spare. I have even said before that I do better if I am overextended. It seems that I have to be pushed in order to accomplish much. This is probably due to the fact that I have never learned to value every minute. Unless I am in a "tight-squeeze" the minutes seem to be of no value. I need to change that view.

For several years now I have had a great desire to pursue a counseling accreditation. What holds me back? The fact that I know myself and know that I NEED to have challenge in my life keeps me in a quandry about whether this desire is from the Lord or a vain attempt on my part to become indispensable. I know I love to help people. I know that there are so many people that NEED to be helped.

I first began to have a desire towards counseling due to some experiences online with people with very deep psychological problems. I found that God gave me a deep love for these people and that I was able to be used to help a few. I was besieged with feelings of inadequacy during this two year period but found that through yielding myself to the Holy Spirit, He continued to refresh me and give me what was needed to help these lost souls.

The help that was given came in listening and offering hope through teaching foundational, spiritual truths. I truly believe that everyone needs the foundation before they can build a satisfying and profitable life.

Through searching for help in this area of counseling, I was given a good piece of advice from a trusted friend who told me to check out Nouthetic Counseling. http://www.nanc.org I have for several years been reading several books from Dr. Jay Adams library. This week, I have ordered several more to further my desire for more education.

I don't really know how to proceed with this. Should I try to get the accreditation, which would mean much study and a trip to a training seminar or two. It also means that I must sit in with an accredited counselor for several hours of observation. I question my motives for all this. It is not that I want to pursue a career for monetary gain, though that would be a nice addition. My main purpose in pursuing this at all was to prepare myself to be of use even in my older years. Through the years I have had energy and an able body to contribute to the Lord's work. I see that in the next few years I will be slowing down and, as should be expected, not able to do the same amount of work. I love work. I love to help. I love people. I want to be an asset, never a liability. Are these reasons selfish on my part? I need to get my thoughts clearly established and eliminate the double mind!

I am praying!