All workers are essential
The concept of vocation, Latin for “to call,” previously referred only to a calling to church work
But then Martin Luther emphasized the importance — and even sanctity — of all types of labors.
The reformer pointed out that “God doesn’t need our good works, but our neighbor does.”
RJ Grunewald, in a blog post titled “God Makes Pizza,” describes how this looks today:
“God is busy about his work in the midst of your work whether you realize it or not. The laundry,
the spreadsheets, the phone calls and the cups of coffee are all deeply spiritual because
God is at work in the world. He is serving your family, your coworkers and your community through
the work you do. God is at work providing ‘daily bread’ through the work that you do,
no matter what that work is.”
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
They had been warned over and over again that if they did not obey the Lord, and walk in His ways, if they did not give up their idolatry, their perverted ways of worship and their moral decay, they would suffer the consequences and would be sent into captivity. But the Israelites did not seem to heed the words of the Lord spoken through the prophets. Hardship is all that lay ahead for God’s chosen people. This was a cycle that the Israelites went though many times: with God, turning away from God, turning back to God, enjoying fellowship and blessings from God, turning away from God, etc.
But that would not be the end of the story. God was disappointed with His chosen people, but He did not give up on them. Ever! You know the familiar passage in Jeremiah 29:11 which says “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Even though the Israelites had to live through the consequences of their disobedience, God had better plans for them. He would pick them up, brush them off, and give them a future with a lot of hope. He was not going to give up on His people; He would fulfill His gracious promise to them. A few verses on in Jeremiah 29:12-14 we read “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”
As these words were a promise to the Israelites, I believe they are also a promise for us today: God has given us a future hope. Knowing that, we draw back near to Him in prayer with thanksgiving and a desire to fellowship with Him. He promises us He will listen to us; He will make Himself known to us. When we are going through difficult times, we are promised that He will be with us and will take us through the hard times. What assurance!
Could it be that we here in our country today are going through what the Israelites went through so many times? Are we now having to live through the consequences of having distanced ourselves from the Lord? I don’t know. But I do know that God is still on His throne working things out for our good and for His glory and praise. We don’t know what the future holds, but we do know the One Who holds the future in His hands.
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Let’s keep practicing II Chronicles 7:14. Keep praying individually and with groups. Keep reading and studying His Word. Keep sharing with the hopeless the hope that you have within you. Keep walking with the Lord daily, and trust Him for whatever He decides to do. Remember Isaiah 55:8 which says “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Happy journeying with the Lord as we face this uncertain but hopeful future.
Your Fellow Servant,
Bro. Loren
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During these days of uncertain requirements and self-isolation, there may be times when neither Loren nor
Laurie Beth is in the office during our regular office hours. Please rest assured that we are still available
and ready to help you however we can despite
working from home.
and through our cell phones at:
Loren - 830-267-1234 or Laurie Beth - 210-854-9362.
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Upcoming Events
(PLEASE NOTE: All events are subject to cancellation or rescheduling
depending on COVID-19 guidelines at the time.)
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September 2020
1st - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm
2nd - South Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting
6th - FRBA Compañerismo Quarterly Meeting
at Gethsemani Baptist Mission
(Carrizo Springs, TX) - CANCELLED
7th - Labor Day (FRBA OFFICE CLOSED)
10th - East Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting
17th-19th - Texas Baptists Ministry Assistant's Conference (Lakeside Baptist Church -
Grandbury, TX) (details below) - CANCELLED
21st-25th - Hispanic Senior Adult Camp -
Session 2 (Alto Frio) - CANCELLED
22nd - FRBA Executive Board Meeting
(location TBA)
9:30am – Fellowship
10:00am – Business Meeting
24th - North Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting
26th - FRBA RESTORE 2020 Ladies' Gathering - CANCELLED
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October 2020
6th - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm
7th - South Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
(see note below)
8th - East Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
(see note below)
17th - FRBA Annual Gathering (FBC Carrizo Springs)
1:30-2:30pm - Visit Ministry Booths
2:00-4:00pm - Worship Celebration/Business Meeting
4:00-4:30pm - Visit Ministry Booths
18th-25th - SBC Week of Prayer for Baptist Associations
22nd - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting
(see note below)
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Pastor's Prayer Meetings:
For the month of August, all prayer meetings will most likely be held in person following recommended safety guidelines. Either way, we hope that our pastors will reserve these mornings to pray together (even if not meeting with the group in person). Specific requests can be sent to Loren for distribution to the other pastors in each zone.
Watch your e-mail for specifics about each meeting.
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On Saturday Sept. 19th, from 8:30AM - noon, FBC Pleasanton will be one of
over 300 hosts for the National Day of Volunteer Youth Ministry training.
From 8:30am - 9:00am we will have prepackaged donuts and pastries in addition to juice and coffee for anyone that wants to come fellowship before we get started.
The training will start at 9:00am in the sanctuary. It will include a mixture of
TED talk style training sessions, discussion breaks, prizes, giveaways and more.
(We are using the Sanctuary this year so people can spread out for effective social distancing.)
Please register as a church. For Frio River Baptist Association churches, we have a special cost of $50 per church if you use the promo code PLEASANTONFRIEND when registering. (The cost for non-FRBA churches is currently $129 per church.)
click on the "Register Your Church" link.
Is this only for the "volunteer" youth workers? No, there is great information for anyone that deals with teenagers - whether that is in a Bible Study,
at the school, at the grocery store or around the table at your own house.
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There are two revivals coming up in our Association - both will be held:
September 27th-30th
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FBC Lytle (18627 N. Prairie; Lytle, TX 78052)
will be hosting their revival beginning at
10:45am on Sunday morning, and each
evening beginning at 7:00pm.
will be their evangelist & worship leader.
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Randy & Debbie Fair of
(301 Pearson St.; Natalia, TX 78059).
They will be there for the 11:00am worship on Sunday morning,
and at 6:00pm nightly.
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Click on the picture above to register! |
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Alto Frio has an exciting event coming up:
November 7th... Alto Frio Holiday Market!
They are currently selling booth space for this event.
Proceeds will go towards needed facility upgrades.
Please help spread the word so they can get all of their booth spaces sold!
They can host 66 booths with room for more if all those are sold.
They are planning to have food trucks, crafts, direct sales,
live music and all kinds of fun activities.
SAVE THE DATE and make plans to come out to camp on November 7th
to get some of your Christmas shopping done!
Click HERE to register for booth space.
Vendors are welcome from all over so please spread the word!
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Did you know that Frio River Baptist Association has
online giving available?
Click HERE to make a donation to our general fund
or to one of our special designated funds.
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FRBA RESOURCE LIBRARY
A couple of our Jennifer Rothschild Bible studies are missing, and we're
wondering if someone may have borrowed them and just forgotten to return them.
Please ask around your church to see if anyone has either of these:
--Hosea: Unfailing Love Changes Everything (DVD - 7 sessions)
--Walking By Faith - Lessons Learned in the Dark (DVD - 6 sessions)
If you locate them,
THANKS!
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Our North Zone pastor's prayer group recently met at FBC Natalia. These regular prayer meetings in each zone are truly a blessing to all who attend. |
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Operation Christian Love
by Beth Ann Brundrett
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As we adjust to the new life before us, going forth as Christians, we must put God first, others second, and ourselves last. The frivolous wants of our previous life styles have dimmed. This moment is all we have. What we do with it is up to us. As individuals we make the decisions we feel God has put before us. In His name, we should put others before ourselves in all things. Joyfully accepting servanthood can bring unspeakable blessings. Think about what YOU can do for others. As you read the following article, open your heart and let God guide you. Whether joining these efforts or responding elsewhere, act. |
Grandparents Day was successfully celebrated at La Mano de Dios in Piedras Negras. Although handing out hot meals was not permitted, we were able to distribute food bags and new clothing to 75 senior adults. OCL was also able to deliver many gifts of food and clothing. Even so, there is an abundance of food and new clothing remaining - what a blessing! These will go to the everyday food bag deliveries in the area where new clothing is always needed. |
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The Banda Ministry has continued serving meals at the Bethesda Esquela de Fe Church and shelter and handing out meals and food bags where they can, including the prison. OCL rewired the storage area where their freezers are kept to help furnish adequate electricity to these units. Alford delivered a load of food from Bro. Lupe Negrete’s church to Frank Banda to be sent directly across the border. Over the last few weeks, lots of fresh produce and gallons of milk have been donated through Br. Lupe’s ministry.
Br. Lupe Negrete, pastor of Monte de Jehova church in Eagle Pass, is receiving massive amounts of food. Much of what he is receiving is going into Mexico. Recently Greg Cowan, of River of Living Hope Ministry, delivered food and medical items. Alford Brundrett delivered a freezer, food, medical supplies and new clothing to Lupe and Sister Ursula. OCL has moved a donated storage pod to Monte de Jehova. We are in the process of setting it up, welding an exterior metal frame, wiring, spraying insulation and installing a refrigeration unit. Boxes of fresh produce and gallons of milk are being donated. Such a blessing must be cared for properly. Many ministries are working together to feed as many people as possible. We thank God for this army of people who care for others. Many in Mexico have no food or funds to purchase any. People in Texas are also receiving this food.
Ambassadors for Christ Orphanage in Piedras Negras has repaired an old windmill on their property. They have fruit trees to water and plan on planting a garden to provide much needed fresh vegetables. They are in need of a water retaining trough. They also need garden shading cloth due to the extreme heat. Anyone wishing to donate towards these items, please, notify us.
Christmas Ministry 2020 is underway. Things have changed due to COVID-19. All gift donations must be received by OCL no later than Sunday, November 15, 2020. This year, all gifts must be complete. Either a suitable toy, shoebox filled and marked with age & sex, or new clothes. Please put all items in carefully marked boxes. When you have an estimate of count you plan to donate, we will send you the name of church or ministry where they are to go. Be sure to mark the boxes you put the gifts in carefully and they will be delivered directly to their destination. All Gatherings for Christ will be led by local volunteers. Margaret Billebault of First Baptist, Devine, has already given OCL her first load of Christmas items. There are: 153 large stockings, 48 small stockings, 9 pillow case dresses, 1 laundry bag, 30 bibs for nursing homes, 20 crocheted scarves, 2 pillow cases, and 5 lap blankets. Shut-ins CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
There will be no mass work days at Iglesia Bautista Jerusalen in Eagle Pass in December. For information please call Beth Ann 210-854-9360.
Monetary donations may be made to Operation Christian Love by mailing them to:
John E. Heiligman
PO Box 117, Charlotte, TX 78011 .
Thank you for your prayers & support.
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January 1st thru August 31st |
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2019
Income: $96,657.78
Expenses: $98,864.56
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2020
Income: $96,628.10
Expenses: $92,901.08
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FRBA RESOURCE LIBRARY
This NEW Bible study and many more are available
through our resource library!
Matchless: The Life and Love of Jesus
by Angie Smith
(8-session DVD study)
Click HERE to download one of our checkout forms.
Then just complete it and bring it by the office to borrow a
Bible study to meet your needs.
We’re also accepting donations of used DVD Bible study kits.
If you or your church have some that you are no longer using, we’d love
to have them here to share with other churches in our Association.
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Frio River Baptist Association | Phone: 830-334-2061 | Fax: 830-334-3025 | Email | Website
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