News you can use...from Frio River Baptist Association

Volume 3, Issue 11 | November 2020

Growing through gratitude

Thankfulness, studies show, has multiple physical, mental and emotional benefits. Psychologist Robert Emmons calls gratitude “fertilizer for the mind” because of its powerful effects.

He admits gratitude isn’t always easy — especially when life throws us curveballs (see the year 2020) — but says it can be most helpful during and after difficulties. Emmons suggests reframing challenges using thankfulness-based language. Ask, for example: Though I wasn’t grateful for the experience at the time, how can I be now? What lessons did I learn, and how did I grow as a person?

Throughout his letters, the apostle Paul reframes his extensive sufferings and urges us to do the same. “Give thanks in all circumstances,” he writes, “for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I Thessalonians 5:18 says “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” This is a good verse to keep in mind while going through life these days. It may be hard at times to give thanks, but Paul’s words are still worth abiding by.

But why, you may ask? Thanksgiving is a way of showing our faith and trust in God. After all, to those who love Him and obey Him He said all things would work together for good (Romans 8:28). It’s a vital element of worship, as is praying without ceasing and rejoicing (I Thessalonians 5:16-17). It should be expressed not “for all things” but “in all circumstances.” We should give thanks in adversity and prosperity, in health and in sickness, in good times and not so good times, etc. It helps us overcome a poor attitude and grumblings and ingratitude. Above all else, let us “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name (Psalm 100:4).” I believe God is honored and praised when we give thanks to Him.

So, November is the month we celebrate Thanksgiving. A presidential election will be taking place but we don’t know who will win. Let’s thank God for whoever wins, for we believe that God is still on His throne and fulfilling His Kingdom work. COVID-19 has taken a lot of lives and it has changed how we go about doing our daily activities. Thank God for what He may be teaching us through these changes and challenges. The way we do church has changed. Let’s thank God for that. Maybe He is wanting us to go about ministry in a new way. In spite of the virus pandemic, let’s thank God for what He is still doing in the lives of people: many are coming to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, many are being obedient to being baptized, many are surrendering their lives to serving the Lord, many are growing deeper in their walk with the Lord, many are praying more than ever before, more people are listening to His Word through live-streaming and YouTube than ever before. God is doing something great during this ongoing pandemic. Praise God! Remember the words of Isaiah 55:8-9: “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.”

Throughout the month of November remember to have a thankful heart. Each day give thanks to the Lord for what He is doing in and through you. Thank Him for His faithfulness in taking care of you and keeping His promises to you. Developing a thankful heart in all things may in time help you to overcome your dealings with difficulties and problems. They may still come, but you might be able to handle them better. God did not promise to take away our problems or struggles, but He did say He would be with us through them (Psalm 23:4). Give thanks always!

Dora, Ethan and I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving.

Your Fellow Servant,

Bro. Loren

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.

We are always available by e-mail: LGFastFRBA@outlook.com or LBScantlinFRBA@outlook.com

and through our cell phones at:

Loren - 830-267-1234 or Laurie Beth - 210-854-9362.

Upcoming Events

(PLEASE NOTE: All events are subject to cancellation or rescheduling

depending on COVID-19 guidelines at the time.)

November 2020

2nd-5th - RENEW Bible Conference (Alto Frio)

3rd - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm

4th- South Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting

(see note below)

9th-10th - SBTC Annual Meeting

(Hyde Park Baptist Church - Austin, TX)

12th - East Zone Pastor’s Prayer Meeting

(see note below)

14th - Holiday Market (Alto Frio - details below)

16th-17th - BGCT Annual Meeting - Online

19th - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

(see note below)

25-27 - Thanksgiving Holidays

(FRBA OFFICE CLOSED)

December 2020

1st - OCL Meeting - 6:30pm

2nd - South Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

(see note below)

8th - FRBA Executive Board Meeting & Christmas Dinner/Fellowship (at FBC Devine)

6:30pm - Dinner

7:00pm - Business Meeting/Fellowship

10th - East Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

(see note below)

12th - FRBA Church Administrators' Fellowship Christmas Potluck - 11:00am

17th - North Zone Pastor's Prayer Meeting

(see note below)

24th-31st - Christmas Holidays (FRBA OFFICE CLOSED)

31st - New Year's Eve

SAVE THESE DATES!!

2021

Jan. 11th-12th - Pastors & Spouses Prayer Retreat (at Alto Frio)

Jan. 19th - FRBA Tax Seminar

Feb. 6th - First Aid / CPR/ AED Training

April 28th-30th - National Association of Ministry Assistants (NAMA) Conference -

Ft. Worth, TX

COMING SOON!!

Due to COVID -19, the village performance has been recorded this year. The video will be available online soon, and a link will be posted when it is ready. If you would like a DVD copy, please click the link below and fill out the form.

If you have visited the village in the past, you will notice some changes

that we hope you will enjoy with this year's filming.

Click HERE or call the church office at 830-569-2582 to request a DVD.

Copies will also be sent to area nursing homes,

churches (any denomination) and youth groups

Find them on Facebook at "Christmas Village Ministries, Inc."

Around the Association

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.

59th Annual Gathering of the Frio River Baptist Association

On Saturday, October 17th, pastors, church members and guests gathered at FBC Carrizo Springs for our 59th Annual Gathering! Our host church did a marvelous job of making everyone feel welcome . We enjoyed a brief business meeting followed by a wonderful worship celebration, with Bryson Cunningham (FBC Carrizo Springs) leading our music and Jonathan Hewett (FBC Carrizo Springs) offering our annual sermon. We also had several testimonies of God's blessings through trials given by Clyde Butter (Crosspoint Fellowship - Pleasanton), Gustavo Montes (Iglesia Bautista Ebenezer - Poteet) and Loren Fast (for FBC Pearsall).

After Executive Director Rusty Brandon shared with us about what's been going on at Alto Frio Baptist Camp & Conference Center, we were able to collect almost $800 for them during our offering (with more promised by some of our member churches).

During our business meeting, our new officers and committees were elected/approved, including our Moderator: Keith Cogburn and Vice Moderator: Brian Blackburn who will continue to serve for another year.

If you were unable to attend, and would like a copy of our Book of Reports (including our updated church directory), please contact Laurie Beth at the FRBA office.

To see more pictures of the event, CLICK HERE .

Tilden Baptist Church is pleased to announce that they have called Bro. Dwain Carter

to be their new Pastor. We are excited to welcome Bro. Dwain and his wife Leslie

to our association, our church family and to the Tilden community.

Congratulations to parents Jacob & Savannah Spitzmiller on the recent dedication

of their daughter Graceleigh Rayne Spitzmiller at FBC Cotulla.

FBC Natalia recently hosted a revival led by Randy & Debbie Fair of

Life One Network Ministries .

The Lord blessed and heaven rejoices

as 4 came forward acknowledging

their need for repentance and

salvation in Christ, followed by their desire to be baptized. Praise God for these new Christian Sisters and

Brother. Two more came forward

the following week.

Bro. Lenard Dossey has baptized 4

and Bro. Hadley Foster baptized one

who happens to be a student he had

in school last year.

Randy did chalk drawings each night, and meals were serve each night as well. The revival was well attended, and God's presence was felt by all.

Brother Randy presented his final chalk drawing for the 4 days of revival which

helps us understand the loving sacrifice of Jesus ... the only way to

bridge the gap between sinful man and holy God.

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!

LOVE IN ACTION

Operation Christian Love

by Beth Ann Brundrett

The shock of such cold weather, sent us scurrying for our warm clothes

& bedding. Blankets & quilts covered our beds. Excitement filled the air...then,

the reality of the suffering of our neighbors made us stop, think & pray.

How can we help? How can we make a difference?

New jackets, sweat shirts and pants, & hoodies caught our attention when

we went shopping. As a result, we are asking you to please join us by buying

any of the above for distribution to those in need. You may contact OCL

Beth Ann 210-854-9360 to make arrangements to have the items picked up.

Please pass this need to your families and friends and encourage

them to participate as well.

As I slip into my warm bed on these cold nights, I am able to relax in comfort. However, my heart reminds me of the elderly that sleep in tiny

pallet homes on mats with little or no covers, and of children huddled

together for warmth. Then reality that they are also hungry brings me

to my knees. Together, WE CAN make a difference.

BIBLES

Many have responded to our request for Bibles for Christmas

Devotional booklets & tracts along with the Bibles have been ordered.

Thank you to all of you who joined in prayer for this and those who have been

able to donate toward this need. Enough has been received to order

400 Spanish and 100 English Bibles. Fifty bilingual Bibles have been ordered

as well. These are for families on the Texas side of the border for whom

Spanish is the primary language in their homes. Often the children in these

homes are being taught and are functioning in English. The bilingual Bibles

help these families during their devotional and worship time. Thank you for

your prayers & donations. Together, you are making a difference!

GIFTS

OCL is receiving notifications daily from churches in our local area

and across the state reporting the number of gifts they are preparing.

Gifts for Terlingua, (near the Big Bend area of Texas) have been donated as well.

Please pray for our ministries and our volunteers during this special time as we celebrate the birth of our Savior and share His love.

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.

January 1st thru October 31st

2019

Income: $124,638.82

Expenses: $121,454.33

2020

Income: $120,906.50

Expenses: $113,764.60

Solitude as soul care

Richard J. Foster (Celebration of Discipline) says solitude is “more a state of mind and heart” than a place: “There is a solitude of the heart that can be maintained at all times. Crowds, or the lack of them, have little to do with this inward attentiveness.”

Although Jesus preferred crowd-free alone times, that’s not always feasible. But no matter your surroundings and responsibilities, you can carve out intentional time to “be still” (Psalm 46:10). Try these tips for adding solitude to life’s rhythms:

• Take a day. Every month or two, enjoy a day of solitude. Turn off your phone and spend the day with God.

• Take an hour. Treat this time as an important calendar appointment. Keep it free to protect your solitude.

• Take a minute. Before a big meeting or as you’re answering the phone, breathe deeply and invite God into the moment.

—Janna Firestone

FRBA RESOURCE LIBRARY

This NEW Bible study and many more are available

through our resource library!

Can We Talk? Soul Stirring Conversations with God

by Priscilla Shirer

(7-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.

Frio River Baptist Association | Phone: 830-334-2061 | Fax: 830-334-3025 | Email | Website

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