MISS ME YET?

There is a widely reported news story of a billboard outside of Wyoming, Minn., right along I-35 with a picture of a smiling, waving George W. Bush, and a caption "Miss Me Yet?". Apparently, some business people in the nearby town do. Others might have an entirely opposite feeling when they see it, although the billboard management company has stated that in the month since it was erected, there have been no complaints, and in fact, offers of donations to keep it up.
One's political leanings will probably determine whether the former president is missed or not - whether "absence makes the heart grow fonder", or "out of sight, and out of mind".
I couldn't help but think of believers who we expect are looking for the return of Someone they say they hold dear. Are thoughts of Him ever very far from the surface of the mind? Or is the One whom we claim to love only in our thinking once or twice a week? Is His will, His purposes, His glory the guiding principles of our lives, or is He more like a distant relation - a Person we are somewhat fond of, but don't know very well.
When He becomes what He ought to be in our lives, then His absence will be all the more significant, the desire to be in His presence all the greater. Worship will be moving and meaningful, and life will know its purpose. To the above question, applied to Him, we will emphatically say with the disciple whom Jesus loved, "Even so, Come, Lord Jesus!"

Annual Needham Bible Chapel conference announcement

Needham Gospel Center Inc.
Bible Chapel
2497 New Hope Road
Needham, Alabama 36915
(251) 843-2034
biblechapel@millry.net
February 13 & 14
The Needham Bible Chapel would like to take this opportunity to invite you to our 26th annual celebration.
God has been so faithful to permit The Chapel to promote Biblical New Testament Doctrine and Principles in the Needham Community for over Fifty Nine years. We would like for you to come and help us celebrate His Faithfulness.
Saturday February 13th
4:30pm - Evening Meeting, Randy Amos
6:00pm - Meal, Chapel
7:00pm - Congregational Sing Along, Special Music
Ministry; Randy Amos
Sunday February 14th,
9:45am - Breaking of Bread.
11:00am - Ministry; Randy Amos
Please print this and share with your assembly, we would love to see you here. We will make accommodations for all who would like to come. Some in homes, or if you prefer, Motel in Butler. Email jamsbonr@millry.net or call 251-843-5734, home; Cell 205-4571611

Ladies' Pajama Party

January 23rd was our first ever "Pajama Party" at the chapel - Ladies' only! The ladies had become aware of the need for new children's pajamas for kids being sheltered in New Orleans. The shelters won't take used pj's, only new. It was decided that seamstress skills could be put to work, and for relatively little cost pajamas could be made. This proved to be a time of good fellowship and friendship. Truly, these were "workers together" with the hope of ministering to real needs in a practical way. Each finished pair was enclosed in a clear bag, along with a age-appropriate gospel tract. May HE get the glory!

A New Year's Prayer

Our good friend John Hughes shared the following at the "Watchnight" Service at Hope Bible Chapel in Birmingham, AL:

ANOTHER YEAR IS DAWNING

Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be,

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest;

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;

Another year of progress, another year of praise;

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days;

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love;

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee.

- Frances Ridley Havergal

A challenging meditation for those who love Him.

Good News for Christmas

December 5th was the Annual Christmas Parade in Millbrook, which always offers the opportunity for vendors to set up booths in the Village Green Park. This marked the 5th year we've had the privilege to participate with our own booth - not to sell our wares, but to give away free items for children and adults. Balloons, Candy Canes, and a gentle reminder of the One who is the "Reason for the Season" - and the Good News that that means to us.

Some dear friends were present to help with the distribution of gift bags - a simply decorated bag that included a wallet calendar for 2010, a candy cane, and a little pamphlet with the "Story of the Candy Cane" printed in it. We also had brochures for the chapel for those interested, and free balloons for the children.

It was bitter cold, and traffic was sparse most of the morning. One might wonder, "Is this worth all the trouble?" Our answer came from a vendor who came by our booth and said, "You are always so good to do this each year. You never know who needs to receive this." And we don't. But we do know that many DO need to hear the Good News of Christmas - and of the Lord Jesus who came to be our Savior.

I'll probably be getting glasses before too long. I notice a difficulty seeing things up close now, particularly after a long day. I haven't "seen" to it already more from a lack of time to schedule a visit to the eye doctor than worry about appearance - vanity gave way to practicality a long time ago.
Which all reminds me of Paul's insight to the Corinthians - "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:" (1 Cor 13:12), and John's terrific promise - "When He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as he is." (1 John 3:2). Every believer is hindered in their vision now - what we "see" of Him is through eyes of faith. But then - what a day, when the scales will fall, and glorified eyes will see that Glorified Man! As the hymn writer said, "What a day, glorious day, that will be!"

Lines of Demarcation

A recent visit to Southern Pennsylvania gave the opportunity to see a marker for something many of us may have thought to be mere legend - the Mason-Dixon Line. Surveyed between 1763 and 1767, this line forms parts of the borders between Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia (then Virginia) and Delaware. The term "Mason-Dixon line" later became a popular if not totally accurate means of distinguishing the Northern States from the South. The stone referred to by the historical marker on the roadside sits about 500 feet to the east, easily seen to be jutting up in the backyard of a homeowner. I wonder how complicated it is for him to pay his property taxes.
Many want to "blur the lines" between right and wrong, or good and evil these days. We may thank the Lord there is a fixed standard - God's Word, the Bible. In it, God clearly marks out the "difference" between Himself (incomparably and absolutely holy) and us (ruined, guilty, fallen sinners). There is a marked distinction between His abode (Heaven - a place of eternal bliss) and Hell (the place of everlasting judgment and separation from Him). There is also a decided choice to be made, whether to repent of one's sins and to by faith receive His Son as Savior, or reject Him to one's eternal loss.
Just as we saw on the roadside, there is a difference. Make sure your choice is the right one. "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:18