Services for Robert “Bobby” Allen III Friday, August 14, 2015
Friendship MBC Viewing – 4pm to 7pm Celebration of Life – 7pm
Saturday, August 15, 2015 Burial – Garden of Memories Cemetery Alexandria, Louisiana at Noon
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Fanners of the Flame
Musings with the Pastor. At the time of this writing, we are having an excellent session with our Vacation Bible School. There are anointed facilitators who are unveiling the Word of truth. A big “God Bless You” to them for the outstanding job they are doing. We all know that the “operative” word in Vacation Bible School is “Bible”. Each lesson in this year’s VBS is centered on love. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
What’s LOVE got to do with it? E V E R Y T H I N G! Excellent study.
Thanks facilitators, you are indeed a blessing to us all. What a remarkable job Sister Lynne Bryant does in bringing VBS together with it’s many facets. Her administrative skills are superb. Thank you Sister Bryant.
To Deacon Alvin Smith and Sister Marita Smith (related in the Lord) who, with helpers, and a Herculean effort, provided great food every night, “May the Lord bless you really good”.
On today, we celebrate “Family and Friends Day”. We thank Almighty God for both family and friends. We know that the family is the basic unit of our society. Whatever we find in our society comes emanates from the family. Hence the need to strengthen and empower the family members, for the Holy Writ tells us: “But the path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). And a word about friends, “A friend loveth all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).
Let’s celebrate family and friends.
“Don’t push your way into the place of prominence.”
Proverbs 25:6
Aspiring to leadership is commendable. Paul said, “If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position” (1Ti 3:1 NLT). But there’s a difference between stepping forward to take on the responsibility of leadership, and stepping forward to project yourself into the limelight. Harry Truman said, “If you can’t stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” The question isn’t whether you enjoy being the focus of attention, but whether you can take the heat that goes along with it. For every person who acknowledges your skills and appreciates your accomplishments, there’ll be ten who make demands on your time, talent, and treasure. Consider Barnabas. When the Gospel was first preached to the Gentiles, church leaders in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to check it out. “When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and…faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord” (Ac 11:23-24 NKJV). Barnabas had three sterling qualities: (1) He’d nothing to prove. He never sought the limelight. When he mentored Paul, he happily let the emerging apostle rise above him, supporting him every step of the way. (2) He’d nothing to lose. He didn’t seek to guard his reputation or fear losing his popularity. He wanted to serve, not be served. (3) He’d nothing to hide. He didn’t try to maintain a facade or image. He remained authentic, vulnerable, and transparent. And best of all, he rejoiced in the success of others.
may, 2024