If we are going to church for us then we have missed the message of Christ. The word that comes to mind is sacrifice; Christ did for all of us, saved and not yet saved. It should be our heart to gather as believers to listen and be moved to draw others to Salvation through Jesus Christ. We should be givers in all we do. We should focus on God's actions to draw others to Him. God does not need us to save but will use us when we are willing. 

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matthew 22:37–39

As Believers in the Salvation of Jesus Christ, we are witnesses to the Holy Spirit alive and working within us. We should be bold, confident, and courageous, overflowing with kindness and compassion in our faith. 

• Isaiah 43:10 “You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
   
   
• Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
   
   
• Matthew 28:19-20  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Because our hope is found in Christ who offers the Hope of Eternity, shouldn't we want that for others? If we say we love our brothers and sisters, yet we don't offer them the Great Gift...

Being a Christian is more than church, yet church is the Christian plural. We ARE the church and the church is a moving, living, and breathing spirit. It takes people under its wing as it moves.

I love and remember fondly the song, He Lives, that we grew up singing. We praise and serve a living Savior who's in the world today. He Lives! Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me, Salvation to impart (to grant or make known). He lives within my heart! Now, what will we do with this?

This has been our view for more years than I can remember as we have left our worship time at FB.PLV. We look forward to seeing it again after the sanctuary gets renovated.

Recently I have found myself up earlier than normal and out at dawn. It had me thinking about light. The more light we have, the better we see. Even in the darkness, our eyes see light, but the darkness often allows a playing field for the evil one.

In the Holy Word, we find numerous scriptures about light ...

So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. John 12:35

While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of Light.” These things Jesus spoke, and He went away and hid Himself from them. John 12:36

For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. John 1:4

There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens every man. John 1:9

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12

While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world.” John 9:5

I have come as Light into the world so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness. John 12:46

This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. John 3:19

So Jesus said to them, “For a little while longer the Light is among you. Walk while you have the Light so that darkness will not overtake you; he who walks in the darkness does not know where he goes. John 12:35

On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 1 John 2:8

Can there be too much light? In our human form, yes. We all have glanced at the sun or an eclipse when we should not. The radiance is just too much. Not for Eternity. We won't need the sun, moon, or stars because God's radiance will swallow us up; a perfect scenario of worship and praise where nothing will be hidden. The colors we know will not compare. The details, we can't imagine.

If you are a member of the family of Jesus Christ that worships with First Baptist Plainview then you know that the sanctuary had wind and rain that damaged the worship center extensively this last year; thus a Wind & Rain Campaign!

As members, we will all come together as God leads us in this renovation. I am very excited for the stir of joy that God will deliver from the sacrifice we all must make. It has certainly created teachable moments and we will continue to be molded through a strong and abiding faith.

Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Over fifty years ago my Grandmother Cranny (Lucy May Etter) gave us this paper towel holder. She did not make it but bought it at a craft show. I love opening the cabinet and remembering her. We have many things of hers or her family's in our home. This paper plate holder, a rosed fabric cat with pink tissues and a little wood apple tic-tac-toe game are some of my favorites!

It was a beautiful day to walk to all the places I needed to go to today in Downtown Plainview. It is so fun to see what I see. I am proud to be an American. I am blessed to live in this great land. I trust God in and for all things.

One of our greatest privileges is the freedom to vote our voice. To make changes in our City, State and Nation we must educate ourselves, participate and vote!

In reading, On the Way to Bethlehem, by William Allen Knight, The Pilgrim Press 1922, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem and see."

Most of us will never go to Bethlehem, by choice or naught, yet when we realize our Bethlehem is found in the birth of Jesus within us; Salvation, we find our Hope.

I can imagine the holy romance found in walking where Jesus walked, yet He walks with me and talks with me where I am. Whether there or here, it is about the heart. The mystery is found through how he draws us to himself.

The first low wash of waves

Where rolls a mighty sea.

Too often we dwell on the history of the life and the land of Jesus, but to receive the fuller vision that did come from old and has been growing clearly for all, even to those not yet known to us, we trust that God holds it ready.

As we move into the Fall season and ready ourselves for the reflection of winter, let our hearts see Bethlehem and the realities from manger to cross, so that we may better understand the Throne, so real. Let us give praise for our blessings and be ever mindful of those who need us.

Through deeds of kindness, it comes to pass that the life of Jesus Christ on earth begins where we dwell.

"We are not helpless OR hopeless. Your fountain of grace pours over me."

The disco ball is like our lives, with many broken pieces reflecting the light that shines on them. We are all broken people. Jesus came to be our Light. When we allow him to shine through us, we reflect His light onto the path for all.

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

I am broken. I have trauma. I am a sinner. But, boy do I trust Jesus to bring me joy, peace and Light. Thank you to those who reflect his Light onto my life. I pray I can do this for you. 

Doxology: 

(I do not own the rights to the lyrics or music)

We made a fast trip to watch Miss A in her district cross country meet. It was so fun to watch her. Our first lovely!!!

My mom loved pink in decorating. As a redhead, she refused to let me wear reds but on a few occasions, she let me wear a rose pink. This is from our 1973 PHS senior prom.

I have a very vintage duster of my mom's. She trimmed it for better dust control. I still have the pretty pink duster to use in our home.

Speaking of pink...for my birthday one year, we had a pink flamingo party!

It seems that even though pink is not on my 'favorites' color wheel, there have been some favorite times that included pink along my life's way!