Larry and Jan Martin
International Ministries
Thailand Feb ‘06
Dear Friends:
All the fun of the fair
What’s good in Ban Luang? Well we are!! We were asked to put a booth in the fair that celebrates the good things of Ban Luang. This may sound like bragging but we really praise God for the acceptance we have found here. Our booth, which included a “mission” statement, static displays, games and activities, proved very popular with young and old. We are also very thankful to God for Hannah and Fran, two talented young women from England who are working with us right now – their help was invaluable.
As an aside, we also provided a major part in the Animal Health display. The day before the fair started, the vet approached Larry and asked if he could neuter our cats as part of his display to encourage people to get their pets “done”, so right now I have a sore cat on my knee.
English Teaching in the schools continues with Hannah and Fran’s help and we have expanded the program to doing a reading program at one of the schools.
Earlier in January Larry went to a conference for people reaching out to Folk Buddhists and came back excited by some of the things he learnt there and is eager to share these with the rest of the team and start practicing some things. He also felt affirmed in the direction we have been taking.
Umphai and Niam, a couple in Payamengrai where we worked last term, are suffering some persecution for their declaration of Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Their village headman has kicked them out of the village funeral fund and asked their neighbors to shun them.
Prayer & Praise Points
Praise God for the positive way the community sees us. Pray that they can see following Jesus as being a possibility for their lives
Praise God for people in Ban Sra who are making positive steps towards Jesus. (Team members Muana and Villy are working in Ban Sra) Pray for them, as they are vulnerable to attack at this time.
Praise God for the conference that Larry went to and that there are others seeking to bring folk Buddhists to Jesus.
Pray that our desire would become a reality and that there is a real movement of the Spirit amongst these people.
Praise God for Fran and Hannah and their desire to serve Jesus. Pray for them as they help us here for the next 2 months.
Praise God that Umpai and Niam and their 2 children are standing firm in their faith. Pray that God will soften the hearts of their neighbors.
Reading the Bible together is a great adventure! I read the most amazing verse this past week. It is Exodus 12:40 and it says, “The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for four hundred and thirty years; an on the very day that the four hundred and thirty years ended, the LORD’s division f people left Egypt.” What an interesting thing - that they left Egypt 430 years after arriving - to the very day. What do you think the significance of that was?
We have gotten into the book of Acts - one of my favorite books of the Bible. I love Acts 1:6 - 11. The apostles - even after all that has happened - is still waiting for Jesus to establish His earthly kingdom. Instead Jesus gives them the Great Commission - then goes floating up into heaven. Don’t you wish that you could have seen their faces! I bet our faces would have looked the same.
Here is our reading plan for this week -
Sonday - Jan 29 - Exodus 23, 24, Psalm 14, Acts 5
Monday - Jan 30 - Exodus 25-27, Acts 6
Tuesday - Jan 31 - Exodus 28, 29, Acts 5
Wed - Feb 1 - Exodus 30 - 32, Acts 8
Thurs - Feb 2 - Exodus 33-34, Psalm 16, Acts 9
Friday - Feb 3 - Exodus 35-36, Acts 10
Sat - Feb 4 - Exodus 37-38; Psalm 19, Acts 11
MIRACLES OF MIRACLES
The New Year 2006 started with the wedding reception of Remo and Susan at Malkangiri. A reception in which the entire guest of near 3000 including the children went very smoothly and was truly very peaceful, there was No lack of food which turned out extremely well and the night ended with an awesome demonstration of fireworks a sight which was beheld for the first time in Malkangiri - To me this was like God showering His manifold Blessings on the young life of Susan and Remo whom He in a marvellous way has united to serve the people of Malkangiri - - - This to me is truly a miracle as I arrived only on the midnight of 31st Dec and the staff of RHS had done every thing very beautiful including the arrangements for the food at the reception. They also awaited the arrival of Susan and Remo and welcomed them at 1:30 AM on the 1st of Jan with flower bouquet and busting of twinkle filled balloons.
Journey to Kazipet for the wedding was also a miracle as one of the 5 Jeeps taking the guests form Malkangiri was hit by a lorry form the back and the back window and the right side window glass shattered to pieces, Praise God there was no injury to any of the guests. This happened near Kunta where another Jeep could be hired to proceed on for the wedding. --- This is indeed a miracle. On the return journey after the wedding one of the hired Jeeps from Kazipet, though the owner said he had all the interstate tax papers ready, did not, so at Kunta the guests had to hire another jeep to reach Malkangiri. These difficulties proved to each one of us the Loving care of our Heavenly father as soooooooooo many things could have happened to dampen the JOY of the wedding. Praise God for He had full control and making the whole one week of celebrations a very happy one for all who took part.
The visit of Mr. Brent Hample with his wife Monica and their 3 children from the US and Brian and Eleanor form Australia for the wedding was also a miracle and a Joy to each one of us.
The 2nd of Jan saw the birthday celebrations of my beautiful daughter Mary and also a court affidavit (a requirement under the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act for anyone wanting to take baptism) was got and Mary openly acknowledged Jesus as her Lord and Saviour in water baptism. She said on my 20th Birthday 'I pledge my allegiance to Jesus and on my birthday I am a 'New Creation'. --- This to me is a miracle indeed.
The Australian volunteer Brian proved Psalm 91 to be true when with out knowing walked on a live 4 feet snake. Praise the Lord that in the dark, the snake did not coil on the leg of Brain but moved on. It scared all of us we stood in awe to see this miracle of God.
It is indeed miracles of miracle as our staff John, his wife Minothi, his brother and brother's son Sanjay all were cured of Cerebral [Brain] Malaria. At this time it is sad to report that IBT (India Bible Translators) missionary Edla's wife went to be with the Lord with neglected cerebral malaria.
The hectic schedule when ACFI (Austin Christian Fellowship of India) mission Chairman Mr. Mani brought a team from the US went well though the medical van gave the maximum problem during their visit.
Janie a dental hygienist from USA did not do any dental work, BUT her ministry of prayer and miracle healing is a talent from God for her. Many whom she has prayed in the last 3 months are well today. All Praise be to His Holy Name.
There will be no space if I relate what has happened each day, for the miracles are countless. So let me close with a urgent prayer request - RHS previous Board member, Mr. N. Rajkumar, whose home is my second home in Vizag needs to have an emergency triple by pass surgery and a need of Rs 1 Lac 26 thousand is needed. If any are interested to help financially this will be greatly appreciated. He has a good Prayer ministry in the North India. Please pray for his full cure (please refer note at the end).
Join with us in rejoicing in the Lord for the many miracles and let us look to February a month of New Beginnings.
Iris
MIRACLES OF MIRACLES
The New Year 2006 started with the wedding reception of Remo and Susan at Malkangiri. A reception in which the entire guest of near 3000 including the children went very smoothly and was truly very peaceful, there was No lack of food which turned out extremely well and the night ended with an awesome demonstration of fireworks a sight which was beheld for the first time in Malkangiri - To me this was like God showering His manifold Blessings on the young life of Susan and Remo whom He in a marvellous way has united to serve the people of Malkangiri - - - This to me is truly a miracle as I arrived only on the midnight of 31st Dec and the staff of RHS had done every thing very beautiful including the arrangements for the food at the reception. They also awaited the arrival of Susan and Remo and welcomed them at 1:30 AM on the 1st of Jan with flower bouquet and busting of twinkle filled balloons.
Journey to Kazipet for the wedding was also a miracle as one of the 5 Jeeps taking the guests form Malkangiri was hit by a lorry form the back and the back window and the right side window glass shattered to pieces, Praise God there was no injury to any of the guests. This happened near Kunta where another Jeep could be hired to proceed on for the wedding. --- This is indeed a miracle. On the return journey after the wedding one of the hired Jeeps from Kazipet, though the owner said he had all the interstate tax papers ready, did not, so at Kunta the guests had to hire another jeep to reach Malkangiri. These difficulties proved to each one of us the Loving care of our Heavenly father as soooooooooo many things could have happened to dampen the JOY of the wedding. Praise God for He had full control and making the whole one week of celebrations a very happy one for all who took part.
The visit of Mr. Brent Hample with his wife Monica and their 3 children from the US and Brian and Eleanor form Australia for the wedding was also a miracle and a Joy to each one of us.
The 2nd of Jan saw the birthday celebrations of my beautiful daughter Mary and also a court affidavit (a requirement under the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act for anyone wanting to take baptism) was got and Mary openly acknowledged Jesus as her Lord and Saviour in water baptism. She said on my 20th Birthday 'I pledge my allegiance to Jesus and on my birthday I am a 'New Creation'. --- This to me is a miracle indeed.
The Australian volunteer Brian proved Psalm 91 to be true when with out knowing walked on a live 4 feet snake. Praise the Lord that in the dark, the snake did not coil on the leg of Brain but moved on. It scared all of us we stood in awe to see this miracle of God.
It is indeed miracles of miracle as our staff John, his wife Minothi, his brother and brother's son Sanjay all were cured of Cerebral [Brain] Malaria. At this time it is sad to report that IBT (India Bible Translators) missionary Edla's wife went to be with the Lord with neglected cerebral malaria.
The hectic schedule when ACFI (Austin Christian Fellowship of India) mission Chairman Mr. Mani brought a team from the US went well though the medical van gave the maximum problem during their visit.
Janie a dental hygienist from USA did not do any dental work, BUT her ministry of prayer and miracle healing is a talent from God for her. Many whom she has prayed in the last 3 months are well today. All Praise be to His Holy Name.
There will be no space if I relate what has happened each day, for the miracles are countless. So let me close with a urgent prayer request - RHS previous Board member, Mr. N. Rajkumar, whose home is my second home in Vizag needs to have an emergency triple by pass surgery and a need of Rs 1 Lac 26 thousand is needed. If any are interested to help financially this will be greatly appreciated. He has a good Prayer ministry in the North India. Please pray for his full cure (please refer note at the end).
Join with us in rejoicing in the Lord for the many miracles and let us look to February a month of New Beginnings.
Iris
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Exodus 3:14-15 (NIV) “God said to Moses, "I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' " God also said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation.”
I’m calling Willie a lot of names. I call him some of them to identify him. I call him “Willie” because that is his name. I call him ”Doc” because that is my favorite nickname for him. Another nickname is “Preacher” - that has a cool old-fashioned ring to it, although “old-fashioned “ is the last adjective I would use to describe Willie. I also call him “The PC.” He is - after all - the Professional Christian. Joy told me that his family back East calls him “Bill” so I called him that a couple of times - but I couldn’t do it with a straight face. (Major giggle factor.)
I’m calling Willie other names that reveal different facets of who he is in my life. I call him “Pastor”. Willie is the God-appointed leader of our community of faith. I love being under his leadership. I can not tell you how many times I have gone to him like Chicken Little “The sky is falling, The sky is falling” with a seemingly insurmountable problem in Care Fresno. He will make an off-the-wall statement that takes my focus off the problem, then he turns it to the solution - a solution that usually is right under my nose. I honor, respect, support and love Willie as my pastor - not only because God expects it - but because he has earned it. I call Willie “Mentor.” The guidance he gives in my life is invaluable to me. More than once, his advice to me has guided me into a Christ-honoring decision. I appreciate his wisdom and guidance more than I will ever be able to tell him. I call Willie “Teacher” Willie teaches me about being a Christ-follower just by the way that he lives his life. But he also teaches me by always being willing to answer my never-ending questions. I ask if a direction I want to take in a devotional is consistent with the Word. I ask about something I have read in the Word. And I will admit that I ask him “stump the Preacher” questions just to see what he says. Regardless of why I am asking the question, Willie is always gracious about answering them. He has an incredible store of Bible knowledge - and he loves to share it. The name that I call Willie that is closest to my heart is “Friend” I didn’t grow up having many male friends. In elementary we avoided boys like the plague because they were covered with cooties. In later years we were “just friends” with the guys that we were not interested in - but they weren’t really friends. For too many years, the only “friend” I had was a little baggie of powdered death. But now I know what it is like to have a male friend - because Willie is my friend. Pastor, Doc, Willie, Mentor, Friend, The PC, Teacher, Bill, Preacher - each of these are names that I am calling Willie and each of them helps to define who he is to me.
God has a lot of names. The Word abounds with them. Some of them identify who He is. One of my favorites is Yahweh - I AM. It is such a powerful name. With this name, God says that no matter what instant of time or where within eternity we are - He is I AM - already present. It gives me chill bumps to think of that. A partner to this name is El Olam - the Everlasting Eternal God. Then there are His names of power - El Shaddai - The God of Might, Yahweh Sabaoth - The LORD of Hosts. El Elyon is a name of position - God most High. Jehovah - LORD. These names just scratch the surface of His multitude of names. I have books dedicated to listing and defining the many names of God.
Why do you suppose God has so many names? Doesn’t “I AM” pretty much say it all? Or “The Everlasting Eternal God”? Doesn’t “God Most High” cover all the bases?
I call Willie a lot of names and each one of them defines who he is to me. But sometimes I need him to be my pastor more than I need him to be my friend. Or I need him to be Willie more than I need him to be my mentor.
It is the same with God. Sometimes when our minds are worried we need him to be Jehovah-Shalom, God of our Peace. When we have lost a loved one we need Him to be our Comforter. When we are dancing with joy then He is Yahweh-Nissi, God our Banner. When we need guidance He is the Great Shepherd, when we’re weary, He is the Resting Place, when we don’t know where our next meal will come from He is Jehovah-Jirah, God our Provider. When the world is dark - then He is our Light, when life is hard then He is our Refuge in Times of Trouble. When we are alone, He is Emmanuel - God with us.
God has so many names because He uses them to reveal His different facets to us. He has so many names because He wants us to know that no matter where we are, what challenges we face, what joys we dance to or what sorrows pull at us, He is there. And He will reveal to us a name or a facet of who He is that is exactly what we need at that time. No matter what is going on - good or bad - in our lives, God is “I AM” and He will meet our needs.
Holy God, I love all Your names, I love to use them to think about all that they reveal about You. But the name that is closest to me heart is when I call You my True Friend.
Contact Valerie or subscribe to the e-Ministry of Fresno First Baptist at valerie@fresnofirst.org
May I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly, day by day. Saint Richard of Chichester
There are two children in Care Fresno that we have been praying for because the family has struggled with housing/homelessness issues. I was told last night that the children’s mother has been arrested and that they are with CPS. I have talked to one of their social workers and I know that although they are “out of the region” they are together. Please pray for these beloved children and their mother. Pray that I can find some way to help them.
Ann Mead has her doctor appointment next week on her bone cancer. Please pray that all goes well.
Dan Hansen has finished his training and is out looking for a job in his field. Please pray that he will find one quickly.
Judi Wright’s mom, Nola Ambler, is home from the hospital. As an added complication, they have diagnosed her with diabetes. Please keep Nola & Judi in prayer.
Char Cole is home from Kaiser after her gall bladder surgery. She came through just fine. Unfortunately they could not do that laser surgery, so they had to do an actual incision.
Keep Biana Grogg and I in your prayers as we continue to plan mission trips in 2006. Biana to Nigeria and me to India. Biana is planning to go in April - and I am hoping to go in November. Please pray for other mission trips planned for Laos, Mexico and Nigeria.
We continue to pray for the following: Donna Hemphill, Mary Jepsen, Doris Mason with pneumonia, Jim Pombe & heart problems, Joe Barty & throat cancer, Pat Siemens, Mike Abbott in Afghanistan, Lois Thompson & recovery from a stroke, Walt Couch & prostrate cancer, Mike Joos & recovery from radiation treatment, Denise, George Martin & cancer, Bob & Geri Kinnish & his health problems, Tony & treatment for prostrate cancer, Merle Rush & recovery from a stroke, John Rodgers with cancer, Stan Reed & cancer
Pray for our missionaries - Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, SeaFM in Southeast Asia, Dr. George Pe Myat in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Yahweh Nissi, God, our Banner,
One of the greatest joys of being Your child is knowing that You welcome us in Your presence with open arms. We come before You with gladness.
Abba, we lift up these two children before You, asking that You keep them safe. Help me, LORD God, to be Your hands and feet - but most important of all - allow me to be Your heart in this situation.
We call out on behalf of Ann Mead as she goes to see her doctors. Give her doctors wisdom as they determine the best course of treatment for her.
Jehovah Jirah, Great Provider, we ask Your provision for Dan Hansen as he looks for a job.
Great Comforter, continue to bless Nola and Char as they continue to recover at home. Grant them peace and patience during this time.
El Elyon, Almighty God, it is so easy to come to You when the storm clouds roll in our lives. When troubles come we find our strength and courage in You. And You invite us to do just exactly that. But You desire even more from us. You want us to come to You in the good times, to share our joys with You. But when the sun is shining in our lives, it seems that we do not draw as close to You. Forgive us for minimizing You and for shortchanging You with our lives. You are God over the bad times and God over the good times. Help us to remember that.
LORD Jesus, we pray for our beloved brothers and sisters who are on our prayer chain. Continue to work in and though them.
Jesu Mapru, reveal Yourself to our missionaries in new and powerful ways. Give them strength as they serve You, and provide for their needs. We pray, Gentle Spirit, for our pastors and ask that You overwhelm them with Your glory. Father God, provide for our communities of faith, help us keep our focus on You and Your kingdom is all that we do.
We pray for our military as they serve us world wide. Help them to fell our support, respect and love for them. We pray for our country and her leadership. Guide us back to You, where we belong.
You are so close to us, never for a moment do You step away from us, or turn Your attention from us. We love being with You. But as close as we are to You this very second, our hearts long for that day when face to face we will behold You in all Your glory. Your are our home, our souls rest and the only hope we need. We love You, LORD God.
A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing
except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know
one thing... I know my Master is there and that is enough."
Still staying strong in your Bible reading? This week I learned to truly appreciate the half hour to 45 minute wait in a doctor’s office! (I got caught up!)
My favorite part this week was when God reveled His name to Moses in Exodus 3. “I AM WHO I AM,” He aid to Moses, “Tell the People of Israel that I AM has sent you.” The power of that name is enough to send chills down your back! No matter where you are in eternity, Eve, Moses, Peter, Martin Luther or Valerie, God is I AM, in all of eternity at once. I love serving a God that powerful!
Here is this weeks reading plan:
Sonday, January 22 Exodus 3-5, Luke 22
Monday, January 23 Exodus 6-8; Luke 23
Tuesday, January 24 Exodus 9-11, Luke 23
Wed, January 25 Exodus 12-13, Psalm 21, Acts 1
Thurs January 26 Exodus 23-24, Acts 2
Friday January 27 Exodus 17-20, Acts 3
Saturday, January 28 Exodus 21-22, Psalm 12; Acts 4
Valerie Rae Hanneman
I Cor. 15:58 (MSG). “With all this going for us, my dear, dear friends, stand your ground. And don't hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.”
We had our annual Board of Managers retreat a couple of weekends ago. It was a time of worship, prayer, brainstorming, and learning. It was great! Over the weekend we ate meals prepared by Lill and Richard Wilson, Lill’s daughter Candy and Faye Lowes. Saturday morning we had this egg, cheese, mushroom casserole thingy that was so good that I am going to get the recipe - even though cooking is not my forte. Sonday afternoon we were served this to-die-for meatloaf with all the trimmings. And the food was just the beginning. Faye, Richard and Lill made sure we had snacks, water, sodas, everything we could need. They served us the food and cleaned up after us. They spoiled us rotten.
I learned a lot about leadership and team building from the weekend. What I learned will impact my role in our church and impact my leadership role at my job. I was glad to sit at the feet of our Pastors and the Board to drink in their knowledge and experience. Do you want to know who I learned the most about servant leadership and team building from?
Richard, Lill, Faye and Candy
Are you surprised by my answer? I was with some of most extraordinary leaders in Fresno’s community of faith and I learned more from the cooks and bottle washers? You bet I did. Let me tell you about those cooks and bottle washers. During the retreat I often watched Faye, Lill and Richard as they served us. Not one time did I see them without a smile on their faces, without a gracious word to us, and without a willingness that bordered on eagerness to serve us. I know that had I said to one of them, “I know this makes me a heathen, but I would rather have mustard with my meatloaf instead of catsup.” they would have gone down to the kitchen to get me mustard. They would have wondered about my sense of taste (maybe even my sanity) but they would have gone willingly. They taught me that people who are truly in servant leadership are happy to be there - they are not grouchy about what they do.
What we saw them do for us was just the tip of the iceberg of what they did. They had to buy the supplies, prepare the food, set-up the room, serve us, clean up after us, clean the room on Saturday and then do it all over again on Sonday. Lill’s daughter, Candy, doesn’t even attend our church and she spent hours preparing food for the retreat. They taught me that people who are truly in servant leadership don’t grouse about the size or difficulty of the job they do. They know the job, they plan the job - and then they do the job without complaint.
The easiest way for Richard, Faye and Lill to handle the weekend would have been to set up with plastic tablecloths, paper plates, plastic silverware and Styrofoam cups. Clean up would have been a snap. Pull over a trash can and dump it all in. But that is not what they did. We had cloth tablecloths, china dishes, and real, heavy silverware. Because we use the fancy stuff so seldom, I would not be surprised if they had to wash all those dishes before they could use them. Then they washed them all on Saturday night - then again on Sonday. They taught me that people who are in servant leadership go the extra mile to do the job the best they can.
But here is the most impactful lesson that they taught. If you were to ask the world who the leaders were at that retreat they would point to the Board of Managers and Pastors as the leaders because they lead the church. But Jesus doesn’t think like the world. (Praise God for that! We would be headed for a much warmer eternity if He did!) At that retreat, Jesus showed me the servant leadership of the unnoticed. Faye, Lill, Richard and Candy were content - more than content - to serve in the roles of the usually unnoticed because their focus was not on the position where they were serving. Their focus was on the Person that they were serving. Because they chose to serve without regard to the position they serve in, Jesus has made them leaders. Again, this is catiwhompus to how the world works. For the world, to be in leadership is to be in power - and power is everything. Their focus is on the position and the power of leadership and that is what they serve. They are leadership servants.
So do you have to be in an unnoticed position to be a servant leader? No, you do not. Again, the servant leader chooses to serve over choosing the position. Lill, Faye, Richard and Candy are great examples of servant leadership. But then so is each one of the members of the Board of Managers and our Pastors. I have seen them serve as Pastors and on the Board of Managers. I have also seen them serve by picking up garbage on the campus, fixing something that is broken, cleaning out toilets, and washing dishes long after the rest of us have gone home. I know that you have seen it too. They chose to serve Jesus on the Board of Managers, they choose to serve Jesus by cleaning out a toilet. Bottom line is that they choose to serve Jesus first.
The world says it is all about leadership servants, that the focus is on the leadership position and power. Jesus says that it is all about servant leadership, that the focus is on the servant heart who serves Him and not the position.
Jesus says that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. The Church’s strength to defeat hell is because of her servant leaders. True power is in the servant leader heart. The world serves the power and position of leadership and that makes it powerless. The world is under a death sentence - on the last day it will pass away. But Jesus’ Church remains forever.
Would you serve if you were asked to be on the Board of Managers? Would you serve if you were asked to take out the trash? Do you serve the Person - or the position?
LORD Jesus, if You ask me to take out the trash, I will do it gladly and to the best of my ability. If You ask me to serve on the Board of Managers, I will do it just as gladly and to the best of my ability. All that is important is that I serve You.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the e-Ministry of Fresno First Baptist at valerie@frsnofirst.org
Check out our blog at www.fresnofirst.org - it’s at the bottom of the page.
There is a communion with God that asks for nothing, yet asks for everything...He who seeks the Father more than anything He can give, is likely to have what he asks, for he is not likely to ask amiss. George McDonald
Tim & Lorna’s adoption of Drew will finally be completed this next Friday! This has been a much longer process than anticipated - what a relief to have the end in sight!
Lill is rejoicing because her mom, Joyce and her niece, Michelle are making a great recovery from pneumonia.
Logan, Colene McDough’s great nephew came through his surgery last Thursday.
Judi Wright’s mom, Nola Ambler, had a heart attack on Saturday night. As far as I know she is still hospitalized. Please keep Nola & Judi in prayer.
Char Cole is over at Kaiser awaiting gall bladder surgery. Char works up at Camp Sugarpine as Camp Nurse. She doesn’t take payment for her services opting instead to provide scholarships to campers. When I was visiting her on Tuesday night she was hoping that they would do surgery that same night so she could still work at Sugarpine this weekend! I can’t decide if she is extremely dedicated - or certifiable!
Danette Joos’ little boy, Dillon, has pneumonia.
Jim Pombo, Dan & Edie Gates’ son-in-law, has been having heart problems. They have been unable to identify the problem.
Please pray for Donna Hemphill. She has really been struggling since Walt passed away last year.
Mary Jepsen lost her husband around New Years.
Doris Mason (98) is in the hospital with pneumonia
Care Fresno is having a bake sale on January 22nd after both services. Donations for the bake sale are needed. You can bring donations to the church office on Friday, January 20th or to the bake sale on that Sonday morning.
Keep Biana Grogg and I in your prayers as we continue to plan mission trips in 2006. Biana to Nigeria and me to India. Please pray for other mission trips planned for Mexico and Nigeria.
We continue to pray for the following: Ann Mead & bone cancer, Joe Barty & throat cancer, Pat Siemens, Mike Abbott in (or soon to be in)Afghanistan, Lois Thompson & recovery from a stroke, Georganne with a stress fracture on her foot, Walt Couch & prostrate cancer, Dan Hansen as he finishes his training, Lance Cole & a job, Celebrate Recovery & need for volunteers, Dan & Sandy Austin with financial difficulties, Mike Joos & recovery from radiation treatment, Denise, George Martin & cancer, Christina & liver cancer, Bob & Geri Kinnish & his health problems, Tony & treatment for prostrate cancer, Liz & stress from ill family, Merle Rush & recovery from a stroke, John Rodgers with cancer, Stan Reed & cancer
Pray for our missionaries -The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, SeaFM in Southeast Asia, Dr. George Pe Myat in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Lamb of God,
You came first as a servant to be the ransom for our sins. Your love for us transcended all boundaries. You are coming again but not as a servant. You will come back as King of kings and LORD of lords and of Your kingdom there will be end. We will be with You in Your kingdom.
LORD of Hosts, we praise You for Your lovingkindness to Drew, Lorna and Tim. We praise you for Logan’s recovery and for both Joyce and Michelle’s continued recovery.
Abba Father, place Your hand of healing on Nola, Char, Dillon, Jim and Doris. Speed their complete recovery.
Gentle Comforter, we lift up Donna and Mary before You as they grieve the loss of their husbands. Grant them peace.
Spirit of Life, move in the lives of all those who continue to be on our prayer chain. We pray for our missionaries, pastors and leaders. Be glorified in every life and situation.
Help us to remember that we are your witnesses every moment of every day - not just on Sonday mornings. Show us how to be people after Your own heart.
You are the Lion of the tribe of Judah. You have triumphed over all. You hold the keys of hell and death because You have defeated them. You are the Bright and Morning Star - the Hope of mankind as we search the darkness of this world. You are the promise of a new dawn and a brighter day. We love You.
I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me - my banner will be clear!
Anonymous African Pastor - Nailed to his wall.
I was really impressed this week by the honesty of the Bible and the weakness - even predictability - of mankind.
Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons, Esau and Jacob. Their favoritism was apparently obvious - Isaac loved Esau the most, Rebekah loved Jacob the most. Both of the sons grew up with their own problems. Jacob, at Rebekah’s urging (Gen 27), tricked their father into giving him the blessing meant for Esau, the oldest son. When Esau found out he blamed Jacob for not only tricking him out of his blessing but for also tricking him out of his birthright (the larger portion of his inheritance as the oldest son). Genesis 25 tells of how he willingly sold his birthright to Jacob in return for a pot of beans - so Jacob did not trick him out of it. Apparently, Esau wouldn’t take responsibility for his own actions and blamed others for them.
Jacob is sent into exile to keep Esau from killing him in revenge. After 20 years in exile with Rebekah’s relatives, Jacob finally heads home. He is really worried when he hears that his brother Esau, with his army, is coming to meet him.. The night before he meets Esau Jacob gets into a wrestling match with an angel of God. They wrestle all night long, then the angel changes Jacob’s name to Israel. That day Jacob is reunited with Esau. The reunion goes so well that they make plans to go to Esau’s home in Seir. Esau wants to travel with Jacob but Jacob talks Esau into going ahead while Jacob travels more slowly. Esau takes off for Seir. Jacob, fresh from an encounter with God, reverts back to his old habits and tricks his brother, Esau, by going to Succoth instead.
I think that if the Bible had been written by men rather than God, the weakness, deceit and sinfulness of mankind - particularly the founding patriarchs - would have never been recorded. Nobody but God would be that honest about their heros of the faith.
Here is our reading plan for this week:
Sonday, January 15th Gen 37, 38 Psalm 7 Luke 15
Monday, January 16th Gen 39-41 Luke 16
Tuesday, January 17th Gen 42, 43 Psalm 5 Luke 17
Wednesday, January 18th Gen 44-46 Luke 18
Thursday, January 19th Gen 47, 48 Psalm 10 Luke 19
Friday, January 20th, Gen 49, 50 Psalm 8 Luke 20
Saturday January 21st Exodus 1,2 Psalm 88 Luke 21
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting -Elizabeth Bibesco
A few days ago Ann Mead had a bone scan. Monday her doctor called to tell her that she has bone cancer in her spine. Please pray for Ann, Larry and wisdom for the doctors.
Joe Barty, a friend of Barbara Fortier, has been having trouble swallowing. She received a call saying that he has been diagnosed with throat cancer. They are inserting a feeding tube and will begin chemotherapy treatment.
Danette Joos was in choir this past Wednesday! What a wonderful blessing to have her back with us!
Care Fresno is having a bake sale on January 22nd after both services. Donations (cakes, pies, cookies, candies, breads, cupcakes or cash) for the bake sale are needed. You can bring donations to the church office on Friday, January 20th or to the bake sale on that Sonday morning.
Keep Biana Grogg and I in your prayers as we continue to plan mission trips in 2006. Biana to Nigeria and me to India. Please pray for other mission trips planned for Mexico and Nigeria.
We continue to pray for the following: Pat Siemens, Mike Abbott in (or soon to be in)Afghanistan, Lois Thompson & recovery from a stroke, Georganne with a stress fracture on her foot, Walt Couch & prostrate cancer, Dan Hansen as he finishes his training, Lance Cole & a job, Celebrate Recovery & need for volunteers, Dan & Sandy Austin with financial difficulties, Mike Joos & recovery from radiation treatment, Denise, George Martin & cancer, Bob & Geri Kinnish & his health problems, Tony & treatment for prostrate cancer, Liz & stress from ill family, Merle Rush & recovery from a stroke, John Rodgers with cancer, Stan Reed & cancer
Pray for our missionaries -The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, SeaFM in Southeast Asia, Dr. George Pe Myat in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Most High and Exalted God,
You are our everlasting God, Creator of the ends of earth. You do not grow tired or weary, and Your understanding no one can fathom. We are Your children, held safely in Your hand. We will never grow weary or tired of shouting our praise and love to You.
Great Healer of bodies and souls, with full confidence in Your mercy and grace, we call Ann Mead’s name to You and ask that You heal her of the cancer. Comfort and strengthen Larry as he supports his wife. Guide the minds and the hands of the doctors so that Ann will receive the best treatment possible.
God of Hope and Comfort, Joe is not doing well. Place Your hand of comfort on him and give him Your hope. Be with his family and doctors.
We pray for those who are on our prayer chain, Holy Father and ask that You continue to be with them.
Blessings and honor, glory and power be to You, Mighty God. All of creation declares Your glory. You are exalted above every created thing. Of Your kingdom there is no end, every knee bows at Your throne in worship of You. We will raise our songs of praise before You throughout eternity.
We lift up our pastors before You, Holy God, and ask that You sustain and protect them. We thank You for the privilege of serving You in ministry and ask that You bless our ministries and help us keep them focused on You. Provide for the Church, LORD of All, for her spiritual and physical needs.
We pray for our missionaries who serve You around the world. Give them strength to face the challenges that come their way.
God Bless America and her leadership. In these troubled times, Holy Spirit, breathe healing across our land. We ask Your protection for those who serve us with dignity and courage in the military.
Abba, we look back at this past year and all of the troubles we faced. From walls of water in Asia and the American South to man-made disasters - it’s been a hard year. Thank You Abba, that no matter what happens in this world, nothing can take us from Your hand. We are eternally protected and safe with in You. When things appear the most hopeless - You are our Hope. We love You, Father.
How did you do on your Bible Reading this week? Did you find anything new and interesting? I am trying to find details in the Word that I have not noticed before. One of them was in Genesis 6- the reference to the Nephilim. That whole passage in there with the “Sons of God going into the daughters of men” is confusing. At first I was going to ask Willie - he is the professional after all - but I plague him with so many questions on the Bible that it is a wonder he finds time to put together those wonderful sermons. (It has to be a God-thing!) So I took matters into my own hand and looked the Nephilim up on the web. The link I looked at gave me the strangest legend that said that the Nephilim were giants who were the descendants of angels that came down from Heaven to teach men righteousness only to be corrupted by men, and have sex with human women. I think the only part of this legend that is true is that there were giants - like the Watutsi of Africa who are often 7 feet tall. What this taught me is that there are small portions of the Word that are not easily understood and we may be home with Jesus before we understand some of them. The other interesting thing I found was in Luke 1 - when Jesus was taken to the temple. One of the people who recognized Him as Messiah was Anna. The Word talked about her age so I got my trusty counting fingers out and determined that, unless Anna was married when she was 8, she was over 100 years old. That was an amazing age for that period of the earth’s history. Just goes to show - you are never to old for God to use you!
Here is our schedule for this week:
Sonday - January 8--- Genesis 20-22 Luke 8
Monday - January 9--- Genesis 23-24 Luke 9
Tuesday - January 10 --- Genesis 25-26 Luke 10 Psalm 6
Wednesday - Jan 11--- Genesis 27-28 Luke 11 Psalm 4
Thursday - Jan 12--- Genesis 29-30 Luke 12
Friday - January 13--- Genesis 31-33 Luke 13
Saturday - Jan 14--- Genesis 34-36 Luke 14
Valerie Rae Hanneman
John 8:10-11 “Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."” (NIV)
The blunt truth of it is - I am a drug addict. I have been a drug addict for 25 years. For the last 13 years I have been a recovering drug addict. The only difference between a drug addict and a recovering drug addict is that the recovering drug addict is not using drugs. Both are still addicted to drugs. I know that if I were to put a straw up my nose again, it would be like the last 13 years never existed. I would be just as hooked as I was on the day I quit.
I think back to those drug-filled days and in all honesty, I was a despicable person and a horrible mother. Macaroni & cheese was 39 cents a box back then so night after night I would serve my kids a dinner of mac & cheese made with powdered milk. They wore clothes until they were rags. I did everything I could to not spend money on anything but drugs. I shortchanged them with their physical needs, and with their emotional needs. It is impossible to be a loving mother when your head is tweaking on the drugs. My mom has loved me, protected me, supported me every day of my life and in return, I caused her so much pain when I was using drugs. I would lie, cheat and steal, with no conscience, in my constant need for that next baggie of white death.
There isn’t anybody to blame but myself for my drug addiction. I think about it still, and I blame myself for the damage I did to my children, my family, my friends and to myself. I blame myself for the money I wasted, and for the years of my life I wasted. I blame myself for everything. And as I sink deeper and deeper into the bog of blame, guilt and despair, I cry out to God, “Forgive me for hurting You and hurting the ones I love! Forgive me!” But God is not there
Jesus was seated in the Temple teaching when that first faint sound came. A brief look of sadness crossed His face, and as He continued to teach, he smoothed out the dirt beside Him. Now all can hear the sounds as the teachers and Pharisees appear dragging a woman. “She was caught in adultery! The Law says to stone her - what do You say?” they challenge Him. . Jesus knows this is a set-up by the Pharisees. Their hearts are hard with their hate for Him, stones are already gripped in their fists for her. Jesus looks up at them, His great heart full of pain. He loves them so much that He left heaven’s throne to come to them. He wants to save them - but all they want is to destroy Him. He looks at the woman, her eyes full of terror. He knows that she has no one to blame but herself - she chose to commit adultery. But He loves her and He came to save her. Jesus starts writing on the sand, and the Pharisees kept after Him for an answer. The courtyard is silent as Jesus straightens up. He looks into the eyes of each of the accusers and says, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Then He starts writing on the ground again. The silence is broken by the sound of dropping stones as the Pharisees leave. Jesus looks up into the woman’s eyes. “Who condemns you?” She answers, “No one, Sir.” “Neither do I condemn you - go and don’t sin anymore.”
There was only one person on that day who had the right to point the finger of blame - and that was God. Only Jesus had the right to throw that first stone. He had the right to point that finger of blame at every person who was there because He was the only One Who was without sin. But that finger wasn’t pointing - it was writing in the dirt.
He had the right to say to that woman, “You are to blame for this situation that you have gotten yourself - and Me - in. You made the free choice to commit adultery, you got caught and now I am in this trap because of it. I blame you for everything and you deserve everything you get.” And He should have let her be stoned. But He didn’t. His love is too great and He just couldn’t.
When the accusers left He asked her who condemned her, she answered that no one did. And Jesus, the only One Who had the right to condemn her, said, “Then neither do I condemn you, go now and leave your life of sin.” And she left, free of her sin, free of guilt and free of blame.
When I am in my bog of blame, guilt and despair, when I am beating my chest in contrition begging for forgiveness - God is not there. He forgave me the first time I asked Him to. He wrote “Paid in Full” in His blood across that whole 12 year period of my drug addiction. He said to me, “I don’t condemn you, go and sin no more.” And He is finished with it. When I go back there and beg forgiveness again, His response is to say, “Valerie! We’ve been there, done that and we don’t need to do it anymore. Get over it! I have. Get on with your life.”
God did not point the finger of blame at that woman on that day, and He doesn’t point it at me. I point that finger at myself. He has gotten over what I did, but I can’t seem to fully get over it. He has moved on but part of me is still stuck in the guilt and blame. When I can’t get over it, when I can’t move on, then I play into satan’s hands. He is dancing a jig every time I put myself into that bog. When I am pointing the finger of blame at myself, then my focus is off of Jesus and onto me. I am ineffective in Kingdom work. When I am ineffective then satan wins.
The time that I used drugs was the lowest point of my life. I can’t change it. But I can use it. I can use it when I talk to another person who is dealing with addiction problems. I can say, “I know what you are going through. I have been there. But let me tell you how Jesus set me free.” and I will be telling them the truth. My sin of drugs was great, but Jesus forgave me and then He redeemed my sin and has used it to reach others. There is no condemnation - only redemption and restoration.
When you feel like the finger of blame is pointed at you take a good look at who is pointing it. It isn’t God. Don’t let satan use your past against you. Let Jesus turn your past into victory.
LORD Jesus, my sin was great, but Your redemption was greater. Use my past, use my present, use my future to build Your kingdom. Help me to not point the finger of blame at myself.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the Fresno First Baptist e-Ministry at valerie@fresnofirst.org
God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. - John Piper
Please pray for the families of the 12 coal miners who lost their lives in West Virginia. Pray for the one survivor who is currently in critical condition.
Care Fresno is having a bake sale on January 22nd after both services. This is a fundraiser to get the kids to the beach for a day of fun in the sun & sand. We have some Klub members who have never been to the beach. Donations (cakes, pies, cookies, candies, breads, cupcakes or cash) for the bake sale are needed. You can bring donations to the church office on Friday, January 20th or to the bake sale on that Sonday morning.
Pat Siemens has had one cancer surgery and has another one scheduled soon.
Haskell Spikes went home to Jesus on December 24th. Please keep his family in prayer.
Lois Thompson had a small stroke and is over at the Health Care Center in San Joaquin Gardens.
Please pray for Sherren, a co-worker of Dennis Wajckus, as she travels to Arizona to be with her father who is very ill with cancer.
What a joy to have Mike Abbott in services over the Christmas season. He was visiting home while on leave from the Marines. Mike was stationed in Hawaii where he was recently married. Please pray for Mike and his wife - Mike is soon to be sent to Afghanistan, where we know that this hero will represent America with pride and courage.
Keep Biana Grogg and I in your prayers as we continue to plan mission trips in 2006. Biana to Nigeria and me to India. Please pray for other mission trips planned for Mexico and Nigeria.
We continue to pray for the following: Lynette Johnson & family after the loss of her grandmother, Georgeanne McCormick with a stress fracture on her foot, Walt Couch & prostrate cancer, Kristine Allison & her back, Remo & Susan from Reaching hand Society as they are wed on the 29th, Dan Hansen as he finishes his training, Lance Cole & a job, Ann Mead & her hip, Celebrate Recovery & need for volunteers, Steven & his unit in Iraq, Dan & Sandy Austin with financial difficulties, Danette Joos & health problems, Mike Joos & recovery from radiation treatment, Denise, George Martin & cancer, Frieda Kennedy & recovery, Roberta with a brain tumor & cancer, Christina & liver cancer, Bob & Geri Kinnish & his health problems, Tony & treatment for prostrate cancer, Liz & stress from ill family, Michael, Merle Rush & recovery from a stroke, John Rodgers with cancer, Stan Reed & cancer
Pray for our missionaries -The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, SeaFM in Southeast Asia, Dr. George Pe Myat in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel For Asia, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors, our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Bread of Life,
We declare that You are the Bread of Life and the Living Water. We come to You and we will never go hungry, we believe in You and we will never be thirsty. You are the satisfaction of our every need.
Great Comforter, we pray for the families and the community in West Virginia who are grieving this tremendous loss. Help them to continue to seek You now to find their comfort. Heal the body of the miner who survived.
LORD of Lights, we lift up Pat and ask that You be with her as she recovers from one surgery and prepares for another. We pray for Lois as she recovers from her stroke. Place Your healing hand on both of these sisters.
We ask that You pour Your mercy and grace on the family and friends of Haskell as they grieve his passing. Even as we mourn our loss, we rejoice because Haskell is with You. Tell him “Hi!” from us, add that we will see him again soon.
Protect Sherren as she travels to be with her father in Arizona. Grant Your peace to her and her family at this time.
LORD of the Angel Armies, we thank You and praise You for Mike Abbott and his courage to serve our country. Build a stronghold of protection around him both physically and spiritually. Guard him and keep him safe. Bring him home to his wife and his family.
Continue to provide for Biana and all those who plan to take mission trips this year.
Because of You, the lame walk. Because of You, the blind see. Because of You, the dead live again. Because of You, I am free. It is all because of You. We praise You, LORD. Forever.
Move, Father, in the lives and situations of those who continue to be on our prayer chain. We trust You and ask that in each situation Your glory be revealed.
Bless those who serve You in places near and far. We lift up Your missionaries, Your pastors, You ministry leaders, and lay leaders. Give us strength when we are weary. Let us see the world through Your eyes.
Our world is going through troubled times, LORD God, and it is because we have moved away from You. Help us, Your children, to show Your hope and glory to this hurting world. God bless America, her leaders and her military women and men.
We worship You, LORD, with our hearts, our souls our minds and our bodies. Accept our sacrifice of PRAISE with the love and joy that we offer it with. You loved us enough to accept us just as we are. Thank You for loving us so much that You will not leave us there but are changing us to be more like You. We love You, LORD. We always will.
We, as a community of faith, have been challenged to read through the Bible together in 2006. What an amazing new year’s resolution for us! For those of us who are in the Word often, what a joy it will be to share this year’s reading with our brothers and sisters at Fresno First. For those of us who are seldom in the Word - this is a structured plan that is easy to follow and easy to do. I am so excited for you because I know that at the end of this year you are going to look back at how you have grown in your faith and you are going to be amazed!.
If you are part of the e-Ministry but not part of FFBC - I invite you to join us on this adventure as well. Every Sonday night I will send out the scriptures for the following week.
January 1 Gen 1,2 Luke 1
January 2 Gen 3-5 Luke 2
January 3 Gen 6-8 Luke 3
January 4 Gen 9-11 Luke 4
January 5 Gen 12-14 Luke 5
January 6 Gen 15-17 Luke 6
January 7 Gen 18, 19 Luke 7 Psalms 3
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” Psalm 119:105