Praise the Lord! It is always a blessing when folks get saved and then follow the Lord in believer's baptism. I wanted to add a couple of pictures of ladies that were obedient and desirous to be baptized this past week at FBBC. I rejoice in their decision. Of course, the church family is always excited to see the growth in their fellow laborers for Christ.

2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade Update

Saturday, March 13, 2010

2010 St. Patrick's Day Parade Update

It was rough making the call whether to go out in the rain today, but when we considered that thousands of revellers were braving the weather to worship their gods, the choice became patently obvious. Our God is far worthier.
Because of the weather, I estimate the normal crowd of about 30,000 was cut down to a third of its normal size. That's still plenty of people to reach, so the five of us struck out, starting at the bars at Asylum Ave. The reduced crowd allowed us to get around almost the whole parade route before the parade actually began.
We had tracts made up using the historically accurate testimony of "Saint" Patrick to introduce the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were well received, and we ended up passing out over 500 by my estimations.

We were also able to talk with a few folks. Darren and Dave spoke with a man named Dutch, and I was able to speak with a man named Albert.
As usual, please pray for all the people who received a tract today. The word of God is in those tracts, and it is "quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword..."

The Lord has been blessing abundantly, as He always does!

Ephesians 3:17-21 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The Lord has been blessing abundantly, as He always does!

There have been some folks saved and baptized. There have been many visitors coming to the services. This past week has been such a joy! Monday and Tuesday eleven of our adults went to Lancaster, PA to see the Sight and Sound presentation of Joseph. It was such a great time of fellowship for the entire two days. The play was a blessing but the fellowship we all had together was a blessing that only the Lord could give. We sang hymns, we quoted scripture, we encouraged one another, we laughed, we cried! (We ate too...all went to the Shady Maple for their smorgasbord, and also to Fudruckers for a great hamburger too!)

Wednesday...we had a 42 year old man, an addict for the last seven years, get saved in the afternoon, and then he and his wife came to church that night as well and he stood up and gave testimony of his salvation that afternoon.

Thursday was a great time as I taught Prep & Preaching II to seven men and a couple of our teenager young men. That thrills my soul! They are a joy to teach and such a blessing to watch them grow and mature spiritually.

This afternoon (Friday) 26 piled into two vans and a SUV and took off driving headed to Canada for the Teen Thunder Youth meeting. Our prayer is for safety in the journey and spiritual growth and teens getting saved!

Tonight we have our weekly Reformers Unanimous meeting. Many of our workers are gone but we have some folks willing to step into the leadership roles and be used by the Lord to minister the word to all who will come tonight.

The Lord has blessed in many ways during this past week. Last Sunday morning a young lady recently saved was baptized. It was an answer to our prayers being brought before the Lord for almost a year. Thank you Lord!

The last few Wednesday nights I have been teaching about witnessing and helping the church family to become more familiar with all the verses they can use in their witnessing efforts. We take each of the major parts of information needed for the lost to get a clear understanding of the truth of scripture, and show all the scripture they can use to expose truth to the folks they are witnessing to. I have had many folks tell me what a blessing this has been for them and that it has strengthened their desire to witness to the lost.

Also, last Wednesday night during testimony and prayer request time Rui and Lily told us the great news that Rui's niece and nephew (in Portugal) have finally understood the scriptures concerning the false teaching of their church regarding tongues, and all the false teachings of the Pentecostal and Charismatic confusion. It is especially a blessing because Rui's nephew has been a pastor in that false teaching for many years. That man of God had the conviction and courage to resign his position as a pastor of that church. THAT blesses my heart to know that there are still Christian men and women who will do right EVEN in the face of losing all they have invested their life into once they understand truth. The TRUTH makes FREE! Rui's niece said to Rui, "I am willing to begin all over again to learn the truth of scripture!" THAT is a godly woman. I am sure the Lord has tremendous plans for their future in ministry there in Portugal.

I have also been in contact with a man this week (he contacted me first because he received a tract that directed him to our church). He was married just last year to a lady who professes to be saved, and after speaking with her last night I believe she is a Christian. The man has been overcome by and battling a stronghold and addiction that has just about destroyed him over the last 6-7 years. He has lost just about everything. Well, he and his wife came to our Reformers Unanimous meeting last night and brought their son with them. The wife was thrilled and he too was affected in a wonderful way by the word of God taught and preached, as well as by the warmness and caring folks who minister faithfully every Friday night at our RU chapter here in Plainville. I also met a 14 year old young lady who was gloriously saved last night at RU. She is related to some of our RU workers and she has been attending with them for the last few weeks. GLORY TO GOD for a new name written down in glory!

I am heading to the Boston area today (Saturday) to preach the first anniversary of a new church we have been helping get planted in Stoneham, MA. Pastor Chuck Starr and his wife, Shelly and their daughter, Shelly had moved back to MA (their old stomping grounds) with the Lord's leading in Chuck's heart to start this new church, Calvary Baptist Church. Tomorrow is a big day for them and they are praying for many visitors to come and for folks to get saved and added to the church. Please pray for me to be used of the Lord in the services there tomorrow.