Friday, May 17, 2013

Integrity! It's Character!


Integrity! Read Character!

We are told in USA Today, April 9, 1997:
"Scientists now say that a series of slits, not a giant gash, sank the Titanic. The opulent, 900-foot cruise ship sank in 1912 on its first voyage, from England to New York. Fifteen hundred people died in the worst maritime disaster of the time."

Integrity! Read Character!

We are told in USA Today, April 9, 1997:
"Scientists now say that a series of slits, not a giant gash, sank the Titanic. The opulent, 900-foot cruise ship sank in 1912 on its first voyage, from England to New York. Fifteen hundred people died in the worst maritime disaster of the time."
"The most widely held theory was that the ship hit an iceberg, which opened a huge gash in the side of the liner. But an international team of divers and scientists recently used sound waves to probe the wreckage, buried in the mud under two-and-a-half miles of water. Their discovery? The damage was surprisingly small. Instead of the huge gash, they found six relatively narrow slits across the six watertight holds."

"Small damage, invisible to most, can sink not only a great ship but a great reputation."

Are you passing the "test" of this life when it comes to your character, your integrity?
Even when we come across test questions that seem simple on the surface, we find that they’re often not as simple as we first thought. For instance, the answer to the question, "How long did the Hundred Years War last?’ seems obvious, but the answer is 116 years. When a test asks, "Which country manufactures Panama hats?" the correct answer is Equador. Here’s another: From what animal do we get cat gut? From sheep and horses of course. In which month do Russians celebrate the October Revolution? November. What was King George IV’s first name? Well, everyone knows it was Albert. Ah yes...many test takers are glad to be out of school...far away from trick questions like that thought up in some teacher’s lounge.

But as far as we try to get from the rigors of the academic life, we find our lives are filled with other kinds of tests. We take driver’s tests, drug tests, polygraph tests, sobriety tests, eye tests, entrance exams. People in law enforcement have to qualify on the shooting range at least four times a year, many of you have to take a test for your chosen profession. Like it or not, tests are a part of life.

But is there a test to determine whether a person is on the right track spiritually? Yes! Are you maintaining a life of integrity?

Definition of Integrity:
INTEG'RITY, n.

1.  Wholeness; entireness; unbroken state.
2. The entire, unimpaired state of any thing, particularly of the mind; moral soundness or purity; incorruptness; uprightness; honesty. Integrity comprehends the whole moral character, but has a special reference to uprightness in mutual dealings, transfers of property,and agencies for others.
3. Purity; genuine, unadulterated, unimpaired state;

Integrity...this a character trait that sure seems to be lacking these days. How is it that so many Christian people seem to do and say that which is un-Christian, un-biblical, and even downright false, and yet, do so without the least bit fear of God? It amazes me! People can lie, speak & act improperly, and do so with such ease.

I think it really must nauseate God more than we even realize, even tho we are told so in Revelation 3 when writing to the Church in Laodicea.

Our political leadership lacks integrity. Sometimes Christians lack integrity, and sadly, sometimes even Pastors lack integrity!

Strive to live your life and lead your ministry with integrity so that when you stand before God at the judgment seat of Christ you will not stand there naked and ashamed. Speak the truth, do the right thing and teach those under your leadership to do so as well.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

29th Anniversary Week Services Started Right….in Prayer!



What a blessing it was for all of us to join together in prayer all through the night last evening and into the wee hours of the early morning.  It was such an encouragement for me to see so many of the FBBC folks and families go in and out of the church building all night long. Doing what? Simply spending time together in prayer as a church family! Glory to God.

I know it pleased the Lord for us to enter into His Throne Room with thanksgiving and praise. Why? Well, for each of us to sacrifice some sleep during the time when we all would normally be asleep, in order to seek His face and His direction for the Anniversary week of services.  It was our desire to intercede on behalf of not only our church family, but also praying for our many lost family, neighbors, co-workers and friends.  We are praying for us as Christians to get into a closer walk with Him, as well as the lost to come to know Christ as Saviour. 

So, continue to invite folks!  Encourage them to attend these services!  Be faithful to attend yourself! (I remember a visitor coming to church one Sunday morning and saying to me, "Pastor Benson, I was invited to church by ________. I can't find them. Where are they?"  Well, they were not in church themselves and the one they invited came expecting to see _______,  only to be disappointed that they were not there. How heartbreaking!)  We need to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, not just for our own spiritual edification and growth, but also for others! May the Lord be blessed this coming week as we come together as family to hear from Him!

Thanks for blessing my heart last night! I was so encouraged!  I love you!  Thanks for loving me!  Most of all, thanks for loving our wonderful Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ!

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Breakfast with Some of the men at FBBC


It was a joy to share a meal of home fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, smoked kielbasa, butter milk biscuits, orange juice and coffee!  Then we ate some spiritual food from the word of God.  Certainly a time of refreshment with some of the men of FBBC!  Thanks for coming guys!

Monday, February 11, 2013

Ministry Updates: Preview "A Stormy Blizzard and A Soft Breeze Arive Together "

Ministry Updates: Preview "A Stormy Blizzard and A Soft Breeze Arive Together "

A Stormy Blizzard and A Soft Breeze Arive Together





THE "BLIZZARD OF 2013" did it's best to keep Noelle Faith Allen from making it to the hospital to be born there but the BREEZE OF NOELLE made it just fine! Mom & Dad got stuck in their driveway and an un-plowed street but a kind and caring neighbor let them use his 4 wheel vehicle to make it through the stormy snow and sleet to get to the hospital in time

Noelle was born at 12:28 PM and weighed in at 7lbs-12 ozs and she is 20-1/2 inches long.  She is beautiful for sure and Nana and Papa are rejoicing grandparents for the fourteenth time!  THANK YOU LORD FOR BLESSING US SO MUCH!