Greater Portland Baptist Church

Had a Bad Day?

If we are honest all of us have days that are better than others. While that is true there are also days that are worst then others!

If you think that you have had a bad day read this account of a man that is described in The Encyclopedia Britannica's 1982 Yearbook, under the heading "Strange and Unusual Events." It tells about a man named Brian Heise who had what you and I might call a "very bad day!"

Brian Heise had more than his share of luck in July of that year, and most of it was bad. When his apartment in Provo, Utah, became flooded from a broken pipe in the upstairs apartment, the manager told him to go out and rent a water vacuum. That's when he discovered his car had a flat tire. He changed it, and then went inside again to phone a friend for help. The electric shock he got from the phone so startled him that he inadvertently ripped the instrument off the wall. Before he could leave the apartment a second time, a neighbor had to kick down the apartment door because water damage had jammed it tight. While all of this was going on, someone stole Heise's car, but it was almost out of gas. He found it a few blocks away but had to push it to the gas station, where he filled up the tank. That evening Heise attended a military ceremony at Brigham Young University. He injured himself severely when he somehow sat on his bayonet, which had been tossed onto the front seat of his car. Doctors were able to stitch up the wound, but no one was able to resuscitate four of Heise's canaries that were crushed to death by falling plaster. After Heise slipped on the wet carpet and badly injured his tailbone, he said he began to wonder if "God wanted him dead, but just kept missing."

And you think you have had a bad day!

As Christians we are not immune to bad days, but we are assured by God that He is always in control of everything "that comes or goes our way!" Romans 8:28 reminds us of that truth: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Recently I was reminded of this when in the midst of my plans God showed me He had other things in mind. I can honestly say a week later I can see much more clearly now that what started out to be a very bad day actually ended up "working together for good."

I am not sure what you are facing today, but a good way to start out any day is understanding that "This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Remember, God is still on the throne!

God bless you!
Preacher

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I heard the story of a mother who was driving her three sons to school, when they started discussing new babies. Her 7-year-old son, asked, "Mom, were you there when I was first born?" I do not know about you but I can honestly say it just seems like Mom has always been there for me. However, this past week held several "firsts" for me. As most of you know, on March 8, 2008 my mom went to Heaven and this Sunday will be the first time in 52 years that I was unable to wish my mom a Happy Mother's Day.

This past week I was in Jacksonville, Florida for my daughter, Anna's, college graduation. After several board meetings at TBC and several quick visits with my family I was able to go by the cemetery where my mom is buried next to my father. I have bought my mother flowers many times through the years but again this was the first time that I ever brought flowers to her grave. Yes, I am comforted by the promise that she is in Heaven and that I will see here again. But like so many of you that have experienced the loss of a parent, I still miss her.

God gave to me a wonderful mother who taught me many things about life. It was not until I became a parent did I understand how much my mother had sacrificed for me. Not until I became a parent did I feel how hurt my mother was when I disobeyed her. Not until I became a parent did I know how proud my mother was when I accomplished something of eternal value. Not until I became a parent did I realize how much my mother loved me and sacrificed for me and all of my family. I am very thankful that I was able to tell her I loved her and that I was proud she was my mother before she went to heaven! In Proverbs it says, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed." Let me encourage you to bless your mom this week by telling her how much you love and appreciate her.

While I was rushing to make a connection to my flight back to Portland I was passed by a man who was also in an obvious hurry. He was also smiling and humming as he was about to pass me by when he said to me, "I have got to hurry; I am on my way to see my mom! She is 83 years old and I do not want to miss this Mother's Day!"

I smiled and commended him for his noble journey! I also handed him a gospel tract entitled "Heaven." I told him to never take for granted that he would always have his mom there to say Happy Mother's Day! I told him of my mom being in Heaven and at first he was saddened by my loss. But a thankful smile was shared as he told me that that he was also a Christian and had the blessed hope of seeing his loved ones in Heaven as well.

If our Lord tarries his coming, and you are still able, please take advantage of the opportunity of expressing to your mother that you love her. Then honor her with you life and the decisions that you make in the future.

Remember Exodus 20:12 "Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

To all of the mothers of GPBC young and old alike, may I also wish each of you a "Happy Mother's Day?"

If you are able, please make plans to bring your mother to church with you this Sunday. We will honor every mother this week in our morning service at 11am. I am looking forward to seeing you then!

God bless you!
Preacher

Will You Help Us?

Over the last few weeks my staff and I have been challenging every member of GPBC to personally get involved in reaching the lost with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! We have talked about it and scripturally shared the motive behind it all. It is now time to stop talking about it and for all of us to start going out to do something about it. This week is the last week of our Spring Sunday School Campaign. I am asking every member to help us reach the lost for Jesus Christ.

I read once where, D.L. Moody was attending a convention in Indianapolis on mass evangelism, he asked his song leader Ira Sankey to meet him at 6 o'clock one evening at a certain street corner. When Sankey arrived, Mr. Moody asked him to stand on a box and sing. Once a crowd had gathered, Moody spoke briefly and then invited the people to follow him to the nearby convention hall. Soon the auditorium was filled with spiritually hungry people, and the great evangelist preached the gospel to them with many trusting in Christ as their personal Savior! Then the convention delegates began to arrive. Moody stopped preaching and said, "Now we must close, as the brethren of the convention wish to come and discuss the topic, 'How to reach the masses.'"

Moody graphically illustrated the difference between talking about doing something and actually going out and doing it. Each of us will be judged for not only do we know Jesus Christ as our Savior but we will also be judged for what we did with the wonderful "good news of the Gospel!"

As your Pastor will you help us? Please invite an unsaved friend, neighbor or loved one to come and be your guest this week! Pray for God to work in a mighty way for souls to be saved and for Him to be glorified in all that we say and do! This could be a day that you and your guest will remember for all of eternity!

God bless you!

Preacher

New Dream Project Announced!

Last Friday evening I had the privilege of sharing with the church in our Annual Dream Banquet the newest opportunity that our Lord has now set before us!

We are preparing to remodel and refurbish the "C-Wing" of our church facilities. This newly remodeled building will bring our entire Nursery and Primary Sunday School Departments into a newly refurbished facility with safe and secured modern classrooms. They will be furnished with state of the art lighting, communications systems and HVAC, as well as all of the amenities needed to have the very best for our kids!

I shared that while we may all be excited and motivated about this need, "It is not enough to care...but caring enough to give!" The exciting part is we believe that we are going to be able to do this all for less than $100,000.

We will be doing all of the work using the men and women here at GPBC to do the labor under the direction of one of our members here at GPBC! Brother David Sorensen will serve as the superintendent of the project. No doubt if we were to contract this out to independent contractors it would cost us over a quarter of a million dollars!

We have set as a goal $50,000 to be raised before we will get started. At the Dream banquet almost $30,000 was committed to be given over the next 60 days. Our prayer is that we will see the total amount come in to get us going. The balance will be paid by our weekly giving in the Dream offering!

If you are not involved in this please pray and seek God's will for your part! Remember "It is not enough to care...but caring enough to give!"

God bless you,
Preacher!

He Did it Again

I still have to smile when I think of the man that was driving under the influence was pulled over by a police officer. He had a bottle in a brown paper sack sitting on the seat next to him. The officer asked him what was in the bottle. He replied, "Oh, Officer that is just a bottle of water."

The officer insisted on smelling it for himself. When he did, it was clear it was not water it was a bottle of wine! When the officer confronted the driver, he said, "Praise God, He did it again!"

I must confess, I am thankful for God's abundant grace and blessings on our Easter service last Sunday morning. We had 768 with 20 saved and 2 baptized and 2 rededications. While it is not unusual for us to see good crowds and people saved each week I am thankful that He just keeps on blessing!

I love the words to the song by Bill and Gloria Gaither "It Gets Sweeter!"

And if He keeps on blessing and blessing, If He keeps on pouring it on, If His love just keeps getting richer, And if he keeps on giving a song. If my cup gets fuller and fuller, If my prayers keep on getting though, And if it keeps getting better and better oh Lord, I don't know what I'm gonna do.

My prayer is that God will do it again this Sunday! We do not celebrate the resurrection just once a year! As Bible believing Christians we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of every week! Let's determine to work and pray this week with the expectation that He will do it again...all for the Glory of God!

Resurrection Sunday and Saturday Visitation

In just another week or so, Christians around the world will celebrate Resurrection Sunday in remembrance of the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

On Saturday, March 15, the entire church family is encouraged to come help us "saturate" the neighborhoods around the church with invitations for our special Easter services. We will meet at 10am. You will be provided with maps and transportation, and we will be done by 11:30am. Everyone can do something! Bring the kids with you for Saturation Visitation. If they are big enough to walk with you they are big enough to go with you. Childcare is available for small children.

Then, mark your calendar, and be in your place on Sunday, March 23, at 10:45am for our special Easter services. Our church choir and Kids of Praise children's choir will present the musical production of Champion of Love! Invite your friend, neighbors and family for a wonderful day of celebration of our risen Lord!

GPBC is the place to be on Resurrection Sunday, March 23, at 10:45am!

28 Days of Prayer Starts in Just One Week!

Last Sunday I announced the start of a spiritual journey for GPBC as we begin our 28 Days of Prayer from Monday, March 10 through Sunday, April 6, 2008!

I will also begin a new series of messages entitled: "Striving Together in Prayer." Let's face it: while prayer is simply talking with God, and anyone can do it, some prayers connect with God's heart while others do not. From the Word of God we will learn the dynamics of life changing lessons that will help all of us as we "Strive Together in Prayer!"

E.M. Bounds said, "Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, opens all prisons, and widens all straits by which God's saints have been held."

History has proven that one of the great failures of the church is that we often try to accomplish with human strength and wisdom what only God can do.

Jeremiah said, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not." Jeremiah 33:3. Oswald Chambers was never more accurate when he said "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work, prayer is the greater work!"

It is my desire as the pastor of GPBC to see a supernatural anointing and revival for our church that can come only through effectual and fervent prayer!

James 5:16 says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

This next year holds some of the greatest opportunities for the future of GPBC! As your pastor I am convinced that the power and persistence of personal and corporate prayer is not only the secret to our future, but also the catalyst!

When God's people pray, things happen!

J. Sidlow Baxter said, "Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons; but they are helpless against our prayers."

Get ready church! Once again I am calling every member of GPBC, young and old alike, to join with me, my staff, and our deacons for 28 Days of Prayer as we prepare for our Dream Banquet on Friday Night, April 4, 2008, at 7pm!

As a church we must "pray as if everything depends on God, and then work and live as if everything depends on us." I know that I can depend on you as we "Strive together in Prayer." See you in church!

God bless you!
Preacher

Don't Forget to Smile

Several years ago my wife and I had the privilege of being in San Antonio, Texas for a few days. This of course is the home of the famous Alamo, one of the places where Texas liberty and statehood was purchased with the blood of many brave men and women.

I had read years before that there was on a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo a portrait with the following inscription: "James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom."

Much like James Butler Bonham, there is no literal portrait of Jesus that exists either. However, the likeness of the Son, who saved and makes us free, can be seen in the lives of His true followers known as Christians!

Paul reminded the believers in Colossians 1:27 that God's plan for a lost world is to see "Christ in you the hope of Glory!" In Galatians 4:19 he said "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you..." Romans 8:28-29 also reminds us that it is God's goal for all of us! "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son..."

In Acts 11:26 we are told that the disciples were first called "Christians at Antioch." The word Christian actually means "Christ like."

As Bible-believing Christians, the way we live, give, serve, love, and forgive are to reflect an image of our Savior toward the blind hearts of those that do not know Him! This is not to give us glory, but rather to bring glory to God the Father and to His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ! Matthew 5:16

The story has been told of a little boy overwhelmed by the love and kindness shown to him by a godly Sunday School teacher asked her one day, "Are you Jesus?' She blushed and humbly smiled and replied, "No, I am just one of his children!" The little boy thought for a moment and said, "I knew that you had to be kin to Him!"

To be honest, I have not ever had anyone ask if I was Jesus before, but I have had the opportunity to show them Jesus and sadly failed! Let me encourage you to join me and GPBC to show a lost world what Jesus looks like! We cannot do that without spending time in His Word and prayer, and then fleshing it out before the eyes of a lost world!

Every Christian must remember that we are to be that portrait of Jesus Christ, Who died, was buried, and rose again and is coming again one day soon to redeem us unto Himself. We have been placed here by God Himself, and must purpose to live in such a way that we resemble our Lord, to show others the Way, the Truth, and the Life that is available to all who will believe upon His precious name!

Remember, you or I may be the only picture of Jesus they have an opportunity to see! Don't forget to smile!

GPBC Dream Banquet Announcement

This past Sunday I announced to the church that we are now in gear and headed for our Annual Dream Banquet! By now every member of GPBC should have already received a letter also informing you of this exciting event!

What a phenomenal year God gave to us this past year! Let there be no doubt that this year is one of the most strategic years in the history of GPBC! On Friday evening, April 4 at 7pm we will once again host our Annual Dream Banquet to help us navigate this course both personally and prayerfully!

Solomon inspired of God tells us "Where there is no vision, the people perish..." Proverbs 29:18.

In Jeremiah 23:28 the Scriptures tell us "The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully..."

This Dream Banquet will be a time that the deacons, my staff, and I will pull back the curtain to our future, to give you a glimpse of our dream and vision for GPBC over the next twelve months! I honestly believe that our future has never been brighter!

Please mark your calendar and make plans to come to this exciting event! We will be meeting at beautiful Monarch Motel and Conference center located at SE Sunnyside and I-205 near the Clackamas Town Center. We will enjoy a delicious meal and a wonderful time of fellowship and fun! The cost is only $7 per person. Our high school teens are also encouraged to come. A nursery and child care will also be provided.

Please get your tickets right away. They are on sale in the foyer before and after every service. I simply cannot express to you the importance of every member and friend of GPBC to be there! Listen up for further details. I know that I can depend on you to pray and prepare for this event! God bless you!

Loving God

While most people will celebrate Valentine's Day this week, as Christians we can also rejoice in the love of Christ for the whole world! John 3:16; Rom 5:8

It is also right for each of us to demonstrate our love for God by our faithfulness and obedience to Him. John 14:15

Show me a church where there is love, and I will show you a church that is truly making a difference in both the church and the world!

D.L. Moody told once of a little boy in Chicago who attended one of his Sunday schools. When his parents moved to another part of the city the little fellow still attended the same Sunday school, although it meant a long, tiresome walk each way. A friend asked him why he went so far, and reminding him that there were plenty of other churches that were just as good, but closer to his home. He said, "They may be as good for others, but not for me!" "Why not?" his friend asked. He quickly replied, "Because they know how to love a boy over there."

I am convinced that if we can make the world believe that we genuinely love them there would be fewer empty churches and many more coming to Christ in personal faith!

When we let love replace duty in our personal church service, we can be sure that the world will be much more prepared for our witness to them! Matt 5:16

God bless you!
Preacher

I Love My Church!

This week GPBC will be celebrating "I Love My Church!" Sunday, February 10, 2008.

We will enjoy special music and testimonies that will thrill your heart and glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! There will also be helpful and encouraging preaching from God's Word. And we will enjoy fellowship with some of the greatest people that you will ever meet in this world!

In Ephesians 5:25 the Bible tells us that "Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it!" Each of us that call ourselves Christians ought also to faithfully love and support our church. As your pastor, let me encourage you to be in Sunday School at 10am sharp, our Morning Worship Service at 11am and then back again Sunday Night at 6pm.

Let me also encourage you to bring an unsaved or unchurched friend with you this week! It could change their life and their eternity!

If there was ever a reason that we should love our church it is now! God has been so good to each of us! Let each of us show our love for our Lord and His church by not forsaking it this Sunday!

The psalmist said, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD." Psalm 122:1

I am looking forward to seeing you this week!

God bless you!
Preacher

All is Well!

Recently my family and I received the sad news that my mother has been diagnosed with late term small cell lung cancer. Even more tragic is that her prognosis is that she has fewer than three months to live. Of course we are trusting the Lord during this difficult time and we rest in the promise that "we sorrow not as them that have no hope." 1Thes 4: 13

My mom is doing well, and has even been used of the Lord to witness to several in the hospital. She even had opportunity to lead one young man to Jesus Christ! We do rejoice in this grace that has been so evident in all of our lives.

At this time I am on my way to Jacksonville, Florida to visit my mother. My sister and brothers will all be there as well. We are praying that we will be a comfort to both my mom and to each other during this time. We will also be making preparation for whatever the Lord has for us in the future.

I know that you will remain faithful while I am gone. Please continue to pray for me and for my family and, of course, for my mom. I will be sure to update you when I return of all that God is doing.

I thought recently of when Robert Louis Stevenson told of a storm that caught a vessel off a rocky coast and threatened to drive it and its passengers to destruction. In the midst of the terror, one daring man, contrary to orders, went to the deck, made a dangerous passage to the pilot house and saw the steer man, at his post holding the wheel unwaveringly, and inch by inch, turning the ship once more out to sea. The pilot saw the watcher and smiled. Then, the daring passenger went below and gave out a note of cheer: "I have seen the face of the pilot, and he smiled. All is well."

Praise the Lord, by faith I have seen the face of our Savior and "All is well!"

Getting Back Into Circulation

In the early 1600's, during the reign of Oliver Cromwell, there was a shortage of currency in the British Empire. Representatives carefully searched the nation in hopes of finding silver to meet the emergency. After one month, the committee returned with its report. "We have searched the Empire in vain seeking to find silver. To our dismay, we found none anywhere except in the cathedrals where the statues of the saints are made of choice silver." To this, Oliver Cromwell eloquently answered, "Then let us melt down the saints and put them back into circulation."

If there has ever been a need in our world today it is to see God's saints melted down and put back into circulation as witness and ambassadors for Jesus Christ! Our responsibility as a believer is to bear fruit and be light in a dark world. As Pastor, let me encourage you to take every opportunity to show and tell others of God's grace and salvation that is abundantly available to all who will believe and call upon the name of Jesus Christ!

D.L. Moody once spoke with a woman who didn't like his method of evangelism. His response was "I don't really like mine all that much either. What's your method?" She replied that she didn't have one. Moody said, "Then I like mine better than yours."

If we are honest there is no better method than for sinners saved by the grace of God telling the lost of a Savior, who loves them and longs for them to be saved. 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16

There are two ways of being united -- one is by being frozen together, and the other is by being melted together. What Christians need is to be united in brotherly love for God and the lost.

If you are not sure how to witness to others, why not come to soul winning visitation this Thursday or Saturday at 10am. There is no better place to learn how to witness to others! Melt you heart with your pastor and church and let's make an eternal difference by witnessing to others.

If you are out of circulation why not get back into the habit of daily sharing your faith with others. Ask God to help you share your faith with someone today! In eternity, you will be glad that you did.

God bless you!
Preacher

2008 GPBC Theme: Striving Together for the Gospel!

As this New Year begins the entire world is gearing up for the XXIX Olympiad in Beijing, China. Whether or not you enjoy sports and athletics on a regular basis, there is something that draws even the novice into the arena during the Olympics every four years. It is in this venue that athletes from around the world gather to compete for the highest honor, a gold medal that recognizes them to be the best in the world! Their performance and courage symbolizes the true Olympic spirit. Each Olympian bears a banner of reason, respect, and resolve. For most this is their highest aspiration in life. This is not an effort accomplished by just a few, but it is the effort of hundreds of athletes who train and prepare for this moment!

According to the Olympic Charter 2004, Fundamental Principles, paragraph 1, the purpose of the Olympiad is as follows: "Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles."

As Bible-believing Christians let's not forget that we are not preparing for a great event that happens only every four years! We are to be involved in the greatest effort known to mortal men: the matter of reaching the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Notice what Paul said to the church at Philippi, in Philippians 1:27: "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel."

The most mammoth undertaking God has ever laid out for men is to lead lost souls to Jesus Christ! It cost God more and requires more from man than any other movement in human or divine history! To make the world God had only to speak the Word; to save the world He must crucify His Only Begotten Son, bury him, and three days later raise Him from the dead!

He has now commissioned the New Testament Church to take the Gospel to every creature! We must never abandon that mission! It is the only reason God has left us here on this earth for the last 2,000 years!

In order for that to happen we must "Strive together for the faith of the Gospel!" The word "strive" is a Greek word "sunathleo." It is compound word from "Sunao" where we get the root for the word "synagogue," meaning together, as a union or an association, and "athleo" meaning "to contend or to compete with the intention to win the prize!"

The word "strive" has as its definition to "stand fast together with the intention to win as a team!"

It is my prayer that this theme will help us to "Strive together!" as we purpose to win the lost to Jesus Christ! In order for that to happen we must have unity, compassion, and resolve!

One day the trumpet will sound and those that have striven together in this noble undertaking will also rejoice in the reward that is much more valuable than a bronze, silver or gold medal! Precious souls will be in heaven because as a church we refused to grow weary in the most important thing in the heart and mind of God!

Let us "not be weary in well doing! We shall reap if we faint not!" In the years to come few will remember the names of those that won the bronze, silver or gold medals of the XXIX Olympiad! But in Heaven, ten million years later we will still be rejoicing that we were a part of God's Dream Team!

New Year Resolutions

Have you ever thought about why we bother to make New Year's resolutions in the first place? Why do we feel the need each January 1st to set new goals that most of us never reach?

I believe, first of all, that it helps us to do two things: identify our priorities and adjust our life to match them! Resolutions also answer the question "How do I want to invest my time, energy, money, and talents in this New Year?"

The Word of God, like the New Year, reminds us that time is passing. It is up to each of us to maximize the potential of every moment. Please note the following Scriptures:

James 4:14
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Psalm 90:9-12
For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Proverbs 27:1
Boast not thyself of tomorrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

A few years ago I came across a list of resolutions prepared by Pastor Walter Schoedel. I have never met him before but he sure offers some great advice about New Year Resolutions!

He called them "7-UPs for the New Year." No, this has nothing to do with the famous soft drink! Rather these "7-UPs" fall under the category of attitudes and actions that every Christian should adapt!

As we start this New Year, 2008, I think it would be a good idea for us to revisit Pastor Schoedel's resolutions.

Here they are:
WAKE UP - Begin the day with the Lord. It is His day. Rejoice in it.
DRESS UP - Put on a smile. It improves your looks. It says something about your attitude.
SHUT UP - Watch your tongue. Don't gossip. Say nice things. Learn to listen.
STAND UP - Take a stand for what you believe. Resist evil. Do good.
LOOK UP - Open your eyes to the Lord. After all, He is your only Savior and He is coming again!
REACH UP - Spend time in prayer with your adorations, confessions, thanksgivings and supplications to the Lord.
LIFT UP - Be available to help those in need, serving, supporting, and sharing.

If we are going to make New Year's resolutions this year, let me suggest that all of us start with these!

God Bless and Happy New Year!
Preacher

The Reason for the Season!

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas let us remember that He really is "the reason for the season!"

The Gospel of Matthew reminds us that when Mary gave birth to Jesus Christ, Joseph her espoused husband was told by an angel, "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." Matthew 1:21-23

Jesus was and remains to be the answer to our every need! Years ago I read where Gregory Nazianzus declared that:

Jesus began His ministry by being hungry, yet He is the Bread of Life.
Jesus ended His earthly ministry by being thirsty, yet He is the Living Water.
Jesus was weary, yet He is our rest.
Jesus paid tribute, yet He is the King.
Jesus was accused of having a demon, yet He cast out demons.
Jesus wept, yet He wipes away our tears.
Jesus was sold for thirty pieces of silver, yet He redeemed the world.
Jesus was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, yet He is the Good Shepherd.
Jesus died, yet by His death He destroyed the power of death.

May I add, Jesus rose again from the dead, and by his resurrection, assures all that place their trust in Him a home forever in Heaven!

That, my friend, brings us full circle of what Christmas is all about! As we approach the celebration of His birth this season, may we never forget He was born to die that we might live.
Isaiah said, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

May Christ's peace and forgiveness be yours this Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Rick Adams

Thank You, Jesus and GPBC!

During this past year we have talked much about reaching the milestone of 25 years hear at GPBC. This is not only a milestone for my wife and me but also for the church family and leadership. It has been an incredible blessing to serve with a staff and church that have a heart for God! I am very thankful that we continue to do together what God led me to start 25 years ago and that is to truly "make a difference in Portland and around the world!" Jude 22.

Recently, the Church showed their love and appreciation to my wife and I as we officially passed the mile marker of 25 years of ministry here at GPBC. The love and generosity poured out on us and our children was such a blessing and so unexpected! Thank you for allowing us to serve here as your pastor and for making this day so special! The incredible love offering will allow us to take a dream trip via the Dixie Queen Stern Wheeler to visit the Civil War battlefields! We can't wait!

Thank you also for bringing my family and kids home. I cannot tell you what a blessing that was to us! The longer I live and serve the Lord the more convinced I am that being saved and in the family of God is indeed one the greatest joys in this life on earth.

I love each of you and thank God for my staff, deacons, and the support of so many gifted and dedicated leaders of this ministry. Without you I could have never made it the first mile! Together we all know that without Christ we could have done nothing!. Rest assured that I know that the credit indeed goes to each of you and the glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! God bless you!

If our Lord should tarry His coming, I pray that we might enjoy serving 25 more years together here at GPBC! See you Sunday!

Preacher

WARNING: "The Golden Compass" - Satan's Tool to Destroy Your Children's Faith in God and the Bible!

Over the past couple of weeks I have received several warnings about a movie entitled "The Golden Compass." I have personally checked this out and unfortunately, they're true.

The movie is based on the book with the same title published by Scholastic and is part of a collection of books. These children's books are some of the most alarming things that you will ever read. What makes it worse is that the movie based on the book premieres in just a few days.

Both the book and the movie introduce atheism to children as well as portraying Adam and Eve actually killing God at the end of the movie. The movie has been described as "atheism for kids" and is based on the first book of a trilogy entitled "His Dark Materials" written by Phillip Pullman. Pullman is a militant atheist and secular humanist who despises C. S. Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia." His motivation for writing this trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis' symbolisms of Christ portrayed in the Narnia series.

Clearly, Pullman's main objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview, "my books are about killing God." He has even stated that he wants "to kill God in the minds of children." It has been said of Pullman that he is "the writer the atheists would be praying for, if atheists prayed."

While "The Golden Compass" movie itself may seem mild and innocent, the books are a much different story. In the trilogy, a young streetwise girl becomes enmeshed in an epic struggle to ultimately defeat the oppressive forces of a senile God.

Another character, an ex-nun, describes Christianity as "a very powerful and convincing mistake." In the final book, characters representing Adam and Eve eventually kill God, who at times is called YAHWEH. Each book in the trilogy gets progressively worse regarding Pullman's hatred of Jesus Christ.

"The Golden Compass" is set to premier December 7, during the Christmas season and will probably be heavily advertised. Promoters hope that unsuspecting parents will take their children to see the movie, that they will enjoy the movie, and that the children will want the books for Christmas.

I think that you will agree that as Christians we should have no part of the promotion of such heresy and trash labeled entertainment! Once again I am called upon "to exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Jude 3

Personally as a parent, grandparent, and pastor let me encourage you to boycott the movie and the books. Also, pass this information along to everyone you know. This will help to not only educate parents so that they will know the agenda of the movie and the books, but also to protect our children from another attack from Satan's bid for our children!

Some of the information quoted above was taken from the following websites and sources. For more information on this subject please feel free to visit these websites:
www.citizenlink.org
www.breakpoint.org
www.onenewsnow.com
www.afa.net

Don't Let the Grinch Steal Your Joy!

Do you remember Dr. Seuss's children's holiday classic "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas?" Perhaps you recall in the story how the Grinch enters all the homes by way of their chimneys disguised as Santa Claus. He takes all the presents and ornaments, the trees and stockings, and even their food down to the very last morsel. He drags his loot up to his mountain and then looks down upon ""Whoville" with a sinister grin. He is listening for the cries and wailing of the people to start as they wake up on Christmas morning to discover that all of their Christmas is lost. What he hears instead surprises him. Up from the town of the "Whos" comes a joyful Christmas carol that they are singing. "Why?" he asks. The answer he learns is that "Christmas resides not in things but in the heart which is truly thankful."

Although we have now officially entered the Christmas season, we must be careful that we do not allow the many different pressures of the season to steal our joy and gratitude for all that blessed season represents! We can do that by simply remembering the" Reason for the Season!"

Matthew 1:21-23 tells us "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

2000 years later it might help each of us to remember the response of the shepherds after meeting the Christ child for the first time! Matthew 2:20 tells us "And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them." Dr. Seuss was right, "Christmas resides not in things but in the heart which is truly thankful."

Just as the Grinch was unable to steal the joy of the "Whos," we must also not allow Satan to steal our joy and gratitude this Christmas season! Really, nothing should prepare our hearts more than Thanksgiving! I hope you had a great one and as your pastor I pray that all of us can remember this over the next few weeks!

God bless you!
Preacher

Are We Starting to Forget?

There is a convicting story about a little boy who couldn't wait for his new baby sister to come home from the hospital. He just could not wait to be near her, to talk to her! His parents however, because he was only four years old, did not want him to be left alone with her. They wanted to make sure that one of them was always present to supervise his visits. He kept begging them to let him be alone with her! One night his parents finally relented. However, unknown to him, they watched as the boy tiptoed into her room and next to his sister's crib and lovingly whispered, "Tell me about God - I'm starting to forget."

As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, let us remember that being thankful helps us not to forget all that God has done for us! It is good for us to gather together around the table to tell each other about God and to remember just how much God loves and has done for us.

Thanksgiving is a time to tell the story again of how God came to us in Jesus Christ to provide for us forgiveness and eternal life! Paul had it right, in 2 Corinthians 9:15 "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."

Thanksgiving is not based on what we can hold in our hands, but rather what we have in our heart...all because of Jesus Christ, our personal Savior!

Let each of us during this Thanksgiving season, remember not to forget!

Happy Thanksgiving!
Preacher

I Am Not Dead, I Am Watching You Do Your Duty!

The Book of Jude reminds us that every believer has a sobering call to faithfully and earnestly contend for the faith! Jude 1:3 says, "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints."

The old and wise preacher, Charles Haddon Spurgeon said:

There is a touching fact related in the history of a Highland chief, of the noble house of McGregor, who fell wounded by two bullets at the battle of Prestonpans.

Seeing their chief fall, the clan wavered thus giving the enemy an advantage. The old chieftain, seeing the effect of his disaster, raised himself up on one of his elbows, and while the blood gushed in streams from his wounds, he cried out to his soldiers, "I am not dead, my children, I am not dead! I am watching to see you do your duty."

These words revived the sinking courage of his brave Highlanders. There seemed to be a charm in the fact that they still fought under the eye of their chief. It motivated them to put forth their greatest effort and they courageously did all that human strength could do to turn and stem the dreadful tide of the battle.

One of the great truths of every Christian is that we are contenders on the battlefield of life under the eye of our Great Savior? Wherever we are, no matter the size of our oppressors, no matter how exhausted we may be, the eye of Christ is fixed most lovingly upon us! May we also remember that Jesus is not the only observer of our conduct? There is also "a great cloud of witnesses." Heb 12:1-2

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Quotable Spurgeon, (Wheaton: Harold Shaw Publishers, Inc, 1990)

While GPBC has by the grace of God, won many battles, it only takes one defeat to destroy our testimony. Let everyone of us remember that God is not dead! He is alive and He is watching! Let's determine to be faithful soldiers until He returns! Rev. 1:10-18; John 11:25-26; 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Let Us Give God the Glory He Deserves!

Praise the Lord for the great day we had last week on Miracle Sunday, celebrating our 25 years at GPBC! Regina and I will forever be grateful for the love, kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity you showed us on this anniversary. We love our Lord and we love this church!

As we celebrate 25 years of ministry here at GPBC, let each of us remember His goodness to us and let us also be reminded that nothing has changed since our beginning!

Our primary goal remains "to glorify God in all that we do."

Romans 15:5-6 tells us, "Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

As we celebrate 25 years of ministry here at GPBC let us purpose to continue glorifying in Christ by:

- EXALTING Christ as our Creator, Savior, and Lord
- EXEMPLIFYING Christ and the values of His kingdom
- EDIFYING His Church
- EVANGELIZING the Lost World
- ENCOURAGING the Saints
- ENRICHING our Culture

If our Lord should tarry His coming, let each of us commit to a life and ministry that honors and glorifies our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

God Bless You!
Preacher

The Effective Encourager!

A man received a "Second Notice" from the IRS stating that his tax payment was overdue, and that unless it was immediately forthcoming, the IRS would be forced to take legal action. The very next day the man appeared at the IRS office with the overdue payment in hand, saying: "I would have paid sooner, but I never received your 'First Notice.' " The clerk replied, "Do not worry. We ran out of 'First Notices' a few months ago. Besides, we discovered that the 'Second Notices' are much more effective!"

This week in our Fall Sunday School Campaign we are asking every member of GPBC to be an encouragement to someone about coming to Sunday School. In all probability you have invited them before, but out of experience I can tell you that often the "Second Notice" is a charm!

Please do not miss this opportunity to Seek Them for Jesus!

God Bless!
Preacher

And of some have compassion, making a difference!

In 1975 a child named Raymond Dunn, Jr., was born in New York State. The Associated Press reports that at his birth, a skull fracture and oxygen deprivation caused severe retardation. As Raymond grew, the family discovered further impairments. His twisted body suffered up to twenty seizures per day. He was blind, mute, and immobile. He had severe allergies that limited him to only one food: a meat-based formula made by Gerber Foods.

In 1985, Gerber stopped making the formula that Raymond lived on. Carol Dunn scoured the country to buy what stores had in stock, accumulating cases and cases, but in 1990 her supply ran out. In desperation, she appealed to Gerber for help. Without this particular food, Raymond would starve to death. The employees of the company listened.

In an unprecedented action, volunteers donated hundreds of hours to bring out old equipment, set up production lines, obtain special approval from the USDA, and produce the formula--all for one special boy. In January 1995, Raymond Dunn, Jr., known as the Gerber Boy, died from his physical problems. But during his brief lifetime he called forth a wonderful thing called compassion. (Leadership, Vol. 16, no. 3)

In this second week of our Fall SS Campaign we are asking every member to show compassion and to do what they can to help another person to come to Jesus as the Good Samaritan taught us in Luke 10:30-37.

Jude: 2 tells us "And of some have compassion, making a difference!"

Can you remember when someone showed you compassion? It is now our turn! I can hardly wait to hear how God used you this week! Remember Matthew 25:40 "Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it unto me."

God bless you!
Pastor Rick Adams

Running the Race

This past week almost 10,000 runners lined up to run in our 36th annual Portland Marathon. The weather was at its best and the runners performed with many records broken and many with personal bests set!

My dear friend Pastor Al Hughes recently shared with me a story about another race that I also want to share with you. It is an old story about the Greek Marathon.

Muscular, conditioned runners paced nervously near the starting line for the long-distance race. The time was near. They "shook out" their muscles, inhaled deeply, and put on their "game faces."

In the midst of it all, a young stranger took his place at the starting line. His physique was awesome. Taking no notice of the other contestants, he stared straight ahead.

Two prizes would be awarded the winner of the Marathon: a magnificent bouquet of flowers and the honor of standing beside the king until the conclusion of other contests.

There seemed to be no question among the runners about who would win the prize. It is alleged that the stranger was offered money not to run. Someone else attempted to bribe him with property. Refusing the offers, he toed the mark and awaited the signal to run. When the signal was given, he was the first away. At the finish line, he was the first to cross, well ahead of the rest.

When it was all done, someone asked the young man if he thought the flowers were worth as much as the money and property he had refused. He replied, "I did not enter the race for the flowers. I ran so that I could stand beside my king!"

May each of us be reminded that those of us who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ are also "running the race!"

1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

This is not a race that will be televised or even the results printed in the newspaper! However, it is a race that God Himself is very much interested!

It is a race that has a prize not just for those that finish first, second, or third, but for all that will just "finish the race!" The prize, according to the Apostle Paul, is not a ribbon with a medal hung around our neck or even a trophy that will rust or flowers that will fade away. It is an "incorruptible crown."

I think that you will agree with me, the greatest prize will not be the flowers or any other accolade that can be given to us! The greatest prize will be that of standing next to our beloved Lord and King, Jesus Christ!

As members of GPBC and faithful servants of Jesus Christ, let me challenge you to run the race with patience. We must keep our eyes on Jesus! Our King is watching and waiting as the finish line draws nearer than it has ever been before! When the race ends where will you be standing?

Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

See you either in church on Sunday or at the finish line!

God bless,
Preacher

GPBC -- A Life Saving Station

Several Years ago I was given the following article that helped form my commitment to "Keep GPBC a Life Saving Station!" Please read it both carefully and prayerfully.

On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur, there was once a little life-saving station. The building was primitive, and there was just one boat, but the members of the life-saving station were committed and kept a constant watch over the sea. When a ship went down, they unselfishly went out day or night to save the lost. Because so many lives were saved by that station, it became famous. Consequently, many people wanted to be associated with the station to give their time, talent, and money to support its important work. New boats were bought, new crews were recruited, and a formal training session was offered. As the membership in the life-saving station grew, some of the members became unhappy that the building was so primitive and that the equipment was so outdated. They wanted a better place to welcome the survivors pulled from the sea. So they replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged and newly decorated building.

Now the life-saving station became a popular gathering place for its members. They met regularly and when they did, it was apparent how they loved one another. They greeted each other, hugged each other, and shared with one another the events that had been going on in their lives. But fewer members were now interested in going to sea on life-saving missions; so they hired lifeboat crews to do this for them. About this time, a large ship was wrecked off of the coast, and the hired crews brought into the life-saving station boatloads of cold, wet, dirty, sick, and half-drowned people. Some of them had black skin, and some had yellow skin. Some could speak English well, and some could hardly speak it at all. Some were first-class cabin passengers of the ship, and some were the deck hands. The beautiful meeting place became a place of chaos. The plush carpets got dirty. Some of the exquisite furniture got scratched. So the property committee immediately had a shower built outside the house where the victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside.

At the next meeting there was rift in the membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club's life-saving activities, for they were unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal fellowship of the members. Other members insisted that life-saving was their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a life-saving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save the lives of all those various kinds of people who would be shipwrecked, they could begin their own life-saving station down the coast. And do you know what? That is what they did.

As the years passed, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a place to meet regularly for fellowship, for committee meetings, and for special training sessions about their mission, but few went out to the drowning people. The drowning people were no longer welcomed in that new life-saving station. So another life-saving station was founded further down the coast. History continued to repeat itself. And if you visit that seacoast today, you will find a number of adequate meeting places with ample parking and plush carpeting. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown. (Thomas Wedel, Ecumenical Review, October, 1953, paraphrased in Heaven Bound Living, Knofel Stanton, Standard, 1989, p. 99-101.)

God Bless you! Preacher

Traveling On Our Knees

Now that our Faith Promise Missions Revival is past it would be easy to sit back and glory over all that God has done for us. Not only have we met our financial goals for this new year, but we have a new spirit if expectation and commitment to Jesus Christ and world wide evangelism!

Several times during this past few weeks we have been challenged to give sacrificially, serve personally, and to pray faithfully. It is clear that GPBC is not only willing to give financially and even to go personally, but I wonder how many of us will continue to pray faithfully?

We must not discount the value of prayer! Prayer is the only form of omnipotence that we will ever enjoy while here on this earth. Through prayer we can shake the throne of God and tap His power to accomplish the impossible.

Perhaps only in Heaven will we know the impact that our prayers will have made. The thrilling thing is every one of us can pray and make a difference while on our knees. Sandra Goodwin penned these challenging and encouraging words that have been a blessing to me. Let me share them with you:

Last night I took a journey
To a land far 'cross the seas;
I didn't go by boat or plane,
I trusted on my knees.
I saw so many people there
In deepest depths of sin,
And Jesus told me I should go
That there were souls to win.
But I said, "Jesus, I can't go
And work with such as these."
He answered quickly, "Yes, you can
By traveling on your knees."
He said, "You pray; I'll meet the need,
You call and I will hear;
Be concerned about lost souls,
Of those both far and near."
And so I tried it, knelt in prayer,
Gave up some hours of ease;
I felt the Lord right by my side
While traveling on my knees.
As I prayed on and saw souls saved
And twisted bodies healed,
And saw God's workers' strength renewed
While laboring on the filed.
I said, "Yes, Lord, I have a job
My desire Thy will to please;
I can go and heed Thy call
By traveling on my knees."

Let us take heed to the plea of Paul when he was inspired of God to write, "Brethren, pray for us...!" 1 Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Hebrews 13:18. While we are giving faithfully let us not sin against God by ceasing to pray for our missionaries! 1 Samuel 12:23

God bless you! Preacher

To the Glory of God!

The heartbeat of Greater Portland Baptist Church is for honoring and glorifying Jesus Christ! The heartbeat of glorifying Christ is none other than Worldwide Evangelism!

The last command that Christ gave us was to "Go into all the world and to preach the gospel to every creature!" Mark 16:15

We may never personally visit a foreign mission field but every one of us can experience the joy of praying, giving, and helping to send others to reach the lost.

This Sunday we will begin our 23rd Annual Faith Promise Missions Revival. Please make plans to attend every service as we continue to "Seek Him!" by "Seeking Them!"

Please pray that this will be our greatest effort ever for worldwide evangelism all to the glory of God!

Preacher

One Of Those Crosses Should Have Been Mine!

If you were to look at Rembrandt's painting of The Three Crosses, your attention would be drawn first to the center cross on which Jesus died. Then as you would look at the crowd gathered around the foot of that cross, you'd be impressed by the various facial expressions and actions of the people involved in the awful crime of crucifying the Son of God.

Finally, your eyes would drift to the edge of the painting and catch sight of another figure, almost hidden in the shadows. Art critics say this is a representation of Rembrandt himself, for he recognized that by his sins he helped nail Jesus to the cross.

This Sunday evening we will be serving the Lord's Supper at GPBC. As we do it is to help us remember that when Jesus died he died for us! We must never forget that!

The Lord's Supper is a perpetual ordinance in the church given to us by Jesus to Christ to serve as a reminder of Christ's death, resurrection, and promise to come again and redeem us unto Himself.

This ordinance, while having no saving merit, should motivate every Christian to exalt Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords; to examine their life, to evangelize the lost with the wonderful message of the Gospel, and finally to expect His soon return!

As your Pastor, let me encourage you to please prepare your heart and family for this holy time of personal worship and obedience to our coming Savior according to 1 Cor 11:23-32.

Like Rembrandt, it is my prayer I will never forget that "One Of Those Crosses Should Have Been Mine!"

Preacher

Priceless!

Do you appreciate those MasterCard commercials that show a man with his son buying a rod and reel for $50 and a fishing license for $25 and a boat for $1000, and then it shows them enjoying a day fishing together while the sun sets at the end of the day, and closes with the words "Priceless!"

I read recently that "every day your heart beats 104,178 times. Your blood travels 171,000 miles. You breathe 23,172 times, inhaling 438 cubic feet of air. You move 752 major muscles and exercise 8,000,000 brain cells. You do this every day. No wonder I'm tired so much of the time!" Robert C. Shannon, 1000 Windows, (Cincinnati, Ohio: Standard Publishing Company, 1997).

While we may laugh out loud at the humor of that statement do you groan inside at the truth it contains!I know that I did! How much of our life do we spend on the "pointless" and not the "Priceless?"

Just recently Regina and I realized that there have been several weeks pass that we had an appointment or some other responsibility that consumed not only our regular time in serving but also the time that we desperately needed as a couple.

I was deeply convicted as I remembered that as important as my labor for the Lord is, He is just as much concerned that I take the time to spend with my wife and family. And like it or not it takes a lot of work to have a healthy marriage and family!

If we will take the care of balancing these two responsibilities, we will enjoy the pay which is excellent, and the benefits, which are priceless!

Let me encourage you as this Labor Day weekend approaches that we reevaluate what we are working for in this life and start laboring not for the Pointless but the Priceless!

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36-37

The New Deacons Approved

Last Sunday evening GPBC had the privilege of voting on and approving the four new members of our Deacon team here at GPBC! These four men and their wives are:
• Mike and Katrina Dawson
• Richard and Beverly Gunn
• Doug and Amy Jackson
• Mike and Sandra Krause

These men and their wives have proven themselves to be faithful servants of our Lord and loyal to this church. Each of them is a gifted and willing servant that will not only compliment the ministry here at GPBC but also bring new energy and experience to our current deacon team. These new deacons will be ordained Sunday evening, September 2nd. No doubt, this will be a blessed night to remember!

Praise the Lord, GPBC has enjoyed a wonderful and fruitful summer! To God be the Glory! For "the great things he hath done!"

Please continue to pray and let's be faithful as we "SEEK HIM!"

God Bless!
Preacher

Our Highest Priority

Have you ever been in a big hurry, buttoned up a long overcoat with lots of buttons, and then discovered after you were done that the coat was uneven? What went wrong? I'll tell you what went wrong: when you don't get the first button in the right hole, all the rest of the buttons will be out of sequence too! Right?!

That's a parable about life. Jesus said it this way in the Sermon on the Mount:
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

Stop and check your spirituals buttons. Are your relationships with God, your spouse, your family, and your job in proper order? If the Lord is not the highest priority in our life, then, like the overcoat, so many other things in our life will be out of whack as well.

When it comes to living our life according to God's purpose, I am convinced the reason most of us "miss it" is because we have our priorities all messed up! Nothing can rightfully take the place of God, and we should never try to put anything or anyone in God's place! If we do, we are asking for trouble.

When I have found myself in that situation, I soon realized that nothing will correct the situation until I stop and take care of the problem. Let me challenge you to take a quick glance in the mirror of God's Word and see how you are doing! (James 1:21-25) You will be glad that you did!

God bless you!
Preacher

New Deacon Candidates Revealed

Last Sunday evening I had the privilege of revealing the four new candidates for Deacon at GPBC. The four men and their wives are as follows:
- Mike and Katrina Dawson
- Richard and Beverly Gunn
- Doug and Amy Jackson
- Mike and Sandra Krause

These men and their wives have proven themselves to be faithful to our Lord and loyal to their church. Each of them is a gifted and humble servant who will not only compliment the ministry here at GPBC but also bring new energy and experience to our current deacon team.

The church will vote on these four new deacons Sunday, August 19. The new deacons will be ordained Sunday, August 26, with their first meeting on September 1, 2007 and Lord's Supper served Sunday night, September 9, 2007

This Sunday, August 12, we will be honoring our past and current deacons in the evening service. This will be a blessed time for all involved. Please do not miss it!

GPBC has had a wonderful summer! I do not know of a greater way to end this summer than by recognizing those who have served faithfully and by receiving the newly elected deacons to start a bountiful and blessed fall!

Please continue to pray and be faithful as we "SEEK HIM!"

God Bless!
Preacher

Picking 'Em Up and Putting 'Em Down!

John Ortberg, a pastor in South Barrington, Illinois, tells of a newspaper article in Tacoma, Washington, that carried the story of Tattoo, the basset hound. Tattoo didn't intend to go for an evening run, but when his owner shut his leash in the car door and took off with Tattoo still outside the vehicle, he had no choice!

A motorcycle officer named Terry Filbert noticed a passing vehicle with something that appeared to be dragging behind it. As he passed the vehicle, he saw the object was a basset hound on a leash.

"He was picking them up and putting them down as fast as he could," said Filbert. He chased the car to a stop, and Tattoo was rescued, but not before the dog reached a speed of twenty to twenty-five miles per hour, and rolled over several times. The dog was fine but asked not to go out for an evening walk for a long time!

There are too many of us whose days are marked by "picking them up and putting them down as fast as we can."

It matters not if you are a pastor or a carpenter, a mother in a carpool or a secretary in a corporate office, we can all get in such a hurry that we are sure enough "picking them up and putting them down!"

There is not only another way to live; there is also a better way to live!

It is learning to "Be still and to wait on the Lord!"

Psalm 46:10
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 27:14
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
Isaiah 40:31
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Being still and waiting on God is not my idea, nor is it easy for us to do, but it sure does make a difference in our daily life! Instead of rushing about, why not stop right now and simply, be still! While you are there stop and count your blessings. Pray and talk with the Lord about that which has you so tied up in knots! Read His Word and get some direction for the rest of your day as well as for the rest of your life!

Sure, you can keep on "picking 'em up and putting 'em down" or you can let the One who loves you not only pick you up, but you can and rest in His strong and loving arms knowing that He will never let you go!

I promise you that a walk with God is a lot better than what this world has to offer! Just ask Toto!

God bless you!
Preacher

Does Anyone Care?

I was reading this morning about Frank Reed, who was held hostage by Lebanese terrorists from 1986 to 1990. His treatment by his captors was not only barbaric but almost indescribable. He was beaten, tormented, and kept in total darkness. But, by his own testimony, the single worst thing that he suffered was the feeling that no one cared.

In Time magazine article Terror and Tedium, dated August 27, 1990 he said, "I began to realize how withering it is to exist with not a single expression of caring around me... I learned one overriding fact: caring is a powerful force. If no one cares, you are truly alone."

Like David, the best of us can come to a place that we feel that way! He said, "I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul." Psalm 142:4

Let us never forget that God instituted two social systems on this planet we call Earth. The two systems were instituted so that no one would ever be without care! They are: the family, and the church.

In a day when even Christian families are failing to care for their own, the church must step up and be a place where love, healing, and acceptance can be found. The New Testament is filled with admonitions and examples of how we are to care for those in need, both within the church and without.

Jesus Himself said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35

It is my desire that GPBC be known as a Church that cares! We can be thankful we have a God that shows us He certainly does! "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." 1 Peter 5:7

God bless you! Have a great week!

Preacher

Thank You, GPBC Deacons!

When someone has a servant's heart, it not only is seen but it is also sensed by those who are its recipients. Jeff Iorg said "While a person's motives may be difficult to describe or define, they are not difficult to discern!"

Each week I have the privilege of working with many different and faithful servants of our Lord here at GPBC. It is an honor and privilege to pastor a church that is blessed with so many who are willing not only to attend faithfully, but also to serve Christ personally.

Some of our finest are the deacons and their wives here at GPBC! In just about a month four of our current deacons will rotate out while four new ones will be elected from our church body.

Let's not let this month pass without expressing our individual genuine heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for their personal surrender and sacrifice of time and energy over these past few years!

Brothers Dave Norwood, Duane Banks, Steve Gary, and Ed Sorensen will rotate out while our current deacons, Dick Jackson, Mark Norwood, Joe Kelchner, and Bill McFeters will continue to serve for another term. These men and their wives have demonstrated a servant's heart, for which I am grateful and our God has been honored.

Servant leadership is a worthy model. But don't be fooled into thinking servant leadership is about the job, the title, or the amount of the paycheck. Servant leadership is all about the heart. It's primarily about our motive. Yes there is a reward! Hebrews 6:10 promise that! But when it comes down to it a servant leader is driven by his or her love for God and His people. Thank you deacons for your servant leadership!

Please continue to pray as we receive the nomination responses this week, and begin the final election process for our four new deacons. They will have a wonderful example and a great opportunity to continue this biblical tradition of servant leadership.

God bless you!
Preacher

Sucked In, Washed Up, and Blown Over!

No doubt anyone reading this can identify with this humorous story from Max Lucado:

Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming.

One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over.

The problems began when Chippie's owner decided to clean Chippie's cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. She'd barely said "hello" when "ssssopp!" Chippie got sucked in.

The bird owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie -- still alive, but stunned.

Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do ... she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air.

Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.

A few days after the trauma, the reporter who'd initially written about the event contacted Chippie's owner to see how the bird was recovering. "Well," she replied, "Chippie doesn't sing much anymore -- he just sits and stares."

It's hard not to see why. Sucked in, washed up, and blown over ... That's enough to steal the song from the stoutest heart.

Max Lucado, In the Eye of the Storm, Word Publishing, 1991, p. 11.

In Romans 8:28-29 we find the following promise:
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."

While the Scriptures promise us that God is working and developing within us the character of Christ, we must also understand that in order to do this, He must take us through times that we feel as if we have been "sucked in, washed up, and blown over!"

One of the greatest lessons that we can learn in life is that God is more interested in our character than our comfort, and He's more concerned about our holiness than our happiness.

However, David understood this process and found great comfort in knowing that God was his Shepherd through the whole process! In the 23rd Psalm we find three steps that will help us as we face tough times:

Psalm 23:4
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
- Refuse to be discouraged - "I will fear no evil..."
- Remember that God is with you! - "for thou art with me..."
- Rely on God's protection and guidance! - "thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

I heard once that "the difference for the Christian during times of trials or suffering is not the absence of the shadow, but the presence of the Light!"

Remember,

God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our life through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way;
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love. Source Unknown

God bless you! Have a great week!
Preacher

Too Close For Comfort

Several years ago I read where Edward Gibbon, author of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, attributed the fall of the Roman Empire to five incredibly relevant reasons:

1. The rapid increase of divorce; the undermining of the dignity and sanctity of marriage and the home, which is the foundation of human society.
2. Higher and higher taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace.
3. The mad craze for pleasure; sports becoming every year more exciting and more brutal.
4. The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was within, the decadence of the people.
5. The decay of religion; faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life and becoming spiritually impotent to warn and guide the people.

I think that you would agree with me that when we compare this to the day and time we live here in America...it is too close for comfort!

If there has ever been a day that Bible believing Christians need to pray for our country it is now! 1 Peter 4:17

While America may be one of the most socially progressive nations in the world it is also one of the most spiritually regressive.

Let us remember the stern warning from Scripture in Proverbs 14:34: "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."

With this warning also comes an invitation to call America back to God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

As we celebrate the 231st birthday of America let us never forget that Christ's coming has never been closer. If you are reading this and you have never accepted Christ as your personal savior, then no doubt the coming of Jesus is "too close for comfort!"

Trust in Him today and find the peace and comfort that this world can never offer! Rom 5:1; Matt 11:28-30; Phil 4:7

Rescued!

It is hard to believe that 20 years have passed since the world watched the 58-hour heroic rescue drama of "Baby Jessica McClure."

For those of you who may have forgotten, 18 month old Jessica McClure fell into an abandoned dry well in October of 1987 in a small Texas town. Initial estimates indicated she would be rescued quickly, but rescuers encountered difficulties when they attempted to drill a secondary shaft near the well. Experts flew in, television crews filmed, and millions prayed. Finally, after almost 60 hours, "Baby Jessica" was pulled from the well and rushed to the hospital.

The word "rescue" means "to save someone from danger or harm." As wonderful as the rescue of Baby Jessica was, let me remind you that 2,000 years ago Jesus came to rescue a lost world that had also taken a very serious fall. Genesis 3 tells us all about this fall. As a result of the sin of Adam and Eve, our only hope was to be rescued by Christ. Romans 5:12, 19

As in the rescue of Baby Jessica, no price was too high for God to save a lost world. He gave His only begotten son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. Thank God, Jesus came to us. He met us where we were, simply because no one but God could save a lost world! Luke 19:10

As incredible as it may seem, this rescue is sufficient for everyone to be saved if they will personally trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior! John 3:16

Twenty years have now passed since Baby Jessica's rescue. The news article that reported the anniversary of her rescue reported that for Jessica, "life goes on." She is now married and has children of her own. She is very grateful for the rescuers and the sacrifices that were made to save her life.

And after our spiritual rescue, life goes on. We are new creatures; "old things are passed away and all things become new!" 2 Cor 5:17

We should also be very grateful for the "unspeakable gift of salvation" afforded to us at the cross! 2 Cor 9:15. It is now our turn to tell others about the Good News of salvation! John 15:16; Matt 28:19-20; Acts 1:8

As the world looks back and celebrates the heroic rescue of Baby Jessica, may every Christian remember the urgency of the continued rescue effort that must be pursued to reach a lost world with the Gospel. Come on, Church! The alarm is sounding!

God's Grace! - It's Still Amazing!

I can still recall the first time, 25 years ago, when I caught a glimpse of Mt Hood! We were coming in from the east on I-84. My family and I were making the move from Jacksonville, Florida to Portland, Oregon to start a new church that would soon become GPBC. We were awed by its beauty so we pulled over and took our first picture. As we drove on we came to another point that gave us another view of the mountain. Once again we had to stop and take a picture. Believe it or not the closer we got to the mountain the bigger and more beautiful it became to us!

Looking back, I have discovered that God's grace is like that. The first glimpse I got of God's grace was from a locker room on my knees looking at another mountain called Calvary and an old rugged cross where my sins were forgiven. The view from here will take your breath away!
But as I have traveled in this life with Christ as my Savior and Guide, I have seen His grace from many different views. Honestly, I still have to pull over a take a look!

I saw it again this week in a mother who is a brand new Christian, who took a gospel tract and showed her children how they could be saved. Two of them made their faith public this past Sunday and were baptized!

I saw it again in a hospital as a couple with fear and trembling leaned on God's grace to get them through one of the greatest trials that they have ever faced.

I saw it again up close and personal on Father's Day as I thanked God for my wife and children that He so graciously gave to me.

Grace has been defined as the "unmerited favor of God!" That is an understatement if I have ever heard one! But it is still true! "God's grace still amazes me... His love is still a mystery!"

Let the words of a song that I love and we are all familiar cause us to pull over from the fast lane of life and thank God for His Amazing Grace.

Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed!

Through many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.
- John Newton

Hey Mom and Dad, This is Not a Race!

Clovis Chappell, a great preacher of a previous generation, used to tell the story of two paddleboat steamers. They left Memphis about the same time, traveling down the river to New Orleans. As they traveled side by side, crew members made disparaging remarks about the slowness of the other boat. Words were exchanged and challenges were made.

Without meaning to a race began. The competition was keen as the boats roared down the Mississippi! However, one boat began falling noticeably behind. They were simply running out of fuel. There had been plenty of coal for the trip, but not enough for a race. As the boat dropped back, an enterprising crew member took some of the ship's cargo and tossed it into the ovens. Suddenly, their boat began to catch up, so they made fuel out of more and more cargo. They finally won the race, but in the process they burned their cargo, the very material they had been hired to transport!

Parents, we must never forget that our primary mission is not to win a "rat race," but to faithfully care for the cargo that has been entrusted to us! Proverbs 22:6. That cargo is our family, and even more specifically our children!

The Psalmist reminds us that "children are an heritage of the Lord!" Psalm 127:3. As we live our lives as believers in Jesus Christ, let us carefully and prayerfully determine to finish our course with the precious cargo of our family and children!

God bless you!
Preacher

Finally, Getting It Right!

Did you ever notice that some people always get it wrong? Paul Harvey, in his book For What it's Worth, tells about a county jail in south Florida where jail officials found a plastic trash bag setting on the floor right next to the bars of a cell. Believe it or not, inside was Jimmy Jones, a prisoner who hoped he would get taken out with the trash. And he might have...except during roll call his instincts took over. When the name Jimmy Jones was called, from inside the bag came a muffled response: "Here!"

Poor guy! Some people just can't seem to get it right. But here's some good news, especially for those of us like Jimmy Jones who sometimes get it all wrong. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 5:1 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ," and again in Romans 5:8-9 "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

Think of that. When we place our faith and trust in Christ, we no longer need to concern ourselves about our salvation. We are "justified" with God! Simply put we are made "right with God!"

We no longer need to wonder whether we will be found acceptable when we stand before the throne of grace. We no longer need to cast an anxious eye over our life's work. Thank God, because of what Christ has done, those of us who so often get it wrong have eternally been made right!

God bless you!
Preacher

The Holy Grail?

The legend of the Holy Grail is familiar to most Christians.

It basically involves the search for the chalice, the very cup from the upper room from which our Lord Jesus Christ drank and instituted the Lord's Supper. The legend continues in claiming that Joseph of Arimethea later used that same cup to collect the blood and sweat from Christ while he was dying on the cross. Let it be understood this is nothing more than a hoax and holds absolutely no Scriptural truth or validity.

The question that demands an answer is, "If we had that cup would it enhance our observance of the Lord's Supper?" The truth is "Not at all!" However, we do have two things from the first supper in that upper room that do enhance our observance of the Lord's Supper.

First of all we have the picture of what the supper represents to every believer: the unleavened bread represents the perfect and sinless sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins; and the cup, which represents the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ.

Second, we have a promise in Matthew 26:29: "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." Here Christ promises us that one day we will enjoy this time of fellowship and communion with Him personally! That is all wrapped up in the promise that we know as the "Blessed hope!" of Titus 2:11-13.

As a member of GPBC, please prepare your heart according to 2 Corinthians 11:23-32. Read these verses carefully and prayerfully. Then this Sunday evening let's meet and observe this wonderful ordinance for the local church! Rest assured that when we come to the Lord's Supper our focus will not be on the cup, but rather on the Cross and the Christ who loves us and gave Himself for us!

God bless you!
Preacher

"Quittin' Meeting" Scheduled For This Sunday!

This weekend we will be hosting Evangelist Randy Chovan with his wife and son. He is a gifted preacher and spirit filled evangelist. He will undoubtedly be used of God to challenge GPBC to go to new heights spiritually.

Evangelist Chovan reminds me of Sam Jones, one of the great revival preachers and evangelists of this past century. He used to conduct what he called "Quittin' Meetings" during his revivals. They were called "Quittin' Meetings" because he gave people the opportunity to confess their sins and repent. Many people quit swearing, drinking, smoking, gossiping, etc.

After a service one night he asked one woman what she planned to quit and she replied, "I ain't been doing nothing and I am goin' to quit that too."

If we have become careless in our service to Christ or our attendance to church let's determine to "quit it!"

As your Pastor let me encourage every member to make sure that we invite our friends and neighbors to the services this week, and may the Lord help us not to miss a single service this Sunday!

God bless you!
Preacher

Take this Quiz

I can still remember the fear that came into my heart when I heard my teacher say to the class "Okay class, close your books, clear your desk, and take out a piece of paper and a pen. This is a pop quiz!"

I want to challenge you with a pop quiz that I took several years ago after reading a book by Max Lucado, And the Angels Were Silent. He said:

Name the ten wealthiest men in the world. Name the last ten Heisman trophy winners. Name the last ten winners of the Miss America contest. Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize. How about the last ten Academy Award winners for best picture or the last decade's worth of World Series winners?

How did you do? I didn't do well either. With the exception of you trivia hounds, none of us remember the headlines of yesterday too well. Surprising how quickly we forget, isn't it? And what I've mentioned above are no second-rate achievements. These are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

Think of three people you enjoy spending time with. Name ten people who have taught you something worthwhile. Name five friends who have helped you in a difficult time. List a few teachers who have aided you in your journey through school. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Was it any easier? It was for me, too.

What is the lesson? It really is pretty clear: "The people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the credentials, but the ones with the concern." This is a great lesson!

I have one more question. Do you ever wonder if someone else taking this test happened to write down your name? Jude 22 reminds us that we can also make a difference in the lives of others: "And of some have compassion, making a difference."

Take a minute and think about those who have made a difference in your life. If possible, why not write them a note? Or better yet, tell them personally. Go out of your way this week to help someone who really needs your direction spiritually or in some other personal way. Your love, appreciation, and concern for others does make a difference! It may be that you will be used of our Lord to make a difference in their day and maybe even their life!

God bless you!
Preacher

Education Is Learning More Than What You Are Told!

As many of our children, teens, and college students graduate this year, I was reminded of an article that I read in Reader's Digest written by Judith Swanson. She said:

From the day we entered the ninth-grade health class; one blackboard was covered with the names and locations of the major bones and muscles of the human body. The diagram stayed on the board throughout the term, although the teacher never referred to it. The day of the final exam, we came to class to find the board wiped clean. The sole test question was: "Name and locate every major bone and muscle in the human body." The class protested in unison: "We never studied that!" "That's no excuse," said the teacher. "The information was there for months." After we struggled with the test for a while, he collected the papers and tore them up. He then gave us some wise words of advice. "Always remember," he told us, "that education is more than just learning what you are told."

Education truly is more than a classroom experience. It really is a daily process that continues throughout life! If we will take it, that is both wise and painful advice. I can also tell you from experience that education is not only painful...it is expensive. My wife and I have paid the high price for education for both my children and ourselves. But, as one person put it: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!"

We must never think that we have arrived either academically or spiritually. Let each of us determine that wherever we are in life, we must strive as the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:7-14

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Let's just keep on "pressing towards the mark!" remembering that "Education Is Learning More Than What You Are Told!" It is experiencing the grace and goodness of our God along the way!

Preacher

National Day of Prayer - Thursday, May 3, 2007

I am thankful that we live in a nation that still has the right and privilege to pray publicly. This Thursday, May 3, 2007 has been designated as the National Day of Prayer for our great country, The United States of America. If there has ever been a day that our nation needs prayer it is today!

I am reminded when Pastor Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual politically correct generalities. But on January 23, 1996, what they heard instead was a stirring prayer, passionately calling our country to repentance and righteousness.

The response was immediate, with a number of legislators walking out during the prayer. In six short weeks Central Christian Church logged more than 5,000 phone calls, with only 47 of those calls responding negatively.

Commentator Paul Harvey aired Pastor Joe Wright's prayer on the radio and received a larger response to this program than any other program Paul Harvey has ever aired.

The prayer is reprinted below as an encouragement and challenge for each of us to stand for the truth of the Gospel wherever the Lord gives us opportunity.

Heavenly Father, we come before You today to ask Your forgiveness and seek Your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, " Woe on those who call evil good," but that´s exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that:

- We have ridiculed the absolute truth of Your Word and called it pluralism;
- We have worshipped other gods and called it multi-culturalism;
- We have endorsed perversion and called it an alternative lifestyle;
- We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery;
- We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation;
- We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare;
- We have killed our unborn and called it choice;
- We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable;
- We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem;
- We have abused power and called it political savvy;
- We have coveted our neighbor´s possessions and called it ambition;
- We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression;
- We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.

Amen.

Eleven years later, this is also my prayer for our country and our churches!

Psalm 33:12
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

God bless you!
Preacher

A Friendship That Can Change Your Life!

Jackie Robinson was the first black man to play major league baseball. While breaking baseball's "color barrier," he faced jeering crowds in every stadium. While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, New York, he committed an error. His own fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered.

Then shortstop "Pee Wee" Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and together they faced the crowd. The jeering fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career and changed his life!

Two thousand years ago in front of a jeering crowd Jesus took our place on Calvary's cross. Every Christian knows that day changed our life! Proverbs 18:24 says "A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother."

While we thank God for His love and friendship to us, whom do you know who still does not know Jesus as their personal savior?

This Sunday is the last day of our Spring Sunday School Campaign. We are calling it Friend Day and asking every member of GPBC to personally invite and encourage a friend to come to Sunday School and church this week!

Please help us make a difference in the life of your friend! James 5:20 says "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."

Like Jackie Robinson and every honest Christian, they will also say that it was not only a day that a friend changed their life, but also a day that a friend made an eternal difference!

God bless you!
Preacher

When We Cannot See Him, We Must Trust Him

I would be remiss if I did not ask every member and friend of GPBC to pray for the victims and the families of those that were either killed or injured by the senseless mass shootings in Blacksburg, Virginia.

The media has informed us that the death toll is now at 33 and rising. We have also been told that this incident is the deadliest mass shooting in the history of our nation. With the tragedy of these shootings at Virginia Tech yesterday comes the reminder of the awful shootings at Columbine, Colorado and Springfield, Oregon just a few years ago.

H.L. Mencken once said, "For every complex problem there is a simple solution--and it is always wrong." At this time there are no answers that can take away the pain of those planning funerals or facing the future, not sure of just what it holds. Many wonder if our schools and college campuses will ever be safe again. We must remember that even though we may not understand God's purpose in all of this, the one right answer is still that God is our refuge and strength!

As Christians, we must not only offer our heartfelt condolences to these victims, but we must also offer our prayers and unswerving confidence that God has not abandoned us! The Apostle Paul tells us that we can anchor ourselves in the unshakable promise, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

Although all of us are saddened by the devastation and loss of lives, our hearts and confidence rest in God's eternal promises. It may be in heaven that we finally see and understand all that has happened, but rest assured that Jesus always has been and still remains the right answer!

To God be the Glory!

There is no better way to celebrate a Risen Savior than to share that "good news" with others! And this we did!

As a result, God blessed our church on Easter Sunday in a wonderful way! We had a packed church and to the glory of God, many souls saved!

I do not have words sufficient to express my love and appreciation to all who worked so hard to make that happen. Needless to say there were many (hundreds) who made this event possible. But if you were to ask any one of them they would tell you that they were just doing it for the Lord.

I have heard that there are two kinds of people in this world: those who do the work and those who take the credit. If we try to be in the first group, we will soon discover that there is less competition there.

It is obvious to me here at GPBC that we are not competing with each other, but rather encouraging one another as we purpose to "Seek Him!" And in doing so we we are also faithfully trying to "Seek Them!"

I praise the Lord for a Staff and Church that love their Lord and their preacher enough to catch his vision and try to make a difference in our world!

Let my message be loud and clear, for all that God has done and continues to do here at GPBC, "I give the people the credit, and God the glory!"

I love you all!

Preacher

Because He Lives!

As a Bible believing Christian it is impossible for God to ever forget that we belong to him! However, if we are not careful we can forget that He belongs to us! That is one of the reasons that we celebrate a resurrected Savior every Sunday!

Easter Sunday is the day that once a year a lost and confused world remembers that something happened 2000 years ago three days after Jesus' death on Calvary. He arose from the dead!

Yes, we will celebrate Easter this Sunday, and we will do all that we can to reach the lost who will attend our services. But let those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ, our Risen Savior, remember that "Because he Lives!" is the reason we worship and work for Him in the first place!

When this Easter has come and gone, may we remain faithful to the One who died and rose again on the third day, and is one day coming again to receive us unto Himself!

As the song so wonderfully says:

Because He Lives by Bill & Gloria Gaither

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Saturation Visitation for Easter Sunday

This Saturday GPBC needs your help as we saturate East County with the Good News of the Gospel and a personal invitation to be with us on Sunday morning April 8 for our Easter Service! It has been said before that the "best kept secret in East County is GPBC!" Let's work together to get the Good News of the Gospel out! We will meet at 10am and be finished no later than 11:30am! A nursery will be provided for children too young to go with you. I look forward to seeing you as we continue to make a difference for our "Risen and Coming Savior!" I know that I can depend on you!

We are a soul-winning church!

God gave us a great day last Sunday! We had four saved and baptized as well as several saved during our weekly soul winning and visitation outreach. If you are a member of GPBC and are not personally involved in trying to reach others with your faith let me encourage you to ask yourself, "Why?"

For most people it involves one of three reasons: time, fear, or complacency.

If time is an issue, let me encourage you to set aside an hour a week to get involved in our soul-winning on Saturday morning at 10am. It is not only a great way to make friends but you will look back in eternity and be glad that you made witnessing a priority in your life. It will truly make a difference. Surely you have an hour that you can give to Christ for telling others about Christ.

If you are fearful, let me encourage you by saying we are having a soul-winning seminar coming up this Saturday from 9am to noon. John Nordstrom with AAA Ministries will be our instructor. He is one of the finest soul-winners that I have ever met. This seminar will not only help give you the courage but also the confidence to be an effective witness for Christ.

If your heart has grown complacent about the lost souls of men, I pray that this will convict you and challenge you to ask God to rekindle the fire in your heart not only for those whom He loves but also those for whom He died!

I am asking God to use us this week to be a greater witness for Him! I will pray for you. Will you please pray for me? GPBC is a soul-winning church. I need your help to keep it that way. God bless you!

Almost Home!

I was thinking recently, remembering the small voices of my children when we were traveling: "Are we there yet? How much longer will it be before we get there?"

This past week my wife Regina and I went to California. I was scheduled to preach at the West Coast Baptist College and took this opportunity to visit with our kids who are students there. We had a great time and afterwards we took a few days off for some rest and relaxation! To be honest it was anything but relaxing! We rented a car and drove over 1400 miles in less than a week! That was after we flew to Los Angeles!

We did see some great sights though. We visited the Yosemite National Forest, as well as the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley and the Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California.

On Sunday morning we attended the Shadow Mountain Community Church in El Cajon where Dr. David Jeremiah is the pastor, and on Sunday evening in San Diego, Lighthouse Baptist Church where Pastor Doug Fisher serves as the pastor. What a blessing to be able to visit those two fine churches!

I praise the Lord for my faithful staff, who did a fantastic job while I was gone! When it was all said and done, we saw a lot of beautiful scenery and many incredible sights but none quite like our finally seeing "home" when our plane touched down Monday evening here in Portland!

I was thinking what it will be like one day when we finally get to our "Heavenly home!" 1 Corinthians 2:9 reminds us "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."

The mansions, the golden streets and the river of life are certainly going to be beyond description! But imagine with me seeing our loved ones that have gone on before us! And most of all... seeing Jesus face to face! And best of all, never having to say goodbye again! Heaven will be our greatest expectation fulfilled! Every tear will be wiped away and we will forever be with Christ!

Are you ready to go there? If not please take the time to read on this website how to know that you are going to heaven! If you are saved, do not forget: Heaven has never been closer! Let each of us determine to be faithful this week because we are almost home!

Prayer Changes Things and People

Historically, when God's church faced a new challenge they rose to meet that challenge on the wings of prayer!

It was my desire as the Pastor of GPBC to see a supernatural anointing and revival for our church that could come only through effectual and fervent prayer! On Miracle night, February 4th God did just that!

We were facing challenges which could only be met through the power and persistence of personal and corporate prayer! I was convinced that when God's people pray, things happen!

The timing could not have been better! The opportunities for ministry have never been more abundant! It has been said that "Prayer Changes Things!" Let it been known that" Prayer also Changes People!" It has changed us!

The 28 days of prayer allowed God to do a great work in my heart as well as the people of GPBC! Let each of us determine to keep the fire burning for God's glory!

God bless you GPBC! I know that I can depend on you as together we continue to "Seek HIM!" during 2007!

Jeremiah 29:12-13
12Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.
13And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Seek Him!

One does not have to read many contemporary biographies to discover that what most people spend their life seeking does not deliver the happiness and satisfaction that it promises.
Instead, most people end their lives with the same frustration and disappointment of unfilled dreams, shallow relationships, and broken promises.

Jack Higgens, author of The Eagle Has Landed, was asked what he would like to have known as a boy. His answer, "That when you get to the top, there's nothing there."

The Old Testament prophet, Jeremiah, understood the need for every man and woman to have in their heart a spiritual compass that pointed them not to riches, but to a Holy and Righteous God. In Jeremiah 29:13 we find the promise, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart!"

When we seek Him we will discover that He is not a moving target, but rather a Seeking Savi