TLBC 2Q08 report

The Lord’s Baptist Church
11102 Yakima Avenue South
Tacoma, WA. 98444
www.thelordsbaptistchurch.com
Pastor Larry J. Killion Phone: 253-537-0129 Email: ljkillion@juno.com

As June draws to an end, another year is half gone. This is our 2nd quarter report for 2008. Outlines of our latest Sunday morning sermons can be seen on our church website. Church attendance is still discouraging. We only have about six now that faithfully support the church with finances. We’ve cut back on missions and ministries in order to meet routine expenses. A couple of churches and a friend in Kentucky have helped us with love offerings for which we are truly thankful.

Pastor attended the Bible Conference in Mt. Morris, Michigan in April and afterward traveled down to Kentucky and Indiana to visit with Elder Kenneth Long and his church and family. I preached at the Providence Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. I also discussed the pending missionary trip to Ukraine on the “Seeking The Truth” television program broadcast in Eastern KY. by the Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Hazard, KY.

Plans for the Mission trip to Ukraine with Elder Kenneth Long are still temporarily on hold. Alex needs to acquire vacation in order to host guests from America. The local Baptist Union organization in Chernigov is hindering the work. Alex and our people had to stop holding services where they were meeting due to politics. Finding another “affordable” place is discouraging. They have been meeting in small groups in the mean time but desperately need a suitable meeting place. They need help. I mentioned this need in emails to all that I know but am afraid that most are hesitant to send finances to a work that does not yet have scriptural authority. That is why we are so anxious to go. They need about another $250 per month as it stands now to have their own meeting place again. Brother Long and I think we can help them with the first month when we go for the baptisms and organization and maybe after that some of our sister churches will come on board with what is needed thereafter. Pray that God would burden hearts to make it so.

Pastor had an episode of vertigo that landed him in the hospital for three days in May. He is doing better now but still has balance problems at times. Insurance paid $20,000 of it but we still owe about $5000. A week after Pastor’s episode Elder Jim Turner also had a similar thing but his was a seizure related to an old bee sting issue from the past. Thank you for your prayers. The ad that I posted in a weekly paper for a FREE Bible Study for the Military reaped zero results. Pray for our local outreach efforts. I hope to be out in the neighborhood again passing out gospel tracks soon. We need souls.

Elder Bob Ellis, our Missionary in Ireland finished his chemotherapy for a lymphatic lesion on the optic nerve of his right eye. He believes no news is good news in regard to the follow up tests made after the treatments. Elder Cresencio Baldemor, our Missionary in Philippines is well. The financial needs in the Filipino work are the Lawa-an building project and brother Baldemor’s travel expenses. Sister Sue Kaley went home to be with the Lord. Graveside services were held in Puyallup where her husband Merrell was buried. Brother Troy Sheppard came up from Florida to help in the services. Remember our older members in prayer and those in distant places. Thanks again for your faithful prayers. We need it. AMEN.

Guests from Germany

It was good to see the Turners back from their road trip and in prayer meeting. We enjoyed the visit from Hedi und Willy the early part of the week. They are home again now in Germany. Hedi is Marion's sister.

Dead Mule

A Pastor went to his church office on Monday morning and discovered a dead mule in the church yard He telephoned the police. Since there did not appear to be any foul play, the police referred the Pastor to the Health Department.

They explained, "Since there was no health threat, you'll need to call the Sanitation Department." When the pastor called the Sanitation Department, the Manager of the Sanitation Department said, "I can't pick up that dead mule without authorization from the mayor."

The Pastor was not at all too eager to call the mayor, who possessed a very bad temper and was always extremely unpleasant and hard to deal with, but, eventually, the Pastor called the mayor anyway. The mayor did not disappoint the Pastor. The mayor immediately began to rant and rave.

After his continued rant at the pastor, the mayor finally said, "Why did you call me any way? Isn't it your job to bury the dead?" The pastor paused for a brief prayer, and asked the Lord to direct his response. The lord led the pastor to the words he was seeking, "WELL Yes, Mayor, it IS my job to bury the dead, BUT I always like to notify the next of kin first!"

It was good to have a first time visitor in our servcies today. Young Tobie came with Jacob Russell. My sermon was on "The Holy Call of Saul" and the outline is HERE.

All people smile in the same language.

A hug is a great gift... one size fits all. It can be given for any occasion and it's easy to exchange.

The real measure of a man's wealth is what he has invested in eternity.

Laughter is God's sunshine.

It's important for parents to live the same things they teach.

Thank God for what you have, TRUST GOD for what you need.

If anyone speaks badly of you, live so none will believe it.

Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.

The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other.

Harsh words break no bones but they do break hearts.

We take for granted the things that we should be giving thanks for.

Love is the only thing that can be divided without being diminished.

For every minute you are angry with someone, you lose 60 seconds of happiness that you can never get back.

Do what you can, for who you can, with what you have, and where you are.

A Few Federal Judges VS All Fifty States

The graveside funeral services went well today out at Woodbine Cemetery. Sister Kaley was laid to rest next to the mortal remains of her dear husband Merrell. Marion and I are home now from the airport where we dropped off Brother Troy Sheppard. It was good to see him again. He flew up from Florida to help in the funeral services. I'm still having problems with my vertigo. Saw a specialist this week and the good news is that the inner ear does not have any permanent damage and that these uncomfortable symptoms will eventual go away. He said it may take up to six months. We are fearfully and wonderfully made and I thank God for all of you that have been praying for me with this physical infirmity. Aren't you glad that when we feel like praising God and giving God glory we still have the freedom to do that in most places in our country? AMEN!

Somewhere along the way, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court have misinterpreted the US Constitution. How could fifty States be wrong?

THIS IS VERY INTERESTING!

Be sure to read the last two paragraphs.
America's founders did not intend for there to be a separation of God and state, as shown by the fact that all 50 states acknowledge God in their state constitutions:

Alabama 1901, Preamble. We the people of the State of Alabama, invoking the favor and guidance of Almighty God , do ordain and establish the following Constitution.

Alaska 1956, Preamble. We, the people of Alaska, grateful to God and to those who founded our nation and pioneered this great land.

Arizona 1911, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arizona, grateful to Almighty God for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution.

Arkansas 1874, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Arkansas, grateful to Almighty God for the privilege of choosing our own form of government...

California 1879, Preamble. We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom.

Colorado 1876, Preamble. We, the people of Colorado, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of Universe.

Connecticut 1818, Preamble. The People of Connecticut, acknowledging with gratitude the good Providence of God in permitting them to enjoy.

Delaware 1897, Preamble. Through Divine Goodness all men have, by nature, the rights of worshipping and serving their Creator according to the dictates of their consciences.

Florida 1885, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Florida, grateful to Almighty God for our constitutional liberty, establish this Constitution.

Georgia 1777, Preamble. We, the people of Georgia, relying upon protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution...

Hawaii 1959, Preamble. We, the people of Hawaii, Grateful for Divine Guidance .. establish this Constitution.

Idaho 1889, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Idaho, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings.

Illinois 1870, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Illinois, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

Indiana 1851, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Indiana, grateful to Almighty God for the free exercise of the right to chose our form of government.

Iowa 1857, Preamble. We, the People of the State of Iowa, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of these blessings establish this Constitution.

Kansas 1859, Preamble. We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious privileges establish this Constitution.

Kentucky 1891, Preamble. We, the people of the Commonwealth are grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties...

Louisiana 1921, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Louisiana, grateful to Almighty God for the civil, political and religious liberties we enjoy.

Maine 1820, Preamble. We the People of Maine acknowledging with grateful hearts the goodness of_the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe in affording us an opportunity ... and imploring His aid and direction.

Maryland 1776, Preamble. We, the people of the state of Maryland, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberty...

Massachusetts 1780, Preamble. We...the people of Massachusetts, acknowledging with grateful hearts, the goodness of the Great Legislator of the Universe ... in the course of His Providence, an opportunity and devoutly imploring His direction .

Michigan 1908, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Michigan, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of freedom establish this Constitution.

Minnesota, 1857, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Minnesota, grateful to God for our civil and religious liberty, and desiring to perpetuate its blessings:

Mississippi 1890, Preamble. We, the people of Mississippi in convention assembled, grateful to Almighty God, and invoking His blessing on our work.

Missouri 1845, Preamble. We, the people of Missouri, with profound reverence for the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, and grateful for His goodness . establish this Constitution ...

Montana 1889, Preamble. We, the people of Montana, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty establish this Constitution ...

Nebraska 1875, Preamble. We, the people, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom .. establish this Constitution.

Nevada 1864, Preamble. We the people of the State of Nevada, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom establish this Constitution ...

New Hampshire 1792, Part I. Art. I. Sec. V. Every individual has a natural and unalienable right to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience.

New Jersey 1844, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New Jersey, grateful to Almighty God for civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing on our endeavors.

New Mexico 1911, Preamble. We, the People of New Mexico, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of liberty.

New York 1846, Preamble. We, the people of the State of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure its blessings.

North Carolina 1868, Preamble. We the people of the State of North Carolina, grateful to Almighty God, the Sovereign Ruler of Nations, for our civil, political, and religious liberties, and acknowledging our dependence upon Him for the continuance of those .

North Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of North Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, do ordain...

Ohio 1852, Preamble. We the people of the state of Ohio, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, to secure its blessings and to promote our common

Oklahoma 1907, Preamble. Invoking the guidance of Almighty God, in order to secure and perpetuate the blessings of liberty ... establish this ..

Oregon 1857, Bill of Rights, Article I. Section 2. All men shall be secure in the Natural right, to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their consciences..

Pennsylvania 1776, Preamble. We, the people of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance.

Rhode Island 1842, Preamble. We the People of the State of Rhode Island grateful to Almighty God for the civil and religious liberty which He hath so long permitted us to enjoy, and looking to Him for a blessing.

South Carolina, 1778, Preamble. We, the people of he State of South Carolina grateful to God for our liberties, do ordain and establish this Constitution.

South Dakota 1889, Preamble. We, the people of South Dakota, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and religious liberties ...

Tennessee 1796, Art. XI.III. That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience...

Texas 1845, Preamble. We the People of the Republic of Texas, acknowledging, with gratitude, the grace and beneficence of God. Utah 1896, Preamble. Grateful to Almighty God for life and liberty, we establish this Constitution.

Vermont 1777, Preamble. Whereas all government ought to ... enable the individuals who compose it to enjoy their natural rights, and other blessings which the Author of Existence has bestowed on man ..

Virginia 1776, Bill of Rights, XVI .. Religion, or t he Duty which we owe our Creator .. can be directed only by Reason ... and that it is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian Forbearance, Love and Charity towards each other .

Washington 1889, Preamble. We the People of the State of Washington, grateful to the Supreme Ruler of the Universe for our liberties, do ordain this Constitution

West Virginia 1872, Preamble. Since through Divine Providence we enjoy the blessings of civil, political and religious liberty, we, the people of West Virginia reaffirm our faith in and constant reliance upon God ...

Wisconsin 1848, Preamble. We, the people of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, domestic tranquility.

Wyoming 1890, Preamble. We, the people of the State of Wyoming, grateful to God for our civil, political, and religious liberties .. establish this Constitution.

After reviewing acknowledgments of God from all 50 state constitutions, one is faced with the prospect that maybe, just maybe, the ACLU and the out-of-control federal courts are wrong!

"Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants." - William Penn

Happy Fathers Day 08

Attendance was low in church today but God was there. He never fails. My sermon was on "Godly Fathers" and the outline is on the front page of TLBC website. click here Last week I preached the funeral of Janet Morgan, a former member of the church, out at the Haven of Rest Cemetery over in Gig Harbor. This Friday at 11AM I will again be preaching a graveside service for Sister Janet Sue Kaley at the Woodbine Cemetery out in Puyallup. Our heart goes out to those who are hurting at this time due to the loss of a dear loved one.

I had a "dizzy" follow up doctor appointment last week with my family doctor and he has made an appointment for me to see an ear specialist this week about my vertigo. The physical therapist has seen marked improvement with me but I seem to have hit a plateau and am not improving as fast as I once was. Your prayers are deeply appreciated as I certainly do not want to spend the rest of my life with the threat of this dizziness hanging over my head. It really has a negative affect on ones confidence.

Please checkout my shelfari book shelf over in the right column and sign up for free to get your own shelf so we can compare what books we have read in common.

Here is something from a book of letters written by a woman named Anne Dutton, who lived in the 1700’s in England. The Lord brought me great comfort from it and I hope that He might also bless others who read it.

"Dear Brother and Sister,

- As to my health, blessed be God, I am not worse than I was when brother was here. I dwell in a crazy tabernacle, which I think sometimes is near its dissolution. But I rejoice in that house, that building of God, eternal in the heavens, which I know, through grace, is prepared for me. I in this tabernacle groan, being burdened by reason of that sinfulness and weakness which attends and renders me incapable either to know or serve the Lord as I would, and as perfect spirits do; and this makes me long for the time when mortality shall be swallowed up of life.

We have no reason to be afraid of a separate state, for "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord." Nor yet should the saints be afraid to die, as if they should be forsaken and left to go through the last trial alone. No, our God will be with us when we come to the river Death; He will divide the water before us, and so marvellously appear in carrying us through it that we shall take thence a memorial of His infinite grace and faithfulness, as the children of Israel did when they passed through the literal Jordan (Josh. iv.7).

We should come up from the wilderness, even to the last step of it, leaning upon our Beloved, who hath said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Heb. xiii.5). These words, "never leave thee," reach through our whole lives, even unto death, yea, into death, through death, above and beyond death, even to an endless eternity. And unless everlasting arms could wax weary, unchangeable love alter, and infinite faithfulness fail, we have no reason to be afraid. No, not in "the valley of the shadow of death" (Psa. xxii.4).

Our God will be "our refuge and strength, a very present help in that time of trouble" (Psa. xlvi.1). And as he will be the strength of our heart when heart and flesh fail us, so our portion for ever, or our eternal lot. And Oh! who can count up a thousandth part of those vast treasures of glory we have in His immense Being, as He has made over His great Self to us in Christ! Why should we, then, that are the King's sons, be lean from day to day? The Lord grant us true greatness of mind, that with a princely spirit we may behave as heirs of glory under all our present trials! Wishing all prosperity, and begging a share in your prayers, I commit you to Israel's Keeper."

Buzzards Bats and Bees

Good services today in church. My message was on "Three Steps to Assurance" and the outline is on this page click here. It was good to see Cookie and Judy visiting from California. Pray for Brother Skip. He is out of the hospital now but Doctors are following up on concerns about his foot and complications from diabetes. He has already lost the other foot.

Buzzards - Bats - Bees -

BUZZARD
If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.

BAT
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

BUMBLE BEE
A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies! , unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

PEOPLE In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We struggle with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up.
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I've met a lot of people over the past few years that are in the MLM or home business sphere. I am often amazed at how much they all sound the same. I understand the responsibilities of doing the things needed for success in business and all of that and I know how important it is to hold oneself accountable for having the right attitude and so on but the thing that I see lacking in most of the hype from the "experts" is the "Looking Up" mentioned in the story above. I see the same problem in the lives of many in the secular world when trying to minister to them from God's word.

Larry Killion
The Killion Site
Larrys LINKS

Views on Aging

Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions."How old are you?" "I'm four and a half!" You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.

You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead."How old are you?" "I'm gonna be ! 16!" You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life . . . you become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony . . YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!

But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed?You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50and your dreams are gone. But wait!!! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!

So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and MAKE it to 60.You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!You get into your 80s and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; "I Was JUST 92."

Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. "I'm 100 and a half!"May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them "

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9 Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10.Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

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My message last Lords Day was on "Teaching Grace" and the sermon outline is on the front page of our church website. Click: TLBC Looking forward to prayer meeting. Talked to Brother Skip on the phone today and he is now out of the hospital too. They have him on antibiotics and the Pediatrist wants him to do a followup appointment for further review. There was a spot on the ex-ray of his foot that may be a problem. If there is infection in the bone anywhere they will have to amputate that foot also. Please keep him in your prayers as he battles the effects of diabetes.

Larry Killion

MY LINKS