Douglas Baptist Church

Below you will find the thanksgiving letter that has gone out to many of those who are apart of our church family. Feel free to share your thoughts on “what it means to be blessed” or “how you have been blessed.”

October 2009
Dear Douglas Family,

As I sit to write this letter I find myself reflecting on what it means “to be blessed.” With Thanksgiving approaching many of us will stop to “count our blessings” and give thanks. I realize that there are times in our lives, because of struggles we face and situations we find ourselves in, when it is difficult to do this. However, I am amazed at how in the midst of such times that God continues to work in our lives, provide us with the strength we need, and yes even bless us.

All too often when the words “I am blessed” are uttered in our world today a person is referring to the things they have and yet to fully experience the blessing that God wants to extend to each one of us we must get beyond such a material mindset. God does bless by providing for us but there is so much more of God’s blessing to experience.

God is the ultimate source of blessing and He is determined to bless His creation. At the heart of God’s blessings is His presence. To experience that presence and walk with Him is to be truly blessed. Numbers 6:24-26, perhaps the most important blessing in the Old Testament refers to God’s presence with the metaphor of His face:
“The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Thankfully each one of us, no matter how much (or little) we have, no matter what we are going through, can experience God’s presence. By sending His son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins, God provided a way for us all to be in a relationship with Him and experience His presence daily (through the filling of His Spirit). We are truly blessed!

It is quite naturally when one comes to realize just how blessed they are, to in turn want to respond. As God blesses us, so also can we bless God and others by giving. Each Sunday morning we gather to give our worship to God and I invite you to join us as we lift our praises to the one who has blessed us. Also, if you would like to give thanks by providing a special gift to support the work of His church here in Douglas, please feel free to use the envelope provided. The monies we collect as a family not only keep our ministry going in this community but are given out to over 15 other worthy organizations and individuals.

The Lord bless you and keep you,

An Eye Opening Experience
John 9:1-12
Sept. 27, 2009

Whose eyes really need opened in this situation?

The Disciples’ Blind Spot
A matter of theological curiosity rather than compassion
Focused on the cause rather than the purpose

A Missed Opportunity
This was an opportunity to do God’s work
It’s easier to talk about something than to act

Open our Eyes
“We” have work to do
There is a sense of urgency

Endless Opportunities
There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:11

Children of Light
Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light.”
John 12:35-36

Questions to reflect on
Have I put my trust in Jesus?

Do I have any blind spots?

Do I look on others with contempt or compassion?

Am I prepared to take advantage of the opportunities that God will provide this week??

With our “Open House” Sunday behind us, it’s full steam ahead! It’s great to be settling back into the regular routine and seeing all the “family” coming back around. I really enjoyed our time together this past Sunday!

I appreciate the comments I have received in the last 24 hours in regards to yesterday’s service. The “Open” theme seems to be hitting home with many of you. I trust the next three Sundays will be as meaningful as we continue to discover what the Bible has to say about being open.

At the beginning of the summer I was given a book entitled “Conversations: The Message with Its Translator” and it has provided some wonderful devotional reading for me over the last number of months. The book consists of Eugene H. Peterson’s paraphrase of the Bible (The Message) along with his notes and reflections. On more then one occasion I have wished that I could be taught by this particular author. While this may not be possible, reading this book has in many ways been the next best thing.

Here is Eugene H. Peterson’s prayer that appears in his personal reflections found after Luke 15:11-32 (our passage from this past Sunday). May this be our prayer as well!

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the stories Jesus told that reveal your heart. Thank you even more for the pictures he left behind that show more about you than words ever could. Give me such a life, Lord God. Help me to so live my life that I would leave behind the most compelling pictures of who you are: pictures of love instead of indifference, pictures of grace instead of judgment, pictures of kindness instead of criticism. Especially I pray for …{insert the name of someone who doesn’t know Jesus}.