****Sparks Highlights****   Again, after the flood, the people on the earth began to sin and do what was right in their own eyes.  Yet, again, one man named Abraham and his wife Sarah, were found to be faithful to God.  God promised great things to Abraham as he was obedient to God – including the fact that Abraham would be the father of a great nation.  This would seem impossible because Abraham and Sarah were very old without any children.  God fulfilled that promise in the birth of Isaac.  When Isaac was young, as a test of Abraham’s faith, God told Abraham to sacrifice his own son.  This seemed so improbable to Abraham, because after all, he was old and God promised him to be a great nation.   Out of great faith and obedience to God, though, Abraham obeyed.  He believed God’s promise to him even though the situation seemed improbable.  He took his son to the place God commanded and began to prepare Isaac as a sacrifice.  How puzzling it must have been to Isaac, but Isaac trusted his father and was obedient – obedient to the point of understanding his own father would sacrifice him.  He did not struggle, but obeyed even unto the point of death.  When God saw Abraham’s obedience, God halted the sacrifice and provided a substitute for Isaac. A ram was caught in the thicket and Abraham sacrificed the ram in place of Isaac, a substitute  – so Isaac wouldn’t have to die.  God provides us today the substitute for our own eternal death – that in his own Son Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ willingly laid down his life on the alter as a sacrifice for our sins.  The Bible states, like Isaac, he didn’t struggle – he willingly layed down.  Jesus Christ was like the ram who died in Isaac’s place.  Jesus Christ died for our sins so we wouldn’t have to.  He didn’t stay dead, as the ram stayed dead, because He conquered the power of death when He rose from the grave.  In order to enjoy that freedom from eternal death, we must have faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins and be obedient to God, trying to live for Him by being repentant of our sins and turning away from them.  Your Sparkie is bringing home Abraham’s travel bag, so let your Sparkie tell you all about it.   This can be found recorded in Genesis 17-21.

You are welcome to join us anytime at Sparks!   You can also check out the AWANA program at www.fbc.littletonil.org .    Be watching for notes coming home about new jackets and books for those who have gotten them.  Please be sure that your Sparkie brings a bag each time for the various collection of things from the night.   Mrs. Jennifer Schroeder, Mr. Roger Fox, Mrs. Barb Stein.

****Sparks Highlights****  After Adam and Eve’s disobedience, and thus the first sin, things to continued to get much, much worse. In fact, their own son Cain murdered his brother Abel and sin continued to be passed down through all the generations thereafter.  Genesis 6:5 says “then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth…”  That sounds a lot like our world today.  Genesis goes on to say that God was sorry that he made man on the earth and that He was grieved in His heart.  Sin grieves God’s heart – it did then and does today.  God purposed in his heart to destroy all creation – with a flood, but Genesis says that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  God made a way to save Noah and his family from that destruction and death.  He instructed him to build an ark for his family, two of every kind of animal and for any man that would turn from his sin and have faith by stepping in the ark for salvation from the flood.  No other man made that repentance and so every living creature outside of the ark when the flood waters came was destroyed.  Noah and his family were saved from death because of their faith and obedience to God.  You see, the ark and the salvation that it gave to the living creatures inside is a picture of Jesus Christ and the salvation He provides us from the destruction and death from our sins.  Turing to Jesus and turning from your sinful ways and putting full faith in Him will save you from the destruction and death of your sins.  After the flood, God made a promise – covenant – with Noah that He would never again destroy the earth with flood waters.  He did that with the sign of a rainbow – your Sparkie made rainbows tonight.  Let your Sparkie tell you all about this.  You can read of this in Genesis chapters 5-9.  You are welcome to join us anytime at Sparks.   You can also check out the AWANA program at www.fbc.littletonil.org .    Mrs. Jennifer Schroeder, Mr. Roger Fox, Mrs. Barb Stein.

****Sparks Highlights****  The last two weeks we have talked about and marveled about God’s creation – the world.  He created it in six literal, remarkable days. Everything God made was perfect – because everything about Him is perfect.  In fact, after each thing he created he noted and saw that it was good.  God created man in His own image, and Adam and Eve lived in the perfect Garden of Eden and had communion with God.  They did not know sin until Satan himself in the form of a serpent came into the garden and deceived Eve. Satan is called “the great deceiver” and still deceives us today.  Adam and Eve had been given a command to move freely about the Garden of Eden and that they could eat from every tree – except that of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Satan deceived them so that, with their own free will, they took of the fruit and ate.  This was the first sin and their communion with God was broken forever.  God’s penalty of sin - as we are told in the Bible – is death and it was at that point they began to die. That sin has been passed down through all the many generations of humans.  But, God in His mercy, provided a promise to Adam and Eve that their sin could be forgiven and the relationship with Him restored with a substitute for their death penalty.  They needed to be saved from that death.  The penalty of sin for a perfect, holy God still needs to be paid, but He provided salvation from that by substituting someone else.  That substitute was and is Jesus Christ and we are going to spend the rest of the Sparkie  year learning more about that promise.  You can read of this in Genesis chapters 2 & 3.

You are welcome to join us anytime at Sparks.   You can also check out the AWANA program at www.fbc.littletonil.org . 

Mrs. Jennifer Schroeder, Mr. Roger Fox, Mrs. Barb Stein.

****Sparks Highlights****  The last two weeks we have talked about and marveled about God’s creation – the world.  He created it in six literal, remarkable days. Everything God made was perfect – because everything about Him is perfect.  In fact, after each thing he created he noted and saw that it was good.  God created man in His own image, and Adam and Eve lived in the perfect Garden of Eden and had communion with God.  They did not know sin until Satan himself in the form of a serpent came into the garden and deceived Eve. Satan is called “the great deceiver” and still deceives us today.  Adam and Eve had been given a command to move freely about the Garden of Eden and that they could eat from every tree – except that of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Satan deceived them so that, with their own free will, they took of the fruit and ate.  This was the first sin and their communion with God was broken forever.  God’s penalty of sin - as we are told in the Bible – is death and it was at that point they began to die. That sin has been passed down through all the many generations of humans.  But, God in His mercy, provided a promise to Adam and Eve that their sin could be forgiven and the relationship with Him restored with a substitute for their death penalty.  They needed to be saved from that death.  The penalty of sin for a perfect, holy God still needs to be paid, but He provided salvation from that by substituting someone else.  That substitute was and is Jesus Christ and we are going to spend the rest of the Sparkie year learning more about that promise.  You can read of this in Genesis chapters 2 & 3.

You are welcome to join us anytime at Sparks.   You can also check out the AWANA program at www.fbc.littletonil.org . 

Mrs. Jennifer Schroeder, Mr. Roger Fox, Mrs. Barb Stein.

Just  a Thought?

 Often in our society today people get the idea that as long as they don’t get caught that whatever they do really does not matter.  Businesses have put up video cameras to help and reveal those who are doing wrong only to have people deny it or make excuses for it.  Yet as we look at scripture we must come to realize that not only to our words and actions matter, but our thoughts matter as well!

If you will take time to read the following passages it becomes quite clear that God knows our thoughts, in fact it tells us that “the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought.”  (I Chron. 28:9; Isa. 66:18; Daniel 2; Matthew 9:4; Luke 11:17; I Cor. 3:20; Psalm 19:13-14; Psalm 104:34) In fact, Gen. 6:5 makes it clear that the world wide judgment of Noah’s flood was because “God saw…that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”  So not only does God know our every thought, but He is concerned with what we are thinking.

Our thoughts also affect our lives, or at least the consequences of our thoughts affect our lives.  Joshua 1:8 has a great promise to those who meditate upon and act out what God’s Word says.  It says, “you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”  Psalm 1:1-2 has a similar promise that he is “blesses” who meditates on the word day and night.

Other passages of Scripture make it clear that we can guide our thoughts and give inference as to what our thoughts should be upon.   I would encourage you to look at these passages of scripture and consider that what was being meditated upon was God in His splendor and majesty, His mighty deeds as well as His Word.  (Psalm 145:5; Psalm 143:5; Ps. 63:6; Ps. 77:6, 12; Psalm 119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 97, 99, 148, Phil . 4:8)

Then, I will challenge you to consider what may be getting in the way of proper thinking and meditation.  Once we discover some of those things we need to work to reduce or remove them from our lives so that we may “bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”  II Cor. 10:5  Never should we say, “It was just a thought.” 

“A Change of Taste”

Sunday Morning I held up a Large Chocolate Bar (6oz.) and asked the people what they would tell their children or grandchildren if they came in at 4:45PM and asked to eat it.  Virtually everyone present said, “No!, It will spoil your supper.”  It is amazing how we can see the effects of improper choices of physical food, (though we still don’t always choose correctly) but we don’t see the same with spiritual food.

Psalm 1 says, “Blessed (Happy) is the man…his delight is in the Law of the Lord and in His Law he meditates day and night.”  I have yet to find one person who does not want to be truly happy yet I am afraid that sometimes we “settle” for what we think is happy or blessed when we don’t realize what we have been missing.

Psalm 1 goes on and says “he shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water that bring forth fruit in its season it’s leaf also shall not whither and whatever he does shall prosper.”  For those who are not “delighting” in God’s word and meditating on it may be “settling” for less than what God has for us.  We were recently in Colorado Springs, CO.  It is a rather arid climate there and they are presently experiencing a drought.  When you look at most of the terrain all you see is brown grass, sage brush, and yucca plants.  To those that live in the area that is normal, but to us who live in the Rushville area we are used to seeing massive Oak, Maple, Osage Orange, and Mulberry Trees just to name a few.  For them if there are trees there is a water source nearby.

What I am saying is that spiritually I am afraid that too many who have trusted in the blood of Christ for salvation are “settling” to have fruit like sage brush and yucca instead of a mighty Oak, because we do not choose to Delight in the law of God and we have allowed too many distractions from meditating on it.

My challenge is to take a two week “MEDIA FAST”.  During this fast focus on God’s Word and shut off all the distracting time and noise fillers.  (i.e. No movies, no TV, no digital music, no radio, no electronic games, etc.,  no hard copy media that is not challenging you in your knowledge of scripture or service to Christ.)  I would love to hear feedback on how your media fast went both struggles and victories.  I am sure that it will be more difficult than putting down the chocolate bar.  But maybe we will begin to get a glimpse of what God really wants for our lives.

For those who have absolutely no taste for scripture maybe you need to obey God and repent of your sins trusting in Jesus blood to save you so that you may have an appetite for the milk and meat of His Word. For more information see  www.fbclittletonil.org .

Is This Really Cool?

For seven years following college I was given the privilege of teaching and coaching for seven years, teaching Junior  and Senior high math and science. During that time I got to observe many students and their behaviors.

One thing I notices is that those who were often looked up to by their peers and thought to be COOL often showed similar characteristics.  Often they did not like to be told what to do or to be encouraged and instructed about what is right or wrong.  If their parents knew what they did they would have been grieved or sorrowful.  They had their most fun trying to figure out what kind of mischief they could cause if the teacher turned their back or stepped in the hall for a minute.  They were very much confident in their own knowledge and didn’t need to hear anyone else discuss a topic or a situation they were involved in.  They often were proud of their escapades over the weekend telling all about what they really should have been ashamed of.

Besides these things, they were never able to resolve conflicts with others and they would lose their temper at the drop of a hat with absolutely no restraint.  Because of their words they provoked other people to anger through their love of quarreling.   Closely related to this is that their smart mouth would get them in trouble.

What I finally realized as I studied the book of Proverbs is that God had a different description for these individuals He called them not COOL, but rather a FOOL.  Just take some time and look up these Proverbs and possible share them with your young person.  Evaluate which of the characteristics mentioned in these verses is the norm for them and yourself and thereby determine God’s thoughts of their actions.  (Proverbs 1:7; 1:22; 10:1; 12:15; 12:16; 13:19; 14:8; 14:16; 15:5; 15:20; 17:10; 17:16; 17:24; 17:25; 18:2; 18:6; 20:3; 21:20; 26:11; 28:26; 29:9; 29:11)  For a great study that touches on this topic I would recommend the book The Heart of Anger by Lou Priolo.  For more help please feel free to contact me at pllindow@fbclittletonil.org.  

Saintly Saints

Just how good does one have to be to be considered a saint?  Can anyone actually meet the criteria?  Much discussion has taken place in the media the last few weeks on whether or not a certain individual can be considered a saint or not. 

As we read the New Testament there are 45 references to “saints” and rather than these individuals being a very miniscule percentage of believers the term seems to be referring to all believers.  There were multiple saints in the churches of Jerusalem, Lydda, Rome, Corinth, Philippi, Colossae, and Ephesus. All who have responded to the call of God and have repented of their sins confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior as they trust in the blood He shed on the cross to pay the penalty of their sins are considered saints.  This seems to be the meaning behind the term “saints in Christ” (Phil. 1:1).

What is also interesting is that the discussion has been upon whether the action of the individual has been good enough to deserve sainthood.  No man because of his sin is good enough to deserve to be called a saint.   That is why, when our sins have been cleansed and forgiven through the blood of Christ, we should recognize what a privilege we have to be reconciled to God rather than continuing to be His enemy.  This appreciation should drive us to desire to live lives such that our “conduct be worthy of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27).

There are then two questions that this discussion leads us to ask.

1.       Can I say, “I am a saint?”  Have I personally responded to the Call of God and the conviction of the Holy Spirit and asked forgiveness of my sin trusting in the blood of Christ to cleanse me?

2.      If I answer yes to the first question then, “Is my life reflecting my position as a saint? Do my actions reveal that I am set apart by God through the cleansing of the blood of Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit?”

This short article can only scratch the surface of these truths of scripture, if you have any questions or concerns they can be sent to pllindow@fbclittletonil.org.  You can also find us on the web at www.fbclittletonil.org or follow us on facebook at First Baptist Church of Littleton Illinois.

Examine Yourselves

2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. (NKJV)  This is an important challenge for every man, woman, and child.  So I ask, when is the last time you considered whether you are truly “Born Again” (cf. John 3)?  Is the Holy Spirit living within you?  Have you truly repented of your sin and trusted in the blood of Jesus Christ to cleanse your sin so that you may have eternal life.  This is such an important question that the apostle John wrote the epistle of 1 John which was dedicated to this topic according to 1 John 5:13 “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.” (NKJV – emphasis mine)

Here are some of the questions that can be derived from 1 John to determine if I am truly a Christian, a child of God.

1. Do I keep God’s commandments? (2:3-4; 3:24)
2. Am I burdened at keeping His commandments, including church attendance, loving my neighbor, etc.? (5:3)
3. Do I hate others rather than loving them?  (2:9; 3:14; 4:7-8; 4:20)
4. Do I practice righteousness? (2:29) The Christian life is about doing right not simply avoiding doing wrong.
5. Do I habitually sin? (3:6, 9-10; 5:18)
6. Is the Spirit of God evidenced in your life? (3:24; 4:13)
7. Do I place myself under the pastor’s teaching and listen submissively? (4:6; cf. Heb 13:17)
8. Do I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Messiah? ( 5:1)
9. Do I love the world, it’s values, and philosophies? (2:15-17)

Though this list is surely not complete, it should be enough to allow each of to examine ourselves.  If you have any questions regarding your relationship with God more information is available at www.fbclittletonil.org or I can be contacted at pllindow@fbclittletonil.org.

This post was written as a pastor's column for the Rushville Times.

Stop Dating the Church:  Fall in Love with the Family of God

by Joshua Harris

 Josh Harris who has written two other books on relationships,   The first I Kissed Dating Goodbye and the sequel Boy Meets Girl.  In this new book Josh now gives us a short little book that many can read in less than two hours that highlights the relationship we are called to have with the local church.

 He gives short reviews of Scriptures word pictures for the Church.  He challenges with having a passion for our local church.

 In the chapter entitled “We Really Need the Church” he explains why Mark Dever when speaking to college students would say, “If you are not a member of a church that you regularly attend you may well be going to hell”.  No, church membership does not save us but our relationship with God’s family reveals our relationship to Jesus Christ.

 One chapter gives us ten important questions to ask as we seek for a church to “stop dating”.  This church needs to be a Biblical and Godly church that we can have a committed lifelong relationship with.

 Another chapter is given to “rescuing Sunday”.  How much of our Sunday is focused on meeting our needs making us a “consumer” rather than a “communer” with God!

 Those who are already committed to the church will be encouraged and challenged in new areas as they read this.  Others who have not yet made a commitment to their church should be challenged with Biblical truth that will reveal their need to be committed.

Blame It On The Brain? Distinguishing Chemical Imbalances, Brain Disorders, and Disobedience

by Edward T. Welch

This book is part of the “Resources for changes lives” series published by The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation in Glennside, PA.

Welch discusses his view of what the brain is in relation to man’s soul.  He then challenges us by asking questions as to what should have more authority the Scriptures or brain science.  He challenges us to think through  this issues biblically. 

We are reminded in the book that the brain cannot make us sin, but that the brain or body can reveal the sin that is in our hearts.

 In the section dealing with Brain dysfunction,  Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are given a chapter of discussion.  Then head injuries are looked into.   These injuries often reveal pre-existing spiritual problems.  To quote Welch, “Thus it is not surprising that one of the best predictors of post-injury problems is pre-injury character.”

 The central portion of the book is given to discussing psychiatric problems.  Depression, ADD, and ADHD treatment with medication is discussed along with the need to confront an individuals sin.

 The final section of the book is dedicated to a section entitled.  “The brain didn’t do it.”  Deals with homosexuality and alcoholism two conditions that our society chooses to call inherent or genetically induced, whereas Scripture calls both of them sin.

 I would encourage believers to take the time to read this book.  I believe we can all be challenged in that too often we want to blame our sin on others when in reality it comes from our inner sinful desires.  These we must confess, repent of and resist so that God may get the glory for the change that He brings in our lives.

Dear Sparkie Parents,                       2-24-10

 During Awanas we emphasize the importance of obedience to the kids, obedience to their parents, to their leaders and to all of those in authority over them. For the most part, the kids do a fine job of obeying. Tonight we read about how even the wind and waves obeyed Jesus. The disciples of Jesus were learning who this Jesus is. They had seen him heal the sick and perform other miracles. Now He will show them that He has power over all of creation.  Jesus had been teaching for a long time and was very tired. Jesus said that they should row over to the other side of the lake. While out on the lake Jesus fell asleep, getting some much needed rest as the gentle rocking of the boat made for a peaceful sleep. However, a storm blow up quickly as it often did on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus continued to sleep in spite of the rough water as wave pounded the boat. In fear of drowning, the disciples woke Jesus and said “Teacher! Don’t You care that we are going to drown?” Jesus got up said three words, Peace!  Be still! Immediately the wind stopped and the sea was calm. What do you think the disciples said then? You can find out by reading it in the Gospel of Mark Chapter 4 verse 35 – 41.

 The bible is full of exciting history about God’s plan to save us and His son Jesus, the creator of the world who controls the wind and the waves. (and anything else He wants!) Join us Sunday morning to hear more about our loving God and the plans He has for you.

 Remember you are always welcome to have dinner with us and share in the fun. Please visit our web site at fbclittletonil.org to learn more about the First Baptist Church of Littleton, Awanas and other activities we provide.

Dennis Williamson – Sparkie Director 257-2532

Roger Fox

Barb Stein

Dr. Jennifer Schroeder

 First Baptist Church of Littleton

 Larry Lindow, Pastor

 309-257-2290

Dear Sparkie Parents,                                       2-17-10

 It was great to hear about Camp Manitoumi last week.  If you missed the night and still want to know more about camp, you can check out their web site at http://manitoumi.com. Last week we began telling of Jesus ministry on earth. He is both God and man. A man that did not sin even when temped by the devil himself. Without sin Jesus could be the perfect sacrifice needed to pay for our sins for all who believe.

 This week the Sparkies learned of how Jesus met both the spiritual need of the people but also met the physical needs. A great crowd of people had followed Jesus to see His miracles and hear His words. Jesus saw this crowd of 5,000 men plus women and children as sheep needing a Shepard. Jesus taught them until it was evening and late. The people were hungry. Jesus used this opportunity to teach His disciples that He could do whatever He wanted because He is God. He took five loaves of bread and two fish and feed the whole crowd! Everyone had as much as they wanted and there was more left over than what they had started with. Jesus had feed them not only with the bread of the earth but with the bread of heaven. That bread is the words of God. It teaches us the right and best way to live. You can read the whole story in the Gospel of John chapter 6.   Also, mark your calendars for Sunday night March 21^st. We will be roller skating in Macomb at 5PM. Pizza will be served after skating.

Remember you are always welcome to have dinner with us and share in the fun. Please visit our web site at fbclittletonil.org to learn more about the First Baptist Church of Littleton, Awanas and other activities we provide.

 Dennis Williamson – Sparkie Director 257-2532

Roger Fox

Barb Stein

Dr. Jennifer Schroeder

 First Baptist Church of Littleton

 Larry Lindow, Pastor

 309-257-2290

Dear Sparkie Parents,

 Tonight was our camp night. John Kealen, the director of the camp came to speak to the Awana clubbers about camp. Thanks to all of the guest who came to hear about Camp Manitoumi. If you missed the night and still want to know more about camp, you can check out their web site at http://manitoumi.com. There are camp weeks for kids 3^rd through 12^th grade and family camp days. The camp also offers other weekend retreats for adults. Remember the kids can earn their way to a fun week at camp by working on their books.

 
The Sparkies had the opportunities to begin the lessons that Jesus taught while He walked on the earth. Our lesson tonight talked about how Jesus was both God and man. He was tempted just as we have been tempted but He did not sin.  Our lessons this year have pointed to the Bible as the true historical account of how God had a plan from the beginning to bring us, a sinful people, back into a right relationship with Him. This could only be accomplished  by a sinless Jesus taking the punishment for the sins that you and I have committed. Because God is just and has to punish sin, some one must be punished. Jesus stood in our place and took that punishment so that God would see us as if we had never sinned. It’s the only way we can stand it the presence of a perfect and holy God! The whole Bible is God’s rescue plan with Jesus as the savior. It’s the only way, but don’t take my word for it. Read it for yourself in the Bible. Start with the Gospel of John and call us with your questions.

 
Remember you are always welcome to have dinner with us and share in the fun. Please visit our web site at fbclittletonil.org to learn more about the First Baptist Church of Littleton, Awanas and other activities we provide.

 Dennis Williamson – Sparkie Director 257-2532

Roger Fox

Barb Stein

Dr. Jennifer Schroeder

  First Baptist Church of Littleton

 Larry Lindow, Pastor

 309-257-2290

Hidden Sin???

This morning during the news, while I was catching up on the current snowstorm and weather forecast, an advertisement came on.  I am sure that would not surprise most J, but this advertisement caught my attention because in it a man was left before a man who was suppose to be God.  His life was over and “God” was looking into His book.  As he looked at his book a puzzled look came over his face.  He then made the statement, “There seems to be some weekends missing from your life.”  Then they cut away and brought up the slogan, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

Several things came to mind.  First the flippant idea they were giving for God.  Besides this irreverence for our all-powerful Creator they forget the truths of God’s Word that remind us.  “The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good” or from Heb. 4:13 “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.”  As well as the reminder in Romans 14:12, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.”

We all must come to the point of David in Psalm 19:14. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.”

What we often forget is that God knows and in His holiness and justice He cannot ignore our sin.  So we can pick our sin, but we cannot pick the consequences.

Dear Sparkie Parents,

Our questions for the kids tonight were can you swim and do you like fishing? Tonight we read the story of Jonah. Jonah was a prophet of God long ago. God used prophets to tell the people messages that He wanted them to hear. They did not have the Bible as we do today. The bible tells us all that we need to know to live lives that are pleasing to God. Jonah did not want to do what God said. In fact, he even tried to run away from God, how silly! God allowed Jonah time to think about how he should obey God while he sat for three days in the belly of a fish. That’s right a big fish! Jonah changed his mind and decided to obey God. We found out that God had more to teach Jonah. Have you ever tried to run or hide from God? God can do as He likes and will put us in situations where we only have one option, which is to seek Him for help. It’s always better to obey God and do things His way. When we try to do it without God, we find ourselves in tight situations in our relationships, our finances and our relationship with God. When we do it God’s way, it always turns out better! You can read the whole story of Jonah in the Bible in the book of Jonah. It’s very short but tells us a lot about God.

Next week we have John Kealen coming to The First Baptist to tell all about summer camp. John is the director of Camp Manitumi. If your child finishes his book, they can earn a week at the camp. Swimming, horse back riding fun games and time to get to know the great God who saved Jonah from the belly of a big fish. It’s a fun week for all. Please plan to come next week to hear John and see the presentation about the camp.

Remember you are always welcome to have dinner with us and share in the fun. Please visit our web site at fbclittletonil.org to learn more about the First Baptist Church of Littleton, Awanas and other activities we provide.

Dennis Williamson – Sparkie Director 257-2532

Roger Fox

Barb Stein

Dr. Jennifer Schroeder

A Thanksgiving Psalm

 by Larry Lindow

To You alone who’s worthy.

We give You all the glory.

You wrote the “Old, Old Story”.

Our Savior sent from glory.

Our Father up in Heaven,

We thank you for your lovin’.

You cared to cleanse our leaven

And purify our livin’.

Through Jesus Christ our Savior,

One only can find favor.

Exalting praise we will endeavor

‘Til we live with Him forever.

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala

This book was an exciting account of Jim’s experience trusting God and being used of God to build the Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York.  This growth went from about 13 to a multiple campus church.  

The second part of the book is a challenge to be completely relying on God through committed times of prayer.

Everyone who reads this can be encouraged to pray more and trust God more in their daily life.  As well as being willing to share our faith.

Dear Sparkie Parents,

In spite of the miraculous deeds and wonders that God did for and in the site of the Israelites, they failed to trust God. It’s hard to believe that after the crossing of the Red Sea, the daily supply of food and water and many other signs and wonders God performed for them, they still did not believe that God could do whatever he wanted and would for his people. Therefore, God punished the Israelites by having them spend 40 years in the desert. That time is now at an end and they are entering the Promised Land, but the city of Jericho is in their way. God is going to show them that He is powerful enough to do what ever He wants. He tells the Israelite to march around the city once a day for six days in silence except for the horns of the priest. On the seventh day, they are to march around the city seven times.  At the end they are to shout. At that moment the walls of the city fell down and the army of Israel took hold of the city. By this God showed them that it was He that conquered the city, not by the horns and shouts of the people. By these examples we know that God is all powerful and can do what He wants. He still does great and marvelous things today in the lives of those who trust and obey Him. He can do that for you if you will trust in Jesus to take the punishment for your sins. You can read the whole story in the book of Joshua chapter 6.

We are still looking for veterans to be honored at our Veteran’s Day service. Everyone is invited. We would like to know who the veterans are that are coming and have some information on them. We have sent fliers home, but if you don’t have a flier please call the church and let us know if you are able to be there.

Remember you are always welcome to have dinner with us and share in the fun. Please visit our web site at fbclittletonil.org to learn more about the First Baptist Church of Littleton, Awanas and other activities we provide.

Dennis Williamson – Sparkie Director 257-2532

Roger Fox

Barb Stein

Dr. Jennifer Schroeder