Good News Club

^{ISAIAH 6:8} Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!


And so they went....

As you can see we start

this fall's Good News club with Moses, Deliverer. It will be another awesome time with the teens teaching club. Thank you God for your guidance, and wisdom. You are always there for us.

prosperity Preaching by John Piper

August 23

Prosperity Preaching: Deceitful and Deadly

by John Piper

When I read about prosperity-preaching churches, my response is: "If I were not on the inside of Christianity, I wouldn't want in." In other words, if this is the message of Jesus, no thank you.

Luring people to Christ to get rich is both deceitful and deadly. It's deceitful because when Jesus himself called us, he said things like: "Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33). And it's deadly because the desire to be rich plunges "people into ruin and destruction" (1 Timothy 6:9). So here is my plea to preachers of the gospel.

1. Don't develop a philosophy of ministry that makes it harder for people to get into heaven.

Jesus said, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" His disciples were astonished, as many in the "prosperity" movement should be. So Jesus went on to raise their astonishment even higher by saying, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." They respond in disbelief: "Then who can be saved?" Jesus says, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God" (Mark 10:23-27).

My question for prosperity preachers is: Why would you want to develop a ministry focus that makes it harder for people to enter heaven?

2. Do not develop a philosophy of ministry that kindles suicidal desires in people.

Paul said, "There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content." But then he warned against the desire to be rich. And by implication, he warned against preachers who stir up the desire to be rich instead of helping people get rid of it. He warned, "Those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs" (1 Timothy 6:6-10).

So my question for prosperity preachers is: Why would you want to develop a ministry that encourages people to pierce themselves with many pangs and plunge themselves into ruin and destruction?

3. Do not develop a philosophy of ministry that encourages vulnerability to moth and rust.

Jesus warns against the effort to lay up treasures on earth. That is, he tells us to be givers, not keepers. "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19).

Yes, we all keep something. But given the built-in tendency toward greed in all of us, why would we take the focus off Jesus and turn it upside down?

4. Don't develop a philosophy of ministry that makes hard work a means of amassing wealth.

Paul said we should not steal. The alternative was hard work with our own hands. But the main purpose was not merely to hoard or even to have. The purpose was "to have to give." "Let him labor, working with his hands, that he may have to give to him who is in need" (Ephesians 4:28). This is not a justification for being rich in order to give more. It is a call to make more and keep less so you can give more. There is no reason why a person who makes $200,000 should live any differently from the way a person who makes $80,000 lives. Find a wartime lifestyle; cap your expenditures; then give the rest away.

Why would you want to encourage people to think that they should possess wealth in order to be a lavish giver? Why not encourage them to keep their lives more simple and be an even more lavish giver? Would that not add to their generosity a strong testimony that Christ, and not possessions, is their treasure?

5. Don't develop a philosophy of ministry that promotes less faith in the promises of God to be for us what money can't be.

The reason the writer to the Hebrews tells us to be content with what we have is that the opposite implies less faith in the promises of God. He says, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:5-6).

If the Bible tells us that being content with what we have honors the promise of God never to forsake us, why would we want to teach people to want to be rich?

6. Don't develop a philosophy of ministry that contributes to your people being choked to death.

Jesus warns that the word of God, which is meant to give us life, can be choked off from any effectiveness by riches. He says it is like a seed that grows up among thorns that choke it to death: "They are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the . . . riches . . . of life, and their fruit does not mature" (Luke 8:14).

Why would we want to encourage people to pursue the very thing that Jesus warns will choke us to death?

7. Don't develop a philosophy of ministry that takes the seasoning out of the salt and puts the light under a basket.

What is it about Christians that makes them the salt of the earth and the light of the world? It is not wealth. The desire for wealth and the pursuit of wealth tastes and looks just like the world. It does not offer the world anything different from what it already believes in. The great tragedy of prosperity-preaching is that a person does not have to be spiritually awakened in order to embrace it; one needs only to be greedy. Getting rich in the name of Jesus is not the salt of the earth or the light of the world. In this, the world simply sees a reflection of itself. And if it works, they will buy it.

The context of Jesus' saying shows us what the salt and light are. They are the joyful willingness to suffering for Christ. Here is what Jesus said, "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth. . . . You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:11-14).

What will make the world taste (the salt) and see (the light) of Christ in us is not that we love wealth the same way they do. Rather, it will be the willingness and the ability of Christians to love others through suffering, all the while rejoicing because their reward is in heaven with Jesus. This is inexplicable on human terms. This is supernatural. But to attract people with promises of prosperity is simply natural. It is not the message of Jesus. It is not what he died to achieve.

Pastor John

Prodigal Son

Tomorrow is the last of our bible study this summer..."The Parables of Jesus".
It is the most magnificent of all. The Loving Father or better known as The Prodigal Son.
So much in this one can learn. How our precious Father wants us to know just how much He loves us. Notice in the story that when the son is in view... the Father runs to him and covers him with kisses... Jesus wants us to know that is how much the Father loves us. We don't earn a thing, we just turn to Him and He does the rest because of His great love.

Saturday in Dallas in hot summer!

Tis a hot time here in the bible belt, but still a blessing to live here amongst so many who love HIM and follow HIS ways.

Well today I am making a strawberry and rhubarb pie to take to my grandkids in Plano.

So fun to share God's bounty with my sweet family in Plano.

Praise the Lord

No hip surgery required!

Praise God for another 5 Day Club at Debbie Blanks' house. She is an awesome lady and loves the children so much. Thank you to Heather, Emily, Shannon, Tina, Caleb and Josiah for their faithfulness to teach. They do a wonderful job and it is so clear they love doing it.

Last week at Balch Spring we did 5 Day Club and this week at the Blanks. We had 20 kids today and it was a great club. Caleb taught the BL of Abel and Cain. He is an excellent teacher.

What a great hostess Debbie is.

Last Day for Price GNC this school year

Oh, what a huge blessing from God so unexpected for a whole school year. Every Monday at least 8 teens faithfully came and presented the message of Salvation to 35-50 kids at Price Elementary. There were 25 new souls won for the Lord. All of us grew in Him as He planned it all. What joy and assurance He has given all.

Sandy Lake Competition

This was a good day for grandchildren!!

Thank you Lord for them.... such a wondrous gift.

How a grandmothers' prayers protect.....

My prayers for my sweet grandchildren are often, but not often enough. Daily there are dangers and daily prayers are sent to our Father to protect, guide and be merciful to them.

That HE would keep them in the palm of HIS hand.

God's mighty power

Last Monday at Good News Club, the children were loud and difficult to control until just as David was beginning to tell the Bible lesson we stopped him and prayed for open ears and hearts because this was the most important story ever told... the Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The children became unbelievably quiet and listens with wide eyes. And then 3 went with David after the story and he counseled them and they made decisions for the Lord.... We have ONE to thank for that and it was HE we were praying to who touched hearts that day in His mighty power. Oh how I love Jesus ♬
because He first loved me.....

When I called for help.....

Psalm 73: 15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
16 When I thought how to understand this,
It was too painful for me—
17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I understood their end.

28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
That I may declare all Your works.


When I called on the Lord for guidance, this was HIS response.
What a great and wonderful God! He protects and guides me
whenever I call on HIM.

A day that will live in infirmary.... The enemy's healthcare.

Don't people realize that the United States of American is a country build on freedom. The freedom to choose, to live, and if necessary to die for lack of healthcare... such is our choice. We are a people who are great because of the freedoms that were fought for by great men who had no government healthcare and certainly would never have asked for it or fought for it.
They fought for our freedom as Christians. The main cornerstone of this country was built by men of faith in a God who gives us free will to choose. We are not the same as any other country in the world. We are the greatest and no matter what is said, we live in a country the is the envy of the world because of our freedom. I will fight for it and there are many who will.
The revolution must begin again.

Irish Festival March 6, 2010

What fun, a beautiful day and got to be with son and family. Watched 3 of my granddaughters Irish Step dance.
What a blessing, God is so good.

Cleaning and more

My Oh MY ... I really need to clean house... actually clear it out. Got a note from Arc.. Now I call that perfect timing. Maybe a hint from my "superior" to clean house. I am such a pack rat. I just need to get rid of stuff.
Working on GNC so I don't have to later and also getting work together for the CYIA training on the 27th. It has occurred to
me that I can plan this and do it with prayer. HE always takes care of the day.
Thought there was a leak as my floor under the kitchen sink and the carpeting under the desk... wet. I am hoping it is all the
cause of a leak next door.He said he just fixed a leaky faucet. Poor man, needing work raising 2 teens and wife died 2 weeks ago of MS. (she had been in a nursing home for the last 5 years) So sad. They truly need the Lord and I am praying that God use me or who He will to tell them about HIM.
Well tomorrow the ladies are coming for prayer. I better finish straightening up.

Good News Club with CYIA teens teaching.

What a blessing it is to be part of a ministry where the teens have such a heart for the Lord. Thank you, God.

CYIAS January 2007

Many moons ago a picture of HOF CYIA kids.

Beginning on a new plan to start our CYIA* this 2010. Many youth coming from Berean Baptist who Ann and Kay encourage and have been working on GNC and 5 day clubs for many a moon. There are at least 7 from HOF. Our wonderful God continues to open doors. How sweet it is to be part of that.

*Christian Youth in Action