"Bro. Calvin's Comments"

Erwin W. Lutzer in his book Why the Cross Can Do What Politics Can't: When They See You, Do They See Jesus? states that the culture war is really a spiritual war. When I read those words, I remembered what the apostle Paul said in Ephesians 6:11-13, "Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day and having prepared everything, to take your stand."

The first part of the armor listed by Paul is truth. We live in an age where many people decide if something is true by asking the question, "Does it work?" Their answer is critical - "If it works, it's true. If it doesn't work, it's not true." In other words, does our faith walk match our faith talk? If it doesn't, it is possible that the gospel we hold forth will not be accepted because others view it as not working; it doesn't transform a person.

A. W. Tozer emphasized the importance of our faith walk matching our faith talk. He said, "It would be impossible to overemphasize the importance of sound doctrine in the life of a Christian. Right thinking about all spiritual matters is imperative if we would have right living. As men do not gather grapes of thorns nor figs of thistles, so sound character does not grow out of unsound teaching." (A. W. Tozer, A Treasury of A. W. Tozer, 174).

C. S. Lewis made the following comparison. "Doctrines are like maps. They are not the reality and may not be as exciting as the reality, but they chart reality for us in a vital way. Just as studying a map of the shore of the Atlantic is not as exciting as walking along the Atlantic coast itself, so studying the doctrine of atonement is not exactly the same as the experiencing the cross itself. But the purpose of a map is to represent, graph, and explain the reality. If you want to find your way, you need to have a reliable map, and we should consult it frequently." (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 119-120).

Lutzer's goal in his book that I mentioned above is to show that "it is our society's view of God, and not society's view of morals, that lies at the heart of our dilemma." (Erwin Lutzer, Why the Cross Can Do What Politics Can't, 12). Let us individually, let us as families, let us as a church treasure truth and live the truth. Let us apply the truth of God's word to our relationships, to our work habits, to our recreation, to our finances, to our business transactions, to our speech - in other words, to every area of our lives. Our Lord Jesus Christ himself calls Christ-followers to be salt and light so that others may see our good works and honor our Heavenly Father.

Bro. Calvin

Summer Son Shine Kids will meet through August 5. There will be no Wednesday children's activities for the rest of August. I want to thank all who had a part in this year's Summer Son Shine Kids for all your hard work.

Church Choir rehearsals resume from our summer break on Wednesday, August 5 at 8:00 p.m. Would you come join us as we praise the Lord in song?

The Nominating Committee is hard at work in its annual process to staff our organizations, ministry groups, and committees. The committee members are Steve Brown, Linda Carter, David Edwards, Betty Garms, Troyce Hendricks, Calvin Hubbard, Max Hutto, and Jeri McCormick. Your help is needed as there are many places of service and few people to serve. Please pray for this committee, for your place of service, and our church as we seek to enlist workers for the Lord's work! Jesus said, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:37-38 NASB

Our all Sunday School Leadership New Year Kick-off is Wednesdays, August 19 and 26 at 6:30 p.m. Our theme is Connect3 which is the final part of a four-part series of Sunday School training resources from David Francis. Connect 3 was created to challenge Sunday School classes to become intentional about connecting with other people on three levels. Also note that the LBC Ridgecrest on the Red Sunday School Conference is Saturday, August 22, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Summer Grove in Shreveport. All Sunday School leadership is encouraged to attend these training events.

Invite someone today to Sunday School and Worship!
I'll See You Sunday! MAX

Sunday, August 9^th

after morning worship

Bring your favorite food

(see Lesa for your serving container)

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Senior Adult Revival and Mini-Chautauqua

August 9-12
First Baptist Church, Minden
Preaching: Dr. Harold Smith
Singing: Price Harris
Bible Teacher: Dr. Ferris Jordan
Special Feature: John Garner

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August 14 - 16

at Lake Claiborne

(See Megan Madden for details and to sign up)

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You are invited to a Gift Tea

for Carla Denman

& Jonathan Downs

Saturday, August 15 at 2:00 p.m.

At North Acres

(They are registered at Dillards, Target, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, and Fanette's)

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Senior Adult Fellowship

Thursday, August 27

6:00 p.m.

Everybody's Birthday Party

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Saturday, August 29

9:00 a.m.

We will be having a work day to clean and fix up our church facilities. Your help is needed.

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New Church Year Begins September 1^st

Sunday School Promotion Day - Sept. 6^th

Harvest Sunday
September 13
Special Offering
for Building Fund
Dinner on the Grounds

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"Memorials"

Given in memory of JUD HALE
by: M/M John McCann

Given in memory of DOROTHY SCAGGS
by: Irene Tomlinson
M/M A. D. Lowe
Barbara Valentine
Susie Witcher
M/M Randall Carter
M/M Robert Pitman
M/M John McCann
M/M Robert Ervin

Given in memory of EFFIE WELDON
by: Irene Tomlinson
M/M Randall Carter
M/M Robert Pitman
M/M Robert Ervin
M/M Robert White

Given in memory of GEORGE DUPONT
by: M/M James Heflin

Given in honor of JAMES & BARBARA WILSON
by: M/M Randall Carter

Praise Report

July Totals

Building Fund - - - - - $4,282.00

Tithes & Offerings - - - - - $16,830.23

Total Receipts - - - - - $21,147.73

Sunday School (7/5-7/26) - - - - - 82 - - - - - 83 - - - - - 82 - - - - - 95

SS at the Arbor - - - - - 0 - - - - - 15 - - - - - 11 - - - - - 9

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Year-To-Date

2009 Building Fund - - - - - $35,937.93

2009 Tithes and Offerings - - - - - $128,003.42

2009 Budget Requirements To Date - - - - - $135,839.40

2008-09 Sunday School Average - - - - - 93

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NORTH ACRES BAPTIST CHURCH

SUNDAY

9:00 AM - - - Sunday School

10:15 AM - - - Worship Service

5:00 PM - - - Discipleship Training

6:30 PM - - - Evening Worship

WEDNESDAY

6:30 PM - - - Youth "Unconformed Worship"

- - - - - - Summer "SON" Shine Kids

7:15 PM - - - Prayer Meeting

8:00 PM - - - Church Choir Practice

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