It has been a pleasure to serve as your Pastor. The accomplishments that have been done in the name of our Lord Jesus.  We give all the glory to our Almighty God. Through struggles and hardships we have encountered both as a congregation and personally it has given us a driving force to continue to serve our Lord Jesus Christ.  The evidence of our service lines the walls of our church with pictures of God's work at hand.  By rolling up our sleeves together to get God's work done, it symbolizes our commitment and encourages those around us to help out and join in.
      The inspiration of our Choir that sends the melodies piercing through our hearts and souls can sometimes reach places that words alone could never do.  As tears sometimes flow down our faces so does the Love for our Lord Jesus Christ.  May he continue to bless our lives.
      When I watch and see the emotions going through the very fiber of Joleen's spirit I can sometimes see tears.  These tears are real and an expression of her compassion, love and care she feels towards others.  It is hard to be around her and not be crying with her for the same reasons.              The Sunday School teachers are such a blessing because they take time to prepare each lesson. Always looking for a better way to share and deliver the Word of God.  Their commitment each week helps us to refill our spirit with the Word of God through Bible Studies and life application.  Even though our ministry team here has been challenged with adversity it did not divide this family.  As Satan seeks to divide us to  close these doors we know It is only because we are making an impact on this community.  We will continue to pray for those that Satan may use and pray that they will find the light of Jesus to lead them through these dark times.  The conviction we feel in our hearts tells us we should serve our Lord Jesus Christ. Also we need to witness about Jesus by talking to people in a gentle way and show Christ's love through us. Lastly, be a witness for Jesus through our actions, and stand firm on the Word of God.  Satan will always continue to attack people who share His love so let's link arms and hold firm as family to unite against the sin of the world.  We know without God we can do nothing but with God all things are possible.                                                                                                    
      Proverbs 3:5 & 6 - (5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (6) In all ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.      
 
       What this verse means is that we may not understand when we go through trials and trouble.  A lot of which we create for ourselves because we aren't trusting Jesus to take us down a path but instead choose what we want at that moment.  And God looks at us and sees so much more.  So if we put our trust in him by praying and reading his Word the clarity will come.  Praise him always!  In the good times - praise him.  In the bad times and struggle - praise him.  Praying to him only when we need something doesn't develop that relationship we need for trust.  Imagine if you had a friend and the only time you talked to him was to ask for money or a ride.  It is what we do to God sometimes. So let's focus on the plans he has for us. Let's listen to the words we hear in our Bible as we read it.  Find your peace, love, comfort and joy as we start this new year fresh.  It's never too late. 

Pray this prayer with us "God we know that we aren't worthy but you loved us anyway.  Please help us to remember to trust you.  Speak to our hearts in such a way that we know it could only come from you.  Help us to separate from the sins that we seem to think define us and see ourselves and other people through your eyes.  Be with the congregation here at Burrows Memorial Baptist Church and those who help others beyond these walls.  Let them feel comfort and love when they are down.  May we never get tired of serving you and may you continue to refresh our spirit an fill us back up each day we meet in your house! Lord Thank you for everything you do for us in our lives and help us to be humble in all that we do.  May we each fulfill the plan you have for us! In Jesus Name, Amen!

     Let's start this new year with a clean slate and remember God has the eraser!  We all mess up but we serve a loving God and we only need to ask for Forgiveness.

That's right let's have another cup of coffee to talk about the love of God.

As i was walking around the yard i noticed the daffodills waking from a winters rest , other flowers are beginning to soak u[ ther wamth of the sun.

See, the world is still at the realm of darkness because it's overshadowed by the adversary of this world. We have to realize the darkness is in the heart and the mind. The darkness I am talking about is anger , greed , hate and selfishness . Look at the newspapers , TV and magazines , they give a doom and gloom picture of our society .

Psalm 37: 8 - Refrain from anger and turn from wrath ; do not fret- it leads only to evil

Romans 12 :18 - If possible , so far as it depends on you , live peacefully with all.

Allowing anger to interwine with your heart and soul to discourage us from  continuing to search our hearts for love and comfort. Anger can kill the light of our spirit.

John 13 : 34-35 - A new command I give you , love one another. As I have loved you , so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples , if you love one another.

To respect for others takes an effort on our part.

Jude 20 - You , dear friends , must build each other up in your most holy faith , pray in the power of the Holy Spirit.

1 Peter 2 : 17 - Show proper respect to everyone  , love the family of belivers ...

Christ in his love for us, gave up his most high position in heaven to come to earth. God shows compassion to us by giving us blessings we don't deserve and by not giving us what we do deserve.

Psalm 145 : 9 - The Lord is good to everyone. He shows compassion on all his creations.

Forgiveness is the ONLY way to stomp out hate and anger.

Matthew 6 :14-15 - If you forgive those who have sinned against you , your heavenly father will forgive you ,  but if you refuse to forgive others, your father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 5 : 25-26 - Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late and you are dragged into court , handed to an officer , and thrown into jail. I assure you that you won't be free again until you have paid the last penny.

To reconcile with others is MANDATORY to our relationship with God. The purpose of reconciliation is to heal all wounds that have been hidden in our hearts.

John 3 : 16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son , so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

1 John 4: 9-10 - God showed how much he loved us by sending his only son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.

God loves us . This is real love.

The way of salvation according to the book of Romans . These are selected Bible verses from the book that will lead to new life, in Jesus' name.

" For ALL have sinned , and come short to the glory of God..." - Romans 3 : 23
"For the wages of sin is death ... but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord "- Romans 6 : 23
" But God commendth his love toward us, in that , while we were yet sinners , Christ died for us ."- Romans 5 : 8
" For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved " - Romans 10  : 13
" If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  - Romans 10 : 9 NIV
"  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. " - Romans 12 : 1-2