As the year 2008 winds down it seems "TIMES ARE TOUGH." The world's major economies are turbulent and fickle. Taxes are on the rise, as is unemployment. Many are losing their jobs and good jobs are scarce. The war drags on, and unrest in parts of the Middle East is constantly on the brink of exploding into all out war. There seems to be lot's of bad news from many directions. Living in such spiritually dark times, it's easy to become discouraged under the weight of the worlds hostility. But praise the Lord we believer's can find comfort and peace in God's unfailing faithfulness. We know whatever comes our way that HE will be with us and His almighty power will help us in any situation. May we each find the comfort that comes from knowing and trusting in God's promises especially the promise that Christ is returning someday to make all things right. May each of us get the TRUTH out to those who have no such comfort. Each of us need to set the new year 2009 aside for doing what we can to sustain and extend the teaching of God's Word in our area. To help reach our friends and family with the life transforming truth!! 

 Good morning! It is Monday and I haven't blogged for nearly a week.  Sorry about that, We have been a little stretched with the all the normal stuff and of course Christmas and the wedding of our second born daughter Abby. So last week was especially full and on occasion overwhelming but we made it through and still lots to do but not as many deadlines to do them in. So we have a little breathing room today. I miss it when I don't blog. I enjoy staying in contact with all you fellow bloggers. 

Abbys wedding was wonderful. I always enjoy attending weddings of my friends, family and congregation.  I always look at it as an opportunity to show the bride and groom that I care about them and that I believe that what they are doing is so important. I also want to get behind the family and let them know I love them and will be praying for their future. I see attending weddings as sending a signal that MARRIAGE is a HOLY INSTITUTION a GOD THING! I am reminded that JESUS attended weddings and it was there that he performed his first earthly miracle. Saturday while all the pictures were being taken I went to be alone and was praying and the weather wasn't looking so promising and I asked the Lord to hold the rain till after the wedding. Then I thought that is a selfish prayer and then the Lord reminded me His own mother did something like that when she asked her SON to turn the water into fresh grape juice. Jesus was at a wedding , standing with the people He cared about, standing for the institution he created, HOLY MATRIMONY! Karen And I were so thankful for so many who stood with our daughter and new son, who stood with us and who stood with HOLY MATRIMONY. We understood that for many holiday plans made it impossible to be there and their kind cards were so meaniful. There was a greater miracle that day then water being turned into juice, it was that this wedding attender would also make a young women and a young man into one flesh. Possibly only Mary the mother of Jesus knew that He was the one who would do that, perhaps a few others who knew who He was but the scriptural accounts don't mention them being at this wedding. But the point is Jesus was there! As we study Jesus life let us pattern our life like unto His.

Yesterday we had a good day in Sunday worship, both morning services and the evening service was well attended for the last Sunday of the year. Many decisions were made by Christians to draw closer to the Lord and to prepare for the new year by standing on God's promises. Have a good day! 

 Did you miss my blog yesterday? Sorry about that but this week has been a little different. Yesterday We began setting up for Abby and Jay's wedding. With Christmas this week we have and extreme amount of things to do and then with a full scale wedding it will be pretty busy for the Bishir home. But I can't think of anything more important to help in then to help two young people have a wonderful wedding day, one they will remember for a lifetime. We had wonderful services on Sunday in-spite of the windy and cold day. It was 6 degrees below zero without the wind-chill factor when church began on Sunday eve, but what a service. The Adult Choir presented a beautiful Christmas Musical. The worship was as good as it gets. I know many didn't make it out because of the difficult conditions but the crowd was great and the spirit was warm. I sat in tears most of the service as we ADORED HIM! I am looking forward to tommorrow as we celebrate the Lords Table in our Annual Christmas Eve Service at 6p.m. Hope you will be with us for this meaningful time . As we have been setting up the church for Abby & Jay's wedding and reception it reminds me of that great wedding feast we will participate in heaven with Jesus and all the Saints. Can you imagine that day? The great BRIDEGROOM and HIS BRIDE and all the preparations for that day. A day to enjoy being with each other and to see our Groom! As we have been hauling, carrying, stacking, purchasing, etc, for the wedding party and all our friends I think of that day which Christ is prepring for even now. I can hardly wait ! Have a good day. 

 It is Friday morning and what a beautiful day. For those who live in our area you may have just thought I lost my mind temporarily. Last night we received a major "Ice Storm". It is really nasty, treacherous, limbs are down, power is out in some areas and just to get around  takes a lot more effort this morning. BUT IT IS BEAUTIFUL! The trees are glistening in a silver type color and it really makes it look Beautiful. As I was driving in to the office I was thinking, not everything that is Beautiful is Safe. There are lot's of things that shine with a tempting glisten that become very harmful. Satan has many things in this old world that look really beautiful at first but once out in the weather it doesn't take long to find out sometimes "LOOKS FOOL". Let me encourage each of you to be careful as you go out today in the ice and each and every day be careful with beautiful things. Make sure they are good for you, your family, and even your friends. 

Remember this Sunday eve is our Adult Choir & Drama Teams Christmas Musical - "JOY TO THE WORLD". Don't miss it! Also tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. we need help delivering all the Christmas gifts for needy children. We are delivering hundreds of gifts. Would you consider coming and helping in this most delightful outreach. Each home will receive a nice container of cookies and a nice , concise Christmas Tract. Hope to see you in the morning.

 On Monday of this week one of our fine families {John & Cora Dupoey} flew out to Sarasota Florida to spend the winter. They were in church on Sunday and had gone to the Indy airport on Sunday eve to spend the night in the hotel so they would miss the snow on Sunday evening and not miss their flight out at 1p.m. on Monday. Everything was normal and they were looking with anticipation to seeing palm trees and being in their home in sunny Florida in just a couple hours. They both love to fly as for many years they owned their own plane and flew often.  Takeoff was normal and as they sat back to relax and enjoy the flight something happened suddenly and out of the normal. Unexpectantly Cora began to feel really bad and about 30,000 feet in the air she was having a HEART-ATTACK! Nowhere to go but stay in her seat they sought to make her as comfortable as possible and finish the non-stop flight to Sarasota. A most pleasant experience suddenly turned into one of the most miserable experiences of the Dupouy's lives. Upon arrival at their destination things would be a little different then planned. Instead of meeting their cousin who was to pick them up they would meet an Ambulance with a medical team. They would not have to wait to get off the plane they would leave first and all others would wait for them. They received the "RED CARPET " treatment  but would have preferred normal treatment just the same. Cora was taken to the hospital and had a heart chath and then a stint put in to open up a blockage. She is fine today and may go home only 3 days later than planned. Isn't it amazing how plans and sheduals change so fast? We are thankful for the Lord's oversight and  that for Cora & John the story has a positive ending and they will be back to normal soon. But what lesson is in this for me and you? We need to live life as if this may be our last day, as if suddenly life as we know it can change. Make sure what is on your "To-Do-List" will make it into eternty! Each of us need to understand we are on a journey today that may have Soverighn appointments for unplanned events. As they happen may we look for the eternal purpose God has intended for them in our lives as well as the lives of others. Pray for John and Cora today and let them know by a card or phone call.

Also I just receievd a phone call from one of our members who just led one of their family members to Christ over the phone. PTL!  The person who was led to Christ was a family member who for many years has ben witnessed to but now that they have had a serious desise they are tender and willing to be saved. Never give up on anyone! Keep sharing and you may one day have the JOY this family had today as they called the preacher bearing the great news. 

 Good Tuesday morning to each of you bloggers. I am looking forward to another good week of productivity for the Lord. Praying for a week that will see lot's of results but the most important result I desire is to be pure internally, to have true hidden character inside, character that perhaps only Jesus and myself know about! This morning I received an email from someone who gave me a web-sight to check out. Being inquisitive {nosey}, I waited about 10 seconds and went to this sight. There I found a person who once was in ministry  and because of serious sin on more then one occasion had to leave the ministry . Now I know sin can be forsaken and forgiven and fellowship and new ministry can be restored and renewed, but not until sin has been delt with God and even people who have been sinned against. Now dealing with my sin with God is private and personal and only I know if I have really settled up with God at least at first. But when it comes to others, that is something we can see and hear and if it doesn't happen we can know that sin has not been dealt with and we are not to  go back into Christian ministry until it has been taken care of. Now here is my thought today. I understand I don't know all that is happening with this person I heard more about it today but am sure I don't know everything  that has happened . I have had a enough experience in life and study of Bible people that at times a person can lack character and integrity and seem like they have God's blessing on them. They can internally have real problems and externally look as if they are being used of God and doing great things for Him. The exact opposite is true, a person can be as pure as pure can be and seem they have lost God's blessing and that they are in sin. How about Job and his accusers?? The goal for each of us believers is not just productivity but "PRODUCTIVITY WITH PURITY." There will be no reward for productivity without purity! There is no joy in one's heart if they know they are not pure inside, even if they have outward success!! To know that we are pure in-spite of results is the real result we each should be striving for. Hope my thoughts today will help you to strive for that which God is well pleased with, true character of soul not just good actions but Christ's attitudes! 

 I was reading a article written by a man who had a son who was about 3 years of age. The man, his wife and son had gone to the local mall and were shopping. The mother and father split up in their shopping and the son went with dad to look at "BOY STUFF", footballs, basketballs, and the like. But as the father began testing some of the golf clubs he realized that he had taken his eyes off of his very energetic son. He was gone! It was at that moment his wife walked around the corner. When she saw his countenance she said, "You lost him!" With her eyes piercing right through him, he felt like the biggest loser in the world. Diligently, they began searching and discovered him nearby. What a time of rejoicing they had when they finally embraced him. Now consider the people all around us who are spiritually lost. Even sadder is that most of those people do not even realize they are lost. 

In Luke 19:10 Jesus said "For the son of man is come to seek and to save that which is lost." As Christians, we have the same mission today. The Lord has commissioned us to go into the world and preach the gospel to everyone.  Now how can we do this? 

1. Understand your Purpose

This is the believer's purpose. Soul-winning is for everyone of us. We can offer no excuses;the command is clear, we need to embrace this purpose with all our hearts.

2. Unleash your Passion

We should not approach our purpose halfhearted. I am sure when that fellow was looking for his lost son, he had plenty of passion. I can see him running and shouting out the boy's name, asking strangers, did you see a little boy? I can imagine he didn't care what others thought about him; he was on a mission-to find a lost son!

3. Undaunting Perseverance

I am sure that father and mother were not going to give up the search for the lost son till they found him. Why do we give up on lost people so quickly? Keep praying for them; keep sharing the Gospel with them. Don't lose sight of the fact they are lost! 

p.s

Had a great day of services yesterday. We had close to 700 in morning attendance, our crowd is down a little with sickness and Christmas stuff. We had 2 adults pray to receive Christ as Saviour, PTL. Last evening our Children's department had their annual Christmas program. Had a larger group of children participate. All the children were dressed as angels as they performed a Drama/Musical entitled "Angels we have Heard." It was very nice seeing the children serve the Lord. And what a great job all the adult leaders did. It takes lot's of work to make a presentation like that and I am sure the Lord was well pleased. By the way the children brought many visitors and attenders we had nearly 400 in church last eve and the Gospel was given to each one present. 

 Good Friday morning! Was great to be in church last evening and be with all the faithful! As I was going home last night I was thinking of all those who attended church last evening. This time of year is harder to be faithful to midweek services because of the cold, the dark and the business of the season. I was thanking the Lord that those who attended had a HEART to be FAITHFUL! I am so concerned for our church and the churches of America o be strong and not weak. To be Fervent and not Apathetic. I don't ever want to get to a place where I can take or leave Jesus and His church. I want to do all I can to make His church here in Sweetser strong and vibrant, ON FIRE for the Lord! Last evening after I left church I went to my office and spent a little time praying that Liberty and its people would always have God's fire on them. I then opened my Bible and read Revelation 3: 14-22 about the Laodicean Church. This church was Lukewarm and the Lord didn't seem to like the taste of their version of Christianity and Church. He said he would spew lukewarmness out of His mouth and then said He would rather us be Cold or Hot. After I read that I bowed my head and thanked the Lord that I also HATED lukewarmness. I understood that I also was a little like Jesus in that I had NO TASTE for LUKEWARMNESS myself. I don't like lukewarmness in my own life nor in my families life nor in my congregations life. Lukewarmness is a threat to God's kingdom and it is that which if a parent allows it in their heart it will affect their children. What a parent does a little will come out of their children a lot! This morning I am very burdened for our children. We need to train young champions for Christ not wishy washy children who grow up and miss God's best for their lives because they were led by bad examples. I am praying that parents would not give in personally to the flesh, busy schedules, or just plain tiredness. And especially that they would not give into the desires of their children's flesh when they don't want to do what is right. But that parents would have a "FIRST LOVE" and that is Jesus and they would be dedicated to leading their children to Christ by leading them consistently to GODLY DISCIPLINES!  I FOR ONE REDEDICATE MY LIFE TO CONCISTANTLY RETURN TO MY FIRST LOVE [JESUS] AND IF ANY THING IS CROWDED OUT OF MY LIFE IT WON'T BE JESUS BUT IT WILL BE THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVEL". Hope you do the same!

 Good morning on this Thursday ! The sun is shining and it always seems to make the day a little easier. Thank God for the sunshine both outward and inward! The holiday season is in full swing! Stores have already begun there "Christmas Sales"! This shopping season in particular will be full of sales, discounts, and mark downs. While the thought of taking advantage of this season's discounts may be exiting to us, I am reminded that this not the time of year to make "mark downs" in other areas of my life. This season, concider the following areas where we can seek to invest rather than discount: 

1. TIME WITH THE LORD

Determine now to spend quality time with your Saviour this Christmas. Set aside time in your schedule to just sit in His presence, contemplate His love displayed at the manger, and thank Him for all the wonderful gifts with which He has blessed you. 

2. TIME WITH FAMILY

The Christmas season provides great opportunities for time with family. While Christmas plays, school musicals, class or work parties will take up several evenings on your holiday calendar. Be sure to set aside time to carry on your special family traditions or even start a new one! Maybe you can make a Christmas ornament , decorate the tree, try a new cookie recipe together or just find a few hours to watch that special Christmas movie { our family have severa, one is " Christmas in Connecticut" }. Time is the best gift you can give to your family, so be sure to include it in your budget !

3. TIME WITH YOUR CHURCH FAMILY

Plan to be part of the services and festivities of your church. Think of the new widow or faithful bus child of your church who needs a touch of God's love this season and then offer it! You will reap dividends in eternity for the time invested in giving to others. 

May God bless you this season as you seek to honor Him and as you enjoy time with loved ones. Have a wonderful, Christ-centered Christmas ! 

 Good morning and happy Tuesday to each of you! It is really raining here today in Northeast Indiana. It looks like the rain is going to get rid of most of the snow. I love to look at the snow but not contend with it, so if we lose it all today that will be just fine with me. Yesterday I stopped and visited one of our senior members who used to never miss church but this year is the first they don't feel safe when it snows so they have had to miss some church. We had a great visit and I told them I missed them and prayed with them. Let me encourage each member of our congregation to visit and make some calls weekly to those you miss at church. It really shows concern and helps people to know they are loved and needed. Send a card or two monthly letting someone know you prayed for them during the month. Today I will attempt to study and prepare a few messages for the weeks ahead. The Holidays are busy times anyway and with our daughter Abby and her Fiance Jay being married in a few weeks it has been extremely hectic and full. Hey if you think of it would you pray for my wife Karen she has so much going at this time. Karen & I want to invite each of you to Abby & Jays wedding on December 27 at 5:30 p.m. here at Liberty.  Tonight we will have our annual Christmas get together for our Pastoral staff, I always look forward to a little time of fun with the guys and their wives.  As you readers know I like to leave a thought with you when one is really working on me so here is my thought for today.   "IT'S ALWAYS TO SOON TO QUIT BUT NEVER TO LATE TO START". Have a great day!

 I just got back from officiating another funeral. I have officiated more funerals this year than any single year before. The funeral was in Huntington  and the burial was in an old cemetery in Andrews . I decided to drive back the back roads and pray and enjoy some new scenery. As I was driving and thinking I was asking God to take the gospel seed I had sown and move on the hearts of many who had just heard the good news of Jesus.  As I continued to think I reminisced about the many trips like this one, and wondered does it really matter does it really make a difference? Upon returning to my office I began to kind of clean up from yesterday. I was filing my sermons from yesterday and as I was adding two to literally thousands I asked myself does this really matter? And the Lord reminded me "HIS WORD NEVER RETURNS VOID". "TRUTH ALWAYS SUCCEEDS". Does Truth make a difference in our lives and others? Absolutely!!! It is the one thing that does make a difference. Well even though it is Monday and my feelings can be trying to fool me I will go with the facts and keep on preaching truth and leaving the results up to Christ. May I encourage you to do the same! 

 Tomorrow I ill preach in the morning service on john 3:16 ! The message is entitled "Jesus God's Ultimate Love". Oh to know the Love of God! His Love for the world is the most powerful force in all the world. The reason it is so powerful is that it is the most needed thing in all the world. Love given and received provides such security and substance. When man really feels love it makes such a difference in life. You know if we sense love a lot of things can be lacking and missing but that Love makes all the difference. May each of us find some one today and allow Jesus to love them through us. Tell someone today you love them, show someone you love them. When you come to church tomorrow look for ways to shower people with love. Love those you will teach and sit with in class. Love the children, Love the Seniors, And love everyone in between. The greatest fact I know is "JESUS LOVES ME THIS I KNOW FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO". And maybe we ought to add a verse to that "I WILL LOVE YOU THIS I KNOW FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO". Have a great day! 

Yesterday I stayed home and spent some time alone with God. It was great and I was able to work around the house and get some needed chores done. It was quiet with the only noise being my beagle Matti following me around as she also enjoys my staying at home when I can. When I first woke up I thought about going on into the office because there was so many things left undone in ministry. So many people who needed contacted , encouraged , ministered to. The burden of the ministry is always with you 24/7. I prayed and the Lord spoke loud and clear and said stay home and rest your brain and soul. I obeyed ! The morning was filled with carrying wood, cleaning out a woodburner, shoveled snow and fixed lot's of things on Karen's list. Around3p.m. i began studying the Bible and worked on preparation of one of our Christmas messages and finished at 7:45 p.m. Went upstairs and took a shower then popped some popcorn and went down by the woodburner for some time with the Lord. Karen came home from a Baby Shower and we spent some time talking then to bed. I needed that day. Days like that are like heaven to me!  I am learning slow that there is a time to pull off and recoup. Sometimes we just need to get alone and take a day to strengthen and renew. A day just to rest you mind and not think a lot  about the pressures but just put the brain in neutral for a while.  It will help in the long haul. Once we renew then it is time to WORK as hard as we can for the Lord and all that is valuable in our lives. 

Christian brothers and sisters there seems to be a lot of doom and gloom in the air these days. I know things are tough with the economy, job losses and the potential for more factories and business lost. I know all the bad news but three still is GOOD NEWS. "JESUS SAVES"! "GOD ANSWERS PRAYER"!! "GOD IS ON THE THRONE"! I want to encourage each Christian to be a BEARER of GOOD TIDINGS". I heard one of my favorite preachers {Adrian Rogers} once say  "Some People Brighten a Room Just By Leaving It"! I don't want to be like that and I am sure you don't either. I want to bring Hope into a room when I enter it. I want to bring Joy and Peace, Friendship and encouragement. I want to bring Laughter when it is appropriate and mercy when it is the need. When I walk in a room I want to know I am welcomed because those in the room know I have come to bring life and help! When I leave I want to be missed till next time and for people  to hope that next time comes sooner than later. I don't want to bring more frustration and more perplexity but to bring peace and answers. May each of us "BRIGHTEN A ROOM BETTER BY ENTERING A ROOM THAN BY LEAVING A ROOM"! 

 It is Monday morning and it seems like it was just Monday last week. Had great services yesterday! We saw 3 adults and 3 children pray to receive Jesus as Saviour. Praise the Lord! We had some really amazing stories of some visitors who came for the first time and we spoke specifically a message that was right where they were in life. One adult man was saved because of it and said he was going to bring his girlfriend next week. That happens so much and I love it when it does. God lays a message on our heart from His Word and then He draws people here for just that message. So often when we share the gospel, teach a class, or preach a sermon we don't know all that is going on behind the scenes. God is at work and bringing people to salvation and then to maturity as believers. As we came into our early morning service we were talking with Allan Cunningham one of our fine ushers and we said it was going to be a little different day, yet we would " Preach in Season and Out of Season". We had many that were out of town for the Holiday, we had a substantial snowfall just as folk were to come to church, many had sickness in their homes and so we were down in attendance but not in Gods Presence. God drew those He wanted and many hearts were changed for good and some had lifetime changes take place.  Just keep  sharing Christ this week, God will draw someone to you that He wants to use you to give the GOOD NEWS! Have a great day!