FYI: There will be a memorial service for Sabra next Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at Life House Church – 915 East Street, Texarkana, AR 71854 Come join us as we celebrate her life and homegoing. For more info or directions you can call the church office at: 870-216-1936

Pray for the students. Pray for more space (we have to be really creative !) and pr

Some of our regulars were out of service due to the storms of the night but we were so blessed to have others drop in and worship with us. God is not through with Life House -by a long shot!  He has a plan and a purpose for this ministry.  Today we saw a young man (that we ALL have prayed for some time) saved at the end of the service. God has His hand upon several of our young people and we are seeing His fruit become evident in their lives.  Pray for those who have been saved that they will continue to grow in the Word and to maturity so that they in turn can reach out and reach this community for the Lord.

At the end of our service we enjoyed hamburgers and all the trimmings. It was good to be able to laugh, fellowship and enjoy our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  We even had several from First Baptist, Lewisville, AR (one of our partner churches) come over and eat with us and share in the afternoon service.  Life House is blessed to have several GREAT partner churches and this church has been with us from day one of the mission. They are a blessing to us – more than they could ever know. Thanks Bro. Bobby, Mrs Bridgette and FBC Lewisville family!!

This afternoon we shared a time of testimony and memories.  Several of our people shared what the Lord had done for them, what the church meant them and the blessing God had given them this year. Many share memories that have happened in the life of Life House in the past year.  Several of those memories mentioned were things that I had almost forgotten.   Let me share some of the blessings shared with you:

1. First Baptist Lewisville, AR coming and cleaning and painting the nursery/children’s area and while here writing scripture on the floor before the carpet was laid. Our church family is literally walking on the Word and founded on the Word of God!   (Thanks Mrs. Bridgette Daniel for sharing that with us and reminding me!)

2. One of our first events in front of the building, speaking with, getting to know, sharing food with and even praying with people off of the street. One man came on his way home from the local bar “honky tonk” and spoke with one of our ladies and allowed her to pray over him. He also “donated” his two cold “40 oz” beers to us – which got poured out and accidentally spilled on one of our ladies while she was pouring them out.

   3. One of the best ones shared though was when I called on one of our young men and asked, “What do you remember most happening this year” and he replied, “When I got saved.” — and that wasn’t too long ago!  

There are so many memories and the slide show today really put things in perspective. I only wish I could get that slide show placed on our web site so YOU could take a trip with us down memory lane and see all that God has done. 

It was a great and encouraging day. God has GREATER THINGS for us in the next year. We are going to see Him do things that only He could take credit for.  We stand amazed at all He has done and all that He is getting ready to do! 

Pray for us and know that we are thankful to be your mission in College Hill.   Time to go – I’m tired! LOL                            Pastor James

P.S. THANK YOU to all of the Life House family for all you did to make this day a HUGE success. The cooks, servers, and all who did ANYTHING really made the day a great day.  I love you all!!

They still sing four part harmony “convention” songs. The adults and children alike (the majority of them) could lead, sing, and many even play that style of worship music.  When we first went to the church some of the “old timers” were still alive and the music was heavenly.  I could sit and listen to it all day.

The church also had a history of being simple. Now understand – that’s not a bad thing – that’s a good thing!  They didn’t complicate things…they gathered for worship, fellowship and study of the Word. They ate together, laughed together and reached out to those in need in the community with a big heart and in big ways. I’ve seen time and again them go the extra mile to help someone not even connected with the church family there.

I have many precious memories of this church. Our children were born while we were there. They were held, bounced, hugged, kissed and loved by all. They were totally spoiled (especially Josh) by several and we will never forget “Molay”, “Pa Chester” ,”Ma Jude”, “Pa Baker” and “Ma Baker” and many more letting our kids be their grand kids too. They loved them and treated them like their own. They blessed us by loving our kids. 

I remember a young spunk of a preacher (me) who wanted to win every soul in Bodcaw and grow a big church and yet in spite of his inability and poor preaching – those folks still loved me.  They were encourager’s. They still are.  The words, hugs, gifts and more proved they knew how to treat a pastor and family. That in itself is almost a lost art today.  This church has “raised” a lot of “preacher boys” and given them a start in ministry through the years. God will bless them one day for that kind of love.

This church was also (and still is) a sharing church. Many Sundays we left to go back to Texarkana with our car/van loaded down with vegetables or “garden goodies”. I remember one day leaving with 4 or 5 watermelons in the trunk of our car. Now you’ve heard of “HOPE MELONS” – well they are really Bodcaw melons carted to Hope for sale and you haven’t ever tasted GREAT watermelon until you’ve tasted those!

I remember revivals – packed out!  I remember the area preachers gathering and sitting on the front pews and serving as the unofficial “amen corner”.  I remember the souls being saved, people being baptized and the harmony that was present in that church. There was far LESS DRAMA in the church in those days. The people weren’t out for “what they could get” from the church but rather what they could give.

I remember homecomings. WOW -talk about food from heaven. I remember caramel pies, dressing, fried chicken and much, much, more. They could make a skinny fellow fat in two weeks !  They know how to cook and don’t mind sharing! The building would always be “packed out” for homecoming. People from far and near – out of towners and more would come – especially to the afternoon service. 

I remember VBS. This church loved the area children and did their best to make VBS a BIG time during the summer.  It was filled with fun and lots of love – Jesus love.

I remember so many things that time and space wouldn’t permit it all but suffice it to say – God has used this church in our lives to bless us in so many ways – even all these years after we’ve been gone.  Though many of the “old timers” that were there when we were have gone on to be with the Lord, we have some precious memories of days gone by and friendships that will never end.  Someday – we will gather once again on heaven’s shores and i’m sure there will be some “four part harmony, convention singing” in heaven. Harlan Tye singing tenor, Connie Dorman singing alto and many more! 

I’m sure I will think of alot more things to share – and might even do some “tags” on my next few blogs if I do – but suffice it to say — We were blessed to start our ministry at Bodcaw #1. Thanks Bodcaw #1 church family – we will never be able to repay you for all you’ve done for us and you will never totally know how much you have meant to us through the years. Bless you – keep on keeping on till HE comes!3

Pastor James

1. Bro. Bobby Daniel and family – loss of his dad.  Pray for traveling grace.

2. Friend from Faith – Hershal Downs – tests and in hospital

3. Kathy Given’s great nephew.

4. Services at Life House Sunday. We believe God is about to do something amazing and can’t wait!

Thanks – Pastor James

Also, today we will have a “first” as one of our young ladies has worked hard to get ready to sing for us this Sunday before Christmas. This is a major step in her life at Life House. She desires to get involved and be a blessing and today we will have the blessing of hearing her sing “Silent Night” during the service.  Pray for her, not just today but in the days ahead as God uses her in our church family.

   As a mission there are always “firsts” but they never get dull and they are always exciting to me and to the members of Life House. We are expecting God to “show up and show out” in our service today. Come experience Jesus with us at Life House!  Pastor James