It's been a while

[Bell Gardens Baptist Church]

Hello Everyone,

It’s been a long while. When the circumstances of life are more visible it is easier to tell others what is going on (or what we think is going on). I suppose it is at those times that we say in church-speak we are counting our blessings and praising the Lord. When the circumstances of life are more invisible it is not as easy to show and tell. Those are the days we better relate to David’s laments in the Psalms. Yet, we know that through David’s tears, he was always looking for the good God was doing. The truth is, even though God’s acts are not always as readily observable He never ceases being good. And, we want to be an always praising-the-Lord people. Praise the Lord with us about a couple of observations of His presence among us:

We wanted to get a bird’s-eye view of the story of the Bible in our Wednesday Bible study. The plan was well outlined, 26 lessons in the Old Testament and 26 in the New Testament. After the first few weeks, our emphasis changed more from the “events” to the “Who.” What does this story tell us about God? What is God like? We’ve worked our way through the Old Testament. Before beginning the New Testament, we added a week to review the main idea of each story and one significant attribute of God. As I’ve done for each lesson, I prepared a handout of this summary. If you would like a copy for yourself I would be delighted to send it to you. The group is becoming more interactive and always encouraging. One man said, “this is the fastest hour of the week. We sit down, blink and then it is time to go.” It seems that I am guilty of always going over, 10 minutes or more. We so enjoy the fellowship and discussions together, it is not always easy to stop. If our understanding of God and His plan has developed as well as the list of attributes that characterize God, we are doubly blessed. 

I’ve been reading the book that Lois (Barlow) Merritt assembled (mostly from the letters that her parents wrote, both to churches and individuals), Nathan Barlow MD, Nearest Doctor For a Million People. In the early chapters, Dr. Barlow’s work as the first medical doctor in Bell Gardens is at the forefront. I had a lot of questions because I wanted to know more about those early days of the community and the Barlow’s role in starting and establishing Bell Gardens Baptist Church. But, of course, the focus of the book is on their work as medical missionaries in Africa. I’m almost finished and have enjoyed reading all that God did through Dr. and Mrs. Barlow before I knew who they were, then to the ends of their life on earth, and what the Lord is still doing in Ethiopia through their faithfulness to Him. The stories of how they lived and traveled and worked in Africa are incredible. Seeing God’s hand of protection and provision in some very unique ways has been a reminder that He is creative. What a thought! Our Creator is…creative!

Until next time,

Jim

PS. Chuck Colson commented on the uniquely Christian origins of Valentine's Day in a BreakPoint commentary  back in 1998. Chuck tells us how the commemoration of the ultimate human love—Christian martyrdom—stood in stark contrast and ultimately replaced a popular pagan festival. You can listen to or read his commentary here: http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/13/24550.