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Don Piper, author of 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life“>90 Minutes in Heaven, will speak at First Baptist Forney during all three morning services (8:00 a. m., 9:30 a. m., and 11:00 a. m.) on Sunday, September 20, 2009. 90 Minutes in Heaven: A True Story of Death & Life“>90 Minutes in Heaven tells the story of Don’s car accident, his time in heaven, and his grueling recovery.

The book has also appeared on a number of other bestseller lists, including USA Today, Publishers Weekly’s Paperback Religion Bestsellers, the CBA Christian Marketplace Top 50, and Christian Retailing’s Top 100 and Booksense. “We published 90 Minutes in Heaven based on the strength of Don Piper’s testimony. However, we did not fully anticipate its wider appeal as a book of comfort and promise. People have told us that they have bought multiple copies of the book, many to share with people who have just lost a loved one or who are going through a difficult time,” said Dwight Baker, president of Baker Publishing Group. “Don’s willingness to speak and share his story all over the world, has also played a huge part in the book’s success. People who hear him cannot help but be moved deeply by his story,” Baker continued.

Though EMTs on the scene determined Piper had been killed instantly after a semi had swerved into his lane, crushing his car, a Baptist preacher who had stopped to offer help began to pray for him as he lay lifeless under a tarp, still in his car. But Piper was unaware of the chaos swirling around his body on earth—he knew only that he was surrounded by loved ones and friends, magnificent light, a sense of pure peace and the most glorious music he had ever heard.

“I’m thoroughly convinced that God answers prayer. Answered prayer is why I’m still alive. …I have an unquestionable belief that God still is in the miracle business. Too many people read about the supernatural in the Bible and think, That’s the way it was in biblical times. I’m convinced that God continues to do the more-than ordinary. Every day I thank God that I’m a living, walking, talking miracle,” writes Piper.

Don Piper has been an ordained minister since 1985. He has appeared on numerous television and radio programs, including “The Today Show”, “The 700 Club,” “At Home Live,” and TBN’s “Praise the Lord.” Piper leads conferences and retreats in the United States and abroad.

First Baptist Church Forney is located at 1003 College Street.

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Why are we here?
Does my life have meaning?
Is there something more?
Are you looking for answers to questions like these? Then the Alpha Course is for you. Alpha is a ten-week practical introduction to the Christian Faith that offers answers to some key questions. Each weekly session begins with an informal dinner, followed by a video presentation, and ends with small group discussion and interaction. Alpha began in London, England and is now held in thousands of churches around the world. Join the thousands who have found answers to their questions about life and God and how they relate. Here is what others are saying about Alpha:
“Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile and all viewpoints are respected.”
“The Alpha course is a ten-week opportunity to explore the validity and relevance of the Christian faith to your life today. It is a practical introduction to the basics of Christianity centered around a meal, a talk and a small-group discussion.”
We invite you to join us for a free Introductory Dinner on Saturday, August 29, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. at Water of Life Lutheran Church (309-B S. Bois D’Arc in Forney).
To learn more about Alpha and to reserve your place, please call (214) 206-7029 weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. or email wol@wateroflifelc.org. Childcare will be provided. The Alpha Course is offered free of charge, though small contributions toward the cost of food will be accepted.

James C. Jarrett is a Deacon in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and serves as vicar at Water of Life Lutheran Church in Forney. His e-mail address is vrjarrett@wateroflifelc.org.

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Last Sunday, August 9, Covenant Generations Church held its third annual “Give A Kid A Chance” community outreach.

Purpose of the “Give A Kid A Chance” is to provide the children of economically disadvantaged Forney families the supplies they’ll need to get off to a successful start in a new school year. This year, backpacks went to any child in attendance whose family had requested one. Each backpack contained required school supplies; a school uniform in the child’s exact size; a voucher for a free dental checkup; and, for the parent or guardian who drives their child to and from school, a voucher for an automobile oil change.

Richie Mullis, pastor of Covenant Generations, said the church helped more than 200 children this year.

Distribution of the backpacks followed the church’s 10:30 a. m. worship service. This “back-to-school prayer service” anticipated the beginning of Covenant Generation’s Back-to-School Kids’ Crusade Boot Camp that evening. The kids’ crusade,which has been going on all this week, is similar to a Vacation Bible School except that sessions take place only in the evening.

“Give A Kid A Chance” has been a part of Covenant Generations’ outreach to the community since the late summer of 2007.

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Jesus himself is our peace. That is what St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:14. Jesus died and rose again to proclaim peace to all who feel far away from God—to bring us near to God in a relationship of peace.
There were differences between us and God caused by our sin, but Jesus has drawn us near. Jesus has brought us together again. Jesus has reconciled us to the Father. Jesus has made the peace.

That sounds great, yet how is this peace possible? Every day, we experience conflict. Political disagreements over how to deal with this bad economy or how to do something about the sorry state of healthcare. There is open warfare in Afghanistan. There is political unrest in Honduras. People are dying of hunger and disease in many parts of the world. Where is the peace?

We don’t even have to look beyond our own lives to find turmoil, do we? What about our own physical suffering? Concerns for our own health. Anxieties over how we’re going to make it through a lean economic time. Worry over troubled relationships with family or friends. Stresses at work or school. Don’t even mention the bills. Will they ever all get paid?

In the midst of all this turmoil; in the midst of anxiety, of stress, of worry, and of fear know this: Jesus Christ is our peace. He has not only made peace between us and God, he himself is our peace.
St. Augustine said to the Lord, “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.” Jesus said, “Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28.) Are you restless, laboring, and burdened? Come to Jesus and find rest. True peace can sometimes be hard to explain, but those who have it know it is real.

James C. Jarrett is a Deacon in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and serves as vicar at Water of Life Lutheran Church in Forney. His e-mail address is vrjarrett@wateroflifelc.org.

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Between July 17 and July 25, a group of volunteers from First Baptist Church Forney traveled to the Czech Republic. The visit was one in a series of visits that began about 2 1/2 years ago to open doors of communication with the Czech people, to build relationships across an ocean, and to win followers for Jesus Christ.

Leader of each trip has been Scott Lyle, FBC’s Pastor of Leadership and Missions.

This summer, Lyle took a group from FBC Forney to Plzen (Pilsen), a community with a population of some 175,000 about an hour’s drive west of the Czech Republic’s capital city, Prague. The group flew in to Prague, then took a train to Plzen.

The group from Forney went to Plzen to teach English at a public school. School was out in Plzen for the summer, just as it is here, so the group conducted what Lyle later called an “English camp”. They ended up with about 60 Czechs who wanted to learn or practice English, of assorted ages from children through adult. During the day the Americans taught classes in English; in the evenings, they conducted sessions in conversational English.

Lyle said English classes are offered in the Czech school system, and so a lot of the younger people there are already learning it.

“They were excited about us being there and about having an opportunity to speak English (with native speakers),” Lyle related. He added that through giving Czechs the opportunity to speak and practice English, God is opening doors to spiritual conversations. At such times, the members of Lyle’s group and students wishing to hear more about the Gospel used Bibles both in English and in Czech, and during their stay, the FBC group gave away new translations of the Bible in the Czech language.

Although Czechs have a strong Catholic history, many Czechs today identify themselves as atheists, Lyle related. In fact, he said, the Czech Republic is known as one of the most atheistic countries in the world—a fertile ground for the Gospel. Lyle confirmed that during the week they were in Plzen, the volunteers from Forney First Baptist were able to share the Gospel numerous times, and one young woman became a Christian while they were there.

But first, trust had to be established. Lyle said Czechs are suspicious of outsiders, but once you’ve established their trust, communication flows with relative ease. One of the ways the group from FBC built that trust was to charge for the “English camp”—Czechs see anything offered for free as possible exploitation. The small fee the group charged—$20.00 per person—went to buy Bibles and snacks, Lyle said. None of the money went back to the group or its members. In addition, the volunteers who took the trip paid their own way.

Lyle said that over the 2 1/2 years he’s been conducting groups of FBC volunteers to the Czech Republic, he’s seen major changes.

“The change for me is that we’ve built trust among the people we’ve visited,” Lyle explained. “Everywhere we go, more and more doors open up.”

“They want us to come back next year,” Lyle said. He indicated that he’s already planning another trip to Plzen next summer.

Anyone who wants to ask more questions about this project or to get involved may contact Scott Lyle, Pastor of Leadership and Missions, First Baptist Church, at 972-564-3397; on his mobile phone at 972-765-0731; or by e-mail at .

Besides Scott Lyle, those making the trip were Trey Lancaster, Mark Kuban, Laura Kuban, Sandra Ledford, Jennifer Weaver, John Hegar, Roland Tyler, Corley Padgett, and Christen Thompson.

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Summer is a time for growth. It is an opportunity for us to grow into deeper understanding of who Christ is and what he has done for us. To grow into a deeper awareness of our own sinfulness and constant need for forgiveness. To grow into greater wisdom and maturity as sons and daughters of God. To grow in love and service for others.

The Christian Faith is not merely a belief system, or moral code, or a social club to which we can belong. It is a relationship with the living God and with other people. It is a relationship of self-giving service. Even Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life for others. (See, Mark 10:45.)

Living well in the kingdom of God has far less to do with busyness and activity than we often realize. Living well in the kingdom of God has far more to do with cultivating a love-relationship with the King and allowing him to use us as instruments of his love for others.

Does this involve activity from us? Of course it does, but the energy for this activity comes from the strength that God supplies. The love that motivates this service does not originate within us. It is God’s love poured into our hearts by his Holy Spirit that spills over to bless and strengthen others.

This can happen even in times of suffering. Sometimes the trials and temptations we endure provide a lesson of grace for those around us who see that though we are beaten down, we are not overcome. Though we struggle and are weary, yet we are lifted up on wings as of eagles to praise and glorify our loving Lord who has given us this gift of identifying with his own sufferings.

The Word of God works through us to spread the kingdom of God. Through passing comments, prayers, and in conversations with others we plant seeds of grace and God nurtures them. We can all give a reason for the hope that is within us. Do you know what that reason is? It is very simple, really. The reason for our hope is the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus Christ.

***

James C. Jarrett is a Deacon in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and serves as vicar at Water of Life Lutheran Church in Forney. His e-mail address is vrjarrett@wateroflifelc.org.

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On Trinity Sunday, June 7, Holy Trinity by the Lake Episcopal Church in Heath had a visit from the Rt. Rev. James Monte Stanton, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. The occasion was his official visit to Holy Trinity by the Lake, which serves Rockwall, Heath and Forney.

Bishop Stanton celebrated the Holy Eucharist during the 10:30 a. m. service. During the service, he performed baptisms, confirmed those who were coming into the Episcopal Church from denominations that do not practice conformation or who were ready to make a mature Christian commitment, and received those who were already confirmed but were seeking to unite with the Episcopal Church.

Following are the names of those baptized, confirmed, and/or received by Bishop Stanton during the 10:30 service:

Baptized were: Deborah Pickett Blankenship (mother and three daughters—granddaughters of long time HT members); Lacey Paige Blankenship; Lauren Nicole Blankenship; Lynsey Kayla Blankenship; and Anna Patric Cepak (3 years old).

Those confirmed were: Megan Leighanne Alonzo (Royse City); Myranda Michelle Alonzo (Royse City); George Coley Berglund; Deborah Pickett Blankenship; Lacey Paige Blankenship; Lauren Nicole Blankenship; Lynsey Kayla Blankenship; Jefferson Stewart Bookhout; Jennifer Jill Fay (Fate); Sean Patrick Fay (Fate); Samuel MIller Fox; Alan Haller; Susannah Beth Hutcheson (daughter of Donna & Cliff Hutcheson of Forney); James Hamrick Morgan; John Phillip Roemisch (Mesquite); Mark Christopher Roemisch (Mesquite); and Marty Serwatowski.

Those previously confirmed in another communion and received into the full communion of the Episcopal Church were: Catherine Rose Haller and Kenneth Joseph Platz (Caddo Mills).

After the 10:30 service, the bishop stayed and enjoyed lunch during Holy Trinity’s Annual Parish Picnic.

Below: Bishop James M. Stanton of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas with those he baptized/confirmed/received during his official visit to Holy Trinity by the Lake Episcopal Church in Heath last Sunday, June 7, 2009.

Photo by Roberta Pavlov

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That statement has caused me to come up with a question I believe to be much more important than who will sit in the Oval Office in January.  It is blatantly obvious that our country has problems…BIG problems, including, but not limited to, war, terrorism, economic hard times, a health insurance crisis, and the continuing decline of our basic moral fiber.  And, as I pondered my husband’s bit of wisdom, I began to ask myself the real question – Who does have the power to solve our problems and put our nation back on track?  And the shocking answers are…ME!  and YOU!  and US!

I know it seems like an enormous responsibility, but I truly believe that we all hold a piece of the power to set things right.  We cannot afford as a society to continue to look to Washington to make things better for our families, our schools and our communities.  The solutions to these problems comes not from the top down, but from the bottom up.  So, where do we start?

I think our first priority is to change the way we view ourselves in relation to one another.  An author that has changed the way my 19 year old daughter sees the world, Shane Claiborn says that “each of us is created for community, and in the image of community. And yet everything in the world tries to rob us of this Divine gift.”

The world constantly tells us that we have to look out for number one.  That we have to keep others down to maintain our position.  We have become a world of self-centered and unempathetic creatures that leave no room for other people’s beliefs, opinions, shortcomings, needs and suffering. We speed through life and step over fallen people instead of taking the time to stop and help them up.  More and more, we prefer to give them a little kick as we pass.  It is not enough to just walk by and ignore them.  We take satisfaction in people’s problems and failures, because we are a society that compares, and as long as their life is worse than ours, we feel okay.  But, we are NOT okay!

I am a Christian, but I abhor religion and believe that it has done far more damage than good to our world.  I also respect that other people do not share my beliefs, but the following excerpt from Shane Claiborn’s book “The Irrisistible Revolution“ provides a profound insight into the kind of shift in our daily attitudes that could truly change the world we live in.

“If you ask most people what Christians believe, they can tell you, “Christians believe that Jesus is God’s Son and that Jesus rose from the dead.” But if you ask the average person how Christians live, they are struck silent. We have not shown the world another way of doing life. Christians pretty much live like everybody else; they just sprinkle a little Jesus in along the way. And doctrine is not very attractive, even if it’s true. Few people are interested in a religion that has nothing to say to the world and offers them only life after death, when what people are really wondering is whether there is life before death.

As my teacher Tony Campolo used to ask, “Even if there were no heaven and there were no hell, would you still follow Jesus? Would you follow him for the life, joy, and fulfillment he gives you right now?” I am more and more convinced each day that I would. Don’t get me wrong. I’m excited about the afterlife. We are going to party like there’s no tomorrow (umm, and there won’t be). And yet I am convinced that Jesus came not just to prepare us to die but to teach us how to live. Otherwise, much of Jesus’ wisdom would prove quite unnecessary for the afterlife. After all, how hard could it be to love our enemies in heaven? And the kingdom that Jesus speaks so much about is not just something we hope for after we die but is something we are to incarnate now. Jesus says the kingdom is “within us,” “among us,” “at hand,” and we are to pray that it comes “on earth as it is in heaven.” No wonder the early Christian church was known as the Way. It was a way of life that stood in glaring contrast to the world. What gave the early Christians integrity was the fact that they could denounce the empire and in the same breath say, “And we have another way of living. If you are tired of what the empire has to offer, we invite you into the Way.” Even the pagan emperors could not ignore the little revolution of love. Emperor Julian confessed, “The godless Galileans feed our poor in addition to their own.” And the Way had little cells multiplying all over that ole empire. Of course, everyone was forewarned that in this kingdom everything is backward and upside-down — the last are first and the first are last, the poor are blessed and the mighty are cast from their thrones. And yet people were attracted to it. They were ready for something different from what the empire had to offer.

Coming out of college, my friends and I were pretty unwilling to “conform to the pattern of this world,” as the Scriptures say (Rom. 12:2). We knew all too well that there is a broad way that leads to death and that most people would take it, but we also knew that there is a narrow way that leads to life, and we wanted to find it (Matt. 7:13 – 14). In fact, people had begun to notice the ripples from our little student movement. I was asked to speak at Eastern’s graduation ceremony, and to the chagrin of the dean, I told the story of how some friends and I were busted for rappelling out of the windows of one of the dorms. The dean had written us a warning that said, “Can you please enter and exit the buildings through the doors, like everybody else?” So my graduation message, “Crawl through the Window,” went something like this: The doors of normalcy and conformity are dead. The time has come to give up on the doors and find a window to climb through. It’s a little more dangerous and may get you into some trouble, but it is a heck of a lot more fun. And the people who have changed the world have always been the risk-takers who climb through windows while the rest of the world just walks in and out of doors. It got quite an ovation from everyone but the dean. We were ready for something new.”

I am ready for something new.  I believe it is time to stop looking to the government to take care of people and for people to start taking care of one another. We are a busy society, but we all have a moment or two in every day to make a small difference to someone.  And the truth is that if we take the time to make life better for a few, they will take the time to make life better for a few and our efforts will multiply.  Pay It Forward was a movie based on fiction, but it was based on more truth and could be more effective than the efforts of every well meaning politician in the world.  The question I pose to each of you is “What are you going to do to change the world today?” It has nothing to do with how you vote.

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