FBC Lake Charles

From My Heart…

THANK YOU…to all the many FBCers who participated over the past three weekends to help Friendships get ready for their upcoming trip to Central America.

MENS FRATERNITY…will start up again on Thursday, October 4, at 6:00AM in the FMC. This semester we will study Dr Lewis’ new material “Winning At Home and At Work.” This material deals with two of the most important areas in any man’s life. In it, Dr. Lewis applies biblical truths and principles to help any man become a winner in the things that really matter. The cost is $10 for a workbook. Mark your calendar and join your brothers on Thursday mornings for a great time!

A FAMILY AFFAIR…On Sunday night, October 28, we will host another joint service with Ford Street Baptist Mission. Our very special guest that evening will be Dr. Fred Luter, the pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans. Dr Luter is an outstanding communicator of God’s Word and has spoken at the Southern Baptist Convention, the Louisiana Baptist Convention and numerous conferences across America. You do not want to miss this service as we continue to work to build bridges of friendship and understanding.

UPWARD BASKETBALL…will hold its annual recruitment and registration drive this month. This ministry depends on dozens of volunteers to coach, referee, train cheerleaders, keep score, pray, greet, sell refreshments, follow-up and do half-time devotionals. It depends upon our parents supporting it by enrolling their kids in our program. If you would like to help this year, sign up through the church office or contact Brian Smith or Jessica Gray.

DON’T GIVE UP…Mamo Walde of Ethopia finished first in the 26 mile marathon at the Mexico City Olympics on October 29, 1968. An hour and a half later, the last of the marathon runners were carried off to the first-aid station, exhausted. As the remaining spectators began to exit the stadium, those near the gates heard the sound of sirens and police whistles. Everyone turned to look as a lone figure, wearing the colors of Tanzania, entered the darkened stadium. His name was John Stephen Akhwari and he was the last participant to finish the race. He entered the stadium on legs all bloody and bandaged, severely injured in a fall, and he grimaced with each step. The remaining spectators rose and applauded him as if he were the winner. After crossing the finish line, Akhwari slowly walked off the field without turning to the cheering crowd. Seeing how he was injured and had no chance of winning the race, a reporter asked this young man why he didn’t just quit and get medical attention immediately after the fall. The runner replied, “My country didn’t send me seven thousand miles to start the race, they sent me seven thousand miles to finish it.”

I call those who stick with it “people of purpose.” They realize that life isn’t about short cuts, the easier way, or getting my way. They understand that every time they start something and don’t see it through to completion, they are developing a pattern of quitting that can impact their entire life and the lives of their loved ones as well. They believe that the purpose of life is to bring glory and honor to God and that nothing dishonors God like quitting the course that He has laid out before them. So the next time the going gets tough and folks around you start dropping by the wayside, remember these words from the WORD: And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish…Hebrews 12:1a-2 (NLT)

Sticking to it …
Bro John