New Carpet

To God be the Glory,

We are really excited at the new look at our facility. We've put in new carpet and it looks great. I hope all of you will be there on January 31st to praise God for his provision. Thank God for this and the new roof-which protected us from a huge rainstorm last week.

Upcoming activities at Trinity Baptist Church

Our Sunday night meeting will be at the church at 6:00 pm.

Friday night, February 12th is our Ironwood promotion with all of the kids. We'll meet at Pastor Craig's house at 5:30 pm on Friday night. All camp age kids are welcome

Velentines banquet and golf is February 13th at Scooter's and then El Palacio. We'll golf at 10:00 am and then eat at noon. Hope you'll be there.

Pastor Craig

Update 1-24-09

Here are a few calendar updates for this week:

Don't forget the Valentine's Banquet and Golf Tournament Saturday, February 13th. We'll play golf at 10:00 am and then go to El Palacio Mexican Restaurant at noon. Don't miss this fun time together.

Trinity Baptist 2010

Upcoming Dates: Youth Activity, Friday, 1-15-10 at the Evins Home-5:30 pm
Valentines's Golf and Dinner-Scooter's and El Palacio-10:00 am

The Business of Christmas

my prayer for you all this year is that the Business of Christmas does not squeeze out the opportunity to strengthen your relationship with those you are closeest to and with the Lord. Let's keep the source of our experiences this year in Jesus Christ. Be encouraged by these words from Chambers.

My experience is not what makes redemption real—redemption is reality. Redemption has no real meaning for me until it is worked out through my conscious life. When I am born again, the Spirit of God takes me beyond myself and my experiences, and identifies me with Jesus Christ. If I am left only with my personal experiences, I am left with something not produced by redemption. But experiences produced by redemption prove themselves by leading me beyond myself, to the point of no longer paying any attention to experiences as the basis of reality. Instead, I see that only the reality itself produced the experiences. My experiences are not worth anything unless they keep me at the Source of truth—Jesus Christ.
From Chambers December 21st

Jesus Christ the Messiah

He is the only Messiah and th eonly one who ever could be. We've seen this through the many prophecies of the Old Testament and we've also see this because of the lineage of Jesus Christ on the past two Sundays. There just would be too many coincidences for the Messiah to be any other than Jesus Christ, son of Mary, conceived by the Holy Spirit and adopted by the legal heir to David's throne. It is a truly amazing thought. It is a miracle from the Lord. Jesus is the Messiah, He is the Savior of the world, He is Lord. Is He Lord of your life today? Put your trust in Christ this Christmas. Put him first! Be there on Wednesday as we remember the Lord and Sunday as we look back at the Christmas season and think on what we need to in the new year to serve our Savior.

Looking Forward to Christmas

Christmas Caroling, Friday, December 18th-meet at the Evins house at 5:30 pm. Call us is you'd like to be caroled at.

Special Christmas Program and Service-This Sunday at 11:00 am

Great Advice from Chambers

Today's words from Oswald Chambers are particlarly challenging as he exhorts us to study the Word of God and be able to put it into our own Words. This will make us effective communicators to others.

“Approved to God”

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

If you cannot express yourself well on each of your beliefs, work and study until you can. If you don’t, other people may miss out on the blessings that come from knowing the truth. Strive to re-express a truth of God to yourself clearly and understandably, and God will use that same explanation when you share it with someone else. But you must be willing to go through God’s winepress where the grapes are crushed. You must struggle, experiment, and rehearse your words to express God’s truth clearly. Then the time will come when that very expression will become God’s wine of strength to someone else. But if you are not diligent and say, “I’m not going to study and struggle to express this truth in my own words; I’ll just borrow my words from someone else,” then the words will be of no value to you or to others. Try to state to yourself what you believe to be the absolute truth of God, and you will be allowing God the opportunity to pass it on through you to someone else.

Always make it a practice to stir your own mind thoroughly to think through what you have easily believed. Your position is not really yours until you make it yours through suffering and study. The author or speaker from whom you learn the most is not the one who teaches you something you didn’t know before, but the one who helps you take a truth with which you have quietly struggled, give it expression, and speak it clearly and boldly.

Mike and Melanie Webster-Missionaries to Quebec

We are looking forward to hearing from our missionaries of 30 years, Mike and Melanie Webster. I've posted a short biography of them here. They will be sharing in all of our services on Sunday. They are not only faithful servants of the Lord but dear friends for many years. Let's be there and be blessed on Sunday.

Here is a little info about the websters that I found on their website:

We are Mike, Melanie, Stephanie, Jonathan, and Catherine Webster, serving the Lord in Québec City, Québec, Canada with Independent Faith Mission of Greensboro, NC. Mike is originally from North Carolina and Melanie is the daughter of missionaries to France. We met while students at Bob Jones University, were married in France, and have been on the mission field of French-speaking Quebec since 1986. Mike has a B.A. in Bible and a M.A. in Theology. Melanie has a B.S. in Secondary Education and is currently working on a M.A. in Translation at Laval University. Stephanie , Jonathan and Catherine are currently students at Bob Jones University. Valerie, our oldest, now lives in Greer, South Carolina with her husband Tom Sandquist and sons, Erik and Benjamin. They attend Colonial Hills Baptist Church.

During our 18 years of ministry in Eastern Québec, we saw a church rebuilt, then call it’s own French-Canadian pastor whom we helped to train. In 2004, God led us to Québec City to begin the process all over again with Église Baptiste Évangélique d’Orsainville.

Pictures from our Tree Planting Saturday

Philemon-Love and Forgiveness

If you missed us today-you really missed out on the Word. We learned of a great man of God, Philemon. We also learned of a changed man, Onesimus. Paul tells their story and urges a reconciliation and forgiveness on Philemon's part. It was a great encouragement and challenge from the word. This week is Thanksgiving week and many of us will be traveling out of town. Let's pray for safety for all. There will be no mid-week Bible Study since so many will be gone. But, we'll be enjoying our missionaries the Websters on Sunday. Plan to be there!!!! Pastor Craig

The Place to Worship

Today we had a nice day at our church. We planted 9 trees on the West side. One day these trees will be great shade for our cars in the afternoon. It was great to see some folks out to help us get the job done. Jason Seth and Jillian Moothart helped Caleb, Sam POrter and me get those trees into place. We really want out church be inviting to those who pass by. These trees will help to make our place a great place to come to. Be in the house of the Lord tomorrow. It is your place to worship.

Tomorrow we'll vote to get new carpet into our main worship area. This will really make our Worship area much more beautiful. I'm looking forward to moving forward with this postive project for our church. Be in your place on the Lord's Day.

Update for November 13th, 2009

Today's update:

This week we'll be continuing our study of Titus. In fact we'll hopefully be finishing up Titus 3. Hope you'll be there to fellowship and be encouraged in the Lord. I'm also looking forward to Sunday night as we'll be conducting an important business meeting. We'd like to take care of some new improvements to our faciilty. So far the water situation is standing pat. We'd love to plant some new trees on the west side of the building, though. Consider adopting a tree. We will buy some easy to fill and use jugs so that you can water your tree twice a week through the summer. We'll keep those trees growing until the summer when we'll figure out how to get the water system to them. We'd also like to decide on new carpet for the sanctuary. Please pray on how we should take care of the facility that God has given us.

Be there to serve the Lord on Sunday at all three meetings.

Wednesday we will continue our study of heaven.

The Webster's are still coming on November 29th.

Dates to Remember at TBC

Here are a few dates to remember at Trinity Baptist Church

This Sunday Night Picnic at Mountain View Park
Laughlin, Nevada November 8th at 5:00 pm

Wednesday Prayer and Bible Study 7:00 pm

November 29th, The Websters are here in all Sunday Services

Don't miss any of our normally scheduled meetings:

Sunday School 10:00 am
Sunday Worship 11:00 am
Family Fellowship TBA--normally 6:00 pm

Wednesday Night Bible Study 7:00 pm

Friday Night Youth Meeting 5:30 pm

Let's Be There on Sunday

Don't let your life get in the way of being in the "House of the Lord" tomorrow-that is November 8th. There should not be anything more important than fellowship with the believers on the day we remember the Lord's death, burial and resurrection. God has blessed our fammily greatly. I believe one of the reasons is our committment to being in church every Sunday. Nothing takes priority. It just doesn't. In fact, a few times when the kids were sick, I had to tell Sarah to stay home. We are looking for the encouragement from the believers on Sunday. Every person, including you has some edifying to do on a Sunday. It has been interesting lately that a few of our visitors that have come lately have stayed late and have been very encouraging. I am encouraged by that as a pastor. I pray that you'll be there to edify the brother and sisters every Sunday. God will be there-don't miss it.

Hebrews 10:25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Trinity Bullhead Updates November 1st, 2009

This is a update to let all of you know that we've decided to make this the official update and calendar of events for our church website. Since we aren't able to update our website easily we've decided to make our blog the place where calendar updates and any other news for our church will be constantly updated. Of course you can access the blog at trinitybullhead.com as usual.

This week our schedule is as usual. Sunday morning November 1st Pastor Craig will be sharing from Titus 1 and beginning a series from "The Small Books of the New Testament: Titus, Philemon and Jude. For Family Fellowship we'll be meeting at the church at 6:00 pm. Wednesday we are continuing our study "Heaven". Don't miss any of our meetings.

Future Updates: There is a couples retreat on November 12th-14th if anyone would like to go. Pastor Craig and Sarah are willing to go if anyone else is.

November 27th-29th we'll be hosting our missionaries the Websters throughout the entire weekend.

Our LIfe-Its just a Vapor

I'll reference this verse later--but in James we read that our life is a vapor and but for a moment. I remember when Tim VanAcker(a friend from high school that dated my sister) preached at our church on this verse. I can't say that I took it so seriously as I do right now. Of course I didn't really have a brush with death--but I had a condition that warranted an early heart attack and quick possible death. God could have given me the strength to overcome what I had and in His grace brought me through the summer, ok. But, each night I put my head down on the coach and struggled sleeping--was an indication that something was wrong and were the results of that Aneurysm. But, yesterday the news was sad. My friend and fellow teacher, LC died by being hit by a truck on the Parkway. Devastating news for those who were closest to here and shocking to those who didn’t' know here on a day to day basis. I know that she was a committed teacher, that the kids loved her and that she was making a difference at MHS for the good. Kids were learning how to be successful in business and other enterprising pursuits. But, more than that, she was a kind encouraging kind of person. She was younger than me by three years. I'm so grieved over this. Did I tell her about Christ in my time with her? I'm not sure that I did. God only knows about her relationship with Christ. I pray that god would use this as something to draw people to the Savior. The Christian kids will have an opportunity that only happens when something like this occurs. I pray that they will speak boldly the Gospel of Christ. Our God is in control.

I'm in my backyard this morning and finding the presence of God once again. i'm reminded of the great song--that encourages believers every day:

When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot thous hast taught us to say
It is well, It is well with my soul.

When Lord haste the day when the faith shall be sight
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll
The trumpt shall resound and the LORD shall descend
Even so, it is well with my soul

James 4: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Prayer

I was truly blessed by many as I went through this heart surgery in the area of prayer. The many that just told me they had prayed for me or would pray for me or would share my request with their church group was amazing. To be honest, at church prayer meeting sometimes I grow weary of all the "requests" and want to get to the praying. But, this is such a selfish desire. Sometimes you hear of so many that are suffering that you get kind of "oh, just another one to add to my long list". I'm trusting the Lord to be more sensitive to the needs of people, even when I don't know them. I think it was just amazing how so many people knew about my surgery, either before or after, and prayed for me. A couple of things were memorable. Sarah's cousin, Luther, who is just newly taken over his father's travelling evangelist schedule called me from Indonesia the night before the surgery. He right on the phone, prayed for healing. I was touched by his concern. I was transported by ambulance to Vegas and was accompanied by three Bullhead firefighters. One of them, Chief Don Evans, goes back a ways with our church. In the early days his father and their family attended Trinity Bapitst around its founding. Since then, Don has been working for the fire department for many years here in Bullhead. His wife Donna has become a friend since she is our #1 sub at the high school. She agreed to take my classes for as long as I'm gone (a new prayer request). Getting back to the ambulance---As the Bullhead crew turned me over to the staff at the LV hospital-Don prayed for me out loud, in the presence of everyone around. It was kind of a random thing-but probably something he does to encourage believers and non-believers. It was another shot of encouragement. When speaking of prayer I must give thanks to one of the most effective prayer warriors I know, Betty Geant. She made sure my request was spread all over the valley. I was talking to a good friend who goes to another church in town and she told me that they had prayed for me on Sunday in their church service. I automatically knew that Mrs. Geant had expanded the prayer list for my case-what a great encouragement. I am thankful for the prayers fo the saints through my trial. James said it well in this verse I'll leave at the end of this blog. Every time we go to prayer may we remember "availeth much." The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Mornings

Today I woke up early and God met me in my backyard. I hope this will encourage you to seek God's face. Maybe your backyard is your kitchen't nook. late evenings when all the kids are down or a quiet lunch alone. God, though, will make a place for you to meet with him in your "quiet time."

One of the sort of odd blessings of being "down and out" for a few weeks is my mornings. I'm sitting in my back yard-surrounded by grass, a large grape vine that is almost ready to be trimmed back. There are countless birds hanging out in the trees and my cat is chasing any living thing that moves-or should I say prowling. The temperature right now can't be above 80 with 0 percent humidity. It is downright pleasant. No one else is up and its me and the cat, birds and most importantly the Lord Jesus Christ. By the way-the cat and birds as well as chirping crickets and a few barking dogs only draw me closer to my creator today. My mind is taken to "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus. . . And wonder how he could love me a sinner. . ." I also think of the verse about creation that so encourages me in my small existence. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . ." the Psalmist writes. "Be still and know that I am God." Right now it is awesome knowing God. Seeing Him work---knowing He is the great designer. Knowing he is the Great Savior. Understanding His great personal love that is always consistent and boundless. I honestly know that without surgery I would not have this moment, right now with God. I would have struggled sleeping-ended up sleeping in-then rushed off barely making it to church or school.

Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah

So when I looked up "Be still" this is where I ended up. It just started out as normal morning in shut-tin existence. God took me where he wants me to be in His presence. He took me to a place so that I would be still. As a Pastor who has the work of a pastor, preaching and then a job on the side I usually take the philosophy of my devotions are my messages. I'll probably never abandon this totally to some extent. But, this week--I'm meeting God every morning-He's always there. It may take getting up earlier or getting to bed at 9:00 pm or something--but I need this kind of time with God every day. I'm amazed at the need for this quiet morning. Sitting in the office going through my Bible reading would not bring these truths to light in such a powerful way. God's at work-and "early will I seek Thee."

Home and Trying to be "/contented/ with whatsoever state I am"

When I was younger in the minsistry, I would observe some great brothers and sisters in Christ and their journey through various trials. Over the years I have read James 1 and his encouragement to believers in the "fiery trial." I've taught Paul's words from Philppians 4 that read: "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need". But not until this last week have I had to deal with a trial that "I had to rely only upon God." I know that there are many of you that have gone through greater trials than I have. yet dealing with two deaths of the "fathers" in my life was very hard. They were both Godly examples. Finally, though the heart surgery God has put me through a great struggle Not that I haven't had hard things before. But there has been nothing that has made me so reliant upon the Lord than this. The Lord has brought me through various hardships, but none that look you in the face and say--you can't go on one without me. I'm writing to you on this just one week after I was operated on. The surgery was serious. My problem had to be dealt with. Praise the Lord I made it through. Now, for the next six to 12 weeks I will be reliant on God and Sarah, my kids and some of you to carry out the responsibilities that I maintained before. This is God's will. I'll take a another blog to mention prayer (many of you were steadfast in prayer for me). For our church it is God's will that others help more with some of the responsiblities. It is God's will that Trinity Baptist come forth as gold through the trials it is has experienced from death, denial of faith and sickness over this last year. May we grow and walk close with our Lord. May we be be full and abound in Him!!!

Pastor Craig-and his firery trial

Hi everyone,

We sure missed you all on Sunday. Unfortunately I won't be able to be preaching much in the next few months. I'll need God's help for recovery. Yes, I had heart bypass surgery and it was quite an ordeal. The Lord was good and brought me through ok--I'm thankful for his provision of highly trained health care workers that helped me through all of this. The nurses at sunrise were a great blessing and helped through each day with great care. The doctors seemed to know exactly what I needed at the right time. There were many that prayed for me and I could defintely tell that they were making a difference. Even the ambulance driver-who was an old friend prayed for me as he left me at the hospital. What a blessing that was. I'm about to be picked up by Sarah and we'll be heading home. We'll pray for quick recovery. In the mean time I'll be off work, not driving and remaining basically pretty passive here in the next few wees. You all are welcome to come for a visit, though. I'm trusting the Lord in the verse James "the trial of your faith worketh patience." I'm learning alot of that and will in the next few weeks. IN Christ's love. Craig