We had a wonderful time at BCON Corner giving special recognition to graduating seniors. Thanks to Megan and all who helped putting on this great event. The meal and program were great, spirits were happy, and we are very proud of these grads. May they remember to always live by the challenge given from the Word: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

Some pictures from the Children's Day Program during the Sunday school hour!

And a video!

This photo of our church building showed up in church recently, and we thought we would share it with you. We do no know whom to thank for it, someone left it on the organ and Miss O passed it on to me.

There is no year written on the photo, but it must be relatively old. For one thing, the siding on the church is not white but is painted a darker shade of some kind, as seen in some other shots of the building when it was new.

Christian and Megan have been traveling to north each Sunday evening to work with the youth group at Indian Lake Baptist Church. Hannah Shumaker and Ken Carman have gone with them to help. And, of course, Zeke has been a main player, too! Here is a group photo from this year:

Colossians 1:29

For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

Comments:
From time to time you will hear someone talk about “giving 110%” of one’s effort to a task. We understand that this is not meant to be taken literally, since it is mathematically impossible to give more than 100%. Compare the observation by Yogi Berra that "Baseball is 90 percent mental. The other half is physical." That comes to 140%, of course, which is makes the statement humorous. Today’s verse, however, tells how the Christian can actually produce more than 100% in his or her service for God’s kingdom!

Colossians 1:28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Comments:
Jonathan Lopez, an A student at a Los Angeles Community College, did not receive a grade back on the open-topic informative speech given in one class. Instead, his teacher sarcastically wrote on his evaluation “Ask God what your grade is.”  Mr. Lopez had chosen the topic of faith and marriage, and quoted the Bible in support of the Christian conviction that marriage is between a man and a woman, along with scriptures that tell how a person becomes a Christian (including Romans 10:9). The professor interrupted the speech, called the student “A fascist b*$%@(#,” and told the rest of the class that they could leave if they were offended (no one left). (Check out the report and video on this site for further information on this incident). Jonathan’s words are considered “hate speech” according to the standards of some in the world, but Christians must not be intimidated. We are motivated by the love of God (and morally bound by His command) to proclaim Christ to everyone!