Mesquite Bean for November 2008

Dear Fellowship Family,
I hope this finds you all well, and hopefully escaping all the ugly bugs that seem to be making the rounds this fall.
I am going to deviate from what I originally intended to write. I feel the Lord leading me in a different direction, in light of the recent election results. So bare with me.
As Buck and I sat and waited for the results of the election to come in it became clear pretty quick how the outcome would be. Now I am not going to lie..it was a pretty sick feeling. We worried and we stressed and we turned off the news and went to bed. Buck was up early and we turned the TV back on...hoping for a miracle, but no the news was the same. We had a new President and he stands for everything we don't.
As Christians the road this man may very well lead our country down is a dreary one. It is not because he is black, it is not because he is a Democrate..it is because of his apparent core beliefs. The care of the unborn first and foremost. This man will be the most pro-choice president that the United States has ever elected. Literally millions of innocent lives have been snuffed out in our nation since Roe Vs. Wade. In the last several years the pro-life movement has made some ground. President Bush has made a stand on both partial birth abortion and stem cell research and for that he is to be commended. If things go the way people are saying they will when this administration takes office all that will be over, and from what I understand some of the first things on the agenda will be a repeal of the law and now tax payers will help suppot embryonic stem cell reasearch. Where do they get these stem cells? From aborted babies. Or I should call it what it is...murdered babies. And so the cycle goes on...millions of innocent lives at stake, millions of innocent lives taken. If you think that the Lord does not take the spilling of this innocent blood seriously well you better think again.
And what about the "gay agenda"? Thankfully 3 states have proclaimed that marriage is between one man and one woman. Obama has already said and shown his sympathy toward this part of our population saying that he would not support a "one man, one woman" marriage amendment. Now I think it is a pretty sad state that we find ourselves in where marriage has to be defined. I doubt that it ever crossed our founding fathers minds that this could happen. But it has. If marriage isn't held up as a union between one man and one woman...then anything goes. There has to be boundaries. Marriage has always been intended to be a picture of our relationship as believers with Christ. For Christians, and I say that because in the secular world marriage has been made into a farce. But for Christians it is a holy covenant between a man and a woman and God. It is not to be entered into lightly, and it is to be held in high esteem and honor, and guarded as a precious gift from our loving Father to His children.
Our Constitution and freedoms? Where will we be in 4 years? We are a free country...but...how much longer? No I don't think it will happen all at once. I think it will be more like the frog in the pan of water. Put him in there and just start to turn up the heat a little a a time, until before he knows it he is soup. We are already hearing whisperings of things to come..and honestly have been for quite some time. Sometimes I see us just like a herd of cattle we eat what is thrown out of the feeder before us and we go where we are driven. Without a thought in our heads. We better get to thinking.
I know the economy is bad. Nobody wants higher taxes....but where is the money going to come from that is going to fund all these so called "free programs"? It has to come from somewhere and I would venture to guess that it will come from our pockets. And why is it right to tax the rich just because they are rich? The way I look at it if they have the ingenuity to make the money why should they be punished. I thought that this was what this country was all about. Free enterprise and being able to excel?
I have said all that just to say this. In the natural realm the future isn't looking all that bright for this country. But.... where do you place your trust and faith? Do you place in on the man in the White House? Or do you place it where it rightly belongs,on the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? Because no matter who is sitting over our country the Lord is our only hope. We as a people are facing a battle, a spiritual battle. And let me ask you this...were you in prayer before this election? I know many many that were fasting and praying. Coming before the Lord with heartfelt prayers for our country. Are you still praying? Or have you thrown up your hands and declared that it is all over, its a done deal? And here is a hard one....maybe just for me, and I want to tell you that I have been struggling over this...are you praying for our new President? This man needs our prayers. For better or for worse he is the President elect. And the bible tells us we are to pray for those in authority over us. Pray for the man.Pray that the scales fall from his eyes. Pray for a changed heart. This is not the time for hate and strife in this country..stirrings have already begun. We as Christians have got to be the salt and the light. I plead with you all Seek the Lord while He may be found, and pray without ceasing. Live what you believe and be bold to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Psalm 33..read it.

God Bless you all , And God Bless America
Marquita


Prayer requests:

Our President and upcoming President elect.
The Godly men and women that are in places of power in this country that they are strengthened and remain true to the faith.
CCF that we as a group glorify the Lord in all we do and preach nothing but Jesus, with boldness and authority.
The Pastors in our area and across the nation....so many are watering down the gospel..that the Lord strengthen them to proclaim the truth.
Our Military men and women. They are doing what they do so that we can be safe here at home.
Kevin Thatcher family
Jennette, house situation

Praises:
Ride Sturzas ears, healed, PTL!
Joy Sturzas, healed PTL!

Service Times for November.......Now pay attention! I am going to throw one at you...are you paying attention! Good now we want to have a Thanksgiving meal like we do every year....but this Friday the 14th won't work for that..and the last Friday is the 28th the day after Thanksgiving...many people may be gone...that could possibly include us..we may be in Texas. So we are going to switch dates. Yes I know that throws everyone for a loop...but place a sticky note on your noggin and every time you look in the mirror maybe you will be reminded so here is the service times for November.

This Friday November the 14th
Meal @ 6:30 and Service to Follow...I believe that Ross will be leading the service.

Friday the 21st....yes the 21st...Friday the 21st. We will be having our Thanksgiving meal. Now we do not have Turkey..but if you feel lead to bring one by all means do. We have Mexican food. Are we just being rebellious and discriminating against turkeys? No we just reckon that folks get a little turkeyed out by the time the Holiday season is over and we don't want to contribute to turkey fatigue.So in light of that please bring your most favorite dish and any kind of pie will be just hunky dory. And...be prepared to share what you are the most Thankful for...that will be our service. I think sometimes we just need to take the time and praise the Lord for all His has done.

Friday the 28th which is the last Friday of the month we will not have service....We will not have service.

Hope to see you soon

~M~