Dogs and New Year Thoughts
The Heart & Soul of the Church!
Let me introduce you to my two best furry friends, Sophie and Deuce. They
are a brother and sister team of Shetland Sheepdogs, also known as Shelties, who
have been with us for seven years
and have brought us a lot of joy.
Every day, we fill their food
bowls to the brim so that they
have plenty to eat, and their gallon
size water bowl is filled with fresh
water at least once a day. After all,
Proverbs 12:10 says: “The righteous
care for the needs of their animals.”
You would think they have
plenty of nourishment, but each
time we serve up our people food,
those two Shelties will sit at our feet
with patience and watch us with eagle eyes to make sure that if any food should
make its way towards the floor, it will be inhaled immediately—often without
dropping on the floor. Of course, it is our delight to share our food with them even
though they have plenty of dog food in their bowl. And, of course, I must take full
responsibility for having trained them to expect some food from us.
Over the years, I have learned many lessons from my dogs about my
relationship with my Heavenly Father. Our dogs’ love to us seems unconditional
as they greet us every evening after work as if they hadn’t seen us in years. I also
know how much joy it brings me to take care of my dogs and see that their needs
are met, and even their wants, as in people food. I can just catch a glimpse of
how my Heavenly Father delights to take care of us, His children, and bless us
abundantly. Proverbs 3:33 says: “..He blesses the home of the righteous.”
Let’s make this year an example of His love to those individuals and causes
that we cherish. We can do this by using the gifts God has placed within our
hearts and hands to bless them. One way to do this is by
taking care of your estate plan. This will make sure that
PLAN NING
FOR THE
your family is taken care of and, if you wish, you can
also remember the ministries that God has put on your
heart to support.
Contact our team at the Trust Services Department at
the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference to see how we can
put your plans on paper and make sure everything is set
up the way you desire.
BY SILKE HUBBARD
Trust Service Director
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Connection
Being a very busy person, free time is at a minimum. But, for months
two Christian brothers had been asking me to take a leadership position in a
ministry called, Business and Professional Foundation (BPF). This organization
works hand in hand with the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference to fund church
construction projects and once or twice a year to offer churches grant money for
special projects.
Over a year ago, BPF developed a youth grant venture believing that, if
encouraged and empowered, our youth will attempt and accomplish great things
both within and outside our churches.
In 2016, the first request for a matching grant was from Madison Campus
Church (MCC) youth group. They requested only $430 to launch a creative,
unique evangelist outreach for youth--a community block party!
It was thrilling that BPF was able to help MCC, but while anticipating and
hoping for other youth grant requests, no others were received during 2016. Nor
had BPF received any other requests by October of this year!
Do you ever question God when plans you work on seem to hit a dead end
or they just don’t succeed? I do. Why had God not used this grant process in a
more powerful way?
Then I received a phone call from the director of development for Madison
Academy (MA), Taleah Valles-Peters, who wanted to share a story. She told me
that three non-Adventist community youth had participated in the MCC block
party that wanted to attend MA! Who knew that a community block party could
have such an impact? She proceeded to say that MA wanted to start a student
Literature Evangelism (LE) program that could help 3-6 students. BPF was
excited with that prospect and authorized a $5,000 youth grant in conjunction
with MCC and the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
to start this program.
Those same youth are coming to MA and are
now working in the LE program! All this began at
the MCC community block party! God is so good!
He knows that my faith, excitement, and energy
can be challenged and wane, but He also knows the
beginning to the end. He knew that one community
block party can be the beginning of a triumphant end.
If you feel you are not making a difference - cling
to God. God is patient! He will give you glimpses of
how He is using you to glorify Him!
BPF is ready to receive a youth grant request from BPF WANTS
your youth group! For an application, contact Ervin TO BE A MEMBER
Brown at 615-384-8431. If you feel impressed to join
BY ERVIN BROWN
BPF, please go to our website at www.kytn-bpf.org.
BPF Treasurer
YOU
Kentucky-Tennessee Conference
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