PALM TREE PRESS
Torchbearer’s
Senior Adults Ministry Publication
Volume 11 Issue 6 June 2009
My Point of View by John Martin
You DO NOT want to become a "spiritual consumer", just stuff-
I don‘t know a lot about horses but I have ing yourself with more teaching, more fellowship,
heard all my life that I ―eat like a horse." more meetings, more blessing. All of that is meant
When horses over eat, it can lead to a pain- to be fuel for you to be actively making a differ-
ful and even deadly condition sometimes ence for the Lord. If you just keep eating spiritually
called foundering. and not getting enough spiritual exercise, you're
foundering! Knowing it without doing it is danger-
When you look up "founder" in the dictionary and look at how ous. Knowing it without sharing it is dangerous.
it applies to horses, it's defined as "to become ill from overeat-
ing." As I understand it, when a horse eats too much grain or If your Christian life is mostly passive right now, it's no wonder
hay or grass, it can have painful gas build up inside. One way you're spiritually bored and you're living in a false security that
you can tell they're foundering is if they become lethargic, just everything is OK. It's not. You're foundering...you're ill from over-
kind of lying on the ground a lot. In its worst case, foundering eating and under exercising. Today can be your day to get up, get
can actually be fatal. The horse owner's job at a time like that is busy, and start experiencing what it is to run in God's pasture, not
to just walk and walk with the horse, making sure it gets exer- just graze in God's pasture!
cise. To neglect foundering can actually cost a horse's life.
adapted from an article by Ron Hutchcraft
If that's what foundering is, then God has plenty of His people
who are foundering. They're ill from overeating spiritually. You
can tell because they're spiritually lethargic; going to all the
It is exciting to see
meetings, filling up on all the teachings and fellowship, believ-
ing all the beliefs but not doing much with what they've been how God is causing Boomer
learning all these years. They're in effect, overfed and under details to come to-
exercised. And as they lie down in the pasture, they're not really
enjoying their faith much. Does this sound familiar to you?
gether as we are work- Ministry
ing on the Boomer
Have you been foundering lately? Ministry conference
we are hosting here
Conference
God talks about people who are all settled down in their comfy
pasture in Amos 6:1. He says, "Woe to you who are complacent September 10-11.
in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria." For us, This conference is September 10 - 11, 2009
"Zion" and "Mount Samaria" are whatever our secure little designed to help us
spiritual nest is: our church, our ministry, our Christianity. But figure out how to fully engage in Kingdom work the young seniors
God says if you belong to Him and you're lethargic and compla- who will be stepping into retirement over the next few years. Peo-
cent, you're in trouble! ple willing to make phone calls are among the many volunteers
needed for this conference to be a success. Joed
In fact, just a few verses earlier, God says
how unimpressed He is by all their religios- Dunn and Jack Latham have agreed to take on a
ity. "I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I leadership role in making sure we contact the 3900
cannot stand your assemblies. Even though churches in the State of Florida that have Senior
you bring Me burnt offerings and grain of- Adult ministries. If you are willing to work with
ferings, I will not accept them...Away with these men in making phone calls
the noise of your songs..." (Amos 5:21-23). please contact Jack at 240-1031. We‘ll provide
God says, "I'm tired of you just going through the motions and
playing church. I want to see you living what you profess… you a list of churches and a suggested phone
getting out and doing something for Me, not just coming to My script and then we‘ll turn you loose. Our goal is
meetings!" to have 400 people attend this conference.
PAGE 2 PAL M TREE PRES S VOL UME 11 I S S UE 6
I asked Bobbie what she found out about herself during this experi-
ence. She said God had prepared her and that he has put mentors like
John Martin, Chester Gunn and Mickey Smith to bring her to this
During the month of May the BSBC staff has been promoting our point in her life. So what does she do in between disasters? Bobbie
process of Know, Grow, Show and Go to encourage the church to helps her neighbors with odd jobs. She helped build a wall with Joe
become passionate followers of Christ. My interview for this Reeves guidance for a neighbor. Bobbie is also active in an inter-
month is with Bobbie Gardner who certainly falls into all of the denominational group called Women‘s Christian Connection where as
categories. Bobbie retired from nursing five registrar she keeps track of about 325 women. Bob-
years ago and immediately began using her bie is looking forward to going on more missions.
time and talents for the Kingdom. Her passion Wherever there is a job to be done Bobbie says she
centers on missions and has been to Russia with will be there to do it. One of the things that stands
the choir. Her fondest memory was when she out in her mind is the team work that she has experi-
witnessed to a Russian women whose husband ence with other members of the church who join the
had a drinking problem and abuse problem. team. The Disaster Relief Team can use more help-
Bobbie was touched that the women asked her many questions ing hands. If you would be interested give Pastor
and that her years of experience in nursing was put to use. Her John Martin a call Ext 225 at the church. More of
passion for missions and her former profession led her to join Bobbie‘s ―can do‖ attitude is just what we need in the kingdom.
with the Disaster Relief Teams from the church. She made four
trips to Mississippi after hurricane Katrina. She met and worked
with churches in an effort to clean up and to minister to victims
with food, clothing and lots of love. The people affected were
―walking around in a daze with absolutely no expression on their
faces.‖ Bobbie helped set up a gymnasium for lodging and Interviewed by Jack Latham
helped cook three meals a day for the survivors.
We plan to have a special Volunteer aware-
ness lunch during our regular monthly
luncheon in July. Which is our ―Old Fash-
The godly man walks with integrity: ioned ― Theme. We want lunch to be on us!!
blessed are his children after him. Your ticket for a free Lunch that month will be to fill out a volunteer
Proverbs 20:7 form. (it will be available at our June luncheon and in your bible fel-
lowship classes in June) tell us what it is you volunteer for here at the
Remember Fathers, don’t make your children angry by the church or out in the community. If you don‘t volunteer, come to the
way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the luncheon anyway and support those who do. Who knows this may
discipline and instruction approved by the Lord. inspire you to find some where to volunteer yourself.
Ephesians 6:4 The luncheon is just $5.00 at the door.
This is our Second Annual Hawaiian Luau themed luncheon.
Torchbearer’s Luncheon No special guest this month just games, music, social time and
some great food. You don't want to miss out on this one.
Thursday June 11 , at 11:00 a.m.. Come dressed in your fun summer/luau/beach clothes.
Special Events Center (SEC) be ready to just have some fun.
Doors open at 10:30 a.m. The cost is $5.00 at the door
Tickets $5 at the door Reservations are required call Ext. 506 or 479
Lunch Reservations Required by Monday June 8th
Make your reservation today by calling Sandy
Bring a Friend
at 813-689-4229 Ext. 506 or 479 On the Menu
Or sign up in your Bible Fellowship Class Pecan Chicken
Rice
h Invite Steamed Vegetables
eac a neig
O utr hbor
Glazed Rolls
Parking by the portables is Dessert….
reserved for the Luncheon
Upside down Pineapple cake
VOL UME 11 I S S UE 6 PAL M TREE PRES S PAGE 3
He was never the same again. Whenever anybody asked him,
'Who's your Daddy?' he'd just tell them, ―I'm a Child of God.‖ The
A seminary professor was vacationing with his wife
distinguished gentleman got up from the table and said, 'Isn't that a
in Gatlinburg, TN. One morning, they were eating
great story?' The professor responded that it really was a great
breakfast at a little restaurant, hoping to enjoy a
story! As the man turned to leave, he said, 'You know, if that new
quiet, family meal. While they were waiting for
preacher hadn't told me that I was one of God's children, I probably
their food, they noticed a distinguished looking,
never would have amounted to anything!' And he walked
white-haired man moving from table to table, visiting with the
away. The seminary professor and his wife were stunned.
guests. The professor leaned over and whispered to his wife, 'I
He called the waitress over and asked her, 'Do you know
hope he doesn't come over here.' But sure enough, the man did
who that man was -- the one who just left that was sitting
come over to their table. 'Where are you folks from?' he asked in a
at our table?' The waitress grinned and said, 'Of course.
friendly voice.' Oklahoma,' they answered. ‗Great to have you here
Everybody here knows him. That's the former governor
in Tennessee,' the stranger said. 'What do you do for a living? ''I
of Tennessee!' So if you haven‘t an earthly Father just remember
teach at a seminary,' he replied. 'Oh, so you teach preachers how to
that your one of Gods children. Don‘t forget to wish your Father in
preach, do you? Well, I've got a really great story for you.' And
Heaven a happy Fathers day!!!!!! Let Him know how much you
with that, the gentleman pulled up a chair and sat down at the table
love him.
with the couple.
The professor groaned and thought to himself, 'Great! Just what I
need...another preacher story!'
The man started, 'See that mountain over
there? (pointing out the restaurant window)
Not far from the base of that mountain, there
Is there anyone who truly understands the heart of
was a boy born to an unwed mother. He had
a widow? Is there anyone who sees the unique
a hard time growing up, because every place needs of widows? Have you given much thought
he went, he was always asked the same about issues a widow faces on a daily basis? What
question, 'Hey boy, who‘s your daddy?' Whether he was at school, does scripture say about ministering to widows?
in the grocery store or drug store, people would ask the same ques-
tion, 'Who's your daddy?' The third conference for widows (October 1, 2 and 3) presented by
He would hide at recess and lunchtime from other students. He the Morning Glories Ministry for Widows sm will answer many of
these questions and much more. The three day 2009 ‘Tis So Sweet
would avoid going into stores because that question hurt him so
Conference for Widows will include practical workshops by pro-
bad. 'When he was about 12 years old, a new preacher came to his fessionals from the financial and legal community as well as pas-
church. He would always go in late and slip out tors, ministry leaders, and widows who will present relevant topics
early to avoid hearing the question, 'Who's your for everyone. Keynote speaker is Verdell Davis Krisher speaker
daddy?' and author of Let Me Grieve but not Forever. Dr. John Sullivan,
But one day, the new preacher said the benedic- Director-Treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention will open the
tion so fast that he got caught and had to walk out conference on Thursday afternoon with a message addressing what
scripture says about ministering to widows. For more information
with the crowd. Just about the time he got to the
please call Jaca DePriest, 813/689-4229, ext. 314 or
back door, the new preacher, not knowing jdepriest@bellshoals.com. Conference information can be found
anything about him, put his hand on his shoulder and asked him, on the web at www.morninggloriesministry.com.
'Son, who's your daddy?' The whole church got deathly quiet. He
could feel every eye in the church looking at him. Now everyone
would finally know the answer to the question, 'Who's your
daddy?' This new preacher, though, sensed the situation around Extra Help Program
In times like these, every dollar counts! A fast and effortless way
him and using discernment that only the Holy Spirit could give,
to save money is to determine if you or your loved ones could be
said the following to that scared little boy. 'Wait a minute! I know eligible for Extra Help benefits offered by Social Security. Social
who you are! I see the family resemblance now. You are a child of Security and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services con-
God.' With that he patted the boy on his shoulder and said, 'Boy, tinue to work together to get you extra help with your prescription
you've got a great inheritance. Go and claim it.'' drug costs. If you currently receive Medicare and you have limited
income and resources, you may be able to get help paying for your
With that, the boy smiled for the first time in a monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription
long time and walked out the door a changed co-payments under the Medicare prescription drug program.
person. If you are interested in learning more about the Extra Help pro-
gram, we have pamphlets available. For more information, you can
call Social Security‘s toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 or you
can log on to their website at www.socialsecurity.gov .
PALM TREE PRESS Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
Bell Shoals Baptist Church PAID
Torchbearers Senior Adult Ministry Tampa, FL
2102 Bell Shoals Road Permit #6702
Brandon, FL 33511
Address Correction Requested
June 11th - “Hawaiian Luau”
July 9th - “Old Fashioned”
Also Thank You Volunteer lunch
August 13th - “Spanish/Mexican”
Ready for a Fiesta?
~PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES ~
Pray for our missionaries and their families
Brian Swett—Japan Terry & Shirley Kemple (US) Community Issues
Dan & Christy – Middle East Eric & Tiffany – South Asia Mike & Lucille McBride - (US) Voices of Martyrs
David & Diane Bailey – Brazil Bruce & Wendy DeVries – (US) Mission Aviation Fellowship Brian & Lisa - East Asia
Dean & Sandra – Central Asia Marge – North Africa Beverly —Pacific Rim
Evelyn Williams – Czech Republic David & Monica – Central Asia Ron & Debbie Stafford – Colombia
Jim & Sharon – North Africa Gef Smock – Macedonia Bobbie Buford (US/Israel)
Samantha – Pacific Rim Jeff & Cindy – South Asia Jana & Chris Gatlyn (US) Navigators Ministry
Alan & Angie – Central Asia Larry and Jennifer Allen (US) Marianne & Paul Gruzlewski (US) Pioneers
Heather Leser - Thailand Robin & Joe Pottle (US) Give‘em Heaven Ministries Chris & Dorrine Wruzel (US) Joshualand
Melissa Strack - Wales Matt & Rachel Setliffe (US) Innovative opt. Charles & Jeanette Young (US)
Bob and Bobbie Brown - Uganda
and All of our Military men and women and their families