A handful of people at Taylor University knew him simply as “Tripp.” Like many of us, he seemed to nurse some insecurities. In a strange new college environment Tripp kept to himself most of the time. Two months ago on October 3 he was in line for a hamburger at the Dining Commons. Standing behind him was Keith, one of our former FBC youth. Keith felt prompted by God to encourage Tripp.

For the next 10-15 minutes Keith and Tripp talked. Keith encouraged him with assurance that the LORD had great plans for his life. Several days later Tripp saw Keith on campus and took the initiative to say “HI.” 

There were not very many outward signs of shock when Chaplin Randy announced in chapel this past Wednesday that Tripp had passed away. Randy did not explain the circumstances surrounding his death. Apparently Tripp had some kind of accident at his home.

Keith called me after chapel and was shaken by the news. Yet, he was so thankful he had obeyed the promptings of the Holy Spirit to show grace and love to Tripp.

We never know what people around us are facing or what the future holds. Life is very fragile. Each day is an opportunity to encourage others with the kindness and grace of Jesus. During this time of loss, please pray for Tripp's family and the people who knew him.
            
Les
             

Lord, I thank You that by grace and mercy You have fanned into burning flame my love and desire for You. Your holy word teaches that I only love because You first loved me. You initiate... I respond. Then my heartfelt devotion causes Your flame to burst into white hot inner fire. Consume me entirely like that wilderness shrub, that some disillusioned refugee might see and go forth to deliver nations.   

"...there are some, I rejoice to acknowledge, who... want to taste, to touch with their hearts, to see with their inner eyes the wonder that is God. I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God.... Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted." (A.W. Tozer).                  

With shock and amazement we begin to discuss the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012. This year is unique because both Christmas Day and New Years Day fall on a Sunday. Here are just a few of our current church wide events on the calendar. Enjoy these opportunities!                Les    

November 12                 Father/Daughter evening

November 17                 Tim Hawkins - SOLD OUT

November 19                 Rake and Run

November 23                 No Wednesday night activities
                                      Choir to check with Marge on your schedule

November 24/25          Churches offices closed for Thanksgiving

November 28               Operation Christmas Child team to Denver, CO

December 8                 TABS (senior adult) Coffee

December 11               Cantata in combined 11:00 A.M. worship service  
                                     Sonshine Preschool program at 3:00 P.M. 

December 18                Youth meal and auction at 12:15 P.M.
                                      All-Church Christmas program at 6:00 P.M.

December 21/28           No Wednesday night activities

December 24                Christmas Eve candlelight service at 11:00 P.M.

December 25                No Sunday school  / Combined 11:00 A.M. service

December 26                Church offices closed for Christmas

January 1                      Combined 11:00 A.M. communion service
                                     Social Time 10:15 A.M. - Bring your goodies

January 2                      Church offices closed for New Years

Dec. 27 and Jan. 3        No weekly newsletter (F.B.I.) published

January 15                    Annual Meeting at 12:15 P.M.

The story is told that legendary Spanish artist Pablo Picasso was virtually unknown when he painted his famous portrait of American writer Gertrude Stein in 1906. Picasso gave the portrait to Miss Stein since, as the artist recalled with a smile, at that time in his career “the difference between a gift and a sale were negligible.”

Some years later the painting attracted the interest of millionaire art collector Dr. Albert Barnes, who asked Miss Stein how much she paid Picasso for it. “Nothing,” she replied. Naturally, he gave it to me.” Dr. Barnes was very skeptical that such a priceless work of art could have been a gift.

If you have thought about God’s heart of kindness and compassion expressed in the gospel of the kingdom, you can really appreciate Dr. Barnes skepticism. Think about what believers have been given in Christ: forgiveness, eternal life, authority, destiny, and all the riches of heaven – this and so much more at a cost we could never have paid! A priceless gift offered to every human being for free. A rescue that was purchased by the shed blood of the perfect Son of God.       

But that’s not all of our gifts; we have the privilege of sharing this treasure with others. The good news of the kingdom is that God is establishing His rule and reign over all things. Any person can enter His eternal kingdom by turning from sin and trusting Christ alone. Then we engage as holy warriors in a united advance to bring all things under YHWH’s absolute supremacy and power.     

Four major military branches of the United States are Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines. Four major forces in God’s kingdom advance are kindness, love, mercy, and grace. These mighty weapons are not of this world, and the forces of darkness cannot contend with them and will not win against them.

The soil is one of the most basic or foundational elements of this world. Our bodies were made from dirt by a mighty Creator. We all carry around an eternal spirit that will live forever, inside an earthen vessel that will one day return to the ground. The CEO or the production worker often has a limited outlook, being isolated and insulated from soil and sky. But farming provides men and women the opportunity to gain an eternal perspective. Life on this earth is beautiful. Yet one day this body of dust will stop working and our spirit will fly away. How many hours do you think Audean looked at dirt? How many times did he pick up a handful of black sod and let it fall through his fingers? He cultivated a love for the land and a deep faith in God. This dual connection charted his life and defined his values.