Kano, Nigeria

Could This Happen in America?

KANO, Nigeria (AP) — Gunmen attacked worship services at a university campus and a church Sunday in northern Nigeria, killing at least 21 people in coordinated assaults that saw panicked Christians gunned down as they tried to flee, witnesses and officials said.

The deadlier attack targeted an old section of Bayero University's campus in the city of Kano where churches hold Sunday services, with gunmen killing at least 16 people and wounding at least 22 others, according to the Nigerian Red Cross.

A later attack in the northeast city of Maiduguri saw gunmen open fire at a Church of Christ in Nigeria chapel, killing five people, including a pastor preparing for Communion, witnesses said.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the attacks bore similarities to others carried by a radical Islamist sect known as Boko Haram.

The Bayero University attack occurred around an old theater and lecture halls where local churches hold services, Kano state police commissioner Ibrahim Idris said. The gunmen rode into the campus on motorcycles, then threw small explosives made out of soda cans around the area, Idris said.

The worshippers ran out in an attempt to escape, only to be shot by the waiting gunmen, the commissioner said.

April 29

Faithful Men and Women

We are so blessed to have such loyal God honoring people attending our Sunday morning services.  You can’t see Diane, but she’s here, sitting behind Steve, but we are so thankful that we have the privilege to minister to you wonderful people who come out Sunday after Sunday.  May you forever be blessed.

We Are to Be Prepared For Rough Assignments

Two hundred years ago, Cambridge students were required to attend church and, periodically, receive the Lord's Supper. Charles Simeon, a 1779 Cambridge freshman, was not a Christian but somehow understood the importance of communion.

One day he fell to his knees crying out for God's mercy. It was a true conversion from which Simeon would never recover.

Upon graduation, Simeon, with an assist from his influential father, was ordained and appointed Pastor of Holy Trinity Church at Cambridge.  It was Simeon's dream job... but not for long.
Alone with his newfound faith, he wrote: "I longed to know some spiritual person who had the same views and feelings”. True believers were hard to find. 

To make matters worse: * The congregation of Holy Trinity didn't want him as their pastor. * Church members boycotted his services and pew-holders locked their pews. * To provide seating, Simeon placed benches in the aisles but the wardens threw them out. * At times the church leaders locked the doors, preventing him from the services. * Rowdy university students protested Simeon's preaching with obscenities and riots, and Simeon was pelted with rotten eggs as he left church. * The faculty treated him with contempt. They slandered and ostracized him.

Why all this abuse? Because Simeon faithfully and consistently taught the truth of man's sinfulness and the bountiful forgiveness available in Christ. But how much can one man take? Even godly pastors have a breaking point!

One day Simeon took a long walk into the woods to offer God his resignation: "I can't take it any more, Lord! I just can't!" Finding a stump to sit on, he randomly opened his Bible, hoping for divine confirmation. Instead, his Bible fell open to one, lone verse: "They found a man of Cyrene, Simeon by name, and forced him to carry Christ's cross."  Charles Simeon, an exhausted and defeated pastor, finally saw his situation through different eyes. "Lord, lay it on me; lay it on me! I will gladly carry the cross for Your sake."

For 54 years he remained pastor of Holy Trinity Church. Finally, at age 77, Simeon was called into God's presence. He had become so loved that when he died all shops in Cambridge closed, university lectures were suspended, and mourners lined 4-deep all around the college, waiting to pay their final tribute to their faithful pastor.

Some pastorates are more difficult than others. I am no exception when it comes to relating to Pastor Simeon, yet, even in rough times, we must be willing to carry the cross of Christ into, and through enemy territory, for Christ's sake.

BIBLE STUDY

      
                 A few attended our Bible Study- It was a wonderful time of learning and fellowship.
   

ARIZONA 

Arizona- From the White Mountains and the Salt River Canyon Basin, to Agricultural Valley and out into the beauty of the Desert  with the colorful  Cactus blossoms- with wide open eyes we see God’s handi-work is readily before us.
 
We now have video and audio files of our worship services posted to the Internet.
To view/hear this week's message, click here.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in the desert.
*********************************************************************************************
It would be encouraging to us if you would let us know that you received our newsletter. We welcome your comments.

APRIL 22

“WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?”

“Who do you say that I am?” “Who do others say that I am?” These are questions that Jesus posed to His disciples as He was talking to them just outside Caesarea Philippi, located in Israel’s northern most area.

As we may see, this was a perfect spot to get a good view of the local perceptions of the young preacher, who was far from the bias of much of the Jewish leaders in the city of Jerusalem. Indeed, who do you say that I am!

Questions that should be asked; am I one who leads by public consensus, (taking a congregation) “where they want to go,” or is it by personal conviction that I lead, in (taking a congregation) “where they need to go”.

In far too many cases, the trend of pastors today has shifted from leading people, to following people.

But let’s be honest, bucking the crowd is no picnic!

• Just ask Aaron about his stint of leadership, while Moses was up on the mountain.  Most of the group wanted to build a golden calf and Aaron complied with their demand.  Aaron’s only defense was “The people made me do it!”  Or, how about Peter when an inquisitive young girl confronted him while Jesus was on trial.  In the upper room it was easy; he was with friends.  But outside, among the everyday people, and unfamiliar faces, it’s not that easy.

Jesus never meant for His bride to just be one of the girls. Scripture underscores this distinction with words like, “peculiar” and “transformed,” and “unblemished.”

To the Savior, the Gospel was not cheap. Yet, the multitudes came from far and wide to hear it. That’s because the multitudes desperately wanted something the world couldn’t offer; as should our churches, and that offer is the truth of God’s Word.

That is why His questions speak specifically to Pastors. “Who do you say that I am?” “Who do others say that I am?”

 

News From Ho Ho Kam

As we see our Winter visitors leave the park and head north, a sadness rolls through our soul, as we say a prayer that the Lord will keep them safe along the way to their home.

The streets of HO HO KAM are looking more like a western town of the 1880’s- after the cattle drivers have headed back to Texas. 

A picture of the flower arrangement that one of our own, Linda Noonan brought to church service for our enjoyment, it was lovely- thanks Linda

The State Treasurer Visits Coolidge

  

At this months Chamber meeting, Arizona State Treasurer, the Hon. Doug Ducey gave us a rundown as to the over-all financial condition of our state- It is doing much better.

Muy Sabrosa!  Delicious!

We enjoyed a surprise visit from our good friends, Chaplain John and Edra Mitchel. John is lead chaplain for Transport for Christ – Denver, CO. John and Edra have been dear friends for more than 10 years. A  TRUE BLESSING! We enjoyed a GREAT meal at Casa Palomino, Si’ Amigo!

We now have video and audio files of our worship services posted to the Internet.

To view/hear this week's message, click here.
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in the desert.
*********************************************************************************************
It would be encouraging to us if you would let us know that you received our newsletter. We welcome your comments.

April 15

TRIP TO TO THE WHITE MOUNTAINS

   
As we were making our trip up to Lakeside once more it was obvious with the scenic beauty…
  
that we live in a beautiful state, Arizona.
   
We found our house in good condition and ready for summer occupancy.  We had to make a quick run down to the lake.  it is a very peaceful and enjoyable area.
 
Coming back to Coolidge we found our cactus in bloom.  We are so blessed.  Who could ask for anything more.  Thank you God for Arizona.

A VISIT WITH FAMILY

 
A nice visit and a cookout with our nephew and niece, Fred and Debbie and two of their grandsons, Dennis and Tyler.
  

A Nice Cookout, but…...                                          Which one is the hot dog?

If I Were the Devil: Paul Harvey (Warning for a Nation) Click Here

We now have video and audio files of our worship services posted to the web.  To view/hear this week's message, click here. 
Continue to pray for us as we seek to serve the Lord here in the desert.
*********************************************************************************************
It would be encouraging to us if you would let us know that you received our newsletter. We welcome your comments.