Weekly News...

Saturday was a busy day at Boonville Wesleyan.
It started with a Men's Breakfast at the
"Wriston Ranch." The ladies had a meeting
at Boonville City Lake. We closed the day
with an outdoor showing of "Facing the Giants."

This is My Father's "Digital" World

By: Chuck Colson

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Look around you. Every young person you see has a cell phone. And many of those are smartphones, which put the Internet, dozens of games, and other applications in the palms of their hands.

They’re probably not checking their email on those smartphones. This is a generation that considers email passé. They’re into social networking sites—sites like Facebook and Twitter. It’s networking that consumes their attention and hours of their time every day--and they don’t always use it wisely.

For example, twenty-eight percent of young social network users admit to sharing information online that they would never have shared in public if they were face-to-face. And 22 percent—that’s right 22 percent--say that they’ve posted pictures of themselves or friends.

As Dr. David Murray, Professor of Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary notes, technology has changed the way we “study, play, socialize, shop, and even apply for jobs.” Believe it or not, one out of eight couples married in the US met on a social networking site.

Murray, the father of four, is a firm believer in the good of technology. He is also well aware of the dangers—especially the dangers to children. After thinking through how to best teach his own children how to thrive in the digital age, he produced a short video: “God’s Technology: Training Our Children to Use Technology to God’s Glory.” In it Murray shares biblical wisdom and applies a Christian worldview to kids and technology.

He begins with four biblical principles. First, God created technology. He made the physical elements like silicon that we use to make digital devices. He made the forces of electricity and magnetism that allow technology to work. And he made human minds and gave them the creativity to build computers, cell phones and iPads.

Second, because God created technology, it is not inherently sinful; instead (principle three) it has many good uses—including bringing BreakPoint to you every day. Finally and tragically, Murray notes, technology has been abused because we are sinners.

How does that apply to our children?

Well, because technology is created by God and has good uses, we should want our children to enjoy technology’s benefits. But we can’t ignore the dangers and embrace the digital world without what Murray calls “disciplined discernment.” And Murray gives sound, practical parenting advice concerning Facebook, where children desperately need that disciplined discernment.

As Calvin College professor Quentin Schultz wrote in his book Habits of the High-Tech Heart, “Cyberculture offers us no means to rise above the entropic noise, no dwelling place to catch our breath, gather our wits, discern our course, and become more intrinsically moral people.”

If we and our children are going to use digital technologies wisely and morally, it will be because we make an intentional effort to apply our Christian worldview to technology.

And the video “God’s Technology” is a great place to start. Visit BreakPoint dot org, click on this commentary, and we’ll tell you how you can get the video and other resources to protect your kids online.

Flip-Flop Faith

Jacqueline Overpeck is a multi-published inspirational author who loves to offer encouragement to readers. Jacqueline and her husband, Arnold, are both CLASS (Christian Leaders, Authors, and Speakers Services) graduates. They enjoy the outdoors, and traveling in their spare time with their Maltese dog, Coconut.

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CBN.com's Youth Section

Unlike sandals, flip-flops don’t secure at the ankle. You just slide them on and you’re on your way. They’re a perfect fashion choice for a busy teenager and the young at heart.

But did you know that flip-flops are also called slip-slaps? Slip as in: trip, fall, and to lose your balance.

Putting on my flip-flops reminds me of our tendency as Christians to fall. Sometimes in the heat of things we become weary. That’s when it’s easy to slip, become inconsistent, fluctuate in our convictions. But God’s word encourages us to be steadfast no matter what’s boiling in our lives.

The Psalms say, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (51:10, NIV)

God designed for our steps to be direct and consistent. As we continually yield our lives to the Lord, we become unwavering and resolute in our walk before Him. Psalm 17:5 says, “My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.” (NIV)

It is God who causes us to remain constant regardless of the heat index in our hearts.

“If the LORD delights in a man's way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.” (Ps. 37:23-24)

When the pressure in life makes your internal temperature rise, determine not to lose your cool. Don’t flip-flop in your faith. God will carry you through every dry and desolate day with perfect peace when your mind is steadfast on Him (Isaiah 26:3).

Keep trusting in His love! Hosea 13:5 declares, “But I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat.”

The Lord cares so much for you.

“One day we will be with the Lord Jesus in Heaven. His glory will shield our lives so we are scorched by the pain of this world no more. God will lead us to springs of living water. And He will wipe away every tear from our eyes” (Rev. 7:16-17).

The fiery trial you are facing right now will pass… and there’s only seven more weeks of summer.

God Never Changes...He Still Heals Today!

I am so elated I can hardly type this note. I just got a call and my good assistant DS, Rev. Bob England, told me he got a call from his medical doctor tonight (September 20, 2010) about 9:00 P.M. and Dr. Smith told him quote, “Bob, we have a miracle here, the pathology report came back and you DO NOT have cancer!”

Wow! This is a divine miracle. I was there about six weeks ago in the doctor’s office with Br. Bob and his wife Vivian, when the same doctor told him in no uncertain terms, “I just studied your case and you have very aggressive cancer and it is in the last stages. We need to operate as soon as possible.”

Pastor Bob got a second opinion about his medical condition and the second specialist agreed that Pastor Bob had cancer but wanted another biopsy done to see for sure how to do the best treatment. So, when the second biopsy came back clear it is indeed a miracle!

We will be rejoicing about this for months and years to come. Praise God! All across the district and only the Lord knows where else people have been praying for my brother in the Lord.

Blessings to you;

Dr. Mark Eckart

Weekly News and Prayer Updates...

• September 25th Activities:
• Ladies meeting at Boonville City Lake at 10:00AM
• Men's Meeting at Wriston Ranch-8:00AM-
• Breakfast at 7:00AM-Don't Burn the Biscuits!
  
• Movie Night at BWC- Outside at 7:00PM-"Facing the Giants"
  
• Happy Birthday -LuAnn Ayscue
• (ALL TIMES CST)
  

Bits and Bytes with the Bagleys-September 2010

~ Bits & Bytes for Bagley Backers - September 2010 ~
Zambia National Conference Members of the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church of Zambia met August 26-29 in Lusaka, Zambia for its 16th biennial national conference. The lively conference combined business sessions, information sharing, and corporate worship as the church reviewed its ministry for the past two years and made plans for future endeavors. The ordination of five young ministers to Christian ministry was one of the highlights of the conference. It was a beautiful celebration as the church recognized and affirmed God's calling and gifting in the lives of these pastors and church planters. (Former National Superintendent, Rev. Sitali Kakungu, is shown above examining the candidates.) Clearly, the major focus of the conference was the transfer of leadership from the outgoing National Superintendent, Rev. Kakungu, to the newly elected leader, Dr. Alfred Kalembo. Rev. Kakungu was recognized for six years of effective leadership, guiding the church to a new level of stability and maturity. Dr. Kalembo, who had served the church in this capacity from 1992-1998 was chosen again by the church to this role with a strong vote of affirmation. A sense of God's presence in the conference was evident, resulting in an atmosphere of peace and unity, even when discussing tense issues. The conference concluded with a challenging message from Rev. Josephine Sichongwe urging delegates to return to their places of ministry and fully devote themselves to the work to which God had called them. Dr. Alfred Kalembo and Rev. Sitali Kakukgu In This Issue Zambia National Conference Zimba Mission Hospital 50th Anniversary Celebration Prayer Requests Praise Points Our Event Calendar Support Team Forward to a Friend Our Event Calendar Aug. 30-Sep. 17 -- Manzini, Swaziland - Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College (Brenda) Sept. 16-19 -- Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo - National Conference Oct. 17 -- Xai Xai, Mozambique - Xai Xai Bible College graduation Oct. 26-29 -- Manzini, Swaziland - Pastors' Conference Oct. 30 -- Manzini, Swaziland - EWBC graduation Nov. 14 am -- Fredericton, NB - Corbett Ave. Wesleyan Church Nov. 14 pm -- Nackawic, NB - Nackawic Wesleyan Church Nov. 21 -- Truro, NS - Central Nova Wesleyan Church Nov. 28 -- Maple Ridge, NB - Maple Ridge Wesleyan Church Jan. 4-7 -- Jacksonville, FL - The Gathering Jan. 7-8 -- Jacksonville, FL - Leadership Council Support Team We are grateful for all who have made a commitment to become part of our regular prayer and/or financial support team. If you haven't done so, you can join the team by clicking the link below. Thanks! Forward to a Friend You can help us by forwarding "Bits & Bytes" to friends who will be interested in the work of Global Partners in Africa. Just click on the link below. Friends who receive the email will also be given an opportunity to sign up to receive it in the future. Forward this message to a friend An easy to print version of this email can be found here. Zimba Mission Hospital 50th Anniversary Celebration On September 6th, 2010, Zimba Mission Hospital celebrated 50 years of medical ministry in the Kalomo District of Zambia. Church leaders, government officials, representatives of nongovernmental organizations, business leaders, and past and present hospital staff gathered at Zimba to recall and celebrate together. The fifty-year history of the hospital was presented through music, speeches, and drama culminating with a speech from the guest of honor, the District Commissioner of Kalomo. A celebration feast finished off the festivities. Bob was privileged to represent Global Partners at the day-long celebration. Also present were Eleanor Hunsinger, Liz Anderson, and Bethany Morse, who had served as missionary nurses at the hospital in years gone by. Currently Global Partners missionaries Drs. Dan and Joan Jones serve as doctors in the hospital, and Selinda Ingalls and Jesse Van Horn serve in support roles. The hospital has seen significant growth of facilities and services over recent years. Currently a new outpatient department is under construction, with plans for building a hospital chapel to follow. Long-term plans call for establishing a school of nursing in conjunction with the hospital. (Click here for a slide presentation of the celebration.) Dr. Dan Jones, Rev. Alfred Chikobela, Bob Bagley, Dr. Alfred Kalembo Prayer Requests Please help us pray for the following needs: Democratic Republic of Congo National Conference meets September 16-19. Pray for wisdom as the delegates make decisions affecting the future of the church, particularly as they elect their leaders. Please pray for Dr. H. C. Wilson as he chairs the conference. Drs. Dan & Joan Jones carry a heavy load at Zimba Mission Hospital as the only doctors on staff. Zambian doctors assigned to the hospital are away, enrolled in advanced training. Pray that God will give the Jones' physical, emotional, and spiritual strength to deal with the stress of the load. Brenda is continuing to teach "Understanding Culture" at Emmanuel Wesleyan Bible College in Swaziland. Please pray that the students will grasp and apply the principles she is teaching. Finally, a family request. Please pray that our daughter, Tracy, will find solid employment. She has been without a job since June. Praise Points Praise God for a positive national conference in Zambia and a smooth transition in leadership. Global Partners recently announced that administrative costs for all missionaries will be reduced as of this month, and that a significant reduction in medical insurance costs will also be passed on to missionaries. Our support target will be reduced considerably. Praise God for His provision in this way. Although our mission house is still being worked on following extensive flooding, we praise God for good progress made and a house that is being to feel like home again (at least when we make it back to our home base!).
Bob & Brenda Bagley | rbagley112@gmail.com

Remembering September 11, 2001...

³As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. "Tell us," they said, "when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?"

⁴Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Christ,^a]">[a]' and will deceive many. ⁶You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸All these are the beginning of birth pains.

⁹"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. ¹⁰At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, ¹¹and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. ¹²Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, ¹³but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. ¹⁴And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."- from the Mount Olivet Discourse-(Matthew 24:3-14( NIV)