April, 2017

“...encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11

Pottawatomie-Lincoln Baptist Association, Shawnee, OK ~ Dr. Russell R. Cook, Director of Missions Vol. 21, No. 4

Association

Website

www.plba.org

EXECUTIVE BOARD

Next meeting is

May 8

Support Team 9:00 a.m.

Fellowship 10:00 a.m.

Board Meeting 10:30 a.m.

Lunch 12:00 p.m.

Mission Partnerships

1:00 p.m.

All forms and money are due at the PLBA office by Monday, May 17th.

For Children 3rd - 6th Grades

Pre-Camp Meeting: PLBA Office Tuesday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Anyone interested in attending camp with PLBA is encouraged to attend. All forms will be available at the meeting. Please RSVP at (405) 273-4558.

Money Breakdown: $45 ACC Program Fees

$40 PLBA Fees Happy

Administrative Professionals

Day! April 26

Yeeeee-haaa! Grab your cowboy boots and pearl-snap shirts

for our Annual Church Secretary/Clerk Luncheon

Thursday April 6 12:00-1:ish p.m.

Please call the association office at 405-273-4558, or email us at plba@sbcglobal.net

no later than Monday, April 3, for reservations. Hope to see you there, partner!

It Might Preach! “The Sin Question”

Psalm 32:1-7

David, likely wrote this Psalm in the interim between his sin with Bathsheba and his confession of Psalm 51. Three times he used the world “selah” which means “There, what do you think of that?” (1) after verses 1-4, (2) after verse 5, (3) after verses 6-7. The first speaks of CONVICTION, the second of CON-FESSION and the third of CONFIDENCE. Notice the PRINCIPLES RELATED

TO THE QUESTION OF SIN:

I. The PLEASURE we feel when sin is CLEANSED. (v.v. 1-2)

(How blessed is he…”)

A. Sin is a DEFIANCE (v. 1a “transgression…”)

B. Sin is a DEFECT (v. 1b “Whose sin is covered!”)

C. Sin is a DISTORTION (v. 2a “Blessed is the man to whom the

Lord does not impute iniquity…”)

D. Sin is a DECEPTION (v. 2b “in whose spirit there is no deceit.”)

guile in KJV= “insincerity, cunning, lying”

“My sin! Oh the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin, not in part, but the whole. Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more, Praise

the Lord, Praise the Lord, O my soul.” Horatio G. Spafford

II. The PENALTY we face when sin is CONCEALED (vv. 3-4 “When I

kept silent about my sin…”)

A. David had been a HEALTHY man (v. 3a “...My body wasted away

through my groaning all day long”) sin brings sickness.

B. David had been a HAPPY man (v. 4a “...day and night thy hand was heavy upon me…”) from “the sweet singer of Israel” to “groaning all day long” sin brings depression and despair.

(Confession or Conviction, it’s our choice.)

III. The pardon we find when sin is confessed (v. 5)

A. Confession means ADMISSION (v. 5b “I acknowledged my sin to

Thee …”) admit to the sin.

B. Confession means IDENTIFICATION (v. 5b “...my iniquity I did

not hide…”) name the sin.

C. Confession means RESTORATION (v. 5c “...thou didst forgive

the guilt of my sin.”) eliminate the sin.

IV. The PATH we follow when sin is CONQUERED (vv. 6-7 David

identifies 3 paths that lead to victory:)

A. The PATH OF PRAYER

1. Pray with the right PERSPECTIVE (v. 6a “...let everyone who

is godly…”) out of the godly life.

2. Pray to the right PERSON (v. 6b “pray to Thee…”)

to God through Jesus.

3. Pray at the right PERIOD (v. 6c “...in a time when thou

mayest be found…”) don’t wait too late.

B. The PATH OF PEACE (v. 7a “Thou art my hiding place; Thou

dost preserve me from trouble…”)

“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee.”

Augustus M. Toplady

C. The PATH OF PRAISE (v.7b “Thou does surround me with songs

of deliverance.”) cf. v.11

1. “It’s amazing what praising can do!”

2. “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the earth hear His

voice, Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let the people rejoice.

We can CONFESS our sin and live CLEANSED or we can CONCEAL our

sin and live in CONVICTION.

Remember ROMANS 5:20 “...where sin did abound, grace did much more

abound.” God offers grace that is greater than all our sin.

rrc

Boy Scouts of America announced January 30 that transgender children who identify as boys will be permitted to participate in the organizations programs. The policy change comes several months after a 8 year old New Jersey transgender Cub Scout accused the organization of discrimination after expulsion for being a biological girl. In January 2014, the Boy Scouts began allowing openly gay boys to join their program. In July 2015, the organization’s board lifted its ban on gay adults as Scout leaders. And in May 2015, Girl Scouts took similar measures allowing transgender youth in their programs. Who would have ever dreamed that such an organization would come to its current position. Soon the group will be known as “gender-neutral, transgender, LGBT, Scouts of (what use to be) America.” I guess we really should not be shocked. For the past five decades (or more), America has adopted the sinful condition of Israel in Isaiah's day (about 740 B.C.):

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for dark-ness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:2).

Not much encouragement in this, is there? Not until you factor in the Word and promises of God. God says, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they will be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18). Of course, it is incum-bent upon the Boy and Girl Scouts of America to repent of their sin and resume their original, godly, wholesome family oriented posi-tions they once held. Acts 3:19 says, “Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” The primary answer for America’s great moral decline is REPENTANCE. May God help us to turn back to Him!

Encouragingly Yours, Russell Cook

Word of Encouragement

ADVANCE

TRUTH TURNING THE WORLD

UPSIDE DOWN

Rewired Men’s Conference

April 28-29

6 PLBA Secretary/Clerk’s Luncheon-PLBA at 12:00 p.m.

14 Good Friday

16 Easter

21-22 BGCO Women’s Retreat-Falls Creek

26 Administrative Professionals’ Day

28-29 BGCO Men’s Retreat-Falls Creek

Association Website — www.plba.org

Budget Receipts PLBA WOMEN

Cox Business Center 800-254-2022

Starting at

$49

Go to lifeway.com and click on events.

BGCO Women’s Retreat

www.bgcowomen.org/retreat/

Annie Downs Jen Wilkin Lina Abujamra

Michael Jr. The MET Collective

A Nugget From My Spiritual Journey…

My social media friends are watching me write on a random non-schedule about the individual qualities listed in the description of true LOVE, as found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. You know—“Love is patient…kind…does not envy…is not boastful…not conceited…does not act improperly…is not selfish…not provoked…does not keep a record of wrongs…finds no joy in unrighteous-ness, but rejoices in the truth; bears…believes…hopes…endures all things. Love never ends.” (HCSB) You know—that one! The one that doesn’t look like Hollywood portrayals of love at all. The one that is not bottom-line lust. The one that looks like God. You know—the intentional, selfless, “I love you in spite of you” (agape’) love! I just started reading a book titled I WOULD DIE FOR YOU, written in 2008 by Brent & Deanna Higgins, the parents of BJ Higgins, an extraordinary young man who died at 15 after a six-week battle with an infection contracted on the mission field. The very first words I read were from a letter he wrote to a friend in 2004: “Love is not just an emotion, as the world sees it. It is action. While admittedly it does have emotion involved with it, it is not as unstable or changeable as emotions are. Affections come and go, grow and fade, but love does not. It is constant because it is more than an emotion; it is more of a constant state of selflessness that produces action.” (page 11, Grand Rap-ids: REVELL). WOW! From the heart and pen of a young teenage boy? How come it is so hard for older folks to get that? I read no further before remembering Hebrews 11, which lists people we would call “heroes of the faith.” But, they weren’t really heroes. They were just ordinary people, like BJ, who “got it.” They understood that FAITH is not passive. It is obediently active, no matter what the cost! I challenge you to go to Hebrews 11 and underline every verb that shows that the faith of those men and women was always exhibited through action—like this: “By faith Abel OFFERED…Enoch WAS TAKEN…Noah BUILT…Abraham OBEYED and WENT...” etc, etc. What does OUR love look like? What does OUR faith look like? Are we active or passive? Obedient or apathetic/lazy/selfish? Dear Lord, help us all!

Marsha Cook

PASTORS CHURCH Feb ‘17 YTD

Churches listed in red are Pastorless

Roger Shaw Agra, FBC 440.18 750.43

Randy Dirrim Asher, FBC 153.21 324.97

Larry Sparks Blackburn Chapel 490.40 889.82

Floyd Westfall, Int. Carney, FBC .00 .00

Rick Blackwell Chandler, FBC 934.29 2,163.67

Keith Henley Chandler Southern 240.38 466.35

Doug Parker Dale 30.04 59.52

Mike Mitchell Davenport, FBC 265.81 1,130.38

Mike Haines Deer Creek 310.78 488.71

Mark Streetman Earlsboro, FBC .00 .00

Galen Greenwalt Earlsboro Indian 88.35 241.16

Galen Jones, Int. Fairview 137.44 226.65

Dan Campbell Faith 362.21 656.97

Jeff Bruton Forest .00 .00

Lee Witt Hazel Dell .00 686.79

Doug Henson, Int Hillside 1,023.24 2,089.11

Gary Nickerson Hilltop 539.71 1,108.11

________________ Hopewell .00 .00

Billy Benson Macomb 147.88 259.88

Mike Hazelwood Mammoth 310.00 941.00

Bobby Shatto Maud, FBC .00 .00

Butch Bradley Maud, Trinity 128.25 237.75

Shawn Crawley McLoud, Covenant Hope .00 419.12

Mike Taylor McLoud, Emmanuel 425.77 739.78

Jerry Gray McLoud, Emmaus 172.08 434.74

Matt Halsted McLoud, FBC 79.17 347.36

Joe Jones Meeker, FBC 224.60 224.60

Jerry Jackson Morning Star .00 .00

R.J. Stokes Mt. Pleasant .00 .00

Rick Ham, Int. Newalla, New Life 884.40 884.40

Ed Moore Newalla, Pecan Valley 63.00 196.96

Mike Collyer Pink 337.00 603.00

Jim Morningstar Pioneer 161.00 161.00

Nathan Howard Pleasant Home 283.19 515.15

Tim Emmons Prague, FBC 549.36 1,135.09

Danny Napier Rock Creek 943.50 2,591.49

Gaspar Reyes Rock Creek Hispanic 46.29 62.99

Tony Black Romulus 182.56 331.78

Monte Dean Sh-Aydelotte 597.70 967.08

David Henry Sh-Calvary .00 .00

Paul Stevens, Int. Sh-First 219.92 972.90

Spencer Davis, Int. Sh-First Indian .00 .00

Anthony Rhone Sh-Galilee 75.00 150.00

Bob Dawson Sh-Good Shepherd Chapel 239.90 239.90

Jay Sampson Sh-Heritage .00 2,723.47

Todd Fisher Sh-Immanuel 2,254.34 5,507.49

John York Sh-Oakland Chapel 38.20 38.20

Don Acker Sh-Sallateeska 170.00 401.00

Mike Craig Sh-Temple 997.76 1,826.59

Larry Norris Sh-Trinity 162.91 279.91

Steve Dominy Sh-University 226.33 705.67

Blake Martin Sh-Wallace Ave. 60.00 114.00

Perry Tripp Sparks, FBC 50.64 79.20

Brandon Leslie St. Louis, FBC 374.53 604.24

Ben Little Stroud, Disciple’s Way 6.00 6.00

James Bond Stroud, FBC 862.28 1,240.02

Tony Peak Tecumseh, FBC 1,074.08 2,114.50

Kevin Fox Tecumseh, Karis .00 .00

Will Wilson Tecumseh, New Hope 50.00 100.00

Clint Dawkins Tecumseh, Sharon .00 729.78

Bob Fowler Tryon, FBC 183.25 348.97

Britt Lesley Wanette, FBC 206.29 349.54

Bill Howse Wanette, Victory Pointe .00 .00

Russ Houser Wellston, Cornerstone .00 .00

Darrell Sullivan Wellston, FBC 374.36 670.76

Lane Buckley Wellston, Trinity 440.00 440.00

TOTAL $18,617.58 $41,977.95

TOTAL CHECKING AND SAVINGS TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR

Beginning Bal. Income Expenses Ending Bal.

2-1-17 2-28-17

Budget 9,962.90 18,617.58 17,692.44 10,888.04 Designated 183,224.98 183,589.03 Total Monies $193,187.88 $194,477.07

Church News Please let us know of any upcom-ing events or news from your

church!

EMMANUEL, MCLOUD has called Mike Taylor as their pastor. Con-gratulations and welcome to Pott./Lincoln Baptist Association. May God bless your ministry. (Mike Taylor, Pastor) SHAWNEE, FIRST has six pews that they would like to give away to another church. If interested contact Mary, First Baptist Shawnee at 405-275-6111. (Paul Stevens, Interim Pastor) HILLSIDE will be hosting a retirement party for Tuney and his wife Sharon April 8, 1-4 p.m., at Hillside. Tuney Ropp has retired after serving Hillside Baptist Church for 31 years. Lunch will be served at 1 p.m. We will begin recognition of them at 2 p.m. Plan to attend and

celebrate with them. (Doug Henson, Interim Pastor)

Director of Missions ...................................... Dr. Russell Cook, 405.273.4558 Moderator................................................................Joe Jones, 405.517.3640 Vice Moderator ................................................... Billy Benson, 405.595.1053 Treasurer .......................................................... Clint Dawkins, 405.273.5502 Clerk & Office Manager ................................. Janice Maynard, 405.273.4558 Media Manager ................................................. Tanya Bruton, 405.273.4558 Discipleship Director...................................... Mike Hazelwood, 405.279.2451 Family Director ............................................... Shawn Crawley, 405.229.5813 Worship Director .............................................. Jason Henson, 405.273.2105 Missions Director ............................................... Kirk Holloway, 405.258.0175 Support Director .......................................... Dr. Russell Cook, 405.273.4558 Youth Minister .............................................. Duncan Blackwell 405.273.5509 Licensed Counselor............................................... Brett Ellard, 405.275.2222 Licensed Counselor........................................... Larry Roberts, 405.275.2222

FIRST, TRYON is taking resumes for bi-vocational youth minister, a small salary is included. Please send resumes to: Tryon FBC, P.O. Box 95, Tryon, OK 74875 or call 405-606-5621. (Bob Fowler, Pastor)

ROCK CREEK is accepting resumes for both full-time Youth Minister and part-time Music Minister. Resumes can be mailed to Rock Creek Baptist Church, 44900 Hardesty Road, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801 or emailed to rockcreekbaptist@hotmail.com. (Danny Napier, Pastor)

SHAWNEE, FIRST is accepting resumes for a Contemporary Music Worship Leader. This person will be the “producer” of contemporary worship services and special programs. Ideally, this person will crea-tively help people praise and connect with God through contemporary worship and will communicate, direct, and lead in ways that inspire other musicians and the congregation. If interested contact First Bap-tist Shawnee at 405-275-6111. (Paul Stevens, Interim Pastor)

Birthdays

3 Rev. Tony Black 40255 State Hwy 59B Macomb, OK 74852 Pastor, Romulus

5 Mrs. Regina (Tony) Black 40255 State Hwy 59B Macomb, OK 74852 Pastor’s Wife, Romulus

9 Rev. Mike Mitchell PO Box 376 Davenport, OK 74026 Pastor, First, Davenport

9 Rev. Larry Norris 1208 Monroe Dr. Shawnee, OK 74804 Pastor, Trinity, Shawnee

13 Mrs. Diana (Don) Acker 8009 Buckwood Road Newalla, OK 74857 Pastor’s Wife, Salateeska

14 Mrs. Sandra (Butch) Bradley PO Box 816 Maud, OK 74854 Pastor’s Wife, Trinity, Maud

16 Rev. Don Acker 8009 Buckwood Road Newalla, OK 74857 Pastor, Salateeska

26 Rev. Will Wilson 1930 River Birch Dr. Shawnee, OK 74804 Pastor, New Hope

29 Mrs. Kari (Billy) Benson 31230 Old Hwy 18 Macomb, OK 74852 Pastor’s Wife, Macomb

Anniversaries

4 Rev. & Mrs. Mike Haines 355960 E. 960 Rd. Stroud, OK 74079 Pastor, Deer Creek

4 Rev. & Mrs. Jim Morningstar 609 S Dewey Ave Chandler, OK 74834 Pastor, Pioneer, Chandler

8 Rev. & Mrs. Roger Shaw 13900 River Ridge Rd Perkins, OK 74059 Pastor, First, Agra

23 Dr. & Mrs. Steve Dominy 4514 Gracelann Shawnee, OK 74804 Pastor, University

Staff Needed Incorrect information... please call the Association office,

405.273.4558.

The PLBA Office has a limited number of this book available for sale.

Come in to get yours today!

Pastors and Wives Mark your calendars!

“Cookout at the Cooks”

Russell & Marsha Cook would like to invite all PLBA Pastors and wives to a

cookout at their home

1313 Castle Creek Street, Shawnee

Thursday, May 4, 6:30 p.m.

More information coming in the mail soon

$25 each