ISRAEL AND THE “OPENING” On April 13-23, I will return to Israel for my fourth trip, just after the celebration of Easter. Something written in one of our RBA Pastor’s daily columns made me think of one of my favorite places in the Holy Land. Let me share it with you. Richard Dawkins is a controversial Oxford University professor and evolutionary biologist. He is also considered by many the “world’s most famous atheist” living today. Professor Dawkins said recently, though, that he is not 100% sure that God doesn’t exist. In a debate, he stated that he had a small doubt that there was a creator, but that he is 6.9 out of 7 sure of his atheistic beliefs. Dawkins is the author of The God Delusion and is a leader of the so-called “new atheist” movement. He wrote, “What I can’t understand is why you can’t see life started from nothing, and why you want to clutter it up with something so messy as God?” However the professor has left a “small” opening into which some light may shine – one tenth of one percent. On Wednesday, April 17, I will be standing in the small garden tomb at Gordon’s Calvary just outside of old Jerusa- lem. Supposedly, this is where Jesus was buried by Joseph and Nicodemus. The first time I visited that tomb in 2005, nobody told me about the small plaque above the doorway as you exit. I remember looking up and reading these words, “He is not here, He is risen!” I will never forget the emotion I felt then and will again on this trip. It’s a very small opening, into that tomb. People wait in lines and enter one at a time. But once, years ago, the true Light came out of that small entrance way and into the world, and it changed everything! Let’s pray that others, even a Richard Dawkins, will continue to open up the door of their hearts, ever so slightly, and allow the Light to come in until they ,too, know the truth, “He is not here, He is risen! God Bless You, RBA Churches! Kent Pate Volume XXIX April, 2006 Number 4 THE RECORD REHOBOTH REHOBOTH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION Volume XXXV April, 2012 Number 3
Transcript
ISRAEL AND THE “OPENING”
On April 13-23, I will return to Israel for my fourth trip, just after the celebration of Easter.
Something written in one of our RBA Pastor’s daily columns made me think of one of my favorite
places in the Holy Land. Let me share it with you.
Richard Dawkins is a controversial Oxford University professor and evolutionary biologist. He is
also considered by many the “world’s most famous atheist” living today.
Professor Dawkins said recently, though, that he is not 100% sure that God doesn’t exist. In a debate, he stated that
he had a small doubt that there was a creator, but that he is 6.9 out of 7 sure of his atheistic beliefs.
Dawkins is the author of The God Delusion and is a leader of the so-called “new atheist” movement. He wrote,
“What I can’t understand is why you can’t see life started from nothing, and why you want to clutter it up with
something so messy as God?” However the professor has left a “small” opening into which some light may shine –
one tenth of one percent.
On Wednesday, April 17, I will be standing in the small garden tomb at Gordon’s Calvary just outside of old Jerusa-
lem. Supposedly, this is where Jesus was buried by Joseph and Nicodemus. The first time I visited that tomb in
2005, nobody told me about the small plaque above the doorway as you exit. I remember looking up and reading
these words, “He is not here, He is risen!” I will never forget the emotion I felt then and will again on this trip.
It’s a very small opening, into that tomb. People wait in lines and enter one at a time. But once, years ago, the true
Light came out of that small entrance way and into the world, and it changed everything!
Let’s pray that others, even a Richard Dawkins, will continue to open up the door of their hearts, ever so slightly, and
allow the Light to come in until they ,too, know the truth, “He is not here, He is risen!
God Bless You, RBA Churches!
Kent Pate
Volume XXIX April, 2006 Number 4
THE RECORD REH
OBOTH
REHOBOTH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION
Volume XXXV April, 2012 Number 3
Ministry Team Meeting
April 26, 2012
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
at
First Baptist Church, Sulphur Springs
ATTENTION: PASTORS, STAFF AND MESSENGERS
The Semi-Annual "Meeting" of Rehoboth Association
is on Thursday, May 10 this year. Location: New Beginnings Fellowship Church in Sulphur
Springs @ 155 N. Jackson in SS
Times: 11:30 am until 1:00 pm (Lunch Provided)
Each RBA Church is allowed 2 voting messengers.
Come join us for the fellowship, reports, and testimonies!
Ron Herring, DMin. Director, Center for Effective Leadership
Facilitator
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
May 7-8
The Center for Effective Leadership and
Smith Baptist Association invite you to attend this powerful leadership development
opportunity:
Heart of Hope is the new Pregnancy Resource Center
opening in Sulphur Springs. Area Pastors are invited to a
Pastor's Breakfast, April 24th at Shannon Oaks Church.
at the Purley Gates Retreat Center south of Mt. Vernon
5:30 - 7:30 pm
The music program will be led by Pastor Bill Hardage of Clearwater Church.
For more information, contact Bill Hardage at 903-365-7467; Fred Lewis at 903-885-0646 or
RBA Office at 903-885-2868 No Cost
Dinner will be great, and the music/fellowship
will be outstanding. ALL Senior Adults are welcome!!!!
Call for Reservations
903 656-3871
Guest Speaker: David Crain
Spring Senior Adult Rally
At Lakeview May 10, 2012
Wallace Watkins, Central Marshall Wallace Watkins, Central Marshall Wallace Watkins, Central Marshall Wallace Watkins, Central Marshall ---- Speaker
Mark Fried Mark Fried Mark Fried Mark Fried ---- Forest Home KilgoreForest Home KilgoreForest Home KilgoreForest Home Kilgore - Music
Featuring a delightful variety of inspiration, fellowship, food and fun.
Registration 9 am; Program begins at 9:30 Cost $7.00 each, includes lunch & 2 snacks
If pastors help serve, they eat free! When registering mention you are helping serve the meal.
Church News If your church has a special event or information you’d like to share in the
newsletter, please email [email protected] or call the office, 903-885-2868. The Newsletter deadline is the 15th of each month.
The Record IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY REHOBOTH BAPTIST ASSOCIATION 1139 INDUSTRIAL DR. E. SULPHUR SPRINGS, TX 75482-3326
PHONE; 903-885-2868 FAX 903-885-3506 EMAIL: [email protected] WEB ADDRESS: www.rehobothonline.org
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
KENT PATE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ELOY GONZALEZ, DIRECTOR OF HISPANIC MINISTRIES
SHELLY HUFF, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
OFFICE HOURS: Monday - Thursday 8:30AM - 4:30PM
Friday 8:30AM - 2:30PM
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit No. 160
Sulphur Springs, TX
Mission Statement
The mission of Rehoboth Baptist Association is to offer leading edge assistance in creating healthy New Testament churches that honor
Jesus Christ by their very existence.
Changed lives through ChristChanged lives through ChristChanged lives through ChristChanged lives through Christ----centered churchescentered churchescentered churchescentered churches
Please be in prayer for our:
Pastorless Churches Enloe FBC, Como Friendship, Pecan Gap Ridgeway Baptist Church Martin Springs Baptist Church
John Ginn
As the new Pastor at
FBC, Cumby
Reilly Springs Baptist Church
celebrated their Pastor’s 40th year
Sunday, February 12
with a stew, reception and
a beautiful plaque!
Larry Baxley was surprised
and honored!
This year also marks 51 years as a Pastor for him!
Gloria Brewer has a
Westminster Upright Piano
that she would like to give to
a church.
If you are interested please
call her at 903-866-2385.
We have the LifeWay VBS Sampler and Super Sampler Kits
