Church guide

Here Jesus is not just talking about the people who live next door to you, but all people. Jesus does not say to agree with your neighbors, but to love them. We seem to have lost the ability to agree to disagree and move on.

Here is a booklet from Homeland Security that deals with active shooter situations. YOU need to have a plan. As we sadly witnessed today in EL Paso, Texas, thousand of people by official statements were in the Walmart on a regular Saturday, many shopping for those annual school supplies. When the worst happens, YOU need to have a plan. As we have heard, Law Enforcement responded quickly but were still six minutes away. I urge everyone to make a personal plan of safety; Good practices for coping with an active shooter situation • Be aware of your environment and any possible dangers • Take note of the two nearest exits in any facility you visit • If you are in an office, stay there and secure the door • If you are in a hallway, get into a room and secure the door • As a last resort, attempt to take the active shooter down. When the shooter is at close range and you cannot flee, your chance of survival is much greater if you try to incapacitate him/her. CALL 911 WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO! DHS.GOV www.dhs.gov

As we all respond in our own ways to this horrific display of evil, please keep in your prayers and thoughts not only the deceased and their families, but the wounded and their families, Law Enforcement and emergency workers in the hospitals and ambulance crews, along with the firefighters because I don't care who you are, you are never ready to witness carnage like this. And I would also like to ask for prayers for the reporters and videographers who have covered this event. They are also susceptible to the horrors of what they have seen and what they have heard from the witnesses that they have talked too. THE PRAYER LIST IS LONG BUT PLEASE CALL ON THE LORD FOR HIS COMFORT, REST AND MERCY FOR ALL INVOLVED.

Count the Cost Workshop - Only $10 to attend!! Register today! * It is not necessary to have attended the first Count the Cost in order to attend the Level 2 Workshop. On the journey of leading your church, there will be reefs and storms that can sink your ship and wreck your ministry. Count the Cost Level 2 (CTC2) will explore these dangers and help you chart a course to navigate through them or avoid them. http://www.iesba.org/events/count-the-cost-workshop

What a fantastic article. This is a must read for anyone interested in what really happened.

The following two events have been cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.

God bless America, land that I love Stand beside her and guide her Through the night with the light from above From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home God bless America, land that I love Stand beside her and guide her Through the night with the light from above From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home From the mountains to the prairies To the oceans white with foam God bless America, my home sweet home God bless America, my home sweet home

Did your church host VBS this summer? Email [email protected] with the details of your event as well as a few pictures for your church to be featured in our next newsletter! Or comment below with a brief summary and a picture!

Be sure to check out our July Newsletter!! You can sign up to receive the newsletter by mail or by email on our website! See whats happening and upcoming events at the IESBA! http://www.iesba.org/clarion

This is one of the best explanations that I have ever read about the question; "Why Do Evil Things Happen To Good People" I share this with the permission of the author Danny Coon; With the recent murder of Deputy Joseph Gilbert Solano, many are left with the question, “why did God allow this to happen?” This question is often asked in times of tragedy and sorrow. For many, this question is an obstacle that prevents a relationship with God. When bad things happen, some people blame God, some curse God and some walk away from God. The simple answer to this question is, God did not allow this to happen, we did. Because of our sinful nature, evil thrives around us. We were given a choice. God gave us freedom, free will. This freedom was given to us by God's love for us. God wants us to walk away from sin, away from evil and to be with him. God created people, people choose their sinful ways, people choose to do evil. With that said, God is not responsible for all the evil that happens in the world. Because God gave people the ability to choose, people are to blame. Mankind has allowed for sin, evil, to spread throughout the world since the beginning. Sin is well documented in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 3. In our life here on earth we are being trained, preparing for our life in eternity. We may not now know the answer to the question, however, in our eternal life we will be completely satisfied. Truth is, suffering is a part of the Christian life. The Bible teaches that we must suffer in times of trial so we can share in the glory of God. The Apostle Paul wrote; 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18 NIV) British writer and lay theologian C.S. Lewis wrote: “but pain insists upon being attended to.” “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” God will use times like these, use our grief, our pain, to bring us back to him as mankind has walked away from God. As a child of God and a believer of Jesus Christ, my choice, I know my time on earth is short. I also know that I will enjoy eternal life in heaven because of my choice. Be sad that Joseph was taken from us. Mourn for him, celebrate his life, and honor him. Joseph chose a Honorable career, he chose to fight evil, and he chose to watch over the flock. The Bible says; 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV)

We have a pastor that has encountered some unexpected medical problems. There is an urgent financial need. If you can help, you can donate online or by sending a check. Please send the check to the Association, 3210 E. Guasti Rd. Ste. 545, Ontario, CA 91761, with “pastor’s medical” in the memo. You can also donate through our website at www.iesba.org/donation, and click individuals donating. After you select the amount and method of payment, the next screen will have a memo area where you can type “pastor’s medical.” We are need of $5,000-15,000. We appreciate any amount and help that you can give. Thank you!

John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (NASB) "They marched into hell so that America could know the blessings of peace. They died so that freedom could live," President Donald Trump Memorial Day 2018

God's presence

Question? Is there anything that God cannot reach into and have a presence if He so desires?

True Salvation should lead us to a new way of life as we put off our old sinful ways and put on our new life, and that is where Sanctification comes in.

Thank you to all who helped make the marriage retreat possible!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfnf94PJ2Uw&feature=youtu.be

Check out the March Newsletter! http://www.iesba.org/clarion Be sure to sign up to get it monthly in your inbox!

This was the final song on the mission tour of the InOvation Youth Choir from First Baptist Church Nicoma Park, Oklahoma. During their visit they blessed many homeless, needy and recovering people as well as the young college students of Send College at Cal State San Bernardino. these young people and their sponsors were a Godtastic example of Christian service in the name of the Lord. During their week here, they performed eight times including three times on Wednesday. Please pray for the safe travel of this incredible music team. Praise God

Ah...nothing better than a spring concert in the park, especially if it's Christian music. The final presentation of the InOvation Youth Choir from First Baptist Church Nicoma Park in Oklahoma was in Fairmount Park in Riverside. More than 125 homeless and needy were gathered for dinner and the added bonus of this special group singing the praises and glory of God. They are on their way home today so please keep them in prayer as they travel.

The InOvation Youth Choir from FBC Nicoma Park, Oklahoma had a busy day yesterday May 27th. It began at the Fred Jordan Mission on L.A.'s skid row singing for the morning women's Bible study. Then came three hours of intense work on a variety of projects throughout the mission. That was followed by a quick lunch then a performance for the regular afternoon service. Following their music, an invitation was given and six people prayed to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. The group was back on their vans for a trip to Cal State San Bernardino where they performed that evening for the Send College Wednesday night Bible Study. Following their music, two people prayed to accept Jesus Christ. WOW!!! What a Godtastic day.

What a great Memorial Day! The InOvation Youth Choir from FBC Nicoma Park, Oklahoma visited the Calincinto Ranch to help disadvantaged children to have a fun day at a real ranch. In the morning the teens helped to get the ranch ready for the petting zoo, horse rides and free popcorn just to name a few of the tasks. Then in the early afternoon, the choir performed to a very enthusiastic crowd.

Stomp band performance by the InOvation Youth Choir from FBC Nicoma Park, Oklahoma at the Set Free Ranch yesterday May 23rd. Amazing what you can do with some pvc pipe, trash cans and push brooms.

This is one of the songs performed yesterday May 23rd by the InOvation Youth Choir from First Baptist Church Nicoma Park, Oklahoma at the Set Free Ranch in Lake Elsinore, California.

The InOvation choir from First Baptist Church Nicoma Park, Oklahoma setting up for their noon time concert at the Set Free Ranch in Lake Elsinore. This is the first stop of their week long Calif. Mission trip.