CHRIST-must be in CHRISTmas!

Merry Christmas to all! And thank God for his Son!

Singles Event - Pastor & Min. Thomas are guest panelist

Associate Ministers Workshop

Saturday, November 7, 2009, 8:30 am - 12 noon.

St. Mark BC, 5722 W. 12th Street, Little Rock AR, 501-663-6355, Bishop S. Arnold, Senior Pastor

Dr. Joel Gregory will be the facilitator for this event. He will conduct two sessions – Making the Biblical Text Relevant and Using Illustrations in Preaching. We will have refreshments available at 8:30 am.

Also, Dr. Gregory will preach at the 8:00 am worship service on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009.

Be On Your Best Behavior

By Roline Thomas

Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. – 1 Peter 2:11

My 9-year old niece Kayla spent two weeks of her summer vacation with our family. Two days into her stay, she told me “I don’t think I can stay here another day because it doesn’t feel like home!” After regaining my composure, I said “It doesn’t feel like home because it is not your home. But, while you are here, be on your best behavior.”

In I Peter 2:11, Christians are likened to aliens and strangers in the world. Simply put, this world is not a Christian’s home. Christians are also urged to abstain from and deny ourselves of sinful desires, our own self-indulgent urges. Jesus said that he was in this world, but not of the world. (John 17). He showed us that we don’t have to adapt to, or embrace worldly methods.

Does the world look at you as though you come from another planet? Do you stand out in the crowd? Does the world look at you strange because your beliefs, morals, and values do not mirror theirs?

Peter reminds us of the clarion call of God, “Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Carrying a Holy Bible does not make you holy. To be holy is to be set apart by God for God. Holiness is living a lifestyle pleasing to God. Our daily behavior- the things we do, say and think- must glorify God.

As Christians, we are not to allow ourselves to be comfortable in this world, for it is not our home. But while we are here, let’s be on our best behavior.

IMPACT Conference, Oct 28-31, 2009

Where have all the good men gone……

Sisters are always wondering where are all the good men. Allow me to give you something to mull over.

In the beginning (Gen. 2:15-20), we see Adam working and taking care of the garden. Man was RESPONSIBLE. He had to become responsible as a single before he could take on the responsibility of marriage. He avoided the forbidden tree, so we see that he RESPECTED the things of God. If a man doesn't respect the things of God, he certainly won’t respect a woman. Lastly he felt the need for a meaningful RELATIONSHIP with another human. After naming all of the animals, Adam didn’t see another “like him.” A player can be responsible and respect God, but he doesn’t see the need for a relationship with ONE woman.

Don’t place your hopes in a man that is not RESPONSIBLE, RESPECTFUL of God, and doesn’t see the need for a meaningful RELATIONSHIP. It’s possible to think there are no good men if you keep gravitating to no good men.

All of this development of Adam was done before he could ever lay his eyes on a woman. Also, Adam was ready for a woman BUT Eve was not ready for a man because she hadn’t been formed yet.

Proverbs 18:22 says "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD." The man finds a wife, not a women. That mean she's already a wife. She already see her husband as head of the household. She is already a submissive wife. A man is looking for a wife. Maybe you have not captured the eye of a "good man" because you have not become a wife.


Sisters, your Boaz, Ray-Ray, Andre, Tom or Cephus just may be ready….perhaps it’s you that’s not ready for him. Perhaps God is still shaping you.


Earnest & Roline

Bragging Rights

Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD." - Jeremiah 9:23b-24a

Isn’t it amazing how we brag?! We boast about our magnificent homes, luxurious cars, fattened wallets, to die for wardrobes, higher educational achievements, fabulous careers, and our significant other.

There is nothing wrong with being proud of your accomplishments. When I look at my daughters and my husband, I want to tell the world of the amazing feats that each have achieved. However, God says, He is the only one to be bragged on. Why not?! Doesn’t everything we have and accomplished come from God?

Have you bragged on God today? Have you told someone how proud you are to serve Him? Do you ever converse with people and just can’t seem to stop talking about Jesus? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it’s time for you to REALLY get to KNOW God. Spend intimate time alone with God. Read his Word. Talk to him in prayer. Let Him speak to you. I have discovered that I only brag on those who I personally know. I challenge you to cultivate your relationship with God by getting to know Him in a personal way.

Be blessed!

Pastor Earnest & Minister Roline Tag Team Preaching Event

Earnest & Roline will be Tag Team Preaching for the Pastor & Wife Anniversary of Pastor Daryl and Lady Gail Dandredge on Sunday October 11, 2009, 10:00 a.m., New Creation BC, North Little Rock, AR.

August 2009

What Do I Say?

By Roline Thomas

In an episode of the TV sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond”, the rambunctious Frank Barone is caught by the store manager sampling trail mix. While Frank’s son Ray and granddaughter Ally look on, a heated argument ensues between the store manager and Frank. As a result, Ally becomes frightened by her grandfather’s public display. When the three returned home, Ray speaks to his father about the negative impact his behavior had on Ally. Initially Frank defends his actions, but later he decides to talk to Ally. Frank asks Ray, “What do I say?”

Frank doesn’t know what to say to Ally because he never talked to her before. He admitted to reading stories and singing songs to her, but he never had a real conversation with her. As I listened to Frank Barone’s confession, I thought about a time in my life when I did not know how to talk to God. Indeed, I was saved, attended church services, read my Bible, and sang songs to Him, but I really did not know how to talk to God. I listened to people whom I labeled “prayer warriors” pray in a powerful and confident manner. I didn’t know anything about sending up timbers and expecting a blessing. Being a city girl, I did not understand the meaning of being mindful that “my bed was not my cooling board and my blanket was not my winding sheet.”

Prayer is our lifeline to God. Prayer unleashes God’s power so that he is able to work in our lives. God is waiting for you to talk to him. He is waiting for you to acknowledge him, think about him, and show him love, honor and respect.

Matthew 6:7 says. “When praying, do not say the same thing over and over again, just as the heathens do, for they think that they shall be heard for their use of many words.” When you talk to God he doesn’t want to hear the same prayer over and over. Prayers prayed in that manner lose their meaning and becomes insincere.

God deserves more than memorized prayers. He deserves to hear your own heartfelt words. Acknowledge who God is in prayer. He is our Father in heaven. Confess your sins. Thank Him for all he has done, is doing and will do in your life. Talk to him in detail about your needs, hopes, dreams, joys,and everything else that is having any kind of importance or effect on your life.
Consistency is a key in prayer. If you don’t talk often to God, you will find yourself not knowing what to say, much like Frank Barone.

Be Blessed!