The Son and the Sand – February 2004

The Son & the Sand http://www.barefootbelievers.com – February 2004 If it is snowbird season, then why can’t we cage them up and keep them here? Snowbird season is in full swing. Ongoing ministries at Island Retreat RV, Luxury RV, and Gulf State Park Campground are evidence of this fact. You may have seen a bumper sticker somewhere displaying a harsh indication that some of lower Alabama’s locals would like the snowbird population to migrate north – forgive me for printing their slogan: if it’s snowbird season, then why can’t we shoot them? – but the gulf area resort ministries’ team would like nothing better than for the snowbirds to stay put – right here on Alabama’s gulf coast. We love the snowbirds. They bring a excitement and joy with them that is comparable to the wonderful energy that summer missionaries and spring & summer mission teams bring to our area each year. The only problem we have with snowbird season is that it is too short. We treasure this time of year. Many “on mission” Christian snowbird couples and individuals fuel the ministry fire in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Please continue to pray for our snowbird volunteers as they use the gifts God has given them to make a impact on the gulf coast with the gospel message. Also remember to pray for the many snowbirds that are making their first steps in the journey to follow Jesus. January Happenings – Pre-project visits with Jason Grissom and the student ministry team from Eastaboga Baptist Church & Chris Burns and Howard & Leigh Germany from Floyd Association in Rome, GA. These visits are essential to the preparation of the churches’ summer mission trips on the gulf coast. – Resort Worship Services continue at Gulf State Park Campground, Island Retreat RV, and Luxury RV. – Bible Studies & Choir Practices continue at Gulf State Park Campground. – Student Worship (Monday @ 8am) and Friday Devotionals (1pm) continue in Bay Minette at Faulkner State Community College. – In January, I attended academic workshops (biblical hermeneutics & servant leadership) in New Orleans, LA. These classes were excellent. I especially enjoyed rooming with two friends from the First Baptist Church of Fairhope – Chris Estis (minister to students) and Jeff Ingram (minister to senior adults). – Thea began here school work at the University of West Florida. She has now begun working toward a master’s degree in history. Looking Ahead / Prayer Points – This month the summer missions’ staff (consisting of students from Alabama, Kentucky, and Louisiana) will be selected, and they will begin preparing for their amazing summer experience in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. – Spring Break mission teams from Baldwin County, Calhoun Community College, and the University of Alabama Huntsville are in preparation for their spring break mission trip with gulf area resort ministries. – There are exciting possibilities for growth in the area of collegiate ministries at FSCC (Faulkner State Community College). We hope to establish a meeting for the Fairhope campus in partnership with a local church and their student ministry. – Shrimp Festival Committee Meeting on February 12th – Resort Committee Meeting on February 17th – Marti Grai weekend in Baldwin County and Mobile, AL (February 20th – February 24th) – Missions Event / Annie Armstrong Emphasis – Worship Service at the First Baptist Church of Hokes Bluff on February 29th (near my hometown of Gadsden) – Ongoing student worship and devotionals at FSCC – Ongoing snowbird worship services, choir practices, and Bible studies A Quoteable Quote Bill Graham writes in “Unto the Hills”: We shall never understand the extent of God’s love in Christ at the cross until we understand that we will never have to stand before the judgment of God for our sins. Christ took our sins. He finished the work of redemption. I am not saved through any works or merit on my own. I have preached to thousands of people on every continent, but I shall not go to heaven because I am a preacher. I am going to heaven entirely on the merit of the work of Christ. I shall never stand at God’s judgment bar. Romans 8:1-2 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Peace in Christ, Jeff Ford