Have You Made God Any Promises Lately?

Good Monday Morning To You!

Let’s visit for a while. Would you like a nice hot cup of apple cider? I love good cider --- hot or cold. My Kurig Vue not only makes the best cup of coffee I have ever tasted, but the hot cider is tremendous! I’d love to share a cup with each of you, but my house is a bit small if you all should decide to show up at once. There are so many, and I’m grateful for each of you. I wish more of you would send me a e-mail from time to time. You readers can be found all over the world, so send me a note and let me know where you are. In the meanwhile, I’ll pour myself another cup cider and wait.

This past Saturday, Friendship Harmony hosted a free picnic/ concert. The attendance was a bit disappointing, but visitors did come, and I believe we had the people the LORD wanted us to have. Several of the readers of this blog came to join us and I was so honored to meet them. I’d dearly love to meet more of you someday.

Once again our ladies shined with their culinary offerings. The food was awesome and plenteous. If anyone went away hungry, it was their fault. The music was provided by the Gulf State Quartet from Bowling Green, Florida. They did a tremendous job, and hopefully they will be back on Sunday, April 13. Keep reading the blog and we will let you know when we know for sure.

Not only was Saturday good, but yesterday was as well. The songs are currently being selected by members of the congregation. Our people choose so well, and our music is a joyful expression of our love for Christ. If you’re ever in the area, stop by on a Sunday Morning at 10:00 and experience Friendship Harmony.

The message was from Ecclesiastes 5:1-7. The question was, “Have you made God any promises lately?” The text was from verse 4 which says,
“When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.” Have you, in the past, made God any promises? If you have, you need to get started in fulfilling them. God has been faithful to you and He expects, no He requires the same from those who have given their word to Him. If you need help with that, make an appointment to see your local pastor or rabbi. He would be honored to assist you in this. If I can help you, contact me at preachercooper@hotmail.com. You can view the video at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. A facebook membership is not required to see the video.

Have a blessed, healthy, and safe week. Don’t for get the video; it should be posted by Tuesday evening. Remember, I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

The Pot of Gold

Good Monday Morning To You!

I trust you had a good week since we last visited. Yesterday in Sunday School we looked at God’s sign that He would never again destroy this world with water: the rainbow. As I was studying the lesson, I couldn’t help but recall a time when my best friend Johnny Miller and I saw a rainbow and decided to find the pot of gold we believed was at its end. Johnny and I were next door neighbors and had quite a few adventures together. We wanted to find that pot of gold, so off we went on our bikes. We lived in a village near Cincinnati called Elmwood Place. Elmwood Place, we simplified it and called it Elmwood, was surrounded by Cincinnati on three sides. Johnny and I could ride our bikes anywhere we wanted, but we had to stay in Elmwood. Occasionally we ventured into Carthage, which was inside Cincinnati city limits, but it was only two blocks away and was allowed. Johnny and I are still friends after 55 years, and I can tell you that neither of us ever found it. I was always told you could not find the end of a rainbow. I believed it until about a year ago when my son, Jason, said he happened upon a rainbow that touched the ground in front of him. Sadly, he also reported that apparently someone else had been there before him - the pot of gold was gone! Jason has my luck; a day late and a dollar short. However, at least he found what Johnny and I couldn’t.

Yesterday was a super day at Friendship Harmony. We had an excellent service and the attendance was good. If there was one word that could be used to describe Friendship Harmony it would be “excited.” Our people are excited about their church. What a blessing! This upcoming Saturday at Noon we are having a picnic/concert. We have invited all of Pine Island to join us. We want them to get acquainted with our church. It is our prayer that once they experience Friendship Harmony, they will want to be a part of us. As I’ve said many times before, you do not attend Friendship Harmony, you experience Friendship Harmony. If you’re in the area this week-end, come see us this Saturday at 12 noon. There will be good food and a concert with the Gulf State Quartet from Bowling Green, Florida. If you are anywhere close by, you’ll be glad you did!

Yesterday I preached a sermon called, “The Great Love Story.” It was taken from The Song of Solomon 7:10-13. In this passage we see a beautiful story unfold about a bride who is greatly in love with her husband. She loves him because she knows he loves her too - beyond measure. This is a picture of the church and her bride-groom the Lord Jesus Christ. The notes are below and the video should be ready by tomorrow. To see it go to www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. I believe you can see it even if you do not have a facebook account.

The Great Love Story
Song of Solomon 7:10-13

v. 10a. not a feeling of ownership, but relationship
1. This is not a unique human trait ex.. My wife, my children, my church etc…
b. The reason for the feeling expressed.
1. From a Hebrew word pronounced
tesh-oo-kaw’ meaning “stretching out”

V11-12 We want to go where He wants to go:
In the field - John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
Christ commissioned us to go into the fields, because He came to “seek and to save that which was lost.

Lodge in the villages --- Be around others, including sinners The Bible says Christ was a friend of sinners and publicans.
Too many believers stay locked in the church.

Go to the vineyards -- the vineyard can refer to Israel. Isaiah 5:7 For the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of Israel, and the men of Judah his pleasant plant: and he looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry.
They are in the field where sinners are, the villages where all kinds of people are, and the vineyards where believers are.

V13 The results of our love for Christ.
We offer Him pleasant fruits -- souls!
Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Conclusion: Do you have a love relationship with Jesus? To have it, all you have to do is want it?

I do hope the notes are a blessing to you. If you will print them, then follow on the video, you will receive so much more from them. Summer is past and autumn is here, so enjoy this new season the LORD has given to us. Stay well, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Hello Again!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

Wow!!! It seems like forever since we have visited. I had a computer problem which took a few weeks to fix. After the laptop was repaired, I was unable to get on the net. My modem was bad, so Century Link sent me a new one. Their instructions were easy to follow, but I could not make it work. I called tech support and the bottom line was my modem was on recall. The company said many of the units had the wrong password on the label. As much of an inconvenience as it was, it was a relief to know I had done nothing wrong during the set up procedure. They are sending me a replacement, but told me how to get on the net. This blog requires me to be on the internet, so here I am. Technology is great, and it affords us many opportunities, but I think I like the old days better. It was simpler then. However, here we are in the twenty first century with all its gadgets, and I believe they are a gift from God which He wants used for His glory. I believe if the Apostle Paul were alive today, He would utilize every opportunity to present the gospel.

At Friendship Harmony we have this blog and our video ministry. Both give us the ability to reach the whole world. This blog has readers in The United States, China, Brazil, Australia, India, Canada, and other parts of the globe. What a tremendous blessing!

Yesterday was a good day at the church. Our attendance has held pretty well throughout the summer. New families are coming, and we are staying busy. On Saturday, September 28, we are having a picnic and a Gospel Concert. We have invited all of Pine Island to come. Friendship Harmony is still a new church, and we want to take the opportunity to let people know who we are. We have placed an ad in our local paper, and our members are busy inviting those with whom they come into contact. The Gulf State Quartet from central Florida will provide the music, if you are in the area, come out and be with us. The picnic starts at Noon.

I know this blog is a bit short today, but I wanted to let you know that I’m still alive and kicking. After a few minor computer glitches are corrected, we should be able to get back on track again. Also let me remind you that our video ministry is still active. You can view it at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony.

Have a good week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Computer Update...

Happy Labor Day! Pastor Cooper's computer is still down, but he is hoping it will be back next week....he will see you then!

Monday Morning Will Return Soon....

Hello everyone, this is Michele, Pastor Vic's daughter. He has asked me to let everyone know that his computer is down and hopefully, being repaired this week! He will be unable to update the blog temporarily, but please keep your eyes peeled for his return... Thanks! :)

The Dolphins And Miss Bessie

Good Monday Morning To You!

Bess and I are back from our trip. It was a pleasant trip, but cold in places that normally do not get cold in early August, and quite wet. I never dreamed I’d need a sweater, but it definitely would have made life more comfortable. I tried both Wal Mart and K Mart to find one, but both stores said they would not be stocking them until early September. It is nice to be back in Florida! Even though it was a trip of family business and not pleasure, we did get to visit the Seaquarium in Miami, Florida.

Ever since Miss Bessie was a little girl, she has wanted to swim with the dolphins. For her it would be a dream come true. Several years ago she was in the Gulf of Mexico swimming and dolphins were close by, but those had no human contact. However, at the Miami Seaquarium, they have several different dolphin encounters a person can choose from. You can do a thirty minute swim with them, up to spending an entire day with the trainers, assisting them in their duties. Bess took the thirty minute swim which also included a thirty minute training session on dolphin interaction. I was allowed to come in as an observer, and it was quite interesting. I want you to know that Miss Bessie had the time of her life. She is still on cloud nine! She was with three male dolphins named Abeco, Echo, and Riley. I couldn’t tell one from another, but the trainers tell me they have sixteen dolphins and they know each of them by name. One thing really impressed us about the Miami Seaquarium: the animals and their trainers genuinely seemed to love one another. Whether it was the dolphins, the whales, the birds, or the other animals, both human and animal absolutely cared for one another. It was good to know that these animals were not being exploited for monetary gain, but were loved and properly cared for.

Bess got to shake hands with the dolphins, as well as hug them, pet them, and even kiss them. She was also allowed to give a command which the dolphin obeyed. Bess was excited to get to hand feed them, but the biggest thrill of all was getting to hold onto Echo’s fin, and have him carry her across the large pool. Bess is an excellent swimmer, but I told her Echo moved her across the water faster than she ever had on her own. She said the entire day was the thrill of a lifetime. It was quite exhilarating for me as well to see her enjoying her time with her three dolphins! We have pictures. If I can ever learn how to upload them, I’ll share a few of them with you.

Yesterday was a really good day at Friendship Harmony. We had a guest speaker, Bro. Ricky Boyton, preaching for us. I’ve known Ricky for just a short while, but I can tell you he is a fine Christian and an excellent preacher. Our people, Pastor Vic included, really enjoyed and benefited from his message. He spoke about the goodness of God from Psalm 107:1-2. Several people asked if we could have him back again, and I’d be honored if he would return. Ricky also brought his wife, Angela, and their daughter, Olivia, with him. Ricky surprised me by saying he will be taking my class on Human Geography of Bible Peoples beginning later this evening at the Southwest Florida Bible Institute. I believe he will be a fine addition to the class.

Thanks for reading the blog. I appreciate you so very much. May I ask a favor from you? Would you remember Friendship Harmony Baptist Church as well as the Cooper family in your prayers? It means so much to know that good, Godly people all over the globe are praying. If we can pray specifically for you, let us know. You can send your request to www.fhbcsjc@gmail.com. We at FHBC would be honored to pray for you. I promise you if you’d like your name and request kept confidential, I will honor your request. Have a good and safe week, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Takin' Some Time Off

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

While you are reading this, I am off on a working vacation. Bess and I are relaxing, but on August 12, classes begin at the Southwest Florida Bible Institute where I will be teaching "Human Geography Of Bible Peoples." This course is part Geography, part History, part Manners and Customs, and part Hermunitics, which is Biblical Interpretation. The first class will be an introduction and will take us from Adam to Abraham. I'm a rookie professor, so I'll let you know how it went.

I'm told services were good yesterday at Friendship Harmony. The church was blessed to have an Indian missionary do the preaching. This man works with orphanages in India, and is involved in Indian church planting. The service was not videoed as the camera can be intimidating if you're not used to it.

Have a good, safe week and I'll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vi