Memories of Dad and Mom

Good Monday Morning To You,
I hope you had a good week since we last visited. Yesterday was Father’s Day. Was it a good day for you? It was for me. I heard from all four of my kids, and my youngest son, Jason, came over on Saturday and spent the day with us. Just having him there was great!!!

I was thinking about my own dad and many fine memories flooded my mind. I remember once when I was about five years old, my dad, mom, Howard and Alene Cooper, and I were all sick. My dad believed that when you were sick the best thing for you was a shot of penicillin. We went to a doctor in Cincinnati named Dr. Schuelsinger. He was an old German Jew, and he believed in shots also. I hated shots. I just did not do needles very well. Dr. Schuelsinger’s office was downtown, and it only had one exam room. Mom went back first and I went in with her. When she was about to get her shot, I went back out into the lobby. Mom came out and dad went in and I walked back with him. Sure enough, dad got his shot, but not a word was said to me. I was not getting a shot! I was elated!

Dad paid the receptionist and we started back home. We lived in a little village called Elmwood Place. We were not in Cincinnati city limits, but it surrounded us on three sides. Our house was about five miles from the doctor’s office. Dad turned to mom and said, “How did Victor do with his shot?” Mom said, “I thought he was you when he got his shot.” It was at this point that I knew that a shot was the least of my worries. Dad, much to my surprise, did not say a word. He simply circled the block and headed back downtown to Dr. Schuelsinger’s office and took me in. He went to the receptionist and told her what had happened. I heard her say, “Sure, no problem.” I was then escorted back to his office, where I was examined, and received my sentence: penicillin injection. At the time it was a horrible experience, but as I look back on it some fifty five years later I can say in all honesty that it was indeed a horrible experience. At least now the tears are not from fear of the shot, but from missing mom and dad so much. The beautiful thing is that mom and dad were Christians, so the separation is just temporary. I will see them again.

My Father’s Day message will be available tomorrow, Tuesday morning. The title is “What Every Man Should Be.” The life we examined was Joseph, the earthly daddy of the little boy Jesus. Joseph was a fine example for his children, and is a good role model for us today – men and women alike. I hope you’ll watch the video, it is only 10 minutes in length. You can find it at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. Remember, you do not have to have a Facebook account to see the video.

Thank you for spending these few minutes with me. Thanks for letting me share my memories with you. If you’d like to share some with me, drop me an e-mail at fhbcsjc@gmail.com. I’d love to hear from you. Stay safe and well, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Will The Real Victor Cooper Please Stand Up!

Good Monday Morning To You!

It’s always good to see you and visit with you. Thank you for inviting me into your home, office, or wherever we happen to meet. Some people have asked since my last two blogs, “Are you really adopted?” Others, knowing my inability to play it straight said, “Print the real truth about who you are.” The real me is pretty boring, but I’ve decided today to play it straight and tell you some about the real me. First of all, I am definitely not adopted. I was born to Howard and Alene Cooper in Cincinnati, Ohio in the mid-fifties. I grew up in several Cincinnati neighborhoods, but all within walking distance of city limits. Until I was five years old, we did live inside the city. In the late fifties we moved to a little independent village totally surrounded by Cincinnati called Elmwood Place. We stayed there until I finished the sixth grade. If the school had not bought the property, we might be there still. My parents then bought a home in Norwood in which my mom still resides. Norwood, also, is an independent city surrounded by Cincinnati. In fact, I read somewhere that Norwood, Ohio is the largest city in the world to be totally surrounded by another city. That’s pretty cool if its true! The best four years of my life were spent at Norwood High School. In fact, it was one of my teachers, Mr. J. R. Phillips, who instilled in me the confidence that I carry around to this day. As you probably already know I am a Cincinnati Reds fan. Whenever I’m in Cincy, I try to take in a game or two. Often I plan my vacation with the home schedule in mind

As I type these words, Bess and I are in Gainesville, Florida for a four day Bible Conference sponsored by the Florida Baptist Convention. This conference centers around church planting, i.e. starting churches. They will share with us things others have successfully done in the past, as well as ideas that have been tried and that have failed. They gave us some pre-conference materials to study in order to be ready for this intense conference. I am prepared and very excited about these classes. I’m quite tired, though. We left after Church yesterday morning and had a nice trip. We stopped at a rest area and had a picnic lunch with our son Kevin and his student. He is teaching a friend how to drive a semi. Kevin had been home, and was driving to Atlanta to get back to his truck. We used to stop and picnic alongside the road often with the kids when they were little and we were on family vacations. We did it when I was a kid, too.

Yesterday I continued a series of sermons dealing with our relationship with Jesus. The series is titled Jesus Our …. Today we examined the topic, Jesus Our Preacher. Did you ever think of Jesus as a preacher? Yet, He was! The notes are enclosed for your personal Bible study. I do hope they help.

Jesus Our Preacher

Jesus Our….. Series By Victor Cooper
03/30,31-4/1-3/11

Intro: Today we continue with a series of messages focusing on what Jesus is to us, or could be to you if you have not yet received His love and pardon. We have examined the topic Jesus Our Shepherd. Today we will see Jesus as our Preacher. In the future we will examine Jesus our Teacher, Jesus our Savior and Jesus our LORD.

I. A preacher is…
A. In the OT an assembler; a lecturer.
1. It is used 7 times, all in the Book of Ecclesiastes.
B. In the NT it is used 4 times in four books and means a herald; a proclaimed of Gospel truth.
C. Paul claimed to be a preacher.

II. A preacher warns.
A. Luke 3:7 Then said he to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (John)
B. Matthew 24:1-2 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
C. Mark 14:27-30 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

III. A preacher proclaims the Good News.
A. Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
B. John 8:18 I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.
C. John 14:6 / John 15:9 6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

Conclusion: The Preacher, Jesus’ message is still the same today. Listen as He proclaims the Good News to you.
John 3:16-19 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.


Delivered 4/3/11 to The Friendship Harmony Baptist Church

Have a good week. Maybe in the future I will tell you a little more about Pastor Vic. Maybe you can write and share some of your experiences with me. I enjoy when you write or call. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

I Must Be Adopted!

Good Monday Morning to you,

My how the week flew by. It seem like just moments ago that I told you how much I liked Daylight Savings Time and how much my Dad, Howard Cooper, did not. My mom, Alene, it turns out, doesn’t like it either. I always thought I was adopted. Both my parents like seafood - I do not. They like to eat greens - me, no way. They even like liver! Oh mercy!!! We do have some similarities though. The three of us like a bowl of soup beans (pinto beans just so the city folk know) a hunk of cornbread, and a tall glass of buttermilk. I’ve even seen my dad pour a little bit of dill pickle juice in his beans. I’ve tried this and still do it from time to time. It’s good.

Yesterday I began a new sermon series called Jesus Our … The topic was Jesus our Shepherd. We talked about how there are only two sheepfolds: Christ’s and satan’s. I tried to point out how the benefits of belonging to Jesus far exceeded anything satan had to offer and that the eternal benefits are beyond compare. Some of you English scholars may be wondering how come I am not capitalizing the proper name “satan.” There are two reasons: first, there is nothing proper about him. Next, he does not deserve to have his name capitalized, rules of grammar or not. I’m part of Christ’s sheepfold; I owe satan nothing, least of all respect. The sermon notes are below; feel free to use them for your personal Bible study. You preachers and teachers may feel free to use them as well if they suit your needs.

Jesus Our Shepherd
John 15:13
Jesus Our….. Series By Victor Cooper
03/15,16/11
Intro: Today we begin a series of messages focusing on what Jesus is to us, or could be to you if you have not yet received His love and pardon. We will examine such topics as Jesus Our Shepherd, Jesus our Preacher, Jesus our Teacher, Jesus our Savior and Jesus our LORD.

I. Jesus is our Good Shepherd.
A. Does Jesus refute that claim? Matthew 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
1. Good >agathos> intrinsically good; good from within
2. Jesus is good from within as only God is. Therefore, He is God.
3. He was waiting for the rich young ruler to acknowledge that He was God.
4. The young ruler had his hand on the doorknob of Heaven’s gate, but would not turn it and go in.
B. In John chapter 10, twice Jesus did claim to be the Good Shepherd. Here “good” is kalos; valuable, virtuous.
1. How good? The 23rd Psalm answers that question.

II. He is our Gentle Shepherd.
A. “Gentle,” speaking of God, is ep-ee-I kace’. It means mild, patient.
B. Our Patient Shepherd in Romans 15:5 is called “… the God of patience…”
1. One adjective concerning God is longsuffering, ie long patience. “patience with joy”
example: When I taught my son to ride a bike. It took many attempts, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

III. He is our Gracious Shepherd.
A. The word “grace” is used 168 times in the KJV.
B. Grace is receiving from God that which you do not deserve.
1. Mercy is not receiving from God that which you do deserve.
C. Our salvation came through grace. Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.

D. Our Christianity is lived through grace.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

IV. He is our Glorified Shepherd.
A. He is with the Father.
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
B. He is coming again. Acts 1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Conclusion: Is He your Shepherd or do you belong to another sheep fold? Make sure you know for sure before you leave this building this morning!

Delivered to The Friendship Harmony Baptist Church 3/20/11/ 10:00a.m. service

I do hope the notes are of benefit to you. If you would ever like to discuss them, or have any questions, I’d be most happy to talk with you. Feel free to phone me, or use E-mail if you’d like. My e-mail is
preacher cooper@hotmail.com. Today is the first full day of spring. I hope your springtime is all you want it to be. Don’t forget to enjoy every day God gives you. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Remembrance from Christmas Past

Good Monday Morning To You!!!!

Merry Christmas to you. I like the smell of Christmas. As I write this, our house smells like gingerbread. Miss Bessie is baking gingerbread cakes to go into fruit baskets our church, Friendship Harmony, is delivering to our shut in folk. We hope to make their Christmas a little brighter by letting them know we love them and that they are not forgotten. What is your favorite Christmas smell? Is it freshly cut evergreen? Artificial trees are nice, and are a real convenience, but the smell of a real Christmas tree brings about warm memories of Christmases past.

One past Christmas I remember quite well. We lived in Elmwood Place, a little village tucked safely inside the borders of Cincinnati. The year was somewhere around 1963. I was nine years old at that time. My bedroom door opened out into the living room; there was no door-knob. I decided to turn out the lights, hide in my bedroom, and catch Santa in the act. I told my parents of my plan, so it was agreed we’d all hide in my room and peek through where a knob should have been. We must have been in that room for two hours or better, spying on Santa. My mom would occasionally say that Santa was pretty smart and would not likely be caught. I was persistent, and mom and dad were patient. I didn’t realize until years later that the best gift I received that year was not under the tree, but was hiding out with me in that bedroom peeking out the keyhole. Thanks mom and dad --- that was a great Christmas.

Do you have time for one other Christmas from Pastor Vic? For as long as I remember, our family celebration began at 6:00pm on December 24th. I guess that’s the Hebrew in me coming out (if indeed there is any). At 6:00 we were ready to, “let the fun begin.” Every year my mom would slow us down and say, “not until we read the Christmas story.” We had, and still have, a Christmas story book that had the section from Luke’s Gospel about the account of Christ’s birth. Not one gift was touched until that story was read. I remember one year I asked if I could read the story. Mom and Dad agreed, so I read, skipping forward as I went. Somehow we had to speed things along, after all, the presents were waiting. Mom let me finish then she said something like, “That was nice, now lets read it again so we can hear the entire story.” I learned that day that you do not want to try to pull the wool over Sunday School attending Southern Baptist parents.

In the spirit of the season, and to slow hectic times down a bit, lets read the story again. I do not know your favorite translation, so allow me to use the King James Version. Call me a traditionalist if you must, but to me, the KJV’s account has a certain beauty about it surpassed by none other.

Luke Chapter 2
Augustus enrolls all the Roman Empire
1 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
An angel announces it to shepherds
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

There mom, the whole thing this time, no cheating. From the entire Cooper Family, which is now splashed all over these United States, Merry Christ- filled Christmas, and may your New Year be filled with the blessings of hope, health, and happiness. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.