Decoration Day!!!

Good Monday Morning To You!!

I hope you have had a good and a safe week. Let me say Happy Memorial Day to you from all of us here at Friendship Harmony. When I was a boy it was known as Decoration Day? Does anyone else remember that? Every year my parents would load up the car and head for “down home.” For us, down home was Harlan County, Kentucky. We would go to the graves and “decorate.” My Mamaw and Papaw Cooper were buried in a family plot on top of Little Black Mountain. The hike up the mountain was through thick brush on a copperhead infested hillside. Each year it became more and more difficult until dad finally said we could not go up there any more. Those graves were grown over and abandoned until just a few years ago when the State of Kentucky put a road in. I have not seen it, but I’m told the graves look nice, are well kept, and you can drive up to them. I’d like to see them one day.

Yesterday was a super day at Friendship Harmony. The attendance was good and the presence of God’s Spirit was evident. With it being Memorial Day weekend, we sang patriotic songs. We started with Abraham Lincoln’s favorite hymn, “The Battle Hymn Of The Republic.” I too have always liked that song. For our offertory, our pianist played “The Star Spangled Banner,” We followed that by pledging to the American Flag. It was a very moving and enjoyable service.

Last week we looked at death from a practical standpoint. The three points were: The pain of separation; The hope of expectation; The joy of jubilation. This week we look at death again, but this time from a theological standpoint. The message can be seen on our internet video ministry. You can see it at www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. Remember, you do not need a Facebook account to access the videos. This week’s video should be ready by tomorrow (Tuesday) morning. I hope the videos are a blessing to you.

Thank you for being so dedicated to both our written blog and our videos. We do them with the desire to serve our Lord Jesus Christ, and to be a blessing to each of you. Be sure to contact us from time to time; we love hearing from you. Our E-mail address is fhbcsjc@gmail.com.

Pastor Vic: A Sweet, Innocent, Misunderstood Freshman Seminarian

Good Monday Morning To You.

Happy Memorial Day to each of you. As you enjoy this special day, don’t forget to thank God for our military --- both active and retired. Be sure to pray for those currently serving. My daughter is married to a soldier, Tim, and I sure am proud of him. I pray for his safety, and the safety of his buddies daily. May God bless our military and their families.

It is hard to believe that this coming January I’ll be sixty years old. It seems like just days ago that my childhood best friend, Johnny Miller and I used to tear up the streets of Elmwood Place, nestled in Cincinnati, with our bikes. Only yesterday I was a freshman in Bible College, starting life’s journey, yet that was 41 years ago. Who would have dreamed that a rowdy Southern Baptist prankster attending an “independent” Baptist College would return to Seminary one day as professor of Human Geography. Talk about the Sovereignty of God…!

I recall the day I started my Bible classes. I went to the school knowing only one other person. I hated my name. I literally cringed at being “Victor” - even “Vic” bothered me. I did, however, like my middle name, Wayne. I decided that since this was a new environment, I could change my name and go by “Wayne.” I introduced my self as Wayne, and that is how I was known. Everything was fine for a day or two, but soon I got the reputation for being a conceited snob. The problem? I would walk the sidewalks of the campus and someone would call out, “Hey Wayne!” I would walk on by, not realizing they were talking to me. People would say, “He’s one of those Southern Baptist. They’re uppity.” I really wasn’t, I just did not link “Wayne” with me. Soon I became Vic again and all was well. Actually I became a bit of a hero when I knocked the Dean’s hat off his head with a snowball. I’ll tell you more about that in a future blog.

All I can say about services yesterday at Friendship Harmony is, “WOW!” What a blessing! The attendance was good, and the service was very uplifting. If a genie in a bottle was to allow me to pastor the church of my choice, it would be Friendship Harmony. There are churches that are bigger, but none are better. Each week the presence of the LORD is real. He is indeed with us. I am pleased to announce that we received a special offering for the Southern Baptist relief efforts in Oklahoma. As you read this, Southern Baptists are on the ground in that tornado stricken area providing assistance, food, and spiritual comfort. If you would like to help, send your donation of any size to Friendship Harmony Baptist Church. On the memo line write “Oklahoma.” We will then forward it on to the proper location. Send your gift today so that we can get the money to where it is needed most. The address is Box 583; St. James City, Florida 33956. Our offering was $300. With the help of you, our faithful readers, we should be able to increase that total. Thank you for your help.

Several years ago I was preaching a message and I made the statement that when I got to Heaven, I planned to find Adam and ask him, “What were you thinking?” From those few words, a sermon series developed called “What Were You Thinking?” Yesterday we asked the question of Adam. From Scriptures we can ascertain his answer. The notes are below and you can see and hear the message in its entirety on Tuesday. To do so you can go to www.youtube.com. From their homepage banner type, in Friendship Harmony Baptist Church and hit enter. From our icon, scroll to the title, “Adam, What Were You Thinking?” I hope the notes and the video are a blessing to you.

“Adam, What Were You Thinking?”
Genesis 3:1-9
1st in a series By: Vic Cooper
09/21/06
Updated 5/13

When I get to Heaven, one of the first people I want to meet is Adam. I want to ask him, “What were you thinking?” Until then, we can look into Scripture and get a glimpse of what was going on with our first parents.

I. What Adam had:
A. dominion over the earth --- 1:28-30
B. a home with provisions --- 2:8, 9
C. responsibility --- 2:15
D. a companion --- 2:21, 22
E. fellowship with God --- 3:8a

II. What Satan had:
A. nothing --- 1:30 --- man had dominion over the serpent
B. loss of God’s fellowship --- Ezekiel 28:14-16
1. Cherubim were in the “inner circle of the angles.” (BKC)
2. They were charged with guarding God’s holiness.


III. What Adam wanted:
A. to please his companion --- 3:6
1. It was willful on Adam’s part. Cf.1 Tim. 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
B. to be like God --- 3:5
C. more
1. J. Paul Getty, the one time richest man in the world said all he wanted was one penny more.


IV. What Satan offered:
A. Lies, and deceit --- 3:1 subtil> aw-room’> shrewd
B. (BKC) “ The word of the Lord brought life and order; the word of the serpent brought chaos and death. Truth is older than falsehood; God’s word came before Satan’s lies.”
C. John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, …He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. …he is a liar, and the father of it.”

“Adam, What were you thinking?”
“I thought God was withholding good from me.”
“I thought I could be like God.”
“I thought it would be good to be like God.”
“I didn’t think God would really punish us.”

V. What Adam received:
A. the curse --- 3:16-19 They would still be doing as
they had done before with one notable addition: the
curse.
B. separation from God --- 3:23,24

Next week we will meet with the Apostle Peter and ask him what was he thinking when he denied Jesus. If you cannot be with us at FHBC, I hope you get a copy of those notes, and that you will continue to visit with us on youtube. Again, have a happy and safe Memorial Day, and I trust that whatever your plans are for the day, they will include a pause to reflect on the true meaning of the day. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Happy Decoration Day!!!

Good Monday Morning to you. Happy Decoration Day! When I was a kid that’s what Memorial Day was called. It was the day my parents went back home to Harlan Co. Kentucky to decorate the graves. Decoration Day was the original name of the holiday. It was originally intended to honor the Civil War’s fallen on both sides. It remained that way until after World War I, when the graves of all military personnel were decorated. Over the years the day unofficially became the day to decorate the graves of whomsoever. Today, many people have no clue as to this special day‘s factual meaning. Sadly, it is known to most as the official kick-off to summer. I hope you will at least pause and remember our fallen military heroes. To do it properly, stop and pause at 3:00p.m. in whatever time zone you live. If your city still has a parade, why not go. If you see a Veteran, stop and thank them. It is the little things that mean so much.

We celebrated Memorial Day at Friendship Harmony by sharing the history of the day, our pledge to the flag, and recognizing our veterans. We had three veterans present yesterday: Ken Long, James Gephart, and Bob Fain. On behalf of the Friendship Harmony Baptist Church, I want to thank them for their service. Thanks goes to all our veterans as well as those who are active duty at this very moment. Until the day finally comes when, “…he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more (Isaiah 2:4); we thank those who were willing to “take up the sword and the spear.”

I concluded our heroes of Israel series by getting to know a man named Jabez. Jabez can be found in the book of 1 Chronicles 4:9,10. In just these two verses, we can learn much about the character of this God-fearing man. Some historians believe that Jabez and Othniel, Israel’s first judge are the same person. The arguments they give are convincing, but scant. Pastor Vic’s official response is, “I don’t know.” I suppose when we get to Heaven, we can ask him. Below are the notes. As always, you are free to use them for your personal Bible Study. You other preachers may use them too, but if you do so in written form, contact me as they are copyright protected. (My Cincinnati lawyers make me say that!)

Heroes Of Israel: Jabez
1 Chronicles 4:9,10
Sermon Series: Heroes of Israel 05/28/11
By Victor Cooper

I. He had a Godly reputation.
A. Some historians believe that Jabez, and Othniel, Israel’s first judge were one and the same.
B. The pause in the Biblical narrative, to expound on Jabez, would seem to indicate Divine approval, thus signifying a Godly reputation.

II. He was dedicated to the service of the LORD.
1 Chronicles 4:10 “…and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil …”
A. He asked God to keep His hand on him.
B. He asked God to keep him from evil.
C. Jesus would pray something similar; “…and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”
“The rhetorical form of the sentence is a vow promising allegiance to the true God.”
Popular Commentary of the Bible

III. Jabez led by example. 1 Chronicles 4:9 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren…
A. Again, the Biblical narrative, would indicate he was a leader and what kind he was.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible.
Jabez was a man of learning and piety.
1. In learning, because we find that the families of the scribes dwelt at Jabez (ch. 2:55), a city which, it is likely, took its name from him. The Jews say that he was a famous doctor of the law and left many disciples behind him. And it should seem, by the mentioning of him so abruptly here, that his name was well known when Ezra wrote this.

2. In piety, because we find here that he was a praying man. His inclination to devotion made him truly honourable, and by prayer he obtained those blessings from God which added much to his honour. The way to be truly great is to be truly good and to pray much.

IV. Jabez prayed intercessory prayers.
A. Nothing in Scriptures indicated he prayed for others, but undoubtedly he did, because God granted his prayer for himself.
B. There is no sin in praying for yourself.
C. Jesus prayer said, “let this cup pass from me.” (italics mine)
D. It is likely due to Jabez’ character, that what God used to bless him, he in turn would use it to bless others.

V. God listened to Jabez. 1 Chronicles 4:10 …And God granted him that which he requested.

Preached at Friendship Harmony Baptist Church 5/29/11/a.m.

I hope you have a really good week. Wherever you are, please stay safe and healthy. Call or write if you care to. Good bye for now, and I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Memorial Day 2010

Good Monday to you and Happy Memorial Day!

I hope your day is well thus far. I imagine many of you will spend the day at picnics or engage in some other activity involving friends and family. As a child this holiday was known to me as Decoration Day. I remember we would leave Cincinnati as soon as Dad got home from work and travel about 7 hours to Harlan County Kentucky where my parents were born. Back then there was no such thing as I-75. Mom and Dad went to see family still living there and to decorate the graves of loved ones. Precious memories!

Today, the Coopers will enjoy the day with Sister Brenda Conley coming over and grilling out. She is bringing my favorite dessert --- Pineapple upside cake!!! I’ll have two pieces and forfeit my steak. Better yet, I’ll dub my meal Steak & Cake and forget the salad, corn on the cob, and baked potato. Who needs all those carbs?

Do you like the new web site? This is the best way to communicate with a group. Monday Morning With Pastor Vic has grown to over eighty people, and to send it meant entering each E-mail address one at a time. I didn’t mind, but my daughter Michele, who is a web designer, told me there is a much more efficient and better looking way to send these out to you. As I learn these things, there may be a few bumps in the road, but hopefully things will go smoothly, and we can meet each Monday morning.

We had a good day in Church yesterday. As I have told you, May was Mother’s Month from the pulpit of the First Baptist Church of St. James City. Yesterday we looked at the mother of Timothy, a dear lady named Eunice. Scriptures do not tell us too much about her; at least not directly. We can, however, look at the result of her parenting as we see what kind of man her son Timothy became. We know that from an early age she taught Timothy a life long love for the Bible. The Scriptures were dear to her and were not just ancient words on paper. To her, and subsequently to Timothy, these words became personal convictions because they had been experienced. This is called experiential learning. Not experimental, but experiential. Experimental learning is where you try the Word of God to determine if its teachings are really true. Jesus said in John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” As you experiment with the Scriptures and see that indeed they are of great value in your life, that experimental learning becomes experiential learning. For example, believers are taught that as you pass through the storms of life, Christ will be with you and will sustain you. When you first heard that, you might have believed it simply because you were taught you had to believe what the Bible says, and right you should. However, once you had actually passed through a storm and could sense the presence of Jesus upholding you and lifting you up, you became convinced. It happened to you, it was real! Eunice taught Timothy to assurance. She did not teach him assurance for that cannot be taught. Assurance has to be learned by experiences. She taught him to assurance. She taught him the sources of his experiences were two: Scriptures, and living in them. What a remarkable legacy she left for not only her son, but for believers of all ages. Timothy’s name, evidently selected by Eunice, means, “one who fears God.” That is exactly what she taught him to do and to be.

My car saga continues. Carl’s service told me my intake manifold would be $782.00 parts and labor. They said it would be a major job. I hate spending that kind of $ on a car with 160 thousand miles. I would buy another if I could, but at this time that will just have to wait. Hopefully things will hold on while I save for the repairs. It is going into the shop tomorrow for brakes and an oil change, plus I have a slow leak in one of my tires. Hopefully that is not such a big deal. If these were the good old days of horses, mine would probably be sick and old, so I guess things aren’t so bad! Oh well…..

Don’t forget, write me back. I really enjoy hearing from you, even just a few lines.