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

Let Me Introduce You To Melzar

Good Monday Morning To You!!

I have said it before, but it bears repeating. I count it a real joy to visit with you each week. It seems so unreal that it is nearly August. Surely Christmas could only have been a few weeks ago. Time might be flying, but I rejoice in knowing that I have stability and security in my Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him is true joy and peace. I do not know how people can function without Him. From a theological standpoint it is simple. Satan has their eyes blinded and their senses dulled. That being said, from a practical standpoint, I just do not understand. If you are not a believer, you are not led by God’s Holy Spirit. You are like a piece of driftwood out on the ocean. You have no real direction, and you are tossed about at the whim of the waves. You need to surrender your life to the One who can calm the waves and give you a direction, a purpose, and a meaning to life. You need Jesus. The beauty of it is that while you NEED Christ, Christ WANTS you. For you, trusting Him is a no loose proposition. It is a win – win situation. You receive what you need, and Jesus receives what He wants. How do I know Jesus wants you? Just look at what happened on the cross – it was for those in need; it was for you. Call upon Him today. Confess your sin and your sorrow, and receive Him as your Saviour and Lord. If I can help you with that, contact me at either preachercooper@hotmail.com, or fhbcsjc@gmail.com.

The e-addresses I just provided to you can be used by anybody as a way to contact me. I really enjoy hearing from all of you. I hear from someone each week, but I’d sure enjoy hearing from you. Whether you are a friend I know, or one I have yet to meet, let me hear from you. This blog reaches over 18,000 readers worldwide. Think of the fun I would have if I heard from each of you!

Yesterday was another good day at Friendship Harmony. The service was tremendous, and the attendance was fantastic! What a blessing it was to be there. For those of you who cannot be with us due to distance, you can at least experience the preaching portion of our service. The easiest way to do so is to go to www.facebook.com/friendshipharmony. The videos are usually available on Tuesday morning. This week’s message was the conclusion of the three part series called The Making Of The Man. In each message we met three different people from Scriptures, and saw how each was descent, honest, and honorable. Yesterday we met a man from Babylon named Melzar. For more on him, you will find him in Daniel chapter one. The video will be available Tuesday: be sure to watch.

May the LORD bless your upcoming week with peace, comfort, encouragement, or whatever your need might be. Don’t forget to take a few minutes to e-mail a hello back to me. You are also encouraged to send questions or prayer requests. I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!

Picnic At Friendship Harmony

Good Monday Morning To You!!!

Let me say how good it is to visit with you this week. Did anything exciting happen to you since we met last? How about writing me and letting me know. You can send me an e-mail to fhbcsjc@gmail.com or preachercooper@hotmail.com. Either way it is always good hearing from you. Recently I heard from a reader in India, and one in Southern California. I also heard from a someone right here on Pine Island that I have not yet had the pleasure to meet. I hope that person comes to Friendship Harmony soon. I love meeting our own local residents.

This past Saturday we had a picnic/concert at the church in honor of the full-time residents who live in the community with the church. As you might know, we are a new church, and we meet at the clubhouse belonging to the Flamingo Bay Association. They very graciously rent their facility to us, and we wanted to give something back. We felt a picnic and concert given in their honor would be in order. As I stated last week, Friendship Harmony is not going to follow the lead of many other Island churches that all but close up shop during the summer. To me, that sends out a wrong message. That tells our full time people that our winter visitors are worth doing things for, but not them. There is a word for that flawed way of thinking. It is pronounced, “Baloney!” Our full timers are most definitely important! They are the back bone of the community, and we at Friendship Harmony appreciate them.

The picnic was absolutely awesome. The food was great, and it was well attended. Our music was provided by Fiddlin’ Bill. Fiddlin Bill, and his wife, Anita, were so gracious to come and help with our picnic. The people at the picnic enjoyed their music. I have already had several ask me when they are coming back. They will be back on March 9, 2014 in our Sunday morning worship service. That will be the day of our fellowship dinner, so if you are here, come and be with us

While I am thinking of it, let me also tell you that Dustin Jenkins from Nashville, Tennessee will be with us on January 12, 2014, and the Majestic Sounds Quartet from Cincinnati, Ohio will be here on February 9, 2014 for our third annual homecoming. We are also working on booking singers for both November and December. We will let you know as soon as these dates are confirmed.

I continued the sermon series called, “The Making Of A Man.” Last week we looked at Solomon, and yesterday we looked at some of the fine traits in the life of Noah. For both messages, and for those coming in the future, we are examining the same three qualities. These people were descent, they were honest, and they were honorable. First, we said he was descent. In Genesis 6: 8-12, we learned that, “Noah found grace in the sight of the LORD. Grace is from the Hebrew word, “chen,” and here it means, “kindness.” What was it that set Noah apart from everyone else? From our passage of Scriptures we see three reasons. Noah was a just man; he was a “perfect man in his generation” (of a consistent character – never departing from the truth); and he walked with God. Interestingly, the same Hebrew word was used to describe Enoch’s walk with God. Noah was a descent man!

Next, Noah was honest. From Genesis 7:5 we learn that, “Noah did all that the LORD commanded him.” God gave the command, Noah wisely agreed to it, and then he kept his word and carried it out. A man’s or a woman’s character is only as good as their word. Are you honest with your word? Can you be counted on to follow through with the commitments you have made? Noah could. It took him 120 years, but he was faithful to it, and he finished the task he told God he would complete. His word and his promise meant something. He was honest!

Finally, he was honorable. The writer of Hebrews 11:7 tells us, Noah, “… condemned the world…” Exactly what did he do? He preached! He proclaimed the message of Salvation to his countrymen while he labored. Peter called him, “a preacher of righteousness.” (2 Peter 2:5) So how is this honorable? It is honorable in that he did the right thing in warning his neighbors of their impending doom, even in the face of their rejection and ridicule. Sometime the honorable thing to do is stand for what is right, even in the face of opposition. Noah was an honorable man!

For you ladies that are here on Pine Island, don’t forget the ladies’ luncheon this coming Thursday at 1:00 pm. It will be at the Island Grill in the Winn Dixie plaza.

Thanks for being such a faithful reader of this blog. You are what makes it all worthwhile. I hope you have a good, healthy, and pleasant week.

I’ll see you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!!!