Volume 5 Issue 11 mailto:rainbow@rainbowpca.org Website: http://www.rainbowpca.org/   NOVEMBER 2008

When times are tough, and the future is unsure...

the best attitude is one of gratitude to
our God... like our Founding Fathers

Volume 5 Issue 11 mailto:rainbow@rainbowpca.org Website: http://www.rainbowpca.org/   NOVEMBER 2008

When times are tough, and the future is unsure...

the best attitude is one of gratitude to
our God... like our Founding Fathers

Ps 100:4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

The First National Thanksgiving Proclamation, November 1, 1777

FORASMUCH as it is the indispensable Duty of all Men to adore the superintending Providence of Almighty God; to ac­knowledge with Gratitude their Obligation to him for Benefits received, and to implore such farther Blessings as they stand in Need of: And it having pleased him in his abundant Mercy, not only to continue to us the innumerable Bounties of his common Providence; but also to smile upon us in the Prosecution of a just and necessary War, for the Defense and Estab­lishment of our unalienable Rights and Liberties; particularly in that he hath been pleased, in so great a Measure, to prosper the Means used for the Support of our Troops, and to crown our Arms with most signal success: It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive Powers of these UNITED STATES to set apart THURSDAY, the eighteenth Day of December next, for SOLEMN THANKSGIVING and PRAISE: That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor; and that, together with their sincere Acknowledgments and Offerings, they may join the penitent Con­fession of their manifold Sins, whereby they had forfeited every Favor; and their humble and earnest Supplication that it may please GOD through the Merits of JESUS CHRIST, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of Remembrance; That it may please him graciously to afford his Blessing on the Governments of these States respectively, and prosper the public Council of the whole: To inspire our Commanders, both by Land and Sea, and all under them, with that Wisdom and Forti­tude which may render them fit Instruments, under the Providence of Almighty GOD, to secure for these United States, the greatest of all human Blessings, INDEPENDENCE and PEACE: That it may please him, to prosper the Trade and Manu­factures of the People, and the Labor of the Husbandman, that our Land may yield its Increase: To take Schools and Semi­naries of Education, so necessary for cultivating the Principles of true Liberty, Virtue and Piety, under his nurturing Hand; and to prosper the Means of Religion, for the promotion and enlargement of that Kingdom, which consisteth "in Right­eousness, Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost."

And it is further recommended, That servile Labor, and such Recreation, as, though at other Times innocent, may be unbecoming the Purpose of this Appointment, be omitted on so solemn an Occasion.

God Bless, Lea

After 5 years of student ministry here at Rainbow, the Lord has made it very clear that it is time for Margaret and me to wrap things up. Believe me when I say this decision was not made rashly. This is something I have been praying about for the last 2 years. It's a sad decision and a hard one, but it is also the right decision. As I said from the pulpit in both services last week, I tell the students to run hard after Jesus and follow where God leads. It is now time for me to do just that. Please un­derstand we are not leaving because we just had a child, or because of a difference in ministry philosophies, or personality conflicts. We are simply trying to be obedient to Christ. You are our family, and we will always look back on our time here as five of the sweetest years of our lives. We look for­ward to ministering beside you still, just in a different role now. Please pray for us in this time of transition, and pray that God would bring the perfect fit for a new youth minister at Rainbow Presbyterian Church. We love you all very much.

                                                                                               John& Margaret Lancaster

Red, Blue & the Cross

As the clock ticks down to the final minutes of the big day when all eyes and ears will be attentive to the outcome. No, not the Alabama & Auburn game on November 29^th' but November 4th where the people of the United States of

America will choose sides by exercising their right to vote. This will be the day, when all the talk in the beauty and barber shops, the laundry and grocery stores, the office room and all other rooms, is when the rubber meets the road. Sadly, this will be a day where the focus of professing Christians will be simply on the temporal and not the bigger picture at hand...THE KINGDOM AGENDA. Let me briefly help us put and keep this election and our Christian lives in the right perspective.

In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua and the people of Israel were making ready for a new start by entering the land of promise but there was an obvious obstacle in the way, the Jericho Wall. Joshua, the committed and faithful servant of the LORD and leader of His people, raised this question to the commander of the LORD's Army (the pre-incarnate Christ) 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries? ' In order words: whose side are you on? Notice the answer that is applicable to our lives... "Now I have come. " In order words: No, I did not come to choose sides, I came to take over.

In order for us to vote responsibly, we must consider the Person, the Platform, and the Party. Also as Christians, the redeemed people of our Sovereign King, we may choose either Democratic or Republican as we cast our vote just a few days from now. I pray that we don't lose focus, but remember that we have two citizenships. We live here on earth subject to the governing authorities; (Rom. 13:1). We are also seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:4-7). So what's the point? It's this: As Christians we are to be functioning independently, seeking the Lord's will on earth-as it is in heaven. That's what Joshua did according to v:14 "And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant? ' Before we vote, let's worship in prayer, so we can hear from the Lord.  
In His Service,
Ricky Tillis
Harvest Fellowship Community Church

Thankful for These "Things"

During this time in our country, it is easy to get down about the state of affairs. Many different situations such as that of our economy can get us down. However, during this time of Thanksgiving, I would like to list 10 blessings that we can all lift up our head and be thankful for as a Christian living in America.

1.Thank God for His gracious provision in His son Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation.

2.Thank God for the clear and perfect revelation of His Word that is abundantly available in our country.

3.Thank God for the country in which we live where we can worship God freely.

4.Thank God for the willing sacrifice of thousands of men & women who serve to protect our land.

5.Thank God that most of us have a job or the strong possibility of a job that allows us to provide for our families.

6. Thank God for the warm homes and nice cars that only 8% of the world possesses, but most all of us have more than one.

7. Thank God that we don't have to wonder where our next meal is coming from each day or hour of our lives.

8. Thank God for the supreme medical care that we have available to us here in America.

9. Thank God for the political process of having a choice as to who will lead our country.

10.Thank God that He is always there no matter how smooth or rocky the road is in front of us.

We have a choice during this difficult time in our country. We can get caught up in the media frenzy of hopelessness and doom or we can cling to the hope of the one who provides for our every need and is in COMPLETE control. Remember that God promises to never leave us or forsake those who are His children. We can be thankful for this truth most of all.

Happy Thanksgiving
In Him,
Ray Tucker

Red, Blue & the Cross

As the clock ticks down to the final minutes of the big day when all eyes and ears will be attentive to the outcome. No, not the Alabama & Auburn game on November 29^th' but November 4th where the people of the United States of

America will choose sides by exercising their right to vote. This will be the day, when all the talk in the beauty and barber shops, the laundry and grocery stores, the office room and all other rooms, is when the rubber meets the road. Sadly, this will be a day where the focus of professing Christians will be simply on the temporal and not the bigger picture at hand...THE KINGDOM AGENDA. Let me briefly help us put and keep this election and our Christian lives in the right perspective.

In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua and the people of Israel were making ready for a new start by entering the land of promise but there was an obvious obstacle in the way, the Jericho Wall. Joshua, the committed and faithful servant of the LORD and leader of His people, raised this question to the commander of the LORD's Army (the pre-incarnate Christ) 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries? ' In order words: whose side are you on? Notice the answer that is applicable to our lives... "Now I have come. " In order words: No, I did not come to choose sides, I came to take over.

In order for us to vote responsibly, we must consider the Person, the Platform, and the Party. Also as Christians, the redeemed people of our Sovereign King, we may choose either Democratic or Republican as we cast our vote just a few days from now. I pray that we don't lose focus, but remember that we have two citizenships. We live here on earth subject to the governing authorities; (Rom. 13:1). We are also seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:4-7). So what's the point? It's this: As Christians we are to be functioning independently, seeking the Lord's will on earth-as it is in heaven. That's what Joshua did according to v:14 "And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant? ' Before we vote, let's worship in prayer, so we can hear from the Lord.  
In His Service,
Ricky Tillis
Harvest Fellowship Community Church

Thankful for These "Things"

During this time in our country, it is easy to get down about the state of affairs. Many different situations such as that of our economy can get us down. However, during this time of Thanksgiving, I would like to list 10 blessings that we can all lift up our head and be thankful for as a Christian living in America.

1.Thank God for His gracious provision in His son Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation.

2.Thank God for the clear and perfect revelation of His Word that is abundantly available in our country.

3.Thank God for the country in which we live where we can worship God freely.

4.Thank God for the willing sacrifice of thousands of men & women who serve to protect our land.

5.Thank God that most of us have a job or the strong possibility of a job that allows us to provide for our families.

6. Thank God for the warm homes and nice cars that only 8% of the world possesses, but most all of us have more than one.

7. Thank God that we don't have to wonder where our next meal is coming from each day or hour of our lives.

8. Thank God for the supreme medical care that we have available to us here in America.

9. Thank God for the political process of having a choice as to who will lead our country.

10.Thank God that He is always there no matter how smooth or rocky the road is in front of us.

We have a choice during this difficult time in our country. We can get caught up in the media frenzy of hopelessness and doom or we can cling to the hope of the one who provides for our every need and is in COMPLETE control. Remember that God promises to never leave us or forsake those who are His children. We can be thankful for this truth most of all.

Happy Thanksgiving
In Him,
Ray Tucker

Red, Blue & the Cross

As the clock ticks down to the final minutes of the big day when all eyes and ears will be attentive to the outcome. No, not the Alabama & Auburn game on November 29^th' but November 4th where the people of the United States of

America will choose sides by exercising their right to vote. This will be the day, when all the talk in the beauty and barber shops, the laundry and grocery stores, the office room and all other rooms, is when the rubber meets the road. Sadly, this will be a day where the focus of professing Christians will be simply on the temporal and not the bigger picture at hand...THE KINGDOM AGENDA. Let me briefly help us put and keep this election and our Christian lives in the right perspective.

In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua and the people of Israel were making ready for a new start by entering the land of promise but there was an obvious obstacle in the way, the Jericho Wall. Joshua, the committed and faithful servant of the LORD and leader of His people, raised this question to the commander of the LORD's Army (the pre-incarnate Christ) 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries? ' In order words: whose side are you on? Notice the answer that is applicable to our lives... "Now I have come. " In order words: No, I did not come to choose sides, I came to take over.

In order for us to vote responsibly, we must consider the Person, the Platform, and the Party. Also as Christians, the redeemed people of our Sovereign King, we may choose either Democratic or Republican as we cast our vote just a few days from now. I pray that we don't lose focus, but remember that we have two citizenships. We live here on earth subject to the governing authorities; (Rom. 13:1). We are also seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:4-7). So what's the point? It's this: As Christians we are to be functioning independently, seeking the Lord's will on earth-as it is in heaven. That's what Joshua did according to v:14 "And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant? ' Before we vote, let's worship in prayer, so we can hear from the Lord.  
In His Service,
Ricky Tillis
Harvest Fellowship Community Church

Thankful for These "Things"

During this time in our country, it is easy to get down about the state of affairs. Many different situations such as that of our economy can get us down. However, during this time of Thanksgiving, I would like to list 10 blessings that we can all lift up our head and be thankful for as a Christian living in America.

1.Thank God for His gracious provision in His son Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation.

2.Thank God for the clear and perfect revelation of His Word that is abundantly available in our country.

3.Thank God for the country in which we live where we can worship God freely.

4.Thank God for the willing sacrifice of thousands of men & women who serve to protect our land.

5.Thank God that most of us have a job or the strong possibility of a job that allows us to provide for our families.

6. Thank God for the warm homes and nice cars that only 8% of the world possesses, but most all of us have more than one.

7. Thank God that we don't have to wonder where our next meal is coming from each day or hour of our lives.

8. Thank God for the supreme medical care that we have available to us here in America.

9. Thank God for the political process of having a choice as to who will lead our country.

10.Thank God that He is always there no matter how smooth or rocky the road is in front of us.

We have a choice during this difficult time in our country. We can get caught up in the media frenzy of hopelessness and doom or we can cling to the hope of the one who provides for our every need and is in COMPLETE control. Remember that God promises to never leave us or forsake those who are His children. We can be thankful for this truth most of all.

Happy Thanksgiving
In Him,
Ray Tucker

Red, Blue & the Cross

As the clock ticks down to the final minutes of the big day when all eyes and ears will be attentive to the outcome. No, not the Alabama & Auburn game on November 29^th' but November 4th where the people of the United States of

America will choose sides by exercising their right to vote. This will be the day, when all the talk in the beauty and barber shops, the laundry and grocery stores, the office room and all other rooms, is when the rubber meets the road. Sadly, this will be a day where the focus of professing Christians will be simply on the temporal and not the bigger picture at hand...THE KINGDOM AGENDA. Let me briefly help us put and keep this election and our Christian lives in the right perspective.

In Joshua 5:13-15, Joshua and the people of Israel were making ready for a new start by entering the land of promise but there was an obvious obstacle in the way, the Jericho Wall. Joshua, the committed and faithful servant of the LORD and leader of His people, raised this question to the commander of the LORD's Army (the pre-incarnate Christ) 'Are you for us, or for our adversaries? ' In order words: whose side are you on? Notice the answer that is applicable to our lives... "Now I have come. " In order words: No, I did not come to choose sides, I came to take over.

In order for us to vote responsibly, we must consider the Person, the Platform, and the Party. Also as Christians, the redeemed people of our Sovereign King, we may choose either Democratic or Republican as we cast our vote just a few days from now. I pray that we don't lose focus, but remember that we have two citizenships. We live here on earth subject to the governing authorities; (Rom. 13:1). We are also seated with Christ in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:4-7). So what's the point? It's this: As Christians we are to be functioning independently, seeking the Lord's will on earth-as it is in heaven. That's what Joshua did according to v:14 "And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant? ' Before we vote, let's worship in prayer, so we can hear from the Lord.  
In His Service,
Ricky Tillis
Harvest Fellowship Community Church

Thankful for These "Things"

During this time in our country, it is easy to get down about the state of affairs. Many different situations such as that of our economy can get us down. However, during this time of Thanksgiving, I would like to list 10 blessings that we can all lift up our head and be thankful for as a Christian living in America.

1.Thank God for His gracious provision in His son Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation.

2.Thank God for the clear and perfect revelation of His Word that is abundantly available in our country.

3.Thank God for the country in which we live where we can worship God freely.

4.Thank God for the willing sacrifice of thousands of men & women who serve to protect our land.

5.Thank God that most of us have a job or the strong possibility of a job that allows us to provide for our families.

6. Thank God for the warm homes and nice cars that only 8% of the world possesses, but most all of us have more than one.

7. Thank God that we don't have to wonder where our next meal is coming from each day or hour of our lives.

8. Thank God for the supreme medical care that we have available to us here in America.

9. Thank God for the political process of having a choice as to who will lead our country.

10.Thank God that He is always there no matter how smooth or rocky the road is in front of us.

We have a choice during this difficult time in our country. We can get caught up in the media frenzy of hopelessness and doom or we can cling to the hope of the one who provides for our every need and is in COMPLETE control. Remember that God promises to never leave us or forsake those who are His children. We can be thankful for this truth most of all.

Happy Thanksgiving
In Him,
Ray Tucker