Dear Friends,

On this past Sunday I had an opportunity to teach the adult Sunday School class at First Baptist in Russiaville, Indiana (the church we attend when I am actually home).  One of the items I was sharing with the class was how our culture has changed in its thinking.  The majority of people no longer trust institutions and programs to bring peace and security.  They are looking for relationships where they can experience something real that is right for them.

We live in a time of great opportunity when those around us are searching for spiritual experience – unfortunately they are still searching on their terms, not God’s.  I finished the class by stating that difficultly in our lives give us the tool to show others how real and personal God is.  Praising God is easy when our lives are going according to what we think should be happening.  When life becomes difficult financially, physically, or relationally, we are able by God’s grace to live a real Christianity before others.  Learning to trust God in our “problems” (when others would naturally be bitter) helps the people around see that God is real in our life.  We cannot manufacture this kind of trust.  It can only come if we have learned relationally who God is, if we truly have discovered how real God is.

So here I am with the left over pain of Shingles.  It has felt like two steps forward and one step back for weeks now.  I have had others tell me their Shingles were not as bad as mine, and I have had some tell me of Shingles that are much worse, and I have had some people share with me how it has come back several times (which is not usual).  Ugh!  Anyway, I have been learning once again how real God is.  He is amazingly gracious.  I am pleased to report that I have had my best week ever since getting the Shingles virus.  I am currently preparing for my next trip trying to get everything done that I need to get done before I leave.  I depart on October 20^th for Kansas, then Utah.  I will be gone for about two months, arriving home just before Christmas.

I want to thank everyone who has been praying for me.  I have a bunch of emails from friends who have been true prayer warriors on my behalf.  It means a lot!  I also have many emails to respond to that deal with other issues.  Emails remind me of mushrooms after a rain.  They keep coming and the good ones are delicious.  (I realize not everyone likes mushrooms.  Beabea doesn’t understand why I enjoy a bowl full of “fungus”!)  Then there are the mushrooms that leave you not feeling well or dead in some cases.  My heart breaks for some of the decisions people make.

Once again Beabea will be staying home, working as a caregiver for elderly people as well as being here for her mom.  We both want to praise the Lord for how God has taken care of us.  In addition to God’s provision, Beabea and I have really enjoyed being together for the last couple of months.  I would appreciate your prayers for her while I am gone.

Keep praying!  The Bible says God is listening!

John

John (and Beabea) Rogers

jtrbem@gmail.com

Commissioning Church: Shepherd Road Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1054, Mulberry, FL  33860

www.barnabasenrichmentministries.org

Please send all financial gifts to Barnabas Enrichment Ministries with a note designating the gift for the ministry of John & Beabea Rogers.