Welcome to the El Camino Baptist Church blog. We wanted a place where our ministry leaders could share things that God has laid on their hearts. Please feel free to comment and join in the discussion as we share how God is moving through His church.Other places to find us on the web are our website, Youtube, and Facebook. You can also check out Hoss' music blog at hosshughes.com.









Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Hosea 6:1-3

Every year, each member of the El Camino staff picks a verse for the upcoming year...one to live out, one to remind them of something through the year, etc. Usually, I start looking around September or October for something that might interest me but I have a feeling my verses for 2012 will be Hosea 6:1-3:

Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.

He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, That we may live before Him.

So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD. His going forth is as certain as the dawn; and He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rain watering the earth.

What great promises about God's faithfulness to us in time of need. It is as certain as the dawn so let's presson to know Him.

Hoss

Monday, June 27, 2011

Partnership

Fine Arts Camp was last week. God sent 100 campers, many who were unchurched or from various denominations, and about 55 volunteers. A couple weeks ago Camp E.D.G.E. ended, in which 25 volunteers were privileged to share Christ with 72 campers. Our Children's and Family Mission Trip is this Friday in which 23 volunteers will minister to 50ish moms and children. We will end our VBS summer camps with Summer Science Spectacular in which we are anticipating about 350 campers and are praying for at least 50 volunteers.

The apostle Paul was a strong man, yet he never worked alone. He partnered with fellow Christians. He counted on them for their prayers, financial, physical and emotional support. His goal was to glorify God...to know Christ and make Him known. He rejoiced in their love and thoughtfulness, and he loved them greatly in return.

In my quiet time with God this morning I read Philippians. Chapter 1 verses 3-11 describes the way I feel about our amazing volunteers who work selflessly so that children and their families can know Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him. Like Paul, I am so thankful for each one, and love each one dearly. From the most grateful part of my heart I echo Paul's words:

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."

Many blessings Precious Partners!! You are the best!!!!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Defining Moments

I continue to read in Henry Blackaby's book "Created to be God's Friend" Today it talked about defining moments. Mr. Blackaby states that "one" of the most important defining moments between God and Abraham was when he told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. It took 40 years for God to shape Abraham to the point that Abraham would exercise complete faith in God. Leading up to this moment were many defining and shaping moments in Abraham's life all leading up to this most important moment of all. I'm sure all of us who seek to follow God could look back and see moments where God has tested us and called us to defining moments that would continue to shape us in His image. I encourage each of us to occasionally look back and see the wonder of God's work in us as we look and move forward for Him

Blessings
Dick Dillender

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Where are my arrows?

Joel Hibbs is the son in law of Verna Tharp. Joel was El Camino's first paid custodial person. Since then he has served in ministry and until recently was a pastor at a CBA church in Page. Recently he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is likely the result of receiving radiation treat for Hodgkin's disease about 20 years ago. His prognosis is terminal.

Just last week Bert Downs, Regional Executive Director of the Southwest CBA, met with Joel whom he has know since their seminary days in the 80's. Bert writes as follows:

In the course of conversation, I asked Joel, "What's your best memory from your years of ministry." Without hesitation he said, "The first person I led to faith in Christ." My "why" question was followed with this answer: "Because he was an arrow that traveled far."

What great imagery! Here was a person Joel took from no knowledge of Jesus to maturity in Him and His ministry, to a life well lived for Jesus and to leadership in the church. An arrow that traveled far, indeed. My guess is that Joel has many arrows like that out there . . . and he left me wondering, who are my arrows? And who are yours?


Joel continues to stimulate each of us to consider our ways. Where are my arrows? How has God used me in the life of others and how far have they gone as a result? Each of us should be continually mentoring and discipling others. This is my heart and passion. I trust it is yours as well.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Spontaneous Worship

In the book I'm reading, Created to be God's Friend", by Henry Blackaby the author is taking the reader through the journey of Abram to Abraham. It's a wonderful book that I would recommend. As I read this morning it talked about God revealing His name to Abraham in Gen. 17:3, Abraham immediately fell on on his face and worshipped. Blackaby states that Worship is a spontaneous response to God's presence. What a person does spontaneously in God's presence indicates the true condition of his heart toward God. The response of God to such heart-worship is overwhelming and immediate. Just a thought as we begin a new week.

Blessings
Dick Dillender

Saturday, June 4, 2011

An Eternal Perspective

Katie and I were talking the other day and she asked me if I thought the angels were praising God in heaven using my songs. Hmmm...I hadn't ever thought about that. I know the Bible doesn't give us all the specifics about what heaven is like so I doubt a verifiable answer could ever be found out. I suppose it's something we'll find out when we get there.

But it did paint an interesting picture in my mind. One of angels getting excited when little old me writes a new song. "Woohoo!!! That song glorifies the Name of God!!! Let's go sing it to our Lord!!!" What a responsibility I now feel thinking that there is even a possibility that this is true.

But it's the same responsibility that we all share. Imagine when you are doing your personal devotion and come across a little nugget in Scripture, something perhaps that few people have ever thought about in the way that you do. No one who has ever lived has ever had the same exact relationship with God that you do. Think about that as you go through your prayer life this week and as you speak with the people around you.

Hoss