We often read or hear of some individual, group, or church making a special appeal to others to pray for revival. I should imagine that most all of us have asked this, and the request comes from a heart that genuinely wants to experience the blessing and presence of God, but I doubt our sincerity and maturity when we make this appeal.

You see, there is nothing that God desires more than to bless us beyond measure and control us by the power of His Spirit. He yearns for us to seek His face and walk in His pleasure, to be revived and fully abiding in the heart of His perfect will. This is a given, and there is nothing that would please Him more than to have the full attention and hearts of those He loves, of those who are called according to His purpose. The word of God says that we are to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. It commands us to seek His kingdom and righteousness first, and then to trust Him to add all that we need.

So why do we make revival and spiritual victory seem so far away and so difficult to experience? Why do believers find themselves caught in oppressive quicksand so much of the time and fail to walk in the power, assurance, peace, and strength of God Almighty? Why are we more involved in complaining, criticizing, attacking, and speaking unholy things behind the backs (and even on occasion in the faces) of our brothers and sisters than we are in thinking on that which is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy? Why do our Sunday gatherings look the same way they've looked for the past 500 Sundays, with pretty much the same participants, activities, busyness, failing budgets, and adornments? Brethren, this ought not be!

Our churches should be turning the world upside down. We ought to be savory salt and a bright light in our communities that point the way to Jesus Christ, the Giver of hope and life. We should weekly be seeing revival fall upon us like rain from heaven, because this is what God wants.
More

Click here for an itemized update of receipts and expenditures for the first half of the 2005 budget year.

The 2005 SBA Annual Meeting will be at Timber Ridge on Monday, October 24. Following is a list showing the number of elected messengers each church is entitled to:
Beaverdam-10; Bedford-12; Bethel-4; Bethlehem-5; Big Island-10; Diamond Hill-5; Flint Hill-11; Glade Creek-6; Hunting Creek-9; Mentow-13; Morgans-12; Mount Hermon-8; Mount Olivet-9; Mount Zion-11; Mountain View-4; North Bedford-12; Norwood-6; Palestine-13; Pecks-5; Quaker-9; Rainbow Forest-9; Sedalia-8; Shady Grove-11; Staunton-4; Suck Spring-5; Terrace View-4; Thaxton-10; Timber Ridge-10; Trinity-11; Walnut Grove-4. Please note: Only SBA officers are automatically messengers.

The Rally for CenterFest will be held at Thaxton on September 8, at 7:30 p.m. (This also serves as orientation for volunteers.) Anyone willing to volunteer should contact Rita Calhoun by phone at 540-297-5271 or email ACVaOwlsNest@aol.com.

Individuals and groups who are interested in sharing drama, puppets, music, etc., may contact the SBA office or Rita.

Women on Mission: Rainbow Forest will lead devotionals at Oakwood Manor for August; Bedford will lead them in September. Morgans will host the August birthday party for residents of Bedford County Nursing Home; Thaxton will host it in September. Virginia Abbott and Phyllis McDaniel of Mount Hermon made 56 bibs for the residents of Campbell Rest Home

This year, instead of having training locally, we will take advantage of this opportunity offered by WMU of Virginia. If you are interested in attending, contact Lois Stevens at 540-586-7409, after 5 p.m. weekdays.
More

Bethlehem's Vacation Bible School will be at 7 p.m., Monday, August 8-Thursday, August 11, with Family night on Friday. It's a Safari Adventure for ages 3 through adult. Come and discover Jesus the King! Any questions, call the church at 540-297-4786.

On July 3, Mount Hermon voted unanimously to call Rev. Mark Flores as pastor. A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Mark earned a BA in Christian Ministry at Campbellsville University in Kentucky, and a Master of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School of Samford University in Alabama. He will continue serving as Chaplain with Bedford Hospice Care. He and his wife, Julia, have two children, Andrew, 3; and Alexandra, 2 months.

North Bedford will celebrate 125 years of ministry during Homecoming services Sunday, September 11. For information, contact Jeanette Southall, 434-384-1030.
More

September 1 Mike Jones (Sedalia)
September 11 Seaburn Daniel (In Memoriam)
September 12 David Henderson (Bedford)
September 15 Steve Manuel (SBA)

September 1 Esther Woodford (SBA/20 years)
September 10 David Henderon (Pastor/Bedford/10 years)
September 13 Charles Stinson (Pastor/North Bedford/35 years)

September 11 Rick & Cheri Dellinger (Music evangelist)