There is such precision and attention to minute details laid out by the Master Designer that someone could spend a lifetime studying them (and many do) and still not understand most of what is there. Our closest celestial neighbor, the moon, is a prime example of such careful design. The moon adds immeasurably to our uniqueness among the sister planets of our solar system. Were it not for the presence of our moon, life as we know it could not exist on planet earth. Consider these few facts.

When God created the earth He placed the moon in its path to be more than just a beautiful light beaming in the dark. The constant pull of gravity between the two bodies is what sets earth's 24 hour clock and 29.5 day month. Without a moon the earth would spin much too quickly, and days would be only about a fourth as long as they are now. That would not do well for most living creatures on earth, especially man. An interesting bit of trivia is that the moon is slowing earth's rotation by about .002 seconds per century. The days really are getting longer, but God's timepiece is so carefully set that we will be in eternity long before the earth's rotation slows down enough for us to notice.

The moon keeps the earth from wobbling in its orbit around the sun. The moon's gentle pull stabilizes the earth's rotation and tilt at a very constant 23.5 degrees. Were it not for this pull, our planet would wobble excessively. As children, we learned that the 23.5 degree tilt is what accounts for the changing seasons, but a random or excessive tilt varying anywhere from 0 to 90 degrees would cause weather patterns to change all over the globe leaving us without reliable or survivable consistency. For several months it would become arid and hot as a desert in our county. Imagine the effect on vegetation, conveniences, and daily life.

The next "season" could cause a frozen wilderness like Antarctica. Our continent would become the new, but temporary, north pole. Within days our lives would grind to a halt. There would be no traveling, no venturing outside, no food, and no electricity as water turbines, nuclear plants, and rail systems would go silent. Electronic and digital communication would end, because we would no longer be able to rely on satellite technology, and even the "old technology" would be destroyed as the frost line would become much greater than a mere couple of feet. Conduits, pipes, and cables would be snapped or crushed. Those souls that made it through the hot season would find survival impossible through months of frigid cold.
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We are planning a special event for our ministers on Tuesday, October 2, 2007, at Beaverdam Baptist Church. Two videos addressing contemporary life in ministry will be selected from the CCN DVD library, and each attendee will then choose the showing he/she is interested in. Following the 10:00 a.m. presentation we'll gather for fellowship and enjoy the luncheon that Beaverdam will have prepared for us. The titles will be announced a bit later, but we do ask that those wanting to share in this Fall Ministers' Conference to please RSVP the SBA office by phone or e-mail no later than September 25. There will be no charge.

To view a PDF Financial Report of SBA Receipts by Church for January 1, 2007 - June 30, 2007, please click here.

In June, 18 folks from Big Island went on a week-long mission trip to Ingleside Baptist Church in Norfolk.

Big Island's children are busy every week as Pastor Bryon conducts Wacky Wednesday.

Glade Creek is seeking a qualified Child Care Giver for 2 services on Sunday and 1 service and choir rehearsal on Wednesday. For additional information, call 540.309.1908.

Mentow is looking for a pianist to play for Wednesday choir rehearsals and 2 Sunday services. Send resume to Karen Woodford, 3282 Mentow Drive, Huddleston, VA 24104.

Mount Olivet has called Rev. David Burgess to serve as intentional interim pastor, effective August 19. Rev. Burgess has recently completed an intentional interim pastorate at Ringgold Baptist Church in Virginia.
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As reported in the July issue of the SBA newsletter, The Spirit, five members of SBA churches went on mission to Bennington, Vermont, to assist the Green Mountain Baptist Association. The project was to help in the restoration of a landmark 1834 stone church. It is to be the building for Capstone Baptist Church. We were just enough to do what was needed in preparation for the next team that followed. Three women insulated the basement walls and ceiling. Two men finished the drywall joints in the sanctuary. Teams of workers will continue the project this summer in hope of a Fall dedication.

I am always amazed by what God does. He arranged for the perfect number of servants with the needed skills at the right time. All the "what if's" and "unknown's" never happened or just were not important. We served, yet (for me) the greatest blessing was the boost of my trust in God's care. When you are involved in His work He will take care of everything! Faith in Jesus brings conviction about how we live. Living in God's will leads to a wonderful freedom from worry through complete trust in Him.

Another blessing I had was to worship and pray with people I had never known. In the Spirit, we bonded instantly and completely. Our prayers for each other will nourish our new friendship.

In His service,
Raymond Strachan

Date: October 20, 2007
Location: Sedalia, VA- just outside Lynchburg, Virginia. Located at the base of the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains (Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail) www.sedaliacenter.org

Speakers & Musicians:

• Arnold Pent: Author of Ten Peas in a Pod (available through www.visionforum.com)
• Eric Wallace: Author of Uniting Church and Home ( www.unitingchurchandhome.org)
• Scott Brown: Director of The National Center for Family Integrated Churches www.visionforum.org Blog: www.scottbrownonline.com
• Steve Harrow and Family: www.singtheword.com

• What must happen before you commit to daily family worship.
• The glorious fruit of family worship…the daily planting of righteous seed.
• The simplicity of family worship.
• God's heart toward family worship.
• What is more important than reading God's Word everyday?
• Obstacles to family worship.
• How the Church and the Body of Christ benefits from Family Worship.
• Head of household held responsible for family worship.
• What to do if your children or husband or wife don't like family worship….

If you are willing to be a missionary for a day at the SBA booth, pray, or take part in the various street ministries, please contact Julie Arthur at jarthurmves@yahoo.com or the Association office at 540.586.8345 or sba@sbava.org.

Our service as witnesses must first begin at home if it is to be genuine and effective on the distant field. Please help us promote this "mission trip," and come join your brothers and sisters for a fun and eventful day at CenterFest 2007!

Jonathan Elijah Grooms was born July 12, 2007, and weighed 8 lbs, 5oz. Elijah is the first child of Jonathan and Heidi Grooms (Jonathan is Mission Pastor for Rainbow Forest).