Aris Hubbarrd earns spot in national track meet

Greetings from The Springs and we are so thrilled that more of our neighbors in the community are choosing to worship with us. Surely it does not have to be stated but the door of Union Springs Baptist Church swings on “welcome’ hinges where love abounds. For us it is never about trying to pull members away from other churches, but always for wining souls for Christ. Come and taste a sip. Sunday school starts at 9 a.m. and morning worship at 10 a.m.
Upcoming events for USBC are as follows:
    • Usher Anniversary Sunday, July 22, 10 a.m.
    • Revival Week August 6 - 10 with service 7:30 p.m. nightly
    • Homecoming / Family and Friends Day Sunday, August 12 at 10 a.m.
    Now let me tell you about Aris Hubbard daughter of Johnny and Kathy Hubbard. A couple of weeks ago in Atlanta she competed in the statewide AAU track event and placed first in the Running Long Jump; in the 4 x 100 relay her team placed first and in the 4X 400 relay they placed third. What an awesome accomplishment!
    July 4 through July 8 she and her teammates traveled to Newport News, Virginia to compete against groups in the Southeast Regional meet. At this time writing her mother stated that she placed second in the Long Jump finals and third in the 4 x 100 Relay and is going to the national meet in Baltimore, Md. This is so exciting for me to share with you especially since I am such a sports’ fan. At a young age the Lord has gifted Aris Hubbard with great talent. She is smart, athletic and most importantly kingdom mined. More details will come soon.
    Another one of our students has gone down under. Yes Andre’ Peterson is in Australia. From July 2 to 18 he is experiencing a part of the world that most of us can only dream of seeing. He was nominated to go on this trip by his seventh grade teacher Mrs. Hines for being on the A/B Honor Roll and for having CRCT scores that fall into the “exceeds” range each year that he has taken the tests. Andre’ stay focused continue the good work and think “scholarships!”
    Have you passed by the church lately? The top coating of the parking lot is completed and looks fantastic. To get out of their way we met at the old church last week for Prayer and Testimony on Wednesday night so that the asphalt could set and the striping would dry. This week we will be back on the new campus to continue with the series on “Shadows and Types” where Pastor Terrell is instructing on the meaning of numbers. This is really adding to our understanding of the Bible.
    Pastor Terrell helped many of us in the service on Sunday especially in the area of how we are to handle those that are not on a faith walk or can’t understand ours. Often we come in contact with friends or associates that will say negative things or even laugh at us as we are on our journey with the Lord. They even eagerly do this when they don’t see a quick work being done in our lives when we are seeking God. Their lack of understanding leads them to make fun of us.
    Pastor Terrell led us to Mark 5: 35-43, and we looked at how the people basically laughed Jesus to shame when He came to heal Jairus’ daughter. Verse 40 reads, “And they ridiculed Him.” Seems somehow that when we are about our Father’s business there are those that will ridicule us too.
    The bad news of this man’s daughter dying was throwing them off course. Where was their faith? Again the same goes for us. Bad news comes to throw us off track. However, Pastor Terrell stated that when God has sent us on a path we can’t let other people’s mocking derail us. Keep pressing on. Stay faithful.
    It is the nature of people to want to view someone else’s train wreck. Let a disaster come. Let someone get hurt or become sick they will run to see another’s misfortune. Why not do as Jesus? He put them out. In other words we don’t have to keep those with negativity around us. Jesus kept Peter, James and John with Him since they were in His inner circle. Needless to say our inner circles can only contain those walking in faith. Living the Christ-filled life means we lift each other up and not ever jeer at another’s “train wreck.”
    Our instruction from Pastor Terrell is that we as Christians need to understand that those outside of Christ will flock to see something negative happen to us. Since we are born again just because they laugh at us we don’t in turn look for a chance to do the same.
    We will be happy and rejoice with those that made it once we cross over because the last laugh is in heaven. Glory Be To God!

Printed in the July 12, 2012 edition