June/July 2009 Newsletter
“Blessed [is] the nation whose God [is] the LORD; [and] the people [whom] He hath chosen for His own inheritance. Behold, the eye of the LORD [is] upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: He [is] our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His Holy Name. Let Thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in Thee.”
Certainly in these days of testing, there is no one else to whom we can turn to or rely upon … He, alone, is the True and Faithful One! Our instructions in Titus 2:11-15 are to LOOK and LIVE—He is coming soon!
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that Blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
NEWSLETTER – Barb and Ray Payne – JUNE-JULY, 2009
… It’s a rainy day, and a good day to start a much delayed newsletter! It is a struggle to condense so much that we want to share with you into something brief enough that you’ll take time to sit down and read!
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Last week Ray attended a viewing and memorial service near Wilkes Barre, PA, for a young Pennsylvania State Trooper who was shot rescuing a 9 year old boy. Another trooper was also wounded and survived. The attendance by law enforcement was overwhelming, with many states represented. Two troopers from Arkansas even drove nineteen hours to be there. Among the many officers there were six from the Bensalem Police Department – Both Barb and Ray graduated from Bensalem High School “a few years ago!” One of Ray’s classmates, Len, has a daughter who recently retired from the Department … kinda’ makes one feel the years just a bit harder, eh? We are thankful for His strengthening daily! Isaiah 40:31
May was busy with Police Memorial Services in New York, Pennsylvania, and Maine.
Following the annual National Police Parade in Newport, Rhode Island, the first week-end in May, we stopped at the Evening Service of Colchester Bible Baptist Church, Colchester, Connecticut, for a refreshing visit with Pastor and friends before continuing on home!
Now we’re in June … that’s the time for the “AMERICADE” … the time of the year when 50,000 motorcycles from all over visit Lake George and the “area!” For the majority of the first week of June they are all over the area—every day … and they did enjoy good weather, too! Ray went down to Lake George each day and had many good opportunities to present the claims of Christ. He usually looks for the Blue Knights—police officers who own motorcycles and ride for relaxation. Our son, David, was a Blue Knight in the Auburn-Lewiston, Maine, area just before he was killed.
As one of the bikers who Ray spoke with – a pastor who rides to witness his faith to others– we, too, need prayer!
We are genuinely grateful for you who are dedicated to the Lord to pray for us and support us. Thank you sincerely for your faithfulness to Him! Without your encouragement, we would not be able to continue …
FAMILY – We were able to have a little time with our youngest daughter, Judy, and her family last month before they moved to Anchorage, Alaska. Her husband, Jeff, was an associate pastor in Little Rock for 12 years, and is now the senior pastor in the Anchorage church. We saw 3 of our 4 daughters, plus 11 of our grandchildren!
It’s a huge blessing to have such a loving family — God’s gift to us!
Deb and Rob and family, and Ginny and Mark and 2 of their sons, David and Kyle, have “settled in” in Lynchburg, Virginia, now. BethAnne and Niles were unable to make it up from Bradenton, Florida, because of teaching responsibilities.
WHAT’S AHEAD? The schedule is not full … perhaps one of the Beatitudes for us could be: “Blessed are the flexible …” We do know that September is full as we look ahead to the fall meetings. Also, the schedule has a way of getting filled in as the time goes on … We would covet your continued faithfulness in prayer –the severe changes in the economic policies of our country have already become a major attention-grabber for many ministries’ finances. “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
May the Lord bless and encourage you, and use you for His glory in these days that we have until His soon return… thanks for being an encouragement to us!
In His Love,
Barb and Ray
II Timothy 1:12
200 U.S. Route 9, NY 12870 (518) 532-9049 RJBJPayne@aol.com
Only One Son - In the Line of Duty 