Only One Son – In the Line of Duty

NEWSLETTER – Barb and Ray Payne – October, 2009

“So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him. And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD. As for Me, this is My covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that [is] upon thee, and My words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.” Isaiah 59:19-21

We are living in days of challenge… but, also exciting – read the entire chapter! We know that the Lord is still (AND ALWAYS) in control of ALL things!

Greetings, Prayer Partners and Friends … we certainly appreciate you and thank the Lord that we can depend upon you for your faithfulness in prayer and support! Your dedication to the Lord is so important to us for safety and provision in the many miles we travel monthly, and for the many opportunities the Lord gives us to interact with law enforcement officers – one-on-one as well as in departments. It is awesome that the witness is always accepted, and never are the Only One Son tracts refused in the police community!

A very special time is the annual CLEO (Christian Law Enforcement Officers) Retreat at Living Waters Bible Conference, in Danforth, Maine, the beginning of September! We have been going to CLEO for 18 years. What especially got our attention this year is the spiritual growth we saw in several of the officers and their families … they are now leaders in their local churches and grounded in God’s Word. Ray has the privilege and joy of meeting each morning with the men for prayer (after stopping by the kitchen briefly on the way to the chapel to pick up a cup of coffee, of course!)!

PRAYER REQUESTS include our trip to Little Rock, Arkansas for the annual COPS (Concerns Of Police Survivors) Parents’ Retreat. This is for the parents of officers killed in the line of duty. Although COPS is not a Christian organization, Ray is asked to lead a devotional each morning. We have met many parents who are believers. We would appreciate your prayer support for this long trip!

Please pray for Barb as some of her scleroderma symptoms have worsened … also, Ray has a new oncologist who has ordered more tests related to the immune disorder he most likely picked up at the World Trade Center after 9/11. We do get tired, but are grateful to the Lord for His strength in exchange for our weakness – Isaiah 40:31!

We pray that you will experience God’s blessings, protection and provisions for all of your needs as you labor together in His love with us to reach the law enforcement community! Keep in touch!

By His Grace,

Barb and Ray

II Timothy 1:12

www.onlyoneson.org

“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.”

Psalm 33:12; 18-22

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!

* * * * * * * *

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

www.onlyoneson.org