Good morning on this last day of February. Did you know that your faith in Christ is good for your health? It is also good for your mental health, your pocketbook, and your attitude about the future in general and your future in particular. Numerous studies in recent years have shown that devout Christians are generally physically healthier (reasons given were living healthier lifestyles without tobacco or alcohol usage and less effect of personal stress because of taking their burdens to the Lord), mentally healthier with less depression and anxiety, tend to manage their money more wisely, and have a view that the Lord is in control of both the future and their future which gives them peace and assurance. They also have less fear of dying because the know by faith where they are going and believe that dying is a gateway to a better life where they will be with their Savior. One additional bonus is that believers tend to live longer. Wow, what a benefit package comes with a personal relationship with Christ besides eternal life. All of this leads to two great questions: (1) Do you know Christ as your personal Savior, (2) Are you sharing this good news of the gospel with others so they can experience these benefits?
Tomorrow's sermon will again focus on one of Christ's missions for the church - Fellowship.
I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you tomorrow morning in the worship services.
Mel Brown

Good morning on this Saturday, February 21st. Two important bits of news emerged this week which could have serious relevance to Biblical prophecy. The first was the revelation that Iran now has enough nuclear material to make a nuclear bomb. Iran has about one-third more nuclear material than was previously thought according to the latest reports and that has given them enough to make a bomb. Since Iran's leadership has repeatedly threatened to destroy Israel, this development could have grave consequences. In fact the second bit of news was the emergence of Binyamin Netanyahu from the recent Israeli elections as Israel's new prime minister. He has reacted to the news about Iran by saying that this development presents "the gravest threat to our existence since the war for independence." Netanyahu has been a strong advocate for confrontation rather than compromise and his ascension to power could be highly significant in the unfolding drama of the Middle East. Also, Iran has recently again stated their appreciation for the help and support of Russia in a variety of ways to their country, although Russia has publicly stated that they oppose Iran's development of a nuclear weapon. If Iran's nuclear threat to Israel is now at the brink of fruition, what will Israel do to eliminate this threat? The answer to this question could provide the steps to fulfillment of Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. I am keeping a close eye on all of these developments and will keep you informed as I do.
Tomorrow's sermon focuses on discipleship as one of Christ's missions for His church. I hope I'll have the pleasure of seeing you there.
Mel Brown

Good morning on this Saturday, February 14th. Have you ever heard the saying that every one's taste buds are different. That is certainly true. One person loves a certain food and another does not care for it. One person is enthusiastic about a restaurant and another refuses to eat there. But some special foods seem so incredibly good, everybody loves them. Such was the case with a dessert called The Extravaganza at a restaurant in Orlando where my mother-in-law lives. It was a gigantic concoction of wonderful delights served in a bowl large enough to feed a whole table of people and was sheer delight to the palate - a gastronomical extravaganza, hence its name. Throughout the years when visiting the area, we always made it a point to have one. No trip to central Florida was ever complete unless we ordered one. Sadly the restaurant went out of business a few years ago and the dessert is no longer available.
The Psalmist says, O taste and see that the Lord is good, happy is the man who trusts in Him (Psalm 34:8). When we find something that is so appealing, so tasty, we want to share it with others and frequently tell them, "You've got to try this, it is just wonderful. I know you're going to love it." The writer of the Psalm is telling us that the Lord satisfies a taste in our lives that everyone can enthusiastically share because He is guaranteed to satisfy the deepest longing of our hearts and it is a taste that will linger and satisfy for the rest of our lives. The good news is that He will always be available to satisfy that taste, to quench that thirst and to fulfill that need. He invites us to see for ourselves - O taste and see that the Lord is good. Have you tasted for yourself? Then you have experienced the Extravaganza about which the writer is talking.
Tomorrow's sermon is entitled, The Vision Of Christ For His Church: Worship and will focus on what worship is and how to do it. I hope to see you there.
Mel Brown

Good morning on this first Saturday of February. It is good to be home again after two weeks away. It is so true that there is no place like home. Taking some leisure time is great, but after a couple of weeks, I am always anxious to get back to work because I miss our church and the teaching and preaching of God's Word. I appreciate the many of you who have shared with me what a fine job our two newest associates, Pastor Craig and Pastor John, did in preaching during the two Sundays I was away. I had every confidence you would be blessed by their pulpit ministry even as the Edgewood Youth and Singles have been blessed by their leadership and respective ministries. Truly the Edgewood Baptist Church is blessed with a wonderful and gifted staff and I always know that our people will be well served when I am away.
Tomorrow's message will focus on Christ's vision for our church and is entitled, The Vision Of Christ For His Church. I'll look forward to being back in the pulpit and having the privilege of seeing you then.
By the way, I hope you are enjoying some of the Florida weather I brought back with me this weekend.
Mel Brown