THINK ABOUT IT                  11-4-25            
GET ALL EXCITED!

There’s an old song that says, “Get all excited”, and I can’t help but wonder why we don’t. Back when I was playing baseball it was common to hear players and coaches say, “Come on, talk it up. Let’s hear some chatter out there!” That was a part of the game. Everyone knew the importance of of emotion. It not only inspires us, excitement is contagious. Watching others get excited has a way of stirring up your emotions, and that can be very important. It can make the difference in the outcome of whatever we’re doing. That’s why the “home team” has an advantage in a ball game. Can you imagine watching a ballgame where there is no display of emotion? Chances are it would be that way only if there was an attitude of indifference. If you don’t care what the outcome is there is nothing to get excited about. But if you care about winning and losing, victory and defeat, emotions come easy. We get excited about things we value, like, or admire.

Maybe that explains why some are so unemotional in church. If a person doesn’t care about what he hears or sees there is nothing to get excited about. On the other hand, if a person has a great love for God, a healthy fear of God, an intimate relationship with God, and a strong desire to please God, he will be excited about worshiping God. He might not express his emotion in exactly the same way as others, but he most certainly will be deeply moved when God is honored, when Christ is exalted, when the saints are edified.

It should be stated that emotions aren’t everything as some people make it appear. It takes more than a hallelujah hoedown to impress God. If the truth is absent, the conduct improper, and the motives impure God isn’t impressed — regardless of the showy display. However, that being said, neither is God pleased with a cold, dead, formal, unemotional service where you never hear so much as a holy grunt from anyone. My question is, how can a person who has been forgiven, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and assured of heaven not get excited about worshiping the King of kings and Lord of lords? How is that possible? Why is that acceptable? That is a problem that should never exist.

What excites you? Are you one of those who goes to a ballgame and yells like a Comanche  and then attends church and sits like a wooden Indian? I’m not saying we should behave the same way in church that we behave at a ballgame— that’s not the point. Worship demands a dignity that isn’t expected at a ballgame, but surely we ought to be deeply moved at the thought of being in the presence of Christ. Think about it!- HDS, 3-13-14

David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346

SEASONS

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬

The following was sent to me by my daughter Kathy several years ago.‭

There was an Indian Chief who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.

The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.

When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.

The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.

The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise.

The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.

The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.

The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree’s life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.

If you give up when it’s winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.

Moral:

Don’t let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don’t judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time.

Happiness keeps You Sweet,

Trials keep You Strong,

Sorrows keep You Human,

Failures keep You Humble,

Success keeps You Glowing,

But Only God keeps You Going!

David Stone  

Lakeway Baptist Church   

Humble,TX

THINK ABOUT IT               10-4-25

 THE RAIN

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in ‘Mom let’s run through the rain,’ she said.

‘We’ll get soaked if we do,’ Mom said.

Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child’s life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

I sent this 7-21-08. I thought it’s time to send it again to remind you to run in the rain while you can. The day is coming when you won’t be able. Think about it! – HDS

David Stone 

Lakeway Baptist Church 

Humble, TX

Please pray for this dear couple. This is the church we helped before so don’t be surprised if Bro. Kenneth and I ask to help them more. I will give you more information as soon as I can.
Here is the email from Jeffery Davidson

I thought that I would give you and update from our visit this morning with my neuro-surgeon, Dr. Richard Kern. Dr. Kern  decided that I should wait a few more days, until Thursday, to have my staples removed from my head. I have 14 staples and one suture. When asked by Alice when she and eventually me could return to working our secular jobs at Sutherland’s Lumber and Home store, Dr. Kern said that to give it about a week before she returned to work and then to work only half days, because I needed Alice here with me in case I had a seizure, a possibility for anyone who has had brain surgery. The longer the time, the less possibility of a seizure. I am taking pain and anti-seizure medicines currently and still having a loss of feeling in my left hand  from time to time.
In my case, he told me that I could return to the pulpit by  this Sunday, if I felt up to it. I haven’t been preaching or teaching in the last 3 weeks. In regard to working at Sutherlands, he said that I could not go back to work for 2-4 weeks, depending on my brain healing process.

Thanks to all the churches and individuals who have prayed for us and have sent us love offerings toward our expenses. We know that God is in control of  this entire situation. The Lord gave me several opportunities while I was in ICU to talk to several of my nurses and doctors about how God was working in this situation and to give counseling on problems that they shared with me. Never underestimate what God can do when you surrender to His use. I am humbled by these opportunities that He gave. Please continue to pray for us and for Calvary Baptist Church in Burkburnett, Tx. where I pastor. Thanks to Bro. Chris Burford from Victory B.C. in Wichita Falls, who preached for us for 2 weeks; and for Bro. Lee Davis from Decatur, Tx. last Sunday. Both men were a blessing to our church. I was able to attend our services yesterday but was exhausted by the end of the morning, and I did not do anything except speak in the invitation.. I went home after lunch and slept for 3 hours, I think. I am hoping to be up to continue teaching through the Book of Judges in Sunday School and preaching morning services this Sunday. Please keep me before God’s Throne for strength and wisdom.