Friday, August 22, 2014

Busy and Blessed 2014

Michael Mason Preaching Schedule 2014

February
2 First Baptist Austinville, Decatur, Al.
6-13 Guatemala Mission
16 19th Ave Baptist, Hattiesburg, Miss.
23 Danville Baptist, Danville, Al.
24-27 Lonesome Dove Church, Holly Pond, Al.
March
1 Belmore Baptist, Belmore, Al.
2-5 Southside Baptist, Albertville, Al.
9-12 Solitude Baptist, Albertville, Al.
16-19 Harmony Baptist, Moulton, Al.
30-Apr 2 Family Baptist, Moulton, Al.
April
6 Parkview Baptist, Decatur, Al.
7 Bethel Baptist, Dora, AL.
9 Redan Baptist, Redan, Al.
13-16 New Center Baptist, Hartselle. Al.
20 Friendship Baptist, Grand Bay, Al.
27-30 Sardis Springs Bap., Athens, Al.
May
2-4 Wilsonville Baptist, Wilsonville, Al.
5,7 Blue Springs Bap., Somerville, Al.
6 Sweet Home Bap., Guntersville, Al.
18-21 Union Hill Baptist, Moulton, Al.
June
1 First Baptist, Holly Pond, AL.
6 Okalona Comm. Revival, Hatton, Al.
8 New Canaan Baptist, Union Hill, Al.
15 First Baptist, Milan, Tenn.
22 Bethlehem Baptist, Hartselle, Al.
July
6 Lindsay Lane Baptist, Athens, Al.
7-11 Old Brashiers Chapel, Arab, Al.
13-16 New Life Church, Falkville, Al.
20-23 Grace Community Church, Cullman, Al.
27-30 Gum Springs Bap., Hartselle, Al.
August
3-6 Tunsel Road Baptist, Hartselle, Al.
10-13 Lebanon Baptist, Hartselle, Al.
15-16 Caddo Cong. Church, Caddo, Al.
17 Florence First Assem., Florence, Al.
23-24 Creek Path BC, Guntersville,  Al.
25 First Baptist, Meridianville, Al.
September
7-10 First Baptist, Red Bay, Al.
14-17 Irwinton Baptist, Irwinton, Ga.
21 Victory Baptist, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.
22-23 New Salem Bap., Somerville, Al.
28 Pine Ridge Baptist, Union Hill, Al.
29- Oct.1 Ryan Baptist, Ryan, Al.
October
5-8 Pineview Baptist, Thomasville, Al.
12 Kennedy Baptist, Kennedy, Al.
14-17 Guatemala Pastor’s Conference
19-22 First Baptist, Winchester, Tenn.
26-29 First Baptist, Troy, Tenn.
November
2-5 Gloreitta Bap., Oklahoma City, Ok.
9-11 Edgemont Bap, Shelbyville, Tenn.
16-19 Mt. Carmel Baptist, Eva, AL.
30- Dec.2 Belmore Bap., Belmore, Al.
December
28 Danville Baptist, Danville, Al.

Friends, I am having a busy year.  I’m thankful for your prayers for my safety as I travel…Thankful for the support of my family at home…And thankful to God for the opportunities to preach. 
Would you consider supporting me in this ministry?  I rely completely on love offerings and the gifts of individuals. Would you pray about supporting me on a monthly basis or occasionally as the Lord leads?
I also participate in two missions to Guatemala each year.  Would you consider helping pay my expenses to go?
God is faithful.  Where He guides He always provides.  You can be a part of His provision by sending any gift to the address below.  And, soon, you can donate online at my website, michaelmasonministries.com.  
I look forward to hearing from you…and seeing you when I’m in your area preaching.  Come when you can…pray for me when you can’t.  Thanks.  MM

Michael Mason Ministries
606 Birdsprings Road
Hartselle, Al. 35640

256.306.6645

michaelmasonministries.com

Monday, August 4, 2014

NO Coffee and Doughnuts

I was in a church recently where the announcement was made, “Prayer meeting Monday morning at 7.  No coffee and doughnuts.  Just prayer.”  I thought that was interesting…and a little humorous.  Think about it…how often do we use food to draw a crowd?  Whether we’re trying to attract children, teens, or adults, it seems providing something to eat will help increase attendance.

With children it’s cookies, cupcakes, chick-fila, etc.  With teens it’s pizza, pepsi, and putt-putt. (I know putt putt isn’t a food but it just felt right to include it.)  With young couples it’s anything in a box or bag that can be bought and delivered in less than ten minutes.  With adults it’s big food like casseroles, fried chicken, mac and cheese, corn, okra, squash, dumplings, cakes and puddings.   These foods will generally increase attendance by at least 25%.  Well, that’s what we think anyway.

But a Monday morning prayer meeting with NO coffee or doughnuts…you’ve got to be kidding me.  I understand what these folks are doing.  They’re not against coffee and doughnuts – they’re just serious about praying.  I mean, God forbid, what if someone came for the coffee and doughnuts, but weren’t serious about praying?  Would that ever happen?  You bet your cream-puff it would.   By removing the coffee and doughnuts from the prayer meeting all you have left to do is pray.  Imagine that. 

Don’t get me wrong.  If you offer a free Zaxbys and fries buffet before church I’ll be there.  But I like the idea of a prayer meeting that focuses on praying.  Because if you have coffee and doughnuts someone has to make the coffee, make sure there’s creamer and sweetner…and someone has to make sure there’s enough doughnuts for everyone.  But if there’s no coffee and doughnuts all you have to think about is praying.  Not a bad idea.

I wonder what would happen if we came to the worship service to Worship.  I wonder what would happen if we came to Bible study to study the Bible.  Probably the same thing that would happen if we came to a prayer meeting to pray.   Something to think about.  Hmmmm…


Ok, honestly, right now I’m craving coffee and a doughnut.  M