Michael Mason - May 2017 Newsletter

Friends, 

I am in the midst of a very busy preaching schedule.  I am thankful for the opportunities God has provided and the doors He has opened.  This year is full of changes for our family…in just a couple of weeks Garrett will graduate from high school.  Seems like just yesterday he was in kindergarten.  And in September Alyssa will be getting married.  These are happy and sad days.  I am happy for my kids yet sad that my home will soon be much emptier. Thanks for praying for us.                 

For more info…visit michaelmasonministries.com. 

and michaelmasonline.blogspot.com. 

Prayer Requests: 

1. Thanks for the continued prayers for my dad.  
2. Pray for me, my family, financial needs, and opportunities to preach.  

May thru August Preaching Schedule

May

7-10 Southwest Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

13 Muscle Shoals, Al. Bap Assoc Men’s Event

14- Bidding Creek Bap, Stillwell, Ok.

21 Garrett’s HS Graduation…etc

28 Florence First Assem, Florence, Al. 

June

4- Walnut Grove Bap, Decatur, Al.(am)

11- First Ind Meth. Ch, Decatur, Al.

18-21 Chuculate Baptist, Stillwell. Ok.

25-28 Bethany Baptist, Albertville, Al.

July

2 OPEN

9-14 Jones Chapel, Moulton, Al.

16-19 Pine Ridge Bap, Union Hill, Al.

23-26 Mt Pleasant Bap, Lexington, Al.

30-Aug 2 New Life Ch, Falkville, Al.

August

6 Danville Baptist, Danville, Al. (am)

6-9 Liberty Baptist, Crossville, Al.

13-16 Lebanon Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

20-23 Buhl Baptist, Buhl,Al.

27-30 Serenity Baptist, Somerville, Al.

Michael Mason Ministries April Newsletter

Friends, 

I’ve been overwhelmed this past month by your love and prayers for me and my family.  No doubt, we are traveling a road filled with uncertainties.  But the journey has been made easier because of you.  As you can see I have a busy preaching schedule for the spring and summer months.  I do have a few openings…I’d love to come to your church or church event.  If you’re interested give me a call/text.  I am believing and trusting God for all that the future holds.  Thank you.…             

For more info…visit michaelmasonministries.com. 

and michaelmasonline.blogspot.com. 

Prayer Requests: 

1. Thanks for the continued prayers for my dad.  
2. Pray for me, my family, financial needs, and opportunities to preach.   

  

~ April thru August Preaching  Schedule ~

April 

2 Victory Baptist, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

9- Shady Grove Baptist, Neel, Al. (am)

9- Shoal Creek Baptist, Decatur, Al. (pm)

16 Gum Springs Bap, Hartselle, Al. (am)

17-20 Servants Alive Pastors Retreat

22 FBC Falkville, Al. (mens breakfast)

23-26 Bethlehem Bap., Laceys Spring, Al. 

30-3 GracePoint Baptist, Somerville, Al.

May

5-6 Wilsonville Baptist Wilsonville, Al. (deacons retreat)

7-10 Southwest Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

13 Muscle Shoals Bap Assoc Moulton, Al.

14-17 Bidding Creek Baptist, Stillwell, Ok.

21 Garrett’s HS Graduation…etc

28 Florence First Assembly, Florence, Al. 

June

4- Walnut Grove Bap, Priceville, Al. (am)

11- OPEN

18-21 Chuculate Baptist, Stillwell. Ok.

25-28 Bethany Baptist, Albertville, Al.

July

2 OPEN

9-14 Jones Chapel, Moulton, Al.

16-19 Pine Ridge Baptist, Union Hill, Al.

23-26 OPEN

30-Aug 2 New Life Church, Falkville, Al.

August

6 Danville Baptist, Danville, Al. (am)

6-9 Liberty Baptist, Crossville, Al. 

13-16 Lebanon Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

20-23 Buhl Baptist, Buhl, Al.

27-30 Serenity Baptist, Somerville, Al.

Michael Mason Ministries March 2017 Newsletter

Friends, 

Last month in my newsletter I wrote, Life is full of changes, some good and some not so good. By now, most of you receiving this newsletter know that I am now divorced. As with every divorce, it’s a long sad, story. I don’t like it…didn’t want it… still love her…and would marry her again today given the opportunity.  Please pray for me and for Crystal, for Alyssa and Garrett.  I am believing God for better and brighter days.  My plans are to preach till Jesus comes, or as long as there is an open door…whichever comes first.  Thanks for praying. 

If you are interested in having me preach for your church or ministry, I would be honored to come.  It's what God has called me to do...preach.  I am called to preach the Gospel of Christ, pointing others to the cross of Christ, leading others to the only source of salvation, Jesus!  If you feel led to invite me, there's a good chance I'll feel led to come.  Thank you.              

For more info…visit michaelmasonministries.com. 

and michaelmasonline.blogspot.com. 

Prayer Requests: 

1. Thanks for the continued prayers for my dad.  
2. Pray for me, my family, financial needs, and opportunities to preach.   

  

~ March thru July Preaching  Schedule ~

March

5-8 Wilsonville Baptist, Wilsonville, Al.

10, 12-14 Creek Path Baptist Men's Night, and Revival, Guntersville, Al.

16 Greenbriar Baptist, Madison, Al.

19 Vestavia Hills Baptist, Decatur, Al.

20-22 Milldale Bible Conf, Zachary, La.

26- OPEN

April 

2 Victory Baptist, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

9- OPEN

16 Gum Springs Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

23-26 Bethlehem Bap., Laceys Spring, Al. 

30-3 GracePoint Baptist, Somerville, Al.

May

7-10 Southwest Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

13 Muscle Shoals, Al. Bap Assoc Men’s Event

14- Bidding Creek Baptist, Stillwell, Ok.

21 Garrett’s HS Graduation…etc

28 Florence First Assembly, Florence, Al. 

June

4- OPEN

11- OPEN

18-21 Chuculate Baptist, Stillwell. Ok.

25-28 Bethany Baptist, Horton, Al.

July

2 OPEN

9-14 Jones Chapel, Moulton, Al.

16-19 Pine Ridge Baptist, Union Hill, Al.

23-26 OPEN

30-Aug 2 New Life Church, Falkville, Al.

February 2017 Michael Mason Ministries Newsletter

Friends, I hope you are doing well. January was a blur.  I preached 14 times in 10 different churches.  I was busy but blessed.  I have a good spring schedule ahead of me.  I do need to fill some dates in May and June.  Pray with me about those open dates.  Life is full of changes, some good and some not so good.  I am facing changes in my life as many of you are.  Lets pray for one another, keep our eyes on Jesus, and believe God for better and brighter days.  Thanks for praying for me, for my family, and for my ministry.                 

For more info…visit michaelmasonministries.com 

Prayer Requests: 
Thanks for the continued prayers for my dad.  Thanks for praying for me and my family, for protection and provision as I travel, and for open doors of ministry.   

February thru May Preaching Schedule

February 

5 Ryan Baptist, Ryan, Al.

5 Sardis Springs Bap., Athens, Al. 4pm

12 Pleasant Ridge Church, Moulton, Al.

12 Gum Springs Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

19 Victory Baptist, Moulton, Al.

23 East Cullman, Al. Baptist Men’s Event

26-29 First Baptist, Addison, Al

March

5-8 Wilsonville Baptist, Wilsonville, Al.

10, 12-14 Creek Path Baptist Men's Night, and Revival, Guntersville, Al.

16 Greenbriar Baptist, Madison, Al.

19 OPEN

20-22 Milldale Bible Conf, Zachary, La.

26-29 First Baptist, Flintville, Tenn.

April 

2 Victory Baptist, Mt. Juliet, Tenn.

9 First Methodist, Albertville, Al. (am)

9 Albertville, Al. Ministers Assoc. (pm)

16 Gum Springs Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

23-26 Bethlehem Bap., Laceys Spring, Al. 

30-3 GracePoint Baptist, Somerville, Al.

May

7-10 Southwest Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

14- OPEN

20 Muscle Shoals, Al. Bap Assoc Men’s Event

21 Garrett’s HS Graduation…etc

28 Florence First Assembly, Florence, Al. 

Pressing On

When I was a teen my pastor at the time would say, “Pray and press on…”  Bro. Ralph probably borrowed that idea from the Apostle Paul when he wrote, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”  Philippians 3:12 Christ had laid hold of Paul and now Paul was seeking to lay hold of the purpose God had for him.

Paul might have been describing a runner as he sprints for the finish line, pressing forward to claim the victory.  If you’ve ever watched the Olympics or been to a track meet, you have witnessed a sprinter lunging with every ounce of his energy to be the first to cross the finish line.  The runner, with one last burst of energy, stretches his head forward hoping to claim the victory.  At the finish line, the photo is snapped that will soon grace the front page of a local newspaper, or perhaps for some, Sports Illustrated.  But, the finish line doesn’t tell the whole story. 

To appreciate the finish line you must see the race.  To appreciate the race, you must watch as the runner trained for the last few months.  While the runner may be rewarded at the finish line with thousands cheering and chanting his name, the real victory was won months earlier, on cold days and on hot days, sometimes at five in the morning, when no one was cheering and most didn’t even know his name.  The runner whose picture is on the cover of the magazine was willing to get up before dawn, slip into his running shoes, head for the gym, or the treadmill, or some winding back-road to run in preparation for the race that was ahead.  No one is cheering for him at five in the morning.  No photographers.  No applause. 

Pressing on means doing the right thing even when no one is watching.  Most battles are not won while in the limelight.  They are won far away from the cheers of the crowd.  Most battles are won in private. 

Imagine the number of golf balls hit by Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods when no one was watching.  Think about the hundreds of last second shots made by Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant in their own backyard.  Can you imagine how many days Chet Atkins practiced guitar in private? I wonder how many songs Bill Gaither wrote before he had a hit?  Imagine how many hours Billy Graham spent in secret prayer.  He may have preached to millions, but his secret disciplines prepared him for public acclaim.  These and millions of others have made a difference in their world because they kept on keeping on even when no one was watching.  They pressed on…

Living a life that makes a difference demands that we press on even when we are tired, criticized, discouraged, fearful, and disappointed.  Life is made of the bitter and sweet.  Some days are diamonds…some days are stones.  Enjoy the blue skies and sunshine, but keep pressing on even when the skies are grey and the clouds are dark.   The Apostle Paul knew where he had been, but he also had a clear understanding of where he was going. The Lord enabled him and He will enable us to keep pressing on.  MM

Christianity Isn't For Sissies

In John 21:3 when Peter says, “I’m going fishing,” he was being sifted at that very moment.  

Would he follow Jesus any further?  Would he still believe?  Would he deny the One he said he’d go to prison for?  Would he forsake this fishing for men and go back to fishing for fish?  

He’s at a huge turning point.  A point most of us will never experience without some kind of drastic life changing, faith shaking life event.  

When you’re sifted you’ll need more than a bumper sticker that says, God Is Good.  You’ll need your heart stamped with the grit and determination we see in Jesus as he heads to the whipping post, soon to be crucified.  You’ll need dogged determination that we see in Paul when he’s locked up and left to die.  

Johnny Cash said, "Being a Christian isn't for sissies, It takes a real man to live for God - a lot more man than to live for the devil, you know? If you really want to live right these days, you gotta be tough.”  I’m not suggesting Mr. Cash was the epitome of a Christian, but he sure hit the nail on the head with those words.  

Following Jesus in the tough times isn’t for the faint of heart.  If you don’t deeply believe God when you are being sifted, you’ll quit.  And if you don’t quit, you’ll think about it.  Just ask Peter. 

Michael Mason Ministries November Newsletter

Friends, 

Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement, and financial support.  2016 is quickly coming to a close.  I’ve had a blessed and busy year, preaching in close to sixty different churches.  I’m grateful for the opportunities.  Pray for open doors in 2017.               

We need to pray for each other.  So many of you who receive this newsletter are going through some kind of storm.  Everything from a financial crisis to family heartaches…many people are facing difficult days.  God is faithful.  Let’s stand together, praying one for another, trusting God to see us through.

You can view my website at michaelmasonministries.com. I  also write articles you might find interesting at michaelmasonline.blogspot.com. 

Prayer Requests: 

1. Thanks for the continued prayers for my dad.  
2. I have a personal prayer request.  Thank you for praying. 
3. Pray for me and my family…for God’s protection and provision.
4. Pray for preaching opportunities in 2017.  

~  November thru January Preaching Schedule ~

November

6 First Baptist Milan, Tenn.

13-16 Fairview the Grace Place, Hartselle, Al.

20-21 First Baptist, Arab, Al.

27 Northbrook Baptist, Cullman, Al.

28 Marshall, Al. Baptist Assoc.

December

4 New Life Church, Falkville, Al.

6 Muscle Shoals, Al. Baptist Assoc.

11 Grace Baptist, Hartselle, Al.

January

1 Trinity Baptist, Trinity, Al.

8-11 Bellview Baptist, Decatur, Al.

15 River City Baptist, Decatur, Al.

22 Open

29 Open