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Lois Weeks – 281.452.0146
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Webmaster: Christine Scott 979.798.5024
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BRUCE'S ARTICLE

The year 2009 is gone! Some of us are GLAD to see it go. 2010 came in with a whimper and without much hope of besting its predecessor. The economy still stinks, unemployment is still up, and the endless list could cause pessimistic overload to even a devote optimist. When I come up against problems and doom I am reminded that there are limited ways to deal with it. The first way is really non-productive. We can just sit in our corner and crawl up into a fetal position and wait for the end. It equates to “crawling into a hole and pulling the hole in on top of you” or as Job’s wife would have put it, “just curse God and die!” There is no catalyst for change in that formula. Another non-productive response is to pretend that nothing is wrong. That method usually brings premature death in dealing with disease, yet it  is employed by many in the “name of optimism”. So how can we find happiness in unhappy times? Is it possible to have a happier 2010? Jesus had and has a formula for having a Happy New Year. The conditions during the time He shared His wisdom were deplorable, just as some of ours are now.
(15) "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. (16) "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. (17) If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."  John 13:15-17

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples after He had washed their feet. He wanted them to remember His example of humility. He explained that their happiness depended on performance, not just knowledge. We can know the answer, but unless we let it affect our performance there is no productivity.

There are four things that a child of God can do to ensure having a happier New Year.

I. Believe
Dynamic faith enables us to defeat discouragement and empowers us to live victoriously in Jesus Christ. Our faith in His power to supply our every need gives us a reason to rejoice. Just examine these examples:
His power to save:
“… He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him.” Heb 7:25
His power to strengthen:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phl 4:13
His power to protect:
“Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Jos 1:9
His power to provide:
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want…” Psa 23:1
“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Phl 4:19
Belief will give us the testimony of David: “I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread.” Psa 37:25

II. Behave
Emerson said, “What you are stands over you and thunders all the while so that I can’t hear what you say to the contrary.” Actions speak louder than words! Jesus didn’t just talk a good game. He tells His disciples, “do as I do”. If we are going to be happy, our behavior should exemplify Christ.
In our daily life:
“Let your light so shine…” Mt 5:16
In our witness:
“…that they may see…”  Mt 5:16
In our fellowship:
1Timothy 3 says we are to have a “good reputation” with those outside our church. We are to be people “of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience”  We should live, “beyond reproach, not malicious gossips, but temperate and faithful in all things.”  Paul wrote these things, “…so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” I Tim 3:15

III. Beware
To be fore-warned is to be fore-armed. The Word of God gives us ample warning to beware of certain and real dangers that confront us in our daily Christian life.
Of deceitful men:
“See to it [beware] that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Col 2:8
Of Satan:
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (9) But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. ” I Pet 5:8-9
Of Self:
"…Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.".” Lk 12:15
IV. Belong
It is impossible for anyone to be genuinely happy without a sense of "belonging". We can rejoice in the blessing of belonging to Christ and to His church.
To Christ:
“because you belong to Christ…” Mk 9:41
“You are bought with a price; do not become servants of men.” I Cor 7:23
To the church:
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (24) and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, (25) not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near..” Heb 10:23-25

Practice these things in 2010 and you too will discover happiness even in the midst of unhappy times.
Bruce Northam

ATTENTION MEMBERS

A special election will be held to fill a newly created Board of Director position.  This new position will take the place of the Executive Director position currently held by the retiring Nelda Johnson.  Nominations will be received at the March General Meeting and if there are multiple nominees, the election will be held at the April General Meeting.

As we have mentioned before, BAGMA’s 20th anniversary is June 26th. There are many people in our organization who no longer are members. We extend an invitation to all the past members as well as current members to attend our 20th Celebration Banquet on that date. It will be held at the Chiropractic College on Spencer near Beltway 8 in Pasadena, TX. More information will follow. If you know how to reach former members, please let us know or contact them yourself to invite them to the banquet. We would love to have everyone there.

Also, we are looking for “younger” members who are willing to commit to volunteering  some time to our organization. If you would like to help with the Trumpet or making phone calls etc, please contact our office at 713.641.5529.
Thanks!

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Greetings, BAGMA Members!
I would like to thank all of you for your kind words of encouragement regarding my work on the BAGMA website. It is such a joy for me to contibute to the Association in this way as well as 'Hearts of Grace' being a member. Since Floyd retired last May, we are moving closer to "full time". In case you haven't heard, Floyd is now available to preach revivals in addition to sharing the gospel through our music. We had revival in Manor, Texas a couple of months ago and saw the Lord save souls, restore marriages and folks grow closer to each other by learning what it means to truly walk in God's love in our every day lives. We look forward to 2010 and pray our paths cross yours as we travel on this journey together!

The BAGMA website is an "evergreen" process...always changing...always being refreshed in some way. With that in mind, I would like to update the group and artist pages on the website. So, if you have new pictures or want to refresh your bio, please email your information to me at graphics2go@hotmail.com. If you don't have a page on our website and would like to have one, please send me your information as well and I will get one set up. I am still helping several groups with their websites and I would love to help you. Check out our services at www.graphics2go.net.

Once again, thank you and I look forward to improving the website in 2010 as BAGMA continues to grow!! Blessings to each of you in the New Year!
Christine Scott
Hearts of Grace/BAGMA Webmaster
www.heartsofgrace.com

2010 Showcases - View more info
(not all dates have been filled in - will update as available)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

KJIC, 90.5 FM, is currently beginning their 2nd stage of expansion. They still are in need of about $100,000.00. If you would like to help expand their listening area, you can send a donation to:

KJIC EXPANSION
P O BOX 1338
SANTA FE, TEXAS 77510

VICTORY GOSPEL CRUISE
The Southern Plainsmen invite you to come join them on The Sonshine Group/Victory Gospel Cruise. It is a 7-Night Alaska Cruise on Carnival Cruise Line’s “Spirit” on July 20-27, 2010. You can view pricing information on the downloadable reservation form located at www.southernplainsmen.com

LADIES!  LADIES!  LADIES!
I would like to take this time to thank you ladies for coming  to our Ladies Luncheon's this past year.  We have had great fun and wonderful food.  Our next one is on Tuesday, March 16th.  The time is the same 11:30 AM.  The place for the meeting is at Pepper's Beef and Seafood.  The address is 3604 Fairmont Parkway, Pasadena, TX. The phone number is 281-998-1114 if you need directions.   If you are planning to attend please contact me @ 713-254-3469 by Thursday, March 11.  Hope to see all of you there.
 
Sisters in Christ
Debbie Holyfield

BAGMA 2010 SPRING CONVENTION
The dates are set for this year’s BAGMA Spring Convention.  The weekend is a little later than usual, so mark it on your calendars:  Friday April 30 and Saturday May 1st.  The location will be the same as in the past 16 years:  Northshore Rotary Pavilion, on Wallisville Road.  If you have not secured your spot yet, please contact JoAnn Kotal.  There will be more information in the March-April edition of The Trumpet.

We are having a Silent Auction at the Saturday, May 1st at the Spring Convention.  If you have anything you would like to donate, please contact me 713-254-3469.  The monies will be used to help with the 20th Anniversary for BAGMA. 
Thanks,
Debbie Holyfield 

NEW MEMBERS

TTOOCA
NEW RIVER QUARTET
JAMES BRYANT
WANDA CANTU
THURMOND & CHERYL GAYLORD
ALTON STROUD

DATES TO REMEMBER

PRESIDENT'S PEN
On behalf of all of the Officers and Directors of BAGMA, I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and I pray that 2010 will be a much more prosperous year.  Remember that prosperity is not always measured in worldly wealth.  “I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”  (3 Jn 1:2)

There are two things I want to discuss in this issue.  One is an announcement and the other is more of an admonition that I don’t really want to make, but sometimes just must be said.

Many of you may have already heard, but in case you haven’t, Nelda Johnson has announced that she will be retiring as an Executive Director effective June 26, 2010.  That date should ring a bell as it is BAGMA’s 20th anniversary.  In order to keep the overall number of directors the same, the Board has decided to create a new Director position.  As a result, at the March General Meeting we will hold nominations for a special election for that new position.  If you would like to be a member of BAGMA’s Board of Directors, please be at the March General Meeting, or have someone there to nominate you.  If there is more than one nominee, the election will be held at the April General Meeting.

Now for the lecture!  Singers, please know the length of each of your songs and keep within your allotted time when you are on stage.  This is true no matter the venue; a BAGMA concert, a regular church service, or any other type of event.  There is always a reason for time limits and when you exceed yours, it throws the remainder of the event or service off course.  Remember that it is not just your songs that consume your part of the service, but what you say and do between those songs.  If you have been a part of BAGMA’s Annual Spring Convention, you are familiar with the lighting system we use to keep us on track time-wise.  Church services, BAGMA Showcases and other events, however, won’t normally have such a system.  And you should not expect the pastor, moderator, or other in-charge person to keep up with your time.  I am sure that you don’t want your ministry’s reputation marred by repeatedly surpassing the amount of time you have been given.  Let’s set our focus this new year to lifting up the name of Jesus and not just to singing our favorite songs.

God bless you all.
Watson Holyfield, IV

OPEN MIC SINGINGS

1st Friday
Tram Road Baptist Church, Splendora, TX  7:30 PM - 281.399.3858 or 281.689.0113.

1st Saturday
Harmony Church, 1002 FM 223, Shepherd, TX 6:30 PM  281.592.6396 or 936. 628.3292
Unity Baptist Church of Porter, 21772 East Memorial Drive. 6 PM 

2nd Friday
Fostoria Oaks Baptist Church, Cleveland, TX 7 PM 281..659 2744.
Conroe Missionary Baptist Church, 600 Austin Street, Conroe, TX 7 PM

2nd Saturday, Church By Christ Jesus, 695 Hwy 1960, Dayton TX 936.258.5726

3rd Friday:
North Cleveland Baptist Church, 302 Elk Street, Cleveland, TX  7 PM  281.592.2321
Cathedral of Praise, 113-3 C.E. King Parkway, 28.479.1933

3rd Saturday:
Church of Ace, Hwy 146 @ Hillbilly Heaven Road, 4 miles North of Rye, TX 6:30 PM
1st Baptist Church of Point Blank, 6 PM Hwy 190, about 2 miles east of 156, Point Blank, TX

4th Friday: Cypress Point Baptist, 21 Blue Lake Drive, Hwy 2100, between New Caney and Huffman, TX  281.221.9286. 6:30 PM

4th Friday: Faith Hope & Love Ministries, North Glen Road, about 7 miles North of Livingston, TX 6:30 PM  936.398.0346.

4th Saturday:
New Sonrise Baptist Church, 6 PM, Russell @ Ann, New Caney, TX  281.608.4393
House of Prayer, 6:30 PM, Bar-D-Subdivision, Hwy 787 between Romayer and Rye, TX
281.592.1351

Last Saturday,
Fellowship in the Pines, 6 PM  29 County Road 2295, (Tarkington) Cleveland, TX 281,432.0056

Every 5th Friday,
Amazing Grace Missionary Baptist Church, 7 PM, County Road 386 off of Hillstore Road, Cleveland, TX 281.592.1361.