Amazing Grace Baptist Church May 2026

e🌿 May Days of Prayer and Peac

Heavenly Father, As May unfolds in beauty and light, we lift our hearts to You in prayer. Bless our church family with unity, love, and steadfast faith. Strengthen the weary, comfort the lonely, and heal the sick with Your tender mercy. Let Your peace rest upon every home, every heart, and every burdened soul.

Guide our country, Lord, with wisdom and righteousness. Let truth and compassion lead our leaders and citizens alike. Make our church a beacon of hope — a place where Your Word is honored, Your Spirit is felt, and Your people grow strong in grace.

Help us to succeed not in numbers alone, but in love, service, and devotion. May every prayer we offer this month rise like sunshine before You, warming hearts, renewing faith, and drawing us closer to Your will.

In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

10 Pray in May Quotes —

1. “May is the month when prayer becomes the sunlight that warms every weary place in the soul.”

2. “Pray in May, for God is already preparing the blessings that summer will reveal.”

3. “When the days grow brighter, let your prayers grow bolder — God is listening.”

4. “May teaches us this truth: the heart that prays is the heart that blooms.”

5. “Every answered prayer begins as a whisper — lift it to God this May.”

6. “Pray in May, because God is faithful in every season, not just the easy ones.”

7. “When you don’t know what to do next, pray — May is God’s reminder that new paths are opening.”

8. “Let your prayers rise like spring fragrance — sweet, honest, and full of trust.”

9. “May your prayers this month be seeds of hope that God will water in His perfect time.”

10. “Pray in May, and watch how God turns quiet faith into quiet miracles.”

Amazing Grace Baptist Church 2026 © SN

This Art for This Post

Here is a beautiful, elegant, heart‑stirring poem based on your phrase:

**🌿 May Prayers Bring Daily…

A Poem of Encouragement**

May prayers bring daily strength anew,
For hearts that bend but still push through;
May quiet whispers said in faith
Be met with mercy, love, and grace.

May prayers bring daily peace within,
A calm the world cannot begin;
A stillness only God can give,
A gentle courage just to live.

May prayers bring daily light to see
The path God shapes intentionally;
For every step, though small or slow,
Is guided by the One who knows.

May prayers bring daily hope that stays
Through shadowed nights and weary days;
A hope that blooms like morning sun
And warms the soul of everyone.

And as we lift our hearts each day,
God meets us in a tender way—
For every prayer, both small and great,
He answers and is never late.

Amazing Grace Baptist Church 2026© SN

🌼🐰 THE HOPALONG RABBITS

A Garden‑of‑Giggles Comedy Strip

PANEL 1 — The Hopalong Introduction

Four rabbits stand in a row, all vibrating with excitement.

Bunny 1: “We are the Hopalong Rabbits!” Bunny 2: “We hop!” Bunny 3: “We hop FAST!” Bunny 4: “We hop… accidentally.”

Bunny 4 falls over.

Caption: Every team has a wild card.

PANEL 2 — The Mission

Detective Bunny arrives dramatically.

Detective Bunny: “Hopalong Rabbits! I need your help!” Bunny 1: “Is it a mystery?” Detective Bunny: “Yes.” Bunny 2: “Is it snacks?” Detective Bunny: “No.” Bunny 2: “Then why are we here?”

Caption: Motivation varies.

PANEL 3 — The Problem

Detective Bunny points to a sign:

“WARNING: MYSTERIOUS HOLES APPEARING EVERYWHERE.”

The ground wiggles.

Bunny 3: “Is it the mole?” Bunny 4: “Is it the skunk?” Bunny 2: “Is it… a carrot ghost?” Detective Bunny: “No such thing.” Bunny 2: “You can’t prove that.”

Caption: Fear of carrot ghosts is real.

PANEL 4 — The Hopalong Strategy

The Hopalong Rabbits huddle.

Bunny 1: “We need a plan.” Bunny 3: “We hop in circles!” Bunny 4: “We hop in squares!” Bunny 2: “We hop until snacks appear!”

Detective Bunny: “None of those are plans.”

Caption: Brainstorming is hard when you’re bouncy.

PANEL 5 — The Investigation

The Hopalong Rabbits hop across the garden in chaotic patterns.

• One hops into a tulip

• One hops into a cabbage

• One hops into a butterfly

• One hops into himself

Bunny 4: “I think I solved it!” Detective Bunny: “You’re stuck in a flower.” Bunny 4: “I solved THAT.”

Caption: Progress is progress.

PANEL 6 — The Culprit Appears

A mole pops up… A skunk pops out… Both look guilty.

Mole: “It wasn’t me this time!” Skunk: “It wasn’t me ANY time!” Bunny 2: “Then who—”

A baby bunny pops out of a hole holding a carrot.

Baby Bunny: “I was digging a snack tunnel!”

Caption: Case cracked by the smallest hopper.

PANEL 7 — The Hopalong Finale

The Hopalong Rabbits cheer.

Bunny 1: “We solved the mystery!” Detective Bunny: “Technically the baby confessed.” Bunny 3: “We still solved it!” Bunny 4: “Can we hop now?” Detective Bunny: “You never stopped.”

Caption: Victory is measured in hops.

PANEL 8 — The Ending

All the rabbits hop together in a joyful, chaotic pile.

Bunny 2: “This is the best day ever!” Baby Bunny: “I found another carrot!” Skunk: “I’m staying out of this.” Mole: “Same.”

Caption: The Hopalong Rabbits: solving problems… loudly.

Amazing Grace Baptist Church 2026© SN

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🌿 “The Window of Prayer” — A May Devotional Story

The rain had been falling for days.
Anna sat by her kitchen window, watching the gray clouds roll across the sky. Her garden — once bright with tulips and daffodils — now looked weary and drenched. She sighed, feeling the same heaviness in her heart.

Life had been difficult lately. Her husband’s health was failing, her grown children were far away, and the quiet of the house seemed louder than ever. She whispered, “Lord, I don’t even know what to pray anymore.”

Just then, a small bird landed on the windowsill — soaked, trembling, but still singing. Its fragile voice pierced the silence, and Anna smiled through tears.
She realized that even the smallest creature still lifted its song in the storm.

She opened her Bible and her eyes fell on these words:

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”
— Philippians 4:6 (KJV)

The verse felt like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
Anna bowed her head and began to pray — not with perfect words, but with a heart that trusted. She prayed for her family, for her husband’s strength, for her own courage, and for her church family who carried burdens too.

As she prayed, the rain softened. The bird flew away, leaving behind a melody that lingered in her spirit.
Anna realized that prayer doesn’t always change the storm — sometimes it changes the heart within it.

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Bible Reading

Philippians 4:4–7 (KJV)

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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Reflection

When life feels heavy, prayer becomes the window through which God’s light enters.
Even when the rain falls, the heart that prays will find sunshine again.

Amazing Grace Baptist Church May 2026© SN

⚓ Anchored in Faith — Even When Fearsome Trouble Rages

The waves may rise, the winds may roar, and the world may tremble — yet the heart anchored in Christ stands firm.
When fearsome trouble rages, faith becomes the rope that holds us steady, and prayer becomes the sail that catches Heaven’s breath.
He whispers peace into the storm and strength into the soul.
Through every trial, His Word remains our anchor — unbroken, unmovable, and everlasting.
— Hebrews 6:19 (KJV)
That we stand together, steadfast in faith, radiant in love, and courageous in service —
anchored in Christ, even when the storm rages on.
Our hope is not in calm seas, but in the Captain who commands them.
“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast.”
Let this be our prayer as a church:

Amazing Grace Baptist Church May 2026© SN

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin April 19th, 2026

Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin

_{🐴 Melvin the Lone Donkey: Counting Blessings}

 Donkey was having one of those days. He’d stepped in a puddle, sneezed hay all over himself, and then discovered that someone (probably Melvina) had eaten the last apple he’d been saving.

_{He plopped down beside the fence with a dramatic sigh that could’ve rattled the hymnbooks.}

_{Old Farmer Grady walked by and chuckled. “Melvin, you look like you lost every blessing you ever had.”}

_{Melvin flicked an ear and gave a grumpy hee‑haw.}

_{“Well now,” the farmer said, leaning on the fence, “let’s count what you still got. You’ve got strong legs, a warm barn, a full belly, and a whole church full of kids who think you’re the best thing since Vacation Bible School.”}

_{Melvin blinked. That was… actually true.}

_{“And,” Farmer Grady added, “you’ve got Melvina, who may eat your apples, but she sure keeps life interesting.”}

_{Melvin let out a softer hee‑haw, the kind that meant, Alright, I guess that’s fair.}

_{He stood up, shook off the dust, and trotted toward the barn — suddenly remembering he also had a fresh pile of carrots waiting.}

_{As he munched happily, Melvin decided something important: Counting blessings works better than counting problems — especially when the blessings taste like carrots.}

_{Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©SN}

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_{April Bible Verses}

_{1. “Behold, I make all things new.” — Revelation 21:5 A reminder that every spring morning and every changed heart begins with God’s renewing touch.}

_{2. “The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” — Psalm 24:1 A verse of gratitude for creation’s beauty and the blessings that surround us daily.}

_{3. “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” — Psalm 126:5 Encouragement for those who have endured long winters of the soul — joy is coming.}

_{4. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17 A verse to remind us that blessings, big and small, come from the Father of lights.}

_{5. “The Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought.” — Isaiah 58:11 A promise of divine guidance and refreshment even in dry seasons.}

_{6. “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.” — Psalm 150:6 A joyful call to worship — fitting for springtime choirs and hearts full of gratitude.}

_{______________________________________________________________}

Each One Matters – A Quilt Prayer
 
Lord, You are the Maker of our hearts. Each part of each heart you form with a purpose and plan— each life, each gift, each hurt, each tear matters just like the sparrow,
 
each story stitched by his grace.
Teach us to cherish every part and each one You join with us together. Let Your love be the thread that binds us with love, your mercy the pattern that makes a beautiful quilt.
 
When one is torn, help us mend with kindness; when one is faded, cover with compassion. May our church be a quilt of comfort and truth, conforming us by your leading, Knowing that each heart matters to you. So each one should matter to us.
In Jesus Name Amen 

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🌸 Beautiful Heart‑Felt Quotes for April

Spring • Renewal • Resurrection Hope

1. “April teaches the heart to hope again, for the God who brings flowers from the cold earth can bring joy from weary places.”
2. “Every soft April breeze whispers the same promise: God is not finished with you.”
3. “Spring rain may fall heavy, but it carries the seeds of tomorrow’s beauty.”
4. “The empty tomb is the reason every April morning feels like a new beginning.”
5. “Where winter once lingered, grace now blooms.”
6. “April sunlight reminds us that God warms even the corners of life we thought would stay cold forever.”
7. “Hope grows quietly, like April flowers—small at first, then suddenly everywhere.”
8. “The God who renews the earth in April can renew the heart in a single prayer.”
9. “Every blossom is a reminder that God still brings beauty from broken ground.”
10. “April is God’s gentle way of saying, ‘See? I make all things new.’”

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An April Story From the Past (Early 1900s)

“The April Lantern on Willow Street”

In April of 1912, the town of Brookfield was buzzing with the usual spring chores — mending fences, sweeping porches, and preparing gardens. But on Willow Street lived an elderly schoolteacher named Miss Eleanor Hart, known for her quiet ways and her little wooden lantern that hung by her front door.

That April had been unusually gloomy. Clouds lingered for days, and many in town felt the heaviness of the long winter. Children whispered that even the birds seemed tired. But every evening, just as the sun dipped behind the hills, Miss Hart lit her lantern and set it glowing on her porch rail.

One chilly April night, young Thomas Avery — a boy who struggled in school and often felt unnoticed — walked past her house after running an errand. Miss Hart stepped outside and said gently, “Thomas, do you know why I light this lantern every night?”

He shook his head.

She smiled. “Because someone might be walking in the dark, and a little light can help them find their way. Even one small flame matters.”

Thomas never forgot those words.

A week later, a fierce April storm swept through Brookfield. The wind knocked out the town’s power lines, leaving the streets in darkness. Families lit candles and gathered close, but the storm rattled nerves and shook windows.

Then, through the rain, one warm glow appeared — Miss Hart’s lantern, shining steadily on Willow Street.

Neighbors opened their curtains and saw it. One by one, other lanterns and lamps began to appear in windows up and down the street, until the whole road shimmered with soft, golden light.

The next morning, as the storm clouds lifted, people said the same thing: “It was Miss Hart’s lantern that reminded us — even a small light can change the night.”

And from that April on, whenever someone in Brookfield felt discouraged, they would say, “Hang your lantern. Someone needs your light.”

🐴 Melvin’s Mini‑Blessing Moment

Later that same week, Melvin tried counting his blessings again… but he got stuck at “four” because he couldn’t remember if “snacks” counted as one blessing or twelve.

So he shrugged, flicked his tail, and decided, “If God keeps giving them, I’ll keep counting them — even if I lose track.”

And honestly, that’s not a bad way to live.

_{Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©SN Hinckley}

Major KJV Verses on Chastening
Proverbs 3:11–12
Theme: God’s correction is a sign of His love.
Quoted line: “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD…”
Hebrews 12:5–11
Theme: The New Testament commentary on Proverbs 3.
Quoted line: “Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth…”
Explains that chastening produces holiness and righteousness.
Revelation 3:19
Theme: Christ disciplines those He loves.
Quoted line: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten…”
Job 5:17
Theme: Chastening is a blessing because it comes from God.
Quoted line: “Happy is the man whom God correcteth…”
Psalm 94:12
Theme: God’s instruction through discipline brings blessing.
Quoted line: “Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest…”
Psalm 118:18
Theme: God’s chastening is corrective, not destructive.
Quoted line: “The LORD hath chastened me sore…”
Deuteronomy 8:5
Theme: God disciplines Israel as a father disciplines a son.
Quoted line: “As a man chasteneth his son…”
2 Samuel 7:14
Theme: God’s fatherly discipline toward the king.
Quoted line: “I will chasten him with the rod of men…”
Proverbs 13:24
Theme: Parental discipline reflects love.
Quoted line: “He that spareth his rod hateth his son…”
Proverbs 22:15
Theme: Discipline drives out folly.
Quoted line: “The rod of correction shall drive it far from him…”
Proverbs 23:13–14
Theme: Correction preserves life.
Quoted line: “Withhold not correction from the child…”
Proverbs 29:15
Theme: Discipline produces wisdom.
Quoted line: “The rod and reproof give wisdom…”

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🌞 Prayer:  For Our Country & Our Leaders

Almighty God, As the seasons turn from the gentle stirrings of spring toward the bright fullness of summer, we pause to thank You for Your faithfulness over our land. You are the One who renews the earth, who brings life from the soil, and who teaches us through every sunrise that Your mercies are new each morning.

Lord, bless our country. Bless the fields that are being planted, the families who are rebuilding, the communities seeking peace, and the hearts longing for hope. Let the warmth of the coming season remind us of the warmth of Your grace — steady, strong, and ever‑present.

We pray for our leaders. Grant wisdom to those who guide our nation. Give them clarity to see what is right, courage to choose what is just, and humility to walk in truth. Strengthen their families, guard their steps, and surround them with counselors who value righteousness, compassion, and integrity.

We pray for unity in our land. Where there is division, sow peace. Where there is fear, plant courage. Where there is anger, cultivate understanding. Where there is weariness, breathe renewal. Teach us to see one another not as enemies, but as neighbors created in Your image.

We pray for protection. Watch over our military, our first responders, our law enforcement, and all who serve. Shield them from harm, steady their minds, and comfort their families with Your peace.

We pray for the Church across this nation. May Your people shine with the light of Christ as days grow longer. Let our words be seasoned with grace, our actions rooted in love, and our lives marked by faithfulness. Make us instruments of healing, hope, and truth in every community.

Lord, bless America. Bless her rivers and her roads, her cities and her small towns, her families and her future. Let this new season be a time of turning — turning hearts toward You, turning homes toward peace, turning leaders toward wisdom, and turning our nation toward righteousness.

As spring becomes summer, let our country move from renewal to strength, from planting to harvest, from promise to purpose. And may Your hand rest upon us all.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

_______________________________________

_{Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©SN Hinckley}

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Amazing Grace Bulletin March 29th 2026

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🌿 The Day the Schoolhouse Lantern Kept Burning

A true early‑1900s story from rural Minnesota

That March, a late blizzard swept across the prairie. Snow piled against doors, and the wind howled like a living thing. Most families kept their children home, but Miss Jensen still walked the mile from her boarding house to the schoolhouse, lantern in hand, pushing through drifts nearly to her knees.
When she arrived, she found two children waiting on the steps—siblings named Henry and Lottie, whose father worked long hours at the grain mill. They had walked nearly a mile themselves, bundled in coats patched with flour sacks.
Miss Jensen opened the door, lit the stove, and warmed their hands by the fire. With only three people present, she could have sent them home. Instead, she said, “If you came all this way, then we will learn—and we will keep the light burning.”
She read scripture aloud before lessons, as she often did, choosing Psalm 46:1 that morning:
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
The storm raged outside, but inside the schoolhouse, the lantern glowed, the stove crackled, and the three of them worked through arithmetic, penmanship, and a short reading from McGuffey’s Reader.
By afternoon, the wind had calmed. Henry and Lottie’s father arrived with a team of horses to bring them home. When he saw the lantern still burning in the window, he wiped his eyes and said, “Ma’am, you kept more than a school open today. You kept hope alive.”
For years afterward, townsfolk would point to that little schoolhouse and say:
“As long as the lantern burns, we keep marching on.”

Susan Nikitenko 2026©

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🌿 Continuing in God’s Work

Ten More Heart‑Warming Quotes

1. “When you keep serving, God keeps strengthening.”
2. “A willing heart in God’s hands becomes a vessel of quiet miracles.”
3. “Every act of faith plants a seed Heaven will one day bloom.”
4. “God’s work moves forward through ordinary people with extraordinary trust.”
5. “When you give God your day, He gives your day purpose.”
6. “The hands that serve in love shine brighter than any spotlight.”
7. “God renews the weary worker long before the harvest appears.”
8. “To continue in God’s work is to walk in the rhythm of His grace.”
9. “He uses faithful footsteps to build eternal paths.”
10. “Those who serve with joy carry the fragrance of Christ wherever they go.

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🌿 Prayer for Endurance and Continuing in the Work of God

Father in Heaven,
In the quiet places of our hearts, we come to You for strength. You know the weight we carry, the battles we face, and the moments when our steps feel slow and heavy. Yet You are the God who renews the weary and breathes courage into those who keep pressing on.

Give us endurance for the path before us. Steady our minds when discouragement whispers. Strengthen our hands when the work feels long. Remind us that every act of faith, every prayer lifted, every kindness offered, and every burden carried in Your name is seen by You and treasured in Heaven.

Help us continue—not in our own strength, but in Yours. Let Your Word be our guide, Your Spirit our helper, and Your promises our anchor. When we grow tired, lift us. When we feel alone, surround us. When we are tempted to give up, remind us that You walk beside us, step by step.

Make our hearts steadfast, our faith unshaken, and our service filled with love. And as we march on in the work You’ve given us, let our lives shine with the quiet testimony that God is faithful, and His people can endure.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Susan Nikitenko 2026©

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🌿 The Morning the Bell Rang Anyway

A brief true story from rural Georgia, 1903

In 1903, the tiny farming town of Pine Grove, Georgia, gathered each Sunday at a little wooden church shaded by pecan trees. The church bell usually rang at 9:00 sharp, pulled by Mr. Amos Carter, an elderly deacon whose name appears in early county church records.
One March morning, a heavy fog settled over the fields. The roads were soft with mud, and most families assumed services would be canceled. But at 8:45, a faint, steady sound drifted through the mist—the church bell was ringing.
A few neighbors stepped outside, surprised. Through the fog they saw Amos Carter, nearly seventy years old, walking slowly toward the church with his cane in one hand and the bell rope in the other. He had come early, determined to ring the bell even if no one else arrived.
When asked later why he walked so far in such weather, he simply said, “If the Lord gives me breath, the bell will keep calling His people.”
By the time the fog lifted, a small group had gathered—just a handful of families—but they worshiped with a quiet joy that stayed in the town’s memory for years. The church ledger for that day contains a single handwritten note:
“Attendance small. Faith strong.”
And long after Amos Carter passed, Pine Grove families would smile whenever the fog rolled in and say:
“Ring the bell anyway—just like old Amos did.”.

Susan Nikitenko 2026© 

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🐴 Melvin the Donkey and the Great Grass Mix‑Up

A lighthearted springtime laugh
Melvin the Donkey woke up one bright March morning absolutely convinced—convinced—that the grass tasted different. He took one bite, chewed thoughtfully, and squinted at the field like a food critic judging a fancy restaurant.
Sister Hattie, hanging laundry nearby, called out, “Melvin, what are you doing now?”
Melvin sniffed dramatically and brayed,
“Hee‑haw means: Someone changed the recipe!”
He marched across the yard, inspecting every patch of grass like a detective. He sniffed the clover. He examined the dandelions. He even glared suspiciously at a confused squirrel.
Finally, he plopped down with a huff.
Sister Hattie walked over, trying not to laugh. “Melvin, the grass is the same as yesterday.”
Melvin blinked slowly, then brayed again:
“Hee‑haw means: I knew that. I was just… checking.”
And with that, he strutted off—ears high, tail swishing—pretending he had solved a very important mystery.
The squirrel, however, remained unconvinced.

Susan Nikitenko 2026© 

🐴 Melvin & Melvina and the Mysterious Noise

A lighthearted duo moment
Melvina the Lone Donkey was enjoying a peaceful spring morning, nibbling clover and pretending she was supervising the entire church yard. Suddenly—CLUNK!—a loud noise echoed from behind the tool shed.
Melvina froze. Her ears shot straight up like two alarm antennas.
She whispered, “Hee‑haw means: Danger is near!”
Then Melvin trotted out from behind the shed wearing… a metal bucket on his head.
Melvina blinked. “Melvin… what are you doing?”
Melvin brayed proudly, “Hee‑haw means: I invented a helmet!”
He strutted around, the bucket wobbling with every step. “Now I’m ready for anything—storms, squirrels, falling leaves—nothing can stop me!”
Melvina sighed the sigh of a donkey who has seen too much. “Melvin, you can’t even see where you’re going.”
“I don’t need to see,” Melvin declared. “I’m marching on by faith!”
He took one confident step forward and walked directly into the fence.
CLANG!
Melvina shook her head. “Hee‑haw means: Faith is good… but so are eye holes.”
Melvin peeked out from under the bucket, dazed but smiling. “Good idea. I’ll invent those next.”
And with that, the two donkeys marched on—Melvina with dignity, Melvin with a dented bucket, and the fence with a brand‑new wobble.

Susan Nikitenko 2026©

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🌿 Marching On — KJV Verses 

1. Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
2. 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.”
3. Philippians 3:14 – “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
4. Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
5. Isaiah 40:31 – “They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles.”
6. Psalm 37:23–24 – “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD… Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down.”
7. Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and of a good courage… for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
8. 2 Thessalonians 3:13 – “Brethren, be not weary in well doing.”
9. Psalm 31:24 – “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”
10. Proverbs 4:25–26 – “Let thine eyes look right on… Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.”

🌿 Prayer for Endurance and Continuing in the Work of God

Father in Heaven,
In the quiet places of our hearts, we come to You for strength. You know the weight we carry, the battles we face, and the moments when our steps feel slow and heavy. Yet You are the God who renews the weary and breathes courage into those who keep pressing on.

Give us endurance for the path before us. Steady our minds when discouragement whispers. Strengthen our hands when the work feels long. Remind us that every act of faith, every prayer lifted, every kindness offered, and every burden carried in Your name is seen by You and treasured in Heaven.

Help us continue—not in our own strength, but in Yours. Let Your Word be our guide, Your Spirit our helper, and Your promises our anchor. When we grow tired, lift us. When we feel alone, surround us. When we are tempted to give up, remind us that You walk beside us, step by step.

Make our hearts steadfast, our faith unshaken, and our service filled with love. And as we march on in the work You’ve given us, let our lives shine with the quiet testimony that God is faithful, and His people can endure.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

🌿 Short Prayer for Endurance

Lord, give me strength for the steps ahead. When I grow tired, renew my spirit. When I feel discouraged, steady my heart. Help me continue in Your work with faith, love, and courage. Walk with me, guide me, and keep me marching on in Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

🌿 Devotion: The Stone That Stayed in Place

A Moment to Reflect

Early spring often brings soft rains that loosen the soil and shift the small stones scattered along a garden path. Yet every gardener knows there are a few stones that never seem to move—no matter the storm, no matter the season. They stay right where they are, steady and unmoved.

That simple stone becomes a quiet picture of endurance in the Christian life. While everything around it shifts, it remains where it was placed.

The Object Lesson

Hold a small stone in your hand. Notice its weight, its firmness, its quiet strength. A stone does not resist the storm by fighting it; it endures by simply remaining where it was set.

In the same way, God calls His people to remain steadfast—not by striving in their own strength, but by resting in the place He has set them.

Scripture for the Heart

1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”

This verse is not a command to be strong on our own. It is an invitation to anchor ourselves in the One who never moves.

A Gentle Reading Suggestion

Spend a few quiet minutes with Psalm 62, especially verses 5–8. Notice how often David calls God his rock, defense, and refuge. Let the repetition settle into your spirit like a steady heartbeat.

A Closing Thought

Storms will come. Seasons will change. But the soul that rests in Christ can remain steady, unshaken, and faithful. Like the stone that stays in place, endurance grows not from our effort, but from our foundation.

Amazing Grace Baptist 2026©

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Amazing Grace Bulletin March 21st, 2026

Amazing Grace Bulletin March 21st, 2026

Bulletin Art

🌷 GOD IS GOOD

In the early spring of 1938, long before tractors hummed across every field and before electricity reached the farthest farms, there lived a widow named Mrs. Eliza Harper. Her little white farmhouse sat at the edge of a valley where the snow melted slowly and the robins always returned first.

Eliza had known many hard winters, but that year had been the hardest. The coal bin was nearly empty by February, and the pantry shelves looked bare enough to echo. Still, every morning she lit her small kitchen stove, warmed her hands, and whispered the same prayer:

“Help me, Lord Jesus. You have never failed me yet.”

One chilly March morning, she stepped outside to check the clothesline. The air still held winter’s bite, but the sun had a new warmth to it. As she stood there, she noticed something she hadn’t seen in years—
a single green shoot pushing up beside the porch steps.

A tulip.

Her late husband had planted bulbs along that porch the first spring after they married. Most had long since disappeared, but this one—this brave little stem—had survived.

Eliza knelt beside it, touched the tender leaf, and felt tears warm her cheeks.

“Lord,” she whispered, “You remember me.”

That same afternoon, as she was sweeping the kitchen floor, she heard the crunch of wagon wheels on the gravel drive. It was Mr. Thompson, the storekeeper from town.

“Mrs. Harper,” he called, stepping down from his wagon, “we had an overstock of flour and beans at the store. Thought you might be able to use some.”

Behind him were two full sacks of flour, a crate of canned peaches, a bag of potatoes, and a bundle of firewood tied with rope.

Eliza pressed a hand to her heart.
“But I didn’t order anything.”

Mr. Thompson smiled kindly.
“No ma’am. But the Lord put you on someone’s mind.”

When he drove away, Eliza stood on her porch, the tulip at her feet, the sun warming her shoulders, and the goodness of God filling her home like spring air through an open window.

That night, she wrote in her worn journal:

“March 12, 1938 — Today the Lord reminded me that His goodness does not depend on my strength, but on His love. Winter may linger, but God is good, and spring always comes.”

And for the rest of her days, whenever someone felt discouraged, Eliza would smile softly and say:

“Child, don’t you worry. I’ve seen God send tulips through frozen ground.”

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026© .

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🌸 Praising Quotes From the Heart

1. “Lord, You are the melody in my silence, the light in my waiting, the strength in my surrender.”

2. “I praise You not because life is easy, but because You are faithful through every storm.”

3. “Your mercy is the morning I wake to, and Your grace is the peace I sleep in.”

4. “When I lift my hands, I’m not reaching for answers—I’m reaching for You.”

5. “You are the beauty behind every sunrise, the kindness behind every answered prayer.”

6. “Even when I have no words, my soul still sings: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord.’”

7. “Praise is the heartbeat of a soul that remembers who saved it.”

8. “You are worthy, Lord—not because of what You give, but because of who You are.”

9. “I will praise You in the valley, because You are the same God who walked me through the mountaintop.”

10. “Let every breath be a hallelujah, and every step a testimony of Your love.”

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✨ “Help Me, Lord Jesus” — Quotes From the Heart

1. “Help me, Lord Jesus; when my strength runs out, let me fall into Yours.”

2. “Help me, Lord Jesus; calm the storms inside me before You calm the storms around me.”

3. “Help me, Lord Jesus; hold my heart steady when my steps feel unsure.”

4. “Help me, Lord Jesus; remind me that Your grace is greater than anything I face.”

5. “Help me, Lord Jesus; speak peace into the places where fear has lived too long.”

6. “Help me, Lord Jesus; lift my eyes from what overwhelms me to the One who carries me.”

7. “Help me, Lord Jesus; let Your love be the anchor when everything else shifts.”

8. “Help me, Lord Jesus; teach my weary soul to rest in Your promises.”

9. “Help me, Lord Jesus; shine Your light on the path I cannot see.”

10. “Help me, Lord Jesus; be my comfort, my courage, and my constant hope.”

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🐴💐 Melvina’s Springtime Makeover Mishap

A Funny Melvina Donkey Story — Second Choice

Spring had arrived in Pinebark Valley, and the whole town was buzzing about the Annual Flower Festival. Everyone was decorating wagons, porches, and even bicycles with tulips, daisies, and ribbons.

Everyone… except Melvina.

Melvina the Lone Donkey watched from the fence line, feeling a little left out. She wanted to be part of the festival too — but nobody had asked her to help decorate anything. And Melvina was not the type to wait for an invitation.

So she decided to decorate herself.

First, she wandered over to Mrs. Poppywell’s garden and gently plucked a tulip with her teeth.
Then another.
Then another.

By the time she was done, she had an entire bouquet sticking out of her mane like a flowery mohawk.

Next, she trotted to the church yard where the children had left a basket of ribbons. Melvina stuck her nose in, came up with three ribbons tangled around her ears, and proudly shook her head until they fluttered like flags.

Feeling fabulous, she strutted down Main Street.

People gasped.
Children pointed.
Sister Hattie nearly dropped her lemonade.

“Good heavens!” she cried. “Melvina looks like she fell into a craft store!”

Melvina brayed proudly and kept walking — until a sudden gust of wind blew through town.

The tulips flew off her head.
The ribbons whipped around her ears.
And Melvina, startled, took off running straight through the festival grounds.

She dashed past the pie table.
She zoomed around the quilting booth.
She galloped through the tulip archway, leaving petals swirling behind her like confetti.

Finally, she skidded to a stop in front of the judges’ stand — covered in ribbons, leaves, and exactly one tulip stuck to her tail.

The judges stared.

Then the head judge burst out laughing.

“Well,” he said, wiping his eyes, “I’ve never seen anything like it… but I think we have our winner for Most Creative Spring Display!”

And that’s how Melvina the Lone Donkey became the first — and probably the last — donkey to win a ribbon at the Pinebark Valley Flower Festival..

📖 Verses to Admonish and Encourage

1 Corinthians 15:58

“Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”

Proverbs 3:5

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart…”

Psalm 37:5

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him…”

Revelation 3:19

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”

Colossians 1:10

“Walk worthy of the Lord… being fruitful in every good work.”

Philippians 2:15

“Shine as lights in the world.”

James 1:22

“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…”

Galatians 6:8

“He that soweth to the Spirit shall… reap life everlasting.”

Colossians 3:16

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…”

Ephesians 6:11

“Put on the whole armour of God…”

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🙏 Prayer for Trusting God and Abounding in His Work

(Inspired by 1 Corinthians 15:58, Proverbs 3:5–6, and Psalm 37:5 — KJV)

Heavenly Father,
We come before You with hearts that long to trust and hands that long to serve.
Teach us to lean not on our own understanding, but to trust in You with all our heart.
Help us to commit our way unto You, knowing You shall bring it to pass.

When the path feels uncertain, remind us that You are faithful.
When the work feels heavy, remind us that our labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Give us grace to abound — not just to serve, but to serve with joy, with love, and with steadfastness.

Let us be unmovable in our faith, always abounding in Your work,
knowing that every act of kindness, every prayer, every song of praise
is seen by You and used for Your glory.

We trust You, Lord — with our plans, our burdens, our future.
And we thank You for the strength to keep going,
for the peace that passes understanding,
and for the promise that You are working all things together for good.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Amazing Grace Baptist Church ©2026 mb

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.

Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin Post March 8th

  Amazing Grace Baptist Bulletin Post

Amazing Grace Baptist Church 2026© 

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 Encouraging Bible Verses to Read Today

🌸🌼🌷🌺🌻  •  🌻🌺🌷🌼🌸

🌿 1. Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)

“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?”
A beautiful reminder that God is always working in the unseen places.

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🌸 2. Psalm 118:24 (KJV)

“This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
A perfect verse for starting the day with gratitude.

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🌱 3. Lamentations 3:22–23 (KJV)

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed… They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
A gentle promise of fresh mercy and new beginnings.

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🌼 4. Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”
A prayer for renewal — fitting for springtime and spiritual growth.

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🌤️ 5. Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
A steadying verse for days when you need guidance.

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🕊️ 6. Philippians 4:7 (KJV)

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
A verse that wraps the heart in calm.

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🌷 7. Psalm 34:8 (KJV)

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.”
A sweet reminder of God’s goodness in every season.

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Little True Stories To Encourage.

🌸🌼🌷🌺🌻  •  🌻🌺🌷🌼🌸

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🦉 1. The Lost Button

Mrs. Ellison was sewing a patch on her grandson’s coat when she noticed a button missing. She searched the floor, the sewing box, even the laundry basket — nothing. Just as she sighed and gave up, she spotted it nestled in the folds of her Bible cover.

She smiled. “Even the little things, Lord?”
Yes. Even the little things.

“But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
— Luke 12:7 (KJV)

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🌸 2. The Quiet Hug

Little Ava had a rough morning. Her shoes didn’t match, her cereal spilled, and her feelings were too big for words. At church, she sat quietly until Miss Ruth knelt beside her and simply opened her arms.

Ava melted into the hug. No sermon. No speech. Just love.

“Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
— 1 John 3:18 (KJV)

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🌿 3. The Garden Note

Tom was planting spring bulbs when he found a note tucked under a stone:
“Thank you for sharing your garden. It gives me hope.”
No name. No date. Just kindness blooming quietly.

Tom smiled and whispered, “Lord, let me keep planting.”

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
— Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

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🌿 The Bridge of Early Spring

🌸🌼🌷🌺🌻  •  🌻🌺🌷🌼🌸

In the early spring of 1962, the river that ran through Maple Glen finally thawed. The ice cracked open in long silver lines, and the water began to move again — slow at first, then with a gentle, determined rush.

On the edge of town lived an older man named Mr. Ellery. He was quiet, steady, and known mostly for the small wooden toys he carved for the children at Christmas. But that spring, he noticed something no one else had:
the footbridge across the river had begun to sag.

It wasn’t broken.
It wasn’t dangerous yet.
But it was tired — the kind of tired that comes from years of carrying people without complaint.

So one morning, without being asked, Mr. Ellery gathered his tools and walked to the bridge. He didn’t make an announcement. He didn’t call a meeting. He simply began to repair what needed mending.

He replaced boards.
He tightened bolts.
He sanded rough edges.
He worked quietly, humming old hymns as the sun warmed the riverbanks.

People passed by and waved.
Some asked what he was doing.
He just smiled and said, “Helping the bridge keep doing its job.”

By the end of the week, the bridge stood straight again — strong, safe, and ready for another season of footsteps.

On Sunday morning, the pastor mentioned it during the service.

“Love is often like that bridge,” he said.
“It carries more weight than anyone realizes.
And sometimes, the holiest work is done by those who quietly strengthen what holds us together.”

The congregation turned to look at Mr. Ellery, who sat in the back row, surprised and a little embarrassed. He hadn’t done it for recognition. He had done it because he saw something that needed care — and he cared.

That spring, the town learned something simple and beautiful:

Love doesn’t always ask for permission.
Sometimes it just shows up with a toolbox.

And because of one man’s quiet initiative, the whole community walked forward with greater confidence — supported by a bridge that was stronger than before.

Susan Barker Nikitenko 2026©

             🐴 A Funny About Melvina the Lone Donkey

🌸🌼🌷🌺🌻  •  🌻🌺🌷🌼🌸

Everyone in town knows Melvina — the lone donkey with the personality of a small marching band and the stubbornness of a thousand mules. Last Tuesday, she wandered past the church yard just as the ladies’ spring cleaning crew was sweeping the sidewalk.

Melvina stopped, stared at the broom, and let out a dramatic sigh that could be heard three counties over.

Sister Hattie said, “Melvina, what’s wrong with you now?”

Melvina blinked slowly, as if delivering a sermon of her own, and brayed:

“Hee‑haw means: I don’t do spring cleaning.”

Then she strutted off — ears high, tail swishing — leaving the ladies laughing and one broom mysteriously missing. (It was later found behind the fellowship hall, where Melvina had apparently tried to use it as a back scratcher.)

And so the legend continues:

Melvina the Lone Donkey — too dignified to work, but never too dignified to cause a little joy.

🌷 A Prayer for Spring’s Beginning

🌸🌼🌷🌺🌻  •  🌻🌺🌷🌼🌸

Heavenly Father,
As spring begins, our hearts lift with gratitude for the promise of new life.
You are the God who melts the winter cold, awakens the earth,
and reminds us that nothing is beyond Your power to renew.

Let this new season stir fresh hope within our church family.
Where faith has grown weary, breathe strength again.
Where hearts feel heavy, shine Your warm and healing light.
Where we have planted in tears, help us look forward to a harvest of joy.

Teach us to grow in grace as the flowers grow toward the sun.
Make our love for one another vibrant and sincere.
Help us walk in forgiveness, kindness, and unity,
so that Your beauty is seen in all we do.

Bless our worship, our fellowship, our service,
and every quiet act of obedience done in Your name.
May this spring be a season of spiritual awakening—
in our homes, in our church, and in every heart that seeks You.

Lord, make all things new in us.
We welcome the fresh work of Your Spirit
as spring begins.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.   

    Melvina and the Great Spring Surprise

🌸🌼🌷🌺🌻  •  🌻🌺🌷🌼🌸

Spring had just begun, and the church children were outside hunting for early flowers.
Melvina wandered over, curious as ever, and began sniffing every patch of grass like she was the official inspector of spring.
Little Emma pointed at her and said, “Melvina, are you helping us find flowers?”
Melvina shook her head dramatically and stomped once — the universal donkey sign for absolutely not.
Then, with great ceremony, she lowered her head and nudged something forward with her nose.
It wasn’t a flower.
It wasn’t a leaf.
It was…
a half‑eaten carrot she had buried last fall.
The children burst into giggles.
Emma said, “Melvina, that’s not spring!”
Melvina brayed proudly,
“Hee‑haw means: It sprang right out of the ground, didn’t it?”
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?”
— Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)      

                              

             🌿 Encouraging Quotes from The Heart

 🌸🌼🌷🌺🌻  •  🌻🌺🌷🌼🌸

1. “Faith moves one step at a time, but every step taken with God becomes a victory.”

2. “When God calls you forward, He has already prepared the strength you’ll need to get there.”

3. “The work of faith is never wasted — heaven sees every tear, every prayer, every quiet act of love.”

4. “Courage grows when we remember Who walks beside us.”

5. “God does not ask us to be strong — only willing. His strength fills the willing heart.”

6. “Pressing on is easier when your eyes are on Jesus and not on the weight you carry.”

7. “Faith doesn’t always feel brave, but it always leads us closer to the heart of God.”

8. “God is not only at the finish line — He is in every step.”

9. “The smallest obedience can open the door to the greatest blessing.”

10. “Keep going. God is working in ways you cannot yet see.”

Have a Good Sunday Love Always 

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.Images are not all Christian, but put here for the purposes of doing good works of faith, family and country.