Think You Can, Think You Can’t

Rudy French is teaching us all lessons on faith. When someone mentioned at our Wednesday pastors meeting that he had seen the signs from FBC-Norco inviting everyone to the ribbon-cutting of the church’s new mission center this coming Saturday–March 3, 11 am–Rudy told this story.

“They tell me that Henry Ford used to have a sign on his desk that said: ‘Think You Can. Think You Can’t. Either Way, You’re Right.’ Well, every church has some ‘think you can’t’ members. And even after all the wonderful things the Lord has done at First, Norco, we still have some like that. I wanted to advertise for our dedication this Saturday but some people just don’t see the need. It costs money. Then I saw these little ‘stick in the ground’ signs. They cost 10 dollars each. I didn’t have the money, but I bought 30, and we put them up around the area. Some of you saw them in LaPlace.”

“Our ribbon-cutting is not until this Saturday, but would you believe, we had four visitors last Sunday–people who saw our signs and decided to come worship with us! And just think what’s going to happen on Saturday!”

Rudy laughed and told how the sign in front of that church was still advertising Christmas services. He told a church member that it should be changed every week, and the man volunteered to see to it. “I looked out the other day and he was up on the ladder putting up the letters. And the man holding the ladder for him was our oldest member–89 years old! Neither one of them have very good eyesight. They would pick up a letter and squint at it and say, ‘Does this look like an ‘A’?” But praise God, they’re keeping that sign up to date and even thinking up good sayings to put on it!”

Steve Gahagan, Operation NOAH Rebuild, told the 35 pastors present of a woman calling their offices this week, shouting, “I got it! I got my money!” She had received a check for the full amount the Louisiana Recovery Authority is awarding people with damaged homes, over $150,000. She was ecstatic. Steve said, “That’s about to happen more and more. We’ve been moving slow about rebuilding because we didn’t have money to buy the materials. But as more and more people get their money, that’s not going to be the problem.”


NOAH has 33 teams of church volunteers booked for March. June is booked solid, and just this week, Steve received word from two teams that are staying elsewhere, saying they will be bringing over 100 people the first week of June and want him to put them to work rebuilding homes.

I stepped to the mike and asked how many remembered that a year ago, people were fearful that by the end of the first anniversary of Katrina, New Orleans would be forgotten and moved to the back burner, replaced by more recent disasters. But it has not happened. God’s people are remembering us. Thank you, Lord!

We think you can do this, Father.

Bob Marye of Habitat for Humanity reported that they’re now set to start building houses not only in the 9th Ward (where our Baptist Crossroads is focusing), but also downriver in Plaquemines Parish, in Harvey, and also in Kenner. Some of these will be set aside for law enforcement officers, firefighters, or clergy, he said. He also caused some ears to perk up when he announced that Habitat has sheetrock to sell for 10 dollars a sheet, which is several dollars lower than it can be purchased for otherwise locally.

We had the entire team from Global Maritime with us today: Philip Vandercook, the executive director, Jared Walley, chaplain, and our usual team of Steve and Ann Corbin. They introduced Vanessa who has just come on board as a MSC volunteer. Vanessa and the Corbins were all made “official” in an appointment service last week in Albuquerque, NM. Philip invited everyone to tour the new port ministry facility at 3635 Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans. That wonderful structure was birthed in Philip’s heart by the Holy Spirit. Even though they had little money, they went ahead.

They thought they could.

The Carver and Rachel Sims Mission Centers were represented by Linda Middlebrooks today. They are also booked solid with groups coming to help in the building of this city and other kinds of ministries. “Tell us what you need,” she implored. “We have these groups wanting to come into your neighborhood and do anything you need. But you have to tell us.” As David Rhymes echoed, “You have not because you ask not. Ask and you shall receive!”

“The Women’s Ministry is for you,” said a beaming Rebecca Hughes. “If we do our work well with the pastors’ wives, when you come home in the evening, your wife will be happy and the atmosphere around your house will be bright and cheerful.” Several ‘amens’ bubbled up from the men present. Becky and her team are planning a SPA Day for ministers’ wives and other women in ministry for Saturday, May 12, to be held here at the Baptist Center from 9 am to 3 pm. Everything will be free. “We’ll have a masseuse to give them a good massage,” she said, “and we’ll do some games. We’ll have Bible studies and great food for lunch. Some of the details are still in the planning stage.”

“What we need from you men,” Becky Hughes said, “is that you baby-sit the kids so she can spend the day here and not worry about anything. We promise to restore to you a happy wife and mother. We’re going to have a great time.” The start of something very good? I think so.

Thomas Glover reported on the exciting dedication of their facilities last Sunday afternoon, and introduced his new Minister of Education Bethany Hales. Bethany explained the details of the Unlimited Partnerships (referred to here previously) in which 7 seminary students are matched with 7 of our small churches for a year or two to help them build an educational program. All of this is being overseen by Dr. Bill Taylor and is being funded by 7 churches around the country. As it succeeds, look for us to do this on a much larger scale within a year.

Think You Can?

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he,” says Proverbs. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” said Paul. That’s what he thought, and he proved it a hundred ways.

What do you think?

One thought on “Think You Can, Think You Can’t

  1. Just a correction Joe. Vanessa was commissioned with us but she actually works with Linda @ Rachel Sims. Sorry for the confusion. Ann

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