From Green to Red

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Dear NLS Family and Friends,

celtic-cross-smallIt started on the 13th of March when the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Marshall, Hugh Coleman, his aides, and other dignitaries gathered around the fountain at Forsyth Park to dye the water green. During the next several days, they dyed all the fountains in Savannah green as well.

Over 300,000 visitors came. A lot of green floated through the streets: green costumes, green floats, green hats and beaded necklaces and even green beer! Owners of shops, restaurants, and hotels smiled as the green overflowed in their cash registers!

If that wasn’t enough, the winds blew and various shades of green pollen covered the landscape, cars, sidewalks and porches. Green pollen everywhere!  You step in it, you sit in it and you breathe it! You feel like you need a shower, and you do! But you wouldn’t want to turn on the shower to stand under a spray of green water! Only fresh, pure water will do!

Every day we live on this green earth we are subjected to sin. It’s everywhere! You see it, you walk through it, you smell it, and sometimes you even sit in it. This sounds much like Lot who was vexed by the filthy lifestyle of the wicked: “For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds . . .” (2 Peter 2:8)

Soon God will destroy this old sinful world, even as He overthrew the cities of Sodom and Gomorra. One amazing day we will walk down golden streets. We will breathe Heaven’s pure air. Together, we will live in a perfect place with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

Until then, we need to keep ourselves clean. God directs us to that wonderful place. Hear it in the words of this old hymn: “There is a fountain filled blood, drawn from Emanuel’s veins. And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains. And sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains!”

Thank God for the blood!

Pastor J. S. Hartman
New Life Sanctuary
Bloomingdale/Pooler, GA

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The Foundation

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jewish nationDear NLS Family and Friends,

I appreciate a solid foundation. Without it the building would surely crumble.

As Christians, we must never forget our roots. Abraham walked faithfully with God and was blessed with a family too numerous to number. That family gave credence to a singular, monotheistic God. The Almighty God of creation chose this family of faith to reveal Himself to the entire world.

The Patriarchs, the Prophets and the Law of Moses spoke not only to that faithful nation, but also to its hedonistic neighbors. While they prayed to their lifeless idols, the One True God answered by fire!

Israel had her enemies down through the years, and still does, but she also has her friends. There was a Friend that loved Israel, and the world, so much that He came as an Israelite, particularly as a Jew, to point men back to the One True God. He came to redeem His people Israel, but He also came for “whosoever will.”  He opened the door of salvation to the Gentile nations as well.

There are Messianic Jews today who came to the realization that Jesus was truly the Messiah. I believe that as this old world races toward eternity, many Jews will come to that same conclusion. As well, Israel should come to realize that the “Holy Nation,” those “Peculiar People,” the “Church,”  yes, committed Christians everywhere . . . are true friends as well.

We must never forget or neglect our foundation. The Old Testament. The Jewish Nation.

Psalms 122:6-9
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.

Shalom!

Pastor J.S.  Hartman
New Life Sanctuary
Bloomingdale, (Pooler) GA

FREE Living Debt Free Class at New Life Sanctuary, Friday, Feb. 27

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New Life Sanctuary is offering a free class “Living Debt Free” on Friday, February 27th from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

DebtFreeLifeTamara Munson, a professional accountant and church member will teach the basics of Living Debt Free, to help encourage you in financial management.

The class will cover the following main points:

  1. Obstacles to living debt free
  2. How to get out of debt and stay out of debt
  3. Detailed interactive example

Tamara Munson is an accountant who has been working in the accounting and financial services industry for 16 years.  She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Campbell University in 2002, a Master’s in Management and Leadership Development from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 2008, and a second Bachelor’s in Accounting from Georgia Southwestern State University in 2011. Her experience includes advising individuals and businesses on investing, accounting, banking, mortgage and taxes. She currently works for a private CPA firm in Savannah where she completes local government audits. In addition, she continues to provide personal and business financial and accounting services.

FREE Budgeting Basics Class at New Life Sanctuary, this Friday, Feb. 20

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New Life Sanctuary is offering a FREE Budgeting Basics Class, this Friday, February 20th from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
There will also be a second free class “Living Debt Free” on Friday, February 27th from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Tamara Munson, a professional accountant and church member will teach the Budgeting Basics class, to help encourage you in financial management.

The class will cover the following main points:

  1. What is a budget & why do I need one?
  2. How do I create an effective personal budget?
  3. Detailed interactive example

Tamara Munson is an accountant who has been working in the accounting and financial services industry for 16 years.  She obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Finance from Campbell University in 2002, a Master’s in Management and Leadership Development from Armstrong Atlantic State University in 2008, and a second Bachelor’s in Accounting from Georgia Southwestern State University in 2011. Her experience includes advising individuals and businesses on investing, accounting, banking, mortgage and taxes. She currently works for a private CPA firm in Savannah where she completes local government audits. In addition, she continues to provide personal and business financial and accounting services.

Happy Valentine’s Day

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Dear NLS Family and Friends,

dog-etsy-valentines-dayValentine’s Day is drawing near. The sentiments of love and affection are often displayed through the giving of cards, flowers, candy, dining out, jewelry and so on. It is estimated Valentine’s Day 2015 will bring 18.9 billion dollars into the economy. Retailers love, love, love this time of year. It is estimated those who celebrate will spend an average of $128. Men spend and average of $166, while women spend $90.

Personally, my spending is on the low end. It must be the millionaires out there that help balance these figures out!

If you don’t have an extra $128 laying around the house, there are less costly ways to show your affection. Take a walk with your Love. If you enjoy nature, there are parks, hiking trails and the sandy beach of Tybee Island. If you are more of a city slicker, Savannah is a romantic city with moss canopies stretching from oak to oak, beautiful historical homes and park squares. If these suggestions aren’t your style, at least make a homemade Valentine. Write out the sentiments of your heart. Your Sweetheart will be thrilled with it!

Spiritually on Valentines Day, we look upward to the One who loves us more than we could ever fathom. He displayed His love on the old rugged cross. His freely gave His love, without pretense or price tag:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… (John 3:16 KJV).

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold… But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot… (1Peter 1:18-19 KJV).

We can show our love and affection to Jesus, not by offering expensive gifts, but by presenting the “Valentine” of a steadfast, loving heart. He will be thrilled with it!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Pastor JS Hartman
New Life Sanctuary
Bloomingdale/Pooler, GA

From SIN to SYN

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From_SIN-to_SYNDear NLS Family and Friends,
In our Christian walk we must exchange a life of SIN for a lifestyle of SYN. Although these two words sound the same, they aren’t.
The general Greek word for SIN is “Hamartia,” which means “to miss the mark” (as in an archery competition) and therefore fail to receive the prize, or blessing. This is word is used 221 times in the New Testament.
Scriptural references:
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…” –Hebrews 12:1.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” -Romans  3:23
On the other hand, SYN, is a prefix coming from the Greek language, meaning “with” or “together.”
Examples:  The word “Synagogue” means “gathering together.” When Jews come together to worship, they come to the Synagogue.
The word “Synoptic” means “seeing together.”  The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke are referred to as the Synoptic Gospels because they include many of the same stories, often in a similar sequence and in similar wording. John’s Gospel is distinct. It reads differently. It’s theological instead of historical in intent.
The word “Synergy” means “working together.” The effect of synergy: the creation of the whole is greater than its individual parts.
The life of SIN brings spiritual death and separation from God.
The lifestyle of SYN produces coming together in love and good works.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching….” Hebrews 10:23-25.
Gather together, see together, and work together. Sounds like good church to me!
“Synfully” Yours,
Pastor J.S. Hartman
New Life Sanctuary
Bloomingdale/Pooler, GA

Who is your hero?

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Dear NLS Family and Friends,

Who is your hero? Let me tell you about mine. He wasn’t all muscle, heroand he couldn’t fly through the air faster than a speeding bullet. He couldn’t leap over tall skyscrapers or stop a major world crisis. But to my young eighteen year-old mind he was bigger than life, or so it seemed.

He could play just about any instrument he put his hands on. One time you’d see him tickle the ivories. Then he would transition to the organ, his fingers gliding across the keys while his feet danced a jig on the pedals. My favorite was seeing him pick up that large black and white electric accordion. His right hand employed the piano keys while the left hand magically touched the correct black buttons, all the while he was squeezing the billows back and forth. It all worked together to produce an awesome, exciting and harmonious sound would fill the room.

On top of all of this, his voice cranked out those old, wonderful hymns and spiritual songs that have nearly faded away. I hardly ever hear selection number 62, or 198 or 111, but when I do hear those old songs I drift back to a bygone era.

My hero could preach like there was no tomorrow. He would use visual illustrations that made the sermon stand out in my mind. Conviction came and we all went down to the altars: ladies on the left and men on the right.

He baptized me in a rock quarry filled with water. He taught and lived a standard that made the world take notice. His wife, who towered over him, arranged her hair like a teetering stack of Brillo pads. Anyone in town could see them from afar and knew exactly who they were.

Unashamed, I can tell you who my hero is: Rev. Donald L. Lero.

Was he perfect? No! Did he have a few rough edges? Yes! But he was the first one that brought the saving gospel to my ears. He taught me how to live for Jesus in a crazy, upside down world. He’s gone now, and has been since 1994, but he is still my hero! Who’s yours?

Remembering,

Pastor J.S. Hartman
New Life Sanctuary
Pooler/Bloomingdale, GA

Pastor J.S. Hartman
New Life Sanctuary
Pooler/Bloomingdale, GA

Get rich quick with God’s many blessings!

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Dear NLS Family and Friends,

junk_mailMail, particularly junk mail, can overwhelm us at times. It comes dressed up in exclusive wrapping:

“MR. J.S. HARTMAN has been selected as one of the top finalists to win our $100,000,000.00 Sweepstakes. To be eligible, you must respond by February 15th. No purchase necessary!”

“A brand new 2015 BMW is yours MR. HARTMAN! Just bring this key down to our Showroom and if your key fits you’ll drive away in your new BMW today!”

“Mr J.S. HARTMAN, $1,000,000.00 of Life Insurance is available to you, regardless of your age or medical condition. Don’t leave your family unable to maintain your current lifestyle should the Grim Reaper come for you tonight!”

“OPEN IMMEDIATELY! Important Government Documents enclosed! You may qualify for a Home Refinance at the rate of 1%! You could save thousands on unnecessary interest costs!”

“The HARTMAN FAMILY has won a free Bahamas Cruise! No Purchase Necessary! Important Details Inside!”

We all get these IMPORTANT mailings everyday, and they look more than interesting. We are almost afraid of discarding these “certain treasures.” We tell ourselves, “I could win this time!” (Of course we don’t say that about the Life Insurance because we want to continue to live and partake of these riches ourselves.)

Winning may be possible, but it’s highly unlikely. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

To ensure ourselves of the True Treasures for Life (and Eternal Life), we must discard the junk mail and instead open the mail that comes from God every day. He stands behind every promise, and He is not slack concerning His promises. With Him, everyone can be a winner! He says what He means, and He means what He says!

So check the mail from God’s Holy Word today. It’s got YOUR NAME on it! Open Immediately! Important Details Inside! Get rich quick with God’s many blessings!

Pastor J.S. Hartman
New Life Sanctuary
Bloomingdale/Pooler, GA