Papi Harper

What to Do - Where to Go!?

2012-02-10T21:58:00.000-06:00

Where do I go, and what do I do?

Two Becky's - IMAGINE!!!

2011-12-18T18:12:00.004-06:00

IMAGINE

2011-12-18T18:12:00.001-06:00

Kids at Christmas

2011-12-17T14:25:00.000-06:00

Kids love to give and receive at Christmas time!

He Knows!

2011-12-03T12:07:00.003-06:00

Harper hard at work!

Christmas as a Child Sees It!

2011-12-03T12:03:00.002-06:00

Today, Harper decided to arrange the Nativity Scene. He has a reason for the placement of every figurene! Children know!

Wedding in Venezuela - you guessed it, the bride is not here and it started 45 minutes ago!

2011-11-18T16:37:00.000-06:00

I Do Not Have to Create Anymore Pranks/Memories

2011-09-05T07:36:00.002-05:00

Marcy Harper wedded Christopher (Toast) Luke Abernathy on Saturday, September 3, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, so now I do not have to come up with anymore memory makers, since Marcy is my last daughter to marry! The ceremony, in fact the whole day was perfect!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

2011-08-30T10:54:00.003-05:00

The day is coming - Saturday, September 3, 2011, my baby girl Marcy Lynn, will take Christopher (Toast) Luke Abernathy as her lawful wedded husband! I get to walk her down the yard, give her away, preach the charge/sermon, officiate the Lord Supper and pronounce them man and wife. Mom and Dad are very proud of ya Marcy, and that day will be the visible answer to all our prayers your whole life; a Godly man who loves God and you.

Love, Papi (Dad)

Awesome Thought from "Safe in The Arms of God"

2011-08-16T08:09:00.003-05:00

I read this awesome sentence in this book, and want to share it with you! This is a statement from a man who along with his wife had a son that was born and died, the wife discovered her debilitating disease, and then they had a daughter who lived for 22 hours. The dad was able to stay with his daughter during the time of her life, hold her, and then hold her after she died. He had to do this while his wife was recovering from giving birth, and he was alone the whole time with his baby girl! He made this statement: "I simply tried to take in all I could about my daughter's final minutes on this earth and deep within me, I knew that God is sovereign, and in the face of that abiding truth, I had a great calm." FOLKS WHATEVER CHALLENGE YOU ARE GOING THROUGH - IF YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE THIS GREAT CALM!!! This thought was so profound and thought provoking that it really ministered to me.

Papi Harper

Yea!!

2011-08-06T09:21:00.001-05:00

Yea - Praise the Lord: today I get to spend the day with Harper, grandson, and preach tomorrow at PPBC.

Blessings,
Hermano Bob

REPRIEVE

2011-07-29T12:25:00.002-05:00

Reprieve: a noun, "an interruption in the intensity or amount of something". I learned the necessity for such a thing this past week. Thank you Plymouth Park Baptist Church for allowing its employees time off.

Blessings, Hermano Bob

Decisions - but thank God!!

2011-05-01T19:12:00.002-05:00

I have to figure out whether I go to Alabama as a Chaplain with Victim Relief or as a Yellow Cap with the Chainsaw Unit from PPBC with Texas Baptist Men. Maybe, wearing both hats at one time. I rest in the promise of Proverbs 3/5 and 6: "With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow." Pray for Alabama!

Papi Harper

God is Perfect!!

2011-02-11T22:14:00.003-06:00

Today, God showed me once again, how perfect is everything He does! If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, you KNOW exactly what I am talking about. If you are not, then you are missing out on God-perfect days. Let me tell you, God's ways are absolutely perfect even though they seem absolutely strange. He had me involved in a wreck so that I could minister/witness to the other driver, and then allowed me to get 3 times what I could have sold the car for. Three weeks later, I get the opportunity to minister to a financial manager of the car dealership where I purchased my new vehicle from. How God does what He does to open doors for us is amazing!
While there is time - surrender your life to Jesus Christ, so that you can benefit from His blessings!!!

Blessings, Papi Harper

Look at Me!!!

2011-01-05T20:30:00.003-06:00

I sleep and then I yawn, my name is Ellington Grace Haggerton, and my older brother calls me Olie!!

What a Merry Christmas!!!

2010-12-25T22:39:00.002-06:00

WOW - what Christmas Day, December 25, 2010 was!!! Started the day celebrating Jesus, my Savior, having come to earth to be with me (Emmanuel) over 2000 years ago, and then today Ellington Grace Haggerton, my first girl grandbaby, was born. God is so good, now I am Papi to two grandkids, a boy and a girl.

Love, Papi

God's Care

2010-09-30T05:22:00.002-05:00

God absolutely cares for you and I. Start as early as you can to follow His every steps.

God's Care

2010-09-30T05:18:00.002-05:00

Shouldn't we be like Jesus!? Whatever He does, we should do.

God Provides

2010-09-21T00:25:00.002-05:00

Marcy Harper, my youngest daughter, started her new job/ministry today with Compassion International. They take care of 1 million orphans in about 28 countries. God provided! This evening, I started my parttime job as a shuttle driver. God provided! WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT AS UNTO THE LORD.

Oh, did I mention that "Yo amo a Harper!"

An Important Condition

2010-08-09T22:10:00.002-05:00

The book, The Pastor-Preacher, sheds understanding for the Pastor-Preacher on a condition: "To be close to Christ is to make us ardent to come close to all humankind."

Greatness

2010-07-22T07:15:00.004-05:00

How do you define "greatness"? For me you go to God's Word, the Bible, first, and then to other sources. I am preparing a brief presentation for the Plymouth Park Baptist Church Leadership Summit on Saturday, August 21. I am being reminded again that God uses "small", so that He gets the glory! Come and join us, and I promise that you will be blessed.

blessings, Papi

Follow Papi Harper's Blog

2010-07-10T12:31:00.002-05:00

Please follow Bob "Papi" Harper on his blog.

http://papiharper.blogspot.com/

My Baby Girl Marcy

2010-07-08T13:28:00.003-05:00

My baby girl Marcy is coming to see us, and we rendez-vous with her at the airport at 3:30 PM. We are so excited to get to spend some time with her.

Blessings, Papi

Rest

2010-07-04T14:04:00.002-05:00

Harper and his Dad took a siesta yesterday, and looking at the way Harper is laying shows that he moves all around instead of going to sleep right away!! I believe his Dadda was asleep before he was!

Harper, Papi loves ya, blessings, Papi

Freedom

2010-07-04T13:53:00.002-05:00

Jesus tells us what freedom is: "and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." "So if the Son sets you free, you will be really free." We do live in the great USA, and do celebrate freedom on this July 4th, but think about being truly free indeed! Real freedom is only in Jesus Christ.

Blessings,
Papi

Vacation Bible School

2010-06-18T17:34:00.000-05:00

I want everyone to know that I absolutely enjoyed Vacation Bible School this year at Plymouth Park Baptist Church. It was great to see how God used so many people to bring it off. God was glorified, and hats off to Jason Curry for having taken the bull by the horns and trust God to see what great things He would do. The kiddos learned a bunch about God and the many ways to serve Him. What I liked was that the majority of the kiddos were not from Plymouth Park Baptist Church, and I feel we really reached the community.
Blessings,
Papi Harper

World Cup Thoughts

2010-06-17T15:57:00.001-05:00

I like June 11 - July 11 every four years, and during this time I realize how much soccer has taken root in me. My three favorite teams are USA, Paraguay and Mexico. There are 32 countries that qualified to be in this 2010 World Cup, and you need to see some of the games to see the level of soccer played in the World Cup. The 1st and 2nd place teams will move onto the Round of 16, and here is my prediction: Group A, Uruguay and Mexico; Group B, Argentina and South Korea; Group C, England and USA; Group D, Germany and Ghana; Group E, Netherlands and Cameroon; Group F, Paraguay and Italy; Group G, Brazil and Portugal; and Group H, Chile and Spain. Let me watch some more soccer and then I can make further suggestions as to who advances to the quarterfinals.

You need to pray for the christian athletes because the World Cup is always such a great platform for them to honor and praise Jesus Christ. There are quite a few christian athletes now, and they do give God the glory. Tim Howard, the goalie for the USA and KaKa, midfielder for Brazil are two of these world-class christian athletes.

Goooollllll !

Papi Harper

World Cup Thoughts

2010-06-13T16:56:00.000-05:00

I watched South Korea play yesterday, and I believe they will advance to the Quarter Finals. The USA, I believe will advance to the Round of 16. There is more prognostication to come as I observe the games played.

Papi Harper

June 11 - July 11, 2010

2010-06-12T15:51:00.000-05:00

This time period is a great time to live and celebrate, the World Cup of soccer, and tomorrow I get the priviledge of preaching! Life in Christ is even a greater reason to live and celebrate during this time!!

Papi Harper

Pray

2010-06-08T21:20:00.000-05:00

I am asking you, if you believe in God and in prayer, to cover Plymouth Park Baptist Church's VBS and Youth Camp in prayer. Lets ask God to annoint the workers with His special annointing, and lets ask God to give the kiddos an unforgettable encounter with Him!!! Please set about this task if you love the Lord and love other people.

Blessings,
Papi Harper

PS: I love ya Harper, and can't wait for you to go to VBS and Youth Camp!!

I Understand!

2010-06-06T06:44:00.002-05:00

I truly understand - what a challenge it is for a preacher to get a fresh Word from the Lord and then communicate it 100% to the people. I am preparing to preach on Sunday, June 13th. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME FOR THIS!

Blessings, Papi

Snyder, Texas

2010-05-30T23:16:00.001-05:00

This weekend roadtrip to Snyder/West Texas was awesome!! It was such a blessing to see Wayne Monroney so blessed. We covered so much ground! Thanks so much to God for allowing this.

Seasons

2010-05-28T23:41:00.002-05:00

I am a big believer that God has seasons for us! He will use you for whatever season He sees fit, and then desires to use you in another season. Things change.

USA - Whoever

2010-05-26T12:49:00.002-05:00

Okay - Okay - Okay - last night's friendly USA soccer game was not the official team roster for the World Cup. They accomplished exactly what they set out to do - experiment with players. Get ready to see what happens tomorrow night when they play Turkey!!

Blessings,
Papi

World Cup 2010 begins in South Africa

2010-05-25T20:57:00.002-05:00

The World Cup for 2010 begins tonight! USA men play the Czech Republic men tonight, and we will see. Go America!!

WOW - Read Deuteronomy Chpt. 11

2010-05-15T22:03:00.002-05:00

When you read Deut. 11 - put yourself in the picture and you will appreciate what God does for His children!! WE SHOULD LIVE ACCORDING TO GOD'S LAWS BECAUSE HE REQUIRES THAT OF US AND BECAUSE THERE ARE BLESSINGS.
Amen

2010-05-13T18:13:00.004-05:00

WOW - when you open yourself up (or the church) to whatever the Lord has for you - you see the impossible for man but the POSSIBLE for God!! Plymouth Park Baptist Church has now for quite sometime offered International Friends to the community, and there are all kinds of persons that God is allowing to cross our path. These are some of the people that are being exposed to the Good News of Jesus Christ in 2010 here at Plymouth Park Baptist Church.

Praise God!!

I am in Need of More Followers

2010-05-10T06:09:00.002-05:00

I am in need of more followers, so could you please help me? For me it will be a much needed challenge, more blogging, and hopefully for you, a blessing! I will blog about all subjects, so you will benefit from being a knowlegeable person about many things (that will benefit you when sitting around drinking a cup of coffee talking nonsense)!!

A great Read

2010-04-20T17:16:00.002-05:00

I am reading a book by Ben Stein and Phil DeMuth, "The Little Book of Bulletproof Investing". It is an easy read, but most practical! Bottom line: it echoes what the Bible has to say about being a good steward!!

Oh, and by the way, my grandson Harper is 18 months old. Papi sure does love and enjoy him. I also love and enjoy my wife, Becky and my two daughters, Cindy and Marcy and JimBob Haggerton.

My Grandson, Harper Joseph Haggerton

2010-04-07T20:09:00.002-05:00

It is awesome to watch your grandchild develop! My little "Harper" says, "Papi" while he looks everywhere for me. He likes to say, "Papi", "amo", and an assortment of many words! It is a joy to see him begin to put the words together, and to build his vocabulary. The little boy is only 18 months and can tell his Mama when he needs to potty (No. 2). He says, "shoo", while moving his hand over his nose.
I love ya Harper, and thank God everyday for you!!

Senior Adults at Plymouth Park Baptist Church

2010-03-27T17:47:00.002-05:00

Plymouth Park Baptist Church, Senior Adults, just finished up the Spring Bible Retreat in Grandbury, Texas. I want to say as the Senior Adult Pastor, God blessed us because we feasted upon His Word. We came away with an understanding that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God!! God's Word is a necessity!! We were pleased and blessed to have Senior Adults from other church families join us too.

God bless you,
Hermano Bob Harper

Summary of Bob Harper's Experience in Haiti

2010-02-21T12:52:00.011-06:00

I learned in Haiti with Texas Baptist Men passing out water filtration units many spiritual lessons, and I want to share at least two of them: in John 4/13,14, water is necessary and important, but spiritual water/salvation is most important! Accepting Jesus' salvation is satisfaction for all eternity. In Matthew 25/35-40, Jesus says if we do any type of service to the least of people, we are doing it for HIM!! When we served the Haitians with water filtration, we were serving the Lord Jesus Himself.

Allow me to share the miracles God did for us in Haiti:

~ God allowed me to go on such short notice - there were many obstacles

~ Delta did not charge for our 16 big containers

~ we were originally to fly to Detroit - the agent booked us directly to Atlanta

~ a Hawker 8 on loan to Texas Baptist Men - there are no commercial flights

~ place (compound) to pitch a tent

~ Marine patrol that just happened to show up at Grace Ministries Orphanage; provided food and water

~ hotel room (base camp) - a shower each night and a place to store all the equipment

~ police offered their truck to pick up the 400 gal. tank at EKO Depot for Mission Rescue (Omi's)

~ NBC gave us several cases of bottled water on several occasions - we ran low several days

~ exposure of Texas Baptist Men to the world through NBC about the water filtration

~ Missionary Aviation Fellowship - had a car-type carport tent to disburse the water filtration units from - in the shade

~ MAF and Army forklift to go about 60 yards to fetch the stockpile of water filtration units

~ local leaders to come and get the units in bulk to pass out to people they know and to people they do not know

~Army Airborne patrol on 4 wheeler we ran into around the corner - they followed us to Pei's place and they got on the map for further assistance

~ AT&T gave all service for free for humanitarian aid persons in Haiti

~ Hawker 8 and Vision Air flying for free

Will be Posting the Wrap Up of Experience in Haiti

2010-02-14T10:11:00.003-06:00

In the near future be watching because I will be posting the wrap up of my experience in Haiti. Presently, I am meditating on how to summarize, and will be sharing that with you soon.

blessings,

Papi Harper

Legacy

2010-01-17T16:32:00.006-06:00

In Psalm 127/3, God's Word, it says, "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him." I just buried my mom, Betty Harper a couple of days ago, and my dad, Leland Harper a few years ago. I have been reflecting on this lately, and how true God is to His Word!!!! What you leave behind to your children in earthly possessions matters absolutely nothing in eternity, but the spiritual legacy you leave absolutely matters in eternity!!!! Thanks Dad and Mom for living a life that affected my decision to surrender to Jesus and to live for Him. I too, have two children that are living for the Lord, and now have a grandson that will someday surrender his life to Jesus.

Plymouth Park Baptist Church Coat Drive for IISD Students

2009-12-30T14:41:00.002-06:00

Plymouth Park Baptist Church, in Irving, Texas, has for the last couple of years, provided winter coats for the Irving Independent School District students in the schools. We are once again in the midst of a coat drive, and in January, 2010 will deliver the coats to the Homeless department (YES). Next month we will have 3 drawings of a gift certificate, so why not bring a coat(s) by, and you will bless some student and have an opportunity to win a prize. Bob Harper, PPBC Minister of Missions/Senior Adult

31 Years of Marriage

2009-12-30T14:30:00.002-06:00

Today, 30 December, 2009 is my 31st wedding anniversary to Becky Harper. I LOVE YOU BABE!! We married in Odessa, Texas (I know that was a divine encounter), and the worst winter storm hit that day. Let me say, we weathered that storm, and by the grace of God have weathered all the others that came our way! With God's help - you can stay one. Thank you, Bec, for being patient with me.
Blessings, Hermano Bob

Be Thankful

2009-12-04T12:54:00.002-06:00

Do not allow circumstances to drive your attitude. We should always be thankful for our situation in life. God please forgive me for having shown dissatisfaction with my situation . I shared in the last blog why I am thankful, and that is the truth. I was listening to 94.9 today, and the situation of several people brought me to tears, and it was a great joy to hear what was being done for them!! God is in control and as His children - WOW!!!!

blessings,

Papi Harper

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-20T15:14:00.002-06:00

Thank you Jesus for giving me eternal life, Thank you Becky for being my wife for 31 years, Thank you Cindy and Marcy for being my daughters, Thank you Jim Bob for being my son-in-law, Thank you Harper for being my first grandson, Thank you God for calling me into ministry, Thank you God for my job and house. The Bible says to give thanks in all things, so that is what I am striving to do especially at this Thanksgiving time.

If You are a Believer, Please pray

2009-10-22T08:31:00.000-05:00

I would ask you to pray for my daughter, Dr. Cindy Haggerton and my grandson, Harper if you are a believer in Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that the prayer of a righteous person does much, so please pray for them that they would shake the flu bug that has hung onto both of them for so long.
blessings, Papi

God led The Harper's to a New Residence

2009-10-02T06:19:00.002-05:00

1524 Alberi Dr., Euless, Texas 76039 is the new place where Bob and Becky Harper reside. God nudged us to move, but He is still using Becky as a teacher at Travis Middle School in Irving, Texas, and Bob as Minister of Missions and Senior Adult at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving, Texas. Stay tuned for the posting at a later date of the journey of selling our Irving house and purchasing the Euless house. WE TRULY ARE BLESSED AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST, AND GOD IS OUR FATHER!!

The Blessed Move

2009-08-28T06:49:00.003-05:00

How blessed we are! We lived at 1629 Boundbrook, Irving, Tx for the past 9 years, now it looks like we are moving to 1524 Alberi Dr., Euless, Tx. We are truly blessed and so is another couple. We truly have sensed God's leading all the way, and are at peace with the move.

Pura Vida

2009-07-29T14:05:00.005-05:00

The PPBC Mission Trip with the Youth to Costa Rica was as they say in Costa Rica - "PURA VIDA". I certainly believe that our youth were challenged by God, and they saw what an awesome God they have and the Ticos were blessed by our kids. It was a week of seeing God change our plans, and it was meant for us to see that God will use you if you allow Him to. I cannot wait till next year! This mission initiative happened in July of this year.

Pura Vida,

Bob "Papi" Harper

Born Again American

2009-07-02T13:02:00.003-05:00

The latest song, "Born again American" by Keith Carradine is incredible!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I could attach the song to this blog, but I am technically challenged!. Go to the Born Again American website, and you can see and hear for yourself. THIS REALLY IS THE SPIRIT THAT IS NEEDED FOR OUR GREAT COUNTRY AT THIS TIME.

blessings, Papi

Much Needed

2009-06-26T09:56:00.002-05:00

What a spectacular place, Inn of The Mountain Gods, near Ruidosa, New Mexico! I know that the only God of this mountain is God of the universe, the God Who created everything that I am looking at through the great big window at the hotel. This is God, Who sent His Son to die for my sins, and Who gave me life. The view overlooks the lake, golf course and mountain range that the Etters, my wife, Becky and I will hike in a bit. I WANT TO THANK GOD FOR PROVIDING THIS MUCH NEEDED GETAWAY FOR ME. If Etter will figure out how to send me a picture on her cellphone, then I will be able to post a picture of the spectacular view.

Blessings,
Papi Harper

My Wife

2009-05-07T21:44:00.003-05:00

I have to tell you this, my wife Becky, received a 10 year award tonight from the Irving Independent School District!! What a night of celebration! Congrats to her, and I want the world to know that I love her and am so very proud of her. She received a key chain and a picture taken with Jerry Christian, the School Board President. Oh, I almost forgot, she also received her Mother's Day gift from her grandson Harper.

Blessings, Papi Harper

PPBC Senior Adults and I

2009-04-26T20:37:00.002-05:00

These past three days with a bunch of Senior Adults on a Spring Bible Retreat to Fredericksburg was everything I expected and even much more - a great blessing. They helped me improve my 42 (Texas dominoes) skills, and I shared God's Word with them!! Here is a Word that God shared with us: Colossians 1/13, 14 "For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, In Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Live On!!
What a contrast!!
Blessings, Papi Harper

Praise God

2009-04-05T15:19:00.004-05:00

Praise God!! He sent me the Word I needed for right now.
Psalm 91/1,2 "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God in Whom I trust."

I realize now that it is NOT: in Whom I will trust. It is in Whom I trust. Harper, Papi says, "take note".

Love ya Buddy, Papi Harper

Do You Know my Kids?

2009-01-30T12:54:00.006-06:00

I tell my kids all the time I love them, and we are so very grateful to the Lord that He has honored His promise to Becky (her name means - "To Tie" in Hebrew and Ann means "Gracious" in Hebrew) and I. We raised them in the Lord, and as a result of that they are living today for Him. Dr. Cin (Cynthia (name means "Moon" and is a Greek name) Nicole (is a Greek name and means "Victory of The People")) is a Chiropractor and MidWife, but now is a stay-at-home Mom to raise her child, Harper ("Harp Player") Joseph ("God will Increase" in Hebrew). She has given up her practice for now because they feel she should be a fulltime Mom. What a blessing in today's economy to be able to do that. If you follow God's perfect plan for you, He will richly bless you. Dr. JimBob ("Supplanter" in Hebrew, and "Bright Fame" for Robert) Haggerton, my son-in-law, (Jim as he calls himself in a show on stage in Branson, Missouri) is a fulltime Chiropractor (running his own practice, Lifetime Family Wellness) and owns Gentle Beginnings Birth Center. Cin met him while attending Plymouth Park Baptist Church faithfully (the best place to meet your future mate is in church). He is everything that we prayed for, and best of all is that he loves the Lord, his wife and his son. Marcy ("Brave" in Latin) Lynn, ("Near a Lake or Pond") who we affectionately call Marcy Lynner, is our youngest of two daughters. She just recently graduated from Texas Tech (Guns Up), and resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Marcy just got hired by the University of Phoenix as an Enrollment Counselor, and so she continues to reside in Colorado Springs. She is our world traveller, but what we are most proud of her is that she stays faithful to living for God. She is in the market for a husband, (Joel ("The Lord is God" in Hebrew) is the male in her life right now) but be warned that I am a jealous DAD. She has very high standards for her life and we support her in that.

Kids, Dad and Mom love you very Much!

blessings, Papi

2009-01-28T21:31:00.002-06:00

Hey my dear friend, Todd Gaston blogged about being a responsible dad, well tonight I got to be a responsible "Papi" (granddad). What a joy to be able to be at Harper's house in 15 minutes, cook supper for the kids, and make Harper laugh!! I love that little fella, and pray God's blessings on him each and every day.

blessings, Papi

2009-01-26T17:32:00.002-06:00

I want to continue with the Ten Secrets for The Man in The Mirror. This has been a favorite series of mine, and here is #6: Stewardship

"For most of us, the idea of stewardship is like a mothballed sweater only pulled out of our vocabulary closet during the annual "stewardship campaign" at church. We cringe at its mere mention because we expect a verbal spanking about tithing or the lack thereof. Biblical stewardship encompasses money, but so much more. Biblically, everything we have comes from God.

More to come...

Blessings,

Papi Harper

What I Need

2009-01-16T15:32:00.002-06:00

I understood today what my need is: "...we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy." Psalms 126/1,2 This is the description I need said of me!!! The Scripture later says, "Then it was said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them". I am seeking this joy again, and I want this to be my testimony.

Scripture also tells us that unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. I realize that much of my labor was for naught, and I did rise early and stay up late. DEAR GOD - I NEED YOU!!!

blessings, Papi

Love the Foreigners in our Country

2009-01-04T10:58:00.002-06:00

I just finished reading a most interesting book, "Mexican Enough", and I want to share with you a paragraph from that book. I share it with you so that we can understand why we need to love the foreigners on our doorsteps. We need to really love them in Jesus' Name if we claim to be Christian. Here goes: " It goes without saying that I will never be truly Mexican, not even if I moved there for the rest of my life and acquired the requisite customs and traditions. Because what binds a people are their bedtime stories. The songs they sing on road trips. Political and historical events. Fads and crazes. Shared memories. Not skills that can be acquired, like language or dance. Which isn't to say such pursuits are worthless endeavors. Cultural preservation is sacrosanct. But there is no point striving for an unobtainable state of being." Friend, the foreigners here are for us to love on in Jesus' Name, not to make them upstanding USA citizens. That is a noble activity; helping them to become upstanding citizens, but more important is to meet their spiritual need of Jesus Christ.

Happy New Year 2009

Merry Christmas To All

2008-12-25T18:18:00.003-06:00

I wish that everyone has had a great Merry Christmas, and is still having one!! I am having one of the best ever - I have asked God to please change my attitude, and to give me the courage to think of the other person first and that my living be all about serving them first. Just ask my wife how I did today on Christmas Day.

Tomorrow, I head out for Branson, Missouri with the whole family; Harper included, to celebrate Becky's and my 30th anniversary, Marcy's graduation from Texas Tech University, and my grandson Harper. I am going to give each day to God, so that I can continue to be used of Him, and so that I can receive the blessings. Thank you to Bro. Ken for challenging me last night at the Christmas Eve service to find some time during the Christmas holiday to WORSHIP Him. Looking so forward to 2009 at Plymouth Park Baptist Church in Irving, Texas.

Papi Harper

God Answers Prayer

2008-12-08T18:17:00.002-06:00

The passage in Acts 3/6 has really bothered me for quite sometime. There are many persons who I encounter almost daily who have financial and physical needs. They come to me, and I absolutely do not know where to turn to for help for them. This passage says, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Well, guess what happened, this past Sunday such a person sought me out, and I ended up sharing Jesus with him. The person received it well, and now I understand why it is so important to share what Jesus has to offer. THEY COME TO YOU FOR HELP, BUT PERHAPS DO NOT KNOW ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT HELP YOU CAN OFFER THEM. This word is to be shared with all people at all times because this is eternal. (this does not mean to NOT be a channel of physical blessing if that is how God should lead, it MEANS TO ALWAYS SHARE JESUS WITH THEM FIRST)
Blessings,

Papi Harper

PS: my grandson, Harper, was dedicated to the Lord this past Saturday at his church, and then was Jesus in my church's Christmas musical this past Sunday. My wife, Becky, and I were so happy over this, that we danced in the church sanctuary Sunday night. I AM BLESSED BEYOND MEASURE.

PRAY for MUSLIM BACKGROUND BELIEVERS IN MOROCCO

2008-11-25T06:52:00.002-06:00

I now understand why it is an absolute necessity to intercede on behalf of the believers in Morocco: they are in the minority, and live out their faith all alone!! I witnessed what the gentleman leading the worship said, "this is the first time that I preach to more than one person (the one person being him).

Please, as a believer, lets hold the rock for them.

blessings,

Papi

I relish Your Prayers

2008-11-04T13:16:00.001-06:00

I desire so very much your prayers on my behalf - I have been invited to bring God's Word (preach) at my church this coming Sunday. I SO WANT IT TO BE A RELEVANT WORD FOR US.

Blessings, Papi

This is What God Expects of Us

2008-10-28T18:48:00.002-05:00

I understand that "without FAITH it is impossible to please God". Look at the picture of Harper Joseph, and this is EXACTLY what God expects of us; His children. TOTAL DEPENDANCE UPON HIM.

Papi Harper

I am now a "Papi"

2008-10-22T14:53:00.000-05:00

I am now officially Papi, because Harper Joseph Haggerton (firstborn to Drs. JimBob and Cindy Haggerton) was born on Monday, October 20 at 7:45 AM. WOW - my first grandson. When they presented him as Harper that was such a surprise and blessing!! It will be awesome to observe my kids raising their son, and my prayer is that they follow God's instructions. I can't wait for the day that he is dedicated in church, and for the day I get to perform his baptism (I am so glad my son-in-law is not an ordained minister). Cindy and JimBob, beware you are raising a little soccer referee! I love you two: Cin and JimBob.

THANK YOU LORD FOR YOUR PROMISES COMING TO FRUITION.

Papi Harper