Braille Circulating Library

BCL 2009 SUMMER NEWSLETTER
Dear Friends of the Braille Circulating Library,
What does it mean when someone or something is called "the real-deal"? To me, it means that the person or the organization is genuine, sincere, and authentic. There is a tremendous need in our world today for Christians and Christian organizations to be "the real-deal". We live in a very skeptical world. Whether it is in the areas of politics, business, sports , or religion - people are skeptical. The Lord stated in the Sermon on the Mount that His followers are to be the "light of the world" and "the salt of the earth", and that they should bear witness as to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. One such example of the transformation of a life is that of Saul of Tarsus in Acts chapters 7, 8 and 9. As Saul was traveling on the road to Damascus, on a mission to destroy the church, the Lord Jesus Christ stopped him and blinded his eyes. The Lord told Saul to proceed to Damascus where a man named Ananias would meet with him and pray with him. Although Ananias himself was skeptical of meeting with Saul, he nevertheless obeyed the Lord and went to Saul and prayed for Saul that he would receive back his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17) "and immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized (Acts 9:18)". This same Saul of Tarsus was transformed into the A postle Paul who God used to write the majority of the New Testament. The Apostle Paul was "the real-deal" in living and serving Jesus Christ as he later wrote in Philippians 4:9, "Those things which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me do...".
In studying Acts 7, 8, and 9, I asked myself a question: "Why did God want to use Ananias and get him involved in Saul’s life?" The simple answer I got back was: "Because God wants to work through people and God knows that relationships are very important - especially in ministry." Skepticism is all around us. It can even affect Christians. But faith in God’s Word can overcome the influence of skepticism. Thankfully, Ananias put his faith and trust and action into God’s Word, and did not give in to his skepticism. Had he not done so, he would have missed out on the wonderful opportunity to minister to, and then fellowship with, and be a part of the transformation of Saul of Tarsus into "the real-deal" the Apostle Paul.
To me, the ministry of the Braille Circulating Library is "the real-deal". Since 1925, this ministry has been in the business of serving the blind community, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, and building relationships with those who are physically blind. All the while, depending on God, who works through people, to financially provide for our operating needs. With all the current unrest and change in our present world, I pray that the influence of skepticism will no t hinder you from sending a financial gift to this ministry. Thank you for being a faithful supporter. Thank you for being "the real-deal".
PRAISE/PRAYER REQUESTS:
1. I praise the Lord for helping me through my recent surgery. Please pray for my continued recovery.
2. I praise the Lord for the "Short-Term Summer Mission Trips" that the ladies of the Immanuel Baptist Church Women’s Missionary Fellowship be will be participating in to reorganize the Braille books at the BCL.
3. Please pray for the ongoing translation work and future production of the book GOLF’S SACRED JOURNEY into Braille.
4. Please pray for my upcoming opportunity to speak at the National Church Conference for the Blind in September.
Thank you again for your continued support.
Serving Him,

Rev. Brian J. Barton, Sr.
Executive Director