Sowing And Reaping

SOWING AND REAPING
February 2010

FROM THE GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA

“And I think it is appropriate at the beginning of this legislative session to ask ourselves if we have that same mindset of service. Now is the time to ask ourselves some very foundational questions anew: ‘Why are we here?’ and ‘What do the people expect of us?’

To answer those questions, I would like to recall the words of a great Georgian who passed away this year - Dr. Michael Guido. That great sower of the seed had it right: ‘Greatness doesn’t exist in reducing others to your service, but in reducing yourself to their service.’ Not only are those the
words one great Georgian lived by, it is an ideal that is distinctly Georgian.”

-Sonny Perdue, Governor of Georgia in his last State of the State address

Memories of Mr. G

Warm words of love and support for The Sower

“The Sower,” Michael Guido, went home to be with the Lord on February 21, 2009. Since that day, we have had a remarkable number of letters, cards and emails that have expressed the blessings that he brought into their lives. The Staff at GEA wanted to share some of those memories with you in this edition of Sowing and Reaping.

Here is what they had to say about Mr. G:

How wonderfully God used Michael Guido. He could say the most using the least words in the shortest amount of time of anyone I have heard. His messages always were to the point and pointed you to Christ…What a man of faith and humility. I never had the privilege of meeting him on this side of heaven, but when I get there, I will meet him face to face, just like my Jesus.

-Marilyn G., Hawkinsville GA

Dr. Guido’s life was a lesson in faithfulness, encouragement and love. We thank the Lord for bringing him into our lives. Even though we only met him in person for just a brief moment, he impacted our lives greatly!

-Todd & Martha S., Roganville TX

Even though I am sitting here with tears running down my face, we need to be dancing and singing because he has a new life in Heaven, he is with God Almighty, WOW... I wish that all of us could follow the example of his life, he was so humble and happy. I will miss him dearly and I love him and his wife and his whole ministry dearly.

-Tracy, Jenn, John & Noelani W., Tampa FL

It always gave me a very warm feeling inside every time I heard him say JESUS. He said it with such sincerity and love. I had the honor of meeting him on a few occasions these past few years at the Gardens. He personally wrote to me when I wrote to him concerning some personal issues. I will miss him tremendously and so will the world. I know the angels are rejoicing and Jesus is so grateful to his faithful servant.

-Jennifer P., Clyo GA

Bro. Michael was a good friend. He helped me when I lost my wife to ALS. I remember the night she died. He called me and expressed his sympathy. It meant so much to me. We have lost a giant of the faith but heaven has gained a saint.

-Rev. Jimmy C.

I was in the hospital with heart problems. He made a special trip to the hospital to visit and pray with me. Years later, I was in Florida and had broken my ankle which put me in the hospital again. He made several long distance phone calls to me during my stay, and always prayed…I will miss talking and visiting with Michael, but each time I read the “Seeds from the Sower,” his spirit is with me. I feel so blessed to have known him as a friend for so many years. I know I will see him again when we meet in heaven.

-Ralph & Eleanor K., Erie MI

Read more memories, and share your own, by going to the Michael Guido Legacy Page!

FACTS AND FIGURES

According to Pew Research Center Publications, “seventy-four percent % of American adults (ages 18 and older) use the internet – a slight drop from our survey in April 2009. The most recent survey was conducted from Nov. 30 to Dec. 27, 2009.”

“Increasingly, Americans are more interested in faith and spirituality than in Christianity…Nearly nine out of every ten adults (88%) agreed either strongly or somewhat that their religious faith is very important in their life and 74% said their faith is becoming more important in their life” – Barna Update, December 29, 2009.

Sixty-three percent of Americans describe their outlook for the U.S. as optimistic, a less positive assessment than Gallup found for the 1990s and 2000s but better than for the 1980s. Americans’ predictions for the future are more strongly related to political party than in the past – Gallup.com, January 4, 2010.

SEE YOU ON FACEBOOK!

It seems like everyone you know is on Facebook nowadays...and now, so are we! Become a fan of the Michael Guido Page and each time you log on, you will see that day’s text devotional and video spot, as well as updates on new blog entries, and much, much more. You can also view ten different photo albums with dozens of pictures from over the years – Dr. and Mrs. Guido, special events, garden pictures, and the staff. Log on to Facebook and search for “Michael Guido Fan Page,” (or just click the link provided here) then click on “Become A Fan.” You can keep up on the latest happenings at Sower Ministries, and enjoy regularly-added material from the archives of Dr. Guido’s 50 years of ministry.

REPORT ON RELIGION

“A new survey says Mississippi is the most religious state. The Pew Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life found that in Mississippi, 82 percent of those surveyed said religion is very important in their lives. Alabama and Arkansas tied for second at 74 percent, just ahead of Louisiana and Tennessee” – Associated Press in OneNewsNow.com, 12/28/2009.

“The Great Recession reduces missionary sending and closes hundreds of Christian schools as layoffs hit World Vision, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Focus on the Family, Asbury Seminary, CT, and many other ministries” – “Top 10 News Stories of 2009" in CHRISTIANITY TODAY, January 2010.

“Public school officials in Wilson County, Tennessee, have agreed to stop distributing Bibles to students during the school day on school grounds. The settlement comes after the American Civil Liberties Union threatened to sue the district…In the settlement, school board members acknowledge that distributing Bibles to students at school has been declared unconstitutional” – Associated Press in OneNewsNow.com, 1/6/2010.

“Two of the most notorious and restrictive regimes in the world top the Open Doors 2010 World Watch List (WWL) of 50 countries which are the worst persecutors of Christians. In the No. 1 spot for the eighth straight time is North Korea…Iran is now No. 2 on the list” – Mission Network News in OneNewsNow.com, 1/6/2010.

SNIPPETS ON LOVE

The sunlight of love will kill all the germs of jealousy and hate.

Love is sharing a part of yourself with others.

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another. – John 13:34

The love of God cannot be merited or earned, but it can be spurned.

Love is the fairest flower that blooms in God’s garden.

Love is the fabric which never fades, no matter how often it is washed
in the water of adversity and grief.

Love does not keep a ledger of the sins and failures of others.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends. – John 15:13

The train of brotherly love rides on the track of concern and compassion.

Works, not words, are the proof of love.

Service is nothing but love in work clothes.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear. – 1 John 4:18

They do not love that do not show their love.

February Gospel Concert

You are invited to a special concert in the Hamstra Worship Center on February 20th featuring Eternal Vision and Todd Horne. Visit the site for more details soon! Go to: www.SowerMinistries.org

The Guido Evangelistic Association, Inc.
Metter, Georgia 30439
Phone - 912-685-2222
Fax - 912-685-3502
E-mail - thesower@thesower.com
Internet - www.GuidoGardens.com
Comments / Prayer Requests:
Larry Guido - lcguido@SowerMinistries.org
Copyright© MMX, Guido Evangelistic Association

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