Blog Archives

Trials (from Sherri)

4/18/2014

Run the Race

John 16:33 tells us, "In this world there will be trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Trials, God doesn't promise His children an easy life. In fact He tells us we're guaranteed to have trouble.

Why? My children's favorite question and as a Christian I often find myself asking God the same question, "Why God?" Why does sickness attack those whom love Christ? Why do insurmountable circumstances surround believers daily? Facebook seems to broadcast problems. The internet connects us like never before and can make us hyperaware of struggles and illnesses. Cancer, AIDS, orphans, disease, poverty, homelessness. Ignorance is no longer an answer.

We have to rest in God's peace that He has overcome this world. We are just passing through as God uses us as His instruments. Isaiah 40:29 reminds us that God, "Gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Sometimes it takes pain for us to realize our own weaknesses drive us towards Christ.

When everything is smooth sailing and there are no problems in sight, we might have an inclination to rely on ourselves. God allows trials so we can be humbled at His feet and wait.

Paul struggled with a thorn in his flesh. We are unsure of the burden Paul carried here on earth, but he tells us why. God revealed the secret of trials, "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9). Instead of letting bitterness reside in his heart, Paul tells us, "For Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Such a difficult but valuable lesson. God's trials are to sharpen us so that we can further His kingdom. None of our trials compare to His trial. Take heart, God has overcome the world, the tomb is empty.

0 Comments

9 Truths in 9 Years

4/17/2014

2 Comments

Children's Sermon on Palm Sunday 2014

Today's my 9 year anniversary at First Baptist Moreland. Sherri and I moved to Moreland, Georgia 8 months pregnant in a horse trailer from "The Gentilly" apartments in New Orleans, Louisiana. I was finishing up seminary, working at Lee Michael's Fine Jewelry and Sherri worked at Progressive Insurance. We'd been married 11 months and back then I was the 26 year-old youngest pastor in our Western Baptist Association. My predecessor, Jerry Eley, had retired after serving 14 years as FBC Moreland's pastor.

Sherri and I had always served in large churches. Coming to a small-town traditional committee-led church was a change. Here's what I've learned in 9 years:

1. Church Ministry is Hard Work. Just because you're a leader or planning an event, doesn't mean anyone will attend. You have to go out and shake the bushes in order for people to attend church. Jesus said, "Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in" (Luke 14:23 NIV). Your church/class will not grow without evangelism, missions and outreach. You must do the "dirty work" of calling, messaging, emailing, visiting, texting, mailing postcards, and picking people up in order to have a crowd at a church function. You can't take people for granted and assume they'll come. I was in the Wal-Mart automotive department earlier this week with a flat tire inviting the service technician to Saturday's Easter Egg Hunt. Churches and Sunday School classes don't "just grow" - God blesses the witnessing worker.

2. Busy Isn't Always Better. Church programs do not grow a church. I used to believe if we did more events and more programs we'd have more people. Instead you'd have more tired people. People come and stay involved in church because of relationships. Busyness doesn't equal spiritual maturity.

3. Money Matters. It's expensive to operate an active church. I used to be embarrassed to preach on money. Now with joy and pride I tell everyone to give to the Lord. If Sherri and I can tithe, so can you. It's a honor and privilege to put money in the offering plate - an act of worship. The best investment a believer can make is giving to the advancement of the Kingdom. Good/bad offerings will set the tone for ministry events/meetings. I discovered when offerings are down it's the pastor's fault. People give to vision.

4. Inadequate Facilities will Hurt a Church. I would love to start new Sunday School classes, but...they'd have to meet in the kitchen or the playground. People will not come to your church because of the buildings, but the lack of pews and classrooms will create a plateau. Debt on a new building should be kept to a minimum - you don't want to trade ministry for mortar. "If you build it, they will come" is a lie - people will come if you invite them (see truth 1).

5. Churches Must Change. In 2005 FBCM didn't have a website. We developed a website and everyone used it to view the calendar, look at pictures, and see the weekly schedule of what's going on. Now no one views our website. 10 times more people view our church's Facebook page than our website. People and programs come and go. What worked in 2005 might not be effective in 2014. Every event, ministry, and program should receive a yearly evaluation. You must evolve to stay relevant. Leaders must educate themselves on new trends and be willing to take risks. The key to change is communication. You can change almost anything if you let people know way in advance.

6. Personal Relationships are Priority. When church attenders no longer have friends at church they quit attending or go somewhere else. I try to speak to every person I can on Sundays and Wednesdays. When I greet others, I say their name. Visitors must initially connect with a staff member and then make friends with people similar to them. You want people to take ownership of their church. They want to be proud to call you their pastor and proud of being a church member. A critical spirit lowers morale.

7. The Importance of Social Media. In September 2011 I asked for someone's email and they told me they no longer use email and only text and Facebook. That evening I joined Facebook. People at church expect you to read their tweets and posts. They'll make prayer requests and announcements on their wall - its your responsibility to read it. Social media has become the primary method of communication.

8. An Increasingly Closed Society. Gated driveways. Gated neighborhoods. Personal contact isn't as valued. People would rather connect through social media (see truth 7). People are more time conscious than ever. A year ago one of the UnEvolved Praise Band members described my office as the "black hole." You stop by to tell me one thing and you get stuck for one hour. I changed after hearing that.

9. A Whatever It Takes Attitude. To serve Christ you must serve others. Whether I'm preaching on Sundays, moving chairs in the fellowship hall, refereeing Upward soccer, teaching Sunday School at the last minute or vacuuming after VBS - you must be willing to do anything. Helping with set-up and clean-up is one of the best ways to display a servant's heart.

Our July 2005 Brochure

2 Comments

Worrying? Trust God. (from Sherri)

4/8/2014

0 Comments

Worrying is something that can take hold of you with fear and you can become completely self-absorbed. Worrying often happens when we take our eyes off of God and become consumed with our own circumstances. I relate to Peter. He saw Jesus performing a miracle by walking on water and was excited to join Him. When Peter asked Jesus if he could join Him, Jesus said, "Come." Peter got down out of the boat and started walking on the water towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and started to sink. Peter cried out "Lord, save me" (Matthew 14:29-30). As soon as Peter took his eyes off Christ, because of fear from his circumstances, he started to sink.

How often does this happen to us? We feel confident in God's ability to handle our lives, but when we are thrown a curve ball with an unexpected test result or illness we become fearful and begin to worry. Jesus reminds us, "you of little faith," "why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14:31) Jesus asks us the same question today. When our confidence is shaken by external circumstances, why do we doubt?

I see my children get upset so easily by a thunderstorm, or a bump or bruise. I think about how they don't really understand the circumstances because they are just children, and I know they'll be fine. I reassure them, hug them and tell them they shouldn't worry. But then God reminds me that I am just like my children. I get scared and begin to worry. I can't see the big picture and I get fearful, and then God reminds me, "oh you of little faith." Just like the children's song, 'He's Got the Whole World in His Hands.' I have to stop relying on myself, stop worrying, and focus on God. He loves us and cares for us because we are His children.

As much as I love my own children, God loves us an immeasurable amount more. His love is unfathomable. Romans 8:39 states, "neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." How amazing it is that the Creator of the universe loves us this much! Luke 12:7 proclaims, "that indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows." We should rest in God's love, praise Him for His faithfulness, and trust in Him. When we focus on Him, then we can truly release our worries.

RACE for the Orphans 5K in Newnan, Georgia

0 Comments

Reviewed & Other China Lingo (from Sherri)

4/4/2014

0 Comments

Allergy season. Not for the faint of heart when you have young, snotty children. Our precious one-year-old had a very difficult time falling asleep tonight, probably because he took too long of a nap today, and because he couldn't breathe out of his nose. I let the precious baby cry as long as I could stand and then scooped him up in my arms and held him on the couch for thirty minutes while his ragged little breathing calmed down from crying (I know what you're thinking, he’s spoiled). Being the youngest for a little while longer, he is in fact spoiled. While reflecting on the day before bedtime I thought of our sweet daughter still in China. Who rocks her when her nose is stuffy, or scared alone at night? These thoughts bring tears to my eyes. But thankfully we are even closer to holding her in our arms.

Our family is currently waiting for LOA (letter of acceptance) from China which can sometimes take over 100 days! After waiting only 42 days since our login to China’s database, we've been reviewed!!! This means that we could receive our LOA within the next few weeks. Wow! God is so good. We have been matched with sweet Esther since last July! We're over the moon that the process is moving quickly. We're still hoping to travel this summer, but several months earlier than planned.

Please continue to pray for our family and other families at Lifeline Children's Services that are earnestly waiting to meet their children.

0 Comments

Trials (from Sherri)

9 Truths in 9 Years

Worrying? Trust God. (from Sherri)

Reviewed & Other China Lingo (from Sherri)

Archives

Categories