Grandchildren and Heroes

Benjamin, our newest grandson is very wise in choosing his heroes.

Peace in the Midst of a Storm

Rhonda and I went to the beach this afternoon to see the waves churned up by hurricane Gustav. I took this picture. I am reminded that the storms of this world can seem so powerful and furious. Yet, for the Believer, we can have great peace in the midst of the storm. Jesus, our Prince of Peace said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).

Billy Graham wrote,

The storm was raging. The sea was beating against the rocks in huge, dashing waves. The lightning was flashing, the thunder was roaring, the wind was blowing; but the little bird was sound asleep in the crevice of the rock, its head tucked serenely under its wing. That is peace: to be able to sleep in the storm! In Christ we are relaxed and at peace in the midst of the confusions, bewilderments, and perplexities of this life. The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest. We have found peace-at last!

Sunday School Reaches Your Target Group

Sunday School is the most undervalued resource in most churches today. It has been quietly ministering to all age groups for more than 200 years. While church growth strategists and pastors tinker with new models and programs for reaching the latest demographic target, Sunday School is right there, usually with a class already serving the target group. - Elmer Towns and Stan Toler, What Every Pastor Should Know About Sunday School

Defense of Marriage Act Being Challenged Today

The Defense of Marriage Act is being challenged in federal court today. Attorneys with Liberty Counsel will be in federal court in California for what could be one of the most important marriage cases we have yet seen. This case involves the federal Defense of Marriage Act, and therefore the outcome could impact Americans from coast-to-coast.

To lose this battle could mean that every state must recognize and give equal benefits and rights to homosexual marriages peformed and legally recognized in other states, as that of marriages between a man and a woman.

Pray for the Liberty Counsel attorneys today.

Sunday School Leaders

Last night we had our Sunday School Leaders Training night. I was well pleased with the turnout and the response. Serving at First Baptist are some of the greatestest Sunday School leaders in our state. Below is a page out of the Sunday School Leaders guide that we distributed to our adult Sunday School teachers. I believe this description of a good Sunday School leader is for all churches.

What Should a Sunday School Leader Be Like?

A Growing Christian
A good leader knows Jesus as his/her personal Lord and Savior and grows through daily Bible reading and prayer. A good leader is understands he/she is on a spiritual growth journey that does not end until he/she has reached heaven.

A Church Member
A good leader supports the entire church ministry through regular attendance and participation. A leader is a faithful steward of time, talents, and treasure.

One Who Loves People
A good leader enjoys being around people. He/she wants to know what is happening in the lives of those he/she leads. “Christ demands that the driving force in your life must be love. All other things, although important, are secondary. Love is the sign of true discipleship” Solly Ozrovech.

One Who is Called
A good leader senses that he/she is leading in Sunday School because he/she is answering God’s call to do so.

Willing to Plan
A good leader is willing to study and prepare to make Sunday School a positive Bible learning experience.

Willing to Contact Members
A good leader is willing to write, call, and/or visit the members in his/her class. A leader cares about members both inside and outside of the church building.

Dependable and Diligent
A good leader is dependable and diligent. These traits are essential for a person who is to be a leader. A dependable, diligent person communicates to members and other leaders that he can be counted on to be in his place, to have planned, and to have fulfilled his duties as a leader.

A Lifelong Learner
A good leader should possess the desire to continue to learn through books, conferences, videos, and other forms of training. “He who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”

The Must See Movie

Go for the Gold

For the past five days I have really enjoyed watching the 29th Olympiad from Beijing. The opening ceremony was nothing less than spectacular. The number of world records that have been broken in the swimming competition alone has been amazing. I have most enjoyed the gymnastics. Wether your favorite sport is swimming, diving, gymnastics, track and field, or something else there is one constant that is found in them all. We are watching young men and women who have trained very hard to get to where they are and every one of them are going for gold.

The book of First Corinthians is written in the context of the Isthmian Games. In I Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul encourages us to run to win. He goes on to say that participants in the races must, in all things, exercise self-control. And they do it to win a crown that is perishable. However, the believer is running for a crown that is imperishable. Therefore, Paul says he will do whatever it takes so that he "will not be disqualified for the prize" (1 Cor 9:27). Paul says he will stay focused and will discipline himself so to win the race. We must likewise understand the Christian race is not for the weak. Our goal is not to drift through life in ease but to accomplish the task for which we have been called.

As you continue to watch the 29th Olympic Games over the next couple of weeks, keep in mind all of the training, self-discipline, and hard work that has been put in by these athletes over the past many years. Then ask Jesus to give you self-discipline as you run for Him. Olympic athletes not only compete against one another, but they also compete before judges. One day we shall all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Crowns will be given. Therefore, run to win! Run for the gold!

Just a thought!