Turning the Page from 2018 to 2019!

Pastor's Christmas Devotional - New Year's Eve 2108

When I was a teenager, I loved New Year's Eve and Day, not just for Family and Buckeye football, (and black eyed peas, ribs, and sauerkraut), but also for the fact the radio stations played a "Top 10 Countdown" from that year.  I can remember laying in my bed looking at the poster of basketball hero Pete Maravich on the wall and waiting to hear the next song, thinking it may be one of my favorites. Today I want to share some of my "Top Things I am taking from 2018"  and some "Top Priorities to carry into 2019."

2018 Takeaways:

 1. Prayer is the Key - apart from the power of God it is easy to just go through the motions.

2. FSBC needs steady, faithful, verse by verse preaching and teaching of the Bible without apology or compromise.

3. There is no substitute for a personal face to face visit.

4. If I am not intentional in sharing my faith, the staff, leadership, and church will most likely follow my lead.

5. I will not lead our church forward if I am not growing personally, through prayer and Bible Study and personal evangelism.

6. 25 years have flown by - make the most of the time you have.

7. Regardless of how long you have been a pastor, there will always be tough calls to make.

8. God has blessed us to partner with other churches who are just beginning. we may not always see the numerical blessing here at FSBC.

9. FSBC is the most giving group of people I have ever witnessed. You can never out give God.

10.Never take a healthy marriage and family for granted.  There are many hurting people. In the church and out of church.

11. Bonus: Never under estimate the value of other pastors who are personal friends.

Things to carry into 2019:

1. A burden to walk in surrender and obedience to the Lord.

2. A prayerful love and concern for lost family and friends.

3. A hunger for the Word of God like never before.

4. Speak with more grace and less criticism.

5. Share my faith more,visit more, both prospects and members.

6. Guard my study time better.  Make the most of mornings for study.

7. Way less Twitter or social media. Read more!

8. Physical exercise is a great stress reliever.

9. Communicate better to Staff and Leadership.

10. Walk by faith, not by sight.

11. Bonus: Quit trying to be someone else. Let's just be FSBC for the glory of God.

Never Alone

It has been a blessing to write a devotion for Christmas this year.  Below is the post from 12/28/18

Pastors Devotion Friday December 28th,

Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV)
³⁵  On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side."³⁶  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
³⁷  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. ³⁸  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
³⁹  Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. ⁴⁰  But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"
⁴¹  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

Good morning FSBC, after a twenty four hour glitch, Centurylink is back up and we are able to get online. My initial response yesterday was, "Alexa , why are you not responding?  Then I added, "Good Grief!" So yesterday, due to the fact that the church office also has the same provider, sent me to McDonald's to borrow a WiFi signal.  (Desperate measures for desperate times.)  This minor inconvenience to us(me) is a reminder that we are not the only ones going through things at the time.  This glitch appeared to be nationwide.  Life is like that sometimes.  The dark cloud, or the circumstance  that is so overwhelming and seems to follow only you, can make you feel like you are the only one at the time going through a difficult moment. When I realized there was an issue I text me neighbor who is a tech wiz and he said it was not only us, but a national outage. Think about how that affects someone in business who counts on the internet for sales.

Boy what a picture of sin.  It is not only my problem, but a mankind issue.  That is why Jesus came and that is why He died.  To redeem us and let us know that we are not alone, but that as a Christian, He is with us, every moment, every hour, every day.  Lift up your eyes unto the hills, Psalm 121 tells us, " Our help comes from the Lord."  Let's close out 2018 strong for the Lord!

I love my church family.  Bro.Greg

A Christmas Review

Pastor's Devotion - Monday December 17th

As we have completed "The Light of Christmas", all I can say is wow, and praise the Lord!  I believe we had a record Saturday night crowd, with so many guests, but it didn't stop there.  Sunday morning we had 461 in worship! There was a buzz in the building as the anticipation of months of practice was about to become reality through the performance. The church was decorated beautifully and Christmas is in the air!  Marcia and Bev had labored tireless to get us to this point.  A group of fine young people kicked it off with a fun "It's Time for Christmas"  holiday choreographed rendition that would have made any Christmas show or King's Island performance proud.  The staging, lighting, sound, narrators, actors, soloists, and singers were spot on and everyone adjusted wonderfully when they had to.  The Drama Team delivered a powerful presentation of the futile search to find perfection on our own. Kelli (Becca) shared the Gospel so clearly.   She passionately reminded us that it is Christ , the Perfect, who came for the imperfect.  Darlene (Stephanie) received the Mother of the Year and recognized that the perfect Christmas really comes from receiving the unconditional love of God and the blessing of a family.  I believe many lives were touched with the power of the Gospel this weekend and I thank you for your effort and hard work, along with your prayers.  We concluded last night with the Lord's Supper in a sweet time of worship.  One pastor referred to the Lord's Supper at Christmas as , "From the Stable to the Table."

This has been my attempt to review the weekend.  As your pastor, proud is insufficient to sum up my feeling and love for you all. The degree of talent and commitment that God has blessed our church with is not taken lightly or for granted.  We are blessed. As the Lord looks at us, may we be reminded that it is His review that really matters.  Only time will tell the impact of this weekend on the lives of those in attendance.  Thank you for being faithful to allow us to go big when attempting to share the love of God.  Thanks for supporting the work of Christ here on the corner. 

With Christmas one week away, let's not lose our focus on doing, but remain committed to being.  I pray that you point people to

"The Light of Christmas" where ever the Lord may choose to take you this Christmas. 

Have a great day for Jesus!   Bro. Greg

He's On His Way!

Growing up in Dayton, Ohio meant that our grandparents lived out of state our entire lives.  Most of that time being in Tennessee and South Carolina.  Many years when Sheila and I were kids we were able to go to Tennessee to celebrate the birth of Christ with family at Christmas.

A special memory I have was the arrival.  We would pull into the lane, roll out of the car, then step up onto the porch.  As we would step up on the crickity floor, we would  knock on the old screen door. If you listened carefully you could hear it.  The china cabinet was vibrating and that meant only one thing.  Somebody was on their way walking through the house.  
In seconds, we were greeted by someone loved far more than Santa, we were welcomed by my Papaw Jackson.  He and Granny were always so happy to see us. He also always greeted us with a joyful smile and hug. There was always food ready when we arrived.  Regardless of the hour, it was prepared with eager expectation of our arrival.  The sight of his overalls, along with the smell of tobacco mixed with the smell of coal in the fireplace and chalky peppermint sticks are things I will never forget. I must not forget the small glass bottles of Coke!

Just as the vibration of the china shouted, "He's on his way", Christmas shouts to us a message that when Christ was born, Hope, Peace, Joy, and Salvation was on His way!  If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, He will be home for Christmas.  Home in your heart as a Christian is where the Holy Spirit resides.  Let's celebrate and not forget or neglect the reason for it all.  Regardless of where holiday travel takes you, make sure Your heart is where Christ finds His home.  That will make it a great Christmas.

Merry Christmas!  Bro. Greg

Surprise in Sandusky

Last week at our State Convention of Ohio Baptist Annual Meeting Sandusky, Ohio I was stunned to receive an award called the Darty and Dot Stowe Award. Taken by surprise, it was a blessing to have Renee slip up with Mom and Dad, and Roy and Cathy from church.  It was also a great blessing to have our Staff share congratulations by video as well as my sweet kids and grandsons.  God has been so good to me as a son, husband, dad, papaw, and pastor.  I could not have asked for anything more in life. It is a great blessing to shepherd the flock God has given me in Camden. I share this with my church family.  Below is a description of the origin and some background regarding Darty and Dot Stowe.


Darty and Dot Stowe began their ministry with Mission Ohio in 1954 as director of missions for the greater Cincinnati area. A year later he became state director of missions and then became the associate executive secretary, working closely with state executive secretary Ray Roberts. Darty and Dot loved their work in Ohio and served until his home going in 1981. Dot accepted a position as director of a women’s residence hall at Georgetown College in 1983, where she influenced many young women. She moved back to Ohio in 1989 and stayed in close contact with friends in the ministry until joining Darty with our Lord in 2000.
  


Darty Stowe led well from the ‘second chair,’ with a servant’s heart, leaving a great legacy in Ohio. The award is given every year to a pastor or minister who has served faithfully, perhaps never recognized like those in the larger, more visible churches, but leaving a legacy and serving in the spirit of 1 Thessalonians 2:3-12. The Darty and Dot Stowe Award is provided by annual gifts to Georgetown College from members of the Stowe family.
Candidates for the Stowe Award must be currently serving Mission Ohio and have at least five years of service. Nominations are submitted to the state convention staff by October 1 each year. The award is announced during the annual meeting of the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio. A recognition plaque and a financial award for the purchase of books and/ or continuing education are presented to the recipient.

Hallmark Holidays?

I can't believe the transformation that has recently overtaken me when it comes to television watching. I am actually watching the Hallmark Movie Channel and enjoying the movies. It began last Christmas season and has now progressed through the present series of Autumn themed movies.

Some characteristics of these movies are recurring, such as the actors, a small town or village, a trip back home to the farm where an old flame is still there,  fall or Christmas festivals, a delayed flight back home to a job that has overtaken a life, and did I mention I haven't heard cursing. There is always a fresh snow and plenty of coffee and hot chocolate in people's hands.  We even know the names of the actors and actresses who often appear in many different movies.

These movies are about simple things from small towns with clear messages.  There is nothing fancy about them.  To really experience the season, there is nothing wrong with keeping things simple.  Spending time with folks you love, in places that you love, and being reminded about the One who first loved us is what brings joy to the holidays.

Jesus teaches us to be grateful.  Paul said that he had learned to be content,  in prosperity or poverty.
Let us seek to be thankful for all that Christ has done for us.

My mom and dad have always made this season special.  They have spent their lives going out of the way to make it wonderful for our family.  Now with grandsons of our own, I hope we can make the holidays "Hallmark" for them as well, and if that means keeping things simple, if it is all about Jesus... then we have done something right and that will be ok.

When Your August Doesn't Sizzle!

Most of the time, August means hot, lazy, the winding down of summer, school clothes hopefully purchased, and school buses starting to roll.  In ministry it may be even the month where you try to catch your breath as the fall schedule begins to take shape.

A former pastor and longtime mentor of mine, Joe Baker, once said, "Don't evaluate ministry on Monday morning, or in the month of August."  That is a good word preacher. Why?  

I believe that Mondays can be either wonderful or grueling. If you have had a good Sunday, powerful worship, decisions for Christ, strong attendance, strong offering and a spirit of unity.  That can add up to a good Monday. A great Monday! That is when sleep is easy on Sunday night as you are exhausted from giving it your best. You get to the office early on Monday, ready to tackle the week and preparation in front of you with passion and excitement.

But what about when August isn't sizzling.  Everything seems down, and as you look around, it appears as if even your leaders are hit and miss in support and attendance. Leaders failed to show, you lead the worship, pass out bulletins and everything in between.   If you evaluate ministry on Mondays in August, you can easily be discouraged, even now as you read this blog, yesterday may have felt like a death blow and you are reeling like a fishing bobber in strong wind.  I have experience both of these kind of Mondays.  I certainly prefer the the good ones, but be reminded, "God is at work, even when we can't see it." Blackaby
 

What does God need from us in August?  Faithfulness.  Some have said that ministry today is harder than ever before.  If that is true, God must be wanting to use us if He is allowing us to lead for a time such as this. Charles Spurgeon once wrote, "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the Rock of Ages."  My prayer for you today, is that the Holy spirit may stoke the fire of your heart, and that you sense that sizzle that keeps you pressing toward the mark.

Until He comes, we will go!  Bro. Greg

Family Reunion

One thing in culture that has changed is the importance and planning of family reunions.  There was a time where it was almost a regularly scheduled annual event.  Years ago we went to Tennessee to be part of one and it was wonderful.  Sadly today, this is not the case as reunions have given way to busy schedules, ball tournaments, and planning alternatives.  My experience is that most family reunions sadly now take place at funeral homes or gravesides. We only get together when there has been a great loss or death.
Unless someone takes charge and makes it happen it will become only a conversation and never take place.

Last night we came together to worship around the Lord's Supper table.  In many ways, this service is about a Family Reunion.  Brother's and sisters in Christ getting together to worship, and remember what the Lord has done for us.  We are family brought together by the blood of Jesus, Calvary's cross, and His glorious resurrection.  Jesus brings us together for this important time.  It is His blood, His sacrifices, and His wonderful promise of heaven that makes it happen.  We are saved by Him, through Him, and for Him.

I am grateful to be part of the family of God.  We may not be a perfect church, but we strive to serve and worship One who is!  Lord, thank you for my family at FSBC!

Bro.Greg

Prayer for FSBC

Lord, today I pray for our Church Family.  With the excitement of a school year winding down, our nation has once again been rocked with a senseless school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas.  We pray for all of those who suffered the loss of a child, sibling, grandchild, and for the students, teachers and staff.  We lift up the first responders, and I pray Lord for the Pastors and Churches in that area who are ministering through the pain. Help our nation, states, and communities take bold steps to make sure this ends in our nation.  Students killing students, or anyone who murders another represents the lies of the devil.  May You send a great awakening to America.  Forgive us, and heal us we pray.

Whoever is reading this message today, help us major on the main things.  Help us to take the message we heard yesterday to heart and seek to please You Lord.  Thank You for the commitment of everyone who serves here at FSBC and those who will be serving in the upcoming year.  Thank You for the powerful worship, the graduates that were recognized and each family as well.  Lord we pray that You raise up an army of young people who will carry the baton of faithfulness for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

As many vacation, help us use it as a time to be refreshed.  We love You Lord.  Help us be bold in sharing our faith, our story, Your love.

In Jesus name,  Amen.

4/13/76

Friday, April 13, 2018 may not mean much to many people, but it marks the forty second year since the day I gave my life to Jesus Christ and was saved.

It was during Revival with T.D. Hall, the guest Evangelist, at North Dayton Baptist Church.  I recently attended a funeral there and the memories of the past flooded my soul.  Being raised by godly parents and in Church is a wonderful thing, and a blessing from God.  I had walked down the aisle as a nine year old boy, but always wrestled with doubt as a young teen on whether or not I knew what I had done at that young age.

Tuesday night came.  Most folks likely thought that it would be a service similar to the previous night.  There was a fourteen year old boy there, that knew this would be the night.  I had made up my mind before the invitation.  I would settle it once and for all, and I did.  Christ met me at the point of my surrender and my life has never been the same.  With knees bent and tears streaming down my cheeks I ask Jesus to come into my heart and forgive me of my sin.  The greatest and most important decision I have ever made.

Now in my twenty fifth year here at FSBC as pastor, I  pray and yearn for Revival where we see people broken, saved, and surrendered to Jesus Christ as Lord.  That is one reason I love Revivals, 
my life was forever changed by Christ in one.  We look forward to having Jeff Crook with us beginning this Sunday and my prayer is that the same sweet Holy Spirit does it again, as lives are touched and  forever changed.

Easter and Worry

Sunday we celebrate Easter!  The biggest day of the year for most churches.  It is a day packed with anticipation as we worship and rejoice over the victory that Jesus won over sin at Calvary and through His resurrection.  I pray that we all see people come to Christ and Christians drawn closer to the Lord. Let's pray for every aspect of our services and for every life that walks through the door.

Mark 16:1-8 (NKJV)
¹  Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. ²  Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. ³  And they said among themselves, "Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?" ⁴  But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away--for it was very large. ⁵  And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. ⁶  But he said to them, "Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. ⁷  But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you." ⁸  So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.


When the women went to the tomb, they were worried about things beyond their control, such as who would roll away the stone to open the grave.  One writer has said, "Jesus opened the door, not to let Him out, but to let us in. "  The grave could not hold the Creator of the world, the Master of the sea, this God-man the Lord Jesus Christ.

May we be reminded this Easter that there are always things out of our control, and the Lord is big enough to handle it.  May we surrender our hearts and our lives to the one is already knows what we need.

Have a great Easter!  Jesus is alive!

Thank You Lord for Billy Graham

This week God called home one of His choice servants in Evangelist Billy Graham.  Ninety nine years old and now in the presence of the One whom he loved and called others to follow.

I can remember as a boy when Billy Graham crusades would air on prime time television and it would bump off any other program. His recognizable voice and accent, the clear message from God's Word, the Gospel presently clearly followed by an invitation to get up and come forward and receive Christ as your Savior.

As a  young boy in Dayton, mom and dad took us I believe in the 60's to Columbus where he preached and we heard testimony. That is another aspect of his crusades that stayed consistent.  He always had guests, celebrities, athletes, actors, come and share their testimony of faith in Christ.  They were never long, but you could tell, they had been asked to share a brief word for the Lord.  One of my favorites comes from the 1987 crusade in Columbia, S.C.  It is special because I am a basketball fan and my favorite player was "Pistol" Pete Maravich.  If you click on this link, you can hear this nine minute testimony. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5s6xIZfQtQ The following year, God called Pete to Heaven at the age of forty.

We took the Church to Indianapolis to Hoosier dome for a Crusade and several years ago we were in involved in the Cincinnati Crusade at Paul Brown Stadium.  It was a blessing to be a counselor and we also had folks involved in the follow up process.

Even in these turbulent days, and even in his declining health, Billy Graham's presence gave us preachers and Christians a sense of security.  He physical meetings with many presidents and world leaders indicate the respect that people had for him  His integrity in ministry and the "Modesto Manifesto" (Guidelines that he and his ministry would follow) served him well.

The news will ask the question, "Who will be the next Billy Graham?"  There will never be another Billy Graham, but as a preacher of the gospel there are many who will continue to preach the same Gospel and invite people to come to Jesus.  We must not waiver, and may we be found faithful as America's Pastor.

Years ago he was asked, "If you could ask the Lord one thing, what would it be?''  His response, "Why me?"
Each message concluded with "Just As I am." May we carry the torch that has burned for so many years.  May the Lord give strength to his family as the nation watches next week.  May many more come to Christ as the Gospel is preached.

Thank you Lord for raising up, using, and blessing Billy Graham. We are grateful.

Bro. Greg

You Never Know

Last week I did some Birthday shopping for Renee.  I try to buy her clothes or shoes, purchases that usually take me into an all ladies store, and a place where a man is really a fish out of water. It can be an intimidating place!  Upon entry I heard the words, can I help you?

I replied, yes, I need your help.  From that point on, she walked with me, and offered suggestions as we put together several outfits. Upon checking out, I asked both sales associates at the counter if they had a home church and discovered that they were both Christian's.  The manager of the store responded, "We may try to make it Sunday night."

What a blessing to watch her along with her husband walk in last night for church and to join us for worship.

I tell you this story because " You Never Know' what God may want to do with a conversation and in invitation.  We are part of what Ohio Baptists are calling the Big Invite this Easter, by inviting 500,000, ( One Half a Million People) to our Easter Services this year.

Will you be part of the story as you invite your family, friends, and neighbors to be your guest for one of our two Easter Services on April 1 this Year?

You never know what God may be doing in someones life.  Look for ways to share Christ wherever you are today.  There are plenty of folks who are looking to be rescued,  calling for help.

Until He comes...we will go!   Bro. Greg

Do You Love to Tell the Story?

Dear FSBC, today Joe Kramer will attend the funeral of one of his best friends, Junior Driver.  In hearing Joe and others talk about Junior, it was said that he was one of the greatest soul winners

they have ever known.  What a great testimony to leave family and friends!  A testimony that you cared enough about people to share Christ with whomever you could.

Could it be that one reason we may not see people come to Christ is because we have quit sharing and inviting? Could it be that we are so Consumed with our lives that we feel like there is little time

to show compassion and care for others?

Recently as a result of his death, I was given a KJV Schofield Bible of Jim Castle. As a young husband at North Dayton Baptist Church, Jim and I learned to share our faith and often went out on visitation together.

It was not always smooth and clear, but we saw some folks come to Christ and made us rely on the Holy Spirit like never before.

We had a  friend, Ron Lee, who now pastors in the Enon area, invest time and patience with us to help us learn how to share the Gospel with anyone wherever we are. 

I thank the Lord for his deposit in my life. God can save anyone and the Holy Spirit can convict and soften and heart of anyone.

Beginning each Sunday night, on January 14th at 5:30 P.M. I will be training anyone interested in how to share

Christ with a searching world. We will meet in the Sanctuary and go to 6:15 P.M. ending in time for the worship service.

Maybe you have been desiring to do that and have not felt equipped.  We want to help you and give you some tools to get the conversation started.

Pray about how God can use you.  I love His church and my church family, Bro. Greg

Joshua 1:8 (NKJV)
⁸  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night,

that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

--

(R.E.A.C.H.)
Recognizing Everyone is A Candidate for HOPE