Winning and Losing Together

 

This past weekend after church on Sunday, I was able to attend our oldest grandson Aiden's championship little league game.  Down one in the last inning we had a man on third.  It had been a great game.  On a wild pitch our player tried to score from third and was tagged out to end the game.  The player who was batting was our grandson.  He would not have a chance to be the hero or make the game ending out.  His opportunity had been taken from him.

Little leaguers handle wins and losses differently.  Some were frustrated and disappointed.  Others were marked with tears trickling down dirt covered faces.  Some seem to not be affected at all.

What we learn in moments of adversity is that we win ... and lose... together!  That is a lesson that we, the body of Christ can learn from a group of 11U ball players.

We are prone to point fingers, blame someone else, deflect what went wrong, while taking no responsibility.  I have heard it said that as a pastor, share the praise publicly, and address the criticism privately.  What that means to me is to acknowledge people when you see Jesus in their lives, and it also tells me to not  humiliate someone when they mess up.  We all we will need some grace from others in our lives, so let's make sure we are passing out plenty of it on this journey called life.

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School brings back great memories for me.  The Bible stories that came to life, the crafts we would spend hard minutes on and of course the snacks.  Ours consisted of Kool aid and two cookies.  The best I ever had. 

Lois Baker was my teacher several years and she always made it fun, but one thing always stood out above the other activities. She always had us in the Word of God and learning the Word of God. We were even gifted to learn the books of the Bible. Really, she was AWANA when AWANA wasn't cool.

I am grateful once again for all of the volunteers we have here at FSBCamden who will be pouring into our kids once again in our 2021 V.B.S.  Last year we were unable to have it do to COVID-19, and this summer is shaping up to be a great week.  Would you pray for us as we share Christ this year the week of June 6-11 from 6-8:30 P.M. each night.  Pray for the heart of each attender and their family.  Pray for the workers and help us see that this week of missions is crucial in the life of young people.

Love God.Love People.Serve People.  Bro. Greg

The Grave is Empty, the Hope of Man!

I love being a Pastor, and preaching around the season of the greatest love story ever known, Easter, we have the privilege to see folks that may not have been here in a while.  I love it.  It is Jesus who brings us all together.  It is His blood that unites believers down through the corridors of history.

In Egypt, it would be the blood that would cause the death angel to Passover, and today, it is still the blood, not the blood of animals, but the precious blood of our sinless Savior Jesus. the blood that washes us clean and paid our debt for sin.

Easter represents big church crowds, for some new clothing, family gatherings, and great meals.  But may we be reminded that Easter is all about Jesus.  His love for us, an old rugged cross, and an empty, vacant tomb.  He lives, and because He lives, we can too!

Over a year ago, we had to close the doors for several weeks from mid March to the second week of May.  Boy did we learn a lot.  The biggest lesson for Renee and I was how much we love you, our church family.  Now as folks begin to slowly come back, it is almost as if we are restarting and it is exciting.

Join us this Easter, April 4th for worship at 8:30 and 10:30 A.M. and come here the greatest love story ever known!  

We are also excited about Revival with David Burton, beginning April 11-14th. Our plans are to baptize on Easter and I can't wait to see you!

 

Overwhelmed?

 

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV)
¹  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
²  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

This picture really inspired me to think about life and the past eleven months.  When life is overwhelming what do you do and where do you begin?

For me, God has taught me to get on my knees more. While some things have stayed the same, many things have absolutely been turned upside down. While we have been shaken, our God has not.

Look at this guy in the picture. Some personal statements that would go through my mind would be:

•  Are You kidding me?
•  Really?
•  This is useless!
•  I quit!
• Where is everybody?
• God is this what I was called to do as a pastor?

And then He speaks.  Take one shovel at a time and I will get you there. He represents many pastors and those in ministry who have not quit.  Doing what they know to do, being faithful, and still slinging snow. 

Sunday, by Sunday, video by video, God is still on the throne and worthy to pursue.  Slowly, one shovel at a time, some progress is starting to be made.  A few Sundays ago , I could see it as we went over 215 combined in worship.  Nursery back, Children's church now functioning with all sails set on March 7 for the return of Small Groups, then pow!  Frigid temps, snowfall after snowfall and people forced to stay in.

The excitement that I have to see our entire church family reunited and back together is growing daily.

So when life overwhelms you, where do you begin?  By taking one step of faith, one step, one shovel of snow, and then going to the the next.

Somewhere out there, a person has a heavier load, harder circumstances, more difficult health challenges, and continues to serve the Lord.  May we not quit as we finish our race for the Master.

Christmas and Why Jesus Came

Dear FSBC, what a great day in the Lord yesterday.  We were right at 200 in worship and continue to pray for some of our folks who are still battling, some getting stronger and some need prayer.

I appreciate a church that is Gospel, Bible preaching receptive.  It is not that way everywhere, and we don't take it for granted.  As a matter of fact, 2020 has taught us to take nothing for granted, and to appreciate everything that God does and is doing.

I also praise the Lord for the giving heart of FSBC as we went over the the Lottie Moon goal by giving over 6,500!!! We also  had a good number here last night to observe the Lord's Supper and to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Below is a devotion in regards to last night's Communion service and I hope you will let it challenge you.

One of my favorite traditions at Christmas regarding church is the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. At a time when celebrating the birth of Christ is so wonderful,  communion, or the Lord's Supper is a good reminder of why Jesus was born, and why He came.  At the last supper Jesus said, "As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of Me."  So in the celebration of His birth, we take time to remember His death.

It wasn't just enough that He was born and took on flesh and blood.  In order to be our advocate we need Him to be, He came to earth  and experienced everything you and I would ever go through.  While He created everything, He experienced everything, yet without sin.  As a carpenter, He dealt with everything.  He knew what temptation was, and once again, without sin.

Recently Renee shared a good question.  What about Joseph as Jesus grew up and went to the cross?

We don't know what happened to Joseph beyond Jesus turning 12.  It is possible that Jesus may have even experienced what it was like growing up in the home of a single parent.  You never know.  He understands all struggles.

I believe God has big plans for FSBC in 2021.  May we be found faithful.  May we Love God, love people, and serve people!

Remember this Christmas, recognize that God knows your greatest need , and He has the power to meet it.  Let's celebrate Jesus, and remember why He came.... for you and me!

Defining Moments

This past Sunday we had the blessing of doing something every grandparent prays for.  That was to be able to attend the baptism of our oldest grandson Aiden.  We have been praying for him and asking God to speak to his tender heart over these past few years and we praise the Lord for His goodness. It was  a blessing to hear Aiden read his testimony, be challenged by his Pastor, Uncle Stephen, and then identify with Christ, death burial, and resurrection. 

Baptism is to be a first public step for believers.  It doesn't save, but identifies you as part of  God's forever family. I believe we can sometimes downplay the importance of baptism, yet what a significant step to take as a child of the King.  Jesus was baptized without any need to to do it other than modeling for us its importance.  I encourage you to prayerfully consider being baptized by immersion if you have never submitted to it.  It will be a defining moment in your Christian walk.

Seasons

The older I get , the more I appreciate the change of the seasons.  I love the spring, yet my favorite is the fall.  The crispness, the color change, the leaves, the harvest, the apples and cider, the fires, the football.  As a boy, I was a three sport kid.  Whatever was in season, baseball, basketball, football, that would be the sport I was  playing.  Young people, did you know that soccer was only a sport we watched on TV from Europe when I was a boy?

As a Pastor here in Camden for over twenty seven years, and a Papaw of four boys, I am in a different season personally and professionally.

Personally, our oldest grandson has recently been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.  It really has been hard to believe due to the fact that he has been so healthy. I believe God will use this in a great way in his life.  We all will be learning about the best way to help him manage and live with it. We spend our Saturdays, at some form of athletic event, cheering our guys and their teams on.  Win or lose, we don't want to miss this season in their lives.  Renee and I want them to look over at the sideline and see  grandparents that unconditionally love them....regardless.

As a Pastor, we are looking at ways to more effectively minister to our community.  Our theme is Love God...Love People...Serve People!  One thing we are about to change is our worship schedule.  October 4th, we will offer worship services at 8:30 A.M. and 10:30 A.M.  We will also be changing our evening service and moving it to Wednesday night at 6:33 P.M. beginning October 7th.  It is a new season. 

(Why 6:33?)  Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

This has been a hard decision for me personally as I have always had and wanted a Sunday night Service when most of my peers have eliminated it.  One reason I feel led to lead us in this direction now is to hit a target.  I think that expecting folks to come back on Sunday Evening, and them not returning helped me decide to move our Sunday night service to midweek .  We will treat the Wednesday night Service like a full blown worship service.  

We are about to kick off and it is time for us to suit up for a new season.  May Christ be glorified.