The Free Will Baptist Children's Home in Eldridge, AL is in need of the following supplies for the upcoming school year:
1 1/2" binders
nylon pencil pouches(fit 3 ring binder)
clear plastic backpacks
dividers w/ tabs
colored pencils
basic function calculators
3x5 index cards
plastic folders w/ bottom pockets (red, green,yellow,blue,purple)
If you would like to help, you can bring your donations to our meeting on Sunday or you can contact the Children's Home directly by calling (205) 924-9751 or by visiting their website at http://www.fwbhome.org/.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Some thoughts on prayer
Do you ever feel like you're just praying to your ceiling? Like your prayers aren't going anywhere? I've felt that way at times. I think a lot of us have.
And I wonder why - why is it that we think God isn't there? We know that He is. He's promised us that. I know that He hears my prayers, so why do I sometimes feel like I'm just talking to thin air?
I think it's because we don't expect God to show up anymore. We get so caught up in the ritual of prayer that we forget Who we're praying to. Our prayer life should never become a ritual. It should never be habit.
I think another reason we don't feel like God is there is because we don't invite Him to come to us. We say our prayers, but they're just empty words - just comfortable, normal bedtime rituals. We talk at God instead of talking to Him. And we don't listen for His reply.
God wants a relationship with us and relationships require communication. We can't know God if we don't talk to Him, and we can't learn from Him if we don't listen to Him.
So the next time you feel like you're just praying to your ceiling, pray harder. Say what you mean and mean what you say. God just might show up and blow your socks off.
And I wonder why - why is it that we think God isn't there? We know that He is. He's promised us that. I know that He hears my prayers, so why do I sometimes feel like I'm just talking to thin air?
I think it's because we don't expect God to show up anymore. We get so caught up in the ritual of prayer that we forget Who we're praying to. Our prayer life should never become a ritual. It should never be habit.
I think another reason we don't feel like God is there is because we don't invite Him to come to us. We say our prayers, but they're just empty words - just comfortable, normal bedtime rituals. We talk at God instead of talking to Him. And we don't listen for His reply.
God wants a relationship with us and relationships require communication. We can't know God if we don't talk to Him, and we can't learn from Him if we don't listen to Him.
So the next time you feel like you're just praying to your ceiling, pray harder. Say what you mean and mean what you say. God just might show up and blow your socks off.
SSFWB in Cincinnati
I want to thank everyone that prayed for us while we were gone to the Free Will Baptist National Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio last week. It was a week of revival for most of us - a chance to meet people from around the nation that share our faith and our passion for doing God's will and seeing His word carried to all nations.
Our group - ready to leave Tuscaloosa early Saturday morning
The Duke Energy Center in downtown Cincinnati where most of the conference was held
Joe, Shelby, Aiden, Allee, Dylan and Jacob waiting for us to unload the bus and check into the hotel on Saturday afternoon
On our way to the Cincinnati Reds game on Sunday afternoon
The Great American Ballpark - Reds vs. Brewers
Jacob waiting for a home run ball
They let the kids run the bases after the game
Hunter and Caleb at the Great American Ballpark
Bible Tic-Tac-Toe Team: Caleb, Tiffany, Joseph, Hunter and Coach Tina
Bro. Tim and Bro. Adam helped the Tic-Tac-Toe Team study between matches
Hunter, Tiffany and Joseph between Tic-Tac-Toe games
Marissa during her competition
Jacob playing the bells during his competition
Dinner on Wednesday night before the service
Dylan and Tannah at dinner
Ice Cream!
Our kids did a great job in their competitions. Joseph tied for first place in the keyboard competition for grades 7-9. Jacob won first place in the pitched percussion competition for grades 1-3. Marissa competed in the vocal solo competition for grades 10-12.
Our Bible Tic-Tac-Toe team made it through four rounds before they were eliminated from the competition. They did a great job and are looking forward to competing again next year.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Camp E.D.G.E. 2009
Camp E.D.G.E. ~ Our decorations were awesome this year! Thanks to Misty, April and Katie for all their hard work!
Thanks so much to all of you that made our Vacation Bible School such a success this year! We had a great week where we learned about living on the E.D.G.E. (Experience and Discover God Everywhere)!
During the week, we averaged about 90 kids per night. This year, we supported the Long family (home missionaries to Colorado) with our offering. We always have a competition between the boys and the girls to see which group can bring the most money for the offering, and this year the boys were victorious, so Mrs. Amanda got a pie in the face on Friday night (sorry that I don't have a picture of that! I forgot my camera that night, although I'm sure Mrs. Amanda doesn't mind...). Together, the boys and girls raised over $700 for the Long family! Way to go, kids!
We were also blessed to have one little boy pray for Jesus to come into his heart at VBS this week. That's truly what it's all about - the studying, decorating, cooking... We can get so wrapped up in how busy we are and our to do lists for the week and forget why we're really here - to introduce Jesus to these kids and their families.
Once again, thanks to all of you that worked with us and prayed for us during the week. We are so excited about what God is doing at Sulphur Springs!
During the week, we averaged about 90 kids per night. This year, we supported the Long family (home missionaries to Colorado) with our offering. We always have a competition between the boys and the girls to see which group can bring the most money for the offering, and this year the boys were victorious, so Mrs. Amanda got a pie in the face on Friday night (sorry that I don't have a picture of that! I forgot my camera that night, although I'm sure Mrs. Amanda doesn't mind...). Together, the boys and girls raised over $700 for the Long family! Way to go, kids!
We were also blessed to have one little boy pray for Jesus to come into his heart at VBS this week. That's truly what it's all about - the studying, decorating, cooking... We can get so wrapped up in how busy we are and our to do lists for the week and forget why we're really here - to introduce Jesus to these kids and their families.
Once again, thanks to all of you that worked with us and prayed for us during the week. We are so excited about what God is doing at Sulphur Springs!
Crazy Hair Night
The Long Family - Missionaries to Colorado
Our kids supported the Long family with their offering during VBS. For more information about the Long family or Free Will Baptist Home Missions, visit www.homemissions.net
Monday, July 13, 2009
July Revival - Part Two
"Revive Us"
Sermon by Bro. Rick Taylor 7/12/09
Psalm 119:37 "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way."
"A half-hearted approach to living for God will NEVER satisfy our souls." - Bro. Rick
Revival is a continual state of seeking God and His will. Revival begins when we INDIVIDUALLY seek God. We must all recognize our need for revival individually before we will see a revival in our churches and communities.
Revival will come when we SEEK it!
1. Revival comes when we prepare.
a. Concern "turn away mine eyes from vanity" (Psalm 119:37 a)
- Do we care enough about our spiritual condition to be concerned about revival?
- Do we recognize our own need for revival and our own sin?
- Jesus wants us to live in knowledge and spirit. He wants us to be able to recognize our sin and our need for revival and for us to seek Him.
b. Cry Out
- We need to pray for revival!
- You can't serve God without knowing God.
- Do we care enough to pray? Do we continue in prayer? (Acts 1:14)
c. Cost
- Revival comes with a cost: We need to let God purge our lives of the things that are hindering our relationship with Him.
- When God asks for a SACRIFICE, that is exactly what He wants from us! If we don't have to pay a cost of some sort, where is the sacrifice? (see 2 Samuel 24:24)
- What kind of price are you willing to pay for revival? Are you willing to give your time? Are you willing to pray? Are you willing to change?
2. Revival comes when we make it personal
a. Conviction
- Revival comes when we get ready for our personal walk with the Lord to improve and when we are ready to change. (Psalm 85:6)
- How do we measure up to God's standards...in holiness? in faithfulness? in devotion?
- We need to pray for God to show us HIS ways "quicken thou me in thy way." (Psalm 119:37)
b. Confession
- We must confess that Jesus is the ONLY way and that there is NONE OTHER by which we can be saved.
- So we seek ONLY GOD to fulfill the empty places of our hearts?
- We cannot fix our problems on our own, but GOD CAN!
- We must recognize and admit that God is the only one that can revive us - and that we cannot do this without Him!
c. Conversion
- "quicken thou me in THY way" God's way is always better than ours. We must change from going our way to following His way.
- If there is no change, then there is no salvation. If there is no change, then there is no re-dedication. If there is no change, then there is no conversion. If there is no change, then there is no revival.
- Jesus didn't come here to make us better people. He came to make us more like HIM!
- Jeremiah 29:12-13 "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." You must seek revival with ALL of your HEART!
Sermon by Bro. Rick Taylor 7/12/09
Psalm 119:37 "Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way."
"A half-hearted approach to living for God will NEVER satisfy our souls." - Bro. Rick
Revival is a continual state of seeking God and His will. Revival begins when we INDIVIDUALLY seek God. We must all recognize our need for revival individually before we will see a revival in our churches and communities.
Revival will come when we SEEK it!
1. Revival comes when we prepare.
a. Concern "turn away mine eyes from vanity" (Psalm 119:37 a)
- Do we care enough about our spiritual condition to be concerned about revival?
- Do we recognize our own need for revival and our own sin?
- Jesus wants us to live in knowledge and spirit. He wants us to be able to recognize our sin and our need for revival and for us to seek Him.
b. Cry Out
- We need to pray for revival!
- You can't serve God without knowing God.
- Do we care enough to pray? Do we continue in prayer? (Acts 1:14)
c. Cost
- Revival comes with a cost: We need to let God purge our lives of the things that are hindering our relationship with Him.
- When God asks for a SACRIFICE, that is exactly what He wants from us! If we don't have to pay a cost of some sort, where is the sacrifice? (see 2 Samuel 24:24)
- What kind of price are you willing to pay for revival? Are you willing to give your time? Are you willing to pray? Are you willing to change?
2. Revival comes when we make it personal
a. Conviction
- Revival comes when we get ready for our personal walk with the Lord to improve and when we are ready to change. (Psalm 85:6)
- How do we measure up to God's standards...in holiness? in faithfulness? in devotion?
- We need to pray for God to show us HIS ways "quicken thou me in thy way." (Psalm 119:37)
b. Confession
- We must confess that Jesus is the ONLY way and that there is NONE OTHER by which we can be saved.
- So we seek ONLY GOD to fulfill the empty places of our hearts?
- We cannot fix our problems on our own, but GOD CAN!
- We must recognize and admit that God is the only one that can revive us - and that we cannot do this without Him!
c. Conversion
- "quicken thou me in THY way" God's way is always better than ours. We must change from going our way to following His way.
- If there is no change, then there is no salvation. If there is no change, then there is no re-dedication. If there is no change, then there is no conversion. If there is no change, then there is no revival.
- Jesus didn't come here to make us better people. He came to make us more like HIM!
- Jeremiah 29:12-13 "Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." You must seek revival with ALL of your HEART!
Sunday, July 12, 2009
July Revival - Part One
This month, we have been enjoying a great revival during our Sunday morning services. We would love for you to come join us during our services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. every Sunday morning!
Our first Revival speaker was Bro. Danny Williams (7/5/09). He serves as director of the Free Will Baptist Children's Home (check it out at http://www.fwbhome.org/).
2 Timothy 4:6-8
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
What gives Paul his confidence?
1. The Present - In verse 6, Paul says, "I am ready..."
a. Ready to be offered
Paul understood sacrifice (Philippians 2:7)
He knew what it meant to live for Christ (Romans 12:1-2)
b. Ready for his departure
Paul knew that he was ready for death because he had confidence in his relationship with Christ. Are you ready?
2. The Past - in verse 7, Paul says, "I have..."
a. I have fought a good fight
Paul was confident that he had fought for a worthwhile cause and that he had done his best.
Check out Ephesians 6:13-18 for the Armor of God that we all need to fight that good fight.
b. I have finished my course
Each of us has a course that God has planned for our lives. Every course is different, and we all have to learn to run the race with patience.
*There is no more noble way to die than to be running the course God has set for us.
c. I have kept the faith
We should always stay faithful ( 1Timothy 4:12 "...be thou an example unto the believers in faith...")
3. The Future - In verse 8, Paul awaited his rewards
a. There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness
Our crown is set aside just for us! Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
We get to wear the VICTOR'S crown, not the ruler's crown, because only God is worthy of the ruler's crown.
b. The reward shall be given "at that day"
We will be rewarded at the day of the Lord's return
c. The reward will be given to "ALL of them also that love his appearing"
We all can earn a crown in heaven - but when we receive our crowns, it will not be for the things that WE did...it will be about the things that we allowed Jesus to do THROUGH us.
Our first Revival speaker was Bro. Danny Williams (7/5/09). He serves as director of the Free Will Baptist Children's Home (check it out at http://www.fwbhome.org/).
2 Timothy 4:6-8
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
What gives Paul his confidence?
1. The Present - In verse 6, Paul says, "I am ready..."
a. Ready to be offered
Paul understood sacrifice (Philippians 2:7)
He knew what it meant to live for Christ (Romans 12:1-2)
b. Ready for his departure
Paul knew that he was ready for death because he had confidence in his relationship with Christ. Are you ready?
2. The Past - in verse 7, Paul says, "I have..."
a. I have fought a good fight
Paul was confident that he had fought for a worthwhile cause and that he had done his best.
Check out Ephesians 6:13-18 for the Armor of God that we all need to fight that good fight.
b. I have finished my course
Each of us has a course that God has planned for our lives. Every course is different, and we all have to learn to run the race with patience.
*There is no more noble way to die than to be running the course God has set for us.
c. I have kept the faith
We should always stay faithful ( 1Timothy 4:12 "...be thou an example unto the believers in faith...")
3. The Future - In verse 8, Paul awaited his rewards
a. There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness
Our crown is set aside just for us! Matthew 6:19-21 "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."
We get to wear the VICTOR'S crown, not the ruler's crown, because only God is worthy of the ruler's crown.
b. The reward shall be given "at that day"
We will be rewarded at the day of the Lord's return
c. The reward will be given to "ALL of them also that love his appearing"
We all can earn a crown in heaven - but when we receive our crowns, it will not be for the things that WE did...it will be about the things that we allowed Jesus to do THROUGH us.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Vacation Bible School
You're invited to join us forCamp E.D.G.E.
Vacation Bible School!
Monday, July 13 - Friday, July 17
from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.
Each night the kids will take a "truth treck" to Bible days for their lesson, have craft and game time, enjoy snacks and music time.
We hope to see you there!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
"Lead Me To The Cross" by Hillsong United
Savior I come
Quiet my soul, remember
Redemption's hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss
Lead me to the cross
Where your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, Lead me to the cross
You were as I
Tempted and tried, Human
The Word became flesh
Bore my pain and death
Now You're risen
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord, I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, Lead me to the cross...
"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." Acts 5:41 (KJV, emphasis added)
The disciples understood what it meant to be persecuted for their beliefs. They truly understood the sacrifice that Jesus had made for them. They knew what it meant to take up their crosses and follow Christ - and they were thankful to be able to do so.
My Sunday school lesson this week is about persecution. Last night's devotion was "We must trust God more than we fear men." (Acts 5:17-42)
The above verse (Acts 5:41), really spoke to me. The disciples had been arrested, thrown in jail, had to stand before the council and were badly beaten. And what did they do?
They REJOICED!
They didn't cry out to God with complaints. They didn't whine and pout. They didn't give up and give in to the demands of the council. They were THANKFUL that they had even been considered worthy to suffer for Christ!
Do we understand what it means to suffer today? Do we really know what it means to take up our crosses and stand out and be different in the name of the Lord?
I'm afraid that we have become controlled by fear. We don't want to look like one of those "Jesus Freaks." We're afraid that if anything seems out of place, people will judge us. We're afraid that if things aren't perfect, people will wonder what we did to deserve punishment. We're afraid that if we freely worship God and raise our hands to Him in praise that people will think we're weird. We definitely don't consider it an honor to suffer for Christ.
But that's exactly how the disciples felt. See, they had witnessed the Savior be beaten and die on the cross. They had seen Him die, they had seen Him after He rose from the dead, and they believed in Him.
They didn't care what men thought about them. They didn't care what traditions and rituals they broke ("...We ought to obey God rather than men." - Acts 5:29) They had life-changing news to share and if they had to share it while they were being beaten and stoned, so be it.
They suffered joyfully. (See 1 Peter 4:12-19)
But what does that mean for us today? We don't have to fear being stoned to death for our beliefs, but our fears are just as real. We fear being ostracized by friends, having to miss out on certain activities, or not getting that promotion if we stand up for what's right. But take heart!
We were promised that we would suffer in this world. "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." 2 Timothy 3:12
But Jesus also promised us that we would be rewarded for our faithfulness and perseverance. "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
So if you're struggling, rejoice in the Lord.
Remember how Jesus suffered for you, and remember that He is still with you always. Consider it an honor to suffer for Christ. He considered it an honor to die for you.
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