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It's the end of another year. I can not believe how fast it flew by. I do not need life to fly by so quickly. Whatever happened to being able to enjoy life as it happens? Am I getting old?

Christmas

It's almost here!

Prayer matters

Prayer. Talking to God. How often do you do that? How often do you share with God your feelings? Does God hear from you on a regular basis? What kind of relationship do you have with God? Think about that. Would you like to have a closer relationship with God? If so, sign up to be a part of the prayer training event on July 28th. It will be well worth your time. John and Sue Ellen Williamson will be with us, leading us and teaching us. Come be a part. Sign up today.

Peerless

Seen on the way to Monroe.

Do you have a friend? I think this life is more enjoyable and more meaningful with a friend. It seems being alone is not always fun. When was the last time you ate in a restaurant alone? I believe no one should eat alone. I mean, unless you just have to, eating alone is well, lonely. If you don't have a friend, get one. Find someone who shares your same interests. Find someone whom you can spend time visiting and reflecting on life with. Ok, this post is a bit lame, but sometimes that happens. LOL

Habemus Papam

Pope Francis

Yes, the Catholic Church has a Pope. As I watch him, I find a man of humility, a man who wishes not to call attention to himself, but to that of the downtrodden and poor. He called the former Pope, "brother" and knelt with him on the same kneeling bench to pray. He washed the feet of prisoners instead of priests. He chose to not live in the papal apartments. Very interesting.

I do wonder what our attitude is when it comes to ourselves. Are we "all about us" or all about others? How does the love of God fit into our lives on a daily basis? How does His love flow through us and into the lives of those around us? Is it something that is natural or must we work at it? How is the message of the gospel lived out in our lives? Do we consider that at least every other day? How close is our relationship to the one who made us and loves us enough to make a way to be with Him forever?

During this Easter season, as you celebrate the fact that Jesus gave His life for us, consider how you will give your life for Him. How will you live your life in a way that will point others to Him?

May the Holy Spirit of the living Christ guide you, dwell in you and bless you today, tomorrow and forever!

–Bro. Craig

Pope on the horizon

As the Cardinals meet to decide when to start and who they feel might be the best Pope, the world waits. We, as Baptists, may not cling to every puff of smoke that leaves the smokestack at the Vatican, but we do need to care about who the next Pope will be. Will he be one who speaks for the lowly, the downtrodden, the outcast? Will he be one who points people to living godly lives? Will he be one who deals with the problems the Catholic church finds itself in today? Will he stand for the truths of the word?

No, we don't agree with all the Catholic church believes, but a Pope who will speak truth to power can be a huge help in our world.

Who will he be, what will he do? Let us pray he is a man who follows God with all that he is and all that he has.

Wilderness time

There are times in the life of every church when they go through a wilderness journey. It could be a surprise launch into the wilderness or it could be a launch everyone knew was coming. Either way, when a church is looking for a staff member there is a sense of wandering which occurs. It is an in-between time. In between the time the last staff member leaves and a new one comes. There is a sense of loss for the one who left and a sense of loss of direction until someone else comes to sit in their chair of leadership. It's not a fun time, rather, it is a time of searching.

This searching is a time to search ones' soul and for the direction of the church. It's not a fun time, but a necessary time. Pray for our church.

Walking on Water––A Review

I received this book from Tyndale Publishing for review purposes and found it very interesting. Tommy Nelson and Steve Leavitt have a great deal of experience dealing with people who find themselves in the hole of depression. The advantage this book has is that its authors have both experienced depression. They have been where the reader may have been or is at the moment.

The back cover states that the authors are seeking to bring a "biblical approach to healing" and focuses on the integration of "the mind, body and spirit." I found that comforting. Many books seek to help and leave out one of those three. Rather than spend time on just the mind or just the body, they seek to pull all of those together and include the spirit.

I am pleased at how they both are able to pull in the scripture to help with the topic of depression. God really has a lot to say to those who are "downcast." Sometimes it's hard to see how God's word meets every day life. These authors have truly helped me to see how it does meet needs of people today.

One of my favorite parts of the book is where they share some common lies and follow them up with truth from God's word. That was very helpful and can be to any who find themselves in a pothole of life.

I'd suggest if you find yourself in a hole, pick up this book and glean some truth from God's word that can help you out of that hole.

He is still here…

One of the most interesting phenomenons I've noticed is when the immediate successor of a church continues to live near or even on the grounds of the church he has previously served.

It has been shared that the Pope, when he retires from being Pope, will live in a restored convent on the grounds of the Vatican in Rome. What will that be like? Would they visit each other? Would they go "out on the town" together? Would they make appearances every now and then as a sign of good will? Will the Vatican forbid too close of a relationship? He has stated he wants a life of silence, but does that mean he won't communicate with others? Not sure. 

I would love it if I were Pope and the previous Pope lived near. I'd ring him every other day to get advice. Ah, but what if the next Pope has a "I can do this better than that guy" type of attitude? If this is true, then he won't communicate much at all with Joseph Ratzinger. I don't think there is anything regarding what type a relationship the Pope is to have with a former Pope, but I'd like to think that they'd have breakfasts on Saturday mornings. Wouldn't that be neat? I mean, why not? It is known, though not widely, that I enjoy the friendship of one of the former pastors of FBC, Winnsboro. I find it helpful to maintain a relationship with him. He has been here and knows the people better than I do. This being the case with Joseph Ratzinger, I would hope the next Pope would seek out that relationship and seek to glean wisdom from him when it comes to his papal duties.

What about you? Is there someone you can learn from in your life who has lived where you live, work where you've worked or simply has been around longer than you have? Find a mentor. Find someone who can, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, guide you in your life.

Family thanks God

Recently a family won 1 million dollars in the lottery. They were both unemployed and now have purchased iPads, a new car and a new house. They are tithing to their church off of the winnings. They thank God for winning. My questions are, "Is this win from God?" "Will this encourage people to throw money away on tickets?"
Did this family need help? Yes. Were they trusting in God or on a chance ticket? I just wonder.