Oh what a day and night! Plus: Mission Minded Budget

FirstKid's: (from left to right, front row) Andrew Beeman, Luke Wolleson,

Jackson Cordill, Joshua Beeman, Caroline Grant, Bruce Cordill,

(Second Row, l-r) Halie Thomas, (Third row, l-r) Chloe Wolleson,

Katilyn Thomas, Blair Grieme, Jacob Cordill, Joseph Wolleson,

Jessie Thomas and Jarrod Thomas.

Today was an awesome day at First Baptist, Winnsboro! This morning we were able to hear from one of our undercover missionaries who serves in, well, an undisclosed country. It was amazing to hear about her work and what God is doing through this missionary. By the way, have you given an offering, a sum above and beyond your tithe, to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering yet? Pray about it.

This evening we heard our children perform, The Living Créche. They did a great job. I am so proud of our kids. They worked hard. I was amazed at those who sang solos. I don't recall ever having the courage to sing a solo at their age!

Budget Planning
In our Budget Planning Meeting tonight we discussed working towards a mission minded budget. We need to be more about missions than maintenance. We are holding our own, but are we helping to change our world? Keep our committee in your prayers as they seek God's will in regards to missions.

Prayer for the Pastor would be great!

As I sit here typing this, I think about prayer and what it means to me when someone says, "I'm praying for you." Sometimes I believe it. At other times I hope it's true. Either way, when you pray for your pastor, it's one of the most important actions you can participate in concerning him.

Take time to pray for your pastor. Every now and then, tell him you do. It will make his day and maybe even his month or year.

As it so happens, while I did not intend to add this to this post, I would like you to pray for me as I serve on the board of the Princess Theatre in Winnsboro and on the Board of Trustees for the Baptist Message. Neither will tax me, but I do want to serve well in both of those roles. Thankfully they will not take away from me passion of shepherding God's people at FBC.

One more thing…
Huge thanks to Rev. Johnny Hankins, and wife Pam, as they shared with our Triple L group on Thursday. They did a great job. They even taught us a bit of history! Thank you for the laughter as well!

Children's Musical is on it's way.

Our Christmas Musical, entitled, The Living Créche, will be shared this Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. Invite a friend. Make sure you don't miss this. It will be great! Be a part of the festivities at First Baptist this Christmas!

December 11th, we have the Adult Choir sharing, Joy has Dawned. That night, at 6 p.m., join Jon & Friends for a time of Christmas music.

We will meet for a special Christmas Eve Service at 6:00 p.m. on well, Christmas Eve. Ha ha. That promises to be a great time where we light the final candle of Advent.

Sunday, December 25th, well have regular worship at 10:55 a.m. No service that evening and no Sunday School on that day.

"Merry Christmas...or not"

As I listen to the media and receive updates from the American Family Association I am saddened. First, I'm saddened by the fact that some stores and people elect to say, "Season's Greetings" instead of "Merry Christmas." I think it's odd to change what has been shared for years into some generic greeting. "Happy Holidays" is not much better. Why don't we say that on Valentine's Day?

Second, I feel that those who are making a huge deal about saying, "Merry Christmas" are missing the point of Christmas. This entire issue has been described as "The War on Christmas." When was Christmas supposed to be about war? When did it become a fight over what people say to each other? I prefer and will continue to say, "Merry Christmas," but I'm not going to push other people to say it if they don't believe or see things differently.

I'd rather make a difference on my own, in my own way. I'd rather say, "Merry Christmas" to those I come in contact with and go on with my life. The message of the birth of Christ is more than two simple words. It's a lifestyle. If we push two words on others which we feel they must say at Christmas we're missing the point. Sharing the gospel is telling others about Jesus, not telling others what they should and shouldn't say to each other. Does that make sense? I don't want to dread celebrating the birth of Christ each year because I'm worried about Wal-Mart or Target screaming "Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings" on huge banners at their stores. Am I nuts or what?

Teachers and holidays

Christmas time is here. I wish that were true for all the teachers. They need a break. Pray for them to hang in there. If you are a parent, please support your kids teachers. Please treat them as you would want to be treated.

Testing

I'm testing something out here. Hover over this scripture reference: John 3:16.

Homecoming 2011

What a great weekend it was at FBC, Winnsboro. So many memories shared and even made during this past weekend. What a great place to serve God.

I remember the day...9-11-2001

I awoke on this day and was getting ready for my day. I was still serving at my first church located in Pelican, LA. I preacher friend, Scott Arant, called me and said our nation was under attack. I did not believe him. I went to the television and turned it on. I saw the first building on fire. As time progressed and I realized that it did not look good it was time to take Susanne to the doctor for a check-up. I think we were to find out if our baby was a boy or a girl that day. I turned on the radio but my wife, who feels I overreact, did not want to listen to the news. When we got to Shreveport I turned on the radio to find out the Pentagon had been hit. I then got concerned. Something was definitely not right. The rest of the day, after returning home, I was glued to the television. I could not believe we had been hit. What a blow.

No longer were we safe. I was "afeared" that more horrible acts would take place and still am not too sure we are as safe as we need to be.

Later, around June of 2002, I went with a team of Southern Baptist Disaster Relief workers to New York's Staten Island. We fed the workers. What where they doing? They were going though the remains of the World Trade Center. There were smoke filled BMW's and other luxury cars that were toast. They were just put in a fenced-in area.

Today it seems as if it was all a dream. We visited Ground Zero. It overwhelmed me. A ramp had been built that allowed one to look over into the pit. Along the railing were home made signs remembering those who died. It was very difficult to look at.

I shall never forget that day or the days in New York. They were days when I realized that only God can protect us.