One of the 2037 things I love about our church family is the willingness to bless others. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic, you found ways to continue doing mission even when we were not having “in-person worship”. We fed hundreds with hot, delicious comfort food. We fed firemen, Express Care workers, homebound, the sick, widows, underserved, etc. You lived out the value that we are blessed to be a blessing.
Another way we were and are significantly blessed is in our finances. The tithes and offerings have been so extremely generous given the craziness of the two years. Because we have been so blessed, your Pastors, Elders and Finance Team want to make the following proposal: We would like this Sunday’s offering to be a Kingdom Offering.
If you have watched or read any news lately, you know of the devastating events happening in Haiti and Afghanistan. These are two countries, at their very best, are among the most difficult places on earth to live. Add to their difficult lives man made or natural disasters and you have a recipe for suffering, misery and pain. My experience has been when mankind is at its worst, God and His people are at their best. If there is a disaster, you know Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, Samaritans Purse and other agencies will be present sooner rather than later.
So how do we fit in? I have asked and received whole hearted approval from our Finance Team and Elders, that we designate this Sunday’s offering, all of it, to help support 3 relief efforts. First the Afghanistan crisis relief efforts; second the Haiti earthquake disaster; and third for members, Charles and Judy Dillon’s ongoing Disaster Relief work in Florida.
God has blessed us with so much that we are in a great position to be able to bless others. We are simply passing on what our Father has entrusted to us. So this Sunday, August 29, 2021 will be a Kingdom Giving Sunday. Instead of taking up a special offering, we will designate everything that is given this Sunday to be a Kingdom Sunday Relief offering. We have been blessed to be a blessing. So, if you usually give, here is a great opportunity to make an impact. If you do not give to JIBC, but kind of like the idea of a Kingdom Giving Sunday, here is your opportunity to make an impact. Give this Sunday and know that 100% of what is given, that is not otherwise designated, will be given to Afghanistan, Haiti and the Dillon’s Disaster Relief work.
Please note, that anyone who would prefer, for one of many reasons, that your offering this Sunday goes to James Island Baptist, can still do that. You can mark your offering as designated, call the church office and speak to Neale, send us a text or email to let us know. Any offering designated to a specific cause will go to where it is designated. Anyone would be able to redirect their gifts to JIBC if they so desired.
Again, thank you for being so generous. You make this an easy choice to give because God gave to us. We believe that we are blessed to be a blessing. So let the blessing begin. See you Sunday with my offering!
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, August 25, 2021
BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING…OK THEN, LET THE BLESSING BEGIN!
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
LET’S CREATE A WAVE
Thirty years ago we used to say you cannot create a wave you can only ride it. That was generally true. Today, we can make waves. Almost every major water park has a wave making machine that can produce waves big enough to ride on with or without a surf board.
I am asking for our church family to work together with our Heavenly Farther to create waves of love and enthusiasm. Waves that many people could ride back to worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission. Covid-19 has created a lot of issues for everyone. One of the issues was if and when to go back out in public and when to re-engage with our church families. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to get out of the good habit of assembling ourselves together for worship, fellowship, discipleship, missions and ministry. We all understood that isolation, social distancing, mask wearing was a part of the strategy to mitigate this wretched virus. But now is the time to come on back. For some, re-starting the good habit of worship will be hard. I am not sure some will be able to unless we can help them. So let’s create waves of love and enthusiasm so strong they will be able to ride it back to worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission.
Here is a basic law of physics: an object not in motion tends to stay not in motion until acted upon by another object. The water is not in motion until acted upon by wind, gravity, shore line etc. But once acted upon some beautiful waves can be experienced. Some have not been in “motion” for a while because of Covid-19. Let’s ask God to make waves of love to act upon them to bring them back. Amen?
Let’s see if we can be the wind and the force to make waves of love and enthusiasm that could bring our church family and friends back. God is able to help us do what looks impossible. He can make a wave and a series of waves that create beauty and opportunity.
So, how can we do this? What are the forces that could create waves of love and fellowship? Let’s start with the most basic…prayer. Let’s pray and ask our Father to show us where He is working and how we might join Him. Pray that we will work with God to create waves that would reach the ones He loves so dearly. Second, let’s contact those in our connection groups or those we have been missing. Let’s contact with a phone call, a text, a card, an invite out to eat, an invitation to a party, an invite to join us to go see the River Dogs…whatever. Let’s just find a way to create waves of love and fellowship. Our enemy, the devil would seek to steal and destroy. Our Heavenly Father seeks to reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken world.
Those of you make cookies and desserts…let’s bake a wave. Those of you who are party people, let the fun wave begin. Going to a game…a lot of people will ride that sports wave with you.
I am asking for our church family to work together with our Heavenly Farther to create waves of love and enthusiasm. Waves that many people could ride back to worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission. Covid-19 has created a lot of issues for everyone. One of the issues was if and when to go back out in public and when to re-engage with our church families. Unfortunately, it is all too easy to get out of the good habit of assembling ourselves together for worship, fellowship, discipleship, missions and ministry. We all understood that isolation, social distancing, mask wearing was a part of the strategy to mitigate this wretched virus. But now is the time to come on back. For some, re-starting the good habit of worship will be hard. I am not sure some will be able to unless we can help them. So let’s create waves of love and enthusiasm so strong they will be able to ride it back to worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and mission.
Here is a basic law of physics: an object not in motion tends to stay not in motion until acted upon by another object. The water is not in motion until acted upon by wind, gravity, shore line etc. But once acted upon some beautiful waves can be experienced. Some have not been in “motion” for a while because of Covid-19. Let’s ask God to make waves of love to act upon them to bring them back. Amen?
Let’s see if we can be the wind and the force to make waves of love and enthusiasm that could bring our church family and friends back. God is able to help us do what looks impossible. He can make a wave and a series of waves that create beauty and opportunity.
So, how can we do this? What are the forces that could create waves of love and fellowship? Let’s start with the most basic…prayer. Let’s pray and ask our Father to show us where He is working and how we might join Him. Pray that we will work with God to create waves that would reach the ones He loves so dearly. Second, let’s contact those in our connection groups or those we have been missing. Let’s contact with a phone call, a text, a card, an invite out to eat, an invitation to a party, an invite to join us to go see the River Dogs…whatever. Let’s just find a way to create waves of love and fellowship. Our enemy, the devil would seek to steal and destroy. Our Heavenly Father seeks to reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken world.
Those of you make cookies and desserts…let’s bake a wave. Those of you who are party people, let the fun wave begin. Going to a game…a lot of people will ride that sports wave with you.
Imagine if we are blessed to work with our Father to create waves of love and fellowship. Families strengthened, people loved, souls saved, marriages strengthened, the possibilities are limitless because our Father love is limitless.
Talk about it with your connection Group, with your family, with a friend. Each of us can do our part to be a blessing to the church family and friends. We can do this to the glory of God. Let’s be the force of love that acts on the objects not in motion…and create waves of love!
See you Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Talk about it with your connection Group, with your family, with a friend. Each of us can do our part to be a blessing to the church family and friends. We can do this to the glory of God. Let’s be the force of love that acts on the objects not in motion…and create waves of love!
See you Sunday, good Lord willing!
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, August 11, 2021
LIFE’S HEALING CHOICES
“The darker the night, the brighter the stars”. That is such a lovely quote…but it really does not do a lot for the pain we feel from loss. Starting Sunday, September 12, we will be offering An eight week course using the book Life’s Healing Choices written by John Baker.
Grief comes in and out of our lives in many shapes and forms. It comes far more often that we would like. Sometimes dealing with the pain seems more than we can handle. And then we read a beautiful quote…”the darker the night, the brighter the stars”. But I don’t want the bright stars, I want my life back, my child back, my job back, my health back, my reputation back. The pain is real. Grief has been described as the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social pain that we feel when we lose someone or something that we love. The pain can be real and it can be deep. As the poet said grief is the price we pay for loving deeply.
We realize we grieve for loved ones who die. We also grieve for many other losses in life. You cannot compare one grief to another. We can, however acknowledge the grief and try to live with it and learn how to move on with it. And so, we believe whatever we do we can do better together. So let’s give it a try. If you have experienced loss, whether a loved one, a relationship, a marriage, a reputation, physical health…whatever the loss, I invite you to join us on this journey of healing.
This discipleship study is being offered on Sunday night for several reasons. First, we have some built in benefits: an available fellowship meal; child care; healing worship; and small groups. Dealing with grief fits so perfectly into Celebrate Recovery’s Mission…freedom from life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups. It is a common mistake to think of CR as dealing with only alcohol and drug abuse. Only about 1/3 of those attending CR are dealing with substance abuse. The rest are dealing with every day hurts, hang-ups and habits. I attend CR to deal with past issues of anger, anxiety, control, etc, etc. Others may be dealing with depression, mental health issues, broken relationships and loss. It might surprise you how many of our hang-ups and habits have their beginning in our hurts…like the grief of loss that we did not deal with. You are welcome to join us. This study will be based on the 8 Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. We would love to have a book ready for you. Let us know.
Remember that grieving does not mean you are imperfect. It means you are human.
Pastor Tom
Grief comes in and out of our lives in many shapes and forms. It comes far more often that we would like. Sometimes dealing with the pain seems more than we can handle. And then we read a beautiful quote…”the darker the night, the brighter the stars”. But I don’t want the bright stars, I want my life back, my child back, my job back, my health back, my reputation back. The pain is real. Grief has been described as the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social pain that we feel when we lose someone or something that we love. The pain can be real and it can be deep. As the poet said grief is the price we pay for loving deeply.
We realize we grieve for loved ones who die. We also grieve for many other losses in life. You cannot compare one grief to another. We can, however acknowledge the grief and try to live with it and learn how to move on with it. And so, we believe whatever we do we can do better together. So let’s give it a try. If you have experienced loss, whether a loved one, a relationship, a marriage, a reputation, physical health…whatever the loss, I invite you to join us on this journey of healing.
This discipleship study is being offered on Sunday night for several reasons. First, we have some built in benefits: an available fellowship meal; child care; healing worship; and small groups. Dealing with grief fits so perfectly into Celebrate Recovery’s Mission…freedom from life’s hurts, habits and hang-ups. It is a common mistake to think of CR as dealing with only alcohol and drug abuse. Only about 1/3 of those attending CR are dealing with substance abuse. The rest are dealing with every day hurts, hang-ups and habits. I attend CR to deal with past issues of anger, anxiety, control, etc, etc. Others may be dealing with depression, mental health issues, broken relationships and loss. It might surprise you how many of our hang-ups and habits have their beginning in our hurts…like the grief of loss that we did not deal with. You are welcome to join us. This study will be based on the 8 Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. We would love to have a book ready for you. Let us know.
Remember that grieving does not mean you are imperfect. It means you are human.
Pastor Tom
Thursday, August 5, 2021
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
We are wired up to grieve when we lose someone or something we love. Grieving is not a sign of a lack of faith or that we don’t believe God is good and God is great. Grieving is a sign that we are human, fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God….but still human. We love and get attached and then we lose someone or something we love…and we grieve. Jesus gives us the hope, the help and the healing we need in this verse: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Mourning, good grief is the way to being comforted.
What is it that might cause us to grieve? The simple answer is loss. The hard answer is the loss of a loved one. That is usually what we associate with grieving…the loss of a loved one who died. The pain is real. Our pain can be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and even social. You can’t just will the pain away and there is no time limit to how long the hurt lasts.
But there are other significant losses that cause us to grieve. My father had his leg amputated because of a poor circulation problem. He, and our family, grieved that loss. Others may grieve the loss of a job, a friendship, a beloved pet, the loss of mobility, a loved one who has dementia or Alzheimer’s. There are a myriad of things that can cause grief. The pain is real…not because we don’t have faith but because we are human.
That brings me to my invitation. Starting Sunday, September 5, I will be teaching an 8 week course on “Life’s Healing Choices”. This is a book written by John Baker. The book is based on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. I am hoping you will consider joining us for 8 weeks as we mourn together and experience comfort together. This is an open class for anyone who would like to attend. I will be leading the study. Each participant will have a book and a study book.
Now, here is the really good news about when this will be offered. Participants can, if they wish, join us at 5:30 for a fellowship meal. That is optional. At 6:15 we will gather in the worship center for a time of celebration. Pastor David and the praise band will lead us each week in a time of worship that will prepare our hearts for the teaching of God’s Word in Life’s Healing Choices. We will then go to our different small groups for a 45 minute study and we will be dismissed before 8:00. In addition to the Fellowship Meal, there is a nursery offered, a program for children and Jr. High and Sr. High Students.
Maybe this is for you. Maybe it is for someone you know who is stuck in their grieving or could use a little encouragement.
I hope you will join us. It will be worthwhile. Blessed are those who mourn, they will be comforted. Let the healing begin.
Pastor Tom
What is it that might cause us to grieve? The simple answer is loss. The hard answer is the loss of a loved one. That is usually what we associate with grieving…the loss of a loved one who died. The pain is real. Our pain can be physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and even social. You can’t just will the pain away and there is no time limit to how long the hurt lasts.
But there are other significant losses that cause us to grieve. My father had his leg amputated because of a poor circulation problem. He, and our family, grieved that loss. Others may grieve the loss of a job, a friendship, a beloved pet, the loss of mobility, a loved one who has dementia or Alzheimer’s. There are a myriad of things that can cause grief. The pain is real…not because we don’t have faith but because we are human.
That brings me to my invitation. Starting Sunday, September 5, I will be teaching an 8 week course on “Life’s Healing Choices”. This is a book written by John Baker. The book is based on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. I am hoping you will consider joining us for 8 weeks as we mourn together and experience comfort together. This is an open class for anyone who would like to attend. I will be leading the study. Each participant will have a book and a study book.
Now, here is the really good news about when this will be offered. Participants can, if they wish, join us at 5:30 for a fellowship meal. That is optional. At 6:15 we will gather in the worship center for a time of celebration. Pastor David and the praise band will lead us each week in a time of worship that will prepare our hearts for the teaching of God’s Word in Life’s Healing Choices. We will then go to our different small groups for a 45 minute study and we will be dismissed before 8:00. In addition to the Fellowship Meal, there is a nursery offered, a program for children and Jr. High and Sr. High Students.
Maybe this is for you. Maybe it is for someone you know who is stuck in their grieving or could use a little encouragement.
I hope you will join us. It will be worthwhile. Blessed are those who mourn, they will be comforted. Let the healing begin.
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
IT’S TIME TO COME BACK!
It is hard to believe but summer is almost over! School supplies are out in the aisles at Wal-Mart. School starts back on Wednesday, August 18. Vaccinations are up and Covid cases are down. Somebody shout “Amen”. IT IS TIME TO COME BACK.
I would agree with anyone who wants to say we are not out of the woods yet. But we can see the clearing. We are closer that we have been. We are planning on launching our full fall schedule and by God’s grace carry on joining God in His mission to reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken world. IT IS TIME TO COME BACK.
Pray for this mission opportunity. We are planning a combined Back to School-Back Yard Bible Study at the EME Apartments on Central Park Road. This is an under-served part of our community and we are going to love on them in Jesus’ name. We are partnering with Emmanuel Baptist Church (located on Folly Road) to host a cook out, Bible Study and games event. Our church family is currently filling 90 book bags with school supplies for this one day event. By the way, this mission event is planned for Friday, August 7 at 5:30. Joanne Brown and Scott are coordinating this event with the leaders from Emmanuel. IT IS TIME TO COME BACK!
A NIGHT OF WORSHIP is being planned for Wednesday, September 1. We will be serving dinner from 5:30 to 6:15 and then have all ages gathered in the Worship Center for a night of praise and thanksgiving. This will be a night given entirely to worship and reading of scripture. It will include some of our favorite praise songs that we have learned over the past year. IT IS TIME TO COME BACK.
Then starting Wednesday, September 8, we are planning on having a full Wednesday night schedule starting with the Fellowship Meal, then all ages including nursery, Awana, Students and Adults. We have missed the Wednesday night fellowship and it is….TIME TO COME BACK!
We would absolutely love to see September kick off with a full house on Sunday at 9 and 11. Our worship has been so strong this year even with all the Covid 19 issues that we have had to deal with. The attendance has been so encouraging over the summer months. Mask or no mask, I was glad when they said unto me let us go to the house of the LORD. IT IS TIME TO COME BACK.
Good LORD willing, I will see you Sunday. It is indeed time to come back.
Pastor Tom
I would agree with anyone who wants to say we are not out of the woods yet. But we can see the clearing. We are closer that we have been. We are planning on launching our full fall schedule and by God’s grace carry on joining God in His mission to reach, redeem and restore a lost and broken world. IT IS TIME TO COME BACK.
Pray for this mission opportunity. We are planning a combined Back to School-Back Yard Bible Study at the EME Apartments on Central Park Road. This is an under-served part of our community and we are going to love on them in Jesus’ name. We are partnering with Emmanuel Baptist Church (located on Folly Road) to host a cook out, Bible Study and games event. Our church family is currently filling 90 book bags with school supplies for this one day event. By the way, this mission event is planned for Friday, August 7 at 5:30. Joanne Brown and Scott are coordinating this event with the leaders from Emmanuel. IT IS TIME TO COME BACK!
A NIGHT OF WORSHIP is being planned for Wednesday, September 1. We will be serving dinner from 5:30 to 6:15 and then have all ages gathered in the Worship Center for a night of praise and thanksgiving. This will be a night given entirely to worship and reading of scripture. It will include some of our favorite praise songs that we have learned over the past year. IT IS TIME TO COME BACK.
Then starting Wednesday, September 8, we are planning on having a full Wednesday night schedule starting with the Fellowship Meal, then all ages including nursery, Awana, Students and Adults. We have missed the Wednesday night fellowship and it is….TIME TO COME BACK!
We would absolutely love to see September kick off with a full house on Sunday at 9 and 11. Our worship has been so strong this year even with all the Covid 19 issues that we have had to deal with. The attendance has been so encouraging over the summer months. Mask or no mask, I was glad when they said unto me let us go to the house of the LORD. IT IS TIME TO COME BACK.
Good LORD willing, I will see you Sunday. It is indeed time to come back.
Pastor Tom
Wednesday, July 21, 2021
“74” AND COUNTING
It came and went without too much fanfare. Sunday, July 11 was the 74th Anniversary of James Island Baptist Church. For almost ¾ of a century our Father has allowed James Island Baptist to exist on this corner seeking to be a light in darkness, a place of welcome for those seeking answers, a hospital for the spiritually sick as well as those, who by God’s grace, are spiritually healthy. It has been our charge to make disciples who make disciples that make our community and our world a better place to live.
I love the idea that on our “Anniversary Sunday” we had a good attendance; we observed the Lord’s Supper; we had a strong worship service; we were into God’s Word; we had dozens of guests and former members in attendance; and we baptized three students! Then for those who did not get enough, later that night we had Celebrate Recovery, a ministry not afraid to tackle the toughest challenges of our day. All in all, it was a great way to celebrate an anniversary: Worship, fellowship, discipleship, baptisms and missions. That sounds like we were doing that ON PURPOSE.
Now, next year…we celebrate our 75th year. I am looking forward to how we can pull out all the stops for that day. I am hoping we can be back at the County Park enjoying a church wide picnic with our entire church family. It will be a grand celebration and I am already looking forward to it. Hey, if you have any ideas, send me an email or text. I am starting a file already of great ideas.
ANOTHER INSPIRING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Starting Sunday, August 1, Celebrate Recovery will begin worship at 6:30. This is a slight change from the 6:15 time we have been using. I would love for you to come and join us for the Sunday night praise time. You don’t have to be a part of Celebrate Recovery to enjoy the worship time. Our worship time will run from 6:30 until around 6:45 or so. We continue the Celebration with the reading of the 12 Steps and giving out the “chips”. It is pretty cool to see. And then we have a lesson. By 7:00 or 7:10, the entire group is dismissed to go to small groups. You could leave then or you could leave just before the lesson begins. Either way, you will enjoy the worship celebration. After the lesson, we usually dismiss to small groups by 7:00 or so. You could join us from 6:30 to 7:00 for an inspiring time of worship and a very helpful lesson. Hope you will consider visiting or joining us. Casual dress of course! A few weeks ago, we were blessed with Stephanie and David Jr. as our featured singers. Pastor David, I loved that idea!
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Pastor Tom
I love the idea that on our “Anniversary Sunday” we had a good attendance; we observed the Lord’s Supper; we had a strong worship service; we were into God’s Word; we had dozens of guests and former members in attendance; and we baptized three students! Then for those who did not get enough, later that night we had Celebrate Recovery, a ministry not afraid to tackle the toughest challenges of our day. All in all, it was a great way to celebrate an anniversary: Worship, fellowship, discipleship, baptisms and missions. That sounds like we were doing that ON PURPOSE.
Now, next year…we celebrate our 75th year. I am looking forward to how we can pull out all the stops for that day. I am hoping we can be back at the County Park enjoying a church wide picnic with our entire church family. It will be a grand celebration and I am already looking forward to it. Hey, if you have any ideas, send me an email or text. I am starting a file already of great ideas.
ANOTHER INSPIRING WORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Starting Sunday, August 1, Celebrate Recovery will begin worship at 6:30. This is a slight change from the 6:15 time we have been using. I would love for you to come and join us for the Sunday night praise time. You don’t have to be a part of Celebrate Recovery to enjoy the worship time. Our worship time will run from 6:30 until around 6:45 or so. We continue the Celebration with the reading of the 12 Steps and giving out the “chips”. It is pretty cool to see. And then we have a lesson. By 7:00 or 7:10, the entire group is dismissed to go to small groups. You could leave then or you could leave just before the lesson begins. Either way, you will enjoy the worship celebration. After the lesson, we usually dismiss to small groups by 7:00 or so. You could join us from 6:30 to 7:00 for an inspiring time of worship and a very helpful lesson. Hope you will consider visiting or joining us. Casual dress of course! A few weeks ago, we were blessed with Stephanie and David Jr. as our featured singers. Pastor David, I loved that idea!
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Pastor Tom
Friday, July 16, 2021
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO!
Have you ever been there? What do you do when you don’t know what to do? Most of us have been. Sometimes life can throw a curve ball that leave you ducking out of the way; or an emotional blow that causes you to gasp for a breath; or a confusing, conflicting situation that paralyzes you with fear or anxiety. What do you do when you can’t catch your breath? It happens. Sometimes in life we are attacked by our real enemy the devil who is described as a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. Other times we feel we are being attacked by enemies or people who do not have our best interest in mind. There are times when our bodies are attacked by disease and we race ahead in fear or anxiety about what to do next. Whatever the reason, chances are you have felt that way before…what do I do when I don’t know what to do.
I don’t mean to imply these things are a cure all; I just want to share how the Lord helps restore balance and peace into my life. These are the “go to” antidotes when my emotions get out of control. First, I try to increase my praise. I make an effort to praise more and praise louder. I need to lift up in praise the One who is the answer not the one who is the problem. I think there is power in praise. So, I try to listen to praise music, to sing praises and to read about the Greatness of God. Second, I try to increase my thanksgiving. The devil is a liar and he will try to convince us that things are bad and that nothing is good. Don’t buy it! Count your blessings. Start with the basics…you woke up, you were able to get up, the coffee was hot and fresh, my dog still likes me! Then start stretching your faith…give thanks for all things for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Giving thanks serves as a corrective to the negative tapes I allow to play in my head. I try to write down three things I am thankful for every day. I am currently over day 1,000 of giving thanks for three blessings every day. Third, I try to focus outside of myself…to help someone else. Do something we would call missions. Reach out to someone, take food to a homebound person, visit someone who is sick, and volunteer to help the underserved. When I am confused, I know it is always a good thing to help someone else. It is usually a good idea to try to get outside my own head. Fourth, but not fourth in importance…stay in the Word of God. Give our Father the opportunity to speak to your heart. Ask Him to speak to you about your circumstance through the wonderful Biblical stories. He still speaks and guides. Ask Him and let Him. Last, stay connected to your friends. Let them know as much as you are comfortable with sharing. They will listen, care, pray and be there. Whatever I am going through, I can go through it better with godly friends. If you don’t have any real friends, let me know…I will loan you one of mine, they are great and will be great for you too! That might not be a comprehensive list, but it is my go to list.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing.
Pastor Tom
PS…starting in August, Celebrate Recovery will begin worship at 6:30 and end worship around 6:50. I would love for you to come and join us for a Sunday night praise time. You don’t have to stay for the lesson…although you certainly could and would be welcomed. After the lesson, we usually dismiss to small groups by 7:00. You could join us from 6:30 to 7:00 for an inspiring time of worship and a very helpful lesson. Hope you will consider visiting or joining us. Casual dress of course! These past two weeks Stephanie and David Jr. were are featured singers. Wow!
I don’t mean to imply these things are a cure all; I just want to share how the Lord helps restore balance and peace into my life. These are the “go to” antidotes when my emotions get out of control. First, I try to increase my praise. I make an effort to praise more and praise louder. I need to lift up in praise the One who is the answer not the one who is the problem. I think there is power in praise. So, I try to listen to praise music, to sing praises and to read about the Greatness of God. Second, I try to increase my thanksgiving. The devil is a liar and he will try to convince us that things are bad and that nothing is good. Don’t buy it! Count your blessings. Start with the basics…you woke up, you were able to get up, the coffee was hot and fresh, my dog still likes me! Then start stretching your faith…give thanks for all things for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Giving thanks serves as a corrective to the negative tapes I allow to play in my head. I try to write down three things I am thankful for every day. I am currently over day 1,000 of giving thanks for three blessings every day. Third, I try to focus outside of myself…to help someone else. Do something we would call missions. Reach out to someone, take food to a homebound person, visit someone who is sick, and volunteer to help the underserved. When I am confused, I know it is always a good thing to help someone else. It is usually a good idea to try to get outside my own head. Fourth, but not fourth in importance…stay in the Word of God. Give our Father the opportunity to speak to your heart. Ask Him to speak to you about your circumstance through the wonderful Biblical stories. He still speaks and guides. Ask Him and let Him. Last, stay connected to your friends. Let them know as much as you are comfortable with sharing. They will listen, care, pray and be there. Whatever I am going through, I can go through it better with godly friends. If you don’t have any real friends, let me know…I will loan you one of mine, they are great and will be great for you too! That might not be a comprehensive list, but it is my go to list.
See you Sunday, good Lord willing.
Pastor Tom
PS…starting in August, Celebrate Recovery will begin worship at 6:30 and end worship around 6:50. I would love for you to come and join us for a Sunday night praise time. You don’t have to stay for the lesson…although you certainly could and would be welcomed. After the lesson, we usually dismiss to small groups by 7:00. You could join us from 6:30 to 7:00 for an inspiring time of worship and a very helpful lesson. Hope you will consider visiting or joining us. Casual dress of course! These past two weeks Stephanie and David Jr. were are featured singers. Wow!
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