HARD QUESTIONS—REAL ANSWERS

In 2003, William Lane Craig wrote a book entitled “Hard Questions, Real Answers”. I am using the title of his book to talk about four hard questions that I often hear people ask. This Sunday we will start with “How can I know the will of God?” In Ephesians 5:17 the Apostle Paul encourages us to “understand what the Lord’s will is.” Knowing God’s will is a spiritual discipline we want to develop. The Word of God will give us direction.

Perhaps you have asked, privately or publicly, “How long should I keep praying?’. Is there a time limit to how long you keep going before the Lord with the same request? In Ephesians 6:18 Paul says we are to “stay alert and be persistent in your prayers.” Jesus Himself showed us that “we should always pray and not give up.” But how long do we keep praying and what do we do while we are waiting?

The third hard question is one that should interest many of us. This one asks the question “How can I stop worrying?” I sometimes will try to relabel my worrying as “just being very concerned”. Yeah, it is still worrying. I do agree with the old wag who said “Worrying must be good luck…nothing I ever worry about actually happens!” The Bible, as in so many things, has a great answer for those of us who might tend to “just be very, very concerned”…otherwise known as worry.

Here is one I believe every believer has asked at one time or the other. “Why do I do what I don’t want to do?” Been there done that and have a drawer full of t-shirts to testify. Perhaps one of the most interesting and intriguing chapters in the Bible is Romans 7. Paul gives us the Word of God that helps us understand the spiritual war going on inside our lives.

Maybe you will find something to relate to in the brief series. At least you should be able to find some truths and principles to help those who would look to you to give real answers to tough questions.

See you Sunday, D.V.

Pastor Tom

I like the sound of that!

Here is a week filled with exciting events., I know we cannot make all of them, but we do want you to know about them. On Wednesday, August 19 we have 11 signed up for Beach Baptism. We have a wonderful mix of children, youth and adults. It will be at the Folly Beach Charleston County Park at the very end. Go to Folly and turn right, go to the end. There is usually an entrance fee. Tell them you are there for the baptism…maybe, just maybe they will bless you??? Baptism time will be between 6:30 and 7:00.

Then Kat Cumberledge will lead us in a Bible and Brushes painting experience. Janie and I are signed up. If I am signed up, you know two things. I think it is fun and you don’t have to know how to paint to be a part of this! The cost is $25 and all proceeds will go to buying medical supplies for Steven’s mission trip to Jordan. Call the church office to sign up. If you want to go but don’t have the extra cash right now, contact me. We have some scholarship money!

Sunday, we have scheduled a Parent-Child Dedication Service celebrating the birth of Heidi Leigh Dorton. Let’s celebrate with Will and Allison this great gift from God. The Lord adds to His Church!

Then, Wednesday night, August 26 we will have our Quarterly Ministry Conference/Ministry Management Team meeting. We will have a meal served at 6:00 and the meeting will start at 6:30. It is just another way we have of keeping our church family informed. Remember the old saying “You heard it here first!”. That is exactly how we feel about these meetings. You get to be the first to hear what is coming soon. The meal is optional. You do not have to eat to attend the meeting. You do have to let us know you are coming if you want to eat! Call the church office to make your dinner reservation.

The month concludes with Pastor Logan presenting “Next Generation Parenting…Technology”. He is bringing in the expert. Do you have preschooler, children or youth in your life.? You will want to attend this seminar. Sunday night, August 30, 6:00 in the Youth Room. To sign up for this valuable seminar, text TECHNOLOGY to 843-762-0244.

Yep, I like the sound of that: equipping, evangelizing, supporting mission, celebrating next steps. It’s all good.

Pastor Tom

THE THREE P’S

Have you ever heard of the 3 P’s? It is an old but good business model. It refers to People, Process and Product. Get the right people on your team; have an efficient process; have a product you believe in. That is not too shabby of a game plan. Ok, my 3P’s for today are slightly different.

The three P’s for JIBC today include Prayer, Paint and Participate. Let’s start with PRAYER. This Sunday, August 16 we will conclude our sermon series on the Book of James. It will come from James 5:13-20. James has inspiring and convicting words about prayer. I hope you will be there to join us.

The second P is PAINT! On Saturday, August 22, from 10:00 am to noon, Steven and Kat Cumberledge will host a “Bibles and Brushes” fundraising event for Steven’s upcoming mission trip to Jordan. The funds raised will help purchase medical supplies. I love the idea of involving passion and mission. There is a $25 charge for this event and it is limited to 30 people. Please contact the church office at 843-762-0244 to register. “If you hear a voice within you say you cannot paint, then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” Vincent Van Gogh.

The third P is PARTICIPATE. You have two really good events in which you can be a participant. First, there is the Beach Baptism on Wednesday, August 19 at the Folly Beach/Charleston County Park. We will gather around 6:30 in front of the main buildings at the park. So far, we have 8 to be baptized. There is room for more. Participate by attending and cheering these on or participate by being baptized as a follower of Jesus Christ.

You may also want to participate in the Quarterly Ministry conference/Ministry Management Team meeting on Wednesday, August 26. A meal will be served at 6:00 and the meeting will start at 6:30. Everyone can attend. Please make a reservation by contacting the church office if you would like to eat with us!

THREE P’S…not bad right? We have the right people, the JIBC family. We have the right process... go and make disciples. We have the greatest product ever—the Gospel story about our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

Pastor Tom

I TRIPPED OVER A PUN!

Last week, in an effort to be humorous, I tripped over a pun. I said “I tripped over the bathroom tile Monday. I am fine, but it is safe to say “I got floored!” I did not really trip; I was just putting together all my favorite “tile” puns since the workers were tiling the bathrooms. I thought someone would say “I saw what you pun there…it was a bit pun-derwhelming! “

FUN AND SUPPORTING MISSIONS: Best of both worlds when you can have fun and raise prayer and financial support for missions. JIBC and Steven and Kat Cumberledge are sponsoring a Bibles and Brushes Art event on Saturday, August 22, 10 AM until Noon. Limited to 30 people and Janie and I have already signed up! Now, room for 28. Fun, inspirational, fellowship…and take home your own masterpiece! Call the church office to make your reservation: 843-762-0244.

OVER 100 BOOKBAGS FILLED WITH SCHOOL SUPPLIES: Thank you all for your generous gift of time, love and finances to put together over 100 Bookbags! These will so help the underserved and those on tight budgets. Imagine having three children and each need $50.00 worth of school supplies. What a gift of love from you all. We will have enough left over to donate to another area elementary school. The teachers supply closets will begin the year well stocked!

JUST A REMINDER about Beach Baptism. We have 7 signed up so far. We will meet at the James Island County Park, look for the crowd and the church flags! We will start gathering around 6 PM and plan to baptize around 6:45 PM.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, we will have a Quarterly Ministry Conference/Ministry Management Team gathering on Wednesday, August 26. A free meal will be provided but we do ask that you make a reservation. Please call the church office at 843-762-0244 or email neale@jamesislandbaptist.com. Meal served at 6 PM and the meeting starts at 6:30 PM.

See you Sunday, good Lord willing! DV

Pastor Tom

Want to hear music to my ear?

“Hammer, hammer, hammer, saw, saw, saw, big thump, big thump”. Doesn’t sound like music you would like? It is the music of the two main church restrooms being renovated this week. The space was stripped bare, now the workers are getting ready to put the tile in. Somebody say “Amen!”

By the way, I tripped over the bathroom tile Monday. I am fine, but it is safe to say “I got floored!” Let me give some Biblical Construction World advice: Don’t be in too big of a hurry, take one tile at a time. Remember, Rome was not tiled in a day! I tried—I really tried to ignore the tile jokes…but they kept resurfacing!

Back to School Supplies Giveaway. We still have a little over a week to donate to the community wide back to school give away. There are five church families, each setting a goal of 100 filled book bags. In addition, World Vision will be bringing two 18-wheeler trucks filled with household goods, diapers, food, clothes, personal care items, bed linens, etc. There will be an estimated 40,000 pounds of product given away.

We are looking for volunteers that can help in one of the areas: serving hotdogs, giving out book bags, using muscle to unload the pallets of household goods. Pray for this event that the Gospel will be clearly proclaimed, people would be and feel deeply loved, and volunteers would be abundant!

I saw a piece of tile leaning up against the wall. He could not walk very well…he had square feet!

Love you all,

Pastor Tom

BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN!

Janie and I were gone for a couple of weeks. We went by to visit with former members, Martin and Lori Lechler. Then we headed to Nashville, Tennessee to attend a Celebrate Recovery Summit. After the first day of the conference, my sister called to tell me my brother passed away earlier that morning. So, we left the conference and headed to Newport/Havelock, North Carolina. Rest in peace Bubba, rest in peace. Janie and I were so thankful we had gone up a month ago to spend a few days with him and Kathie. He was, at that point, able to talk, laugh, visit and eat. My sister, Martha, was with him when he passed. God works all things together for the good. He died at home just as he wanted.

We still have to go back for probate to settle the rest of his affairs. We do not have a date for services at this time. It will be a graveside service at Carolina Memorial most likely a few weeks from now.

Until then…I am back in the saddle. So, let’s do what we do best. Let’s work on filling 100 bookbags with “Back to School Supplies”. I believe Pastor Josh said there will be 5 or 6 churches each trying to fill 100 book bags with school supplies! In addition, there will be two 18-wheeler trucks with house and home supplies to be given out. There will be multiple opportunities to volunteer: serving hotdogs, registering people, distributing back packs, giving directions, etc. We will need the muscle and still nimble group to help unload the two truckloads of items! This will be a big community “give back” day of service. Did I mention the word BIG. Really BIG.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 FROM NOON UNTIL 4 PM. Volunteer for some of it, or all of it, every bit of help will be welcomed. If they have too many volunteers, Pastor Logan is buying everyone slushies at the Sonic!

Back in the saddle, doing missions…now that is my church family!

Pastor Tom

How do I love thee?

Do you remember the old poem from high school by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, How do I love thee? “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways” May I paraphrase that just a little? What mission projects do you do well? Let me count the ways. There are really so many.

This summer we are partnering again with Rev. Doctor Brandon Sweeper, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church on Folly Road. We just received the notification that this project, the school supply drive, was going to take place again this year. Every year we have attempted this school supply drive project you have met and exceeded the wildest expectations.

Hopefully, we will have the list available in our worship bulletins, in the weekly messenger and online. Then the rush will be on to Walmart, 5 BELOW, Dollar Tree or your other favorite shopping stores. There are so many ways to participate. If you physically cannot go, you can give financially and we will find shoppers for you! There are those people who absolutely love going after the best bargain available. Parents can take their kids, let them help and see a mission project in action. We will start bringing the supplies to the worship center. By the way, you do not have to purchase everything on the list, Anything you buy will help fill one of the school book bags.

The day of the giveaway will be Saturday, August 8. Times to be announced later. The last day to get your donations in will be Sunday, August 2.

Part of the fun for this mission project is being present on the give-away day. You are more than welcomed to join us on Saturday, August 8 at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Folly Road. You will meet some very happy parents and grandparents.

We are blessing local schools who serve local families. This will be a big relief to their back-to-school costs.

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways… new pencils, erasers, bottles of glue, etc!

See you soon,

Pastor Tom