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