God First?

The older I get the more I notice about Christian behavior. For instance- have you ever noticed how some Christians will sit on a hard bench at a ballgame for 2 or 3 hours, but won’t sit on a padded pew in Church for an hour? Or how it takes the whole family to take care of a sick family member on Sunday but they leave them alone on Monday? Or how some don’t mind paying hundreds of dollars for a game or phone but they won’t put more in the offering plate than a couple of dollars? Or, most of all, how they will invite people to eat, to shows, to games, and to everything under the sun, except Church? It leaves you with the impression that, for these Christians at least, God takes last place instead of first.

No, We Won’t Be Canceling Evening Services For the Super Bowl

And yes, to my amazement as well as yours, I was asked if we were.

In 2008, Superbowl XLII game time in the U.S. is 6PM ET on FOX Television. Kick-off time will be approximately 6:20 pm on the East Coast; 5:20 pm Central; 4:20 pm Mountain; and 3:20 pm Pacific.

Those who wish to stay home and watch a ballgame instead of worship are more than free to do so.  You have only yourself to explain to God.

The Bible’s Most Fascinating People

Is a new book by a friend of mine that will be of interest to many, I think, since it describes so many Biblical characters.  You can get it from Amazon.

Thought of the Day

“Southern Baptists neglected serious Christian education from the early 1960s, and that’s when all the trouble started. From discipleship training we went to the amorphous youth groups, whose only real good was to keep kids happy until they graduated from high school and graduated from church.” — Hal Poe

Hal is right- I would even suggest that the Church doesn’t need members, it needs disciples.

Fourth Sunday Food Drive And Varia

Please remember that this Sunday (Jan 27th) we have our 4th Sunday Food Drive.  Bring along your non-perishable food items and they’ll go to aid a family in need in our area.

Also, please remember in prayer the family of Jessie K.  He passed away this week.  The funeral is Tuesday evening at 8.

Want Your Church To Grow? Put An I In Front of Everything

Or so reports this little (satirical) news bit.  Mind you, the entire thing is satire and pokes fun at the ridiculous notion that Church growth can come from such pandering methodologies.  When the Church preaches the Gospel people either accept it or reject it.  Packaging may get folk in (as will bribery and manipulation) but they stay only if they come to have a real connection with both faith and the community of faith.  Scams don’t work.  The truth does.

Needed: A Revival In Congregational Music

That’s what this interesting essay in the latest edition of the Baptist and Reflector suggests.  Do give it a read.

Notes From the Executive Board Meeting

The Big Emory Association Executive Board met today and here are a few of the announcements made:

1- The Pastor of Union Baptist has resigned.  Pray for that Church.

2- The Sunday School Conference at Lee Village will be January 28 at 6 pm (for dinner) and the Conferences begin at 6:30.  If you wish to attend the dinner, RSVP by January 23rd (call the Association Office at 865-882-6446).

3- The February Meeting of the Executive Board will be on the 11th at 7 PM at South Harriman Baptist.

4- The Pastor/ Deacon/ Spouses Appreciation Dinner will be February 7th at Piney Grove Baptist at 6 pm.  If you wish to attend, call the Association office.

5- A coat drive to benefit the Navajo of New Mexico will be held from now til mid September.  If you have a new coat to donate or a used one in VERY GOOD condition, please bring it to Church or the Storehouse Center and tell them what its for.

6- The Association VBS Clinic is tentatively scheduled for April 12th.  The location is to be determined.  As details become available, they will be publicized.

January Bible Study, Part Two

This Friday we take a look at Romans 9-11 (or as much of it as we can get to).  Join us at 7.

Mozell’s 90th Was A Blast

And you can see some of the photos of it here.