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Letter From A Church Guest

I recently received this letter from a guest and thought I would pass it on for your enjoyment.

The Letter

Dear Bro. Kelly,

I recently visited your church and really enjoyed my time there. The greeters at the door were so nice and cordial; the people at the Welcome Center were very friendly and helpful and showed me where to find the worship service and where to take the children. I had wanted to come to church for quite a while, but I was a little afraid of what it might be like but everyone set me at ease.

The teacher in my children’s rooms were very nice and made my little ones feel right at home and told me about how to pick them up after the services. The ushers at the door all smiled and handed me a program and said, “Good morning,” and asked if I was meeting someone or if they could help me find a seat. I told them I was by myself and could find a seat, but I appreciated their attitude of helpfulness. There was some great information in that program and several things sounded like they were designed just for me.

When I was seated, there were several people who said “hello” and introduced themselves. I even saw a few people I knew. When the service began, I was so lifted up and inspired by the beautiful music. I did not recognize all of the songs because it has been awhile since I have been to church, but the words on the screen really helped and there was a real genuineness from those on the platform. I have been away from God and I could begin to feel Him speaking to me through the music and different things that were said.

When the Pastor got up to speak I followed along with the outline you provided in the program and the one on the screen and I felt like he had been reading my mail or my thoughts. It was as if God was speaking directly to me. I also felt like everyone around me could probably tell what I was thinking and surely I was standing out like a sore thumb. Maybe everyone feels that way. I felt like running, but I also felt like God was gently calling to welcome me back to Him. I could not wait for the invitation. I remembered that from years back and wanted to go forward and get things right with God.

Then the message began to get quiet and more serious and personal and I knew that it was time for me to make a decision.

However, apparently it was not that serious to everyone in the room. I suddenly began to notice that during the invitation when everyone was asked to bow their heads and be quiet before God, that some around me were doing just the opposite. Some young people a few rows ahead of me were talking and giggling together. They appeared to be looking at something on their phone. The lady seated on the same row as me began gathering up her Bible, purse, and other stuff and start looking down the row like she could not wait to get out.

Others in the next section of seats were actually gathering their things and making their way to the back door while the Pastor was talking. Dozens of people, young and old, were just walking out of the room. It was like they had not even heard the same message I heard. I was so confused. This message made me want to get serious with God, but others just wanted to get out to something more important.

Could you please tell me why people in your church feel this way? I felt like the God was speaking to me, but maybe I was wrong. I did not go forward. I would like to come back and will probably be back next week, but I really do want to know what was going on. Could you please get back to me on this?

Sincerely,

(name withheld)

I will just toss that question back to our people. I know we have different responsibilities in different Bible study classes and other things, but perhaps the invitation time is not the best time to get up and disturb those around us. Perhaps we should consecrate that invitation time as a time to examine ourselves before God and to be praying for those God has placed around us during those sacred moments.

Just a thought.

Your fellow pilgrim,

Bro. Kelly

PS This was not a real letter from a real guest, but what if it had been?

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Tags: church, disturbances, guest, invitation, people leaving during invitation, people talking, worship

A Few Lessons I Learned From Mom

I was reflecting on my Mom recently and some of the things I learned from her that have lasted me a lifetime.

Do Not Be a “Greasy Spot.”

I learned not to play in the street. She had a way of making a very dramatic point. She told me that if I played in the street, I would surely get run over by a car and I would just be a “greasy spot on the road.” I have to say that I looked at “greasy spots” on the road much differently after that. They were little boys and girls who did not mind their mothers.

Save and Give…Quietly.

She taught me to save and when I cut open my first “piggy bank” at age 6 or 7 we went down to the Lamesa Savings and Loan and opened an account. I had used that account to buy a car and some other things and kept it open till after I finished college. But before I went down to open that first account, my Mom reminded me, “Don’t forget to take your tithe out of that for your offering.” She showed me how to do it. It amounted to less than $3, but it was a lot to me at that age. I counted it out to put in an envelope and take it to church. I remember making it all coins so it would be heavy and seem like a lot. Mom asked me why I did it that way and explained to me that we do not give to be seen by men, but to be seen by God.

Work is Good.

I got my first job working on a cotton farm when I was 9 years old. I was moving irrigation pipe. My Mom was afraid to let me go and do that job so she talked the farmer into letting her go with me. She went with me and walked through that plowed ground, sometimes wet and sometimes dry, to move that heavy pipe for the first week. I did not realize that was why she also took that job until years later. When I was out throwing dirt clods at one of the other boys and having some fun, she reminded me that when we work, we do not need to get sidetracked. It is OK to play, but just don’t let it interfere with the job you are hired to do.

Love God, the Bible, and Prayer!

Mom taught me to love God’s Word and to pray. Almost every night when I went to bed, my Mom would come and read to me and then we would pray. I was not as good with my own kids as she was with me. We read all kinds of books. Actually she read and I listened. It was an early audio book. We read Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn (which she later advised not to be read to young boys since it lead to too much mischief), Little Men, Black Beauty, Treasure Island, and more. But we always read the Bible. I remember she started me out on the huge Bible Story Book from Golden Books. It had all the great Bible stories and exciting pictures. We always prayed together about whatever was on our hearts after that and then went to bed.

These are just a few things I learned in the early years from Mom and I don’t have time for more now. Moms can change the world. And they do.

Thanks Mom! I Miss You!

Kelly

Prayer Journals in Kindle

Prayer Journals paperback

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Tags: from Mom, give, Learned, Lessons, lessons learned from Mom, love God, love the Bible, pray, save, work

Loving Strangers = Hospitality

Question: Do you “love strangers?” Think about it for a moment. Do you really love strangers with an accepting, Christ-like love?

The New Testament word, “hospitality” comes from a Greek word, “philozenia” which is made up from 2 words, “philos” which means loving, and “zenos” which means strangers. So hospitality means to love strangers or to be loving or affectionate to strangers.

God Exhorts Us to Be Hospitable

Why is that important? Well, the New Testament exhorts and instructs Christians to be hospitable, both to Christians and non-Christians. By the way, how do we even know when we first meet someone if they are a Christian or not? So, we are really obligated to be hospitable to all. Romans 12:13 exhorts believers to be “practicing hospitality.” The writer of Hebrews says “1Let love of the brethren continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1-2).

Someone said that “Hospitality is one form of worship.” Another said, “Hospitality should have no other nature than love.”

The issue is clear that God expects His children to be hospitable, just as He is hospitable. Can you imagine going to Heaven and not feeling welcome? I can’t. It would not seem like Heaven.

Hospitality at Home

Well, it is getting near a time of year when we expect many “strangers” to come to our campus. We want to show “hospitality,” or “love strangers” all of the time, but sometimes it is good to remind ourselves that our services and classes and facilities are not just for ourselves, but for other people that God loves, too. Because He loves these “strangers” we are called to “love” them too.

Soon we will be doing training for those who serve at “Welcome Center” and in other parts of our “First Impression” ministries. If you are not involved but would like to learn more be sure to attend that training time.

However, whether you serve as a Greeter, Usher, Teacher, Nursery worker, Children’s worker, Youth worker, shuttle driver, or whether you have any official title or not, Christ has personally called you to show hospitality to others. If you have any question, just apply the Golden Rule. “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.”

Your fellow pilgrim,

Bro. Kelly

PS Looking for a way to be more consistent in your prayer journal? Try the Daily Prayer Journal.

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Tags: church, first impressions, hospitality, loving strangers, welcome center

“Single But Not Alone!” Singles Conference

One of the greatest challenges of humanity is the sense of “aloneness.” Everyone wants and needs other people with whom they can share the journey and the burdens of life. God pointed out this need Himself in Genesis 2:18 when he said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” In that passage God was talking about a partner for life through marriage. There were no other humans on the planet when He made that statement. He had to build a custom match for Adam.

But the feelings of “aloneness” are universal. Moses felt “alone” in the podium of leadership. In Numbers 11:14 he cried out to the Lord, “I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me.” Elijah was a single man who felt alone serving God, 3“Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” (Romans 11:3-4).

“No one who truly knows Jesus Christ as Savior is ever really alone.”

Paul and other leaders felt alone. Jesus even said that His disciples would leave Him alone, but that He was not really alone. 32“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” (John 16:32). Jesus understood the truth that no one who knows God is truly alone.

I am so proud of our Singles’ Ministry here at Highland Terrace for understanding and adopting this precious truth. “Single But Not Alone.” We live in a culture that has been overrun with singleness. In fact, 40% of the people within a 5 mile radius of our church campus are single. And there are many who are facing the challenges of “aloneness” every day. But the truth is that no one who truly knows Jesus Christ as Savior is ever really alone. And He offers so many resources to help.

Our Singles’ Ministry in partnership with Hunt Baptist Association is sponsoring a seminar for the Singles’ in our area. The “Single But Not Alone” Conference is Saturday March 31st right here at HTBC. It is a Conference For all Singles and Young Career’s in Hunt County. Our main speaker is Doug McPherson, Minister to Single Adults, at Travis Avenue Baptist Church.

Please pray for and support our Singles’ Ministry, under the direction of Dr. Jimmy Gilbert, as they try to reach out and share the love of Christ with the many Singles and Young Career people who live in our community

You Are Loved,

Bro. Kelly

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Tags: aloneness, ngles, singles conference, singles ministry

Eating Meat, Smoking Cigarettes, and Drinking Wine

In 1 Corinthians chapter 8 the Apostle Paul counseled the Corinthian believers on eating meat that had been offered as a sacrifice to idols. This was a very touchy subject with great religious and cultural implications. New believers who had been converted from the pagan idol worshipping scene had always thought of those idols as being inhabited by real “gods.” Paul and other mature believers knew that idols were not gods at all. He knew he had the freedom to eat that good, fresh, inexpensive meat that was sold down at the pagan temple. However, young believers who had previously bought their meat their as a part of their worship, hoping to be empowered by the “god” were appalled to see believers they respected going through the same process they had done as worldly unbelievers.

Paul made a point of saying that while it was not necessarily “wrong” or “sinful” for him to eat that meat, it was more important to have an attitude that took the feelings of others into account. So, he was willing to voluntarily give up his “right” to eat meat, so that he would not cause one of these young converts to stumble in their new faith.

“Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.” 1 Corinthians 8:13

So the question came up, what activities do we do that are not necessarily “wrong,” but could cause other believers to stumble in their faith. What are some areas where we need to show religious respect and have cultural sensitivity and extend the love of Christ?

Some areas involve public worship. Some believers like to raise their hands and clap their hands in corporate worship. I love their enthusiasm. Other Christians would rather lose an arm that ever raise it during the worship service. They feel that it would be to “showy” or draw attention to themselves and away from the Lord. Both tend to be cultural thoughts based on the type of church a person was raised in or attended when they were first saved. Neither are essentials for entering heaven or cooperating together in the Great Commission. Yet these areas plague many church fellowships.

Some practical matters of every day living that are often mentioned in some of these “grey area mine fields” are smoking, drinking, and tattoos, etc. Is it OK for a Christian to smoke or is that a “sin?” And we could ask the same of each of these areas and more. Please don’t think I am condoning or encouraging any of these things. Don’t break fellowship with me based on this small article. However, what I am suggesting is that in all of these areas, we actually ask the question: “What does the Bible actually say about it?”

If the Bible is the Christian’s ultimate authority, then we must always go back to our authoritative source for answers to these questions and then be intellectually honest enough to study the subject well and live with the whole truth and any tensions or exceptions that we may discover.

So, what about eating meat, smoking cigarettes, drinking wine, and getting tattoos? I am not ABOUT to try to answer any one of those questions in this brief article. However, I do think that there is room for grace and love among believers on all of them. I think you will appreciate the humorous little story by my friend Mike Cramer in his new book, Fireside Chats to Fire Up Churches.

“When it comes to religious respect; I prefer the guiding principle of: In the essentials unity, in the non-essentials liberty, in all things charity. When it comes to cultural sensitivity; I am reminded of the little humorous story concerning some Christians in France attending a Bible study. It seems their discussion shifted to the subject of Christianity in America. They were appalled to discover that some “so-called Christians” in the United States actually smoked cigarettes. This so enraged these French believers that they jumped up and tripped over their wine glasses!” (Fireside Chats That Fire Up Churches, p. 107 from the chapter titled: “Religious Respect and Cultural Sensitivity,” by Michael Cramer)

The doctrinal essentials are seldom the things that divide us as believers. It is the non-essentials where we have the most controversy. Perhaps we should be more like Paul and have the attitude that loves those who differ with us enough to even give up our rights. Imagine how significantly our arguments would dwindle if we were all willing to love each other like that.

I think Paul loved meat, but he loved his fellow believers more.

Hope this gives you a little something to think about today.

Your fellow pilgrim,

Bro. Kelly

PS Pick up a copy of Michael A. Cramer’s new book, Fireside Chats To Fire Up Churches. And get a copy for your pastor, he will love it. For more information on how to get a copy go to

http://www.nlpositivefaith.com/powerforliving_ministry.html

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Tags: Book, Fireside Chats to Fire Up Churches, grey areas, Michael Cramer, unity

The Value of Bible Study

As we enter these 40 Days In The Word and explore some of the techniques of personal Bible study and devotional life, I thought I would mention a few people who have found value in the reading and study of the Bible. Sometimes it helps us to hear that very intelligent and very accomplished people have found great value in the pages of our Book.

Sometimes the value of a book is attested by how widespread its influence has become. The following is from Russell Ash’s book, THE TOP TEN OF EVERYTHING, “No one really knows how many copies of the Bible have been printed, sold, or distributed…. A more recent survey, for the years up to 1992, put it close to 6,000,000,000 in more than 2,000 languages and dialects. Whatever the precise figure, the Bible is by far the best-selling book of all time.”

“It is rightly impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible.” George Washington, General of the Revolutionary Army, first President of the United States of America, and the Father of our country.

“Within the covers of one single book, the Bible, are all the answers to all the problems that face us today–if only we would read and believe.” Ronald Reagan, President of the United States

“So great is my veneration of the Bible, that the earlier my children begin to read it the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society.” John Quincy Adams, President of the United States.

“That book, sir, (the Bible) is the rock on which our republic rests.” Andrew Jackson, President of the United States

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior of the world is communicated to us through this book.” Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States.

“I ask ever y man and woman in the audience that from this day on they will realize that part of the destiny of America lies in their daily perusal of the great book.” Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States.

“The whole of the inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the Prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life.” Herbert Hoover, President of the United States

“To read the Bible is to take a trip to a fair land where the spirit is strengthened and faith renewed.” Dwight Eisenhower, General of the Allied Forces During WW2 and President of the United States.

“Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties. Write its precepts in your hearts, and practise them in your lives.” U.S. Grant, General of the Union Forces during the Civil War and President of the United States.

“Believe me, sir, never a night goes by, be I ever so tired but I read the Word of God before I go to bed.” Douglas MacArthur, Commander of the Allied Forces in the South Pacific during WW2.

“The New Testament is the very best book that was or ever will be known in the world.” Charles Dickens, English author of A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities, and Great Expectations to name a few.

“Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” St Jerome, early church father who translated the Bible into Latin, the language of the people during his time.

“I am a man of one Book.” John Wesley, English evangelist whose preaching and efforts are often credited with keeping England from having the same kind of bloody revolution that France experienced.

“I will cause a boy who drives a plow to know more of the scriptures than the pope.” William Tyndale, English scholar who translated the Bible from Hebrew and Greek into English so that everyone could read and understand it for themselves. In 1535, Tyndale was arrested and confined to jail at the Vilvoorde castle near Brussels. He was tried for heresy (it was illegal to translate the Bible), strangled, impaled and burnt on a stake in 1536. If you have read the Bible in English, thank William Tyndale.

If you are wondering if 40 Days is too much time to spend learning how to study the Bible, let me assure you that it really is worth the journey.

You are Loved,

Bro. Kelly

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Tags: Adams, bible, Eisenhower, Grant, Jackson, Lincoln, president, quotes, study, Value, Washington, William Tyndale, Wilson

Momentum Building for 40 Days In The Word at HTBC

40 Days In The WORD

January 15 – February 19

Momentum is growing for this great Bible Study. New Hosts and Facilitators have been signing up and we have groups that will be meeting during the week in homes and on our campus. This week we will be inviting everyone to actually sign up to be in a group. I am excited because I know the blessing this will bring to so many people. No matter what level of spiritual growth you may be at, whether a new believer, a young believer, a mature believer, a seasoned servant, or even a seeker of truth, you will receive a great benefit from learning and practicing these techniques.

I have always believed that it continual development is the key to personal growth and so I have a comittment to be a lifelong learner. Even though I have taken preaching courses in college, seminary, and at the doctoral level, I continue to attend seminars, read books, and listen to audios on how to improve. Every believer should have this same attitude. Even the Apostle said, “I have not yet arrived.”

Many of you recall the days when every church had a “January Bible Study.” This is our updated version! Here is some important information you need to know.

We begin 40 Days In The Word on Sunday morning, January 15th!

Quick Schedule:

Sun. January 8: Hosts and Facilitators may pick up books and DVD’s at the 40 Days Table

Sun. January 8: Sign up to be in a Small Groups During the A M Service and Bible Study

Sun. January 8: Training for Hosts and Facilitators at 5:00 PM in B-206 (if you did not attend the last training time in December)

Sun. Jan. 15: Participants may pick up workbooks ($10 / each) at 40 Days Table (couples can share if they want to)

Sun. Jan. 15: Children begin 40 Days In the Word at 5:00 PM

Sun. Jan. 15: Youth begin 40 Days in home groups

Sun. Jan. 15: Sunday Evening Service will participate in 40 Days In The Word at 6:00 PM

40 Days Table (The RED Table) in the Atrium has More Information

Our 40 Days In The Word Team:

Pastor: Bro. Bobby Atkins
Campaign Director: Bro. Kelly Carr
Communications Coordinator: Ronnie William
Small Groups Coordinator: Robert Morris
Prayer Coordinator: H. C. Starkweather
Weekend Service Coordinators: Steve Payne and Jonathan Carpenter
Student Coordinator: Will Crum
Childrens Coordinator: Angela Hudgins

I would like to thank each of these people for stepping up to serve the Lord and His church by leading out in these areas. I know their deep desire is to help Christians grow in their knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The purpose of this campaign is purely to aid individual believers in personal spiritual growth.

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PRAY: Get Prayer Reminder Cards in Bible Study or at the 40 Days Table

“Nothing of Eternal Significance is Ever Accomplished Apart from Prayer.”

Pray that God will graciously bless our HOST Homes by bringing people together to launch new groups. Ask that God will create a bond of friendship in these groups during and beyond the 40 Days In The Word campaign, as our members develop lasting relationships to His glory and honor.
Pray that God would stir in our church an authentic hunger for spiritual transformation and lasting Kingdom fruit. Ask God to guide our members into a deep, lifelong commitment to spiritual growth.
Pray that we will dedicate ourselves to prayer for the 40 Days In The Word campaign. Get us spiritually ready for what YOU want to do. We know that without YOUR power we will labor in vain. Encourage us to saturate these important 40 days in prayer.
Please pass on praises and answered prayers to Bro. H. C. Starkweather so we can rejoice together in the victories God gives us.

A Prayer Request from the Apostle Paul…

“Pray that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:1 (MSG)

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Current Host Home and Facilitator Volunteers (some in homes and some in other locations)
See our newsletters for the current list of host homes.

Sunday Evening Groups on Campus (these groups will be meeting in conjunction with the Sunday evening services.)

Everyone meets in the Auditorium at 6:00 PM to view the DVD

Bro. Bobby Atkins (Bro. Bobby’s group will meet together in the Auditorium)

Bro. Kelly Carr

Bro. Royce Litchfield

Bro. Steve Payne

Bro. Jonathan Carpenter

(If you would like to watch the lesson together and then facilitate a group afterwards, please contact Robert Morris or Bro. Kelly.)

We strongly encourage everyone to be part of a small group on some day or night of the week. Everyone should feel welcome to choose a day or night of the week that fits their schedule the best, and if Sunday evening works best for them, then we are providing this option.

Bro. Bobby will be leading a group in the Worship Center for those who do not want to be in a small group. On Sunday evening, everyone will watch the video portion of the lesson each week, then Bro. Bobby will lead the remainder of the lesson in the Worship Center for those who do not wish to go or are unable to go to another room in the church.

The rest of the staff (Kelly, Royce, Steve, Jonathan, and Angela) will be leading a small group in the church for those who are willing and able to go to another room for the remainder of the lesson each Sunday night. Bro. Will is leading a student group in a home at that time.

We look forward to making this journey together as a church! So please sign up TODAY so we will have a WORKBOOK and Scripture BOOKMARK available for everyone.

HOST HOMES STILL NEEDED:

We are still looking for Host Homes where groups can meet to go through this six-week Bible study together. We want to have enough homes so that EVERYONE – that’s 100% of our congregation – can be in a small group study. Will you consider opening your home to a group for the Campaign?

Here’s what you DON’T need in order to become a Host Home:

You don’t need to be a Bible scholar – Rick Warren does all the teaching, and all you have to do is push play!
You don’t need to be a born leader – if you’ve never led a group discussion before and want to give it a try, the video gives coaching tips to the hosts, and the discussion guide gives you step-by-step instructions to follow. If you don’t feel comfortable leading a group, we’ll assign a discussion leader to your home, and all you have to do is provide the home!
You don’t need to have a decorator home – people aren’t coming to look at your home or eat a big meal (although a few snacks would be nice!). People in our church want to connect with each other in a deeper way, and we need Hosts who are willing to exercise the gift of hospitality and just provide a place. It doesn’t even have to be in a home – you could host a group at work, at a recreation center, or at school! The only requirement is that you have a TV and a DVD player. (Even a laptop that will play DVD’s will do.)
You don’t have to be a church member – If you are not a member, we will assign a member to your home to lead the discussion, but you can still open your home and host a group. This might be the time you’ve been waiting for to join our church!

Here’s what it takes to be a host:

H ave a heart for our church family,
O pen your home for a six week video seminar,
S erve some coffee or soft drinks, and
T ell your friends.

Beware the Pain of Regret:

One of my favorite speakers is Jim Rohn. He recently passed away, but left us with some real gems of wisdom that have blessed me and thousands of others. He said…

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.”

Please make every effort to invest in your own spiritual growth by making a six week commitment to 40 Days In The Word. Regret occurs when we neglect the things that are valuable for things that are comfortable.

I want to especially challenge every church leader who holds a position of spiritual leadership to lead by example with your public participation and encouragement. God lifts us to leadership so we can lift others.

You are loved,

Bro. Kelly

“The Bible isn’t meant to just inform us, it is meant to transform us. 40 Days in the Word will teach you how to be not just a hearer of the Word, but a doer of the Word!” Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life

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Tags: 40 days in the Word, htbc, momentum, sunday evening schedule, sunday groups

Is Your Bible Interesting?

“Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart;” (Jeremiah 15:16).

newsletter article

WOW! Jeremiah’s Bible must have been interesting. He couldn’t get enough. How about yours?

Someone has said that it is a sin to make the Bible boring. Actually, you cannot make the Bible boring, but it is possible to make Bible “study” boring. The Bible is the most relevant book in the world. It is more relevant and up to date than today’s newspaper. It is even more interesting. However, sometimes we think we have learned it all and, of course, when you get that attitude about anything, then it can become dull to you.

I would like to challenge everyone in our church family who teaches the Word, whether it is a Bible study class, a home group, or even in your own family, to consider how to keep the Bible interesting and up to date. There are ways to make something become very exciting reading, even if it is not your most exciting pass time. For instance, I do not really enjoy reading software manuals. I don’t spend my spare time sitting down and reading through the latest version of Microsoft Office. However, I recently had to install some software, not Microsoft, on my computer. I became an avid reader of the software manual. It is amazing how relevant and interesting something becomes (even a water heater owner’s manual)whenever you are having a problem in that area. (Teacher, I may have just given you a golden nugget to help you in your next lesson. Find the problem or problems the passage is answering and build your lesson around it.)

Our next Bible Study Leader’s Meeting is Sunday, October 30 at 5:00 PM. We will be discussing, “How Do You Make Bible Study Interesting?” Be prepared to share some of your own ideas and methods on how you keep Bible study interesting in your class. I will also be sharing my “Short List of 25 Bible Study Resources that Every Teacher Should Have.” It is a good starting place for building your own personal library. We will be meeting in Room B103.

“The Bible is a corridor between two eternities down which walks the Christ of God; His invisible steps echo through the Old Testament, but we meet Him face to face in the throne room of the New; and it is through that Christ alone, crucified for me, that I have found forgiveness for sins and life eternal. The Old Testament is summed up in the word Christ; the New Testament is summed up in the world Jesus; and the summary of the whole Bible is that Jesus is the Christ.” Bishop Pollock

You Are Loved,

Bro. Kelly

Tags: bible, Bible study, Bible study leaders meeting, boring, interesting, study

The Value of One New Person

While we all know that one person is capable of amazing potential, we often forget that in the moment. For instance, think about how some of these people helped to change America:

Werner von Braun –Germany
Alexander Graham Bell –Scotland
Albert Einstein –Germany
Joseph Pulitzer –Hungary
Isaac Asimov –Russia
Harry Houdini –Hungary
Bob Hope –England
Alfred Hitchcock –England
John Paul Jones –England
Irving Berlin –Russia
Levi Strauss –Germany
Andrew Carnegie –Scotland
John Jacob Astor –Germany
Liz Claiborne –Belgium
Thomas Paine –England
Henry Kissinger –Germany.

You notice that behind each of those well-known names is the name of the country they were originally from. Each of them brought something of amazing value with them and made a contribution to our country. Imagine if someone had forbidden Alexander Graham Bell’s family from coming to America, or kept him from using his talents.

The church is a body of born again, baptized Christ followers who have been banded together for the purposes of worship, fellowship, discipleship, service, and world evangelization. We come from many different backgrounds, different types of families, different parts of the same country, and many different countries and ethnicities and different specialties. Our church family happens to be located in Greenville, and is more diverse than you might believe at first glance. But we are family. We are also a great church and a great family because so many people have been allowed to contribute and use their gifts and skills for the cause of Christ.

We welcome and celebrate ALL that God sends to us because each one is a person of great value to God and also great value to the Kingdom of God.

Take some time this Sunday evening to attend our New Member Reception. It will be right after the evening service (November 6) in the Family Center. It will be a great opportunity to meet and mingle with new members and also for many of our newer members to get acquainted with each other and with long time members. Take some time today to thank the Lord for the blessing of new believers and new members He has sent to our church as a stewardship from Him. Who knows what great things may be written about them someday?

You Are Loved,

Bro. Kelly

Tags: church, contribution, country, kingdom of God, new, One, Person, Value, Value of One New Person

Zacchaeus and Church Wide Visitation?

I Learned This In Preschool!

I cannot remember if I learned it in Beginners (Kindergarten sunday School) or in Primaries (Elementary Sunday School), but I’m pretty sure I need to thank Mrs. Harp, my Primaries teacher, and Mrs. Waller who played the piano during our class assembly. They not only taught us the Bible stories and the truths of the Scripture, they also taught us to keep those truths in our hearts by putting the messages into melodies we could never forget.

You may have sung about Zacchaeus, too. “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he. He climbed up in a Sychamore tree for the Lord he wanted to see. And as the Lord came walking by He looked up in the tree. And He said, ‘Zacchaeus, you come down, for I’m going to your house today…for I’m going to your house today.’” Oh, it brings back the memories of a little white stuccho church on the dusty plains of West Texas.

Jesus Set The Example!

But I learned about Zacchaeus who was a sinner and Jesus who was the Savior. I also learned that Jesus made house calls. He came to Jericho to make a visit. Zack (for short, ha) was someone who expressed interest in Jesus. He was so interested that when he could not get to the street to see the Lord passing by, he actually climbed up into a tree. Imagine a well dressed business man climbing up into a tree to get a glimpse of Jesus today! His interest went beyond mere curiousity.

And the Lord came to answer His questions. Questions like “Is Jesus really the Messiah,” “Does God really care about someone like me,” and “Can someone like me be forgiven?” Jesus came to invite Zack into salvation and back into the sheepfold, and he was more eager to accept the invitation than anyone in town would have ever believed.

OK. Why the song and the story? Because Jesus gave us a model. We are called to follow Him. Guess what? Jesus was a visitor. During His brief ministry, He went on visitation. He made lots of visits and He set the example for us.

Churchwide Visitation at HTBC

Monday, September 19th is (monthly) Churchwide Visitation. It is open to all our church members. We are organizing it primarily through our Bible Study classes and we are asking all of our Bible Study leaders from every age group to lead out and participate. There is a light meal at 5:30 and visitation at 6:00. It is a perfect opportunity to stop by and see that member who has been absent for a few weeks, or the prospect that has visited church and would be a perfect fit for your Bible Study group, or just to stop by and drop off the new quarterly for someone in your class who needs it. So, grab a buddy and see me at the Family Center on Monday! (Or, we might all come to your house.)

You are loved,

Bro. Kelly

Tags: church, churchwide, monthly, monthly churchwide visitation, Visitation, Wide, Zacchaeus