Earlier this week I was reading an article about 32 people who obeyed God’s call to missions and were appointed as missionaries last month by our Southern Baptist International Mission Board. During the “Sending Celebration” each of them shared their story. They described when and how God spoke to them. They mentioned specific times when… Read More »
$10,OOO
Over a year ago we began praying that God would bless our church with the ability to pay off our existing debt in six years. At that time, the debt was approximately $6.2 million. We kicked off our Six In 6 Capital Campaign in March 2015 and members have been faithfully and generously giving ever… Read More »
Humbled By Their Decision
I don’t know who it is, but this week I was told about a couple relatively new to our church who’ve been praying about our “Six In 6” capital campaign and how much God wanted them to give. God answered their prayer and gave them both clarity and peace about it. According to what I… Read More »
I Found Freedom Nearly 30 Years Ago
“I don’t believe in paid preachers.” “I don’t believe in tithing.” “All the church wants is your money.” Those are a few of the many comments I often heard growing up. Much of the region I called home had a very negative attitude when it came to churches and money. I was influenced by that… Read More »
Kids
Last night Monieca and I decorated our “snow man tree” we put up each year in our kitchen. One of the ornaments holds a picture of Liam, our grandson (of course there is a picture below). That same tree will hold a second photo @ Christmas 2014 because Jacqueline is pregnant with our second grandchild.… Read More »
A Beautiful World
Monieca and I made a quick trip to Ky Thursday and were reminded how beautiful the mountains are in the fall. It was an especially beautiful drive Sunday as we returned to Rock Hill in time for me to lead the My Hope with Billy Graham training @ FBC Sunday evening. That got me thinking… Read More »
IMB says “Thank You”
I recently received two certificates (photo below) from the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention recognizing First Baptist for our generous giving to international missions. Traditionally Southern Baptist churches receive three mission offerings each year: one for international missions, one for North American missions, and one for state missions. For several years we… Read More »
Your Money After the BIG 5-0
This week I’m sharing a post each day about five books I read this summer. Today’s book: “Your Money After the BIG 5-0” by Larry Burkett and Ron Blue. One of the financial principles they mention is “planning”, because achieving financial goals requires having a plan. Tom Landry, Hall of Fame football coach of the… Read More »
$300 Millon
What you do if you had $300 million? Some of you just laughed and thought to yourself, “That’s a silly question. I’ll never have that kind of money, so why waste my time thinking about it.” I get it…but let’s have some fun for a moment anyway and think about it. What’s the first thing… Read More »
Death and Retirement
Last week our church hosted a “Preparing for Retirement” seminar. It was for church employees who have retirement funds invested with GuideStone Financial Resources, an agency of the Southern Baptist Convention. Several of our staff attended and I had registered. Unfortunately my illness and heart cath prevented me from participating. I’m only 54, but I… Read More »