Waypoints

Peculiar Passions

Aren’t our “passions” peculiar? We spend a fortune chasing teams and competing in various events. We act like rabid animals and calls ourselves dedicated fans. This is really nothing new; man has always been competitive. By the way, this is a God-given trait. Watching people follow their passions is really a lot of fun, but where is the eternal benefit from these pursuits?

As I was watching the SEC basketball tournament, God reminded me of who He is and what He can do. Auburn (don’t miss the point Bama fans) was about to begin playing and the television broadcast showed the team huddled together and a perfect opening in the circle with our own Drew Smith praying with the team. The game was played and after the game another shot was televised again with a close up of Drew with guys huddled around him. Drew had his eyes closed. They turned up the volume as Drew said …”God we thank You and praise You…” then the volume was quickly lowered. The entire viewing audience caught this amazing scene for God. As I sat there cheering for a faithful Christ-follower, I remembered that God can use our passion for Him – if we let Him. We all have passions that God has placed in us. In His grace He has given them to us. Often, we don’t remember to use them for Him. Whether you are on the ball-field, racetrack, playing Bunko, catching a fish, or trying to put a round ball into a basket…be passionate…and ask Him to use it!

Lemonading Life

The typical experience of this life is really just a bunch of lemons! While driving down the road this week, I realized that God really does take those lemons of life and turn them into sweet lemonade. Sometimes I get so frustrated dealing with the “lemons” that I miss the fact that God has blessed me in unbelievable ways. It is overwhelming to “count my blessings and name them one by one!” Here they are: I hope they encourage you!

· A wife…indescribable;

· 3 daughters…how much fun they are;

· Many great churches that I have been a part of;

· A great heritage in my family;

· Hunting and beach opportunities that have been poured into my lap;

· A great team to work with at FBCT;

· People who trust your struggling leadership;

· Vision from God that I can’t keep up with;

· Flying airplanes…now that’s a blast;

· A pastor of a great church that 1000’s could lead better than I;

· A passion to work and provide for my girls;

· Abilities that only God can get the credit for;

· A great home that only God could provide;

· Good health, but if I die, I go straight to Heaven;

· Great friends who really do care;

· Opportunities to impact lives that blow me away;

· Fishing;

· All the “toys” that I can’t keep running;

· And did I mention an incredible wife?

Have you made your own list lately? Why does God bless someone like me? I don’t know but it sure is fun and I thank Him for it! I think I’ll go get some lemonade!

Buddy

Lead Like Jesus

For years leadership has been one of the buzz words that many people write about, study, speak on and have huge seminars to learn how to be one. Leaders succeed and fail, flourish and file for bankruptcy, have great homes and experience divorce. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes.

From a Biblical/Christian point of view…can you have leadership without servanthood? I just don’t hear that much about the leadership model of Christ who gave His life AND changed the world. Where are the leaders that give their lives and lead a team, corporation, city, state or country? Leadership has vision, influence and produces change but if not implemented with the model of Christ then the wake of destruction in peoples lives behind the leader is immense.

Is that the kind of leader that we see in Christ? Is leadership really power?

The opportunity to impact others or an organization is incredible but a Jesus leader doesn’t lead for self. He or she leads for Christ which automatically reduces self promoting power. Christians are leaders…the Bible called this “salt and light” but we must follow the model of Christ. Be a leader! But as you lead, watch Jesus who was the model CEO. It really is…”All About Him!”

Reasons Not to Go to Church!

What a difference a week makes! The “Blizzard of 09” was replaced by a spring day that made it hard to be inside! I guess on any given Sunday it is hard to be in church. Here is what I hear as it relates to church attendance:

“I live on a hill and wasn’t sure I could get home with all the snow.”
“I live in a valley and wasn’t sure I could get home.”

And then this time of year I am bombarded with things such as:

“It was such a rainy day.”
“My son/daughter plays travel ball (or cheerleading) and we were out of town.”
“I am leaving town on business.”
“We have family in town.”
“We are going out of town to see family.”
“The time change caught me off guard and I wasn’t able to get up.”
“I was out of town for Mother’s Day/Father’s Day.”
“It is spring break and we will be out of town.”
“I will be at a sporting event…like the SEC tournament.”
“I needed a few days away.”

The list could go on and on. All of these are good things; but, for many, one Sunday leads to another and before long we lose the perspective of being in God’s house on the Sabbath. Isn’t it amazing that anyone comes to church? I’m glad God shows up…every minute of every day! If you did not make it to church this Sunday, you missed a blessing but this Sunday is coming! Will you be there?

Snow on Sunday!

Why does it have to snow on Sunday morning? Man, it is pretty but what’s up with Sunday? Could James Spann tell us how many times it happens on Saturday night or Sunday morning when snow does come to the Birmingham area? You have services when you should have canceled them and you cancel services when you could have had them. It just messes up things and you really don’t ever recover! Check out our budget giving this past Sunday when it comes in! But don’t you like snow? I know most of you do because you stayed home to enjoy it! For southern folks it is so pretty…then it is gone just as fast as it came.

I’m glad God cleans us up just like a blanket of snow! Whiter than snow! What a great benefit of knowing a great God. Now we should go and do likewise. Just cover others up with the grace, love and presence of God. Snow! I wish it would have snowed a foot…just not on Sunday morning!

Our Journey Begins

Blog…until a few years ago we had never even heard of one! Now it has become a great tool for communication, learning and visioning among various groups. Many of us have favorite blogs we like to read and they shape our approaches to many areas of life. If you spend time in negative critical blogs…yep that will be how you approach your life! It seems like there is a neat verse about that…”bad company corrupts good character.”

This week we have started a new journey in the life of First Baptist Church of Trussville. Sure a journey of a blog but more importantly a journey of faith and obedience. The decision in this time of uncertainty to be certain about God’s direction will be blessed by Him for years to come! Generations will reap the spiritual benefits of this generations step of courage. More importantly, the world will see a united fellowship and know that Jesus really is the Son of God (John 17). The presence of unity in the church can not be explained or denied by anyone! It’s just God.

We begin a journey this week. Our next steps in this journey will cause us to adjust our personal lives so that the journey can continue. Begin now to pray about what God wants you to do and we will ride the wave of His blessings in the months ahead!

Extreme Series Finale

extreme-decal0210091 Yesterday we wrapped up the “Extreme” series here at FBC Trussville in a historic way. Our church voted to move forward with the Building Master Plan!

I sense there is great anticipation and expectation among our church family for all that God is doing. Yeah God!

Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement. It is going to be an amazing journey together.

BUDDY CHAMPION