Stress Relievers

Last Sunday I asked you to send a text and let me know how you handle stress.  Here are the results of our very “scientific” (not really but that sounds official!) poll:

 How We Handle Our Stress?

Physical Activity            31%
Eat                                18%
Rest                              18%
Verbal Expressions       14%
Turn to God                   9%
Other                           10%

We will continue to learn each week how God’s Word gives us practical tips for reducing the stressful lives that we are living.  See you Sunday!

Church, Sermon, Stats, Stress Shortlink

Reflections

It was another great weekend!  Perhaps…one of the best in recent memory?  How could that be?  When was the last time we baptized over 30 people in one day?  It is always encouraging to see people follow Jesus’ example of baptism by immersion, take the first steps of obedience in their walk with Christ and publicly confess Jesus as their Savior.  That is good stuff!

  • Sunday we baptized 33 in one special service!
  • It is great to see the complete body of Christ shift their schedules for something fantastic.
  • We still have a large group of people that need to be baptized.   Pray for them to take the next steps with Christ.
  • God added new family members to the church Sunday morning.  That’s always exciting.
  • Sunday night, 15 more people indicated they would like to make FBCT their home in our Membership Class.
  • We had good attendance in our Membership Class.   It is cool to see people understand that we are Committed to God, Know His Ways and Do His Work…Because It’s All About Him!

Tonight, we will have our basketball awards night at 6:00 in the Worship Center.  It will be an awesome night to reach out to our families in a unique way.   I hope you are planning to come and see the conclusion of months of hard work by an army of volunteers.

This Sunday we will learn a little bit more about “Who Is Jesus?”  Our topic on Sunday will be that He is THE Savior of the world!  Bring a friend to any of the four worship service options and their lives will be blessed.

Church Shortlink

Team Impact – Amazing!

What can we say about Team-Impact?  Wow…the humble giant servants served the Lord and many lives were changed!  Reflect on these numbers for just a few minutes:

  • 50 School Assemblies
  • 17,470 students spoken to in three days
  • Capacity crowds filled our sanctuary each night
  • 521 Decisions were made
  • 413 Salvations
  • 108 Recommitments
  • Of the decisions made,
    • 101 were from FBCT
    • 131 did not list a church home
    • 289 were visitors from area churches

 When was the last time we had that many people at God’s altar?   It was amazing.

The great thing is, you were a part of eternity changing for hundreds of people!  You served, you gave, you prayed…you gave God a platform that He could bless and touch many hearts and lives!   Go God!

This Sunday is going to be awesome!  We will start a new series called “Who Is Jesus.”  Watch this teaser:   [wpvideo PJ5NsE6C] Also, this Sunday we will have a special baptism service in the sanctuary for everyone at 10:30.  Make plans to be there and see some of those that made decisions take the next steps in their new life with Christ!

Church Shortlink

A Real Team Impact

Tonight we have finished the Friday night event of Team Impact!  I hope you have experienced these humble servants who love the Lord and have a passion to share what Christ has done in their lives.   They began sharing their ministry with us on Wednesday morning and during the week the team has spoken to 50 assemblies which totaled over 17,470 students.  In our evening services we have seen 299 boys, girls, students and adults come to a personal relationship with Christ.  The great news is that we still have Saturday and Sunday nights remaining!

 Some Highlights:

  • The First Baptist Army is truly Doing His work!
  • Great character education assemblies provided to local schools free of charge thanks to generous corporate sponsors.
  • Giant men with even bigger servant hearts.
  • Countless stories of friends, neighbors, relatives, co-workers, fiancés, students, etc – coming to Christ.
  • People inviting others to Team Impact!
  • A church staff laying it on the line 24/7 in order to get the job done.
  • Receptive and appreciative schools that really appreciate FBCT and corporations caring about their students.

 The list could go on and on.  I hope you have experience the IMPACT! 
See ya Saturday night!

Church, DO His Work, Team Impact Shortlink

Sunday, February 14 Reflections

The best news from this past weekend…it didn’t snow on Saturday night! That is always a bummer for those of us who are weekend warriors. Friday brought about some cool scenes but still adjusted some events that were scheduled during the weekend. Sunday was another good day around FBCT!

• God continues to add new families to the fellowship…that always makes for a good day!

• We did a much better job parking across Chalkville Road this week…but we still ran out of parking places. This week we will have more options for parking so that we can continue to reach people…including you!

• We had 1540 in our small groups and 1808 worshipping together in the four different options. That’s a great winter Sunday!

• We have 53 fourth graders at church yesterday!! We had to move tables out of the classrooms and do their worksheets in their laps!! Isn’t that awesome…wait a minute…we have to fix that problem! We will!

• We had 155 in children’s worship with only 6 empty chairs…that’s not much space for growth.

• Don’t fret…A Night To Remember…that we can’t remember has been rescheduled for Friday, March 5, 2010, 6:00-8:30pm! Keep your dancing shoes out and invite a friend!

• The city wide TEAM food drive got off to a great start. It will continue through the week and you are welcome to place your items in the bins located in the mission area.

• Did you notice how many we had to dedicate themselves and their children to the Lord Sunday? Pray for dry weather so we can get the new building ready!!!

• Team Impact is coming!!! More on that in the coming days. Keep praying.

Church Shortlink

Sunday Reflections

Monday is here and we’ve completed another weekend of God touching lives at First Baptist Trussville.  It was a cloudy, cold winter day but God was still working and accomplishing His will.  We understand now that His Will includes serving…using our gifts, passion, abilities, talents…all that we are to make His message and church vibrant!

  • Amy Hood did a great job helping us understand that if we are willing…God will work.  Thanks Amy!
  • There were many great fellowships that took place around the area during the Super Sunday!
  • Ugh…we ran out of parking this week.  Really need your help on this.
    • We had 46 open spaces across the street.  Please help us fill these up first.
    • Cross the street where the police officers are standing…it is a lot safer that way.
    • Pray for dry weather for the construction crews…we will have about 100 spaces open up at the end of March.
    • However, we will still need to park across the street.  If we run out of parking…we stop growing…period.
  • This Wednesday we will learn how to get the most we can from the Bible.  It will be fun…you will not be tempted like last week!  Bring a friend.
  • When you arrive on Wednesday we will have notebooks for you to keep your notes.  It will also have other tabs for your prayer time, small group information and we will add tabs as we start future series.  Help us off set the cost by dropping $5 in the basket.
  • Team-Impact is coming!  It is going to be awesome!  Here is how you can help:
    • Pray.
    • Give to help us cover the expenses of the school assemblies.  We need corporate and individual sponsors.  We will advertise your corporation in our nightly piece and many hearts will be touched because of your generosity.
    • Invite.  Most people will come to this event if someone will ask them.  Will you help us fill the empty chair?
    • Help. We will need an army of people each night.

It’s going to be a great week.  See you Wednesday night!

Church Shortlink

Reflections

Well I’ve never been drunk…but Monday’s for a preacher has got to be the closest thing to a hangover that I ever want to experience!  Even with that…there might be enough coherent thoughts to pull together some cool things to be thankful for!

  • I’m still excited about some of the neat things God did this past year! Click 2009 In Review  to watch highlights of last year.
  • In 2009 we received a record number of gifts to the ministry of FBCT!  A total of $6,976,166.00 with a per capita giving of $95.83.  That’s crazy!
  • Yesterday people joined the church…even after a tough message of having a lifestyle of giving…and yes I did find a few friends that still loved me!
  • We now have 83 people/families that indicated they would start tithing…pray for them, that is a huge step of faith.
  • We also had 321 people/families that will continue to tithe, 87 that will increase their giving and 71 people/families who will increase their giving above the tithe!  How cool is that?!
  • Sunday night was a sweet time of worship and study of God’s Word.   We will still have Sunday night church from time to time and it will really be a blessing!
  • Upward had another banner day this past Saturday.  Kudos to the leaders who are making that happen…God is touching 100’s of lives through that ministry! Pray for the next few weeks as kids hear the plan of salvation during their team devotions.
  • We had great attendance yesterday 1787 in worship and 1540 in our small groups!
  • Team Impact is coming!  I wish I could explain to you about what God is going to do!  Just wait…it will be incredible!  Pray hard everyday and get ready to serve!
  • I wish you could have heard some of the testimonies from senior adults that have tithed for years…you really can’t out give God!
  • This Wednesday night is going to be awesome!  We will study about temptation and how we beat it!  I hope you will be there and bring a friend!
    • Church, Commitment, Faithfulness, Thankfulness Shortlink

    Your Kids, Our Morality, and Jesus’ Kingdom

    Yesterday was another incredible day and much better than the week before because we didn’t have to talk about Hell!  Looking back on the last twenty-four hours through this rainy, Monday afternoon, it seems like we had a “heavy” day!  As many of you know we learned about the “Judgment Seat of Christ” in the morning services and then at our Purposeful Parenting seminar we heard from Tal Prince!  My friend, that seminar was a kick in the gut!

    Tal’s message last night will leave an incredibly lasting impact on our families.  I have prayed throughout today that many moms and dads – and staff members if necessary – will contact Tal’s ministry seeking help against pornographic addiction.  I believe we have many homes, marriages, and families being torn apart by this epidemic in our church!

    By the way, thanks for taking the time to write your notes of encouragement and sharing verbally your appreciation for this seminar.  It is awesome to be in a church and work with a leadership team that will go to bat with God and allow Him to hit grand slams for the Kingdom!  If you were not able to attend this past Sunday night please take some time to view what Tal had to say on our website.  Click here (http://www.fbctrussville.org/link_update.htm) and scroll down to view the videos!  If you want to check into Tal’s ministry, Tapestry of Hope, click here (http://www.tohcommunity.com).

    We know that we ALL have sinned and need a gracious Savior.  That’s one reason we needed this emphasis!  We are a church who seeks – and loves – people regardless of their present situation or past sins.  Why?  Because that’s exactly how God loves us!  God is good!  We have always said “the ground is level at the foot of the cross,” now we need to go live it!

    This Sunday will be incredibly encouraging.  We are going to look to the future and see a God that is in control and calling the shots of eternity!  Don’t miss it!

    Church Shortlink

    Satan, Sunday and Salvation

    Yesterday was an incredible day at First Baptist Church!  The weather was kind of stinky, but God was really at work.  We finally got past hell and moved onto our families last night!  In case you are wondering …no…there should not be a correlation between “hell” and your “family!”  I think we were all encouraged by the fact that satan (yeah, I know, it should be capitalized but I just don’t want to give the ole liar any recognition) has been defeated on the cross and we can live in Victory as followers of Christ!  I am fully convinced that when I’m in Heaven God will show me the many times that people interceded for me and the girls on our behalf.  Their prayers of protection and strength changed the course of history.  So I encourage you to pray for one another this week!

    Sunday night was incredible.  It is great to be a part of a church that cares for and addresses the issues that are facing our families.  We are going to see another generation saved for Christ because of this church being real and addressing the very real – and uncomfortable – subjects that threaten our children.  The stuff kids are facing today will affect the next generation and their families 40 years from now.  We can prevent further destruction as we pull our heads out of the sand and get extraordinarily focused on growing up soldiers of the faith.

    I cannot wait until next Sunday!  It’s going to be awesome.  I know you’ll come and that you’ll bring a friend!  Keep praying the name of Jesus!

    family, Satan Shortlink

    September

    September is going to be an incredible month! In addition to cooler temperatures that will usher in football season and beautiful fall foliage, we have awesome opportunities taking place in the fellowship.

    The New Normal

    The life of Jesus is characterized by fulfilling the teachings of God while at the same time transforming our world. Each Sunday morning in September we are discovering “The New Normal” in our lives as followers of Christ.  In order for us to experience God’s presence we must place our lives under His description of The New Normal…which really hasn’t changed for 1000’s of years!  Living the “New Normal” is the key to an abundant life.

    Phase 1 Completed

    As we finish up the month we will begin a new era in the life of First Baptist.  As we complete Phase 1 of our building program, we will finally have an opportunity to have seating for those who have a passion to worship God in a contemporary worship setting. It is great to see God’s people embrace one another as we provide traditional, blended and contemporary venues that allows us all to worship our Creator. Our renovated gym will be an incredible space that will continue to impact lives for many more years.

    Phase 2 Begins

    As you know, we are also preparing to break ground on a new preschool building that will address an area of our ministry that must be corrected so we can reach the next generation for Christ.  Soon you will be receiving information for a special ground breaking celebration that you will want to attend.  Be in prayer for this process…it will be an exciting journey.

    Upward Basketball & Cheerleading

    Have you been praying for Upward Basketball?  Our newly renovated gym will also be beginning a new ministry that has literally reached children for Christ around the world.  Two “p’s” come to mind that are necessary for this ministry to spread through our community: Prayer and Participation! All of us can pray for the children and their families that we need to impact for Christ. Please remember to pray every day for what God wants to do through Upward this winter.  Also, have you signed up to participate in this ministry?  There is a job for every one of us who have a desire to win children for Christ.  Sign up this Sunday and your life will be better for it.

    Faithfulness

    All of this is possible because of your tithes and offerings.  Please make sure that each Sunday we honor the Lord with our tithe…which is 10% of your income. You know, Scripture teaches that this is the first portion that is distributed from what God has allowed us to oversee.  Also, as God leads, be faithful with your offerings which is always in addition to your tithe.  This would include your commitment to “What If…” that we are a part of.  These are exciting days because of God’s love and our faithfulness.

    So what’s your story?

    God is doing incredible things in your life. Often, your story will be a source of encouragement and strength to those who hear it.  When God works in your life, visit our website and send me a note.  As the opportunity arises we may use your story to strengthen the family!  I look forward to hearing from you soon!

    Church, Faithfulness Shortlink