2013 in Retrospect

“For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.” – Luke 1:49

One of my favorite blog postings each year is this one – the year in retrospect.  I’ve said in previous “year in retrospect”(s) that these are some of the longest blog posts all year, and that is 400% true.  Each year I try not to make them long, but when I write I am long-winded…so I’m not promising anything!  :)

Seriously, though, it is so humbling to sit and reflect on the year and see the successes, challenges, and changes that have happened and how God brought me (and us) through them all.  I love the verse that I opened this blog post with – it is from Mary’s Magnificant and I think this portion especially speaks to my feelings as we close out 2013.  “He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name” (Luke 1:49).  No matter the challenges and changes…He was, is, and will continue to be mighty and HOLY is HIS NAME!  Join me in seeing the mighty things he has done in my life this year…

What Do You Mean “No School”???!!!

This is the first year I have nothing to post about school.  How weird is that?!  Aside from a April Fool’s joke on Facebook that got out of hand (I said I was going to pursue a doctorate…and a bunch of people believed me…oops), there hasn’t been much mention of school from me this year.  You know what, though?  I miss it!  Especially writing papers….I know, I know, I’m cRaZy!  I guess that’s what keeps me on this blog – the fact I get to write and share my thoughts about things.  Writing papers in seminary, though, was a lot of fun and I miss doing that.  Well, there IS always that doctorate…. :)

Pomp and Circumstance

I heard this tune so much this spring I’m surprised I don’t hum it to this day!  Both of my sisters graduated this year!  Meredith graduated from college at Liberty University and Lauren graduated from high school in Morristown. 

Meredith graduated on my birthday in May and it wasn’t long before she was off to a summer-long internship in the heart of Washington, DC.  It was definitely a memorable experience for her (as far as living & working in the heart of the city­) and we even got to visit her the week of July 4 where we celebrated the nation’s birthday in the nation’s capital…on top of a high rise overlooking the Washington Monument & White House!  Talk about memorable!  This fall she moved back to East TN and is getting her Masters in Accountancy at UTK and has already been offered a job with an accounting firm in Atlanta when she graduates in June.  God is good!

Lauren graduated the week after Meredith and she has spent this semester and next at the local community college in town (following after her sister’s…mine…footsteps).  She even got a job with a local business in town, filing, running errands, answering phones, etc. and loves it.  Next school-year, though, she is off to Liberty University (following after her other sister’s footsteps)!  I’m excited to see how God uses her at Liberty and takes that huge heart of hers and love for those with special needs to make an impact on the world in the name of Christ.  It’s hard to believe that my baby sister is now a high-school graduate, but that’s life!

Graduations all around!

Ministry Life

If you know me, you know my heart-ministry is children’s missions.  I absolutely love teaching the kids about missions and how they can be missionaries in their own lives.  We’ve had fun learning this year about football missionaries, mission trips from our church, and we even created a Lottie Moon Christmas tree!  During the fall, I was privileged to help organize, on the FBC Morristown end, the East TN Children’s Missions Conference.  We had over 300 kids from the area come and we all enjoyed learning more about the journey our missionaries take around the world.  This year, I have heard testimonies from kids of how they have ministered to their peers in times of need and even gone on mission trips themselves!  It’s so rewarding to watch them apply what they are learning in their own lives.  I can’t wait to see how God uses them as they grow!

FBC Kids who attended the Fall Children's Missions Conference

I have also gotten more involved this year with my church’s Mobile Bus Ministry which is basically like a six-week Backyard Bible Club in the Projects area of our town.  I started off a year or so ago as music leader, which is little out of my element as I’m not exactly a leader of music.  I like to sing, but leading singing is somewhat strange for me…basically because I don’t read music.  However this year, I took on an additional responsibility as teacher for the PreK-2^nd graders.  I’ve had SO much fun planning lessons and activities around Bible stories for these little ones.  I truly believe that activities are what help drive home the lessons because those are the things that the kids will go home and talk about.  For instance, when we talked about Jonah, we went “fishing” for words in our story and we were able to remember the story of Jonah by looking at the fish we caught.  These are kids who, without possibly our intervention, will never hear the stories of Jesus & the Bible because they’re parents won’t send them to church.  Our team doesn’t take that lightly and we always strive to show them Jesus each time we come to their neighborhood.

Leading the kids at our Mobile Bus/Backyard Bible Club

Church-wide, we had a lot going on this year in terms of special events.  Our church opened the long-awaited children's building and kids are LOVING it.  We celebrated our 210 anniversary.  We remodeled our Harrell Park property and have a beautiful Pavilion.  Our Operation Christmas Child goal was surpassed exponentially...our goal of 1,000 shoeboxes shot straight up to 1,300!  Even the people at OCC headquarters were shocked when I told them!  God is just blessing FBC Morristown and it's so humbling to be a part of that.

Entrance of new Children's Building at FBC Morristown

Another area of ministry I am involved in at church is the media ministry, specifically in the area of multimedia screens.  It’s interesting to observe how strongly screens are used and depended upon within a worship service.  We’ve done so much more in that area this year and our services have really benefited from that.  Our Living Christmas Tree, Spring musical presentation, community-wide Disciple Now, and the inclusion of our new contemporary worship service – each has come with it new opportunities for screens as well as the media ministry.  This ministry is another part of my heart and I have enjoyed growing in this ministry and helping people worship through media.  I could spend a lot more time right here, but I think I’ll save those thoughts for a 2014 blog post!

Work, Work, Work

Aside from ministry-work, my job keeps me very busy.  It just so happens, though, that my job is the same place where I do my ministry work!  Yeah…makes for an interesting life, that’s for sure!  BUT, it’s work for the kingdom and for making sure our congregation is well-informed and understands what is going on.  I do the graphic design for the church-wide publications as well as prepare all the screen stuff for my volunteer-self and workers on Sunday.  While I am part-time, this job keeps me pretty busy and most of you know that because the place where you see me most often is at the church!

As far as catering, I haven’t done as much of that this year as compared to previous years as the catering company now runs the local community college’s campus café during the week.  I have, however, been a part of helping to cater various special events and weddings which are always fun.  Although, it is work, it is fun work and I really enjoy being around the people I work with.

The Legacy of “Mighty” Joe Young

“We’re not put here to stay, we’re just passin’ through!”  I can’t tell you how many times I heard my grandpa say this over my 26 years of life.  In May his health declined very quickly and in June, my sweet grandpa (or as I call him “Pa”) passed through this life into the joy of heaven.  There’s really not a day that goes by that I don’t think of him or some funny saying of his.  I miss him, but I know that I will see him again and I have all hope and trust in that.  Pa was a unique character…he definitely was a jokester and loved to laugh…and make us laugh.  He also loved his family and over his 96 years of life, watched many of his family and friends pass into heaven.  I know when he entered heaven, there was a huge group of people waiting there for him…and I’m sure the smile on his face was gigantic!   I’m so grateful for these past five/six years that he lived in the same town as my family.  He wasn’t sold on the idea initially, but I know over time he was grateful for the move too as he realized he could spend more time with us.  The memories we made these past years are so sweet and precious and I will never forget them. 

Many of you know that he and I shared a special connection in that we celebrated our birthdays together as I was born on his 70^th birthday.  Now, he and Lauren have a special connection in that on her birthday, he celebrated his heavenly birth.   How poignant it is that he was born and died on his granddaughter’s birthdays.  These will be days that we will celebrate not only our lives, but also his life & legacy and now his ETERNAL life!

Me and my grand"Pa"

Prayers, Please

As with every year, pray for me as I continue to seek God’s direction for my life.  He has great plans for me, that I know, and I await Him to reveal those plans to me. It's been exciting to watch God piece together my life so far and I can only dream of the masterpiece He has planned.

Also, we recently found out that my dad has an early-stage tumor in his small intestine.  He will have a scan soon to determine if there are any more tumors in his body and then surgery to remove the one in his small intestine.  Please pray that the scan will show nothing and, should he have to have surgery, that it will go well and the recovery will be quick.

And the Word of the Year Is…

For the past few years I have tried to encapsulate the year with a word and over the past few weeks, I have really been trying to think of a word that I would associate with this year…and a couple of days ago it came to me.  PEACE.  Throughout this past year, I have had questions and uncertainties and even loss which should cause me to go into complete meltdown and anger because to this day there are still uncertainties and questions and the loss of my grandpa as he isn’t here anymore.  But through it ALL, there has been peace.  Not peace in the form of rest & relaxation, but peace in the form of the feeling that everything is going to be okay.  That only comes from one person…Jesus.  And He promised that, “My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).  I am so undeserving of His gift of peace, but He gives it and He loves me and He has everything under control.  I’ve just got to continue to have faith and trust and always remember that He is working everything out for my good.

I’m taking peace with me into 2014 and praying you will take it with you too.  Have a blessed 2014 and may your resolution for this New Year be what mine is every year...living each day for Jesus with a servant’s heart.

Joy is HERE!

“And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with great joy.” – Matthew 2:10

During this time of the year, we hear the word “joy” tossed around…a lot.  Like the phrase “Peace, Love and Joy to You and Yours!” or when we sing the carol “Joy to the World.”  The dictionary defines the word “joy” as a feeling of great happiness.  When I stop and think about experiences or situations (or people…my grandfather’s initials were J.O.Y.) in which I have felt or seen joy, I simply can’t help but smile and I’m sure it is the same way for you too.  I suppose “joy” is used a lot at Christmas-time because we typically associate feelings of great happiness with the Christmas season.

Joy can most definitely be used to describe the feelings of those individuals who were a part of the First Christmas.  I have no doubt in my mind that both Mary and Joseph were filled with great joy at the birth of Jesus.  Joy that not only was the baby was born healthy, but also great joy that this baby would be the Savior of the World!  Remember what the angels told them?  Gabriel said to Mary, “He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).  And to Joseph the angel said, “And she [Mary] will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). 

The shepherds were filled with joy at the news of this newborn King (okay, after they shook off the initial shock from seeing the host of angels).  The angel even told them that the news they were delivering was of the happy kind, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people!” (Luke 2:10).  And so excited and happy were the shepherds at actually finding out for themselves that this news was indeed true, that they told everyone they came in contact with (Luke 2:17)!

And last, but certainly not least, the wisemen were filled with joy after finding the Christ-child after a long and arduous journey to Bethlehem.  As they followed the star over great distances, upon arriving in Bethlehem, they noticed that it “stopped over the place where the child was” (Matthew 2:9).  They knew that because it had stopped that their journey was over, their quest complete, and that they had finally found the King they had waited so long to worship.  Matthew 2:10 tells us, “When they saw the star, they were filled with joy!”

I know that for some at Christmas, joy is the last emotion you want to be feeling this time of year.  Feelings of loss, regret, guilt, worry and sadness creep in this time of year and joy doesn’t even make it on the list.  For me, this Christmas is the first Christmas without my grandfather, who we would spend time with each Christmas at his assisted living home.  Also, my dad is facing a surgery soon that no one anticipated a couple of weeks ago.  It’s hard to have joy when a piece of you is missing or when you are worried about something in the coming year. 

Then I stop and think about these wisemen.  The Bible doesn’t say they had seen Jesus and then were filled with joy.  They were filled with joy BEFORE they saw him!  They were filled with joy because they knew the star signified that he was there! 

Joy should fill our hearts this Christmas because we know that Jesus is here!  He promises to never leave us or forsake us, to give us peace, to comfort us…and the list goes on and on!  His promises and the other things He has told us through the Scriptures aren’t to fill us with questions or concerns, they are to fill us with hope and joy!  “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy.  Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 16:11).  No matter what you are facing this Christmas…or into the coming year, know this…Jesus is HERE.  He longs for your presence.  He awaits your worship.  He wants to fill you with His joy.  No matter the circumstance.

Like the wisemen, we haven’t seen Him yet!  Like the wisemen, we follow the light (of the Word) in order to guide us to Him!  Like the wisemen, one day, as believers, we will get to worship at the feet of Jesus!  Now THAT’S something to have joy about!  

Joy to the world, the Lord is HERE!

A Sweet Peace

“…Have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." – John 16:33

Fear and nerves can be powerful emotions.  They can grip our minds and make us feel edgy, tense, depressed, and sometimes even angry.  How do we push these negative emotions away?  How do we find a way to be calm?  How do we find a sweet peace?

Jesus tells us in John 14:27, “My peace I give to you.”  That simple phrase alone should cut down all fear and anxiety.  He GIVES us His peace.  We don’t have to win a contest for it.  We don’t have to take a number and He’ll get back to us.  We don’t even have to pay for it.  He just gives it to us.  If you ask me, that’s mind-blowing! 

When we need peace, we simply ask Him for it.  Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  He’s ready, waiting, and willing to take all our fears, worries, anger, and frustration and in return give us a calm and peaceful heart.  All we have to do is tell Him.  Again, mind-blowing!

I can’t tell you how many times I have called to my Jesus for peace, and time after time He has given it to me…no matter the place or the occasion.  It’s a crazy feeling because while I should be scared out of my skin, my heart instead feels calm, cool, and collected.  And just like Paul says, that TOTALLY surpasses all my understanding.  It is then I know, however, that He has heard my prayers and petitions and has given me that sweet peace I need. 

Unfortunately, trials and sorrows will find their way into our lives, Jesus said so in John 16:33; however, He promises to be there to give us His peace.  So…if you’re in a scary or frustrating situation, coming out of one, or are about to enter one, I want to leave you in this post by echoing the words of Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”

Love Through Action

“Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
– 1 John 3:18

The Mario Brothers…apparently that’s “THE” costume this year as was evidenced by the masses that showed up to Morristown’s community-wide Boo Fest extravaganza.  I think Mario & Luigi must have come through the FBC Morristown booth at least a dozen times last night…except they all looked a little different in the face!  **Side note: wasn’t that video game popular in like the ‘80s?  Crazy how fads disappear and reappear!**

Anyways…our church brought out our mobile bus to this community event and created the coolest booth I’ve seen…a slide booth!  In order to get off the bus, the kids had to slide out it!  I got to be in the bus as the kids prepared to slide out and let me tell you, 100% of the kids had huge smiles on their faces as they realized we weren’t joking…we had a real, bon-a-fide slide!  I heard this over and over, “THIS IS SO COOL!”  I never realized how many people showed up to an event like this and was so overwhelmed that we were able to outreach to that many people over a 4 hour period.  No, we didn’t preach to them, we showed love to them…love for the community, love for the families, and love for the kids.  And I think that’s where outreach starts…love.

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”  This was a quote by guest speaker (and friend) Rabbi Greg Hershberg this past Sunday when he spoke at First Baptist Morristown.  It was an original quote by Theodore Roosevelt, but the point the Rabbi was making was that in order to reach others for Christ, it is vital to build relationships with them.  This quote rang over and over in my mind last night at Boo Fest and really as I thought about outreach in general.  Jesus said in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”  Jesus isn’t just telling us to love one another; He’s commanding us to love one another which means we MUST do it.  When we love others as He loved us, we are setting an example to the lost around us that Jesus lives in us and is love thereby showing them that He loves them too! 

The lost don’t care if we have a Masters degree in Christian education.  It means nothing to the lost that we have years of evangelism experience in the church.  The lost couldn't care less about how many people attended church last weekend.  But there’s one common concept that the non-believer will understand and that is love.  The average person knows what it means to love someone or something and understands that if they are shown love and care, then they are valued and special.  I think the following scripture speaks so well to this point, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned but have not love, I gain nothing” (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).  As this verse continues, Paul goes on to describe love…that it is patient and kind, it doesn’t envy, isn’t showy, isn’t rude, rejoices in truth, that it “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things,” and finally that it never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 paraphrased). 

As we reach the lost, let’s strive to build relationships with them!  I am seeing this at our seasonal backyard Bible club as we are going to the same location, building relationships through love and care with each of the children, and seeing those relationships lead to eternal decisions…just a week ago one child came to know Jesus through our efforts.  I’ve seen that outreach through love works!  Paul was right, “Love never fails!”

We have a message…a hope…a LOVE that the world needs to hear!  Jesus told us that we are the light of the world and are to shine our light so that others “may see [our] good works and give glory to the Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  Shine your light for Him by building relationships with others through love.  Show them you care.  Show them they’re special.  Show them they’re valued not only by you but by Jesus too.  Love through action.

Living With a Servant's Heart...At Church

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. - 1 Peter 4:10

I don’t wear heels to church.  If I did, I’d fall flat on my face.  Why?  Well, if you see me at church on just about any given Sunday morning, you probably see me running.  No, I’m not trying to run away from you – I’m more than likely trying to quickly get something done or track someone down before one of our three services begin.  Fifteen minutes between services may seem like plenty of time, but trust me, it’s not.  Heels would only slow me down…I need a good pair of dressed-up running shoes! :)

At church on Sunday, while one of our dear media volunteers was running screens during a service, I had a rare chance to sit and reflect.  As I reflected on preparing for and executing the day’s events, I was reminded of all the saints around the world who do the very same thing week in and week out.  I think about people I know who are working in church plants around the United States or friends who are ministering in bigger churches within their community.  My mind immediately jumps to my sweet heart-church, Clearwater Bay International Baptist (CBIBC) in Hong Kong, and my many friends there who serve the Lord in so many different capacities. 

When I recall CBIBC, I remember that this was the first place where I was able to serve in a church.  Growing up in a missions-minded household definitely influenced me in living with a servant’s heart, but CBIBC was where I first was able to live with a servant’s heart at church.  I smile when I think about my little job…but to me at the time it was huge. :)  As an 11 year old, I was the Sunday School attendance collector.  Each Sunday, I compiled everyone’s Sunday School number and turned it in to the pastor after church.  This church grew within me the passion of serving my church – wherever “my” church may be. 

My sweet heart-church, Clearwater Bay International Baptist Church (1999).  I'm in the middle of this picture.

1 Peter 4:10 says that we “should use whatever gift [we] have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”  As believers, God has given us great gifts and talents that we should use to serve others.  Whether it be singing or teaching or running computers or preparing food, we must be good stewards of what the Father has blessed us with. 

What is a good steward?  It is a person who manages or looks after something.  God didn't give us gifts and talents to just to lay dormant in our hearts.  He wants us to use them!  It's by His grace that He has bestowed these gifts and as managers of them we should use them.  I also want to add that I think being a good steward of gifts and talents also means constantly striving to put forth our best effort and ability as we use them.  This comes through practice and/or experience.  The greatest singers don't perform without practice and a sound check.  Their voices just aren't warmed up enough to sound good.  It's the same with us.  Through practice we gain experience and continue to build our talent to become the best it can be. 

A terrific place to use your gifts and talents is at church.  I am SO thankful I discovered this at a young age, I can’t imagine my life now without serving in and being involved in the church.  There are so many avenues in the church in which to serve – teaching (adults, students, kids, even babies), music (choir, orchestra), media (video, audio, screens), cooking (dinners, special events), construction (mission projects), and SO MUCH more!  The church gives you a place to use your gifts and talents, be a good steward of them by gaining experience, and also glorify God in the process!

And glorifying God is what it’s all about!  The Scripture I quoted above goes on to say, “If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11).  Our gifts, our talents, our time, our service…we should use and do all of this to honor the One who gave them…and our very salvation…to us!  It is God, through Christ, who deserves the credit and admiration.  As our Creator, He gave us our gifts.  As our Provider, He provided us the talent.  As our Father, He desires to see us use those gifts and talents.  And as our King, He deserves the recognition and glory for every single ounce of it!  

I’m blessed beyond measure to serve my King.  I’m blessed beyond measure to live each day with a servant’s heart.  I’m blessed beyond measure that I was given that small little job as an 11 year old kid that has blossomed into leadership positions at my current church.  God has given me so much and I pray that I can use my life to give it all back to Him.  

The Battle's Not Yours

“We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” 
- 2 Chronicles 32:8

A battle isn’t something that only soldiers or people in a war come across and face head-on.  Battles challenge each one of us every day and can come from many different sources.  Maybe they are minuscule battles like getting your car to start, prying off your fighting kids from each other, or trying to get somewhere on time.  Maybe they are huge and quite trying battles like grieving over the loss of a loved one, getting an upsetting medical diagnosis, or wondering how you are going to make ends meet.  Whatever the battle might be…it’s something you are fighting or struggling against that is making you just about lose your mind. 

Battles, like the ones mentioned above, occur all throughout the Bible (okay, not so much the car not starting….maybe we could replace the word “car” with “camel”).  However, a battle I want to focus on for just a minute did have to do with an actual “soldier to soldier” battle.  Back in 1 Samuel, the Israelites were terrified …with a capital “T.”  They were facing an enormous battle with a huge…and I mean HUGE…army called the Philistines.  Extra emphasis is placed on the word HUGE because the Philistines had a warrior who was 9 feet tall.  This warrior’s name was Goliath and he was pretty adamant that he and his army were going to defeat and slay the Israelites.  How in the world could the Israelites win this battle? 

Well, we all know what happens next.  A small, shepherd boy named David came, told King Saul that he would fight Goliath, and lo and behold he did, and WON…with one small stone nonetheless!  I absolutely love David’s words to Goliath before he defeated him and the Philistine army.   David said, “The battle belongs to the Lord, and He will help us defeat all of you” (1 Samuel 17:47).  Further on in the Bible there are even more instances of individuals facing harrowing battles but being reminded that they don’t have to face them alone.

At first you might think…“It’s impossible for God to take my battle and defeat it.  He’s not here; He can’t physically/emotionally/tangibly fight my battle.”  May I remind you of Luke 1:37?  “For nothing is impossible with God.”  He will fight for us…we just have to be trusting and ever faithful in His Love, His Word, and His promises.  This involves us giving up control of our lives and letting God take control, which as humans can be hard to do.  But how relieving is it to know that no matter what battles we face, we can give them to the Lord?!  He lets us cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7), promises to never leave or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6), and makes a way where there seems to be no way (Isaiah 43:19).  Sickness…loss…heartache and even that pesky car that won’t start – God’s in control and He will help us if we call on Him. 

So next time you’re standing in the battlefield feeling like you’re going to be defeated, just remember you have a Heavenly Father who’s there – ready, willing and able to take over and fight it for you.  2 Chronicles 20:15 says it well, “This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid!  Don’t be discouraged…for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

Keep Calm and Don't Quit

“…Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 1:6

Worry.  Dread.  Frustration.  Obstacles at EVERY. SINGLE. TURN.  We’ve all been there.  These feelings many times lead to giving up and quitting whatever is the source of these emotions.  Many times throwing in the towel seems SO much more appealing than having worry/dread/fear/frustration and the like consuming your every thought.

Oh, I’ve been there too.  There have been times I was not happy about certain situations and thought the easiest and seemingly worry-free solution would be to just quit and do something else – surely that would bring some peace to my chaos.  It doesn’t though.  Things may slow down, but other negative feelings seem to pop up – disappointment, regret, and sometimes even more unhappiness.  Disappointment that I didn’t accomplish something.  Regret that I gave up too soon.  Unhappy that I let someone down. 

Time after time we hear teachers or leaders tell us, “Don’t quit!  Persevere!  You can do it!”  Those phrases seem so cliché, but they are so true.  When we listen to encouragement and advice during our times of wanting to give up, this support can take a hard situation and help us see it from a different angle.  It can come from parents, teachers, church leaders, others who have been through those same situations, and also through prayer.

I can’t think of a better encouragement, however, than the Bible.  It’s His Word to us!  There are so many ways in which the Bible can encourage us in life…especially in the instance of not giving up.  Look at how The Message paraphrases Psalm 119:1-6: “You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God. You're blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him. That's right - you don't go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set. You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it. Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; Then I'd never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.” 

What would’ve happened if Noah had given up on building the ark?  Well…there would definitely be no zoos, that’s for sure.  What would’ve happened if David had stopped running from Saul in the wilderness?  He wouldn’t have been king of Israel because Saul probably would've killed him.  What if Paul had quit going on his missionary journeys after all the troubles endured?  He wouldn’t have reached thousands for Christ.  We will endure hardship and frustration in this life, but God has a plan for us and will use us for His glory...we must trust Him in that and not give up!  Paul has great encouragement for us.  Look at Romans 5:3-4, "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."  I also love what he says in Philippians 1:6, “[Be] confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”  Paul is telling us, “Don’t QUIT!  Jesus, the Guide of your life, is doing a great work and He will complete it! Stay the course.  Don’t give up!” 

I recently posted part of the following poem on Facebook, but I wanted to take this blog post to show the poem in its entirety.  It’s not a Christian poem, but I think it combined with the scripture I have shown above both speak to the same message…don’t quit, even when it’s hard.  In middle school, my science teacher asked us to memorize this particular poem.  He was a cross country coach, and to be honest, in 7^th grade, I thought that’s what the poem had to do with (no I was not in cross country).  When I got to high school, I happened to have this same teacher again, and again, he asked us to memorize this poem.  By this time in my life, however, I understood that it was much more than a poem for cross country runners….it was a poem that anyone could relate to…a poem that speaks to perseverance and not giving up in the tough times of life.  It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen this poem in its entirety and I couldn’t recite it to you word-for-word, but I’ve never forgotten the message of it…even after all these years…. “don’t you quit.”

Don’t Quit

by Anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit

Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and its turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When they might have won, had they stuck it out.

Don't give up though the pace seems slow,

You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than, 

It seems to a faint and faltering man,

Often the struggler has given up

When he might have captured the victor's cup;

And he learned too late when the night came down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems so far;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit,

It's when things seem worst that you must not quit!

Our Future Depends on Us

“Your children shall be taught by the Lord.” – Isaiah 54:13 

Last night my church’s brand-new, state-of-the-art, almost completed Children’s Building was dedicated to the Lord.  Sweet kids sang “How Great is Our God”, our senior pastor and children’s pastor thanked those who were a part of this endeavor, and we prayed over this building that it would be a tool to bring thousands of children to a saving knowledge of Christ in the coming years.

In preparing print and screen media for the dedication service, I enjoyed seeing the rich legacy of the children’s ministry at First Baptist Church Morristown.  Our church historian found a photo from 1926 of what appears to be the very first children’s Sunday School class of our church.  He also found a lot of photos from other eras in time…all related to the children’s ministry (see the photo at the end of this post for a collage of pictures I put together for the program).  From Sunday School to Vacation Bible School to GA’s/RA’s to AWANA to so many other children’s activities and events…our church has had a century-long, deep-rooted desire to educate children in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Now that desire has developed into a beautiful building that today’s children and future children will come to enjoy from now until eternity.

My church’s former pastor, and the Tennessee Baptist Convention’s current executive director, Dr. Randy Davis, spoke a few words and prayed the dedication prayer over the building.  Something he said last night was especially poignant to me.  He said about our Children’s Building: 

It may be the most important strategic decision you’ve made as far as buildings go for the last 50 years.  The reason being is this: for the young adults that were born between 1980 to 2000, only 15% have come to known Jesus as Lord and Savior in the United States...the smallest since our founding.  And the projection is this: if our trends are an indication, only 1 out of every 10 of the children born and living right now under the age of 13 in the US will come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 

Am I shocked at those numbers?  A resounding, YES!  Am I surprised at those numbers?  Sadly, no.  How can more children come to a saving knowledge of Jesus when they live in a world that values trash over dignity?  How can children know the sweet name of Jesus when all they’ve ever heard is His name associated with a curse word?  How can kids know that Christ changes your life when they see their celebrity role-models who say they are “Christians” behave immorally?  I’m not making any of these scenarios up.  These are things that today’s generation live with EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.  And not to be a “Debbie-downer,” but it’s only going to get worse…read 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

These examples combined with Bro. Randy’s statistics PROVE that it is imperative to spiritually educate our children in the knowledge of Christ!  How can they fight this world that so desperately tries to get them to join in on the filth?  With the strength and power of Jesus!  How can they show their friends that Jesus is love and not a curse word?  By knowing who He is!  How can they prove to others that being a Christian involves a life change?  By growing in their walk with Him!!!  Proverbs tells us well, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). 

Praise God that He has bestowed upon First Baptist Morristown the gift of this Children’s Building.  You know, it’s more than a building…it’s a weapon against Satan and all that is evil and a training ground for future soldiers of the Cross.  It won’t be just the building’s job to educate those children, however, it will be the job of committed and dedicated workers who train these children…from babies to sixth graders…in the Truth of Jesus.  May we as workers NEVER take that lightly. 

Isaiah speaks so eloquently, when he says, “your children shall be taught by the Lord” (Isaiah 54:13).  Over time, in my church and really any and all other churches children’s ministries, there has always been one constant – the Father.  It is He, through His Spirit, who taught and continues to teach children about Himself.  As “grown-ups” we are His willing vessels as He uses us to speak His truth to countless numbers of children.  The Lord teaches His children because He desires to have a relationship with them.  It is He who wants them to learn to trust Him in all circumstances.  It is the Lord who wants them to spend eternity in heaven with Him.

Let me stop for a minute and say…I’m not just speaking to FBC Morristown folks...these words are meant for every single church-going person.  You don’t have to have a fancy children’s building…you can have a children’s ministry room and these words still apply.  Globally…children are aching to find something to fill their emptiness.  Some turn to music, some to celebrities, others to video games and sadly the list goes on and on and on.  Let’s help them turn to Jesus. 

Hopefully within the next month or so, we will be able to move into the children’s building and begin using this tool to reach the children in our area.  I can’t wait to see how God uses this building to glorify Him.  We have a big job and the task seems quite daunting, especially when you see what our kids are faced with on a daily basis.  But “greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).  If you’ve never been involved in anything children’s ministry related, I pray that you will consider doing so…whether it be through VBS, Sunday School, Wednesday night program, choir, or anything else that your church does to tell kids about Jesus.  Why?  Because our future depends on us.

FBC Morristown's rich history of children's ministry....from 1926 to present day.

A Word to the Young...

“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” – 1 Timothy 4:12

“Young” is a relative term and means different “ages” in different situations.  However, at 26, and compared to those I work with/interact with/talk to, I consider myself young…well and the fact that “young” is my last name, ha ha.  Many times, and throughout my own life, we come across situations and experiences that we are deemed “too young” to take part.  “Too young”…those are hard words to hear, especially when it’s something that you would like to do/want to have experience in doing and know you would be good at and enjoy.

Obviously for situations like riding a rollercoaster or driving a car, individuals are too young for safety reasons.  Conversely, for situations like teaching a class or speaking in front of a group of older individuals, young people are less likely to have these opportunities because they may not have the wisdom or knowledge to do these things.  As I’m not a daredevil, my “too young” experiences have been in this second example that I have just presented. 

I definitely agree with the rationale that I don’t have as much knowledge or experience as someone who is older.  A 26 year old hasn’t experienced life like a 56 year old.  However, knowing who I am, what I’ve done in my “young” life, what I like to do, and what I’m good at, I know that I have the potential to do a great job and learn a lot about myself if I had the opportunity and experience of being able to take part in a particular event/class/situation.

“Young” people, let me speak to you first. 

1 Timothy is Paul’s letter to a pastor named Timothy.  He was considered a youngster compared to others in his community/area and we know this because of how Paul encourages him in 1 Timothy 4:12.  Paul says to Timothy, “Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”  Basically Paul is saying, “I know people are telling you that you can’t do this and you can’t do that, but don’t listen to them.  You know your heart; you know you’re following God’s Will.  Show others that this is what God’s designed you to do and show them by how you live your life.”  There are a good number of other examples from the Bible about individuals who made a Godly difference when they were young…Joseph, Samuel, a young David, Jeremiah, Josiah, Esther, and the apostle John…just to name a few.  Young men and women who lived Godly lives and went on to accomplish great things for God…many during their “younger” years.

Young person (and I'm speaking to myself too)…we know in our hearts and through much prayer and guidance from the Father and those who we trust (a parent or mentor) that God has destined us to be involved in certain areas that mean something special to us.  Sometimes it may be hard for those outside our realm of closeness to realize that we indeed would be a great asset or addition to their particular ministry or area because they feel that we may be too young to be successful at it.  Paul, however, offers us some help!  Set an example.  Set an example in the way you act, speak, live, behave, move, decide, walk…I think you know where I’m going.  As young people, we have to prove ourselves…but not boastfully or sarcastically, rather through living as Christ.  We may have to do grunt work or things that we don’t necessarily want to do, but by doing these things in a timely manner and with a positive attitude, it shows others that we have what it takes to be a great asset to their team.

Living a Christ-like life shows maturity beyond your years and can really intrigue those who may be skeptical.  I love what God told the young prophet Jeremiah because it shows us that God has indeed called us as young people to do what He has designed us to do.  God says, “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).  God designed you for a purpose.  Don’t let age stop you from fulfilling it.

“Seasoned” individuals, I have a word for you too!

Be willing to take a chance on us young folks.  Yes, we’re still learning the ropes of life, but we have a lot to offer the world.  We have energy, excitement, and lots of enthusiasm… especially about something we are passionate about.  We can be great advocates and supporters.  We may make a few mistakes along the way, but we will learn from them and know never to make that same mistake again.  We can even inspire our peers and even those younger to be involved in your particular area or ministry thereby increasing your workforce!

I wouldn’t be as involved in children’s ministry today if it wasn’t for an amazing mentor from Alabama who took a chance on a “misfit-middle-schooler” and let me become involved in children’s church on Sundays showing me that I have a love for teaching kids the Truth.  I wouldn’t have the media responsibilities at church today if it wasn’t for two dear ladies who taught me how to use the TV graphics equipment in our church media room, thereby inspiring me to become involved in all things media ministry.  All of these individuals took a chance on me and singled out gifts I never knew I had.  I’m forever grateful for that. 

Jesus said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the children [young people] come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.”  We are the next generation…teach us, inspire us, encourage us, and mold us into workers for the Kingdom so that we can do the same for those that come after us.

I absolutely love it when the young AND old can come together and serve God in unity.  As believers, we are brothers and sisters in Christ and we have a lot of gifts, experience, and knowledge to offer each other.  Our age should never be a factor in teaching, serving, reaching, or going.  God’s called us all…young and old…to great things, we just have to be ready and willing to do what He’s called us to do.  Take a chance, step out on faith, live as Christ, and be amazed at the journey on which God takes you!

Creating On-Mission Kids

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.” – Matthew 28:19-20

Recently I saw a poll on the International Mission Board’s Commission Stories website (www.commissionstories.com) that said “at what age were you first exposed to ‘missions’?”  As of this writing, 62 people had answered.  The age at which most people said they were first exposed to missions was preschool (0-5) age!  The next highest was children (6-12).  The lowest was college age.   Granted 99.9% of people who answered this poll were Southern Baptist (and probably exposed to missions at birth...ha ha) …but still, it was SO encouraging for me to see that most people were exposed to missions as a young child!

I was one of the responders to the preschool-age choice of this poll as I vividly remember going on mission trips and being in the preschool church program “Mission Friends” as a preschooler.  Before I started school, I went on so many mission trips with my parents and got to be a part telling others about Jesus – even as a little kid.  My parents had a background in missions so they believed strongly in making sure me and my sisters knew about and experienced missions as children.  Most of you know we were missionaries for two years in Hong Kong ('97-'99) as a result of their deep love for missions.  I’m so grateful for their passion in being on-mission for Christ and educating us as children because it has resonated so strongly in my heart as far as being on-mission and also helping children become educated in missions.  

My sweet on-mission family during our mission time in Hong Kong

Also while on the Commission Stories website, I found an article entitled “Families on Mission: A Guide for Every Stage of Parenting” which contained suggestions for families …and really anyone that works with children…to keep missions at the forefront of your family and children’s heart.  I absolutely loved the fact that the article was divided into the different stages of childhood because it allows parents and teachers to see what learning styles/activities work best for that age group. 

I did not come up with any of these ideas…they are solely the work of the author of the article and you can read this article in its entirety here…Families on Mission.  However, I wanted to share with you briefly, the different points the author brought up as well as some of my thoughts… ‘cause you know I can’t write a blog and not have any opinions… ha ha!

Preschool-Age

1. “Talk about missions.”  Preschoolers are such sponges for information.  This is the time of life where they are learning SO many new things…why not let missions/missionaries be one of those new things that they are learning?!  Adding to that…as you talk about missions, remember that a picture is worth a thousand words…especially to preschoolers.  They are observing the world around them, most especially visually, so show them pictures of missions and missionaries so they aren’t just hearing about missions, but they are seeing it too!
   
2. “Invite Internationals to family time.”  Church workers, you can also invite Internationals to your class time.  Preschoolers are very curious people and they LOVE to ask questions!  As preschoolers meet new people and learn about new cultures, they may be able to better understand what a missionary does and where they go.  Encourage your international friend to bring objects or food from their country/culture.  Visual/tangible items resonate strongly with kids…especially preschoolers.
   
3. “Collect money for missions.”  This is the #1 answer I get from kids when I ask “what can we do to help missionaries?”  Children know that money is needed to get something and so they have a frame of reference to understand that missionaries can’t get things or do things without having money to help them.  I love what the author said about setting a goal, keeping track of it, and celebrating when the goal is reached.  Allow your kids to see what the results of their collection efforts will be.  If you are collecting for a specific project, show them pictures or video of what their money has funded.  If you have collected money for a missionary, see if the missionary can write a letter, call, or Skype you.  Help children see that what they are doing is having an impact.

**One thing that the author didn’t mention, that I think is very important, is to make sure preschoolers understand that missions is something that Jesus has asked us to do.  Put the Great Commission and Acts 1:8 into language that preschoolers can understand and help them realize that we don’t do missions just because we want to…we do it because Jesus asks us to “love our neighbor” and tell our neighbors about Him.

School-Age

1. “Collect supplies.”  In the article, the author offered a specific project for which to collect supplies – the Baptist Global Response’s Bucket Project.  The Bucket Project is a great project to be a part of, but there are also many other great projects that children can collect supplies for, such as, Operation Christmas Child, your local food pantry, care packages for missionaries, etc.  Allow your child to have the opportunity to collect these supplies – let them make the decisions (with your guidance) on what kinds of items to collect for others around the world.  By allowing them to make part of the decision, they are able to see that they have made a personal investment in something/someone else.  Church leaders, maybe you can make your collection a competition.  At my church, we like to have collection competitions between the boys and the girls.  The kids get really into the competition and in turn we are able to help a lot more people because we have a lot more items.
   
2. “Adopt a People Day.”  I know a lot of school-age kids that love to find out cool facts about people, places, and things.  Help your kids find interesting books or websites about different cultures or countries so that they can read about and see what is going on in different parts of the world.  The IMB has a couple of great missions websites for kids…visit “Kids on Mission” and “The Caravan.”  The Joshua Project website has information on how reached or unreached various countries are around the world.  I encourage you to visit these websites with your kids so that they can find out for themselves about different parts of the world and missions work there.  When I was 11, I made a scrapbook about Hong Kong…granted, I lived there…but still, it was an opportunity for me to discover more about this unfamiliar country as my family was living “on-mission” there.
   
3. “Take a family mission trip.”  This doesn’t have to be a 15 hour mission trip to another country…it can simply be taking a trip across town to the soup kitchen to help feed the hungry.  The important part is to let your kids EXPERIENCE missions!  I can’t put into words the value that experiencing missions has on a child.  All I know is that I wouldn’t be the person I am today without the experience of missions.  If you have the opportunity to take your family on a mission trip out of town or out of the country – DO IT!  Your kids will NEVER forget it and the things they see and do will make a lasting impact on them.  Experiencing missions is when it becomes REAL to them.

 **Something else to mention here…introduce school-age kids to not only historical missionaries, like Lottie Moon/Adoniram Judson, but also introduce this age group to missionaries in the Bible like Paul, Barnabas, John Mark, and others.  Help them realize that Jesus didn’t just ask today’s generation to be missionaries…His words were also meant for those that lived during the Bible times. 

Teens

1. “’Give it up’ for global hunger.”  Really what I think the author of the article is saying here is to help your teen realize that missions is a sacrifice.  Give up a night at the movies and spend that extra time doing something for missions or make a low-cost meal out of items that someone in a third world country might have and give that extra money you have to missions.  Teenagers are at a time in their life where they understand that it can be difficult to do without something.  Helping them realize that so many in the world don’t have the luxuries we do in America opens their eyes to appreciate the world and people around them.
   
   
2. “Be a World Changer.”  World Changers is a great organization that teens can be a part of as they aim to change the world for the sake of Christ.  It’s an opportunity for teens to experience missions in a peer-team setting.  Teens don’t just have to go through World Changers, though.  Encourage your teen to go on a mission trip with their youth group or your church.  The IMB Students website, theTask.org has great opportunities too.  Again, missions never becomes more real until you experience it!

 **If at all possible, allow your teen to get to know (Skype, Facebook messaging, personal visit) a current missionary and/or missionary kid.  Whether the missionary be on Stateside assignment or on the field, a personal interaction can help spur the interest of a teen to get involved in not only praying for this missionary, but desiring to help them and others as well.

-------

One thing that ALL age groups…preschoolers to adults…can do for missions is to PRAY.  Your prayers to the Father on behalf of missionaries and missions work mean more than you’ll ever know.  The hardest hearts and most impossible situations can change in an instant when ALL of God’s children come to Him in prayer.  Make sure your children always know that “where two or three are gathered in [His] name, [He] is there” (Matthew 18:20). 

Mission-minded children lead to mission-minded adults and in this world that is ever-so changing and where so many have never heard the name of Jesus, having mission-minded adults is something that is GREATLY important.  What better way to live with a servant heart than to be mission-minded?!  I pray that our future generation will live with a servant heart, be on fire for Jesus and have a desire to help others come to know Him either through missions involvement or as full-time missionaries themselves.

Source: "Families on Mission" by Susie Rain, July 21, 2013, http://www.commissionstories.com/asia/interactives/view/families-on-mission-a-guide-for-every-stage-of-parenting#teens