Day 30 — September 20, 2018 So, here we are, church family.  Day 30. The Equipping and Commissioning weekend is here!  We pray that your heart has been touched, as we have joined together in this reading. And that the Lord is speaking to you, as together we embark on this journey together.  He has given each of us a special gift and opportunities to use them in serving others and to bring Him glory.  […]

Camp Miracles Day 29 — September 19, 2018 By Missy Smith I am blessed with a job where I can clearly see the true benefits of those who give of their time, talents and tithes to serve within the church. In particular, I am able to see this when people give of their finances to help children that would otherwise not have the opportunity, get to go and experience camp. Often times children that have […]

The Significant Triangle Day 28 — September 18, 2018 By Katie Graves My son loves music. Whether he’s singing in the car, playing the guitar on the sofa, playing the drums in the band at school or praise team at church… he’s always loved it. Percussion was his first love.  Quints, snare, trash cans, bells, triangle, box drum, tympani, countertops, his legs, dashboard in the car.  If you can beat it, he’s probably played it. One Easter, […]

I Know Who I Know Day 27 — September 17, 2018 By Tony Tench “I know who I know,” said our little friend and first grade son of our Minister of Students. That was his response to his aunt Donna as she was following him up the bleacher stairs at a college football game. On the way to their seat, Lavery stopped at the end of one of the rows and reached into the bag […]

Sharing God’s Promises Day 26 — September 16, 2018 By Dorothy Young One of my favorite Bible verses is one that was passed on to me by a close friend and neighbor.  Many of you may remember her:  Judy Francis.  We were neighbors for almost ten years.  Our children played together; Judy and I enjoyed crafting and painting while our husbands enjoyed talking around the potbelly stove in Ray’s woodworking shop.  It was a great […]

Come On You Fellow Exhorters Day 25 — September 15, 2018 By Reggie Ledford As a disciple of Jesus, investigating and applying your spiritual gifting is a critical and exhilarating part of any person’s spiritual journey. Soon after becoming a member of First Baptist, Shelby, I was able to join in a Masterlife course led by Reverend Billy Cooper, the Minister of Education at that time. MasterLife is a developmental, small-group discipleship process that will […]

Mary and Martha Day 24 — September 14, 2018 By Jennifer Jennings The familiar story of Mary and Martha is one of my favorite stories in the Gospels. However, I think too often, we are quick to say in this story that Mary or Martha is the “bad” guy, when in reality that’s not the story. There is no bad guy. Mary and Martha are both doing their part. In the first century, the early […]

Trusting the Father Day 23 — September 13, 2018 By Guy Suttle I had an upcoming medical test coming up and I was scared of what the results might be… I was praying and reading the Gospel of John. The Gospel of John has a calming effect on me. I had been reading here for several days in addition to my daily prayers and other reading of God’s word. Early one morning, I was awoken […]

Free Gift Day 22 — September 12, 2018 By Rebecca Sisk Let’s be honest. We have all probably jumped through a hoop or two at some point to get a free gift. Early in our marriage I made my husband sit through a two-hour time-share sales pitch in Gatlinburg to get two free tickets to Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede show. (The show was fabulous, by the way!) I have hosted multiple shows in my home […]

Just Say YES Day 21 — September 11, 2018 By Doug Sharp When Norma and I were asked to start a Young Married Class at First Baptist Church in Rockville, MD, we gave the usual excuses and reasons why someone else should do this.  Such as, “we don’t know anybody“,  “we have never worked with that age group before“, “we’re busy“, “I travel a lot“, “we’re too old”, (or maybe it was “we’re too young“) […]