August Recap

• Birds of the Bible - Dove's Dung ~ Lee Dusing writes about 2 Kings 6:25:  "And there was a great famine in Samaria, as they besieged it, until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five shekels of silver." (2Ki 6:25)
      
• What Makes You Mourn? ~ Stephen Simpson provided the next post in his series through The Beatitudes and writes "One who genuinely mourns over sin will be divinely comforted."
     

• Ten Thoughts from Music Camp 2011 ~ Stephen shares some observations about this year's Music Camp production of Esther-Ordinary Faith.
     
• What Defines an Awesome Big Brother? ~ Stephen writes, "Not everyone has an older brother. I do. I thank God for him."
     
• 30 Thoughts on Turning 30 ~ Turning 30 years old is a significant event.  Stephen shares some thoughts, regrets, and hopes for the future.
     
• Planned Parenthood, Gospel Generosity, & 9 Lessons to Learn ~ This edition of Headlines pointed us to new facts about Planned Parenthood, an excellent article about Gospel Generosity, and 9 lessons from God that we can learn when we are sick.
     
• Farewell Reception Held for Johnie Osborne ~ On Sunday, August 14th, FBC said farewell to Johnie Osborne, as she moved to Pennsylvania.
    
• Tribute to Pastor Bobby Thompson (part 1 and part 2) ~ On July 24, FBC held a special service to honor Pastor Bobby for his service as Youth Pastor.  You can read the tributes from that service in this two-part post.
     
• What is Cross Training? ~ Read the first post in a four-part series about our youth discipleship program.
    
• The Climax of Cross Training - A Missions Trip ~ This second post in our Cross Training Series looks at the mission trip that Caleb Padgett and Dean Corbett took to help the Totmans in Niger.
      
• A Missionary Responds to Cross Training ~ In this third post in our Cross Training Series, Dave Totman shares some personal observations about the Cross Training program.
    

Previous Monthly Recaps:

• July
• June
• May
• April

A Missionary Responds to Cross Training

(Anora, Trey, Ereina, Zoe, & Dave Totman)

Hopefully, by now, you have read about Cross Training and also about Dean Corbett and Caleb Padgett's recent Mission Trip.  Dean and Caleb went to help Faith's 100 Missionaries Dave & Anora Totman.  They serve at Sahel Academy in Niger, West Africa.  Today, we are going to share some of Dave's thoughts regarding the Cross Training program.

First of all, Dave, tell us a little about what Dean and Caleb were able to accomplish during their trip.

Dean and Caleb were incredible helps to us during their stay in Niger. We tackled a huge list of projects at Sahel Academy (the international school where we serve), and they pitched in without complaining each and every day.

We are in the process of moving the school’s shop/maintenance area to a new part of campus, we are building a new administration and classroom building, and we are trying to upgrade the school’s security infrastructure. Dean and Caleb were able to help with parts of all of these projects (They helped move and sort shop equipment; they helped install new electrical, communication and water lines; they helped install outlets; they mowed lawns; they helped install security lights and speed bumps.). They also were able to help with installing cabinets at another building project on the other side of Niamey (with Chris & Diane Marine).

The thing that impressed me the most was their quick response to any request I had. “Would you be willing to carry this 300 pound light pole over there?” The response to any request such as this was always, “Anyway we can help you!” They were exactly that—great helps! Thank you for sending them; they were a fantastic testimony to their families, Faith Baptist, and to our God!

When were you first contacted about Dean and Caleb coming for a mission trip?

Pastor Bobby first wrote me about Dean and Caleb visiting on Feb. 28, 2011.

What is your opinion of the Cross-Training program?

It was a huge blessing to have the guys here. They couldn’t have expressed better work ethics or servant’s hearts. I don’t know how much of that was Pastor Bobby or Cross-Training or good parenting, but they were appreciated.

What do you see as the benefits of the Cross-Training program?

I think a longer-term discipleship program such as Cross-Training has many benefits. Discipleship takes time and takes rubbing shoulders in a variety of circumstances. So, a major benefit to a program like this is Pastor Bobby having the opportunity to spend time with his disciples over several years. Another benefit is taking a longer missions trip such as the one Caleb and Dean took to Niger. That is a different look at missions than a 5 day trip. Shorter trips have benefits too, but they had an opportunity to see a variety of things and process the cross-cultural experience over a longer period of time. I think that in and of itself has a lot of rewards.

Learn more about the Totmans at their website http://totmansinafrica.wordpress.com/.

Related Posts:

• What is Cross Training?
• The Climax of Cross Training – A Missions Trip
• A Missionary Responds to Cross Training
• What is the Future of Cross Training?

The Climax of Cross Training - A Missions Trip

(Caleb, Dave Totman, & Dean)

When you learned that FBC was going to help pay for Caleb Padgett and Dean Corbett to go to Niger on a missions trip, it may have sounded like a relatively short event—a few months to raise money, get passports, be inoculated, and make plans, followed by three weeks on the ground in Niamey. But the reality is, Caleb and Dean’s missions trip was three years in the making.

Dean and Caleb probably would never have gone to Niger—at least not as a two-man team—if it hadn’t been for the Cross Training program. Cross Training is a three-year program with the goal of providing “the training, tools, and encouragement necessary for teens to ground themselves in Bible doctrine and practice.”  Learn more about Cross Training in Monday's post.

Read below as Dean & Caleb share their thoughts on their trip to Niger.

Dean Corbett:

We spent 25 days in Niger. We chose to go to the Totmans because they are fully supported by our church. I remember being only seven or eight years old and praying for them every night. The gradual history made the missions trip even more fulfilling. Before the missions trip, the Totmans were good acquaintances; now, after the trip, I would call the Totmans good friends. We spent a lot of time getting to know their family.

(the new administration building)

 We spent the trip helping Pastor Dave with his day-to-day tasks. During the school year, his main ministry is the students at Sahel Academy. He is their youth pastor. However, the students are gone during the summer, so Pastor Dave works on a variety of maintenance projects, as well as administrative and security duties. On the trip we helped put a roof on the new administration building and install speed bumps and light poles.

(working on the speed bumps)

For me, the highlight of the trip was getting to know the Totmans. Mrs Anora was very hospitable. I enjoyed the opportunity to see what they do every day.

The worst thing about the trip was when I got sick. About a week into the trip, it looked like I had the symptoms of malaria (weakness, fever, nausea, and aching), but it turned out that I had some sort of virus instead. It went away after a couple of days, but the worst part was being unsure of the future and whether I would be healed.

God taught me a real respect for the Totmans and other missionaries in third-world countries. He also gave me compassion for the people who live in Niger. I believe that they generally relate to the gospel better than Americans because their lives are much like that of Jesus and the disciples. The women draw water out of a community well, and everyone needs to wash their feet because they don't wear shoes and the road is of dirt.

I realized about two days into our trip that our main ministry was helping the Totmans, but if that was the only goal of the trip, they could have gotten local labor much cheaper than our plane tickets, room, and board. We came to Niger to be more than expensive labor. We came to Niger to get to know the Totmans and to invite God to change our hearts and minds.

Caleb Padgett:

We had quite a few choices of where to go on the missions trip. Niger is one place we hadn’t been, so we decided to go there and see what it’s like. Plus we all knew Dave and Anora [12–13 years, in Caleb’s case], so it would be nice to see them and to see what it is like for them out there. They’re a good family and a lot of fun.

Getting a feel for what missions life is like, especially in a third-world country, is a very incredible thing. It grips your heart. After being there a while, you’re like, “I know these people. They’ve been my family for the last couple weeks. I don’t want to leave.” For me, the trip was a great opportunity to get a feel for what God could have me do in my life—to be able to experience it, hand-on-hand, and being able to see it and the stuff the missionaries live through and all that. I’m really glad I got to go.

The highlight of the trip was going in the bush with a couple of other missionaries. We went to a Gourma village [from the Gourmantche people group, who live in southeastern Niger]. It took about an hour and a half to two hours to get there; we were really far out. These missionaries have gotten through to the villagers by using their language. It took one missionary about 13 years to learn the language completely. He’s been out there close to 20 years. The missionaries taught on baptism that Tuesday because the people were asking about it. It was cool to see that happening. Another highlight was how the Nigerians worship; it’s a lot different from over here. Their worship is very joyful. They don’t sit still for long. Over here, we mainly sit still. So it was definitely a new experience for me.

For me, the worse thing about the trip was seeing how the people live, compared to how we live here. Over there, there are piles of trash everywhere. And over here we have dump trucks to pick it up and take it to the dump, and their dump place is pretty much wherever they want it. They walk all over it, and it doesn’t faze them.

One thing God taught me was that I needed to open my eyes to different opportunities that I’ve been given and need to be thankful for and that I’ve taken for granted. He also taught me that I need to be humble that I was getting to do this. God really opened my eyes to missions—it’s definitely a possibility in my life. So I need to have a willing heart and be willing to say yes instead of being hesitant, to be patient, to wait on God, and be willing to let Him take me where He wants me to go.

Before the trip, I had to raise money. Realizing that the church was going to pay for my flight there and back was a good thing that I was thankful for, but having to raise that much [$800–1,000 more] was really hard.

By the end I had about $300 more I had to raise two or three weeks before we left. I was like, “I have to find a way to get this.” And God provided it. So God also taught me patience in that area—learning to wait and realizing God will provide in His own time and on the right time.

Our greatest accomplishment was probably not what we did, but just that we showed up We showed up and were there for Dave and Anora, to be an encouragement and to help out with anything they needed. We moved some pretty big stuff—a 300–500 pound speed bump that had been cut in half and one that was whole. But I think the biggest thing we did was we were there for Dave and Anora. We asked them questions about what they need. They need a maintenance man very desperately, and they need some other things.

The trip was, overall, a great experience.

Related Posts: 

• What is Cross Training?
• The Climax of Cross Training – A Missions Trip
• A Missionary Responds to Cross Training
• What is the Future of Cross Training?

What is Cross Training?

Cross Training is a three-year program with the goal of providing “the training, tools, and encouragement necessary for teens to ground themselves in Bible doctrine and practice.”

Former Youth Pastor Bobby Thompson designed the program. He says:

“I started the program because I felt like we needed some kind of measurable and systematic way for teens to take the next step in their walk with Christ. For some teens, they get that at Christian school. Others get it if they go to a Christian college. Then there’s a whole group of teens that don’t really have anything regular in their lives in which they’re learning new things and taking steps beyond what they get in Sunday School or church or youth group a couple of times a week. So this provided a sort of like a Bible class that would ground them both in systematic theology and what they know with their mind about God’s Word, and then also a practical theology—how they work out that theology in their life. So the course is broken up into those two sections.”

Pastor Bobby describes what he considers the program’s greatest strength:

“I think it is in helping the teens to see, number 1, that theology is practical. We try in every class, especially in our systematic theology classes (in three of our classes we go through a systematic theology book). As we go through each doctrine, we try to show how that doctrine is not just academic, but—okay, how does that affect our lives on a daily basis? 

We spend half the class working through that book and the other half the class. I try to bring in some that is current—whether it’s a news story, something off a Christian blog, where a particular topic is being discussed, and how it’s actually playing out in the real world at this time in history. We talk about that as well. I think that’s been good for them. And then the class sizes are pretty small, so there’s a lot of interaction. I try to encourage discussion and questions. So there’s a real intimate kind of feel with regards to the class that makes it flexible in terms of the things we talk about.”

Students can start Cross Training as early as seventh grade. Pastor Bobby designed the whole course to be three years—one course in the fall and one course in the spring—for a total of six courses. That way, if students are busy with sports activities or the like and for whatever reason cannot do the class at one particular time, they can still take a class they missed to complete the program over six years.

(Here are all the courses that are offered over the 6 year period)

During Pastor Bobby’s time with Cross Training, only two students completed the entire cycle, culminating with the missions practicum. (Several students who were upperclassmen when the program started graduated high school before the three years were up.) The two who finished were Dean Corbett and Caleb Padgett.

(Dean & Caleb at Sahel Academy in Niger)

In sharing his thoughts about Cross Training, Dean says, 

“I would encourage the teenagers at our church to join and stick with our Cross Training program for two reasons. They will become well rounded in the protestant doctrines, and they will get a myriad of opportunities such as visitation and the missions practicum of their choice.”

Caleb says,

“I would definitely encourage middle and high school students to do the Cross Training program, to do all six classes, and get that done and out of the way and then go on a missions trip paid for by the church (even if it wasn’t paid for by the church, I would recommend it). I would suggest taking it just if you want to learn more about God. If you want to dig into God’s Word and you haven’t already, try Cross Training.”

Related Posts:

• What is Cross Training? 
• The Climax of Cross Training – A Missions Trip
• A Missionary Responds to Cross Training
• What is the Future of Cross Training?

Tribute to Pastor Bobby Thompson (part 2)

(Dakota Hancock giving tribute to Pastor Bobby & Lynn Thompson)

On Sunday night July 24, 2011, FBC paid tribute and said good-bye to Bobby Thompson.  Bobby has been our youth pastor since 2006.  We thought it would be appropriate to post some of the tributes that were given during that service.   On Monday, we posted some tributes from the Church staff.  Today we post tributes from some former members of Pastor Bobby's youth group.

Dakota Hancock: 

I was privileged to have Pastor Bobby as my youth pastor from the time he came on staff here during my eighth-grade year until I graduated this past year. Sitting under his teaching and having him and Lynn as godly examples and friends has been such a blessing. Pastor Bobby always said his main goal as a youth pastor was that by the time a student graduated from high school, that if they’re consistently doing their devotions and have developed a love for God’s Word, he was successful and had done his job. Pastor Bobby is the person God has used to help me develop a love for God’s Word. He’s the one who taught me how to really study God’s Word effectively. I’m so glad for his love for God’s glory and his faithfulness in his teaching.  I’m so thankful for the Thompsons’ influence on my life.

Cody Hancock: 

I had Pastor Bobby as youth leader the upper part of high school. It was very formative. At that time I had decided that I wanted to go into full-time ministry. Pastor Bobby really helped me figure out—“If you really want to do it, then do it. But if you feel like that’s not really what you want to do, don’t joke yourself into doing something you don’t really want to do.” So we talked about it. He was always my youth pastor and always my superior, yet he always was my friend. I knew I could always come to talk to him about anything.

(During the service to honor Pastor Bobby, Cody played the role of 'Pastor Bobby.'  Jonita Barram recently interviewed Cody regarding the impact Pastor Bobby has had on his life.)

When you played him in the skit, which of his speech or behavior idiosyncrasies were you spoofing?

He does talk slow. Some of his idiosyncrasies were he always leans back in the chair. I’ve been to a couple of staff meetings, but the guys told me that he always has food. So I brought the backpack and I had Sprees, one of his favorite kinds of candies.

When I poured the candy in my mouth—Pastor Bobby will do that. He’ll get a handful of candy and then tuck it into one side of his cheek. He’ll talk to you, but he’ll be eating candy at the same time. 

He’s also on his Mac a lot. One thing I talked to Pastor about is that he [Pastor Bobby] will be in staff meeting, and Pastor will ask a question. Pastor Bobby’s on his computer, he’ll Google it, and he’ll come up with the answer really quick. And Pastor’s like, “How do you know that.” “Uh, it’s on the computer.” So when I was on the laptop, that’s like Pastor Bobby.

What do you admire most about him?

The focus of his life. His focus is on the glory of God. It says in Corinthians whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God, and that’s Pastor Bobby’s motto, his creed, for anything and everything that he does. That’s what I admire most about him.

Summarize the ongoing influence he had on your life after you graduated high school.

Once I graduated high school and went to college, I really got to transition to more of a friendship role with him. We do have a really good friendship, and I’m going to be e-mailing him and stuff when he’s gone.

Matthew DelValle: 

Pastor Bobby was my youth pastor for two years. His greatest influence on me was teaching me how to preach and teach. He did this by both example and instruction. 

I learned a lot about presenting God’s Word just by watching Pastor Bobby. I loved how he picked out key phrases in a passage and highlighted their significance. One example was his teaching on 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5. The passage reads: “For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.” 

I had read this passage many times before, but I had never noticed the significance of that last phrase, “who do not know God.” Pastor Bobby made the point that sexual immorality is the result of not knowing God; on the other hand, sexual purity is the result of knowing God. Or to say it another way: Holiness of life is directly related to my knowledge of God. The more I know God personally, the holier I will be. 

This was huge for me—not just as a teenager but also as an aspiring preacher. A preacher could talk a congregation’s ear off about sexual immorality, abstinence, holiness, the will of God, and the like, but if he never gives them a basis for how to apply the truth, he leaves them without hope. Pastor Bobby’s many examples of seeing what is significant in the text helped me grow as a preacher. 

Pastor Bobby also helped me by direct instruction. He allowed me to teach Sunday School for a week during my junior year. In the weeks leading up to my lesson, Pastor Bobby gave me materials to read, and he also sat with me and reviewed my manuscript, providing helpful feedback. Pastor Bobby also reviewed a lesson I taught for teen VBS in 2009 and my first sermon for a college evening service in 2010. To this day, I value the instruction he gave me. 

Therefore, I learned much about preaching and teaching from Pastor Bobby. I can honestly say that this was his greatest influence on me. My desire to preach and teach God’s Word is largely due to Pastor Bobby. 

One of my favorite hymns begins with these words: “How firm a foundation you saints of the Lord / Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! / What more can He say than to you He hath said / To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?” The point of that verse is to remind us that the Word of the living God is totally sufficient for our faith and obedience! 

One of the greatest blessings a teenager can have is a youth pastor who not only believes this with his head but also practices this in his ministry. I thank the Lord with all my heart: Pastor Bobby believes in the Word of God and centered his entire ministry on the Word of God. It was the foundation for everything he did. And when I say “foundation,” I don’t mean like the foundation of a house that everyone assumes is there but no one can see; that’s not how Pastor Bobby did ministry. When I say “foundation,” I mean that the Word of God permeated every aspect of Pastor Bobby’s ministry: it was in the kitchen, it was in the living room—it was everywhere! 

And here’s why I know this was true about Pastor Bobby’s ministry: Pastor Bobby knows the main point of the Bible. The Bible is about Jesus. It’s about the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. It’s about God’s glory and value, not our glory and value. 

So I know Pastor Bobby centered His ministry on the Word of God because every sermon or lesson I heard from him was ultimately about the glory of God and the gospel of God. 

Pastor Bobby kept what is central to God central to his ministry. All the planets of ministry—preaching, discipleship, missions trips, service projects—revolved around the sun of God’s glory in the gospel. God’s greatest passion was Pastor Bobby’s greatest passion—and still is. And for that, I admire him. 

The impact that Pastor Bobby has had on my life is immense. His personal friendship to me has helped me grow closer to Christ and love people more. Pastor Bobby invested in me, taught me, counseled me, and prayed for me. He gave me opportunities to teach Sunday School, preach sermons on missions trips, give devotionals, play the piano for youth group, plan games, and so much more. Pastor Bobby is most responsible for allowing me to develop the gifts God has given me and teaching me to use those gifts for God’s glory and the good of others. Through his life he has always pointed me away from himself, away from myself, away from any other created thing, and pointed me to Christ and Christ alone—and for that I am eternally grateful. I love Pastor Bobby and always thank God for him. I am glad he was my youth pastor and is also my friend.

What Impact has Pastor Bobby had on your life?  What will you remember from his years as Youth Pastor at FBC?  Share your thoughts with us below.

Tribute to Pastor Bobby Thompson (part 1)

(Isabel, Sam, Lynn, Bobby, & Sara Thompson)

On Sunday night July 24, 2011, FBC paid tribute and said good-bye to Bobby Thompson.  Bobby has been our youth pastor since 2006.  We thought it would be appropriate to post some of the tributes that were given during that service.   Today we post tributes from church staff members.  Part 2 includes tributes from some of Bobby's former youth group members.  

Pastor Osborne: 

"I look for three things when I’m looking for a staff member. The first is character. I want to know that this individual knows the Lord. I want to know that their knowledge of God has filtered down from their brain to their heart and changed the way that they think, which changes the way that they speak, which changes the way that they behave. What I found in Pastor Bobby was a man who is honest, a man who is loyal, a man who is faithful, a man who loves his God, a man who loves his wife, and a man who loves his children. That’s what I found—a man of character, and I loved him for it. 

The second thing I look for is competence. I want to know that what he is asked to do he can do and that he can do it well. What I asked Pastor Bobby to do is one of the most difficult things to do in ministry. When you deal with people’s children or with their money, you’re never going to get it right. And that’s what I asked him to do—deal with people’s children, their teenagers. 

It is a unique type of person that can identify with junior high and senior high kids, keep their sanity, teach them God’s Word, and deal with their parents. And Pastor Bobby has done that well. He is competent. You have been a joy in my life, and I have been sharpened by you. 

The third thing I look for is chemistry—can they fit with me, and can they fit with Pastor Jerry? Can they fit with Pastor Pete and Stephen and Sean and Gerry Hill and Jared? Can they fit with Georgia? Can they fit with Gwen? 

There are some people who can come in and it will disrupt the chemistry. It will disrupt what you have going on in the office. It could be their personality; it could be a lot of different things. Pastor Bobby, you added to the chemistry of our staff, and I love you for that."

Pastor Brock: 

"When I first came to Faith Baptist a little over eight years ago, Pastor Bobby was in seminary. I heard stories about Pastor Bobby—how he was this marvelous young man. I got to know Bobby as he came on staff here at Faith. So my getting to know Bobby has been through our church life. I am thankful to God for the manner in which Bobby has been an example to me in a number of areas. 

As I thought of Pastor Bobby, my thoughts went to a verse in Colossians 4 that describes a man named Tychicus. Verse 7 reads, “Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord.” Tychicus is mentioned five times in the New Testament. We don’t know a lot about him, but he was a trusted companion of the apostle Paul. 

Pastor Bobby has been a Tychicus in my life. Every time Tychicus is mentioned in Scripture, it’s in a manner that proves his faithfulness, his loyalty, and his effective ministry. Colossians 4:7 lists three characteristics of Tychicus that I have observed also in Pastor Bobby. 

Bobby has been a brother in the faith, a brother with whom we can share our joys, our trials, our ministry triumphs, and our ministry failures. I thank you, Bobby, for being such a great brother in the ministry. 

“Faithful” means “to be certain, worthy to be believed, true, just, and trustworthy; one who is steadfast to one’s trust, word, and promises.” That sounds like Pastor Bobby to me. That’s what I think of Pastor Bobby. 

The term “servant,” or “minister” is “one who willingly serves.” The root of that word talks about one who labors in the dust. This is talking about the “stuff” of ministry, that daily grinded-out side of ministry—when you’re up late, and you got to get up early the next morning, and you keep doing it again and again and again; when you’re working with people, just that “stuff” of ministry. And Bobby did this well. I thank the Lord for that. 

As Tychicus was to Paul, so was Bobby to each of us on the staff. I thank you for that, Bobby."

Jared Malcolm: 

"I thought of two words. The first is “faithfulness.”  You’ve been faithful to God for as long as I’ve known you. You’ve been faithful to your parents. You’ve been faithful to your wife, and God has blessed the two of you with three great kids that you’ve been faithful to as well. But you’ve also been faithful to this church—I don’t mean just as a staff member. You’ve been faithful to this church for as long as you’ve attended here. When you went off to college and seminary, you remained faithful to this church, and you also were faithful to the traditions of this church by faithfully attending church wherever you were. I want to thank you for being that man of faithfulness. You’ve been a good example. 

Also when I think of you, I think of the word “adaptability.” Over the years that we’ve known each other, God has led you in many different directions. I think of that as having an open heart and an open ear to what God has for you. 

Whenever God has changed your path, you’ve never been bitter about it, you’ve never been resentful about it. You’ve always kept that positive attitude. You’ve always looked for the next opportunity God had for your life. You’ve always trusted God to see you and your family through whatever life brings. 

I thank you, my friend—and you’re also my brother. I thank you."

What Impact has Pastor Bobby had on your life?  What will you remember from his years as Youth Pastor at FBC?  Share your thoughts with us below.

Farewell Reception Held for Johnie Osborne

(Johnie with Abigail & Esther Simpson)

On Sunday night, August 14, the church family said good-bye to Johnie Osborne, who has moved to Pennsylvania. A reception, hosted by her family—Pastor Nate Osborne, Jill, and their daughters, Hannah and Sarah; one of Johnie’s daughters, LuAnna Chittock; and Johnie’s other daughter-in-law, Janet Osborne—followed the evening communion service.

(Jill Osborne, Janet Osborne, Johnie, & LuAnna Chittock)

The fellowship hall was crowded and noisy as people lined up to have their photos taken with Johnie, who is not just the pastor’s mother but a beloved part of the Faith family. Although the event may have been tiring, Johnie never lost her signature smile.

Jill Osborne says she will put the photos taken Sunday night into an album “so Johnie can flip through and see all the familiar faces any time she wants.” Jill says, “We are thankful that she can go to a very nice apartment with good care and be very near to two of her daughters and lots of friends and church family from her past life.” She adds, “A note of thanks—even though our family hosted the reception, I had help from Beth Brown and a few other ladies who helped serve the cake and punch.”

(Johnie with David & Georgia Stickney)

Johnie had a significant role at Faith as a prayer warrior and encourager. Doris Tassell and Johnie have a unique relationship in that each is the other’s child’s mother-in-law (or more simply, Mrs. Tassell is Jill’s mother), and the two mothers served together praying for others. Mrs. Tassell says:

Johnie is a prayer warrior on her own and has been for years. She spends time at home in prayer for people. She also was part of the prayer group for the USA missionaries for several years. She never missed unless for some reason she was sick, which was seldom. Also, she was on the missions committee for several years. While she was on it, we not only took care of business concerning the missionaries that our church supports plus the Faith’s 100, but we also had prayer time for them. So she was involved with that as well.

While many have benefited from Johnie’s intercessory prayer, Jill says, “Her main ministry was sending cards. She touched a lot of lives through cards.” Perhaps those who felt her encouragement most are those who live far away from our Faith family, in particular our Faith’s 100 missionaries. Anora Totman says:

When electricity is intermittent, Internet unpredictable, and phone lines warbled, a handwritten note every month is a constant encouragement. For more than six years, Johnie’s letters have reminded us, even on the most dismal of days, that there are people across the ocean who love and pray for us. Her words were insightful and relevant, showing that she was paying attention to our communications as well. 

Her simple, consistent ministry to us both encouraged us and reminded us of the responsibility we have to those who have sent us. We cannot overstate our thanks to her.

It is a blessing for us that Johnie Osborne doesn’t have to live in Winter Haven to continue these vital ministries of prayer and encouragement.

Pastor Osborne will miss looking out at the congregation and seeing his mother in the first seat of the fourth row on the right side of the aisle. And the rest of us will miss Johnie’s gentle, smiling presence. We pray for God’s best on her as she transitions to a new place, makes new friends, and gets reacquainted with old ones. We know that her presence and ministry there will bless the people in Pennsylvania as they have blessed her family here at Faith.

Planned Parenthood, Gospel Generosity, & 9 Lessons to Learn

   
Enjoy this month's collection of links and articles from around the web.
  

• Planned Parenthood has released a new fact sheet.  Abortions are up and adoption referrals are down.  I can't say that I'm surprised.  I can say that it still breaks my heart.
    
• How the Gospel Makes us Generous and Content with our Money - Here's an interesting article regarding wealth and the pursuit of riches.  The author discusses Dave Ramsey & his class - Financial Peace University.
    
• 9 Lessons from God Concerning Sickness - Have you ever been sick?  Are you sick now?  Read these words of J.C. Ryle.
  

  "The lessons that we learn on a sick-bed, when we are shut out from the world, are often lessons which we should never learn elsewhere." - J.C. Ryle

   
Past editions of Headlines:

• Homeschooling, Motherhood, & Space Shuttle Atlantis
• More Heroes ~ A Truck Driver, A Brazilian Pioneer Missionary, & A Persecuted Pastor
• Social Gospel, Seeds Family Worship, and 'Tempted and Tried'
• Facebook Makes Us Miserable, AFD in Baptist Bulletin, and Haiti Video

30 Thoughts on Turning 30 (by Stephen Simpson)

Today is my 30th birthday.  It is bittersweet.  Here's what I think about it:

1. I think that 30 years goes by quickly.  One minute I was a young boy playing with G.I. Joes, the next minute I was attending Lake Region High School, the next minute I was graduating from college, now I'm 30 years old.  
2. I am very much looking forward to my birthday dinner! I would tell you where it is, but I don't want any uninvited guests :)
3. Being married to Nicki Simpson makes turning 30 easier.
4. Turning 30 is easier because of a little girl named Abigail Marie Simpson.
5. Turning 30 is easier because of a little girl named Esther Merideth Simpson.
6. I am blessed to have watched my Dad love my Mom faithfully for these 30 years.
7. Believe it or not, my parents have lived in the same house since before I was born.
8. I miss my Grandma & Grandpa Simpson.  I wish they were here. 
9. I miss my Uncle Chris.
10. It is hard to believe that I have worked at FBC for 8 years.  I started full-time in August, 2003.
11. I can honestly say, I never thought I would be an "Assistant to the Pastor" at a church when I 'grew-up.'
12. I think that the more memories you have, the older you feel.  I have a lot of memories.  Of course, when you start losing those memories, then you feel really old.  I'm not looking forward to that.
13. I used to think that having children was a simple and easy thing.  Now, I know that the birth of a child is always a miracle.
14. Everybody experiences pain and suffering in their lives.  Everybody.  The only differences between people are how they deal with the pain and suffering.
15. I think that I am supposed to act more mature and responsible now that I'm 30.
16. I think that I need to exercise more :(
17. I think I'm more Calvinistic in my theology than I used to be.  
18. I think I'm starting to enjoy reading and writing more than watching television.
19. I wish I would have read Getting Things Done as soon as I graduated college.
20. I wish Do Hard Things had been written so that I could have read it as a teenager. 
21. I am so thankful that Nicki & I took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University class.  It has had a dramatic impact upon our personal finances.  I only wish we would have taken it earlier in our marriage.
22. I regret buying our current home in 2006.  I wish we would have rented for a few years and waited to purchase.  Oh, if we could only see into the future!
23. 30 years from now I hope to be a grandfather.
24. 30 years from now I hope to be 100% debt free.  (Hopefully, much sooner)
25. 30 years from now I hope to turn 60 with my integrity, dignity, and character still intact.
26. 30 years from now I hope I have remained faithful to my wife and children.
27. 30 years from now I hope to still be serving the Lord faithfully at FBC.
28. 30 years from now I hope that Faith Baptist Church is still faithfully preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
29. In the next 30 years, I hope to write a book, a song, and hundreds of blog articles.
30. I think I love hearing my girls sing (most of the time...)  :)
    

What Defines an Awesome Big Brother? (by Stephen Simpson)

Scott, Gary (Dad), & Stephen Simpson

Not everyone has a 'big brother.'  My children do not have one.  Neither my mother nor my wife have ever had one.  Maybe you have one.  Maybe you do not.  I have an older brother.  God could not have given me a better 'big brother.'

Today is my brother's birthday.  Naturally, I have been thinking about him often in the days leading up to today. Why is he such a great brother?  What is it about him that defines him as an 'Awesome Big Brother?'

I've identified three things from his life that make him so great.  Let me share them with you.

Scott with his youngest son Kenny

• He Loves God - Scott went to college in South Carolina.  Upon graduation, he got a job and stayed in SC.  He developed roots, married, had children, advanced in his career, and was firmly planted in strong local church.  Then, God put it on his heart to uproot his family and move to Polk City, FL.  God put the ministry of Camp Gilead on his heart.  Scott left the comforts of his life in South Carolina for the uncertainty of camp ministry.  He did this because of his love for God.
  
  I see his love for God all throughout his life.  His love for God is what makes him an excellent husband, father, son, and brother.  The way that he treats me, his 'little brother,' further demonstrates his love for God.
    
• He Loves His Family - Whenever I am around him, I am reminded of how much Scott loves his family.  I really believe that he would do anything for them.  He is a 'family man.'  It is encouraging to me to have an older brother that takes care of his family.  He is an example to me in the way that he demonstrates faithfulness and commitment to his wife and children. 
  
  Scott also loves his extended family.  He continues to honor our Mom and Dad.  He not only shows love to me, he loves my wife and my children.  My children love 'Uncle Scott.'  They would not love him if he had not first shown love and kindness to them.
     
• He is Generous - I cannot imagine another brother being more generous to me than my brother.  As far back as I can remember, he has always been kind and generous to me.  One memory that stands out is my first wedding anniversary.  I was in the hospital with my wife who was recovering from an emergency C-section.  Scott called and brought us Sonny's so that we could celebrate our anniversary.  I could tell story after story of his generosity to me as well as to others.  

If you are an older brother, learn from the example of Scott Simpson.  Ask yourself this question, "What would my younger siblings write about me?"

Not everyone has an older brother.  I do.  I thank God for him.

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Ten Thoughts from Music Camp 2011 (by Stephen Simpson)

 

Last night was our Music Camp 2011 program.  The children put on a spectacular program entitled "Esther-Ordinary Faith."   All of last week was spent preparing the program - learning the songs, choosing the parts, learning the motions, working with the actors, etc.  Here are some thoughts regarding this year's Music Camp.

1. It is simply amazing to consider what these children can learn in only one week!
2. We really missed Reagan Osborne this year...
3. Music Camp would be a disaster without Jill Foster & Mary Nance.
4. The 9 lead actors were fantastic.  They displayed strong emotion, excellent timing, and remembered all of their lines!
5. I was surprised by the number of people who were unfamiliar with the Esther story.  Many of the children had never heard the story before.
6. It was great to be reminded of the Providence of God.  The hand of God is evident all throughout the story of Esther.  The only explanation for the events that occurred is that God was orchestrating them all.
7. 30 large pizzas (300 slices) can disappear very quickly - especially when they arrive 45 minutes late!
8. In many ways, this year's Music Camp was much more difficult than previous years.  We dealt with sickness throughout the week, discipline problems, & technical issues during the performance!  It really felt like someone was trying to stop the show!
9. The funniest line from the show was when Xerxes said, "Esther, you are the Persian version of Paula Deen!"
10. It was disappointing to not have a 'special part' for Pastor Brock this year.  Of course, it will be hard to top last year's stellar portrayal of Goliath.

Pastor Brock as Goliath in our 2010 Music Camp Production

Related Links:

• Photos from Music Camp 2011 - "Esther-Ordinary Faith"
• Photos from Music Camp 2010 - "The Slingshot Heard 'Round the World"
• Video clip #1 from 2009 - "Pharoah, Pharoah"
• Video clip #2 from 2009 - "Joseph's Coat Commercial"

The Beatitudes - What Makes You Mourn? (by Stephen Simpson)

Matthew 6:4

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."

Here the paradox that runs through each of the Beatitudes is plain and obvious. In effect, Jesus says, “happy are the sad.” When taken into consideration with verse 3 ('blessed are the poor in spirit'), one must conclude that the implication is “happy is the one who mourns over his own sinfulness.” Godly mourning is inevitable once one acknowledges their spiritual bankruptcy.

Godly sorrow leads to repentance. The genuine mourner cries out to God pleading with Him for forgiveness. Blessed is the one who confesses his sin to God.

Psalm 38 helps us see this Godly sorrow that Jesus spoke of:

There is no health in my bones
because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head;
Like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me (3-4)

My wounds stink and fester
Because of my foolishness,
I am utterly bowed down and prostrate;
All the day I go about mourning. (5-6)

I confess my iniquity;
I am sorry for my sin. (18)

Do not forsake me, O Lord!
O my God, be not far from me!
Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation! (21-22)

Our mourning over sin should only intensify as the years go by.

Notice the promise. Those who mourn will be comforted. One who genuinely mourns over sin will be divinely comforted. They will receive forgiveness from God. Godly forgiveness will bring divine comfort.


Other Posts in 'The Beatitudes' series:

1. The Secret to True Happiness
2. Who Was Jesus Speaking to?
3. How Poor is Your Spirit?
4. What Makes You Mourn?
5. How Meek Are You?

Birds of the Bible - Dove's Dung (by Lee Dusing)

Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) by Dan

Now here is an interesting verse found in 2 Kings 6:25:

And there was a great famine in Samaria, as they besieged it, until a donkey's head was sold for eighty shekels of silver, and the fourth part of a kab of dove's dung for five shekels of silver. (2Ki 6:25)

First let's find out what caused this event in the first place. Israel was being besieged and it was causing a very severe famine. Food was extremely scarce and the people were paying exorbitant prices for small amounts of anything edible.

Why were they under siege?

Afterward Ben-hadad king of Syria mustered his entire army and went up and besieged Samaria. (2Ki 6:24)

They were surrounded by the Syrian army and there was very little to eat. They may have been there for sometime or the inhabitants of Samaria were caught by surprise and didn't have time to lay up supplies. Then again, if you read the verses just prior, 2 Kings 6:8-23, another reason for the lack of food may be given. The Samaritans had fed the Syrian raiders before sending them back home. Most commentators say that there was at least a year between that event and when this one happens.

What ever the cause, the people were so hungry that they were paying 80 shekels of silver for a donkey's head. Several things about this:

• Donkeys were very prized animals and well treated.
• The head has very little meat on it.
• "The head was the worst part of the animal." (JFB)
• They were on the "do not eat" list.
• "A vast price, especially for that which had on it so little meat, and that unwholesome and unclean." (Wesley)

Doves in Israel ©©

Now for the next food on their menu - "Dove's dung." Looking at the different versions of Scripture, here are some of the ways this is translated:

• small measure of doves' droppings was five shekels of silver - BBE
• one-fourth of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of silver - NKJV
• fourth part of a (cab or kab) of dove's dung at five pieces of silver - ASV Brenton ESV JPS KJV LITV NASB RV WEBSTER
• small bowl of pigeon droppings cost about two ounces of silver - CEV
• fourth part of a cab of dove's dung five silver-pieces - Darby
• fourth part of a cabe of pigeons' dung, for five pieces of silver - DRB
• forth of the cab of dovesdung at five silverlings - YLT
• one pint of dove's dung sold for five pieces of silver - ERV
• one quarter of a unit of dove's dung cost five silver coins - ISV
• half a pound of dove's dung cost five pieces of silver - GNB
• two pounds of silver and a half-pint of dove manure for two ounces of silver - GW

One thing they all agree on is that it was either a Dove or a Pigeon, which are both in the same family and their names are changed back and forth even today. Most agree it was a forth of something. The cab or kab according to the commentaries is described as:

A kab - A measure containing twenty - four eggs. and a kab was the usual measure of all sorts of grains and fruits of that sort. (Wesley)
Cab - This measure is not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture. According to the rabbinical writers it was the smallest of all the dry measures in use among the Jews, being the sixth part of a seah, which was the third part of an ephah. If it was about equal to two of our quarts, the “fourth part of a cab” would be about a pint. (Barnes)

Nicobar Pigeon at Lowry Park Zoo by Dan

Up to now, we know that it was expensive for a small amount. What keeps the commentators of differing opinions is what the "Dove's Dung" really was. Many say that it was a pulse or pease made from a pea or bean and that it had the color or texture of a dove's droppings. Others say it was from the actual droppings and that (this is yuk) they picked through it for edible parts. (For an interesting study, load the e-Sword program - it's free - and after loading the Bibles, dictionaries and commentaries, do a study of 2 Kings 6:25)

"dove's dung: This probably denotes, as Bochart, Scheuchzer, and others suppose, a kind of pulse, or vetches, which the Arabs still call pigeon's dung. "They never," says Dr. Shaw (Travels, p. 140), "constitute a dish by themselves, but are strewed singly as a garnish over cuscasowe, pillowe, and other dishes. They are besides in the greatest repute after they are parched in pans and ovens; then assuming the name leblebby;" and he thinks they were so called from being pointed at one end, and acquiring an ash colour in parching.

"Dove’s dung - Most commentators understand by this expression a sort of pulse which is called “dove’s dung,” or “sparrow’s dung” in Arabic. But it is possible that the actual excrement of pigeons is meant. The records of sieges show that both animal and human excrement have been used as food - under circumstances of extreme necessity." (Barnes)

I am inclined to think that it could have actually been the real droppings. The reason for that is what is mentioned after verse 25. Two ladies had agreed to eat their sons. See 2 Kings 6:26-29.

Now as the king of Israel was passing by on the wall, a woman cried out to him, saying,

"Help, my lord, O king!" And he said, "If the LORD will not help you, how shall I help you? From the threshing floor, or from the winepress?" And the king asked her, "What is your trouble?" She answered, "This woman said to me, 'Give your son, that we may eat him today, and we will eat my son tomorrow.' So we boiled my son and ate him. And on the next day I said to her, 'Give your son, that we may eat him.' But she has hidden her son." (2Ki 6:26-29)

Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) by Nikhil Devasar

Another thought, were there any doves left that hadn't been eaten?

I'll end with a quote from the Wesley commentary. "Learn to value plenty, and to be thankful for it; see how contemptible money is, when, in time of famine, it is so freely parted with for anything that is eatable."

Related Posts:

• Wordless Birds
• Learning from the Birds - Overwhelmed
• God's Provision for His Creatures 
• Other Birds of the Bible Posts

Interesting articles from the Internet:

• http://www.godfire.net/diet.html
• Dove's Dung
• Simplified Bible Concordance - Dove's Dung
• From Heart to Heart
• Dove's Dung - Wikipedia
• Plants of the Bible - Dove's Dove