February Recap

• The Beatitudes - Blessed are the Merciful (by Stephen Simpson) ~ "Consider the difference between human mercy and divine mercy. We show human mercy and receive divine mercy in return. What a difference!"
• "What Is That In Your Hand?" (by Stephen Simpson) ~ Think about it, What has God given you to use for him?
• What is April Faith Day? (by Stephen Simpson) ~ Have you heard of April Faith Day? If not, this article explains what it is. It also shares some of the gifts that have been given in the past.
• What Would You Do If You Were Debt Free? (by Stephen Simpson) ~ Have you ever thought about this? Take a look at this article for some suggestions of what you could do.
• My Spiritual Journey - part 1 (by Norm Hammond) ~ Norm writes of coming to Christ as a 42 year old married family man.
• My Spiritual Journey - part 2 (by Norm Hammond) ~ Norm continues to share how he came to Christ

My Spiritual Journey - Part 2 (by Norm Hammond)

(from wikipedia)

Today, Norm Hammond concludes his two-part post, My Spiritual Journey.  If you have not already done so, start by reading part 1.

 
Immanuel Baptist Church
Immanuel became more than a fiber in the rope. I heard a salvation message every Sunday. I still didn't believe the gospel message he preached. I had learned from others that if I was good and performed good deeds, it would make me acceptable to God. I could do it myself. When I compared myself with others I perceived that I would be acceptable.

The people at Immanuel seemed happy in spite of their circumstances. They all carried Bibles to church and used them for personal study. This was different from most churches I had attended. Up to the time we were attending Immanuel I didn't know that the Bible was the Word of God. I had to admit that it's contents had changed lives from hearing their testimonies. Tom Younger, who was the preacher, emphasized it was not what he said, it was what the Bible said. For instance he pointed out II Corinthians 10:12:

"For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."

The people of Immanuel invited us into their homes after church services. Another fiber. I began to go to Sunday School as well as church. Oz Morley was the Sunday School teacher. He taught the Bible. I perceived that Oz and his wife Jinny were very moral and religious.

The friendly people at Immanuel were in stark contrast to my boss, Ron Smenner and President of Hoosier Solvents and Chemicals corp., Robert C. Nicholls. They were both living immoral life styles and bragged about being "two fisted drinkers".
 
What Made the church people different?
Another fiber of the rope. After attending church and Sunday School for about a year, hearing the Word of God preached and taught, I began to see a huge difference between the church people and most of my business contacts. What made the church people different? It had to be the church and the Bible they read and studied.
 
I began to realize what I needed to do to become a Christian. I needed to understand that I was a sinner. That I was born that way and I needed by faith to accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior. By this Faith I could claim Christ's righteousness and I would be acceptable to God.
 
Pride Kicks In

It was much easier to believe all this than it was to publicly acknowledge my sin and be baptized in obedience. Now my ego and considerable pride kicked in. I wasn't a small child fresh out of Vacation Bible School or even a junior age child who had attended a Christian camp. I was 42 years old and had had some success in the business world.
 
One night I decided to read the Bible for myself. I read the entire book of John. I began to see God as a loving living person instead of a punishing tyrant for wrong deeds.
 
I heard in a sermon that it is God who calls people to him. I didn't know that! I took my Bible and searched for every place where the word "call" was used. It was true. In fact the word "call" was used so many times I got tired looking them up. If it is God who calls, then I don't do anything but answer.
 
I was still smoking cigarettes at this time. I wanted to quit, then I would answer the call to be saved. I really didn't understand my adversary. Neither did I understand how difficult it would be to quit. A Christian friend shared with me how God had taken care of his desire to smoke after he was saved. I couldn't believe that. But that is another story.
 
Saved at a Revival Meeting
Immanuel had scheduled a revival meeting for a week in late October. Lehman Strauss, a distinguished preacher, teacher and author, was the speaker. Our family attended most of the special meetings that week and on Thursday night the message compared salvation to a sailboat. God was the anchor. Even though life could be rough and uncertain in the sailboat on the surface, with God as the anchor of your life he would produce peace instead of fear. Lehman Strauss did a lot better job in his preaching that my recollection of what he said.
 
After the meeting as we left the church I asked Tom Younger at the door if he would stay at the church, I would take the family home and return. When I returned Lehman Strauss and Tom Younger presented the gospel message of salvation. At the end of the presentation I was asked to accept Christ as my personal savior and became a born again Christian. I was 42 years old in October of 1966.
 
The title of my story is "My Spiritual Journey". Journey's have a beginning and an end. I had a new beginning when I was born again. My new life in Christ had just begun. So you see it wasn't a journey at all. It is a new beginning with no end. Eternal life! The rope is finished.

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: All things are passed away, behold all thing are become new." -  II Corinthians 5:17

My life verse is Hebrews 11:6. "But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Is he a rewarder? You bet he is. Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."



Other Posts by Norm Hammond:

• The Big Mistake
• A Rolex or a Diamond Ring?

My Spiritual Journey - part 1 (by Norm Hammond)

(image from wikipedia)

Here is another story from Norm Hammond.  In this two-part post, Norm writes of coming to Christ as a 42 year old married family man.

The Many Fibers of a Rope
A rope is made of many strands of material for strength. It all begins with the smallest fiber fashioned into a thread, then string which is twisted and woven until it becomes a strong and useful tool. A rope.

The analogy of the beginning of my spiritual journey with the smallest fiber of the rope begins with my early childhood. Our church experience at that time consisted of going to churches on special occasions only where my grandparents had a social presence. These special occasions were Easter, Christmas and Homecoming Sundays. This was the first fiber of the rope.

Even when I joined the Boy Scouts, it was sponsored by a Methodist church in Terre Haute, there was no continuing relationship with any church, I drifted through grade school and high school spiritually. In college, science classes taught me evolution as a scientific proof of origins in spite of all the missing links.
  

Another fiber of the rope was added when I met and married Doris. She had had a much more consistent and positive experience with church than I. She had been saved in Vacation Bible School as a young girl. We attended Babour Ave. Evangelical United Brethren Church in Terre Haute. The people were friendly and we attended some social gatherings.

Another fiber in the rope was added when I left teaching and accepted a position as salesman with the Crowell-Collier Publishing Company. The territory would be worked from home in Ft. Wayne, In. We attended a Methodist church near our North Side home (rental). When we purchased a home on the South Side we began to attend Christ Methodist Church one block from our home. We didn't have a good experience there so we stopped attending, except for Carol who was active in the youth group.

God Supplied the Fibers of My Rope
As I look back with the perspective of time, I can only explain my spiritual journey by accepting the fact that God was at work directing my path and the paths of others, and guiding my journey to him through them. He was supplying fibers to the rope.

A larger fiber in the rope happened when Dwight was attending Abbett School just two lots from our house. He met a friend, Lex Oren.

Another fiber, Doris became acquainted with Lex's mother, Barbara. She fixed women's hair in her home and Doris went to her regularly for hair car. Barbara and her husband, Larry, asked us to go camping and other activities with them. Our friendship grew.

Aunt Esther & Uncle Tom
Meantime another fiber was created. Doris's Aunt Esther Buck who lived in the country south of Brazil, came to our house with her husband, Tom. She came to attend a statewide meeting of some kind at Immanuel Baptist Church. She and Uncle Tom stayed at our house a few days for the duration of the meeting. Uncle Tom wasn't too keen on attending the conference, he rode with me while I worked making calls in my territory. He said he really enjoyed riding with me.

Meantime Aunt Esther was attending Immanuel Baptist Church for the statewide meeting. This was a church that I drove by each morning when I went to the office. Architecturally it was different to say the least. I used the think when I passed by, "What a bunch of nuts would build a church building like that!" It looked like a Mexican hat more that it did a church building. Aunt Esther's and Uncle Tom's trip to Ft. Wayne was no accident. It was the only time they ever came to visit. It was timed perfectly for me to add a fiber to the rope which was growing.

Our friendship was also growing with the Orens. Doris and the children, except Carol, began attending Immanuel. Carol continued to attend Christ Methodist. I stayed home and used the time to plan my coming week's work, calls and itinerary. After some time in this mode it became more embarrassing and uncomfortable for me to stay home alone. When the rest of the family was leaving for church, Dwight looked me directly in the eyes and said, "Why don't you go to church with us, Dad?" That did it. I couldn't stay home anymore. I knew I should go for their sake. I didn't realize it was for my sake too.

Continue reading part 2 of Norm's Spiritual Journey

Other Posts by Norm Hammond:

• The Big Mistake
• A Rolex or a Diamond Ring?

What Would You Do If You Were Debt Free? (by Stephen Simpson)

(photo by Paul Cleveland)

Debt is a cruel master.  It places restrictions on us.  It hinders us.  It beats us down.  It weighs heavily on our minds.  It is a terrible burden that most, if not all, of us bear.

Take a second and imagine that you are completely debt free.  No mortgage.  No car payments.  No student loans.  No credit card debt.  No debt.  What would you do if you were debt free?

Here are ten things you could do if you were debt free.

1. Anonymously mail gas or grocery store gift cards to needy families each month.
2. Take your old mortgage payment and pay someone else's mortgage payment for a month to help them get ahead of their bills.
3. Leave a $100 tip for a waitress who has had a hard day.
4. Start an endowment for your favorite ministry.
5. Tithe 20% or 30% or even more to your local church.
6. Send a missionary a note thanking them for serving the Lord and include a check for $1000.
7. Sell your house anytime you want without worrying about being upside down in your mortgage.
8. Make a car payment and a mortgage payment to your savings account each month.
9. Use your old mortgage payment and completely cover the costs of our annual community Thanksgiving Day dinner.
10. Give your largest ever April Faith Day offering.

Obviously, you may be able to do some of these things while still being in debt.  But, you will enjoy these things much more once the great debt-dragon has been slayed.  

FBC strongly encourages debt free living.  We do this primarily through two ways.

1. Teaching - We host Financial Peace University classes.  This class has helped revolutionize the finances of many families within our church.  We highly recommend it.  We even provide occasional scholarships to help send people through the class.  
2. Example - We, as a church, are debt free.  When we build, we do not borrow money.  Think about how many ministries of FBC would suffer if our church were under the bondage of debt.

So, take a minute and daydream.  What would you do if you were completely debt free?  

Related Post:

• How Our Family Gained Financial Peace (by JR Foster)

What is April Faith Day?

Have you ever heard of April Faith Day?  Hopefully, if you are a part of FBC, you will answer YES.  Every year since 2000, April Faith Day has been held on the first Sunday of April.  On this day, we take a sacrificial offering.  Over the years the purpose of the offering has varied.  Originally, April Faith Day started to help FBC pay off our debt.  Then the focus changed to help us begin funding Faith's 100.  Later, the focus changed again as we began a Building campaign.

One hallmark of April Faith Day is the gifts that are given away each year.  Each year, several gifts are given from the offering that is collected.  Since 2000, $208,500 has been given away.  Consider some of the gifts that have been given in the past.

• $10,000 to help Russian children attend summer camp
• $10,000 to help an African pastor buy a truck that will assist him in ministry
• $10,000 to help an African school build and furnish a classroom building
• $10,000 to help a church in The Philippines finish their building project
• $5,000 to help a Haitian orphanage
• many more gifts to local Camps, foreign missionaries, & other mission agencies

April Faith Day is always a significant day.  I encourage you to even now begin praying about what God would have you to do.  Don't make a quick decision in the car on the way to church on April 1st.  Start praying and planning today.  

Here are some articles that have been posted on our blog about previous April Faith Days:

• A Look Back at April Faith Day 2011 (by Jonita Barram)
• April Faith Day 2011 - What Can We Learn? (by Stephen Simpson)
• April Faith Day 2010
• Lessons from April Faith Day 2009
• Stewardship Month & April Faith 2009 (by Pastor Osborne)

"What Is That In Your Hand?" (by Stephen Simpson)

Each year, FBC holds a Mission Conference. Our Mission Committee works hard to plan and organize this conference. One of their tasks is to choose a theme for the conference. This year's theme is "What is that in Your Hand?" It is taken from Exodus 4:2.

The Lord said to him (Moses), "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff." (ESV)

On the surface, this theme may appear unclear. I must admit that when I first heard the conference theme, I was confused. In the weeks since then, I have been thinking often of that simple question, "What is that in your hand?"

Hopefully, you are familiar with this passage in Exodus. In chapter 3, God speaks to Moses through the burning bush. God calls Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

"Come, I will send you to Pharoah that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt." (Ex. 3:10)

After this, Moses showers God with pessimism. Chapter 4 opens with one of these pessimistic statements,

"They (the Israelites) will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'the Lord did not appear to you.'"

At this point, God asks a simple question, "What is that in your hand?" It was a simple question with a simple answer. Moses replied, "a staff." This staff was an ordinary object. It was no golden scepter from Egypt. It was not the staff of Abraham or Isaac. It was the simple staff of a simple shepherd. It was what Moses had and so it was what God used.

Think about this. Moses carried his staff with him all the time. Most likely, you would have never seen Moses without his staff. Could it be that you and I also have a 'staff' that we carry with us wherever we go? Could it be that God wants to use the 'staff' in your hand just like He used the staff that was in Moses' hand?

Now, few of us are shepherds. I do not know anybody who carries a literal wooden staff. But, I think we need to expand our thinking and consider the other things that we do carry around with us that might be considered a 'staff.' Consider the following:

• Money - Many walk around with gobs of money in their bank account. Could it be that money is the 'staff' that God wants you to use? God told Moses to throw his staff on the ground. How might God want you to 'throw your money on the ground?' Perhaps your Money is "what is in your hand."
     
• Time - Do you have extra time in your schedule? How can you spend that extra time? Could you volunteer at the local pregnancy center? Maybe you could help cook meals for the FX kids. Perhaps you can provide transportation to others or simply go spend time visiting with a shut-in. Perhaps your Time is "what is in your hand."
      
• Knowledge - Are you an expert at anything? Do you have special skills that for you are very ordinary but for others might be very extraordinary? Maybe you are a doctor or an accountant. Maybe you are a lawyer or a chef. How can God use this specialized knowledge that you possess? Perhaps this Knowledge is "what is in your hand."
      
• Attitude - A positive attitude is rare and precious treasure. Do you have a positive attitude? Do you ooze optimism? Is your 'glass' always half full? Consider the ways you can share this attitude. Optimism is contagious. Spread it around. Perhaps your attitude is "what is in your hand."
      
  
• Words - Words are powerful. Are you talented with words? Words can be used in cards, phone calls, visits, emails, and more. Words can do so many wonderful things. Not everyone can use words effectively. But, maybe you can. Perhaps your words are "what is in your hand."
     

So, what is that in your hand? Find out. There is something there. Your hands are not empty. Use whatever 'staff' is in your hand to display the power and glory of God to the world.

Related Posts:

• 7 Reflections on the 2011 Mission Conference (by Stephen Simpson)
• Declare His Glory Among the Nations - 2011 Mission Conference (by Matthew DelValle)
• 2010 Mission Conference Recap - Chris Hindal
• 2010 Mission Conference Recap - Leon Fisher
• 2010 Mission Conference Recap - Gil & Denise Thomas
• Are You an Over-Spending Under-Sacrificing Christian? (by Jon Reiner)

The Beatitudes - Blessed are the Merciful (by Stephen Simpson)

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (Matthew 5:7)

There was very little mercy in Jesus’ day. Justice, retribution and revenge were the prevailing attitudes. ‘An eye for an eye…” was the common mindset. Mercy was for the weak. Given this cultural setting, these words of Jesus undoubtedly caused a revolution in the minds of those who heard them. They were expecting to hear, “Blessed are the powerful!” Instead, they heard “blessed are the merciful.”

We must be careful to not misunderstand this beatitude. Many preach this passage as an If-Then statement. In other words, “IF you show mercy to others, THEN others will be merciful to you.” However, experience has taught us that this is not always true. But, we do know that God’s Word is true. So, this must not be the way to interpret this verse. I believe that the correct way to interpret this passage is that those who show mercy towards others will receive mercy from God. Ironically, we become more merciful when we recognize the mercy that God has already shown to us. Then, as we show mercy to others, God graciously shows more mercy to us. We should be constantly engaged in this cycle of mercy.

What does mercy look like in today’s culture? Mercy deals with the consequences or symptoms of sin. Mercy cares for the sick and helps the poor. Sickness is ultimately a result of sin entering our world. Because of sin, difficulty and hard times entered our world. Mercy helps in difficult times. Mercy is when we help those who can’t help themselves.

Forgiveness flows from mercy. Mercy says “I have been wronged, but I forgive you.” We demonstrate mercy through kindness and compassion – through sympathy and empathy. A kind word, a warm meal, a hug, a gift card, an encouraging card – all these are demonstrations of mercy.

Consider also the difference between human mercy and divine mercy. We show human mercy and receive divine mercy in return. What a difference!

Think for a minute on these two questions.

1. How have you shown mercy to someone else today?  this week?  this month? 
2. Do you recognize and treasure the divine mercy that has been shown to you?
      

Other Posts in this 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?
6. Are You Satisfied?
7. Blessed Are the Merciful
8. Do You Have Mixed Motives?