March Recap

• 2012 Mission Conference: What Is That in Your Hand? ~ Read about the guests that participated in the conference & more
    
• 2012 Mission Conference Recap & Reflections (by Stephen Simpson)
    
• 2012 Mission Conference - Chaplain John Murdoch (by Jonita Barram)
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• 2012 Mission Conference - Jim Blizzard and CEF (by Jonita Barram)
    
• 2012 Mission Conference (by Jonita Barram)
    
   
• The Beatitudes: Do You Have Mixed Motives? (by Stephen Simpson) ~ Continuing in his series through The Beatitudes, Stephen looks at the verse "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." 
       
• SLMF Meeting: My Personal Opinion (by Jonita Barram) ~ Jonita shares her thoughts on the Sunshine Ladies Missionary Fellowship Meeting.
    
• A Parable in Poetry (by Matthew DelValle) - Matthew shares an original poem based on Luke 18:9-14.
   
• Meet Our FBM Missionaries - Kathy Miller ~ FBM missionaries currently serve the Lord in the West African countries of Niger, Mali, Benin, and Nigeria. This is the first post in a series to introduce these missionaries to you.
    
• Start Birding Today - A New Series (by Lee Dusing) ~ Learn the secrets to becoming amateur birdwatcher.
    
• Can Your Child Thrive in a Public School? (by Stephen Simpson) ~ Stephen tackles this difficult question and shares a book recommendation.

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November Recap

• Steve Jobs and FBC (by Stephen Simpson) ~ Stephen shared some important lessons that we, Faith Baptist Church, can learn from the life and death of Steve Jobs.

• Thanksgiving, "I'm thankful for..." In this series our blog authors wrote about one thing they are thankful for.
• Thankful for the Birds (by Lee Dusing)
• I'm Thankful for Pastor Jerry (by Stephen Simpson)
• Thankful for This Time and Place (by Jonita Barram)
• Thankfulness at Thanksgiving (by Lou Gentry)
• I'm Thankful For... (by Matthew DelValle)
• Proud People Don't Say Thanks (by Peter Brock)

• The Beatitudes - Are You Satisfied? (by Stephen Simpson) ~ The question for you is simple: Are you satisfied? Where do you seek satisfaction?

• A Vision for the Future of FBC (by Pastor Osborne) ~ In this series learn about the Vision for Faith and what we seek God's direction for in the years to come.
• The Ox and His Dirty Stall
• A Specific Vision for Faith

• Sharing God's Love on Free Shopping Day (by Jonita Barram) ~ Learn more about each aspect of Free Shopping Day, which will take place this year on Saturday, December 10.

  
Previous Monthly Recaps:

• October
• September
• August
• July

October Recap

• God Gives Good Gifts: A Ladies' Retreat ~ The Women's Ministries of Faith Baptist sponsored a Ladies' Retreat October 14 and 15. Find out more about the retreat and specific workshops by reading the following articles by Jonita Barram
• Ladies' Retreat Couponing & Organization Workshops
• Ladies' Retreat Joy in Trials & Singing Workshops
       
• Michael & Mary Meehan are members of our church. Mary shared her testimony - an amazing story of the grace of God
• Testimony of Mary Meehan - Part 1
• Mary Meehan Testimony - Part 2
    
• Eight Analogies of Grace from 2 Samuel 9 (by Pastor Osborne) ~Recently, Pastor Osborne preached a message entitled Eight Analogies of Grace. In that message, from 2 Samuel 9, Pastor looked at the kindness David showed to the last member of Saul's family - Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. Pastor highlighted Eight Analogies of Grace that we can see from that story.
    
• What is Faith's 100? ~ You've heard about Faith's 100, but do you know what it really is? Read this article to find out the vision behind Faith's 100.
    
• Faith Baptist Mission & EBM ~ Learn how Faith Baptist Mission came to be.
    
• Broken & Spilled Out - Thoughts on the Ladies' Retreat (by Lee Dusing) ~ Lee Dusing, event coordinator, gives a glimpse of the time spent at Camp Gilead.
    
• God's Gifts to Me through the Ladies' Retreat (by Jill Osborne) ~ Jill Osborne shares some of what God did at the Ladies' Retreat.
    
• Free Shopping Day 2011 - It's Right Around the Corner ~ Lil Tolley, event coordinator shares the reasons we do the Free Shopping Day and what it is all about.
    
• A Rolex or a Diamond Ring? ~ Norm Hammond is a member of Faith Baptist with a unique story. This tale is of a Rolex watch and the trouble that it caused.
• A Rolex or a Diamond Ring? - part 1
• A Rolex or a Diamond Ring? - part 2
• A Rolex or a Diamond Ring? - conclusion

Previous Monthly Recaps:

• September
• August
• July
• June

September Monthly Recap

• What is the Future of Cross Training?~ Pastor Brock shares what's next for Cross Training, 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."

• Tribute to Gwen Webber ~ After 10 years of faithful service Gwen Webber retired as church receptionist on August 30. You can watch Pastor Osborne's tribute and read Georgia's tribute.

• In My Seat - A Pilot's Story from September 10th-11th ~ See a video portraying the testimony of Steve Scheibner, and America Airlines pilot whose life was spared when a more senior pilot bumped him from Flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles the morning of Sep 11, 2001.

• 9/11 - A Foreign Perspective ~ Pastor Brock shares what it was like to hear of the events of 9/11 from such a great distance from the United States

• The Greatest Asset of Any Pastor ~ Matthew DelValle continued his "Two Men I Thank God For" series by sharing the greatest asset of any Pastor

• More Effective Meeting, Gendercide, the 'Missionary Call', and more ~ This edition of Headlines pointed us to rules for more effective meetings, the inevitability of "Gendercide", the "Missionary Call and more.

• The Sad Results of Playing the Fool (by Pastor Osborne) ~ See the main points of this sermon by Pastor Osborne and find a link to listen to it online

• The Beatitudes - How Meek Are You? Stephen Simpson provided the next post in his series through The Beatitudes and asks "Are you meek?"

• God Gives Good Gifts: A Ladies' Retreat ~ The Women's Ministries of Faith Baptist is sponsoring a Ladies' Retreat October 14 and 15. Find out more about the retreat and specific workshops by reading the following articles by Jonita Barram
• God Gives Good Gifts: A Ladies' Retreat
• Ladies' Retreat - Workout Time & Bread-Making Workshop
• Ladies' Retreat - Scrapbooking & Encouragement Through Card-Making
• Ladies' Retreat - Parenting & Prayer Journaling

Previous Monthly Recap:

• August
• July
• June

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

July Recap

Here is a look at all the posts that appeared during the month of July.

• Happy Independence Day - Listen to some great Independence Day music!
     
• Planned Parenthood's Plan for My Child - Stephen Simpson wrote about the frustrations of a simple postcard.
     
• Birds of the Bible - Birds of Samuel & Kings - Lee Dusing added another post to her popular 'Birds of the Bible' series.  As always, her post paired great writing with excellent pictures.
    
• "A Tribute to America's Heroes" - On July 3, 2011, we (FBC) honored some of America's Heroes greatest heroes.  Specifically, we featured video of Pastor Osborne honoring these heroes.  
• US Army Staff Sergeant Dustin Pantalone
• Firefighter Jim Davis
• Polk County Sheriff's Deputies Weppelman and Bissett
• Mom & Dad - Rod & Judy Nyeholt
     
• The Blessed Fruit of Indirect Teaching - Matthew DelValle continued his "Two Men I Thank God For" series by looking at the lessons he has learned through the 'indirect teaching' of RC Sproul & John Piper.
     
• Why Do You Serve In Your Local Church? - Stephen recommended a book that probed the reasons behind why we serve.
     
• Homeschooling, Motherhood, Space Shuttle Atlantis - July's edition of Headlines pointed to some excellent pictures of the final Space Shuttle mission, some thought-provoking articles on homeschooling, and two excellent articles on Motherhood.
     
• Is Camp Necessary? - This article by Connie Simpson, one of our Faith's 100 Missionaries, explains why Camp is absolutely necessary because of the lives that are changed at Camp.
    
• Do You Shop on Amazon? - Stephen shared how your everyday shopping can benefit FBC.

Previous Monthly Recaps:

• June
• May
• April

June Recap

 

• More Heroes - A Truck Driver, A Brazilian Pioneer Missionary, & A Persecuted Pastor - June's edition of Headlines continued with our 'Heroes' theme by pointing to two excellent articles and one video.
   
  
• Congratulations to Winter Haven on its Centennial Anniversary (by Stephen Simpson) - Stephen wrote about how Winter Haven has changed over the years. 
     
• D-Day Veterans: My Heroes (by Jonita Barram) - Jonita wrote about visiting Normandy and the impact it had on her. 
        
• 30 Hours on the Amazon River (by Peter Brock) - Pastor Brock shared some pictures and memories from his recent trip to Peru and Chile.  There is a picture of an interesting 'translator.'
   
• VBS 2011 - Gold Rush - See the pictures from our Vacation Bible School.
   
• Cher Ami - WW1 Hero (by Lee Dusing) - Lee wrote about a feathered, yet heroic, hero.
     
• Nicki Simpson - My Wife and My Hero (by Stephen Simpson) - Stephen wrote that the life of his wife "shouts loudly that the unborn child is to be treasured and preserved at all costs."
      
• Pioneer Missionaries: My Heroes (by Jonita Barram) - Jonita wrote about Pioneer Missionaries - men and women who "blazed the trails of Regular Baptist overseas church planting."
   
• Not Your Typical Hero (by Lou Gentry) - Lou wrote the following about his hero, Lena O'Neil,  "If the Lord had not sent Lena my way, I don’t know how my life would have turned out".
    
• My Internship with Speaker John Boehner (by Emily Nance) - Emily recently returned from a Washington DC internship with Speaker of the House John Boehner.  She wrote about her experiences.
     
• Is Our Church a Safe Place for Hurting People? - Stephen linked to a recent workshop given by Nancy Guthrie where she shared Six Characteristics that Make a Church a Safe Place for Sad People.
   
• What I Learned from John Piper (by Matthew DelValle) - Matthew wrote about being introduced to the ministry of John Piper and the impact that Piper has had on his life.
      
• You're Never Too Old (by Jonita Barram) - Jonita wrote a heartwarming story about her father, who at the age of 80, decided to go on a short-term mission trip to Santiago, Chile, so that he could fill a need at a Christian school.  "You’re never too old to do what God burdens your heart to do."
     
• Meet the Balsleys (by Jonita Barram) - Jonita sat down with Pastor & Mrs. Allen Balsley, a retired Pastor and members of our church.

May Recap

Here is a summary of all the posts that appeared on our blog during the month of May.

• Memorial Day Thoughts - Lou Gentry pointed us to Red Skelton's popular rendition of The Pledge of Allegiance
    
• Teach Your Toddler That They Are Under Authority - Stephen Simpson shared another post from the parenting book Shepherding a Child's Heart.
     
• The Final Showdown - Summer Camp (and Day Camp) at Camp Gilead 2011 - A summary of the summer offerings at Camp Gilead as well as short video sharing the history of the camp.
   
• Social Gospel, Seeds Family Worship, and 'Tempted and Tried' - This month's edition of Headlines pointed to an article in the Baptist Bulletin, some popular CDs of children's songs, and a new book by Russell Moore.
    
• "The Disciple's Prayer" - A Sermon Series by Pastor Osborne - This post provided links to the audio and notes of all 12 sermons in Pastor's sermon series on 'The Disciple's Prayer' - commonly called 'The Lord's Prayer.
   
• Birds in Chile and Peru - In light of a recent Mission Trip to Chile and Peru, Lee Dusing shared some of the birds found in those countries.
    
• 10 Reasons Why We Shouldn't Worry - Stephen provided some thoughts from Matthew 6:25-34.
    
• Formed By Him - Dodo Bird - Lee continued her popular 'Formed by Him' series with this post on the infamous Dodo Bird.
   
• The Beatitudes - How Poor is Your Spirit? - Stephen continued his series through The Beatitudes by examining the verse, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
   
• Book Review - "Your First Two Years in Youth Ministry" (by Doug Fields) - Dave Totman wrote "I have found several excellent principles within these pages that apply well beyond the walls of a youth room."
   
• Book Review - "Triumph - The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics" (by Jeremy Schaap) - Pastor Brock recommended this biography of the great Olympic runner.
   
• William Wilberforce - 'Two Great Objects' - Stephen wrote of Wilberforce, "a giant in the world of Christian politics."
   
• Book Review - "Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ" (by John MacArthur) - Stephen recommended a new book that describes our identity as slaves to Christ.

April Recap

Here is a summary of all the posts that appeared on our blog during the month April.

• My Random Thoughts on the 2011 Ligonier Conference (by Peter Brock) Peter shared his thoughts and reflections from the 2011 Ligonier Conference.  One sample, "I need to drink smaller cups of coffee before..."
   
• The Beatitudes - Who Was Jesus Speaking To? (by Stephen Simpson)  Stephen continued his series on The Beatitudes by looking at who was in the crowd while Jesus delivered His Sermon on the Mount.
   
• April Faith Day 2011 - What Can We Learn?  (by Stephen Simpson)  "What are some things that we should take away from this day?  What are some lessons we should learn?"
   
• An Interview with James Barfield about the Family Life Center (by Jonita Barram)  Jonita conducted an in-depth interview with the chairman of our Deacons regarding our new debt-free building.
   
• Shepherding a Child's Heart - Is Your Child a Blank Slate? (by Stephen Simpson)  Stephen shared some thoughts from the popular parenting book Shepherding a Child's Heart.
     
• Two Men I Thank God For (by Matthew DelValle)  Matthew began a new series of posts celebrating the faithful ministries of RC Sproul and John Piper.
   
• Book Review: "Meeting Him" by Beneth Peters Jones (reviewed by Lee Dusing)  Lee reviewed a book that looks at Jesus through the eyes of 16 different women from the Bible.
   
• Facebook Makes us Miserable, AFD in Baptist Bulletin, and Haiti Video  This month's edition of Headlines pointed to an honest evaluation of Facebook, a Baptist Bulletin write-up of April Faith Day, and a video on Haiti produced from a recent mission trip to Haiti.
   
• Book Review - "Peace Child" by Don Richardson (reviewed by Corky Fincher)  Corky reviewed a popular Missionary biography filled with jungles, swamps, head hunters, and cannibals.
   
• A Look Back at April Faith Day 2011 (by Jonita Barram)  Jonita provided a comprehensive look back at this historic and memorable day.
   
• For God So Loved the World (by Raquel Love)  Raquel, one of our teenage authors, shared an devotional that she wrote for a Word of Life Teens Involved competition.
   
• R.C. Sproul Helped Me See the Truth (by Matthew DelValle)  Matthew continued his Two Men I Thank God For Series by look at the ministry of RC Sproul.
   
• Formed By Him - Sea Birds That Drink Seawater (by Lee Dusing) Lee continued her Formed by Him series with an article about some unique birds who are able to stay at sea for months at a time because of their God-given ability to drink seawater.

March Recap

Here is a recap of the articles that appeared during March. You may have missed some, or would like to find it to re-read them:
   

• Samson: A He Man with a She Weakness (by Pastor Osborne) - Pastor shared 5 principles that we can learn from the life of Samson as well as 12 negative consequences of sexual sin. 
   
• 7 Reflections on the 2011 Mission Conference - Stephen Simpson shared some reflections and highlights from our February Mission Conference.
   
• Missions and Football  (by Lou Gentry) - Lou shared this article shortly after our Mission Conference.  He highlighted a heart-warming example of local mission work.
    
• Formed By Him - Oxpeckers  (by Lee Dusing) - In her popular Formed by Him series, Lee looked at the oxpecker - an African bird known for perching on large mammals and eating ticks, botfly larvae, lice and other parasites.  Some interesting pictures.
   
• Book Review - Unbroken: A Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption (by Laura Hillenbrand) - Pastor Brock looked at the story of Louie Zamperini as chronicles in this 2010 bestselling book.
   
• St. Patrick the Baptist? (from the Baptist Bulletin) - The GARBC's own Baptist Bulletin asked the question, "Was St. Patrick a Baptist?"
   
• Are You a Slave? - Stephen Simpson shared some thoughts from a recent message on Matthew 6:19-24.  He also shared a poem by his grandmother entitled "The Slave Girl."
    
• Desiring God, Productivity, & "Church and Parachurch" - This month's edition of Headlines looked at the 25th anniversary of John Piper's classic book Desiring God.  It also pointed to an interview between Tim Challies and Matt Perman on the topic of productivity.  Finally, it pointed to the latest 9marks eJournal.
    
• Book Review - Unveiling Islam: An Insider's Look at Muslim Life and Beliefs (by Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner) - Lou recommended this book as a great resource if you desire to better understand Islam.
    
• Meet Nadine Gentry (by Jonita Barram) - Learn more about a lady with a passion for Ladies' Bible Studies.
    
• 30 Truths from the 2011 Ligonier National Conference - Stephen Simpson shared some thoughts from the recent conference that he (along with several others from our church) attended.
    
• LEGOLAND® Florida and FBC - What Does it Mean? (by Stephen Simpson) - What does the opening of LEGOLAND® Florida mean for FBC and how will it impact us?