Last Thursday, Jenna Young shared with me that she is planning to retire from ministry so that she can better care for her husband Ray and his needs. As many of you know, Ray’s health has been declining over the last few weeks. Despite several trips to the doctor, his condition is still a mystery—a […]
Read More »Most of us started following Christ, and sharing our faith, using the “plan of salvation.” We responded and repeated a variation of the A-B-C’s. Admit you’re a sinner. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Confess your faith publicly through baptism. Most evangelism training manuals today are an expansion on this theme. As we go through […]
Read More »When we were in Israel last year, our guide told us that the Israelites were given two choices before entering the promised land: life or death. He told us that the choice for life was much more complicated than choosing to deal with death. It’s easier to prevent the end than it is to try […]
Read More »God has richly blessed our church again throughout 2014. The spirit in the rooms Sunday was just one example of our church’s excitement about proclaiming the gospel. Thank you for participating in the Vision Sessions last Sunday. Over 200 people provided great feedback to our committee. The discussions were positive, engaging, and multi-generational. If you […]
Read More »This year, our church is engaged in a strategic planning process to discover God’s vision for our church in the next 4-6 years. We want to discern God’s call together for First Baptist through 2020. This process involves several stages of gaining information from the church and community, planning with staff and deacons, and sharing […]
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Shame affects every Christian. Sometimes shame can be healthy and turn us toward God’s mercy. Most adults, however, suffer from unhealthy shame. We feel unhealthy shame usually for who we are, or we are ashamed for becoming the kind of person we never thought we would become. Unhealthy shame is like the moving box of […]
Read More »Winter connects and equips the body of Christ at First Baptist. Just as people flood local gymnasiums to get into physical shape, we have the chance to train our spiritual muscles together. We learn to do as Ephesians 4 instructs, “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of […]
Read More »The New Year offers us a chance to write a new chapter in the story that God is telling through our lives. We don’t try to start over as if we have a blank slate or try to undo the past. Instead, with the breath of God’s spirit and the gift of his mercy, we […]
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Camellias are blooming in Florida. Based on my limited knowledge, these shrubs can be transplanted with very careful work. With time, skill, and attention, these beautiful plants can multiply in new gardens. The plant must take root, and the gardener adjusts his plan to the new conditions in the soil. One of the ways God […]
Read More »Christmas celebrations and worship take a lot of time. Through staff and volunteers, FBCTLH has offered our best to our “Savior, Christ the Lord.” I’ve been so pleased with the entire month of December. Now the Christmas work begins—to obediently carry out what we so firmly believed in worship. Former Howard University dean and theologian […]
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