The Greatest War

 

In recent weeks there has been increased discussion on the war in Afghanistan.  Currently, the war is not going well for the U.S.:  casualties are growing and there is debate on whether or not troop levels in Afghanistan should be increased.  Public opinion is split almost down the middle on the pursuit of war.  Consensus is that a pull-out means a victory for al-qaeda.  It's a critical time for our amazingly brave men and women, our country, and our leaders.  A better strategy is needed.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step."

--Chinese proverb

 

Between June of 1944 and May of 1945, the men of "Easy" Company (101^st Airborne) seemed to experience it all in Europe:  D-Day, the liberation of France, the Battle of the Bulge, the liberating of Jews from Nazi death camps, and the invasion and subsequent surrender of Germany.  In a year's time, these men encountered stunning reversals of fortune, overcame numerous personal challenges, and helped achieve Allied victory.  After the war, the men of "Easy' revealed some of the reasons for their success--one being the training they had received prior to heading off to combat.  When the men parachuted into France, on that summer's morning in June of '44, they were ready.

        As our seniors were introduced and walked to the front of the church, we heard their incredible achievements and wonderful plans-some military service, some college, some immediately entering the work force.  You couldn't help but think:  each of these seniors is really challenging his or her self.  We gathered around them as a church family and prayed for them.   It was a powerful moment.  When we prayed, my mind wondered for a moment (oops):  are they ready?  Are they ready for life's surprises--the good and bad?  Are they ready for the amazing journey awaiting them?  Will they overcome the personal challenges?  Will they live a victorious life? 

        Yes.

For the Common Good...                                                                      Carey D. Froelich

 

"A Biblical Worldview"

Many years ago, comedian Steve Martin did a routine in which he declared two simple words could be spoken before a judge and those words would get a person off the hook for not paying his or her taxes.  The words?  "I forgot".  The crowd roared with laughter.  Now, I wouldn't recommend such a defense, but it does seem that we do have a propensity to forget.  We forget birthdays and anniversaries.  We forget to pick up children and attend the 10:00 AM meeting.  We forget to buy the sour cream and to get the car inspected.   Even now, in this country, there is growing concern that we, as a country, are forgetting the events of September 11, 2001.  The busyness and pace of life distract us.  Memories fade over time. 

        Jesus understood our humanity.  He knew we would forget.  He didn't want us to forget His sacrifice and what it cost to have access to God the Father and so He ordained the Lord's Supper.  It's a wonderful expression and powerful moment when the believer participates in communion. 

        I served on staff in two previous churches.  Both churches were committed to loving and serving God.  Both churches were making a difference in the world.  Both churches offered the Lord's Supper on a very limited basis:  one church offered communion twice yearly the other 4 times yearly.  I never questioned it.  In my childhood years, I attended a church that offered the Lord's Supper weekly.  I never questioned it.  And, in the final analysis, there are no scriptural guidelines for how often we are to partake of the Lord's Supper (see 1 Cor. 11:23-26).  At FBC Baytown, we participate in the Lord's Supper quarterly.  I'm wrestling, asking myself is that enough?  Now, I don't want it to become routine or risk minimizing what Jesus did, but I want to remember.  I want to be reminded.  Quite frankly, the Lord's Supper keeps me humble and so grateful. 

I am a Christian who happens to be Lead Pastor at FBC Baytown.  Each current FBC Baytown staff member is now blogging—ought to be fun.  Feel free to comment, but don’t look for me to be engaging in debates.  No.  I’ll simply share some thoughts every now and then.

Politics.  Politics.  Politics.  Presidential politics is quite fascinating to me.  I enjoy watching returns and hearing the commentators and strategists project, predict, and analyze.   The two parties are trying to decide on their candidates.  McCain is looking like the choice for Republicans, while Obama seems to have the edge in the Democratic Party.  Could Huckabee and Hillary make surprise moves?  Sure.  Why not?  Does it matter who is our next President?   Yes and No.  It absolutely matters because significant and history making decisions will be made by our next president:  matters of war and peace, Supreme Court justices, and numerous social and economic policies will be put in place.   I do have a preference.  But it doesn’t matter because of my responsibility as a Christian:  prayer.  Paul encourages Timothy to “Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God.” (1 Timothy 2:2)   Daniel 2:21 reminds me God raises up kings and takes away the power of kings.  And, the election results won’t surprise God.  My faith and hope is not found in a president or a party, but God.  Regardless of the winner, I will pray for the president—knowing God is in control.

By: Bill Yowell  

With the advent of the new FBC Baytown Website and all of that has gone into its development, I have been thinking about old and new. I realize that there is a lot more about me that probably links to the old ways than to the new ways of doing things. For example, I still prefer print media to electronic communiqués. That said, I recently read an e-newsletter about the value of a digitally-provided novel of more than 1000 pages. The editor commented that the e-version of the text allowed him to confirm a suspicion he had about the novelist’s repeated use of a rather annoying phrase. He accomplished that in a matter of seconds using a search function of the digital program. For the same reason, I wouldn’t trade my electronic Bible software for any hard-bound print concordance because it allows me to do really remarkable things regarding research for lessons and sermons. New really works in many instances.

Every year while planning Disciple Now we say, “There is no way this year’s D-Now can be as good as last year’s D-now” and every year we are wrong. D-Now just seems every year to get bigger and better than the year before. I can say with confidence that Disciple Now 2008 was the best ever. From the leaders, to the homes, to the band, to the speaker, it was all incredible. 2008 was also the biggest as far as numbers go with regards to students. We had approximately 120 students in 10 different homes form FBC alone. I want to send out a special thank you to all the families who opened up their homes to these kids. It is a huge undertaking to get things ready for that many kids to stay in your home, and it says a lot about the support our church has for our kids when families are willing to do that. So THANK YOU!

It seems like I have been struggling with what to name our youth ministry that fits who we are and what we are about. We started with "Nailed Down". That is a cool name but I was not really feeling it. Then we went to "Refuge". Now that is a really cool name and says what I want our ministry to be to students, but there was something missing.