Hippity Hoppity

Easter's on its way!

I hope you are excited about Easter coming up in nine days.  It's not Peter Cottontail that excites me.  That said, we will be taking our girls Easter egg hunting at Wald Park tomorrow morning.

When you think about it, Easter is the most amazing and exclusively defining holiday for Christians.

Celebrating Christmas is important.  Jesus being born set the stage for all that was to come. 

But what is so significant about a birth?  Muhammad was born in 570 AD.  Confucius was born in 551 BC.  Buddha was born in 563 BC. 

From a "religions of the world" perspective, Jesus being born is just a fact.  He was born just like all the other founders of religions were.

It's not until you fast-forward thirty years from Jesus' birth that things really get cooking.  That's when he began his ministry.  Until he was 33.

Then, something happened.

Something amazing happened.

Two days from now we will celebrate Palm Sunday.  It reminds us of Jesus riding triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey.  The ordinary Jews were excited because they thought Jesus was the king who would deliver them from Roman oppression.  They laid their garments and palm leaves on the road so the donkey's hooves didn't even have to touch the dirt.  Jesus would save the Jews from the Romans like Moses had saved them from the Egyptians.

Think about the disciples.  For three years they had followed Jesus.  They left their families and their jobs to follow this man.  They were nomads; never having a home to call their own once they followed Him.  They never went truly hungry while following Jesus, but they never knew where their next meal was coming from.

Here was the payoff.  Thousands of cheering people shouting "Hosanna!" to Jesus.  The disciples had picked the right guy to follow.  Jesus was the rock star; they were the band.  Life was about to get very, very good.

Or was it?

Jesus had been saying something to them about getting handed over to the chief priests, flogged, and crucified.  Then raising to life again the third day.  The disciples had heard this from Jesus like three times already.  But Jesus was always talking in parables.  Maybe this was just another story to teach them something.

Nobody would touch someone as popular as Jesus was.  He was the greatest thing since sliced matzah.  All that bad stuff Jesus predicted might happen someday, but not now.  Now was the time to let the waves of adoration from the crowd wash over them like they were at an all-inclusive Mediterranean Sea resort. 

Besides, they were going to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover feast.  Nothing bad ever happens during Passover week.  Does it?

Join us Sunday morning (9:50 a.m.) to hear, as Paul Harvey would say, the rest of the story.  Our scripture passages are Matthew 26:26-29, Matthew 26:36-39, and Matthew 27:45-46,50-54.

The story is not new, but the angle you see it from will be.  Make your plans to be at Sunday School.

Finish Friday strong.  Enjoy Saturday with your family.  See you Sunday!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist." -- Louis Nizer

Calling all Easter orphans!

Calling all Easter orphans!

If you are like us and have no family close by, join us at the Bayne house for an Easter lunch if you are in town.

What's the admission fee?  Just bring a dessert, drinks, and Easter baskets for your kids.  The Eudy family will supply the ham; the Bayne family will provide the sides.

We'll eat, let the kids hunt Easter eggs, eat, fellowship, eat, and then have dessert.

But act fast.  We need to know if you'll join us by Monday, April 2nd.  We've got to know how big of a hog to slaughter.

Just reply to this email or call my wife if you want to be put on the guest list.

We'll start serving after the 11:00 service is over and you've had time to get to our house.

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne
 

“You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.”  James Allen

I Thank YOU recap -- March 26, 2012

It was great seeing everyone Sunday morning.  Remember your homework:  Write a letter to someone who helped lead you to Christ.  Then mail it.

Here is the video we saw Sunday.  Enjoy...

In keeping with our theme of giving God thanks, here is a poem to start your week...

Forgive Me When I Whine -- author unknown
Today upon a bus, I saw a lovely maid with golden hair;
I envied her -- she seemed so gay, and how, I wished I were so fair;
When suddenly she rose to leave, I saw her hobble down the aisle;
she had one foot and wore a crutch, but as she passed, a smile.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two feet -- the world is mine.

And when I stopped to buy some sweets, the lad who served me had such charm;
he seemed to radiate good cheer, his manner was so kind and warm;
I said, "It's nice to deal with you, such courtesy I seldom find";
he turned and said, "Oh, thank you sir." And then I saw that he was blind.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine, I have two eyes, the world is mine.

Then, when walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue;
he stood and watched the others play, it seemed he knew not what to do;
I stopped a moment, then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear.
Oh God, forgive me when I whine, I have two ears, the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go;
with eyes to see the sunsets glow,
with ears to hear what I would know.
I am blessed indeed. The world is mine;
oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

Make it a great week!  Get your heart ready for the Easter season.

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“Never confuse motion with action.” – Benjamin Franklin

Thanks for the finger! -- March 23, 2012

A Florida woman put the "good" into Good Samaritan when she helped save the child of a woman who had sped around her car minutes before, giving her "the finger" as she went by.

Kristyn Dominy, 22, was driving home from her grandmother's house on Monday with her 5-month-old daughter when a car approached from behind.

"As I was going home, an older jeep came up behind me pretty fast and got right behind me," Dominy told ABCNews.com. "Then, they went around me and passed me on a double line. And as she was passing me, she gave me 'the finger'."

"I noticed there was a child in the car and thought, 'Oh my gosh, I can't believe she's driving like this with a child in the back seat,'" she said.

The jeep sped up behind a truck pulling a boat and weaved in and out of the opposite lane, looking for an opportunity to pass the truck.

"Finally, she went around the truck, but when she sped up, I saw a bunch of black smoke come out and I remember thinking it was an awful lot of smoke to be the exhaust," Dominy said. "I thought, 'That car looks like it's about to blow up.'"

"Thirty seconds later, we came around the curve and her car was on the side of the road up in flames," she said.

Dominy saw the woman was struggling to get her little girl out of her car, but that the 5-year-old was stuck in the seatbelt.

"I pulled over as fast as I could," Dominy said. "The back of the mom's hair was on fire and her clothes were on fire a little bit, but I don't think she realized it because she was freaking out so much."

When Dominy and the woman were able to get the child out of the car, the little girl's clothes were on fire so Dominy said she had her get on the ground and roll around to put the flames out.

They were rushed to the hospital, and Dominy has not heard from them since. A paramedic told her that the mother was released from the hospital on Tuesday and that the little girl remained hospitalized in serious condition. (1)

Do you think Kristyn Dominy will stop to help the next rude driver she encounters?


Maybe there was a good reason the driver in this story was in such a hurry. Maybe something had put her in a foul mood. Maybe she didn't thank Kristyn because she was too ashamed of her own behavior. Maybe she didn't even realize the woman who helped her had been the target of her abusive conduct. But she received undeserved grace and failed to express her gratitude.

Why do we fail at times to thank God for the help He gives us so often when we need it but don't deserve it?

We finish our series on worship this Sunday (9:50 a.m.) with a focus on thanks to God.  Our scripture passage is Psalm 107.  We have dozens of reasons to worship God with thanksgiving and praise, and we should gladly and frequently do so.

So join us Sunday morning.  I may not be serving turkey and dressing, but you will see why Thanksgiving isn't just one day in November.

Finish Friday strong.  Enjoy Saturday with your family.  See you Sunday!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“The glory of friendship is not in the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is in the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him.”  – Ralph Waldo Emerson

(1) Christina Ng, "Good Samaritan Helps Driver Who Flipped Her Off Moments Earlier," ABC News (online), 9 March 2012 (accessed 12 March 2012).

I Celebrate YOU recap -- March 18, 2012

Thank you for your comments today in class.  I hope your heart was ready for the worship service today.

Today's lesson was on celebrating God.  The point of my video illustrations was that, though the music may change, the message is what really matters.

Here are the videos we saw today:

If you couldn't make it today, give each of these a listen.  Just make sure you go in order.

Have a great week!  Remember to celebrate God every day.

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"Don't be afraid your life will end; be afraid that it will never begin." Grace Hansen

You sewed up my buttonhole! -- March 16, 2012

"I once read a story in William Danforth's classic little book I Dare You! about a professor who hit upon a great discovery while buttoning up his vest--or rather, he hit upon the discovery because his vest wouldn't button up.  It turns out his little daughter had sewn up some of the buttonholes by mistake, and as his fingers were going along in the usual motions of buttoning a button, something happened.  A button wouldn't button.

The fingers fumbled helplessly for a moment, then sent out a call for help.  The professor's mind woke up.  His eyes looked down, and a new idea was born, or rather a new understanding of an old idea.  What the professor had discovered was that fingers can remember.  You know how repetitive certain tasks--such as riding a bicycle, using a keyboard, or even driving home from the office--can become, so much so that our brains essentially go on autopilot.

With this new knowledge in place, the professor began playing pranks on his classes, testing his thesis.  He soon found that the results were always the same.  As long as they could keep on doing the things they had always done, his students' minds wouldn't work at optimum capacity.  It was only when he figuratively "sewed up their buttonholes" by stealing their notebooks, locking the doors, or upsetting their routine that any creative thinking was done.

So he came to the great, and now generally accepted, conclusion that the human mind is "an emergency organ"--that it relegates whatever it can to automatic functions for as long as it can.  It is only when something upsets the old order of things that the mind really starts working."  (1)

What would happen if we performed our Sunday morning worship service in reverse?  We begin by taking the offering.  Then, Brother Scott gets up and preaches.  Next, the choir sings a special number.  Follow with the congregation singing.  On the heels of that comes a time of fellowship to greet each other.  Finally, announcements are made.  We leave.

How far into "Bizarro Big Church" (or "Backwards Big Church" for the comic book deficient) would we get before people broke out in hives or got up and left?

This week's lesson is "I Celebrate YOU", and the scripture passage is Psalm 92.  Our main focus is that believers should rejoice in the opportunity to worship God and the benefits worship brings to their lives.

We're going to have a little fun this week with the Baptist National Anthem.  I promise you'll walk out of Sunday School with a smile on your face and a tune you won't be able to get out of your head.

So join us Sunday morning at 9:50 a.m. for a different Small Group Bible Study experience.  I know it's Spring Break, but come if you're in town.  You'll be glad you did.

Finish Friday strong.  Enjoy Saturday with your family.  See you Sunday!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."  Helen Keller

(1) from No More Dreaded Mondays by Dan Miller, pages 184-185.

I Call on YOU recap -- March 12, 2012

Time change gotcha, huh?

We didn't have as big a crowd this week, but we had a great discussion.  I know it's Spring Break next week, but we are still having church services--including Sunday School.

Here's the video we watched yesterday:

Have an excellent week!  See you soon.

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne 

“We can’t afford to waste tears on might-have-beens. We need to turn the tears into sweat that can take us to what can be.”  Denis Waitley

Rut row, Runday Rool! -- March 9, 2012

Are you in a rut?

Think about the question for 17 seconds.  Go ahead.  I'll be here when you get back.  Again, the question is...

Are you in a rut?

In case you are so accustomed to deciphering text shorthand, I'll ask it this way...

r u n a rut?

Time's up.  Well, yes or no? 

Is being in a rut a good thing or a bad thing?  Yes, it is.

My wife would tell you that I live in ruts.  My nickname should be "Mister Rut-meister".  I'm the captain of the S.S. Rutweiler.

It's not that I don't like change; I just think that change is highly overrated.

When I asked my opening question, did you have a positive or negative view of the word "rut"?  If you are like most people, "rut" means something negative.  But ruts can be positive.  Brushing your teeth twice a day is a good rut; it makes your dentist and your friends very happy. 

Praying daily is a good rut to be in. 

Or is it?

Is your prayer life in a rut?  Do your "conversations" with God resemble more of a monologue than a dialogue?  Are your prayers so similar that God might think you've just tape recorded one prayer that you play over and over and over?

Our Bible passage for this week's lesson is Psalm 86.  It was written by David, and we will look at how we can pattern our prayers like his.  He must have been doing something right with his prayers.  The Bible is full of them.

I'll never forget an acrostic I learned about how to pray when I was in my teens.  When we meet this Sunday (9:50 a.m.), I'll give it to you.  You'll be surprised how simple yet effective it is.

And if you want a really, really good template for praying, click here.  Tough to beat.  I had to go old school on you.

Finisheth Friday strongeth.  Enjoyeth Saturday with thine family.  See-eth thee Sunday.

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

”Fewer things are sadder than looking back on your life and saying, ‘I wish I had.’” -- The Courage Connection

I Long for YOU recap -- March 4, 2012

It was wonderful to see a full house this morning!  In fact, when Brother Scott came by, he shook my hand and said, "You've got a happy bunch today".

Seeing your fellowship and hearing your laughter made for a great start to the new week. 

In case you want to view the videos we saw today (and the one we didn't), here they are:

Have an excellent week!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“The reading of all good books is indeed like a conversation with the noblest men of past centuries who were the authors of them, nay a carefully studied conversation, in which they reveal to us none but the best of their thoughts.”—Rene Descartes

A Problem with this week's lesson -- March 2, 2012

Do you know what "dissonance" means?  It means disagreement or incongruity.

I'm preparing the Sunday School lesson this week, but I'm feeling a bunch of dissonance about it.  You see, the Lifeway point of the lesson is "Worship is an expression of our desire to be in God's presence".

Their point is totally valid.  I agree whole-heartedly with the statement.  But I see a disconnect between their statement and our Bible passage.

When I read Psalms 42 & 43, I see someone hurting.  I see someone needing.  I see someone reaching.

If I had my way, we'd erect a billboard beside our church building that says in bold print:  "Liberty Park Baptist Church: THE PERFECT CHURCH FOR UNPERFECT PEOPLE".

Now before any English majors object to the word "unperfect" because it's not correct grammar, I know it's misspelled.  God is not calling people who think their lives are fine; He wants the ones who are hurting. 

Have you ever thought how similar churches are to health clubs?  When people think about joining a health club, they feel they should get in shape before joining.  When people think about coming to church, they feel they should get their life "straightened out" before attending.

I know I'm guilty of trying to carry the weight of my world on my shoulders.  When life burdens me more and more, I finally drop to my knees in exhaustion.  On my knees in prayer is where I should have been all along. 

We have just over 48 hours from when we'll meet Sunday (9:50 a.m.).  Please pray for me.  Pray that I will bring the lesson in the way God wants it presented.  My prayer for you is that you have your hearts open to receive what God says.

Finish Friday strong.  Enjoy your family on Saturday.  See you Sunday!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"Asking is the beginning of receiving. Make sure you don't go to the ocean with a teaspoon. At least take a bucket so the kids won't laugh at you."  Jim Rohn

New month; new series in Sunday School -- March 1, 2012

It's March 1st.  

Do you know what that means?  It means we start a new series in Sunday School this week.  Woo Hoo!

Sunday falls on one of my favorite days of the year--March 4th.  It's the only day on the calendar that's a command to go forward (March Forth!).

Our series this month is called "The Heart of Worship".  This Sunday's lesson is entitled "I Long For You".

With a new series comes a new Bible focus.  For March, it's Psalms.  Did you know that David wrote 73 of the 150 psalms?  Did you know that the Book of Psalms is meant for singing?  Did you know the Book of Psalms in Hebrew is called the "Tehillim" which means "songs of praise"?  Are you getting tired of "Did you know..." questions?

This Sunday (9:50 a.m.) we'll be discussing Psalms 42 & 43.

If you clicked the link above, you read of someone going through a rough time.  The psalmist asks that two word question we all sometimes ask--"WHY ME?".

The psalmist yearns for God; yearns to be in His presence; yearns for help in a time of need.

 

What about you?

Do you have a yearning to worship God with other believers?  Is that yearning strong enough to compel you to set out worship clothes on Saturday night?  Is your desire strong enough to induce you to set the alarm clock in time to get up and get to church? 

Each of us benefits from worship with other believers.  The musical gifts of soloists and choir, the gift of exhortation of our pastor, the goofy antics of our Sunday School teacher, and the sweet fellowship of people grateful to God for salvation contribute to meaningful worship experiences.  These experiences over time enrich our lives and draw us closer to the God we love.  People need to know Jesus Christ is the answer to their search for fulfillment and their longing for God.  Do we thirst for God like the psalmist did?

Join us Sunday morning at 9:50 a.m. as we find the pulse of the "Heart of Worship".

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“Whatever must happen ultimately should happen immediately.” – Henry Kissinger

Center of My Life recap -- February 28, 2012

Good Tuesday evening everyone!

Here's one of the videos I played Sunday: 

I hope you are wearing your T-shirt this week.

See you Sunday!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“You can’t depend on your judgment when your imagination is out of focus.” -- Mark Twain

Sunday School test -- February 24, 2012

OK.  Pop-quiz time.
The test consists of one fill-in-the-blank question: “For me, living is _______________.”  After considering who or what claims your devotion, focus, and energy, how would you complete the sentence? 

The correct religious answer is obvious.  Yet in day-to-day living, to what do we give ourselves as our priority?  The competition for first place is fierce and unrelenting as ambitions, professions, people, and possessions vie for the central place in our lives.  In Philippians 1:21, Paul stated, “For me, living is Christ.”  Christ was the center of his life.  As believers, our overriding goal is to keep Christ as the center of our lives.

Sadly, many Christians do not live Christ-centered lives.  Some give Him a place of prominence but not the position of preeminence.  They may give Him Sunday but not Monday.  They keep Him on the outer edge of their daily lives, centering their lives instead on worldly concerns.  Christ demands and deserves to be the focal point of our lives because of who He is and what He has done for us.

Our lesson this week comes from verses in Colossians 3 and 4.  This is our final lesson in our "Christ is the Center Of..." series.  And it's the one that hits home both literally and figuratively. 

You'll want to be there Sunday (9:50 a.m.) if for no other reason to see if I can pull off an illustration that will last the entire class time.  It's bold, but it sums up the point of the whole series.  Come see if it works great or if I crash and burn.

Finish Friday strong.  Enjoy Saturday with your family.  See you Sunday. 

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne
 

"I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar." - Robert Brault

Darren's Believe It or Not -- February 17, 2012

Which of these beliefs or phrases are Biblically true and which are not?

There is only one God.

Jesus is God’s son.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

Mary Magdalene was a prostitute.

A Christian who has not been baptized will not go to heaven.

The wise men visited baby Jesus about four hours after the shepherds left.

During the Lord’s Supper, the bread literally becomes Jesus’ body and the wine (grape juice for us Baptists) becomes His blood.

Money is the root of all evil.

God helps those who help themselves.

Spare the rod, spoil the child.

When Christians go to heaven, they become angels.

Jonah spent three days in the belly of a whale.

Moses took two of every animal into the ark.

Paul held Jesus’ coat when He was crucified.

Salvation is by grace alone in Christ alone through faith alone.

God saved Daniel from the lions’ den.

Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.

Mary (Jesus’ mother) remained a virgin all her life.

We'll find the answers on these Sunday morning (9:50 am).  If you can come up with others, bring them with you. 

What's the point?  The point is that when you don't know what you believe, how can you answer questions others ask?

Finish Friday strong!  Enjoy Saturday with your family!  See you Sunday!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"When the character of a man is not clear to you, look at his friends." -- Japanese proverb

The Center of My Belief -- February 16, 2012

Popular opinion about Jesus often reduces Him to a highly intelligent teacher--one of many religious figures who offered useful guidelines for living and showed one of many entrances into heaven.  How would you counter the view that Christ was a good man who died a cruel death and belongs to past history?

Researchers report that Bible knowledge in American churches is at an all-time low and that a profound lack of belief in essential doctrines exists.  Our lesson this week is designed to help you keep Christ at the center of your belief, rejecting false teachings that deny His centrality.

I was talking to Brian last night at church.  We were discussing the series this month of "Christ is the center of...".  This series, for a teacher, is tough not because of the material but because I feel like I'm a broken record.  It's not easy teaching essentially the same lesson for four weeks.  And if I'm struggling teaching the same material over and over, I can only imagine how it is for you to listen to it over and over.

Then, God started nudging me a little.  You see, I have a habit of thinking that everyone in our class has about the same background and experience with the Bible as I do.  It's not a good habit to have.  God challenged me to look at the lesson with eyes of someone new to the faith.  My bad habit makes me forget that you are not at the same point of spiritual maturity that I am.  You may be farther ahead; you may be behind. 

The main point of this week's lesson is "Recognize the importance of sound doctrine, and evaluate all spiritual truth claims in light of Biblical truths, which have Christ as their focus and fulfillment".

But you cannot "evaluate spiritual truth claims" if you don't have a thorough grounding in the Bible.  Now, I'm not talking about doctoral-theology-level grounding; I'm talking about the basic fundamentals of Christianity.  So that will be our aim this Sunday.

Our lesson scripture this week is Colossians 2:8-23.  Click here Colossians 2:8-23 to read the text in the NIV version.  If trying to keep up with Paul's writing style makes your head hurt, try this version Colossians 2:8-23 (MSG) from The Message.

I loved the discussion we had last week.  Let's do the same this week.  Remember:  Sunday at 9:50 a.m.

Happy Thursday!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"The book you don't read won't help." —Jim Rohn

Sunday School recap -- February 13, 2012

We had a great time yesterday in Sunday School.  Special thanks to the 19 who were there.

In case you wanted to see the video we began the class with again, here it is:

I hope you have a wonderful week!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -- Mark Twain

New Year's Resolutions -- January 5, 2012

Hello, Hello, One and All,

How are your New Year's Resolutions going so far?

I made four resolutions this year.  The first one is pretty easy; the second and third 
ones will take time and discipline; and the fourth one is my bodacious goal.

What are they, you ask?  This Sunday morning, you'll see my first, third, and a little of 
my fourth one in action.  I'm still trying to find a way to work my second into the 
lesson.

This week we'll look at adding a Biblical resolution to our list.  Our scripture passage 
is Ephesians 5:1-16.  The title is "Purity versus Sensuality", and we'll see 
what the Bible says about being imitators of God and walking in His love, light, and 
wisdom.

I hope one of your resolutions is to be at Sunday School every week.  Don't be forced to 
say, "I wish I would have been there to see Darren do THAT!"  You have been 
warned.

I pray that you will be a blessing to someone who needs it.  See you Sunday!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne