Homecoming -- February 22, 2013

home-com-ing   [hohm-kuhm-ing]

noun

1.  a return to one's home; arrival at home.

2.  an annual event held by a college, university, or high school for visiting alumni.

-per Dictionary.com

Have you ever participated in a Homecoming at your alma mater?

You go back to campus and see what's the same and what's changed.  You may run into some friends you haven't seen for a long time.  You catch up with how their lives have progressed.

You show your kids your classrooms.  They roll their eyes.

You remember fondly all the great times you had.

But it's not the same.

As much as you would like to go back in time and enjoy those days, they are gone.

I'm not trying to be somber.  It's just that in 89 days, I will celebrate (or mourn) the fact that I will have been graduated from Bama for 20 years.

And as much fun as I have going back to campus for football games, basketball games, and gymnastics meets, it's different.

I wouldn't change my life now for what I had then.  The experiences I had helped shape me into the man I am now.

When the Jews were released from Babylon and went back to Jerusalem, they were ecstatic.  Until they saw how bad Jerusalem looked.  It was a bittersweet homecoming for those who remembered what the city looked like in its prime.

This Sunday at 9:50 a.m., we will see what those who returned were faced with.

The outline of Session 13 called "The Return" goes like this:

1.  God's people rejoiced in their return from exile yet longed for full restoration (Ezra 3:10-13).
2.  God's people lived in light of the promise of God's presence and peace (Zechariah 8:1-8).
3.  God's people looked to the kingdom that would reconcile us to God and others (Malachi 4:4-6).

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

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"Be absolutely clear about who you are and what you stand for. Refuse to compromise." -- Brian Tracy

Keep HOPE alive -- February 21, 2013

"HOPE" was the focus of our two stories.  Each story took place in Babylon about 500 BC.  Daniel and his friends had been sent from Judah to Babylon when King Nebuchadnezzar captured the Southern Kingdom.  Ezekiel was in Babylon to make sure the transplanted Jews did not forget God.

The first story from Daniel 1 tells the story of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego undergoing training to serve the Babylonian Empire.  They asked to be served vegetables and water instead of the king's lush meal offerings.  From paintings from the time period, male beauty meant chubbiness and big muscles.  Going vegetarian wasn't normally the way to accomplish that.  Daniel and his friends wanted to show that God would take care of them.

The video we saw to illustrate this was "Stand Up" from the VeggieTales Rack, Shack, and Benny. 

It's a really catchy tune.

Our second story was from Ezekiel 37:1-14.  It was a vision that God gave Ezekiel about a valley of dry bones coming to life.  It represented the prophesy that God's people would be freed from their captivity and go back to Jerusalem.  It was a message of hope.

We watched a video that showed us The Valley of Dry Bones.

We did not have time to watch a second video about this passage.  It's from The Wiggles called "Dem Dry Bones". 

It's much more kid-friendly.

Jerusalem fell to the Babylonian army because the Jews had forgotten God and had instead worshiped the gods of pagan nations.  The way for us to not face God's discipline is to do what He tells us to do.

We finished with one final video:  Fellowship of the Unashamed

It finishes like this:  "I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He stops me.

And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me.

My colors will be clear."

Make it a great week!

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it."  Bill Cosby

"I don't know what You're doing, but I know who You are" -- February 15, 2013

Do you know someone who is going through a rough time right now?

Is it you?

As long as you are on this earth, you will have your share of difficult circumstances.  As Andy Andrews says:  "Everybody is either in a crisis, coming out of a crisis, or about to go through a crisis".  It's part of life.

And just because you are a Christian doesn't mean you are immune.  In fact, if you study scripture, you'll find that Christians will have it tougher than non-believers.

But as a Christian, you've got God on your side.

Yesterday was Valentine's Day.  It was not a night to take the family to dinner because of the crowds, so I picked up a carry-out order from P.F. Chang's.  On my way home, I heard this song called "Who You Are" by J.J. Heller.

It is a song about faith in difficult circumstances.  The chorus of the song says to God:  "I don't know what You're doing, but I know who You are."

Our lesson this week looks at two stories from the Old Testament about tough circumstances.  It is Session 12 and is called "The Exile: God Prepares His People for Deliverance".

The first story is about Daniel and his friends (you'll find out who they are Sunday at 9:50 a.m.) in Daniel 1:8-17.

The second story is a vision that God gave Ezekiel in Ezekiel 37:1-14.

We will see how these have relevance to our lives today.  It will even give you strength to bear your circumstances now or give you wisdom to encourage those going through a difficult time.

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

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome." — Anne Bradstreet

Where Could It Happen? -- February 8, 2013

You may or may not know that I grew up in Headland, Alabama which is in the southeast part of the state.

The situation with Jimmy Lee Dykes holding a kindergarten boy hostage last week played out 10 miles from my hometown.

This week, I want you to hear from Cecil Sanders, the pastor of FBC-Headland (the church I grew up in):

“When the World Descended Upon Dale County

Last Friday some deacons and I helped serve the first responders at the hostage sight in Midland City. We were there in coordination with the Columbia Baptist Association and the Salvation Army. Our job was to prepare and serve donated food items to federal, state and local law enforcement officials as they took breaks in their ‘round-the-clock’ surveillance. I also had the opportunity to check in with the hearts and spirits of these dedicated men and women all focused on bringing a peaceful resolution to a difficult hostage situation. I’d like to share with you some observations, impressions and reflections.

The value of human life: Upon arriving and throughout our service there we were amazed at the massive amount of resources – men, women, equipment, technology…etc. – mobilized because of one man’s actions and on behalf of one little boy. A bad decision is costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. And yet the life of Ethan is worth every dollar! Human life is precious and worth all the effort and resources invested. The tragic irony is how little we value pre-born children who, thanks to modern medicine, are viable long before their “due” dates. How can it be that we “move heaven and earth” to save a kindergartener, but continue to abort healthy unborn babies by the thousands each year? God so loved each person that He gave His ALL – He moved heaven and earth in sending Jesus – to redeem any and all who believe.

The awareness that our nation is hurting within: Speaking with an FBI official from Atlanta I was struck by his candidness. “When I was growing up,” he said, “there was no doubt in my mind that I was safe at school. It never occurred to me that I should fear for my safety while on the grounds of my school.” This man went on to say, “I’m a father of four children and I am very concerned. This event (Midland City) and the others (Newtown, Columbine) deeply trouble me.” This man was baring his soul. He was obviously well trained, skilled, intelligent, strong and rugged. But this brave man also had a disturbed heart. I thanked him for his service and pray for him to know peace through Christ.

The witness of God’s church: A member of the Dale County School Board shared that federal officials from all over the nation were amazed and overwhelmed with the generosity and support shown by the local faith community. Food donations, volunteers serving and continual prayer spoke highly of God’s people here in the Wiregrass. Believers letting their light shine brought glory to God.

The time and place in which we live are ordained by God. Our world is troubled and increasingly uncomfortable for Christians. However, this is the time and place in which God has placed us. May He empower us to be His effective representatives in our world.

Thankful to hear just now (Monday) that Ethan is free!

(But I take no delight in the death of Mr. Dykes – Ezekiel 18:32)

Cecil Sanders”

We are going to step away from our usual Sunday School lesson this week.  Instead, we will meet with other adult Bible study groups in the sanctuary to hear the testimony of Irene Gleeson.

Here is what our church newsletter says about it:

“What happens when one person gives complete control of their life to Jesus? After the death of her mother, a divorce, the loss of all she had known, and a desperate and wide-ranging search for truth, Irene Gleeson made the decision to give Jesus control of her life. Since that time, God has used her willingness to affect the lives of thousands.”

Make sure you are in the sanctuary by 9:50 a.m.

I know we will be blessed and challenged by her story.

What do commentary on a hostage situation and a visiting missionary have in common?  Discipleship.  You know--the word Scott has been preaching about all year (think about that for a minute).

It doesn't matter if you are going a few miles up the street or to another continent.  God calls us to go and make disciples. 

If you think about it, God doesn't have a long list of prerequisites for us to be used in His work.  All He asks us to be is willing.

Pray for a willing spirit.  God will do the rest.

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

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

 "You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand." - Woodrow Wilson

A Different Game -- February 1, 2013

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."

So ends the classic poem "The Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost.

Today is February 1st; the start of a new month.

Let's play a game from today through Sunday morning.  Here's the rule (there's only one):  Do Something Different!

What do I mean?  OK.  Here are some suggestions:

     *  Take a different route home from work.
     *  Tell someone "Good Morning" with gusto in the afternoon and see what they do.
     *  At the restaurant, order something you've never tried before.
     *  When you are stopped at a light, give the driver of the vehicle next to you a big smile and a "thumbs up".
     *  Ask a stranger where they bought their shoes.
     *  Eat a meal with your left hand (if you are a "righty").
     *  Skip through a store (works best if your kids are with you, but your choice).
     *  Answer the phone (especially telemarketing calls) with a thick foreign accent.

When we get together on Sunday, I want you to share your stories.  It'll be a hoot!

I will do something different Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  It will carry over to how we do Sunday School.

The way we usually approach our lesson each week is to first go through our scripture passages.  Here's what they are for this week:

1 Kings 18:20-39 and
2 Kings 17:6-18

After the Bible story, we look at how the scripture applies to us today.

Well, this week we are going to reverse that.  This Sunday at 9:50 a.m., we will do some application stuff first.  Then we will look at how things were handled thousands of years ago.

So join me as we zig, then zag instead of zagging, then zigging.

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

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"It's easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than to think your way into a new way of acting." — Millard Fuller