A Creepy Story of Faith -- May 18, 2012

Is there a story in the Bible that creeps you out?  Even though that story is there to teach you something, it is unsettling to think about?

Our story this week is that one for me.  It's the story of Abraham and Isaac and the sacrifice God asks Abraham to make.

The scripture passage is Genesis 22:1-14 and Genesis 26:2-5.

Child sacrifice isn't something that is discussed in polite company.  That is the gist of the first passage.  But it's really a test of faith for Abraham.  Fortunately, Abraham passes the test.

This story was always unsettling for me growing up because I was the first-born son in my family.  I identified strongly with Isaac.  Now that I'm a dad, I identify more with Abraham.  And the thought of being asked to sacrifice one of my kids boggles my mind.

We'll dive deeper into our story on Sunday (9:50 a.m.).  We'll see what God had in mind in testing Abraham this way.

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

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“No matter what age you are, or what your circumstances might be, you are special, and you still have something unique to offer. Your life, because of who you are, has meaning.”  Barbara De Angelis

Marked By Hope recap -- May 14, 2012

Andrew did an outstanding job leading our "Marked By Hope" lesson yesterday.  The story of Hannah was a great one for Mother's Day.  Hannah showed her faith in God by trusting that He would show favor on her.  She promised to give her child to God if she received that blessing.

Hannah followed through with that oath to God.  She gave her son, Samuel, to God by committing that he would be a Nazarite.  The Nazarite's outward signs--the growth of hair, abstention from alcohol, and avoidance of contact with the dead--are illustrative of devotion to God.

Samuel grew up to be the final judge in Israel before Saul was chosen as king.

Andrew brought up a good point that not praying for people we love is a sin.  So we should all be sure to pray to God on behalf of our family.

Another point he made deals with our actions.  Our actions are what other people (especially our kids) judge us by.  We need to make sure what we do lines up with what Jesus told us to do.  Great stuff.

Make this a great week.  And remember, others are watching what you do.

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"We must learn to apply all that we know so that we can attract all that we want."  Jim Rohn

A Different Mother's Day Story -- May 11, 2012

Did you know that Mother's Day is the busiest day of the year in the restaurant business?

I'm learning it the hard way because I didn't make reservations in time at the restaurant my wife wanted.  Lunch at 2:30 p.m. wouldn't work.

So now it's Plan B. 

We celebrate mothers this Sunday with a special lesson.  It's about Samuel and his mother, Hannah.

It's a story about love, about faith, and about sacrifice.  All attributes of a great mom.

The scriptures for the story come from 1 Samuel 12:23-24, 1 Samuel 1:10-20, and 1 Samuel 1:27-2:1.

A Christian mom's (and dad's) greatest desire should be to see their children come to the Lord.  This Sunday (at 9:50 a.m.), we'll see this in action.

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

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“Research shows that 90 percent of five-year-olds are creative, but only 2 percent of adults are.”  Lee Silber

Making Your Mark recap -- May 8, 2012

Dr. Scott Guffin did a great job teaching Sunday School.  He kicked off a neat Sunday morning that had him taking care of Sunday School, Dr. Jim Bruton delivering the sermon at "big church", and Mrs. Oleta Bruton speaking at the Senior Adult Recognition Luncheon.

Though each of them used different scriptures, each touched on our lesson of "Making Your Mark" from a different angle.

Scott taught about building on the right foundation, sharing your life message, and keeping your focus from Deuteronomy 6:1-15.

He showed this video:

 

It speaks directly to our class since most of us have children.  Watch the video.  Remember "40 versus 3000" as you go through your day.

Dr. Bruton's message came from 2 Corinthians 5.  If you have ever been part of R.A.'s, you'll recognize 2 Corinthians 5:20 which says: "we are ambassadors for Christ".  In the geopolitical world, an ambassador is someone sent by one country to another; that person represents the country who sent him.

It's the same way for us as Christians.  We are sent by Christ to represent Him to the world.  We are to conduct a ministry of proclaiming the Good News.  Those who know Jesus are to tell those who don't know Jesus.

As a Christian, your actions are the book that others in this world will read about Jesus.

Mrs. Oleta geared her talk to the Senior Adults.  But her message fits everyone.  Her point?  "I want to live until I'm gone".  Can't add anything to that.

Three different people; three different angles; one unifying theme.  Make Your Mark.

Look for ways to be a blessing to others this week.  Make your mark.

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“I believe people should study a little bit every day. It should become habitual, like brushing your teeth, combing your hair, having a shower or getting dressed. Study the mind, the laws of the universe and paradigms. There’s enough information on those subjects to keep a person studying forever.”  Bob Proctor

What Will You Leave Behind? -- May 4, 2012

We start a new series of lessons this week.  The series' title is "A Lasting Legacy".  The first lesson is "Making Your Mark".  Our scripture passage will be Deuteronomy 6:1-15. 

It got me thinking.  What do want to leave behind after you're gone? 

Because, unlike the ancient Egyptians, we don't bury our treasure with us when we're put in the ground.  Is 'stuff' what you live for?  The "Christian" answer is "No".  But have you ever had a yard sale?  You know, cleaning out the 'stuff' that's stored in the attic or garage. 

We've had yard sales.  Been excited to make some "good money" getting rid of things we don't need anymore.  But if you want to make yourself sick, think about how much you paid for that 'stuff' and how much someone else paid for that same 'stuff' a few years later.  Queasy yet?

So if 'stuff' isn't the answer, what is?  Let's go a bit deeper.

Whose lives will you touch by your treading here on Earth?  You might go with the easy answer and say, "My family and close friends", and you'd be 97.4% right.

But was it a positive or a negative impact?  You see, every action we take while we're on this terrestrial ball affects the lives of others. 

Do something for me.  Think of someone in your life who was an inspiration to you.  Someone who challenged you to do more than you thought you could ever do.  Someone who believed in you when you had given up hope.  Someone whose advice always got you back on track.  Got them in mind?  Makes you feel good even right now, doesn't it?

That's what I want you to be for someone else.  How?  Think again about the person who inspired you.  Odds are pretty good that it was a mature Christian you thought of.

You see, if you live what the Bible says, you will have a positive impact on those around you.  Though our scripture passage comes from the fifth book of the Bible, its lessons are just as applicable now as they were when Moses penned them.

Come this Sunday to hear how important "making your mark" is.

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

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“Music has the capacity to touch the innermost reaches of the soul and music gives flight to the imagination.”  Plato

Jesus Is Coming Again recap -- April 30, 2012

Teaching a Sunday School class is a lot like launching a new product in the marketplace.  I painstakingly put together a lesson with discussion questions and video illustrations.  Then, it's revealed on Sunday morning to be voted thumbs-up or thumbs-down by you.

But, man.  The reception I got from this video still has me scratching my head. 

I never thought when I was getting this video ready that it would be met with snickers and guffaws.  I guess I was listening to the message more than looking at the people.  On reflection, though, it did look like Jesus (aka Guy Penrod), sporting a Texas-sized buckle, was belting out the third verse.

I'll be more careful next time.  Still, it wasn't a total loss.  At least I got you laughing (some hysterically); that's always good.

Remember the question we began with:  "If you could know with certainty that Christ would come one week from today, what would you do between now and then?"

Jesus is coming again.  No one knows when.  So we should live our lives as if it's later today.  That means we need to have those "uncomfortable" conversations with friends and family about where they stand with Jesus.  That means we need to be teaching our kids about Christ and what He did for them.  That means we need to be the hands and feet of God.

You won't be in it alone.  The Holy Spirit will guide you in what to do and what to say.  Just be receptive.  Listen.  Do.

I'll be praying for you this week; I ask for your prayers.  Live your life with purpose this week.  The time we have on earth is precious.  Use it wisely for God's glory.

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

"It is never too late to be what you might have been."  George Eliot

Remembering a Storm; Looking Forward to a Glorious Day -- April 27, 2012

Today is the first anniversary of the tornadoes that ravaged Alabama.  Do you remember where you were when the winds came through?

I was traveling home from Kentucky on April 27th, 2011.  My wife and kids had to ride out the storm without me.  Fortunately, they were able to stay with my parents.

As we look back on a day that brought horrendous destruction, we remember the lives changed.

But as bad as that day was, we had warnings that things would be rough.  We had time to prepare for it; time to run for cover.

Will it be that way when Christ returns?  The Bible says, "No".  We won't have James Spann telling us to get ready because tomorrow's forecast calls for a 100 percent chance of Rapture.

Sunday's lesson (9:50 a.m., right?) will look at Jesus' return.  Our scriptures will be from Matthew and Revelation.

Without tipping my hand on the specifics of our lesson, I will tell you that the three sections will be:

• Why We Wait     Revelation 22:12-14
  
• How To Wait      Matthew 24:36-44
• While We Wait    Matthew 24:9-14 and Revelation 7:9
  

Join us Sunday morning at 9:50.  That's assuming Jesus doesn't come by then.  If the Rapture happens before class starts, I'll be the one fishing along the outside bend of a river tributary flowing into the crystal sea.  Heaven should have some whopping largemouth bass.


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

Loyally yours,

Darren Bayne

“Men of genius sometimes accomplish most when they work the least, for they are thinking out inventions and forming in their minds the perfect idea that they subsequently express with their hands.”  Leonardo da Vinci