My Reminder Article

Sharon told me that there was not room for my article in our church newsletter because there are so many senior portraits. I am posting it here for those from FBC-Sylacauga who reads my blog --

Dear Church Family,

I saw something beautiful last night in the church service. At the end of the service, God impressed on me to call forward a young man who has been visiting our church. He has been having some health problems. It was such a beautiful sight to see the “body of Christ” lavish their prayers and love on this young man. Most people do not even know him but were willing to come to the altar and pray for him! Thanks to the body for being the body. When one member of the body of Christ hurts we all suffer. I am sure that this young man will never forget the night at First Baptist when the saints of God went to the throne of God on his behalf. God is so good!

A few important reminders –

• Pastor’s Book Club – check the web site or call the office for details.
  
• 175th Anniversary – May 25th – a great day of celebration
  
• Sunday’s In the Park – an awesome time of fellowship and OUTREACH to the community. One Sunday night per month during the summer.

I will be starting to preach through the book on Nehemiah on Sunday mornings. I hope you will join us!

Thanks for all of the food, cards, phone cards and visits as I have recovered from my surgery. Each expression of love has brightened my day in some way!

Did you know…..you can view our services on the church web site? www.sylacaugafbc.org

I am in much prayer and study at this point of my ministry with you. I believe that we are at a crossroads – please be in prayer and seek God with me. The most important thing that can happen here is for us to be the instrument of God’s will!

Galatians 2:20,
Brother T

A Tribute to Hazel

Everytime I tried to call my mother today the phone was busy. When I finally got in touch with her tonight she informed me that she had been very busy today. She said that she and the Senior Choir sung in the service today at her church -- First Baptist Church of Piedmont, Alabama. Afterwards she went to my sister, Charlotte's house for lunch where she spent the afternoon. I started trying to call late in the afternoon and the phone line was busy everytime. When I talked to her tonight she said that my brother and sisters were checking in for Mother's Day. She was full of news. She's always full of news.

Recently, when I was visiting her I asked her why she stayed so busy. I wanted to encourage her to slow down some. She will be 91 in June. I will always remember what she said. "Well son, I just keep going because if I stop, I will get there." I think I know what she meant -- don't give up! Don't stop. I told her that she is like the Energizer Bunny -- she just keeps going and going!

A tribute....

I thought she was weak, she was really strong.
I thought she was old fashioned she was really wise.

I thought she was pretty, she thought she was plain.

My mother is the best cook, the strongest willed, best looking 91 year old woman I know. She loves the Lord, loves to read, loves to paint, loves to sew, loves to work with her hands, loves to garden, loves her church, loves her kids, and loves the outdoors!

She taught me how to make banana sandwiches, tomato gravy, biscuits, dressing, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, salmon patties.

She was not afraid to try to do anything. She was not always about women's work -- I never knew if a wall would be moved or if one would be added. She protected me and prayed for me when a tornado went over our house. She built a BBQ Pit out of salvaged bricks. She cared for me and her mother in law. She birthed 5 kids. She raised 5 and buried one. I don't think she ever got over it. I know she didn't. She never talked about it.

She is truly one of the most unique people I have ever met. She is not the perfect mother but she is my mother and I love her!

Playing Tarzan

When I was a kid I loved Saturday mornings. I would get up early to watch cartoons. After Mighty Mouse and some other cartoons, 3 of my favorite shows came on: Tarzan, Roy Rodgers and Skye King.

Many times after the shows went off I would go out to play and re-enact the plot of my favorite show for the day. My sister, Pat, who is a little older than me would join in on the fun. I will never forget the time when we were playing Tarzan.

My grandmother lived in a small house in front of our house. She had a huge tree in her yard. My sister played the part of Jane, the huge oak tree played the part of Tarzan and of course because I was the little brother -- I always had to play the part of "boy." I only had two choices: Boy or Cheetah. (the chimp) My sister always insisted that those were the only two parts that fit for me.

One day really stands out in my memory. Pat ran up to Tarzan (the tree) and wrapped her arms around as far as she could and said, "Oh Tarzan -- thank you for saving me." At this point I noticed something on the tree. It seems that a green snake had slithered up the tree and was just kind of hanging out. I could have stopped her but I didn't. She meant to kiss Tarzan but instead she kissed the snake! It was not what she expected. She screamed and ran home. I remember laughing all the way back to the house! I am laughing right now! That was sweet revenge for not letting me play the part of Tarzan.

You know it's kind of like that in the Christian life. We go about our lives doing what we always do and.....BOOM.....enter the green snake of surprise. We get something that we are not expecting. Life can really through us some curve balls.

How does God want us to react? Does he want us to run screaming? Not really. He knows where the snakes are. He is not surprised at anything that comes our way. We can trust him.

The snake was harmless. He was probably more scared than my sister. Similarly the things in our lives that we allow to paralize us in fear are really harmless when we put our faith and trust in the Lord Jesus. Do you remember that shield of faith in Ephesians 6?

My encouragement to myself and to you today is -- HOLD FORTH THE SHIELD OF FAITH -- we may have to kiss some snakes today!

Locking our Shields of Faith!

This afternoon when I walked out of the doctor's office I was smiling. My doctor said that I should take it easy for another week and then everything should be great. I suspected that was what he was going to say because I have felt so much better over the past couple of days. Praise the Lord. My situation is so minor compared to what some people are going through right now, but I am still so thankful that God has answered prayer concerning my health.

Have you ever experienced a time in your life when you were going through some trial or hard time and all of the sudden it seems like the burden is lifted for a time? I have experienced this alot lately. It is as if a switch has been flipped and the oppression if lifted with the switch. I have come to believe that during those times that a prayer warrior somewhere is praying! I call this "locking shields."

I am teaching a Bible study on Wednesday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at First Baptist of Sylacauga. The study is from Ephesians 6:10-18 -- "The Armor of God." Paul teaches concerning spiritual warfare in the most practical, visual way. He uses the armor of the Roman soldier to illustrate our defense and battle strategy in this spiritual war called the Christian life.

The Roman soldier's shield was designed to lock together with his comrad in arms. The point is: two is better than one -- there is strength in numbers. My point is: someone locked into my shield in prayer! If that person is reading this blog -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS!

Feeling Better....Finally!

This morning when I woke up I experienced something very interesting...I woke up for the first time in over a year without pain.

I have been dealing with this pain problem for one year. The strange thing about it is that I had grown to expect it. I would wake up and say "yep -- there it is." It had become such a part of my life that I was sort of used to it. It was there, but I had just conditioned myself to go on -- even if it was hurting.

I have come to realize that the strongholds of Satan are much the same way. Here is how he (Satan) works in our lives. He gradually comes to us with some sort of temptation. We fall for his lies and they become a part of our daily living. (A stronghold) The more we endure them, the more conditioned we become to their presence in our lives. We simply get used to them. As a result of this deception we grow cold in our passion for walking with Jesus and doing ministry. We simply (little by little) quench the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives!

Recently I had surgery to correct my "pain problem." For almost two weeks now I have been in recovery. There have been many days when I hurt more than I did before the surgery. However, this morning I started to realize tha the surgery worked! I noticed the difference in my attitude, energy level and general health. As I walked out of my office this afternoon I was humming a happy tune. My secretary said, "it sure is good to hear you humming a tune again." Pain free is wonderful!

Now when I realize that Jesus has corrected my sin problem and all I really need to do is walk accordingly -- it affects my attitude, energy level and my general health; both physical and especially spiritually! Romans 6 makes something very clear -- sin no longer has dominion (strong hold power) over me! FREEDOM!!!

OUR GOD IS AN AWESOME GOD!
Pastor Tim Childers