Wandering/Habits

I was part of the security team for the 2016 Salem First Baptist “Church in the Park”. One of the tasks of the security team is to ensure the safety and security of all those in attendance. We also have the opportunity to interact with people just “wandering by”. Quite often they ask, “What is going on?” We tell them and invite them to join us. One opportunity I had was to talk with a lady who was walking by and she decided to stay. I continued to wander around during the service and at the end of the service I went back to the lady and ensured her that we would love for her to stay for the picnic. She said that she needed to get home to her child. She continued by saying that this was exactly what she needed. At that point she began to cry. She said that there was a lot going on in her life and she really needed this. I gave her a hug and she just held on and cried. She thanked me for the hug and I asked if there was anything I could do for her. She said that she has never been to our church but that she will come. I am praying for her and I'm praying that she will come to church. Only the Lord knows if she will or when she will. After all, the Lord brought her to the service for a reason. Please pray for her that she will follow through by coming to church. Please also pray for the many others who wandered by and had opportunity to hear the music and the preaching of God’s Word. --Tracy Camillo Habits are hard to make or hard to break. They say that it takes 21 days to make a habit.  I have found that it takes a lot longer than that.  I have done many things for 21 days and then almost without notice I have stopped.  For years I memorized scripture and then it began to slip away.  I used to bike about 2000 miles a year and then my schedule got a little busier.  Habits are hard to make--stick.  But some habits are hard to break.  For those of you who have smoked you would say a hearty amen.  Or if you have a habit of going back to the refrigerator two or three times a night it is hard to stop those behaviors.  Some habits are hard to break. But habits are crucial because they are repetitious behaviors and over time they make a significant imprint on your life.  My prayer for you this year is that you will make connection a habit.  Stay connected to God in prayer and reading his word, stay connected to people by joining a Bible study or community group.  Stay connected with friends by scheduling regular lunch or walks together.  Stay connected, because connection gives you life.  Praying for you, Pastor Mark Good Book to Read Chase the Lion--Pastor and author Mark Batterson is a good read.  One of his first books In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, was fantastic. He has recently released Chase the Lion.  They read quick, but they last long.  7 Men by Eric Metaxas--Brothers this book will inspire you to a greater life.  I know they say men don't read, but they also say Jonah really didn't live in a whale for three days--#two wrongs don't make it right

Holy Spirit POWER

I John 2:6 tells us “the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as Jesus walked.” What does that look like in our culture today? As Christ followers what does it look like within our church?
Here's what it might look like: One of our church members had been wanting to visit a neighbor for over a year, but had not connected. His desire was to go from a waving neighbor to actually meeting the neighbor and hearing his story. One day this church member was walking past the neighbor’s house praying and depending on the Holy Spirit to lead him that day. Lo and behold the neighbor pulled into their driveway right in front of him. A quick thank-you prayer and a give-me-courage prayer was said. He was praying for the right words as the neighbor got out of the car.  With only a few questions, he found out where the neighbor was from, what they did for a living, what were some of his pains and what brought joy to his life. Our church member was invited back for more conversations. I believe this happened because he was depending on the Holy Spirit’s leading and prayer.  Jesus modeled for us how to depend on the Holy Spirit for direction.
Another illustration of walking as Jesus walked was another one of our members from our church whom I will call Bob. Bob has been praying for his friend who did not know Christ. Actually his friend leaned toward an atheistic philosophy. Bob had his friend over for dinner. Bob prayed for courage, wisdom and the power to listen carefully and to ask questions intentionally. Bob listened carefully and did not debate with his friend. He was able to share the good news of Jesus Christ and has an open invitation for more conversations. The friend is open to reading the Scriptures together. Jesus modeled for us how to pray so we could walk as He walked.  
We had a 6-week class this summer called Walking as Jesus Walked. It was an overview of what Jesus modeled for us as He walked on the earth. He modeled the following to help enable us to walk as Jesus walked:
Prayer--Jesus depended on prayerful guidance.
Obedience—Jesus obeyed with perfect obedience.
Word—Jesus obeyed God’s Word in every area.
Exalted—Jesus exalted His Father in everything.
Relationships—Jesus was intentional about developing relationships.
Holy Spirit Power is how Jesus lived His life, so can we. This is an exciting adventure, as others in our class can testify.
--Pastor Leon

Dancing for Jesus

Seven years ago, an 11 year old girl arrived late to her first dance rehearsal.  She felt awkward and didn’t enjoy it much.  But she stuck with it.  Over time, through the consistent love and support of her teacher, Rachel Hanna, along with the effort it takes to learn any discipline, her enjoyment grew into a love for ballet. 

Last year, as a senior in high school and under the leadership of Rachel, Hannah Calkins took on teaching 2 classes of her own in the Ballet a la Croix ministry at SFB.  As she was mentored by Rachel, Hannah instructed and taught 24 young children in the areas of worship, dance, discipline and discipleship.  Hannah says, “Seeing the growth of the kids as they come together in a recital and worshiping God through the unique expression of dance are highlights of teaching them.” 

She hopes to continue teaching this next year, depending on her college schedule.  Regardless of how long she continues to dance or teach dance, Hannah is thankful that she has grown significantly in being more coachable and teachable.  Learning to practice the art of worship has meant a lot to her as well.  In her words, “It takes practice to worship well.” 

Hannah is only one story of multitudes of young women who have come through Rachel’s dance studio over the past 7 years.  But Hannah’s story is not unique. 

According to Rachel, "The goal of Ballet a La Croix ministry is to disciple and share the love of Christ with students.  We strive to take scriptural truths and eventually translate them into dance.  Students are taught that everything they do is for God's glory.  Ballet is no exception.  Classes pray regularly and talk weekly about what it means to be used as a tool of God to reach the hearts of the audience through music, dance, and scripture." 

Rachel and Hannah are exceptional examples of our core values of worship and discipleship through their unique ministry with Ballet a La Croix.  Thank God for their faithfulness and continue to pray for the future of this ministry. 

Questions to ponder: 

Hannah mentioned that it takes practice to worship well.  Where are you currently working on practicing worship and building your worship muscle? 

Rachel teaches her students that everything they do is for God’s glory.  What is one area in your life that you would like to begin to dedicate and yield to God? 
Pastor Nate