Tag Archive - Friends

From Brian to Billy

March 14, 2007 in Uncategorized with 2 Comments

In our Small Group Leaders luncheon on Sunday one of our young leaders, Brian, told how he had successfully birthed several small groups. This was a testimony that was desperately needed, we have so many new people coming into FBCSmyrna and very few small groups for them. We need more small group leaders to develop apprentices so new groups can be birthed. Brian has done a phenomenal job at launching new groups and help apprentices grow.

Brian shared the story of his latest apprentice, Billy. Billy came into FBCSmyrna approximately 3 years ago and was far from God when he showed up with his wife. He had personal problems in all areas of life, and wanted  to leave the service and the church as quickly as he could. On the first day he attended he sat near the back and close to the door so he could leave if things weren’t going the way he wanted them to go. He said as bad as he wanted to leave and as close as he was to the door he could not make himself leave. The Holy Spirit had placed him there to hear a message of truth and grace. Following that worship service he continued to come and the Lord began changing him and his family. It wasn’t long until the Lord changed Billy’s heart and he submitted his life and family to the Lord. Brian spoke of the time when he drove to see Billy and his family baptized at Billy’s family church, how he had seen Billy grow in the Lord, how he had submitted himself to godly teaching and training and now would be taking over the leadership the small group. Brian was overcome with emotion while telling the story, it was so refreshing to see men weep with joy over another man’s changed life. Billy, who is a mountain of a man,  enveloped Brian with a huge hug at the close of the testimony. I was able to see that Jesus was leading that transition in the small group. 

Thanks Brian for being a leader who is willing to invest in relationships with people to see them grow in faith. Thanks Billy for being man enough to submit to God’s plan for your life and your family. Guys, keep leading and keep following.

Topics

March 7, 2007 in Family with 2 Comments

Beginning next Monday I plan to start blogging on different topics through out the week on a regular basis. I have been trying to figure out how I could bring some consistency to the blog but also keep the postings fresh. So, with that introductory word here is what I am going to work toward:

Monday – A Different Perspective (what happened on Sunday)

Wednesday- Stories of Changed Lives (the influence that Christ is having through the ministries of fbcsmyrna)

Friday – Personal Reflection (what God has been teaching me, saying, and doing in my life & family)

The rest of the days will be whatever hits me as worthy of blogging about. I’m giving you topics I plan on covering not necessarily the titles. If all goes wall, this will help me to be more focused and hopefully help you enjoy what you are reading.

Stay tuned.

Lots of New Pics

March 4, 2007 in Family, Photos with 0 Comments

Go to the sidebar, scroll down, and click on the Flickr  photostream to view some pictures that have just been added.

3 Questions

February 28, 2007 in Influence, Mission with 6 Comments

“How do I begin to develop new relationships with lost people, when I don’t have time for the relationships I have already?” This is a good question and a hard one at the same time.

I think you have to begin with another question, “Are the relationships that I have today about what God wants or what I want?” Another question might be asked, “Do I view the relationships I have the way God sees them?” I think these two questions are two of the most important questions we can ask ourselves. God has placed us in a neighborhood, at a workplace, and in relationships that he desires us to cultivate for His glory and His causes.

God has placed me in my neighborhood not just so I can have a roof over my head, but also to reach-out to the people I live around. When my kids are going to the soccer field for practice, I can either sit in the car, in my own little world or I can meet new people and over the course of a season develop a new relationship for the cause of Christ. While I am at work I can view my job as my field of ministry, where He has placed me not just for a paycheck or to accomplish some big new idea, but to develop relationships in such a way that He can influence the work environment. My task is not just widgets but relationships that glorify His name and His purposes.

The task isn’t just soccer practice, but relationships at the soccer field for His glory. The goal isn’t just the next big project at work, but relationships that influence people toward Christ. The task is important, but it isn’t the end goal. Influencing people for the sake of Christ is the end, the task is the means.

When we begin to view our present relationships the way God views them and we begin to handle them the way God desires everything else will begin to take care of itself. This may seem a little simplistic, but I don’t think God is trying to make it difficult. You see, He has already placed us in relationships where we can begin to live out a life of “investing” and until we do that with our present relationships and circles of influence we shouldn’t look for new ones. He may bring someone new into your life, but first we need to be faithful where He has placed us as His followers.

Faithful Prayer

February 26, 2007 in Influence, Mission with 4 Comments

I am more convinced than ever that praying is the first essential for reaching out and developing new relationships with people. I have begun asking God to give me a love and a desire to reach out to the people I live around. He has been so faithful to do what I have asked Him to do through this simple little prayer. I have recently started seeing my neighbors in a whole new way. They aren’t just people who live on my street anymore, but people who I need to get to know because Jesus loves them and wants them to know His father.

 I asked my small group last night to hold me accountable to reaching out in new relationships this year. How are you going to reach your neighbors, whether it is literally on you street or at your workplace? Begin to pray and ask God for a new desire and for courage to reach your neighbors and your community for His namesake.

What are you reading?

January 9, 2007 in Books with 22 Comments


I have been reading a couple of different books lately. I am always interested in what people are reading, so let me know your book of choice. I am presently reading, The Starbucks Expereince by Jospeh Michelli.

You may be a magazine reader, tell me what magazine you enjoyI also am reading Relevant, a magazine about todays culture.

New CD Purchase

October 12, 2006 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments

I want to recommend to everyone a new CD. It is by a group called Spur 58. They have just released Sleepwalkers on ITunes and at any Lifeway, Family Bookstore, and possibly any other Christian outlet. You will want to pick up this CD and listen. If you get a chance go see them locally on their tour. Check out their website for more info, theres a link in the side bar.
www.spur58.com
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