Active Listening

Yesterday, Pastor challenged us to listen actively to sermons in 2012. "Active listening" includes taking notes, writing in your Bible, or doing something that will help you remember the sermon afterwards.

So, what have you tried that helps you listen to and learn from sermons?

Caroling Activity

You just had to be there.

Answer to Prayer

Here are most of the seventy kids who attended the puppet outreach at the church Ruth Potter attends in the Philippines. Praise the Lord that Patrick came with a group of friends. Please keep next week's cantata in your prayers.

Short-Termer Prayer Request

Puppet show invitation

The church Ruth Potter attends in the Philippines is having an evangelistic puppet show this Sunday, December 11th for the kids in their area. Pray for Colleen, Patrick, and Joshua - kids that have come to the church's Bible clubs - to be saved.

The church is also having a Christmas cantata on December 18th. Pray that the Lord would encourage young Pastor Blu with the results.

Rachel Potter

Sprint Booster

Do you need a quick gulp of spiritual Gatorade? Try dipping into Spurgeon's Treasury of David. Click on your favorite Psalm and drink in some mature meditations.

Rachel Potter

Christmas Carol Requests

If you have a favorite carol you want to sing in Sunday school, leave a note in the comments. Evan will keep an eye on the blog and pick between the suggestions.

Let the voting being!

Short Termers III

Our last set of short-term folks to pray for are in Papua New Guinea.

The Ellison's are furlough replacements for the Smiths. If you attended the Thanksgiving Praise Service, you heard Ashley Abbott's testimony about how they are doing. Sounds like we need to pray that the Lord protects their health since they have lost so much weight. Also pray that they would be an encouragement in spite of the language barrier.

Elizabeth Owens is the other short-termer we are responsible to pray for. Elizabeth's primary job is teaching at Joy Christian School. In her most recent prayer letter, she asked us to pray for God's provision of another teacher or two. She has about a forty-five minute walk to school every day and when she becomes permanent (in a couple years) she will have a lot of other responsibilities. She would also like us to pray for several of her students who are not saved. Ellie keeps a blog. If you want to check on her try this link. You can pray for her husband if you want, but he is long term, so he is not in our jurisdiction. :)

Rachel Potter

Sprint

So many things have to happen between Thanksgiving and Christmas, you might feel like you are running for all you are worth. Well here are some race tips to keep in mind for the next month:

1. Have a race plan. If you get tripped up, re-assess and keep going.

2. Talk to yourself about your race. Preach faith to yourself rather than letting yourself panic.

3. Visualize the finish line - both short-term and ultimate.

And, let's all pray for each other fervently so we have good stories to share at the caroling fellowship.

Rachel Potter

Christmas Caroling Activity

Our traditional caroling activity is scheduled for December 15th. We will enjoy caroling, a delicious supper, a never-before-played game (similar to, but not really like the picture), and a white elephant gift exchange - not to mention a speaker and a whole bunch of fellowship.

Stephen Kidd would appreciate early sign-ups so he can organize the caroling end of things. Mrs. Tompkins would like early notice too, since she is in charge of food. The sign-up has a few more details. So, let us know if your are coming or if you need a ride.

Fellowship at the Wiginton's

As usual, we had a delicious time at the Wiginton home this Sunday evening. We began with a lot of confusion, pictured below.

The confusion resolved itself into chatting circles and some very pointed conversations.

Everyone loved the soup, bread, and banana cake. The prep crew did a great job. 

(Don't miss Krista behind the vase and flowers.)

And the host and hostess kept everything going fabulously.

Mr. Wiginton moved too fast to be pictured.

Not pictured: Massive parking confusion because Paiton did not direct the late-comers

Intense ping-pong battles

A bunch of girls listening to Ashley Rush's student-teaching adventures

Rachelle at her first fellowship without her appendix

I would tell you to put the next fellowship on your calendar, but I don't know when it will be. I bet we will not get together again until our annual caroling activity - scheduled this year for December 15th. Definitely make plans to attend that one, and remember each other in prayer as we all seek to use our time wisely over the coming holidays.

Rachel Potter

Survey Link

We are attempting to find common ground and match short-staffed ministries with people who want to do them. Please own a piece of this effort by taking our free, painless, annonymous survey.

Short-Termers II

Our next featured Short Term team consists of four people (two parents, and two small children) whom I cannot name or tell you where they serve. The picture might give you a hint as to why.                   

I am not really sure how they got on the short-term board. They have been in their country for at least five years, and they do not plan to stop serving any time soon. I guess our church does not have to give them any money because they earn their own living, so that automatically puts them in the short-term section.

Please keep their communication, protection, and contacts in mind over the next couple weeks. And find their letter on the short term board - their writing is usually entertaining.

Rachel Potter 

Gratitude

It's nice to have one month of the year when our focus is steered toward giving thanks, isn't it?  I've been challenged lately to take "gratitude" to a higher level.  I now keep a gratitude journal, addressed to the Lord, in which I am compiling a numbered list of things for which I am grateful.  I'm challenging myself to look beyond the typical things for which we express thanks: to see the myriad of things all around me every day that I overlook.  This has been so rewarding!  The more I see, the more I see!  Does that make sense?  The more I look for blessings around me, the more the eyes of my understanding are opened to see.    One particular joy has been expressing concise thanks for blessings I find in the Word of God as I read each morning.  Here is a sampling:  ....for Christ in me, the hope of glory!...for a secure soul...for the promise of prayer...for weakness, which keeps me dependent on You!.....   Nature holds a multitude of gratitude objects, and each season reveals a different vantage point from which to view them:....for stillness of dawn...for Light, Jehovah's cloak...for a quiet breeze, rustling leaves...for tree sounds, coaxed by the wind...   The categories are practically endless!  We acknowledge God's glory when we attribute to Him everything we see, feel, taste, hear, touch, believe, and enjoy.  May we all have our most blessed Thanksgiving season this month, and may gratitude continue to swell in our hearts throughout the rest of the year.

Cyndi Wiginton

Where is it?

You are familiar with "Where's That Worship Guide." Here is a new twist. "Where is it?" is a picture taken by a college and career age individual somewhere on the church property. You can win by correctly guessing where the item is located or who took the picture. I have Reese's Cups or fun-size Snicker's for the first four people who guess correctly.  When you know the answer, email The Road at moretraveled@gmail.com.

On your mark, get set, THINK!

Rachel Potter

Short-Termers

Did you know that the College and Career class is responsible to pray for the short term missionaries our church sends out?

Shirley Pullins has put all the short-termers in the last section of display boards at the end of our missionary wall. Quite a few of the short-termers write prayer letters regularly, so you might want to check that board once a month or so and see what is new.

When it comes to mind for the next week or so, please pray for our two short-termers in the Philippines, Ruth Potter and Rachel Uhler.

Rachel is the concert mistress in this picture, and Ruth is first chair in the second violins. (If you keep looking you may see some other people we know.) Rachel and Ruth teach music - both lessons and classes - at Bob Jones Memorial Bible College.

Both Rachel and Ruth need prayer for daily strength in the heat, good communication across language barriers, and wise use of opportunities to minister and witness as they serve in small churches over the weekends.

Rachel Potter

Fellowship Sunday Night

 

The Hughes and Newton families put on a great fellowship Sunday night. All the attendees enjoyed the delicious food and great drinks including hot chocolate and cider.

John Chism said to "shop" him into this picture. I am not very good at that, so you will have to add him with your imagination.

Most people enjoyed the indoor fellowship and temperatures.

Some brave people fellowshippped outdoors.

And Ping-Pong got a lot of people warmed up.

Not pictured: Ezra Newton on his bike.

Rachel Dahlhausen at her first fellowship after getting back from the Philippines. 

Elliot Case trying to light a fire with sticks. 

The secret game of Rook, played after most people had left.

Make your plans to join us in a couple weeks for our last fellowship after a 4:00pm service.

What did the Lord lay on your heart this Sunday?

Leave a comment so others can pray for you.

Prayers and Worries

How do you keep yourself from worry? I recently figured out one activity that does not help me: praying constantly.

You know how worries run around and around in your mind while you bring up and discard solutions? I often "sanctify" this process by praying each time I go through an option: "Lord, I don't know what else to do!"

Then I go back to solution hunting. Worry, pray, worry, pray, worry, and praise the Lord when it is all over with. "I knew everything would be fine if I just 'prayed' about it hard enough!"

I don't think the Apostle Paul dealt with his worries that way.

What I have tried most recently is praying once. Then, when I find myself solution-hunting again, I tell myself, "Did God answer the last time I prayed? Will He answer this time? Then stop worrying!"

God has answered so many prayers for me, I cannot rightfully worry.

What do you do when you find yourself worrying?

Rachel Potter

Where's That Worship Guide

Well folks, here we go again. I put this Worship Guide where reasonable people do not look. But, at least half the church has seen the location. Send your guesses to The Road in an e-mail. I have four Reese's Cups for the first four people who respond correctly.

Rachel Potter

SGI Update

The church leadership has decided to change our approach to SGI this year. We still firmly support this conference but will not be providing transportation or a leadership presence. WE encourage any of you who feel strongly about attending to consider carpooling. The dates of the conference are January 3-5, 2012. It is held at Inter-City Baptist Church in Allen Park, MI. Food, lodging, and conference materials are provided; all you need to do is get yourself there and back.

 

Deadlines for sign-up are:

   $50 early fee: until 12/1/2011

   $60 standard fee: from 12/1/-12/23/2011

   $70 late fee: from 12/23-12/30/2011

   $80 on-site fee: after 12/30, register and pay at the door

 

You may sign up online here. There will be an "Interested in Carpooling to SGI" sign-up sheet in Sunday School for a while. It will be on the table by the attendance sheets.

 

Jim Wiginton

Guess Who Answer

Drum roll please....

That happy baby was Mrs. Tompkins, and she is still just as cute today.

Congratulations to Kimberly Hawkey and Brian Green for figuring it out.

Rachel Potter

How to Stay Awake in Church

We have come to that time of year when you wish you could destroy your alarm clock and every time you sit in a warm room, you start yawning. When you are half as alert as normal, God's Word becomes twice as important. So here are ten tips to help you combat tuning God out in services.

1. Chew gum, or pop breath mints. Mint flavoring helps you feel awake.

2. Pinch yourself.

3. Sit up very straight.

4. Lift your feet.

5. Flex and relax your muscles - mostly ones people will not see, ie. not your face.

6. Keep someone awake next to you.

7. Hold your breath.

8. Tap your foot - be sure not to make too much noise or shake the people next to you.

9. Say, "Amen" at an appropriate point.

10. Have someone else keep you awake.

If you have other tips I missed, please leave them in the comments.

Special thanks to Sarah Smitely for taking the pictures and Janine Militar for helping me demonstrate.

Rachel Potter

The Journey

Back in January of 2007, I felt that the Lord was leading me to pursue doctoral work in music. Looking back on this, I believe that this journey was one that was designed more to test my faith and trust in the Lord than it was really to develop me into a professional in my chosen vocation. I say that because each of the tests and challenges that I faced along the way were clearly intended to be character building exercises in my life, not merely tests to see if I was in fact cut out to pursue a career in the academic world.

I spent the better part of a year and half preparing for grad work, and I will admit that I gave very little thought about the importance of approaching this endeavor apart from what it would mean for my career as a professional musician. Spending in excess of 30 to 40 hours practicing per week and studying for qualifying exams for an additional 20 hours, I was determined to get into a program. The Lord blessed me with a successful audition to get into the University of Kentucky School of Music, but I viewed it as my success and selfishly did not give God the glory.

However, the Lord  began to use circumstances to wear me down and work to mold me into the person that he wants me to be. When I started out in the pursuit of my doctorate in August of 2008, I had no Christian friends at the University of Kentucky trumpet studio, had no idea how I was going to pay for this degree, and had no clue how long of a project this would be. In each case the Lord provided for my needs in ways that I never would have foreseen.

It was in this situation that the Lord really began to teach me through experience the truth of His word. Sure, I had grown up in the Awana program up through my senior year in high school and knew a great deal of scripture and I had spent six years at a Christian University. However, I had never really been put into a situation where I was the only Christian on a daily basis and the road to compromise was not only very easy but also was one that was readily encouraged. Here, the choice was clear: do I choose to believe and follow God's Word or do I take my own path?

Now, as it looks like I am on the verge of completing this degree, I praise the Lord for the work that He is done in my life. My life is still a work in progress, but I believe that through this process, the Lord has been able to better equip me for the road that he has ahead. While I do thank him for the skills and knowledge I have been able to pick up in my studies along the way, I am even more grateful for the spiritual lessons that I have been able to receive along the way.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the most important thing that I have learned in this whole process is to have a thoroughly scriptural worldview in the entire process. A book that I would recommend for reading that best captures what I am saying is Creation Regained. In it, the author establishes that no matter what your occupation is, it need to be viewed as a sacred calling from God.

Soli Deo Gloria

Evan Duke

Guess Who - Hint

Thus far, we have only had hilarious guesses, like "David Freeman." (First hint, that is not the correct answer.) But, you have a second chance. The happy baby is a girl, and the cars behind her were not antiques at that point. So don't guess Kelly Frederick. The reward for the first four correct respondents is now the candy bar of their choice. Submit your guesses here.

Fellowship at the Wiginton's

As you can tell from the number of cars in the picture below, we voted to ask the church if a new parking lot at the Wiginton's could be added to the church construction budget.

This fellowship had several important elements, the first two being our host and hostess.

The Wigintons have a lot of practice, so they host great fellowships.

The second element consisted of green prayer cards that attendees exchanged.

(Don't forget to pray for the person who gave their card to you and check up on them next Sunday or the Sunday after.)

See if you can guess the third important element from the pictures below.

Important element number four consists of the hottest babies in all of College and Career:

Other elements not pictured:

The Roach Rescue Team 

(who ran for more hot dogs part way through)

Porch counseling and encouragement groups

Football  and soccer practice

Students hiding from Dr. Newton

Faithful (the dog) on porch cleanup duty

If you didn't make it, please put us on your calendar for the first weekend of November. Location details to follow.

Rachel Potter

IYOW

Have you ever come across a test question like, "In your own words, write the golden rule of applied metaphysics," and wanted to answer, "Niff bolg, hars flangle domboski"?

Usually, what the teacher wants is the exact wording spelled out in class. However, research shows that being able to explain something without using your teacher's wording shows that you really grasped the material.

Well, as the queen of dysfunctional acronyms, I'm offering an IYOW challenge.

If someone asked you why you read the Bible, could you answer In Your Own Words?

You have two hundred of them. On your mark, get set, go!

Rachel Potter

Are you skilled in your witnessing?

Mr. Wiginton's Sunday School message compelled me to ask this question of myself.  After serious contemplation, my answer was a disappointing, "no".  So I had a thought, why not offer a class about how to witness skillfully for our Lord Jesus Christ?  This is simply an idea at this point.  Help us brainstorm how to equip each other in this vital area by posting a comment.

Gina Magaruh

Guess Who

Besides testing your knowledge of the church building, this blog will test your knowledge of the college and career class membership. Check out the picture, and if you have an idea of who this happy baby is, e-mail The Road. Since the last competition went so quickly, I have fun-size Twix bars for our first four correct respondants this time around. You are only alowed to guess if you are not related to the person pictured.

The Prayers of Paul

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God." Phil. 1:9-11

Discernment determines what is excellent. Obedience is the end result and, in our obedience to His commandments, we grow to love God and others more effectively. Our lives super-abound with His love. The result of our obedience is Christlikeness. A friend told me that one can't grow in Christlikeness - you are either being Christlike or you're not. You grow in your submission to Him and His commandments. What is He teaching you, in order that you might be better equipped to love and obey Him more effectively?

Worship Guide Location

In case you didn't guess the location, the worship guide below was photographed on the platform in the Fellowship Hall.

You have probably figured out that the people who move around regularly are more likely to win this game. Of course, sitting in new places also opens opportunities to take Pastor Minnick's challenge: finding ways to build each other up in love. So, lets look for new angles, talk to people, and get ready for some more Twix bars.

Volleyballs and Mayhem

The mayhem was a little hard to photograph, but we did get some good shots of the food. We also found out that Kaleigh Tompkins and Bethany Chism are pretty good bacon protectors, and Ryan Pilz can hit a back board with a sponge ball from half court.

Food, fellowship, and Clair sticking out her tongue.

Luke's favorite part

Marty's favorite part

Warm-ups

A dangerous game - you should see the bruises!

Where's That Worship Guide?

So, where is that worship guide? Well, I already know, but if you think you have an idea, e-mail theroadmoretraveled@gmail.com. I will connect with the first person to get in the correct answer about the prize.  Yes, you heard right - Prize. This time it is a Twix bar. You can expect that by Sunday at the latest.

Activity Link

If you need a break from florecent lights, home work, and decorum, come join us on October 1st for and evening of volleyball and meyhem. We will meet at 5:30pm in the Academy Gym.


Supper will be included (not in the mayhem), but we need an exact count of attendees so we can be prepared.  To signup for the activity, please visit http://doodle.com/txhrxctm92akx7q2 .

Fellowship on 9/25

Make your plans to join the C&C group for a fellowship at the Fordam's after the Stratton Hall service. If you need directions, send "The Road" an e-mail (theroadmoretraveled@gmail.com) or pick up directions after the service in the lobby.

Did you feed from God's Word today, or was your plate too full?

The beginning of a semester can be an absolute deluge for students; and people who work, like me, can get so busy "redeeming the time" that they can't sit down to a quiet meal. But food for your soul is vital. Jesus emphasized the lesson of Deuteronomy 8 when He quoted, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).
My parent's church used to sing this song (below) before meals at family camp (to the tune of the Doxology). Maybe you should try it before you open your Bible or start in on lunch.

We bow our heads before our food
And thank You for Your bounty, Lord.
May we be strengthened to do good
To serve You with both deed and word.

Yet man lives not by bread alone,
But by what from God's mouth proceeds.
Without that bread, man is undone
Though he may have no other need.

So fill us with Your bread, Oh Lord.
Soul, body, spirit - all restore.
Then heart and flesh with one accord
Will praise You, thank You, and adore.

Amen!