Fantastic February Family Fellowship!

The title of this post could be a tongue twister or an example of alliteration gone bad. Actually it is a simple description of a great wrap up to our family emphasis month. Yesterday we concluded our Marriage Matters series with a message on “The Minions of Marriage.” We considered some Biblical realities that impact our parenting.

The four truths highlighted were:

1. The TREASURE of our children.
Psalm 127:3 tells us that “Children are a heritage from the Lord” and that “the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
One important truth about a treasure is that is typically takes time and effort to unearth it. The same is true with our children. Yes, they are a treasure from the Lord and YES it will take time, effort and hard work to “unearth” the treasure that lies within the lives of those young ones God has entrusted to our care.

2. The TROUBLE of our children.
It is sometimes easy to lose sight of the fact that there is a degree of trouble that goes along with rearing children. The testimony of Scripture is clear that parenting can be troublesome; just ask Adam and Eve, or Eli the priest, or King David. Their parenting was filled with times of trouble and heartache. This reality doesn’t depress us, but rather serves to remind us that troubles shouldn’t shock us – it’s part of the experience. The Bible is clear in telling us that every child is “brought forth in iniquity” (Psa. 51:5). All children are born sinners and all sinners will experience varying degrees of trouble.

3. The TRAINING of our children.
The fact that troubles come does not lessen our responsibility to train our children. Proverbs 22:6 tells us we are to “Train up a child in the way he should go;” Psalm 78:5-7 and Deuteronomy 6:4-9 give us practical advice on how to train our children. Sharing the reality of a living relationship with the Lord should flow naturally out of our knowing the Lord and loving Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. Training takes effort but it is what God expects of us and it is what our children need.

4. The TRANSFORMATION of our children.

The good news is that God can CHANGE the heart of our children. We should endeavor to parent faithfully and prayerfully and in confidence that God can and will transform our children’s heart in His time and in His way. Once their heart has been transformed they can then be used by God to be an agent of transformation in the lives of others. We are raising this generation to reach the next generation. What an awesome opportunity and responsibility that is and one that God can accomplish in us and through us as we surrender to Him.

Well, that is a brief review of the morning message.

Sunday night was an awesome experience for us all. We estimate that close to 120 showed up for our Family Fellowship Supper. Our students did an EXCELLENT job of serving at the event. They were there to set-up, serve and clean up afterwards. Our children’s choir (with the help from a few of our students) provided special music. I counted 24 young people on the platform – that was a WONDERFUL blessing. The food and fellowship was enjoyed by everyone present.

Thank you Lord for allowing us to experience “how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Truly it is “there the Lord has commanded the blessing,” (Psalm 133)

Grateful for the Families and Children of Everett Springs,

Pastor Mike

My Pastor Friends

Today I will have the great blessing of gathering together with several of my pastor friends. Every two weeks we meet together for fellowship, discussion, equipping each other, prayer and a meal. It is so refreshing to be with these brothers in Christ. I know that they feel the same way. It is also a blessing to know that we are not in competition with each other; we are on the same team, serve the same King, have the same goals and yet are all different men, in different churches, with different ministries.

We are reading through Pastoral Ministry by Dr. John MacArthur and the Master's Seminary Faculty. The content is rich, challenging and soul-stirring. Here is a powerful section that is quoted from Richard Baxter's book The Reformed Pastor.

"Take heed to yourselves, lest your example contradict your doctrine, and lest you lay such stumbling-blocks before the blind, as may be the occasion of their ruin; lest you unsay with your lives, what you say with your tongues; and be the greatest hinderers of the success of your own labours. It much hindereth our work, when other men are all the week long contradicting to poor people in private, that which we have been speaking to the from the Word of God in public, because we cannot be at hand to expose their folly; but it will much more hinder your work, if you contradict yourselves, and if your actions give your tongue the lie, and if you build up an hour or two with your mouths, and all the week after pull down with your hands! This is the way to make men think  that the Word of God is but an idle tale, and to make preaching seem no better than prating. He that means as he speaks, will surely do as he speaks. One proud, surly, lordy word, one needless contention, one covetous action, may cut the throat of many a sermon, and blast the fruit of all that  you have been doing..." (Pastoral Ministry, p. 19-20)

 That is great advice for pastors and for all who profess to know the Lord. We all are to take heed to ourselves. Our example should reflect our doctrine. The words of our lips should be supported by the ways of our life.

Pray for me and my pastor brothers that we will continue to live and learn and grow in our walk and work to which the Lord has called us.

Grateful for the call AND companions in the pastorate,
Pastor Mike

Let Us Pray

Many churches have a mid week prayer service. Ours is no exception. We typically receive various requests from our church members and then call on one member to lead in prayer. I trust that we are all in a spirit of prayer and that we each pray about the needs the Lord has impressed upon our hearts through the sharing of our petitions. I hope we will carry with us and to the Lord throughout the coming days the requests that we will hear tonight.

"Prayers Ancient and Modern" is a book I have that was published in 1897. I enjoy reading the prayers that are written in that book.

Here is the prayer for today:

"Heavenly Father, Who watchest always over Thy faithful people, and mightily defendest them, so that they may be harmless preserved, I most heartily thank Thee, that it hath pleased Thy fatherly goodness to take care of me this night past. I most entirely beseech Thee, O merciful Father, to show the like kindness toward me this day, in preserving my body and soul; that I may neither think, breathe, speak, or do anything that may be displeasing to Thy fatherly goodness, dangerous to myself, or hurtful to my neighbor; but that all my doings may be agreeable to Thy most blessed will, which is always good; that they may advance Thy glory, answer to my vocation, and profit my neighbor, whom I ought to love as myself; that, whensoever Thou callest me hence, I may be found the child not of darkness but of light; through Jesus Christ our Lord - Amen."
Thomas Becon (1511-1570)

What a prayer! I read that and think how frail, shallow, and weak are my prayers. I read it and think; "Father may my prayer life deepen as I grow in my relationship with you."

May we live according to the teaching of Jesus who taught us that we "ought always to pray and not lose heart." (Luke 18:1)

Let's Pray,
Pastor Mike

From My Library

I am reading an excellent book entitled: "Counseling the Hard Cases." I downloaded the e-book and I have benefited from the case studies and principles covered in this book. I am also enjoying it knowing that my daughter was able to sit under the teaching of one of the editors of the book. She enjoyed all the classes that Dr. Heath Lambert taught her at Boyce College.

Chapter three addresses the issue of "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder," it was written by Dr. Steve Viars. I have had the privilege of hearing him speak several times at various counseling conferences I have attended. Pastor Viars shares the following quote from the book "Counsel from the Cross"

"Most of us have never really understood that Christianity is not a self-help religion meant to enable moral people to become more moral. We don't need a self-help book; we need a Savior. We don't need to get our collective act together; we need death and resurrection and the life-transforming truth of the gospel. And we don't just need them once, at the beginning of our Christian life; we need them every moment of every day."

That is powerful! It is also empowering to know that our goal is not to become more moral. Our aim is to appropriate the truth and power of the resurrection into our daily lives. It is not what we undertake to do that changes us it is what we understand that has been done that truly transforms our lives.

What "issue" do you struggle with? We all have one or more trying situations or problems that seem to discourage or dishearten us. Wouldn't it be wonderful to find relief from that difficulty? You can! In fact, I would be honored to listen to your concerns and lead you into finding the solution in God's Word. Give me a call or send me an e-mail or fill out a "Connection Card" at church and let me know that you would like to get together to discuss and discover how you can apply the truth of the Gospel to your unique situation.

Trusting in the power of the Savior not the promise of self-help,
Pastor Mike

What a Day!

Three words...packed with meaning. "What a day!" If you were with us at Church yesterday you know what I mean. Wow, we experienced some ups and downs and the Lord carried us through them all.

First, I had stepped into my study and then came back into the sanctuary around 10 minutes till 11:00. At the front door of the Church I saw my parents, brother in law, niece and nephew. That was a surprise! They live in Winder and it is about a 2 1/2 hour drive for them to come visit with us. But, I didn't know they were coming to visit. Then, I saw my sister! That was an unbelievable sight!
Unbelievable because she has been away for 19 months as a result of poor choices. God has been good to her and her family and she has experienced God's work in her life through this time. She was released five months ahead of schedule from the women's transitional center where she has been the past several months. She is home, happy, thankful for God's grace and was eager to surprise me AND she DID!  Our church family had prayed for her and her family and they shared in our joy. Wow, what a day!

We also had two families visiting our Church. Along with our members and other guests we were around 80 in attendance. The congregation and choir sang heartily. The music was God honoring and uplifting. I had just begun to make announcements when we experienced a medical emergency. One of our members fainted. Our people responded quickly and graciously. Two nurses along with family members immediately began to minister to his needs. Another contacted 911. Some of our ladies quickly led the children out of the service. We prayed as a church family. The paramedics arrived and by that time the individual had regained consciousness. We are most grateful for the Lord's goodness and grace to us and to his family during this most unusual circumstance. He is at the hospital and we should continue to pray for the doctors to discover the reason for the fainting episodes he had both at church and again at the hospital. I know I can count on the folks at Everett Springs to pray for and minister to the needs of this dear family. Wow, what a day!

Marilyn and I enjoyed lunch, in Rome, with my family. We picked up a few items at the grocery store for our Student Ministry meeting, stopped by the hospital to check on Bill and then headed home to get ready for our Sunday Evening ministry activities. Seven children and four adults were present for our Children's Choir Ministry. Twelve students and eight adults were present for our "Sunday Night Live" Student ministry, PLUS we had a family visiting with us for our Sunday evening ministries. We had a "Winter Olympic" night with Broom Hockey and a "Redneck Luge" race (you had to be there). We had some great refreshments and Chris C. shared his testimony with the students. They were very attentive as they heard his life story and of God's work in his life. Wow, what a day!

I concluded yesterday's post saying: "You know where you can see me tomorrow," and even though the day was filled with ups and downs and proved to be a most unusual day; I am so grateful to have shared in the joys and burdens of my brothers and sisters in Christ at Everett Springs Baptist Church.

Wow, What a Day!
Pastor Mike

Update on Bill D.

Saw Bill around 2:50 today. He will stay overnight. No diagnosis as of yet. Vitals are stable and he was doing well when we saw him. Keep him and his family in your prayers.

Pastor Mike

Can a True Believer really say: "Church is not for me"?

A Pastor's desire is to shepherd the flock that God has entrusted to his care (1 Peter 5:2). But what about the "sheep" who don't want to be with the rest of the flock? Are they really sheep? If so, why would they knowingly wander from the safety and security of the rest of the flock? Why would any believer neglect the fellowship and food that is necessary to their growth and maturity?

It seems we live in a day when some think they can worship when and where and how they want to regardless of the clear teaching of Scripture. "I don't need a preacher, don't like sitting with hypocrites, and feel just fine worshiping God at a place and time of my own choosing." While a professed believer may not say what they think with such clarity; they demonstrate what they think with their continued absence from the gathered body of believers.

Pastor Jared Wilson has written about this same issue. I found the introduction to his article to be a little hard to follow. A few paragraphs in and he was laser focused in addressing the attitude that proclaims "Church is not for me."

Here is some of what he has written...

"...I think we ought to see the talk about agency and enjoying the church outside formality and institutions and the traditions of singing songs and listening to monologue teaching for what it really is: self-worship. A self-indulgent love of our own voices and preferring of them above all others. In church, after all, no one can hear you tweet.

Certainly one can be self-centered inside a church gathering, but the church gathering is nevertheless where all the sinners ought to be at the appointed time, smack-dab in the middle of a congregational experience specifically organized against the idolatry of personal preference. Not just because God says to do it — although that’s reason enough — but because it is good for us to have our singular voice lost in the sea of corporate praise and it is good for us to shut our social-media-motor-mouths for a bit and hear “Thus saith the Lord.” We should go to church — not mainly, but nevertheless — because it confronts and stunts our spiritual autonomy and individualism. We should go lest we become Cainites, saying “I’m not my brother’s keeper.” Or reverse Cainites, “My brothers aren’t my keepers.”

Of course most of us prefer to worship at the First Church of Hanging Out With My Friends at The Coffee Shop. Of course the more elite of us prefer to worship at My Own Speaking Engagements Community Church. Because, we believe, we “learn better” when we’re the ones doing the talking.

But something happens when you stop submitting to the communal listening of congregational worship and start filling the air with your own free range spiritual rhetoric. Your talk of God starts to sound less like God. He starts sounding like an idea, a theory, a concept. He stops sounding like the God of the Bible, the God who commands and demands, the God who is love but also holy, gracious but also just, et cetera. He begins to sound less like the God “who is who he is” and more like the God who is as you like him." (Read the complete article HERE)

Well, that's pretty straight up! I agree with him. Church attendance is not optional for a growing believer nor for a mature saint. Gathering together with other believers is God's plan for His people and you will find me in Church on Sunday. Yea, but you are the preacher, you are paid to be there. No, I am a Christian and it is my joy, delight and blessing to gather together with brother's and sister's in Christ to worship, sing, give, pray, and hear the Word proclaimed each and every Sunday.

You Know where you can see me tomorrow,
Pastor Mike

You Were Single Before You Were Married

The title of this post is the title of the message for this Sunday. Today and tomorrow I will finish up the message and I pray that you will be blessed and encouraged by what you will hear on Sunday.

Not only was every married person single BEFORE they were married; many will find themselves single again at some point in the future. Ultimately we will all be single in eternity (Matt. 22:30), well, we won't be "married." So, it makes sense to discover what the Bible teaches about singleness.

Did you know that there are more singles in the United States than the entire populations of France and The Netherlands combined? According to the U.S. Census, singles 18 and older make up 44.1 percent of all U. S. residents. Makes you think that we should have a better understanding of singles and what the Bible teaches about being single.

Whether you are single or married there is a place for you at Everett Springs Baptist Church. I hope to see you there on Sunday!

Pastor Mike

The Relevance of our "Marriage Matters" series

The more I read and prepare for our "Marriage Matters" series the more I see the relevance of addressing this vital topic. I am so grateful that we can turn to the pages of the Bible for an eternal perspective on such an essential issue.

On Sunday night, I came across a blog post entitled "What is Marriage?" Here is how the post begins...

"Last week I explained to my daughter that she was no longer allowed to watch the Disney television show, “Good Luck Charlie.” She understood that we love gay people and appreciate the many good things that they may contribute to society, but we don’t like how Disney is openly trying to force children to accept homosexual marriage as a normal, lifestyle choice."

Read the rest of the post HERE.

Here is a link to another page you can explore for the sake of the health and strength of you marriage.

What are you doing to demonstrate that Marriage Matters in your family?

Pastor Mike

Snow Day at Everett Springs

I took this picture yesterday afternoon.

Becky M. sent me a picture very similar to this that she took on her phone. I couldn't get it from my phone to my computer, so we drove by and took our own picture.

The snow is beautiful!

With the freezing temps and possible icy roads this evening we will not meet together for prayer meeting tonight. I would encourage each of you to set aside some time this evening to pray for our church and our ongoing outreach to the youth of our community and church.

We had a great turn out and great evening of ministry this past Sunday night and I anticipate each week being a great week of outreach and discipleship for our youth.

Looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!

Pastor Mike

From My Library

Today I thought I would share a passage with you from a book I am reading. As some of you may know, I meet with a group of Pastors every two weeks for a time of fellowship, prayer and discussion that will strengthen us in our calling. Currently we are reading "Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically" by John MacArthur.

The following comes from page 14 of the book and it is attributed to an anonymous writer. These words speak to the heart of a Pastor's calling.

     "Stick with your work. Do not flinch because the lion roars; do not stop to stone the devil's dogs; do not fool away your time chasing the devil's rabbits. Do your work. Let liars lie, let sectarians quarrel, let critics malign, let enemies accuse, let the devil do his worst; but see to it nothing hinders you from fulfilling with joy the work God has given you.

     He has not commanded you to be admired or esteemed. He has never bidden you defend your character. He has not set you at work to contradict falsehood (about yourself) which Satan's or God's servants may start to peddle, or to track down every rumor that threatens your reputation. If you do these things, you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself and not for the Lord.

     Keep at your work. Let your aim be steady as a star. You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and rejected, misunderstood, or assigned impure motives; you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends, and despised and rejected of men. But see to it with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being until at last you can say, "I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do."

Those words energize, equip and encourage me!

I am thankful for the work God has given me to do at Everett Springs Baptist,

Pastor Mike

Marriage Matters Sunday Summary

I am writing this after a full day of ministry on Sunday; a full day AND a fulfilling day! What a blessing to gather together with the family of God to worship the Lord, fellowship with each other and serve one another in various areas of ministry.

I was blessed to hear of a good discussion held in our young adults Sunday School class. It is always a joy to see those who come out for Bible Study at 10:00am each Sunday morning. There was certainly a spirit of anticipation for our 11:00am service. Our choir was excited to have Dr. Stan Pethel leading them this morning. Our church family was blessed to have him leading our congregation in worship and providing special music for our service. I am grateful for the good feedback on the message: "How to have a Lasting, Loving, Living Marriage."

It is good to know that any marriage can last when we are willing to INVEST in that relationship. Our relationships with others teaches us that all relationships need an investment of time and energy; this is especially true of a marriage. The pattern that God has established for a marriage in Genesis 2:24  reinforces the idea that a marriage can truly be "built to last." Christ's reply to the Pharisees (Mark 10:2-9) also emphasizes His plan and desire for a marriage to go the distance.

A marriage that lasts would be rather dull without a LOVING relationship and this comes through our INVOLVEMENT with one another. You can't really love someone without being involved in their life. No matter how good or how challenging your marriage relationship may be at this time it can be a loving relationship. It should begin with our love for the Lord (Matt 22:34-40). Our love for Him impacts all other relationships. Along with loving the Lord we are to "love one another" (John 15:12). If you are feeling a bit distant from you spouse and not as loving as you think you can be or should be then you are not off the hook, because we are also told that we are to love our neighbor as ourself (Matt 22:39). So if nothing else you can love your mate even if your mate feels more like a neighbor than that person you first married. "Well, you don't know WHO I am married too; if you did, you would know that asking me to love him or her is asking for the impossible." You are right. I do not know the details of your marriage. What I do know is that God has told us that we are to love our ENEMIES (Matt. 5:44). So you can STILL love your mate. Remember God does not ask or tell us to do something that He does not enable us to do. Whatever the ups or downs, or ins and outs, or good times or bad times of your marriage you CAN love your mate. I'm not talking some emotional feeling, cold chill, or quiver in your liver - no the love of the Bible is a love that involves feelings; BUT is so much more than feelings. Biblical love is ACTIVE. Love is a VERB. Love is more than SAYING it, it is SHOWING it. So learn how to express love in a way your spouse understands. Share with them one or more of the following: 1) Words of affirmation, 2) Acts of Service, 3) Giving of Gifts, 4) Quality Time, or 5) Physical Touch. (Get more information on "The Five Love Languages" by clicking HERE.)

A Lasting marriage that is a Loving marriage will also be a LIVING marriage, a relationship that exhibits vitality! To enjoy a vibrant marriage calls for INTENTIONALITY on your part. You have to plan to keep your marriage vibrant. You have to work at it to keep the home fires burning. What can you do this week to "rejoice in the wife of your youth" (Prov. 5:18)? How can you have a relationship like the one recorded in the Song of Solomon? What practical steps can you take to nurture the life, energy and vibrancy of your marriage? How ever you answered those questions is how you can add life to your relationship. So what are you waiting for?

Plan to INVEST in your relationship, deepen your INVOLVEMENT with one another and get INTENTIONAL about your marriage and you WILL then have "A Lasting, Loving, Living marriage"!

Thankful for our Family Emphasis Month.

Pastor Mike

No Place Anywhere Near This Place

Our Church members are grateful to live and worship, in northern Floyd County, in an area known as "The Pocket." I agree with them; this is a beautiful place. If you have ever visited out here, you may think we are a bit off the beaten path. Well, we are only 12 miles from Calhoun and just 15 miles from the entrance of Berry College; so we are not really that far away from any who would like to visit with us. Consider this your invitation to come and worship with us this Sunday.

There is an old saying that sums up my thoughts about Everett Springs Baptist Church; "There is no place; any where near this place; like this place; so this must be the place." Yes! I think Everett Springs Baptist Church IS the PLACE to be on Sunday. Why?

1. Scripture exhorts us to regularly meet together (Heb 10:25)
2. Our choir will be singing under the leadership of Dr. Stan Pethel. I can assure you that you will be blessed by the special they have prepared for this Sunday!
3. You can have the joy of participating in worship through our time of singing, giving, fellowship, praying and hearing the proclamation of God's Word.
4. The message: "How to have a Lasting, Loving, Living Marriage" will encourage you and equip you.
5. You will enjoy being around others who endeavor to Love God, love others, and live accordingly.

My prayer and desire is that you will find Everett Springs Baptist Church to be "A refreshing place." So come Sunday and find out first hand why  "There is no place; any where near this place; like this place; so this must be the place."

We have a "place" saved just for you,    (Click HERE for a link to find our "place")
Pastor Mike

Why I am Excited About Our Marriage Series

I love it when I have a very clear sense of God's direction concerning the messages I preach each Sunday. In fact, it is my prayer and desire that I would ALWAYS know and sense God's leading when it comes to the preparing and preaching of messages. If He is not leading and directing then something is wrong.

For our Family Emphasis month I am preaching a series I have entitled "Marriage Matters." If you like you can scroll down the page to Tuesday's post to read a review of the message I preached on February 2nd. I am very excited about the upcoming messages and I want to encourage you to make three commitments that will benefit you.

1. Commit to praying for me each week.
See the Wednesday Blog post for an idea of what to pray

2. Commit to being present each Sunday in February.
If you don't HEAR the message it won't HELP you.

3. Commit to invite someone to attend church with you.
Imagine what would happen if your friends and family members heard a message that God used to bring about a significant change in their lives. What would it be like if marriages were strengthened, families helped and lives changed because of the work of the WORD in the lives of others. Now let's not imagine it only but lets get involved in making it happen by doing our part to be present and to be seated next to a loved one who also needs to hear from God.

Now, let me share with you where we are headed in the next three weeks.

February 9: "How to have a Lasting, Loving and Living Marriage"
You do not have to ENDURE your marriage but you can and should ENJOY it. You will find out how on this Sunday.

February 16: "You were SINGLE before you were MARRIED"
Sadly singles in a church can feel like second class citizens - this ought not to be so. Every married person in our church family was single for some time in their lives (you weren't born married). Some who attend our church are single at this point in time. At least half of those married right now will find themselves single again in the days ahead. So it makes sense to open the Bible to gain God's insight and wisdom on the single life. I am looking forward to sharing this truth with you and hope you will plan to be present with your single and married friends on Feb 16th.

February 23: "The Minions of Marriage"
Many are familiar with the "minions" from the Despicable Me movies. What about the minions in your marriage - those adorable, active, little ones you call children. Does the Bible give advice and direction for their upbringing? You better believe it and you will benefit from learning or be reminded of the clear teaching of Scripture about you and your children.

So I hope you can sense my excitement for this series. I also trust that you will do your part to be at each service for the month of February.

Plan now to be at Church for this exciting series!


Pastor Mike

A Powerful Minister's Prayer

"Lord, You know my weakness;
be my strength.

You know my ignorance,
be my wisdom.

Teach me,
that I may not be a blind leader of the blind,
but a scribe well instructed about the kingdom of God.

Oh, let not the people see me;
let them see You in Your vesture dipped in blood!

Let not the people hear me;
let them hear You in your voice of saving truth!"

- Bishop Daniel A. Payne

I came across this prayer at a blog I like to read. You can check it out HERE 

Wonder what would happen if I prayed that way AND you prayed this for me? 
There is one way to find out; let's pray this way this week and anticipate what God will do on Sunday.

Pastor Mike

You Can Have a Designer Marriage

Our Family emphasis month began this past Sunday (Feb 2). Each Sunday we will discover what the Bible says about marriage. This is certainly a relevant topic as there is much discussion, debate, and disagreement about marriage, what it means and how it is understood. Thankfully we have a reliable source of information on marriage... the Bible.

First we should understand that marriage was DESIGNED by God. It is not some invention of man, it is more than a piece of paper, and its meaning is not as vague as many would have you to believe. Genesis 2:18-25 takes us back to the inception of marriage where we discover it was clearly designed by God. I find it very interesting that God pronounced all of creation to be "good" but in Genesis 2:18 we read "It is not good that man should be alone;" Surrounded by the beauty of Eden and the vastness of the animal kingdom, man was still lacking; he needed a helper, one designed to complete him. So God created Eve, a woman, one woman, not two or three or four,... just one. One man and one woman brought together by God to enjoy a "one flesh" relationship. Now all was GOOD! Of course, things changed when man willfully sinned against God. While Adam's sin affected every relationship man had (with God, with the animal kingdom, with the earth, and with his wife) it did not change the fact that marriage was designed by God for the good of men and women.

Marriage is also significant not only because of its designer but also because of what it is intended to DISPLAY. Marriage between a man and a woman clearly shows us the GOODNESS of God. He was certainly good in creating for Adam the one being with whom he could have a one flesh relationship. No wonder the writer of the Proverbs penned the words, "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord." (Prov. 18:22). Marriage can remind us that God is good.

We also see a picture of the GOSPEL displayed through the marriage relationship. A Husband's love for his wife is to reflect Christ's love for the Church (Eph. 5:25-32). The sacrificial love of the husband for his wife can help others to catch a glimpse of what Christ's love for the Church must be like.

The GLORY of God can also be seen through the marriage relationship. It seems to me, according to Scripture, that every marriage should point us to a coming marriage; the uniting of Christ and His Church. United with Christ for all eternity, that is GLORY and that is what a designer marriage can remind us of.

Finally, marriage is a wonderful design because God can work through it to accomplish our own growth and DEVELOPMENT. The CLOSENESS of the husband and wife relationship is one unlike any other. In such a close relationship, each spouse can be an instrument of God in the sanctification process of the other. Marriage also offers a COMPANIONSHIP like no other relationship. My mate sees me like no one else sees me. She knows me like no one else knows me. She understands me like no one else understands me. She loves me like no one else loves me. She thinks of me like no one else thinks of me. Our companionship means she can speak into my life like no one else can speak to me. Her words can hurt or help or heal like no one else because of our closeness and companionship. And God in His grace continues to bring a man and a woman together to COMPLETE each other.

Each husband and wife can have a Designer Marriage. This is possible if they follow the plan of the DESIGNER, allow the relationship to DISPLAY what God has planned for it to display, and submit to the DEVELOPMENT of their lives and relationship by listening to and learning from each other.

Let's pray that God would allow each of us to enjoy a DESIGNER MARRIAGE as planned by Him.

Pastor Mike

I Like Our Score Better

The Super Bowl is now history. No doubt today will be filled with plenty of talk about significant plays, missed opportunities, standout players, and why the winning team won. Well, they scored the MOST points - that's why they won! I am no sports fan but 43 - 8 looks like a blow out to me. All the hype and now it's over.

That's why I like our score better. What? Who was playing a game? That's just it, nobody was playing a game. But we were involved in a significant "Kick-Off" of our own and the score was 11 and 8; not 11 versus 8. we also had another 11 "men" on the "field" and their were no penalties. So what in the world am I talking about?

Last night we began our ministry to our children and teens and the Lord blessed with a great start to this new ministry. I am go grateful for Jenny Williams, Christie Downs, Maggie Dunagan, Shelby Williams, and Lacy Downs who helped to kick off our children's choir. They had 11 children present! For our 6th - 12th graders we had Marilyn Ellis, Adam Downs, Adam Williams, Chris Cowart, Jessica Cowart and myself present for our "Kick-off" meeting and 8 students showed up for our Pre-Game Celebration. So our score was 11 and 8. That means there were 19 young people at Everett Springs Baptist Church on Sunday night. What a blessing! The time has come for us to step it up in our outreach and discipleship for our children and youth and our church family "stepped it up" in a big way.

Thank you ESBC Family for your prayers and support of these two new ministries. Be sure to express your thanks to the 11 adults who are "plugged in" and willing to help and serve our youth.

The future leaders of our church are NOT yet still to be born - they were at church Sunday night and how I thank the Lord for the 19 students that were present!

Rejoicing in our score!
Pastor Mike

An Exciting Day Tomorrow!

I am excited about tomorrow! There are exciting things happening at Everett Springs Baptist Church and I want you to be a part of it all.

Since it is the first Sunday of the month we will kick off the day with our Brotherhood Breakfast at 8:00 AM. We will enjoy good food and fellowship with the men of our church and of our community.

All classes will meet for Bible Study at 10:00 followed by our worship service at 11:00. I am excited to begin our family emphasis month with a message I have entitled: "A Designer Marriage." I have been praying, preparing and seeking the Lord's leadership on this series of sermons for the past several weeks. It is my prayer that we will grow in our knowledge of the importance of marriage and through that we will see our marriages strengthened.

On Sunday evening at 6:00 we will begin two new ministries. Our children's choir will begin, under the leadership of Jennie Williams and the team she has recruited to help her. They will have a great time singing, learning and growing in Christ through this new ministry. We are also starting up a ministry to our 6th - 12th grade students. We will begin with a Superbowl Pregame party. It is going to be a fun time with refreshments, some interesting NFL highlights and a couple of powerful testimonies.

I am very grateful for the support and encouragement of our church family as we launch these two vital ministries. I believe there are great days before us as we seek to follow the Lord's leadership in reaching and discipling our young people.

This is also the week that we will have Dr. Stan Pethel meet with our choir on Wednesday night. He will then be back on the 9th to be a part of our worship service. Our choir and church family is very excited about this!

So I hope you can see why I am EXCITED about tomorrow and I trust that you will share in the excitement with me.

Hope to see YOU tomorrow!
Pastor Mike