Since the 1940s, the Ad Council has been the leading producer of public service announcements. Of the thousands of commercials they have produced, their work for the "Don't Almost Give" campaign has been particularly powerful.

One ad shows a man with crutches struggling to go up a flight of concrete stairs. The narrator says, "This is a man who almost learned to walk at a rehab center that almost got built by people who almost gave money." After a brief pause, the announcer continues: "Almost gave. How good is almost giving? About as good as almost walking."

Another ad shows a homeless man curled up in a ball on a pile of rags. One ratty bed sheet shields him from the cold. The narrator says, "This is Jack Thomas. Today someone almost brought Jack something to eat. Someone almost brought him to a shelter. And someone else almost brought him a warm blanket." After a brief pause, the narrator continues: "And Jack Thomas? Well, he almost made it through the night."

Another ad shows an older woman sitting alone in a room, staring out a window. The narrator says, "This is Sarah Watkins. A lot of people almost helped her. One almost cooked for her. Another almost drove her to the doctor. Still another almost stopped by to say hello. They almost helped. They almost gave of themselves. But almost giving is the same as not giving at all."

Each ad ends with a simple, direct message: "Don't almost give. Give."

How true that can be for church work as well.

A child almost learned a Bible lesson because someone almost volunteered to teach her class. A toddler was almost cared for during a worship service become someone almost volunteered to care for him. A senior citizen almost received food assistance because someone almost donated to the food pantry ministry. A worship guest almost decided to return for another visit because a member almost took time to speak to him. A teenager almost trusted Christ as Savior because someone almost witnessed to her.

Fortunately for us, Jesus did not almost go to the cross. He gave Himself for us. We must give ourselves to His service—not almost, but fully, totally, completely and unreservedly.

May your New Year’s resolution be a commitment to overcoming the “almost” in your faithful service to Christ and His church. Don’t almost give. Give.

Happy New Years!

Pastor Brian

Many of you probably saw news reports about the chaos that broke out at many stores on the Friday after Thanksgiving Day. Known as Black Friday, the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season, anxious shopper camped out in tents in front of stores the night before. Door-busting crowds gathered at the crack of dawn and rushed in hoping to find the best bargains they could. The chaos was maddening.

In one store, a greedy shopper used pepper spray to deter other shoppers from grabbing an item she wanted to buy. At other stores, police officers and store security officials were called in to quell near-riotous behaviors. Video surfaced showing police officers using Tasers to subdue unruly customers.

Yet, when I arrived at the church for worship the Sunday after Thanksgiving, there were no door-busting crowds waiting to get in. No one was camped out in tents in the front field. A part of me was a little disappointed that I didn’t get to pepper spray anybody (maybe next week!). I guess Jesus isn’t as popular as discounted flat screen TVs and tablet computers.

Isn’t it sad that people will go to great lengths to save a few dollars on something that will wear out one day yet never give thought to gaining something that will last for all eternity?

It seems that every year that goes by the message of Christmas is muted by clarion calls for bigger and better shopping deals. Yet, the message of Christmas remains the same: God with us!

God is with us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God is with us to save us. God is with us to free us from sin, Satan and death. God is with us to comfort us. God is with us to love us. God is with us to shower us with the riches of His mercy and grace. God is with us to adopt us into His family of faith. God is with us to give our lives meaning and purpose and hope. God is with us to forgive us. God is with us to bind up our broken hearts and mend our broken lives.

Yet, many people treat the message of Christmas as yesterday’s news. Many people are looking for something bigger, brighter, shinier, and with longer battery life and more downloadable apps. However, there is no manmade product or device that can fill the hole in our soul. We are an incomplete people and we can only find wholeness when we accept God’s gift of forgiveness in Jesus Christ. That is the message that we need to share with others—not just during the holidays—but every day.

Carole and I wish you all a joyous and blessed Christmas and a Happy New Years.

The shepherd loves the sheep!

Pastor Brian

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Robert Emmons, PhD, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, and psychology professor Michael McCullough of the University of Miami, have long been interested in the role gratitude plays in physical and emotional well being. They took three groups of volunteers and randomly assigned them to focus on one of three things each week: hassles, things for which they were grateful, and ordinary life events.

The first group concentrated on everything that went wrong or that irritated them. The second group focused in on situations they felt enhanced their lives, such as, "My boyfriend is so kind and caring—I'm lucky to have him." The third group recalled recent everyday events, such as, "I went shoe shopping."

The results: The people who focused on gratitude were happier. They saw their lives in favorable terms. They reported fewer negative physical symptoms such as headaches or colds, and they were active in many ways that were good for them. Those who were grateful quite simply enjoyed a higher quality of life.

Emmons was surprised. "This is not just something that makes people happy, like a positive-thinking/optimism kind of thing. A feeling of gratitude really gets people to do something, to become more pro-social, more compassionate." Such was not the case in either of the other two groups.

Of course, God’s people do not need a scientific study to tell us that an attitude of gratitude creates a positive outlook on all of life. We also don’t need a day placed on the calendar to remind us to be thankful. Every time we gather for worship, we are expressing our thanksgiving to God for His abundant mercies and His continued goodness toward us.

Thanksgiving toward God does several things for us:

• It helps us to remember that God is sovereign in our lives
• It helps us overcome envy concerning what we don’t have
• It helps us to recognize our dependence upon God
• It helps us to remain humble
• It helps us to realize that life’s difficulties never outweigh God’s goodness

So as the Psalmist has said,

“Give thanks to the Lord for He is good;
For His loving-kindness is everlasting.” (Psalms 136:1)

The following is reproduced from the original minutes of the meeting to organize the new Elm Grove Baptist Church

Minutes of the organizational meeting of Elm Grove Baptist Church
October 12, 1941

Moderator, W. T. Stephenson
Clerk, J. R. Pilkinton

Mrs. J. H. Mercer gave a brief history of the Church.

Mr. Stephenson gave a brief resume of his work here since July 1941.

A calendar of activity was made to carry through December 1941.

The Church organization was set for September 28, 1941. This was delayed until October 12, 1941 so that Mr. Stephenson could be back to help.

Members of the Elm Grove Church from the original are: 

 Mrs. J. H. Mercer
 Mrs. C. M. Moses
 Mr. C. M. Moses
 Mrs. C. A. Horton
 Mrs. J. E. Pilkinton
 Miss Mary Hodges
 Mrs. C. B. Hodges
 Mrs. H. C. Horton

There are several others who have not been baptized.

A committee was formed for drawing up a Church covenant and declaration of faith. Elected were:

 Mrs. T. J. Williams
 Mr. J. H. Mercer

It was stated that every Baptist Church has definite control over auxiliaries of its Church.

The members by letter are:

 Mr. & Mrs. T. J. Williams
 Mr. & Mrs. J. R. Pilkinton
 Mr. & Mrs. Clayton Cornish
 Mrs. O. B. Mobley

Clayton Cornish was elected Sunday School Superintendent. Miss Mary Hodges was elected Treasurer. Teachers:

 Mrs. C. M. Moses
 Mrs. C. A. Horton
 Mrs. Cornish
 Mrs. Williams
 Mrs. Mercer
 Mr. Hicks

J. R. Pilkinton was elected Church Clerk

The officers of a New Testament Church are Pastor and Deacon.

The election of deacons to be held within two weeks for observance of the Lord’s Supper.

Mr. W. T. Stephenson was nominated and elected Associate Pastor.

The vote for morning and night services was held. Vote:

 Morning – 0

 Evening – 0

 Both – 22

Signed, J. R. Pilkinton

John 4:38 “Other men have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

We are blessed to have entered into the labor of others who have gone on before us. Faithful men and women who had a vision for a Southern Baptist witness in the Elm Grove and south Bossier Parish area.

My prayer as we celebrate our church’s 70^th anniversary is that those who come behind us would find us faithful as well. We are creating a legacy that others will look back upon in 70 years. Just as those first members laid the foundation upon which we now stand, we are laying a foundation upon which others will stand in the future. Let us be faithful to our legacy and faithful to our Lord.

The shepherd loves the sheep!

Pastor Brian

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Our Hope for Bossier Ministry Center (old parsonage) was broken into sometime between Sunday afternoon and early this morning (Tuesday). The thieves stole the computer, monitor, T.V., DVD/VCR combo, surround sound receiver and speaker system. (Amazingly, they left the printer!) The thieves also dumped out a 37-gallon Rubbermaid container of macaroni and used the container to haul away the electronics. The thieves apparently broke out the glass in the backdoor, crawled through the hole, and opened up the sliding glass door on the back patio. The backdoor glass was sturdy Plexiglas and did not break. It fell to the floor in one piece when the framing around the window gave way. The deadbolt lock on the back door requires a key both inside and out, so the backdoor was still locked. The thieves had left the sliding glass door wide open when they left.

Fortunately, the computer was over 12 years old and not worth much. The computer monitor was also many years old. The TV, DVD/VCR, and surround sound system came with the trailer when it was purchased about 7 years ago. The depreciated value of all the items stolen is less than our $1,000 insurance deductable, so we won’t be making a claim. We have another computer in the office that we’re not using and can put that to use over there. There’s no need at this time to replace the TV, DVD or surround sound system.

The Bossier Sheriff’s office has processed the scene and did lift some fingerprints. Hopefully, they will help lead to the arrest of the thieves. The trailer has been released back to us for clean-up.

A special thanks to David Lemoine for discovering the break-in this morning. David is repairing some roof shingle damage from last Wednesday’s storms. I appreciate such great help. The backdoor glass is temporarily in place until a new window frame comes in on Thursday.

September is the month in which Louisiana Baptists turn their attentions to the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering. Every year, Louisiana Baptists pause to reflect upon the many missions and ministries sponsored by the Louisiana Baptist Convention and funded through the Georgia Barnette Offering.

Gifts through the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering are used in various ways, all for the purpose of doing God’s work through missions in Louisiana. Our convention leaders have spotlighted several priorities:

PRIORITY 1: Major population growth in the New Orleans and the Northshore corridor points to the need for new, vibrant church plants that will reach out and pull families into life with Christ and fellowship with His church. Through Bible study, worship, discipleship and ministry, church plants will take the gospel into developing subdivisions and communities.

PRIORITY 2: The economy is forcing more and more of Louisiana’s population to look for food and clothing assistance in greater numbers. Louisiana Baptists are there, providing comfort, encouragement and evangelistic witness through Compassion Ministries.

PRIORITY 3: In the coming year, Louisiana Baptists will absorb mission budget items that were previously provided by the North American Mission Board. This will necessitate an increase of $700,000 in missions budgeting in the coming years. The Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering will make this happen.

As you pray for God’s work in Louisiana:

THANK GOD for the church planters, compassion ministry leaders and other mission leaders, including state missions’ personnel, who are working to reach Louisiana for Christ.

PRAY FOR those who serve as volunteers in Disaster Relief and mission building, at compassion care sites and on church planting teams, asking God to direct their footsteps, using them in mighty ways across our state,

PRAY FOR countless opportunities to share the Gospel in our state and for a desire for revival as seeds are sown daily for Christ.

PRAY FOR the hundreds, even thousands, in this state who have not heard that Christ died for them to give them salvation. Pray that the lost will hear—and respond in saving faith.

PRAY THAT Louisiana Baptists will give selflessly, generously and sacrificially to the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering.

ASK GOD to make each of us aware of missions and ministry needs in our own communities, as well as in every community in the state.

LIFT UP our efforts of giving and receiving the Georgia Barnette State Missions Offering that we will recognize the utmost importance of both our individual and cooperative gifts.

Our Elm Grove Baptist Church goal for this special missions offering is $750. Prayerfully consider how you will give.

The shepherd loves the sheep!

Bro. Brian

Help! It’s August in the South! Hot, hazy and humid.

August is perhaps my least favorite month of the year, not just because of the weather, but because August has no holidays. What’s up with that?

I’m sure our children have another reason to dislike August—it’s back to school time!

This past week I came across a story about a little boy named Ryan who was starting first grade. Accustomed to going home at noon in kindergarten, Ryan was getting his things ready to leave for home when he was supposed to be heading to lunch with the rest of the class. The teacher asked him what he was doing. "I'm going home," he replied. Teacher tried to explain that, now that he is in the first grade, he would have a longer school day. "You'll go eat lunch now," she said, "and then you'll come back to the room and do some more work before you go home." Ryan looked up at her in disbelief, hoping she was kidding. Convinced of her seriousness, Ryan then put his hands on his hips and demanded, "Who on earth signed me up for this program?"

As believers, it's easy to feel a little like Ryan when we consider the Christian life. The requirements are daunting—"Surely the Lord doesn't expect me to forgive seventy times seven;" "Surely He doesn't want me to turn the other cheek when someone hurts me;" "What does He mean, 'take up my cross'?" It isn't long before you want to say, "Who on earth signed me up for this program?"

We “signed up” with Christ through faith when we trusted Him as Savior and committed to making Him the Lord of our lives. As Lord, Jesus has the authority to direct our lives. The Bible never portrays the Christian life as one of ease and comfort. Instead, the call to Christ is the call to service and sacrifice. Jesus said, “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). He also calls His disciples to follow Him in that same path. As His followers, we are to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him wherever He leads.

Let me encourage you to reflect on how closely you are following Christ. What aspect of your life has not been surrendered to His lordship? Your finances? Your recreation? Your job? Your language? Your T.V. viewing? Your worship? Is your marriage under the lordship of Christ? What about your parenting style? Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone who needs to forgive you? Is there a ministry Christ has gifted and called you to perform? Do you have friends that draw you away from Christ? Are you seeking to grow in Christlikeness? Are you developing the Fruit of the Spirit? Are you dying to self that you might live for Christ?

My prayer for you is that as children go back to school and young adults return to college, that you too will return to full faithfulness to Christ and His Kingdom. Vacation is over!

The shepherd loves the sheep!

Pastor Brian

Ken Canfield, Founder and President of the National Center for Fathering, once asked a stadium full of men: "Are fathers necessary or optional? Do dads have a unique and important contribution to make in the lives of their children?" The crowd grew quiet. He sensed that many of them had experienced first hand the emptiness a young boy feels when his father isn’t involved in his life.

Canfield went on to say that he believes men possess more power through healthy fathering than in any other area of their lives. "As we consider who will be the real heroes of the coming generation, I’m convinced that fathers like you and me have a great opportunity--to shape the destiny of America one young life at a time."

Unfortunately, fathers in America are a disappearing breed. One study reported that 40 percent of all American children will go to sleep in a house in which their fathers do not live. Before the age of eighteen, more than 50 percent of our children will spend a significant portion of their childhood living apart from their fathers.

A generation ago, an American child could reasonably expect to grow up with a dad. Today, an American child can reasonably expect not to. Our society has somehow decided that fathers are unneeded, unwanted and in some cases a detriment to the wellbeing of children.

The Bible presents a different picture of fatherhood. Biblical, godly fathers bring leadership, stability, protection, training, and guidance to the family. Godly fathers promote the healthy self esteem of their children. Godly fathers teach their sons how to be godly men and to honor the women in their lives. Godly fathers teach their daughters to seek godly men for their husbands; men who will love them the way Christ loves the church.

Regarding the importance of his role as a father, General Douglas MacArthur said, “By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that, but I am prouder—infinitely prouder—to be a father. A soldier destroys, a father builds. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battlefield, but in the home, repeating with him our simple daily prayers.”

Father, how will your sons and daughters remember you? Are you leaving them a legacy of faith and faithfulness, or are you leaving them with memories of neglect as you pursue careers, hobbies or other pleasures in life. Fathers are important—so important that Jesus taught us to relate to God as Father. He becomes the standard by which all earthly fathers seek to model their lives.

Pray for the fathers in our church that they may be examples of godliness, holiness and honor.

Blessings,

Pastor Brian

Regret—the crushing sense that "I blew it"—is as universal of an emotion as love or fear. So, in a new study, two researchers set about trying to figure out what the typical American regrets most.

In telephone surveys, Neal Roese, a psychologist and professor of marketing at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, and Mike Morrison, a doctoral candidate in psychology at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, asked 370 Americans, aged 19 to 103, to talk about their most notable regret. Participants were asked what the regret was, when it happened, whether it was a result of something they did or didn't do, and whether it was something that could still be fixed.

The most commonly cited regrets involved romance (18%) — lost loves or unfulfilled relationships. Family regrets came in second (16%), with people still feeling badly about being mean to their siblings in childhood. Other frequently reported regrets involved career (13%), education (12%), money (10%) and parenting (9%).

As I reflect upon the study, I see that no one mentioned spiritual regrets. The greatest spiritual regret is to live your life without faith in God and the Savior Jesus Christ. There is no greater regret than to die and stand before God having never received Jesus as Savior and Lord. But by then it’s too late.

Perhaps an almost equally significant spiritual regret is not fulfilling God’s purpose in your salvation. In this case, you did make a faith commitment to Jesus, but you failed to live under the lordship of Jesus Christ. You failed to make your faith and His church the central and defining aspect of your life. However, we do not need to continue that way.

I am reminded that because of the finished work of Jesus on the Cross, I am no longer controlled by my past failures and regrets. The Bible assures us that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleans us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

The Apostle Paul knew all about regrets, especially surrounding is former life as a persecutor of the church. However, Paul did not allow his past failings to define who he was. He wrote, “I count all things loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).

The Good News is that in Jesus we have been born again. We are new creatures. We have a fresh start, a new beginning and a clean slate. For the Christian, every day can be a new beginning because God’s mercies are renewed every day.

You may have some regrets in your life (as the Sinatra song says, “Regrets. I have a few.”).You may have regrets that you have not made the most of your faith. You don’t need to live with those regrets. You can forget what lies behind, reach forward to what lies ahead and press on toward the mark of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). Our God is always in a forgiving mood.

The shepherd loves the sheep!

Pastor Brian

George Fridlender, born and raised behind the Iron Curtain in the former Soviet Union, will speak at Elm Grove Baptist Church, Sunday, April 17, at the 10:45 a.m. service. 

Fridlender’s father was a professional dramatist and stage director and was also the victim of the Communist regime. He spent 17 years in a Siberian concentration camp, but because of his strong faith in God, he was able to survive the ordeal.

Years later, George Fridlender faced a trial of his own when he was arrested by the KGB and sentenced to years in prison. Just as God delivered the father from the camps, so He would bring the son out of the oppressive country and to the shores of the United States.
It was there that his life intertwined with that of a young South Carolina native, Kimberly Justus, who later became his wife.
Both received advanced degrees from the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York and then continued on to international acclaim as opera singers in Western Europe.

In 1994, God called Fridlender to leave the operatic stage and begin a ministry telling about the miracle of God’s deliverance in his life. Since returning to the United States, he has led worship through word and song in more than 1,200 churches throughout the southeast.

The Fridlenders live in Woodstock, Ga., with their two sons, William and Robert.

The Children's Ministry will host a spaghetti fund raising lunch on Sunday, March 27, at noon following the morning worship service. Proceeds will go to defray the cost of Children's Camp this summer.

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