A lesson learned
Recently, I decided my yard needed a bit of TLC, so I put on my work clothes and gloves, and I got quite a bit done — my yard is looking pretty good now.
What I didn’t expect out of my busy Saturday is the poison ivy that showed up on my arm the next evening. I figured it wasn’t too bad, so I took an antihistamine, put some cream on it and went to bed.
The next morning, I woke up with my arms and legs looking like something out of a horror movie with red, itchy whelps all over my skin. I realized then it wasn’t going to be an easy fix.
After talking to my coworkers about what I should do, I called my doctor. Had I not listened to what my body was telling me and the advice of my coworkers, I would have ended up with a much bigger problem.
Life is a bit like that sometimes. What might seem like a small problem can end up being a bigger issue if we let it go long enough.
We should pay attention to those nagging thoughts swirling in our minds. It’s easy to disregard them, but it’s not always the best thing to do.
Like putting off reaching out to a friend that you know needs encouragement or joining a small group even though you think you don’t have the time.
I believe if we pay attention, God will make us aware of things we should do that are important and life-changing.
James has a much more direct way of saying this: “Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it” (James 4:17).
Or as Ben Franklin said, “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today” — you never know how much it will change your life or the lives of the people around you.
Amy Hacker
theropetab.com
Let’s face it most Americans have extra resources. … When the extra comes to us, we either store it or we spend it. But rarely do we ask God what does He want to do with the extra. Rarely do we say, God you have blessed me. You have done so much for me. I have more than I need. What do you want me to do with the extra? When’s the last time you prayed that prayer?
Pastor Louie Heard
Second Baptist Church, Arkadelphia, Ark.
When we display the nine qualities of the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22–23, it is a reflection of Jesus more than a reflection of us or our ability to follow rules. He produces fruit. We abide in Him. “Against such things there is no law” (v. 23).
Pastor Brooks Cail
First Baptist Church of the Islands, Savannah, Ga.
I’m not everything I want to be … but I’m not what I used to be. —Pastor Bruce Chesser. How many of us can say the same thing?
First Baptist Church Hendersonville, Tenn. via Facebook
Letters to the Editor
After having moved to Mississippi last year, The Alabama Baptist is more important than ever in keeping us abreast with news from Alabama.
The April 29 issue was superb. There were so many excellent articles, but I was particularly captured by the article about Robert Woodall and his exceptional parents on page 1 and the page 14 article telling of Anna Adcox’s amazing ministry of dress making for international missions outreach that continues at age 97.
Both of these stories detail true sacrifice and unselfish service from totally different ends of the age spectrum.
I closed the paper feeling challenged and encouraged that there is ministry for us at all ages if we just open our heart to Jesus calling.
Well done, TAB!
Janice Pitchford
Ocean Springs, Miss.
I check the news at TAB every morning — part of my daily ritual. I love the new look of the website and the article about the launch of the national publication.
David George
WMU Foundation
“God is never closer than when your heart is aching.”
Joni Eareckson Tada
Author, radio host and advocate for accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community
God has a purpose for you. Above and beyond the mundane everyday life. It isn’t that God wants you to leave your job or where you live. He wants to use you right there. Exactly where you are. Intentionally. Your spiritual life isn’t separate from your regular life.
Brian Hatcher
Discipleship pastor
Clearview Baptist Church, Franklin, Tenn.
Wisdom is the ability to take the truth of God and apply it to your life. … It involves application, perspective and experience.
Todd Strain
Associate Pastor
Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria, La.
[Fasting] is not about the food, its about the Word. —Pastor Jarrod Roberts. How do we connect with Him during a fast? Get in God’s word. Read it as much as you can, as often as you can.
Psalm 119:105
Joshua 1:8
Matthew 4:4
Hebrews 4:12
1 Peter 2:2
Psalm 119:9–11
Psalm 1:2
West Rome Baptist Church
Rome, Ga. via Twitter
Two things you can do for foster families:
- Learn how you can join a foster care community group in your area to support families who are fostering or learn how you can foster.
- Donate restaurant gift cards for foster families in your community.
Adapted from a Facebook post
First Baptist Church, Columbia, S.C.
Jesus radically changes every life He touches. He changes attitudes, habits, relationships, emotions and destinies. And His changes are always for the good!
Facebook post
Quail Springs Baptist Church, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Dependability is an admirable quality.
Morris Murray Jr.
Jasper, Ala.
From the Twitterverse
@timkellernyc
Salvation lies not in an escape…but in the transformation of this world…You will not find hope for the world in any of the religious systems or philosophies of humankind….No faith holds out a promise of eternal salvation for the world—the ordinary world…(V.Ramachandra)
@ricklance
We can and we should learn from the past, but we must not take up residence there. As Christians, we are to be good stewards of the present and the future.
@JonathanLeeman
“It was when I was happiest that I longed most. It was on happy days when when we were up there on the hills…with the wind and sunshine…And because it was so beautiful, it set me longing. Always longing. Somewhere else there must be more of it.” —C.S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces
@brocraigc
“Satan never brushes the feathers of his birds the wrong way; he generally deals with us according to our tastes and likings. He flavours his bait to his fish.” —Spurgeon
@MattSmethurst
One of the marks of a Christian is a winsome and friendly spirit that delights in peace and harmony, not arguments and division. —@DrTomSchreiner
@trillianewbell
A thought (for Christians): If the loudest voice in our heads is our own, it will do us well to pause before speaking. It’s also one of a thousand reasons to meditate on the Scriptures. If His voice is even a little louder, it could be a blessing to all around us.
@pjanrn_c
When you know that God is for you, that His Spirit lives within you, and that His favor and presence are upon you, you are no longer consumed with insecurity about the odds that may be stacked against you. #ElijahBibleStudy
@MichaelCatt
One reason we aren’t living in #revival is we’ve defined sin as “what you do, that I don’t do, that I don’t approve of.” That’s self righteousness 101. Sin is what God says it is.
@kswhitfield
A foundational and non-negotiable pillar for biblical justice is a rigorous commitment to truth-telling.
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