<![CDATA[ImmanueLightning]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1 en-us Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:58:10 GMT <![CDATA[What I've Never Seen]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=33
Recently the vice president of a major airline told a group of travel executives, "I've never seen people as worried about the future as they are today."

I wondered about who we listen to. How old and experienced is this person? I would assume that he might have been born a little prior to WWII if he is approaching retirement. Just what of the world has he seen?

Although the news does seem to be bad to worse, we have not been around very long, even as a country. We seem to forget that things like this have happened before and the world has gone on.

I don't want to forget that there will come a time when that may not be true, but I know the God who controls all of these events and He will hold close those who trust Him. That doesn't mean the bad goes away always, but we can face it confidently.

Since we can't know the future; know the One who does.
]]> Wed, 01 Oct 2008 11:58:10 GMT <![CDATA[This Blogger, Wordpress, or]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=32
There seems to be a lesson here. Our wonderful God gave us the ability and freedom to make choices: good or bad, wise or foolish, important or useless. We only need to decide what we want to do. There is the problem. We are supposed to base those choices on what God wants us to do not just what we want.

Actually, the choices are not always that plain. As we try to follow Christ we find more and more often the choices are between good and best. That seems to be the one I face now...which one is best?
]]> Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:26:18 GMT <![CDATA[The Blessing of Family]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=31 I haven't written for awhile...no particular reason except my computer went down and it took a little more planning to do any digital task.


Previous to this time we had been blessed with a very untraumatic family life. Then at the beginning of the year my nephew's dad died and just last month my husband's dad died. My comments are about the Immanuel family's meeting of the needs in the loss.


There can be no other church family which is more in tune with the needs of the grieving. They were at the bedside helping to console; and sharing information about how to get a grandson in bootcamp here in time. They brought food all the way out in the country to us as soon as they heard. They called, they took over duties which had to be given up with "not a problem." They provided a meal before the funeral for those who were in from out of town and served it graciously. And then cards began to arrive; along with them the memorial gifts.


This has been a teachable moment...that is teacher talk for the time when you can learn the most about something.  I know I will be better at all these things now that I have seen this group in action. It is a heart moment.


]]> Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:31:08 GMT <![CDATA[Christmas at Whit's End]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=30 For those of you not addicted to children's radio shows, this is Focus on the Family's offering. They are having a marathon of programs on Saturday starting at 12, I think. But on the web you can listen all you want. Or you can download them as mp3's for your listening pleasure.


I have been listening: It's a Pokenberry Christmas 1 & 2 is a variation of It's a Good Life. Christmas Conundrum reminds us it is all about giving and that we can't ever match the gift of salvation that was the beginning of all this. 


 Back to Bethlehem 1,2, & 3 and The Star 1 & 2 utilize Mr. Whitakker's time machine to travel back to the real time of Jesus' birth. Connie and Eugene meet not only Mary, Joseph, and the baby, Jesus; but, also some fictional people who could have been there and their thoughts.


Try it if you haven't been there. there is a link on our links page. Or you can go to Whit's End from here.


]]> Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:45:34 GMT <![CDATA['Tis the Season...]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=29 To quote a non-Christian source..."tradition, tradition, tradition." I won't break into song, but those words do cover this season well.


Many of the things we do at this season are things we have done for years and we may have lost the reasons behind them. Why trees, why green and red, why lights, why angels, why bells, why caroling, why snow, why Santa Claus, why  a manger, why evergreens, why baking, why gifts,...and on and on and on we could go.


Some of these are based on Christian sources and some are not. For a comprehensive look at a few http://www.soon.org.uk/christmas.htm has the real story of the beginnings of the celebration. At the very bottom of the page are links to other helpful things you might need or want to know.


Celebrate the birth of the Christ child or Messiah who came to earth as the on we call Jesus of Nazareth. Go tell, go tell, go tell,...




]]> Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:10:44 GMT <![CDATA[Operation Christmas Child]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=28
My goal for the shoe box collection was met and exceeded by 50%. I will set a bigger goal next year because your hearts are way bigger than my faith.

We had a shoe box for almost every person in Sunday School and although some were given by others, LIKE OUR DAY CARE FAMILIES, that is still a huge accomplishment.

And we are supporting House of Hope at the same time for your youths' project. What a precious gift to Jesus on his birthday, being obedient to his instructions to help the poor: widows and orphans. Both of these projects are to those people in our world.

Prisoner bags are the next thing we will be doing.

And don't forget Lottie Moon!



]]> Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:45:50 GMT <![CDATA[Gospel according to Pinocchio]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=27
That is where I thought the reference was going this morning, but it took another more interesting turn.

It seems there is a conversation between Pinocchio and his real father Ghepetto about Pinocchio's dissatisfaction with his lot in "life." He has been created differently from the other children in his group. But his conclusion was that if his papa, Ghepetto, is ok with him the way he is then he could be ok with himself the way he is.

I wasn't expecting that turn, but it is a powerful statement for those of us who have trouble "blooming where we are planted." Very perceptive for a wooden head. Maybe there is hope for us.

]]> Sun, 04 Nov 2007 19:15:11 GMT <![CDATA[Catching Up]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=26
We have 2 baptisms on the horizon: one child, one adult. The JOY Club has a trip to Charleston in the near future, too.

And some of the singles have begun a new work...an associational group of singles. They will be combining for fellowship, projects, and study.

But don't forget that Operation Christmas Child is going full force with boxes due on Sunday the 18th. And the youth are collecting for House of Hope: November it is garbage bags of 3 sizes. They took the paper towels and had a little Fall Fling while they were there.

No wonder I haven't had writing time.]]> Sun, 04 Nov 2007 00:48:01 GMT <![CDATA[Entry for August 20, 2007]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=25 I have really been encouraged this week. There are actually two reasons. First, someone is doing something to bring singles from smaller churches in the area together for events that none of the groups could manage on their own.


North Carolina in the Raleigh area has had a clearinghouse for activities for awhile. And it is something which should help bring some ministry growth to some folks who are often overlooked for traditional church jobs: deacon, child teachers, etc.


And, I didn't have to do it. Some members of my Sunday School class took the iniative and contacted the associational office. I was wowed!!!


The other thing was the presentation of the globe for $1 million given to the cooperative program over the years. Celebrating what we have accomplished in partnership with those who came before us shows how the generations build on each other. It inspires us to keep looking for the next great thing God has for us.

]]> Tue, 21 Aug 2007 00:21:53 GMT <![CDATA[Entry for June 25, 2007]]> http://www.ibcflorence.org/blog.html?cq=1&p=24 Well we have survived another week of Vacation Bible School; one more to go! No, we don't do 2 weeks like they used to back in the olden days. But we are having another week in July for our childcare group that will meet during the day while they are here. Teachers are there for them at that time. Church members are usually at work during the day...and transportation for their kids is a challenge. Not many stay at home moms or dads or school teachers apparently.

The group sang during the morning service to share some of what they learned. "Jehovah Jireh," Abraham's name for the God who provided the ram to take Isaac's place.

The curriculum will be different and anyone who wants to may come in the day time, too.


]]> Mon, 25 Jun 2007 19:55:37 GMT