Larry’s Lines. . . .
By Larry Murphy, Executive Director
Recently I heard a sermon by Dr. Ed Young, Sr., pastor of Second Baptist Church, Houston, Texas. In this sermon he told the story of a young man he knew as they were growing up. This man had a tremendous crush on a particular girl but was too shy to even talk to her.
One day he got up enough nerve to talk to her and even ask her for a date. She agreed only if they went to church. He said, “To church?” She said, “Yes, our date will be going to church.” He agreed because he thought, “What could happen at church?” Unfortunately, too many of us – yes, even believers – never think anything can happen at church.
Over the past several months, our family has experienced many difficult situations – my wife’s mother going to assisted living, close friends going to be with Jesus, others diagnosed with life threatening cancer, a beautiful new grandson that did not come easy and took great toil on my daughter mostly, along with other circumstances too big for anyone but God. Trust me, he is big enough. All my life as I have been discipled by many godly people at church, I have been taught that “nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
Let me remind you, remind us, that church is not just that building we attend, but church is wherever God’s people are found.
I learned three things at church, through all of the situations listed earlier, and from a devotion my wife shared with me. Psalm 62:1-8 tells us:
- We are to wait. God acts in His own perfect timing and He is never late.
- We must wait silently. That is tough for us. When we stop talking God can speak. When we are quiet we think of Him and not our anxiety or worries. He can give trust, courage and patience.
- We must be motivated by His intervention. Focus on the Lord not on ourselves, our troubles or even others – whatever it is that is pulling our attention away from our trust in Him.
So we do not need to ask, “What am I going to do?” Rather ask, “What is God doing?” I promise He is doing something.
Oh, and remember the story we started with. The young man asked, “What could happen at church?” After the service he took his date to her house and there she in detail explained what he heard at church and he prayed to receive Christ. Five days later he proposed marriage and not many years later they are still married and serving Christ. A lot can happen at church!
Crockett County High School
Baccalaureate Service
May 15, 2019 • 7:00 p.m.
Crockett County High School
Alamo, TN
Chickasaw State Park Ministry
Each year from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, churches from our association volunteer to conduct a Sunday morning worship service at Chickasaw State Park for campers. This is a wonderful opportunity for your Men’s Ministry, youth group, or individual laypeople to share Christ outside the walls of the church. Many campers return year after year, expressing their appreciation for this ministry. If your church is interested in leading a worship service at the park, call the associational office at 731-668-5690 or e-mail Katrina Porch at katrina@mccbaptists.org.
Holiday Closing
The association office will be closed on May 27, 2019 to observe Memorial Day.
Madison-Chester Association
Senior Adult Meeting
Tuesday, June 4 • 10:30 a.m.
Old Friendship Baptist Church
100 Hunter Lane, Finger, TN
Crockett Association
Senior Adult Meeting
Tuesday, June 11 • 10:30 a.m.
A host church is needed. Please contact the association office if your church is willing to host this meeting (731-668-5690).