Super Exciting: Keith Shumaker

You've absolutely got to check this out. This missionary, Keith Shumaker, is in Africa and the link below is from a church they've started. You've got to read it... 44 Charter members! Pictures included!

Keith Shumaker

Play-Doh: August 2nd

I am putting the finishing touches on Sunday's lesson for the class...

As a class, we handed out Play-Doh Invitations on Sunday... What is a Play-Doh invitation? LOL Sarah made some labels that we wrapped around small cans of Play-Doh and passed out to those folks who should be in our Sunday School class but don't come. I put a link on the website so folks could get more information...

Lord-willing simple things like this will at least perk attention. The ultimate goal is to proclaim God's Word, teaching it correctly in Spirit and in Truth so that God will get the maximum glory!

I wish I could post the Word document on here so you could view it, but I may have to do the ol' copy and paste routine... LOL Not now, of course, but later... We haven't even gone over it in class yet!

Well... Sometimes You Gotta Wait

I just found out that our loan will not close on Friday due to the seller not having a lien release done... Ugh... They didn't inform their realtor about this either... Sigh...

So we wait.

Let's Catch Up...

Tons of things going on this week... Very busy but busy is better than bored any week.

1. Finally, praise God, Sarah and I were approved for our construction loan! It took about two months (which our loan officer advised it probably would) but it appears all things have worked out and we close on Friday, July 31st. Lord-willing, we will be building on a 1.07 acre lot in Easley, SC. Sarah's dad, who is a licensed residential and commercial builder, is building our home (again, Lord-willing). Praise God!

2. My brother and his fiance came to visit us this week also. Bryson and Anna spent the night Monday and Tuesday. It was great to get to see my lil' brother, the ultimate fire fighter... LOL They are getting married in October and Anna is trying to convince me that it would not be a good idea to sing "Leather & Lace" with my talented Uncle Keith at their reception... Hmmmm... Need to think about that one a little bit more. LOL

3. Saturday, the Sunday School class is coming over for "Bashtravaganza @ the Butner's!" LOL I don't know where I got the title... I guess this crazy imagination God has bestowed upon me. Sarah asked, "What is a 'bashtravaganza?'" I advised, "I guess you will find out." After I woke up, rose from the floor and wiped the blood from my nose I told her. I married a tough woman... LOL She's going to kill me for typing this... LOL

4. Almost ONE YEAR that we have been married! :) I gotta come up with something good, something spectacular to celebrate our first anniversary together... Any suggestions PLEASE feel free to email me or just comment below...

5. This is for Sarah... Michael Buble's "Everything" Love ya honey!!!

Josh Dow

A lady I work with has a nephew who was wounded in Afghanistan last week. He is back in the states now at Walter Reed AMC.

1. Please pray for him, his soul and injuries.

2. Why not send him a note of encouragement and a letter of thankfulness for serving our country?

Walter Reed Army Medical Center
Bldg 2, Ward 45C
6900 Georgia Ave NW
Washington DC 20307-5001
In lower left corner - C/O Joshua Dow Rm 5

Good Stuff Today

Preacher Mike posted this today by A. W. Tozer on his blog:

"We’ll hardly get our feet out of time and into eternity than we’ll bow our heads in shame and humiliation. We’ll gaze on eternity and say, "Look at all the riches that were in Christ Jesus, and I’ve come to the judgement seat almost a pauper."

Preacher Chris had an interesting article also on his blog... check it out!

Vacation Pics!!!

The task at hand! LOL HUGE PLATE!

Get Yo' Money Back!

I was cruising World Wide New Testament Baptist Missions website and subsequently came across Bro. O'Malley's personal website...

Anyways, he was on the news about some lost dress shirts. I thought it was interesting to see him on the news. You can ch-ch-check it out here.

Hebrews at Lakeview

"And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: They shall perish; but thou remainest;"

Hebrews 1:10-11

This really jumped out to me tonight... Here is the prayer that burned in my heart tonight...

God anchor me closer to the Author and Finisher of our faith! Unwaivering trust and complete confidence in Christ, no shred of doubt in His power!

TV & Entertainment

I like my T.V.

I like to watch movies, especially with my wife.

I probably like them to much... John Piper gives some good insight into WHY HE DOES NOT watch television and also why he thinks believers should steer clear of worldly entertainment.

He makes some great points. Go here.

Vacation over...

Sarah and I got back yesterday evening. Here are some highlights from the trip:

* We went to Holden Beach. We didn't get too burnt, but a little "stingy." LOL

* Overall it was a relaxing time; it was nice to just be together, alone and away from home. :)

* We saw some beautful sunsets. I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.

* On the way back home yesterday I killed a goose... The poor little booger wouldn't get out of the way! I guess you could say his "goose" was cooked. LOL So corny, I know!

* I forgot to mention! While we were away two of the buildings in our apartment complex burnt down! My buddy called me and asked if it was mine, and after a brief period of freakin' out (LOL) the property manager advised us that our apartment was fine... Praise God!

Thank God for protecting us while traveling and for the good, relaxing time. :) I feel very refreshed and I can't wait to get busy again!

Ignatius: The Ultimate Youth Pastor

Thanks Chris... LOL This is hilarious, but I'm sure there are some guys out there who would possibly agree with this guy... LOL

Vaction!!!

I'm off of work! Praise God!

VBS is going on at Lakeview. I preached last night about "choices" from Joshua 6 & 7... We've got some great young people! :)

Please pray for the next two nights that the Lord will work in the lives of our young folks.

You can see pictures on the website!

sarah and i are at a greenvile drive game. she is mocking me because i just said "the book of gentiles." lol
{Aaron}

Great Comfort in God's Word

This morning...

Do you ever have those mornings where you think, "God, I just need a little bit more grace today than usual!"

I'm not disclosing any details, but I received some "trying news" last night and it weighed on my mind through the evening, night and this morning. I was thinking early this morning, "God, help me trust You more." I am so weak; so quick to whine and complain...

While reading this morning I came across this text and it brought me comfort; God in His wisdom allowed me to read of this awesome exchange between Christ and Nathanael.

John 1:46 - 50

46Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (I can't help but think of me and my sour attitude here.)
47Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!
48Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee.
49Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.
50Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.

I don't know what Nathanael was thinking about, but I'm sure this interaction isn't "awe-inspiring" just because Jesus knew WHERE he was physically. I believe whatever Nathanael was doing or thinking about while under the tree is why he has a "jaw-dropping" moment.

My Father knows what is on my heart and mind and He knows my flaws. He understands the trouble and issues I will have to deal with before I EVEN EXPERIENCE them... He is not limited to just Creator of the Universe, but He personaly and intimately cares for me. Praise God!

August 2nd

Marc and I are going to do this promotional invite with Play-Doh for our Sunday School class, the College and Career Department. I don't want to go into to much detail right now, but if you have a moment please pray for our young adults at Lakeview.

I will go into more detail later, but please pray accordingly:

1. God will receive the maximum glory in all things we do.

2. The class will grow, not just numerically, but more importantly in Christ.

3. The class will begin to engage our town and county with the Gospel.

Mark Tolson: China

Again, I'm just amazed by some of the guys who I am some-what affiliated with through my short participation with BCWE. I posted one of Andrew Pearson's videos in an earlier article, but I FINALLY checked out Mark's Vimeo page.

Half-way through the video you will see Jake Taube translating a message into Chinese to a FULL church in China. Praise God!

Check it out!

China Survey Trip - Vision Edition from Mark Tolson on Vimeo.

He is no Fool...

I've kind of been on this mission's kick as of late, and today is no exception. I found a picture of Jim Elliot's journel where he penned his most famous quote...



Hands down, he is one of the biggest influence on the church as a whole of the past 50 years...



You will find the quote underlined.

He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.

Where is your treasure?

I found this video while cruising Austin Gardner's blog.

Andrew Pearson produced this video sometime back. I saw it a long time ago, but had forgot about it. The video gets really interesting at around 35 seconds... that doesn't mean you fast forward though... LOL Andrew was my roommate while I was in Peru; that poor guy!

Where is Your Treasure? from Mark Tolson on Vimeo.

Church Opportunity in Santiago!

Jason and his family are great people. Please take 3 minutes of your time to watch!

Jason Holt's Website

New Church Planting Opportunity from Jason Holt on Vimeo.

Lakeview Baptist Church Update!

Mike is starting a new study, going through the book of Hebrews on Wednesday nights! I know I'm looking forward to this study; there are some texts within this book that I am anticipating coming across...

If you can't make it to the Bible Study on Wednesday nights, you could probably ask for the message to be sent to you. Go to our website and make your request known! (Email Mike) LOL Or you can email me... I don't care.

http://www.lakeviewbaptist.net/

Biblical Stress Management 101

This is Part II...

How does a believer deal with stress in their life in a Christ-like manner?

Here is the time to ask an interesting question:

Did Jesus ever experience stress and was He ever “stressed out?”

Yes. Having to face being separated from God the Father, Jesus begins to sweat blood while praying asking for God to “let the cup pass…”

Stress over your relationship with God.

Luke 22:41-44 (Do you think Jesus was stressed?)

Who has stressed over that lately?

Ultimately we understand that the best way to deal with stress or being “stressed out” is to be stressed; a day should never go by in which we do not stress over our relationship with Christ! He is the ultimate example of how to deal with stress.

Also, check out:

Hebrews 12:2-3
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

Christ dealt with stress with peace, poise and power – because He had His Father’s perspective. Christ challenges us to have the same perspective.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”
Philippians 2:5

We must yield to Christ our every concern and follow Him in complete obedience. We sometimes think following Christ is hard but read what He says!

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

And when the times get the toughest, and the stress seems almost unbearable, remember the words of Peter.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

I Peter 5:6-7