Hope is My Journey -- James Blay

Recently I have been described by many as successful. As a recent graduate of Mercer University, my success has been measured by my completion of my course work and the receiving of my diploma. As proud as I am of my accomplishments, I still find myself wondering if my success is truly quantified by the awards and honors I received. I wonder if there is a more accurate scale by which my success can be measured. I dare say there is.

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A Gift That Lasts -- Rev. Jody Long

            A conversation about gift giving in our home can quickly lead to the question, “What do I give her/him?”  The truth is, we’re pretty simple folks with pretty simple tastes.  And so, after years of dating and marriage, finding the perfect gift for birthdays, anniversary, Christmas, and other good days can be difficult.  I suspect that many of you share such sentiments.

            But why is gift-giving so difficult?  Is it because we’re tempted to make the next gift the most perfect gift ever?  Is it because we’ve watched way too much television and are convinced that the “IT” thing is going to be fantastic?  Is it because we haven’t paid enough attention to our spouses, children, family, or friends to know what they want or need?  Whatever our reason, many of us confess that gift giving is difficult.

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Faith and Reason Walk Together -- Dr. Robert Richardson

This Sunday we will celebrate with those members of First Baptist who have graduated this year from high school, college/university or graduate school.

This is as it should be.  Our church has a long history of creating, promoting, and celebrating achievement in education.

In more recent years, however, education in general, and academic achievement in particular, has been met with some disdain within our society.  Some of this dislike has been directed toward those who are high achievers and scholarly thinkers.  And some churches have joined in.  Why?

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Remembering Mrs. Lucy by Reverend Julie Long

            On Sunday, millions of Americans will honor their mothers.  Restaurants will be packed; shopping malls will welcome all who will make it the largest gift-buying holiday besides Christmas; it will be the peak day of the year for long distance phone calls.   Many of us will enjoy time spent with our families and will remember with deep appreciation the gifts our mothers have given us. 

            Mother’s Day is not officially a church holiday, but the truth is that it ranks right up there behind Christmas and Easter.  Grown kids will be home to visit and pews will be packed with family members near and far.

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Celebrating Our ESL Ministry -- Gwen Colwell, Coordinator

As a child I was involved in all church activities.  Through Sunbeams, GA Forward Steps, YWA, Camp Pinnacle and Ridgecrest I developed a keen interest in missions.  I felt the needs of the world so strongly that as a youth I aspired to be a foreign missionary.   As a pastor’s wife I worked intensely in missions education wherever Jack served.   In retirement in Marietta I directed the English as a Second Language (ESL) ministry.  As I worked with people from more than twenty nations, I realized that the world is literally at our doorsteps.

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