Another great thing about Brainerd...

Yesterday I had the opportunity (really, the privilege) of sharing a few words at a funeral service for our church's former librarian. When I came to the funeral home, I noticed our church van was there in the processional line. When I walked in, I realized why. Several of our men were there to serve as pallbearers. There were six of them to be exact. These men all serve the church in so many ways. One of them directs our BX volunteers. One teaches a class of men faithfully each week. Another one provides transportation for people at our church from little children to senior adults. Another has an integral part in our outreach and missions strategy. Another leads a weekly nursing home service. The other was a staff member who often works more than a 40-hour week serving his church.

When the service was over, we came back to the church and a meal was prepared for the family. The ladies who fixed and served the meal also serve in great ways. I am so glad that God has blessed Brainerd. This type of service is not the aberration, but the norm!

Glad to serve along side servants,
--Curtis

The Long Wait Is Over

Since October I have been looking forward to the opening of the Starbucks on Brainerd Road. It's less than 2 miles from the church! How nice is that? Well, it's open and I can inform you that I have bought my first $3 beverage there. It is the first of many, I am sure.

I might be contributing to all that is wrong in America by frequenting Starbucks, but as long as they sell tall decaf Caramel Macchiatos, I will be there.

--Curtis

Blessed....in many ways

I just got back from a brief vacation. I got to see my parents and my sister's family, so that was a treat. Many BBC people know that I have been blessed to have godly parents. They serve in so many neat ways, that it challenges me! Two particular areas they have given their lives to is:

1. A Bible study for special needs adults. These adults are mentally handicapped, but are capable of giving and receiving love, and listening to the Bible. My dad teaches them each Wednesday night.
2. A service at a homeless shelter. Every Tuesday night my mom plays the piano and my dad leads the singing (he's not a singer, by the way...sorry, Dad!) at the Garden City Rescue Mission. About 40-50 men and 5-10 ladies are there in services each week.

I went last night to the mission with them. I was going more or less as an observer. I have to tell you how much I was blessed. One of the men who is staying at the mission played Amazing Grace on his trumpet. We sang "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior." You would have been blessed by their singing. The prayers of the men and women were passionate. God is doing great things there.

As God would have it, I got to work on my vacation. The scheduled preacher didn't show up. I noticed the nervous glances when it was time to start and he was nowhere to be found.

When I realized that there was no preacher for the evening, I had a feeling where this was going. So....I had brought my Bible, and decided to share the message I shared with BBC a couple of Sundays ago concerning the life of Joseph. I pray that God used my words, and I know He used His words to encourage them.

As I was walking out of the mission, I was reminded of how blessed I am.

• I am blessed to be employed and have a means to support my family.
• I am blessed to have a home to live in.
• I am blessed to have met brothers and sisters in Christ that I may never have met had God not rearranged my plans.
• I am blessed to be able to have God's word to share on any occasion.
• I am blessed to have parents who serve people weekly that society often tends to overlook or avoid.

That's just a start. I could go on all day.

God is good, daily giving us so many blessings. I would say more, but David stole my thunder in Psalm 103.

--Curtis

March Madness

I can tell that march madness is in full swing. Last night we had just about 40 people at open gym. I had to climb over three people just to get into the gym. OK, so it wasn't that full, but it was great to see everyone, and meet some new friends. Last night the Lord has really laid it on my heart to share the Gospel. At about eight o'clock, I got their attention and started right into it. These are a great bunch of young men, and they are really respectful and quiet when someone is speaking. Last night there was no major decisions, but the Lord helped remind me that I've planted a seed. I was talking with a friend of mine last night, and they encouraged me that the average person will hear the Gospel 7 times before they except Christ into their hearts. I heard this fact before, but it was good to know that maybe for some it was there first time hearing it, maybe it was there 6th time hearing the Gospel. I've come to understand that more and more people will listen to you, and do not mind you asking about there spiritual life. The hardest part, is opening up my mouth, After that the Lord helps me! I hope you are encouraged to share the Love of Christ with someone today. Take a friend golfing, or go bowling, or find something fun to do, and share what Christ has done in your life. Tell your friends, family, co-workers about Him.
My prayer for you all is to know, love, and become closer, and more like Jesus Christ every day!

Saved by Grace, through Faith in Jesus Christ.
-Ryan

Where are the bloggers?

I go on vacation and what happens...no one blogs! I need Ryan, Collin, or someone to pick up the slack! :-)

See you guys later this week!

--Curtis

Downloading and Podcasting

We are beginning to offer audio recordings of recent messages shared at Brainerd Baptist Church. If you would like to receive these (or know of someone who would), check out our website for more details.

What does Elijah mean?

Brainerd begins some new classes tonight. Our pastor will lead a marriage class, Ruthie will be looking at a book that speaks about lies that women believe, Mark will guide a class through an awesome book that strengthens our faith, and Collin will continue to train servants/volunteers for The Gathering.

However, I am blessed by my opportunity to open God's Word with our group in prayer meeting. Tonight, I will begin a series called "The Lord Is My God." That is what Elijah's name means. What a statement concerning his allegiance. As much as I have come to admire the courage, trust and tenacity of Elijah, I have been MUCH MORE impressed by the Lord who Elijah served (and I serve). He is the hero of every story in the Bible, isn't He?

Tonight, we will be in 1 Kings 17. If you can't come, take a look at the chapter, and remind yourself to depend on God like Elijah did! God can absolutely be trusted.

--Curtis

Persecution

As I was researching material for camp this summer I came across a web page that has made a huge impact on me. It is http://www.prisoneralert.com/. I hear from different people about persecution around the world all the time, but sad to say I usually move on to the next conversation and I never really give it any thought. As I read story after story of brave men and women who are risking their lives to spread the message of Jesus Christ, my heart was broken and I was well aware of just how little I do. We do not understand persecution. We live in a world of 42 inch LCD TVs, SUVs and freedom to attend Sunday morning worship service. While we are in our nice clothes, sitting next to our loved ones, Christians in Iran, China, Cuba, and many other areas around the world, are being placed into jail, beaten, raped and put to death just for the things we take for granted. I don't have an answer other than that it's time for us here and now to have a boldness about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Instead of being complacent in the absence of persecution in America, we should be encouraged in the face of freedom to share the gospel and the hope of Christ without shame, and to pray passionately for those who encounter affliction each day around the world.

-- Lee

Easter Candy, Lent, and Great Reading Material

Some people prepare for the celebration of Good Friday and Easter in different ways. Some marketing machines will capitalize on the season to entice shoppers to buy a new dress, buy their kids another toy, or get some pastel M & M's.

Other people will spend their time giving up something for Lent. This sacrifice on their part is an effort to remind them of the sacrifice Jesus made for them.

I have gotten into the habit of preparing myself for these days in a little different way. I try to find a book that focuses my mind on the cross or on the empty tomb (it's empty because there are no bones in it, sorry I couldn't resist a jab at the Discovery Channel's debacle).

Can I give you a couple of suggestions that may make this season special for you?

• Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper - a great read (my 2005 Easter book) with short chapters in case you don't have long periods of time to read
  
  
• Six Hours One Friday by Max Lucado - vintage Max, he captures your imagination and heart in a special way (my 2006 Easter book). There are so many good ones by Lucado, but I love this one
  
  
• The Cross of Christ by John Stott - a little longer, a little harder to read, but it's what I have chosen to read this year

This is going to be an awesome time of year. Let's prepare our hearts for God to speak to us in a powerful way.

--Curtis

Let the madness begin!

It's that time of the year again...when the temperature gets warmer and the days get longer. It also means it's March Madness time! This year, test your bracket skills against those you see every week at church.

Go to www.espn.com and after you fill out your bracket, join the "Brainerd Baptist Boys" group. Let the madness begin.

--Collin

Don't Forget What I Forgot to Remind You Not to Forget

Time Change. This weekend. It completely slipped my mind on Sunday, but I should have mentioned it. We spring forward this Sunday, lose an hour of sleep, but still get to come to church, ready to worship @ 8:30 am or study the Bible @ 9:30 am.

FYI. My dad begins changing the clocks the Thursday before time change. It messes you up all weekend. Maybe that explains some things about me!

--Curtis

Unbelieveable!!

There is something I've just got to talk about...

Last night on the news, I watched the story of a 17 year old uncle and two of his friends teaching his two preschool nephews how to smoke pot. The older boys made a video of this lesson, and were heard laughing in the background while the viewer (me, in this case) watched a two year old and a five year old smoke pot. That was disturbing, but the video wasn't what has completely perplexed me.

The news reporter interviewed the 17 year old. He had been arrested and charged with child endangerment. The boy said that he was sorry, but he really didn't see what the big deal was. He continued to say that he had been around "weed" his whole life and that it wasn't as bad as giving them meth or ice like some other people did to their kids. What he thought he did wrong was video tape the incident. He then went on to say that, at some point in their lives, these little boys would try "weed", so what's the big deal about having it now? Then when asked about his punishment, he said, "Prison is out of the question, maybe some probation or community service, but not prison."

HELLO!!!! What's the big deal?!!! Probation?!!!! Community service?!!! (Hear me screaming at the TV)

Then it hit me. This type of behavior was "normal" to him. This boy was completely bewildered about why this was a big news story. He has probably seen more crime and abusive behavior in his 17 years than I can even imagine. He didn't even realize he was hurting those children.

How did he get like that? When he was young, did a caretaker give him drugs? At what point in his life did the need to be high become so important that he lost all sense of rational thoughts? Can this 17 year old, high school drop out, drug user and dealer ever change? Can his "normal" change? How many generations will continue to live out this kind of hopeless, destructive behavior? Who or what is going to make a difference in this boy and boys like him?

OK, I know what your thinking. Probably what I'm thinking. We know the "Sunday School Answers" to these questions, but for me, those answers are just not enough. I have no doubt God is able to do anything he desires, I know that His power is limitless, I know He is the Redeemer. I know all that. I must admit though, that I feel a bit like the man in Mark 9:24. "I believe. Help now my unbelief."

How cool would it be to see God really move in this boy's life? I don't even know this kid, but he needs Jesus. His family needs Jesus.... not the pretty Jesus we find in pictures or storybooks but the Jesus who met with tax collectors, prostitutes, the demon possessed, and the outcast. He needs the Jesus that bore his sin on the cross and stands ready to receive him. He needs Jesus to be big. This boy needs the author of Truth to be light on the deception in his life. He needs his eyes opened. He needs to know that he is not unredeemable, that God knows the plans He has for him, plans for good, not evil. Imagine how much this boy's life would change if he truly knew that he was God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works.

I'm praying that God will draw this boy to Himself and change him from the inside-out. I am praying this boy becomes a leader to younger children rather than their destruction. I pray this boy surrenders to the call of Christ.

Will you pray with me?

--Ruthie