Persistence

An unbelievable experience got me to thinking this week. The other day I noticed on my deck at the house that birds were trying to build a nest on the corner of my flood light and draining gutter. I thought to myself, "no, let's not do this" and I gathered it up and deposited it in the trash. No, there were no little birds or eggs inside the nest. (There were no birds damaged in the making of this blog :))

I went about my day, came back outside and an hour later and it was like I had never taken it down in the first place. So, I repeated the exercise. So did the birds. We battled ALL day long! FIVE times I took it down and FIVE times they built it up. So, as you can tell by the picture, I finally surrendered. I tipped my cap to their persistence.

I wonder if we Christians attack life like these birds? Are we persistent with our personal spiritual growth? Do we stay in our daily devotion and study of God's Word? Are we consistent in prayer? The Bible tells us in Ephesians 6:18 "Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."

Birds 1 - Tim 0 But lesson learned!

Playing Like a Team

I've been a pastor for a number of years now and I've also been involved in High School sports for awhile as an assistant coach. Specifically basketball. I'm a basketball maniac - I have a passion for the game but I have a greater passion for the players I get the opportunity to coach. And I have a passion for God and for God's people.

I've noticed that there are a lot of parallels between coaching kids in high school and leading a church. No matter how you look at it...it requires team work. It requires us to be unselfish and to work together for a common goal. I say it all the time: We can do more together than we can a part!

Here are some parallels I find interesting:

Church Life
Rebounding - discovering God's grace
Sacrifice - putting away our own self interests
Sharing - the mark of any New Testament church
Penetrating - reaching everyone with God' love
Passing - forgiveness to everyone
Block Out - stop occasionally and praise God
Victory - living for Christ daily

Basketball Team

Rebounding - takes heart
Sacrifice - giving it your best everyday
Sharing - being unselfish
Penetrating - not being afraid to attack
Passing - come to the ball
Block Out - the key to rebounding
Victory - doing the little things right

At First Baptist Church Morganfield, KY we are experiencing God's blessings in church growth, solid spiritual foundations are being formed, new lives coming to Christ, dynamic worship and a sense of unity.

Our Girls Basketball Team of Union County is currently 16-6. Winners of 10 straight and #1 in the Region.

Takes hard work but the experience is a blast!