Cross Lanes Baptist VBS 2008

We kicked off Vacation Bible School 2008 tonight with the largest number of participants we have had. The Lifeway theme this year is Outrigger Island: Living God's Unshakeable Truth. Last year, 26% of baptisms in Southern Baptist life came as a result of Bible School. Yet fewer and fewer churches are conducting VBS each year.

Many churches cite the lack of workers as a primary reason they are not conducting VBS. It takes a tremendous amount of volunteer workers to conduct a quality VBS. We are blessed at CLBC to have a wonderful team of people who are willing to give of their time and talents for this very important ministry.

I saw a number of new faces this evening that I have not seen before. A major part of VBS is reaching out into the community and making contact with families that we have not ministered to before. If even one family is reached with the Gospel through this ministry, all of the work will have been worth it.

A lot of fun will be had by all throughout the week and memories will be made that will last a lifetime. I can still remember VBS experiences that I had as a child that made an indelible impression on me. I am thankful there were people who cared enough to take time out to prepare lessons, snacks, crafts and games and most importantly share the love of Jesus! This is what it is all about.

Father's Day 2008 Reflections

Father's Day is the day we set aside to recognize the importance of fathers to the family. Unfortunately, the role of fathers has been increasingly diminished by our society and the family is broken like never before. Because of the level of brokenness in families, the very foundation of our society is beginning to crumble. We need men who will step up and be men. We don't need metrosexuals, or men that try to act like women, we need men. We need men who love Jesus, who love their wives and who love their children and aren't ashamed of who knows it.

My Grandma, Ona Polk, went home to be with the Lord in 1991. In 1981 she had the opportunity to visit the Holy Land. When she did so, she brought a Bible back to me. It is one of the few earthly possessions that I have that are really meaningful to me.

She wrote in her own handwriting in the front of the Bible- "To Seth Polk, May 1981. The trip to Jerusalem, Egypt and Holy lands really meant a lot to me. To be where our Lord was in human form- walked, talked. Read this book, study what it says, or it won't be of any use to you. I love you Grandma." She included the following that was written by Leonard Wagner:

Our world needs men and boys,

Who cannot be bought,whose word is their bond;

Who put character above wealth,who are larger than their vocations;

Who do not hesitate to take chances, who will not lose their identity in a crowd;

Who will be as honest in small things as in great things;

Who will make no compromise with wrong, whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires;

Who will not say they do it "because everybody else does it";

Who are true to their friends through good report and evil report, in adversity as well as prosperity;

Who do not believe that shrewdness and cunning are the best qualities for winning success;

Who are not ashamed to stand for the truth when it is unpopular, who can say "no" with emphasis, although the rest of the world says "yes".

God make you this kind of man.

16th Wedding Anniversary

My wife Emilee and I are celebrating our 16th wedding anniversary today. I am thankful for the gift of a godly wife and she has exhibited a tremendous amount of grace and patience with me over the years. She has given me three beautiful children to whom she is a wonderful mother, and I look forward to the years ahead. I love her more than ever before.

In the day of non-commitment and broken relationships, God's best plan is still one man and one woman in a covenant marriage relationship for life. This can only happen by the grace of God. Marriage is truly a testing ground that brings out both the best and the worst in us.

The Apostle Paul wrote in I Corinthians 13:1-8 "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Southern Baptist Convention 2008 Recap

The 2008 Southern Baptist Convention Meeting in Indianapolis passed relatively quietly. There was a general spirit of unity and cooperation in this year's convention. Frank Page, Senior Pastor of Taylors First Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina served our convention well as President over the past two years with a gracious spirit and passion for the Lord. Johnny Hunt, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia was elected to serve as the new President of the SBC. I am confident he will lead us well.

It was encouraging to see the convention having discussion regarding biblical issues such as regenerate church membership, which resulted in a resolution regarding this subject. Churches were challenged to take seriously the biblical distinctive of a regenerate church membership, which has also been a historic Baptist principle. It was also encouraging to hear a good amount of discussion regarding a "Great Commission Resurgence" and the need for churches within the SBC to once again take seriously the command of the Lord to "make disciples of all nations".

This leads me to the heart of my thoughts on this year's convention. What is it that brings us together as fellow believers in Christ? Why is there such a thing as the Southern Baptist Convention? We were powerfully reminded of it in the closing session of the convention as Jerry Rankin, President of the International Mission Board of the SBC gave the annual report. We heard about what God is doing around the world through men and women who have surrendered their lives to go and take the Gospel where it is not known. We are Southern Baptists because we believe we can do more by cooperating together than we could ever do as individual churches. We are Southern Baptists because we have a desire to reach the nations with the Good News! Who will go and tell? God is calling us and we have no alternative but to be obedient for His glory!

The Indianapolis 500?

John Foster, Seth, and Brandon Carter

The Indianapolis 500? Well, not quite but it was a lot of fun. We had a couple of free hours in between sessions of the Southern Baptist Convention recently in Indianapolis, and took the opportunity to do some indoor go-cart racing on a two level indoor track. My interstate driving skills paid off as I had the fastest lap and left Brandon well behind, wishing he could drive like me.

June Baptism at Cross Lanes Baptist

God is continuing to bless as there were five who went through the baptismal waters today. We are praying and preparing for summer ministries, particularly Vacation Bible School the week after next. Plans are in place for outreach into several multi-housing areas where we will be providing transportation for children. I am praying that we are able to make a significant impact into these communities, and that we will see many souls saved for the glory of God.