Faith Baptist Church

Note to self:  When God says he will make an utter end of the place where you live, call U-haul quickly!

Something in Tim Coleman’s sermon caught my interest today – He mentioned the walls of Nineveh, which existed near the site of modern day Mosul, today a hot-spot in the ongoing war in Iraq.

The walls were ten stories high, with 1500 towers around the seven and a half miles of wall which encircled the city.  The towers were 200 feet high.  The walls were wide enough for three chariots to ride abreast.  There were fifteen huge gates leading into the city.

But God got fed up with the city of Nineveh, and in Zephaniah 2:13-14 it says, “He will stretch out his hand against the north and destroy Assyria, leaving Nineveh utterly desolate and dry as the desert.”

Well, 2800 years later, the walls are gone.  You’d think something of that magnitude would stand forever, especially since they were made of earth and brick.  But Nineveh was so completely destroyed that it wasn’t even re-discovered until the 19th century.

Nothing that we build will last forever.  That’s what I got out of the sermon today.  We sometimes go through life trying our best to make it heaven on earth.  But everything we build, no matter how opulent or fancy, will someday burn.  It reminds me of this quote:

Only One Life,
Twill Soon Be Past
Only What’s Done
For Christ Will Last

 This week’s service was more surprise than sermon – for two special members of our church.  Pastor Larry and his wife, Mary celebrated their 20th anniversary at Faith, and the entire service was dedicated to praising God for their faithfulness and service. 

 Several members spoke of their admiration of the pastor for his loving heart – and for 20 years of working “as unto the Lord” for the people of Faith Baptist Church.

The music was uplifting, and the pastors were showered with love and appreciation.

 You can listen to a podcast of the service here. (.mp3 format)

 After the service, the whole church migrated over to the cafeteria at Appalachian Bible College for a thank-you luncheon.  The only thing better than the fabulous food was the family time.

 For more pictures of the day, check out Faith’s Photos.

Also, somebody *coughJimFritzcough* put together a montage of photos from the Halsey’s twenty years of service.  Click here to see a cherubic Larry Halsey as a young minister, doing what he does best!  Loving us!

I ran across this article today about Christianity in Appalachia.  It talks about some of the cultural ramifications of life as a Mountaineer. 

I think it’s important to meet people where they are.  In this, or any area, that means understanding the idiosyncracies of the culture and learning to love the people just like they are. 

Too often, ministers come to this area from elsewhere and want to change their congregations to fit the culture of someplace else – and here’s a hint – it won’t work.