RUSH

Hello and Happy Monday!!!!
I invite you to not only read these entries, but feel free to comment and dialogue.  It helps me much to hear from all of you.  What a thrill for me yesterday when in the second service "rush" came to my attention in the message PERFECT MATURITY.  The jailer of Acts 16,  in the account of the birth of the church in Philippi, rushed in at Paul's announcement that all the prisoners were still there.  He was stirred and moved by the Holy Spirit.  So he turned on the light and he himself rushed in asking, "What must I do to be saved?"  I so love that question.  Paul and Silas answered, "Repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ...and be baptized you and your household."  When the light overcomes our darkness, there is a rush.  I begin this Monday with an exciting, positive outlook for our future together.  Pray with me that we too will experience the Light, that we will be witnesses to the Rush of the Holy Spirit.  That we too might see others come to the Light and ask "What must I do to be saved?" 
Coach/Pastor John

Perfection

I should not be amazed, but I reckon God just continues to display His "AWESOMENESS." As I prepared today's message PERFECT MATURITY, all week God kept bringing testimony through many of our people to this perplexing challenge.  Many of us can relate to the following: "I really do try, but I am not perfect."  I heard that all week in several different ways.  Today I invite you to three keys to growing in Christ Jesus to completion.  There's God's part and there's our part.  God completes perfectly what He starts.  His grace is for all!  Believers grow best when in Christ they participate in His work.  Come join us this morning at First Baptist Camden at 8:30 or 11:00 am.  Stay for Bible Study at 9:45.  All are welcome!
Coach/Pastor John

Unity

"Make every effort to keep the unity through the bond of peace."  Ephesians 4:3
Last Sunday, we charged every member to maintain the gift of unity that God has given His church.  We will practice that unity by trusting God as He leads our worship pastor search committee.  Pray for them as they continue their work this Sunday.  Pray for their humility and cooperation with the Holy Spirit as they work together to consider all those who apply to determine who God has called to lead us to impact Camden with the gospel.
Coach/Pastor John

JOY

Good Morning!  This is the day that the Lord has made and I will REJOICE and be glad in it.  His loving kindness is everlasting.  Those are excellent reminders for me each morning.  Today as we enter this Lord's Day, we will be reading Philippians 2:1-4 in a message entitled "One Purpose." Paul speaks of JOY so much in this letter.  I love to rejoice.  I am usually a person that whistles a lot, I like to skip and I love to sing or hum praises to Jesus most of the day.  Paul goes deeper.  Joy is not just a temperament.  Joy is a way of life that follows Jesus in putting God first, others next and self last.  Let's commit to JOY today as we worship the one true King, Jesus Christ.
Pastor John/Coach

Make Every Effort

Hey!  Welcome to Monday.  The true inspiration of EMBERGLOW flows from thoughts after Sunday.  I originally intended this post for just this purpose.  So I am glad that you are here today and I hope that if you have not listened to 7/15/18 message "Wonders in the Deep" that you will check it out.  In light of that message yesterday, how are you doing today in the area of Paul's challenge to the Philippian church which we took to heart--"Make every effort to keep the unity through the bond of peace"?  Each day we as the body of believers at First Baptist Camden are brokers of peace.  We trade in the market of unity.  That is one key to our success in seeing the wonders of the deep as we serve God each day.  I love you all so much!  God bless you and have a great week!  See you Wednesday night for Church Conference!  It is a great time to be at First Baptist Camden!
Coach/Pastor John

Attend Church Sunday

“I mean I guess it would have been fun, but not half as much fun as with all of you here with me.” My son recently made that confession.  My parents never missed a game or meet while I played in High School or college. The same is true this Sunday, many will miss your presence in worship at the local church to which you belong.   “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together, as some are doing. Instead, let us encourage one another all the more, since you see that the Day of the Lord is coming nearer.” Hebrews 10:25
Coach/PJ

New Chapters

Welcome! I am so glad you have checked out EMBERGLOW.  This blog is created to share thoughts with all but specifically those who are looking for more than the fire.  Embers glow.  They are still hot, but they invite us to draw closer, to inquire more and to perhaps even ignite our own flickering ember to glow again.  So I am glad that you are here.  I hope to greet you several times a week.  These posts will save paper and replace what I have traditionally given to my church family in a bulletin, a short note called the Pastor's Message.  So those will post on Sunday mornings.  I hope to share insights and helps for living throughout the week, especially reflections Monday from Sunday worship at First Baptist Camden, my own time walking with the Lord and from other lessons learned during the week.  Please comment and share insights that may help others.  I look forward to our journey together.

Pastor John/Coach